News Stories

YONGE CLOSES

- Newswatch Newsroom — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:37:00 GMT

A PROVINCIAL DETENTION FACILITYFOR TROUBLED YOUTH IS CLOSING ITS DOORS IN KINGSTON, THROWING 26 PEOPLE OUT OF WORK.

CKWS NEWS HAS LEARNED THAT "YONGE HOUSE" -- LOCATED IN PORTSMOUTH VILLAGE -- WILL BE SHUT DOWN ON FRIDAY.

THE FACILITY HOUSES UP TO 8 BOYS -- BETWEEN 12 AND 17 -- WHO HAVE RUN INTO TROUBLE WITH THE LAW -- FROM

ROBBERY TO MURDER.

THE 26 STAFF WHO WILL BE LAID-OFF --

INCLUDE FULL AND PART TIME CHILD AND YOUTH WORKERS, RE-INTEGRATION WORKERS, ADMINISTRATION STAFF AND COOKS.

THE TEENS WILL BE MOVED FROM THIS NON-DESCRIPT DETENTION CENTRE .... TO

ST. LAWRENCE HOUSE, ANOTHER AGENCY IN KINGSTON.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CALLS THE CLOSURE "UNFAIR."

THE LOCAL M-P-P SAYS THE NUMBER OF YOUNG OFFENDERS STAYING AT YONGE HOUSE HAS DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY....

SO TWO HOMES ARE NO LONGER NEEDED.

JOHN GERRETSEN, MPP

"IF THERE ISN'T A NEED FOR THE SAME FACILITIES ANYMORE, HAS THERE HAD BEEN AT ONE TIME, THEN OBVIOUSLY THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO MAKE CHANGES.

AND I UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE THERE.

I HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE CAN BE ACCOMMODATED WITHIN THE SYSTEM SOMEWHERE ELSE."

ALDSB approves 2013-2014 balanced budget with fewer staff

- Newswatch Newsroom — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:35:00 GMT

THE ALGONQUIN AND LAKESHORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOARD HAS APPROVED A BALANCED BUDGET FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.... BUT IT WILL MEAN FEWER SUPPORT STAFF.

THE 140-MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET WILL COVER TEACHER SALARIES, AND SUPPORT 11-THOUSAND STUDENTS.

TRUSTEES SAY THE BALANCED BUDGET WAS ACHIEVED BY CUTTING FOUR ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS THROUGH ATTRITION..... REDUCING 7 SPECIAL ED ASSISTANTS... STREAMLINING BUS ROUTES ... AND ELIMINATING TWO TEACHER CONSULTANT JOBS.

TOM DALL, THE CHAIR OF THE CATHOLIC BOARD, SAYS THEY ARE FACING MANY OF THE SAME FUNDING PRESSURES AS THEIR PUBLIC BOARD COUNTERPARTS ..... BECAUSE OF DECLINING ENROLMENT.

IN THE PAST DECADE, CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENROLMENT HAS DECREASED BY 16 PERCENT.... THAT'S ABOUT 2-THOUSAND STUDENTS.

QE FUTURE

- Newswatch Newsroom — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:33:00 GMT

MEANWHILE, TRUSTEES WITH THE LIMESTONE SCHOOL BOARD COULD MAKE ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS OF THEIR TERM TONIGHT.

PUBLIC SCHOOL TRUSTEES ARE EXPECTED TO FINALIZE A DECISION MADE EARLIER THIS WEEK -- TO CLOSE 2 CENTRAL KINGSTON HIGH SCHOOLS.

HERE'S NEWSWATCH'S HEATHER BUTTS.When Limestone school trustees passed two motions this week,

they put the academic program at QECVI on the chopping block.

Trustees voted to close both KC and QE and get provincial money to

build a new school.

Failing that, the plan is to keep KC open and repurpose

QECVI for alternative education programs.

Either way, some say losing the

only high school in North Kingston

would be heartbreaking.

Ralph Rushton, Youth Unlimited

"I think this school is more important here, than anywhere else in the city.

It is truly a local school, the kids walk to school, a lot of them this is like home to them."

Rushton has operated Youth Unlimited down the street from QECVI for the last four years.

