Kingston News, July 6, 2016

Sydenham Fireworks

The company responsible for the Sydenham Point fireworks show on Canada Day has apologized and offered to provide a free show next year.

South Frontenac Township has issued a news release after a delay in the fireworks show.  It says the delay and a lack of communication with spectators led to significant community disappointment.

Fireworks FX also issued a letter of apology saying it was using a new system and was concerned with the weather on Friday night.

South Frontenac says it will also work on developing a better system for timely updates to be communicated to the spectators.

Drought Conditions

The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority Water Response Team has boosted its drought advisory from minor to moderate.

The conservation authority is asking everyone across the region to conserve water.

It says the region has a deficit of 75 mm of rain over the last three months and in a few weeks that will reach close to 100 mm.

Change of Command Ceremonies

There are two change of command ceremonies at CFB Kingston today.

Lieutenant-Colonel Brian Healey will assume command of the Peace Support Training Centre from Lieutenant-Colonel Craig Landry during a ceremony at 11 this morning at the Vimy Officers’ Mess.

Colonel Derek Basinger, will assume command of the Canadian Army Command and Staff College from Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Trudel during a ceremony at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon at the college on the grounds of Fort Frontenac.

Collins Bay – Search

The maximum security unit at Collins Bay Institution is currently under lockdown while staff conducts an exceptional search.  No specific reason for the search was given in a news release from the Correctional Service.  It says the search was ordered on Monday morning to ensure the safety and security of the institution, its staff and inmates.   Anyone who had planned a visit to the institution is being asked to phone ahead.

Wake Up Kingston

Kingston Fire & Rescue is launching the “Wake Up Kingston” annual smoke alarm awareness program. Firefighters will be out in selected neighborhoods going door-to-door in to check smoke alarms to reinforce the importance of having working smoke alarms in their homes.  The campaign takes place throughout the summer and early fall.

P4W

From Tony’s today in history file…it was on this day 16 years ago that Kingston’s infamous Prison for Women closed its doors in a private ceremony marking the end of a turbulent history.  It had been open for 66-years as the only federal penitentiary for women in Canada.  It was bought by Queen’s and the University tore down three of the walls surrounding the building but it hasn’t proceeded with relocating its archives to the facility.

High Speed Ride

A 17 year old from Harrowsmith had to call his father for a ride home after police clocked him riding his father’s motorcycle at 77km and hour over the speed limit on Unity Road.

Police stopped the motorcycle around 7am yesterday morning in Elginburg after it registered 127 km/h on radar in a 50 km/h zone.

He faces charges of stunt driving…his license was suspended for seven days and his father’s motorcycle was seized for seven days.

Drug Bust

A routine traffic stop on the 401 just east of Napanee has resulted in drug trafficking charges against two Loyalist Township residents.

The driver was unable to produce identification during the stop.  A search of the vehicle then resulted in the seizure of 127 grams of Ecstasy, 33 tablets of methamphetamine, 15 grams of hash oil, 12 x 500mg “Potent Pens” that contain liquid cannabis and 37 grams of marihuana. A 34 year-old male and 17 year-old female from Loyalist Township face charges of obstructing police and four counts each of possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking.