CUPE Poll

A public opinion poll commissioned by CUPE says 8 out of 10 Kingston residents oppose the Ontario government’s plan to sell 60% of Hydro One.

The Union is conducting a campaign against the provinces plan.

It says the survey conducted by Environics Research also found people in the riding of Kingston and the Islands may take frustration to the polls in the federal election.  It says the NDP are leading among decided voters in the riding of Kingston and the Islands.

It is holding a public meeting on the issue at the INVISTA Centre starting at seven tonight.

According to a CUPE News Release:

Environics Research conducted an interactive voice response (IVR) telephone poll of 563 residents of Kingston on July 13. The results were weighted by age and gender to reflect the demographic makeup of Kingston. The results of a survey of this magnitude have a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Kingston – Buffalo Contest

A Kingston based pharmaceutical company is one of the semifinalists in a unique business idea competition being used to boost the economy in Buffalo, New York.

SYNG Pharmaceuticals has been chosen as one of the 110 startups to qualify for 43North.

It has a chance to become one of the 11 companies to share in $5 million dollars in prizes.  Winners also receive free incubator space in Buffalo, guidance from mentors and other incentives to locate in Buffalo.

The Kingston company has its office on Norwest Road.  It describes itself as is a pre-clinical stage Biotechnology company dedicated to developing next generation therapies against endometriosis and cancer.

http://www.43north.org/

Ling – Domestic Violence

A former member of the Kingston Frontenacs who went on to play in the NHL has been arrested in a domestic violence case in Miami.  40 year old David Ling has been charged with domestic-related battery and grand theft third degree.

He was arrested Wednesday morning following complaints from his wife that he struck her and took her cell phone and passport from their hotel room.

Ling played for the Kingston Frontenacs from 1992 to 1995 and was named the Canadian Hockey League’s Outstanding Player in 1995.

Drug Bust

A 49 year old man from Kingston has been busted for selling methamphetamine.

The Kingston Police drug unit arrested the man on Rideau Street around five yesterday afternoon and executed a search warrant at a residence on the street.

The man has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Surprise Wine Drinker

Kingston Police aren’t sure if this guy wandered into the wrong house or was just drunk and thirsty.

Homeowners on Frontenac Street woke up around 2:30 this morning to find a man in their house drinking some wine.  The 27 year old is facing charges of being unlawfully in a dwelling, theft and possession of stolen property.

  Inmate Death

The death of an inmate at Collins Bay Institution has resulted in a murder investigation.

55 year-old John MacDonald was found injured in the exercise yard at Collins Bay Institution on Sunday.

He was taken to Kingston General Hospital where he died the next day.

The Police Joint Forces Penitentiary Squad and Correctional Service Canada are investigating.

Police say an autopsy at Ottawa General Hospital determined the death to be a homicide.

MacDonald had been serving a sentence of just under six years for two counts of robbery.

Big Research Money

Seven researchers at Queen’s University have scored $8.8 million in operating grants.

The funding comes from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Daren Heyland is getting the biggest chunk of the cash.  Heyland will use $5.7 million to research use of glutamine on patients with severe burn injuries.  His study, called RE-ENERGIZE, is looking at how glutamine could lead to a lower death rate and reduced health costs.

Other research getting funding ranges from colon cancer to depression.

Loyalist – Workers Strike

The union representing Loyalist Township staff says the township has pulled the trigger on a strike or lockout by the middle of next month.

Talks with a conciliator were cut off Tuesday afternoon.  The township has called for a no board report.  A strike or lockout could follow release of that report.

CUPE local president Alex Scott says the union was willing to meet for further negotiations and he’s blaming the township for triggering a countdown to a possible service disruption.