He says students

face more obstacles to attend class... and bussing it to another school across town

, won't work.

Ralph Rushton, Youth Unlimited

"I think what we've done by deciding to close it, or re purpose it as they say, we've probably condemned a lot of these kids to a life of welfare because they won't go else where."

Concerns shared by many QE students at this recent meeting

.Students:

"If we were to group the schools, there might be a lot of fighting between the students."

"I feel really safe at QE because of the fact that everyone around you is so supportive of what's going on, no matter what."

Heather Butts

"There could be a silver lining to this process.

The chair of the parent council

says if the board is going to close QE... then a new high school should be built at the same location."

That decision will rest with the province, as a new

secondary school to replace KC and QE

would come with a price tag of 30 million dollars.

John Gerretsen, MPP

"I don't know what the exact financial situation with respect to this project will be half a year from now, but I will certainly be working with the minister of education to try to implement the decision the school boards come up with."

It could be another year before the board finds out whether funding is available for a new high school

. Heather Butts, CKWS Newswatch, Kingston.

STING KROCK

- Newswatch Newsroom — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:30:00 GMT

A FULL-HOUSE AT THE K-ROCK CENTRE LAST NIGHT TO SEE A LEGENDARY SINGER.

AT THE AGE OF 61, HE CAN STILL HIT THOSE NOTES !!

YES, "STING" MADE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN KINGSTON BEFORE 61-HUNDRED FANS.

HE PLAYED 21 SONGS FROM HIS SOLO CAREER .... TO HIS TIME WITH THE POLICE..... INCLUDING CLASSICS LIKE "IF I EVER LOSE MY FAITH IN YOU", "MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE," "ROXANNE" AND "EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE."

HIS "BACK TO BASS TOUR

" MOVES TO MAINE.

HERE'S ANOTHER LISTEN TO STING!

Mayor says Print Ads Are a Waste Of Money"

- Newswatch Newsroom — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:29:00 GMT

EVERY YEAR, THE CITY OF KINGSTON SPENDS A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS ON PRINT ADS-- NOTIFYING RESIDENTS ABOUT ROAD CLOSURES, GRAND OPENINGS AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

.BUT THE MAYOR

SAYS THAT COULD BE A BIG WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY.

NEWSWATCH'S MAEGEN KULCHAR EXPLAINS

.For many people, the fastest and cheapest way to get information from the city of Kingston is by going on-line...

Streeter:

"easier for me to access information plus on the website I can find more items than I can find in the newspaper which would take me longer"

For others, reaching for a newspaper makes more sense.

Streeter:

"Actually I don't have a computer, and I know a lot of people who don't have computers so that's why I go to the newspaper"

Streeter:

"I'm too old school for computers, I'd rather just read about it"

But for the Mayor,

municipal ads placed in the Whig Standard

is an outdated and expensive form of communicating city business

Mayor:

"I think we have to recognize that people's dependance on getting information strictly from the newspaper isn't what it was 30 or 40 years ago"

He says more advertising should be done through TV and radio with more emphasis on directing people to the city's website, twitter and facebook..... rather than the newspaper.

Mayor:

"When we talk about 1/4 of a million dollars a year of taxpayers money that is spent on to run that one full page ad once a week in the Whig Standard that tells about public notices and everything, I think in this day in age when information and the flow ofinformation is so accessible is a huge waste of money"

But city councillors see the digital way of advertising a bit differently.

Bill Golver/Councillor:

"There's a stream of people who just aren't comfortable using a computer"

Rob

Hutchison:

"Is it cheaper or does it actually reach people and I think we need this type of contract to reach people"

Kevin George/Councillor:

"There's a good reason to have the accessibility to print media and the television and I think its needed in our municipalities"

Maegen Kulchar:

"Despite the mayors views, all city

councillors voted in favor of continuing print ads in the whig standard for the next two years. But mayor Mark Gerretsen says he's not giving up"

Mayor:

"I am going to be asking the city through a motion of council to start actively pursuing these other avenues

. That might work for courtesy messages about road closures and water restrictions...... But provincial law still requires municipalities to publish their legal notices in print.

