Kingston News July 24, 2018

Town Homes Kingston

Kingston’s Commissioner of Community Services has taken over the operation of Town Homes Kingston.

The city announced yesterday Lanie Hurdle will be running the municipal not for profit housing corporation after it failed to comply with fire regulations.  A news release says operational reviews also found additional breaches related to financial management and conflict of interest guidelines.

The executive director has been removed and the board of directors has also been removed from control of the corporation.

Town Homes Kingston operates 400 housing units in Kingston.

Family Dispute – Stabbing

A 27 year old Kingston man has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault after his brother was stabbed with a pickaxe.

Kingston Police say the victim’s parents woke up to his screams in their home on Apple Down Drive around 3am Sunday.  Their son was rushed to hospital by paramedics and was in critical condition.

Kingston Police arrested the 27 year old around 8am yesterday at a coffee shop in the city’s west end.

Sexual Assault

A 39 year old Kingston man has been charged following an investigation into the sexual assault of a youth in his care.  Kingston Police say they began investigating last Wednesday after the youth was taken from a home by neighbours when they learned what was going on.

The 39 year old was arrested yesterday and charged with three counts of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a young person.

Mayoral Candidate

There will be a race for mayor in Kingston.

Eric Lee filed his nomination papers yesterday to run for mayor this fall.  Mayor Bryan Paterson is seeking re-election.

There is only district in Kingston where there is no race yet is Pittsburgh District.  Councillor Ryan Boehme is the only candidate so far.

Nominations to run in the municipal election close this Friday afternoon.

Skeleton Park Tree Planting

The city of Kingston is digging 22 test pits in McBurney Park to find suitable locations to plant 10 new trees.  The park is on the former Upper Burial Ground of Kingston’s main cemetery in the early 1800’s and is known as Skeleton Park.  The cemetery closed in the 1860’s and the park was built over the burial grounds in the 1890’s.

Lighthouse Destroyed

An historic landmark on the St. Lawrence River west of Brockville has been destroyed by fire after being hit by lightning.  Cole Shole lighthouse…also known as 5-Mile Light…was destroyed yesterday.  It was built in in 1856 and was closed as a lighthouse in 1927…but the tower was left standing.  The wooden structure burned to the ground yesterday on the small rock outcropping in the St. Lawrence River between Mallorytown Landing and Brockville.