Coalition – Planning Process

A coalition of community groups has issued a scathing report criticizing Kingston city council and city staff for ignoring public input on planning decisions.

The Coalition of Kingston Communities has issued a 16 page brief claiming the city only pays lip service to getting public input on planning issues.  The brief says Kingston’s process isn’t fair and city council has not been following the city’s official plan when it approves developments.

The Coalition represents about a dozen community groups in Kingston.

It is calling for a cultural shift at city hall to one of openness, transparency, and inclusion.

It says Kingston has to restore a balance between public and private interests.

Stabbing – Sentence

A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to time served and two years of probation in the stabbing of a man at Princess and Macdonnell Streets in July of 2014.

Daniel Darryl Kent had been in jail since he was arrested after the stabbing.

He was scheduled to go on trial next week for attempted murder…but he plead guilty to the lesser charge of aggravated assault.

Feb Fest

Feb Fest is underway as town crier Chris Whyman declared the show with no snow will go on during the official opening in Springer Market Square.

The lack of snow has led to the cancellation of the maze, slide and sculptures in Confederation Park.

But all of the other activities are taking play including the horse-drawn sleigh rides, entertainment and other family events.

Hockey Day is tomorrow with games in the morning…an autograph signing with Leafs legend Ron Ellis and then the Historic Hockey game in the afternoon.

And…Sunday highlights include the Polar Plunge and Figure Skating show.

Drunk as an E-bike Rider

A 54 year old Kingston man who was too drunk to walk was charged with public intoxication after trying to ride off on an e-bike.

A woman called police…concerned he was going to get on the e-bike and ride away from a Compton Street Apartment on Wednesday night.

Police found the man lying on the ground near the e-bike still saying he wanted to ride off on it.

He was arrested for public intoxication and police say the $64 dollar fine was better than a charge of impaired driving.

Danier Insolvency

Danier Leather has entered insolvency proceedings as it tries to find someone to invest in — or even buy — its 90 stores across Canada…including the one in Kingston.

The Toronto-based retail chain lost more than 27-million dollars over the last two years, and it says it expects to lose even more this year.

Scratch and…Winners!

It’s a dream come true for people who love those scratch lottery tickets.

Ryan Major and Lauranne Warner of Kingston are celebrating their $100,000 win in the Instant Wild Card lottery.

Their five dollar ticket paid off with one of the seven top prizes in the Wild Card scratch and win game.

The winning ticket was bought at the Mac’s on Division Street in Kingston.