Maegen Kulchar CKWS Newswatch Kingston.

GRAFFITI COVER

- Newswatch Newsroom — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:27:00 GMT

KINGSTON POLICE AND THE CITY OF KINGSTON ARE TEAMING UP TO CRACK DOWN ON GROWING GRAFFITI CONCERNS.

THE C.O.R.E. TEAM HAS NOW PLACED VANDALISM ON THE TOP OF ITS PRIORITY LIST - OFFICERS ARE NARROWING IN ON THE INDIVIDUALS COMMITTING THESE CRIMES.

NEWSWATCH'S MELISSA NAKHAVOLY HAS MORE

After numerous community complaints and issues brought up by the city of Kingston - Kingston Police is looking to crack down on vandals.

Koopman

"We've had our core team - our community oriented response enforcement team - which consists of four officers and a sergeant have been assigned to this as one of their main priorities".

Graffiti hot spots in the city have grown to include alley ways, parking lots, playgrounds and garages... something city representatives say creates a sense of uneasiness.

Paula Nichols, City Parking Lot Manager

"The reasons why we want to keep our facilities graffiti free is that we want people to feel safe when they park here. And it's my belief if you see a graffiti in a facility you may not feel so safe."

Melissa Nakhavoly

"Constable Steve Koopman says the growing concerns over graffiti have been escalating in the downtown core. For example where I'm staying now behind the Grand Theatre the wall is completely covered and these spray bottles have also been left behind. Constable Koopman says those who commit the offence can be charged with mischief"

Just early Wednesday morning 3 individuals were caught in the act and charged for the crime.

Koopman

"We were able to identify all three relatively quickly. They did spread out. We were able to locate them at different spots."

And while some may argue these bright colours and designs can be considered artistic - Koopman says these acts are being committed on businesses and private property.

Koopman

"This is not an artistic aspect this is profanity. These are swear words. Sometimes there's hate propaganda, that's being used on these. We've seen swastikas being drawn on the walls and else where".

While the city cleans up the vandalism - Kingston police says they are closing in on the individuals committing these crimes.

"We want to cross out this problem. We want to eliminate it and we can do this both working with the city of Kingston from an enforcement level, an intelligence level and an educational level."

Kingston police is encouraging the public to report any mischief or graffiti they see taking place.

Melissa Nakhavoly CKWS Newswatch Kingston.

One Spot Out of Worst Roads List

- Newswatch Newsroom — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:24:00 GMT

THE C-A-A'S ANNUAL LIST OF THE WORST ROADS IN ONTARIO IS OUT.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT KINGSTON DID NOT MAKE THE "TOP 10" THIS YEAR.

IN FACT, NO COMMUNITY IN THIS REGION IS ON IT.

BUT KINGSTON'S PRINCESS STREET DID RANK NUMBER 11, BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM 10-THOUSAND MOTORISTS WHO TOOK PART IN THE MONTH-LONG SURVEY.

AS YOU KNOW, PART OF LOWER PRINCESS STREET IS CURRENTLY GETTING A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR MAKEOVER.

COUNCILLOR JIM NEILL SAYS HE'S SURPRISED PRINCESS STREET MADE THE LIST... WHEN IT'S SLATED FOR ONGOING IMPROVEMENTS.

HE SAYS KINGSTON HAS MANY STREETS IN WORSE SHAPE THAN PRINCESS.

Neill:

"Palace road I would have understood - and it's slated to be reconstructed next year. Barbara Avenue is like a corduroy road, and it's under reconstruction right now. There are all kinds of streets."

WATER LIFT

- Newswatch Newsroom — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:22:00 GMT

A DRINKING WATER ADVISORY ON CROW LAKE HAS BEEN LIFTED.

IT WAS PUT IN PLACE A WEEK AGO AFTER A BROKEN BEAVER DAM CAUSED A SURGE OF WATER THAT DAMAGED PROPERTIES, AND CAUSED A FUEL OIL SPILL ON THE LAKE NORTH OF KINGSTON.

THE ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY SAYS THE SPILL HAS NOW BEEN CLEANED UP.... AND WATER FROM THE LAKE SHOULD BE SAFE TO DRINK.

