James Taylor – Kingston Concert

The Rogers K-Rock Centre has announced James Taylor and his All-Star band will be in concert on May 12th at Kingston’s downtown arena.

It’s one of 15 Canadian dates on his upcoming North American tour.

If seeing James Taylor in concert is on your bucket list – be advised the show will include material from his latest album, Before This World.

Budget Consultation

Kingston and the Islands Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen is hosting a public consultation on the federal government’s budget today.

Gerretsen will host the pre-budget session in Memorial Hall at Kingston City Hall from 1 to 2:30 this afternoon.

Gerretsen says the aim of the consultation process is to make sure the budget reflects the needs of Canadians.

Youth Shelter – Arson

Kingston Police and the Fire Marshall have determined a weekend fire at the Kingston Youth Shelter on Brock Street was deliberately started.

They are continuing an investigation in the case of arson.

The shelter remains closed after the fire in a second floor bedroom on Saturday night.

When it re-opens it will be at a reduced capacity because of the damage caused by the fire.

Smoke Bust

A 42 year old woman from Kingston has been busted for driver under suspension and possession of illegal smokes.

Napanee OPP stopped a vehicle on the 401 eastbound in Tyendinaga Township during the noon hour on Saturday.

Natasha Moulton of Kingston was charged and police seized 1,600 unmarked cigarettes from the vehicle.

New Syrian Refugee

A group of Kingston writers has received a $40,000 grant to bring a prominent Syrian writer to Canada.

The Kingston Writers’ Refugee Committee says the man and his family have been forced to flee Syria and are living in a neighbouring country.

It got the grant from the Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Letters…a national literary foundation.  It says it will be conducting further fund raising activities.

Indecent Acts – Arrest

A 31 year old man from Brockville man has been arrested in connection with reported indecent acts in Napanee and Belleville a year ago.

Napanee OPP says a woman reported in February of last year that a man performed an indecent act after he stopped his vehicle to ask for directions in Napanee — and five days later there was a similar incident in Belleville.

Richard Gordon Kirkland of Brockville was arrested on Friday and has been charged with two counts of committing an indecent act…he is already facing a charge for a similar incident in Gananoque earlier this year.

Risk Watch

Community organizations in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington and police are partnering on new initiative to help those at risk in the community.

Community Risk Watch is being launched today at Kingston Police headquarters.

The program is aimed at rapidly mobilizing resources and services to help individuals and families experiencing acutely elevated levels of risk.

Bates Obit

The man who led the public school board in Frontenac County for 11 years is being remembered as someone who touched the lives of students and colleagues.

John Bates passed away on Sunday, January 24th.

He was 75.

Bates was director of education for the Frontenac County Board of Education from 1989 to 1995.

He’s credited with helping start the popular Focus programs that are now under the Limestone District Board.

In his retirement – Bates led the group that helped secure funding to repair a crumbling Fort Henry in the late 90’s.

Pancake Day

It’s Shrove Tuesday – Pancake Day.

Loyalist Area Scouting is hosting two pancake suppers as a way to introduce people to the Scouts.

One takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Andrews-by-the-Lake Church.

The second is from 5-7pm at the Sand Hill Presbyterian Church in Joyceville.

Admission is by donation.

Microscope Donation

The Kingston Community Credit Union is helping buy a new microscope for the laboratory at Kingston General Hospital.

It has pledged $60,000 to purchase the new multi-head histopathology microscope.

The cheque presentation takes this afternoon in the lab at Kingston General.