DIGITAL DRIVEIN

- Newswatch Newsroom — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:18:00 GMT

THE "DRIVE IN" HAS BEEN PART OF THE ENTERTAINMENT LANDSCAPE IN KINGSTON FOR GENERATIONS.

BUT TECHNOLOGY IS FORCING THE OWNERS OF "KINGSTON FAMILY FUN WORLD"

TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS.

THEY HAVE TO CONVERT TO A MORE EXPENSIVE DIGITAL FORMAT NEXT YEAR.

AS NEWSWATCH'S DARRYN DAVIS EXPLAINS, THE OWNERS ARE LAUNCHING A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO

KEEP THE DRIVE IN OPEN.

THE ART OF THREADING 35 MM FILM FOR A BIG SCREEN PROJECTOR LIKE THIS WILL SOON BE A THING OF THE PAST WITH NEW DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY COMING ONLINE FOR THE 2014 SUMMER SEASON.

UNFORTUNATELY FOR DAN WANNEMACHER THE OWNER OF KINGSTON FAMILY FUN WORLD THAT CONVERSION IS COMING A YEAR EARLIER THAN HE WAS FIRST TOLD.

BY NEXT YEAR, HE'LL ONLY BE ABLE TO PURCHASE FILMS IN A DIGITAL FORMAT.

AND THAT CONVERSION COULD COST OVER 250 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THREE NEW SCREENS, THE DIGITAL EQUIPMENT AND A ROOM TO HOUSE THE NEW PROJECTOR.

DAN WANNEMACHER

"THAT TECHNOLOGY IS WONDERFUL, THEY DO SEEM TO HAVE A NICER PICTURE I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT, THE COST IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FOR US. "

FAMILY FUN WORLD OWNERS ARE HOPING TO RAISE 80 THOUSAND DOLLARS, ROUGHLY THE COST OF A NEW DIGITAL PROJECTOR, THIS SEASON BY OFFERING THE PUBLIC A NUMBER PACKAGE DEALS ONLINE.

DAN CLARKE/ MARKETING COORDINATOR

"YOU'RE GETTING A LITTLE MORE THAN WHAT YOU'RE PAYING FOR. OBVIOUSLY MOVIE NIGHT YOU CAN GET TWO PASSES AND A DRINK FOR TWENTY BUCKS IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT A 35 DOLLAR DEAL."

"ALONG WITH OFFERING A NUMBER OF PACKAGE DEALS ON-LINE, THE OWNERS OF FAMILY FUN WORLD ARE PLANNING THEIR GO DIGITAL OR GO DARK NIGHT ON AUGUST 14TH. "

DAN CLARKE

"ADMISSIONS TO THE MOVIE IS GOING TO BE A TWOONIE AND OBVIOUSLY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE GREAT DEALS ON FOOD, PRIZES, GO CARTS,AND BATTING CAGES, MINI-PUTT. "

FAMILY FUN WORLD IS KICKING OFF ITS FUNDRASING CAMPAIGN JUNE 22ND WITH A PAJAMA PARTY.

KIDS IN PJ'S GET IN FREE AND PARENTS WEARING THEIR BEDTIME WARDROBE GET A DISCOUNT AS WELL.

DARRYN DAVIS CKWS NEWSWATCH KINGSTON.

AUGUSTA CONDO

- Newswatch Newsroom — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:16:00 GMT

A CONTROVERSIAL

CONDOMINIUM IN THE HEART OF A KINGSTON RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD CAN MOVE AHEAD.

THE 41-UNIT CONDO WILL BE BUILT AT 740 AUGUSTA DRIVE.

NEIGHBOURS FOUGHT THE DEVELOPMENT IN "CATARAQUI NORTH" BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC AND PARKING CONCERNS.

DISTRICT COUNCILLOR RICK DOWNES SIDED WITH THEM, WHEN THE SITE PLAN APPLICATION WENT BEFORE COUNCIL LAST NIGHT.

IT WAS APPROVED BY A VOTE OF 10-3.

COUNCILLOR DOWNES HOPES SOMETHING POSITIVE COMES OUT OF THE DEBATE WHEN IT COMES TO PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.