Kingston News, May 11, 2018

Godfrey – Animal Cruelty

A woman from Godfrey has been sentenced after pleading guilty to animal cruelty charges.  The Ontario SPCA executed a search warrant at a home in Godfrey on April 10^th, 2017 and found 75 dogs and puppies living in unsanitary conditions.  Lorraine Loudon was convicted of failing to provide adequate and appropriate sanitary conditions for the dogs.  She has been sentenced to two years of probation with conditions she must not live with, have custody, care or control of any more than 15 dogs or puppies. She is also subject to two annual unannounced inspections by Ontario SCPA officers during her probation.

Science Institute

A new national science institute based at Queen’s University has been named after Queen’s Nobel Prize winning astrophysicist Art McDonald.

The Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute was launched yesterday at the Isabel Bader Centre.

Eight Canadian Universities are involved in the new research institute headquartered at Queen’s.

Ticks – Lyme Disease

Researchers in Kingston have come up with a way to identify a potentially deadly heart condition linked to Lyme disease…and the discovery came after two men were treated at KGH for what’s known as Lyme carditis.

It can interrupt the electrical signals in the heart and rapidly progress to a complete heart shutdown.

Dr. Adrian Baranchuk of the KGH Research Institute says they’ve created a Suspicion Index of Lyme carditis…a short checklist of variables with a simple scoring system for identifying the condition.  Baranchuk says they have discovered treatment with antibiotics, and sometimes a temporary pacemaker, can lead to complete recovery in two weeks or less.

KFL&A Public Health says ticks are now active in the region and a third of black legged ticks in the area carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Gun Amnesty

Kingston Police say you can still request them to pick up unwanted guns – even though gun amnesty month has ended.  They say police retain the ability give amnesty to someone who wants to turn in a gun at all times…not just during April.

Kingston Police recovered 16 handguns, 27 shotguns, and 39 rifles last month.

A total of 2,192 firearms were voluntarily surrendered to police agencies across Ontario during the amnesty period last month.

Sandy Pines – Baby Shower

The Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre in Napanee is holding its 13th annual Baby Shower on Mother’s Day.

The open house is the only day of the year the wildlife centre opens its door to the public.

The fund raising event allows guest to tour the hospital and watch baby animal feeding demonstrations.

There all kinds of other activities and visitors are being encouraged to bring a gift from the wish list found on the sandypines.org website.  The open house takes place from 10am to 3pm on Sunday.

Science Rendezvous

The 10th annual Science Rendezvous takes place on Saturday at the Rogers K-Rock Centre.

The arena will feature displays and activities to celebrate science and engineering.  Science, technology and engineering departments at Queens, RMC and St. Lawrence College are involved along with other organizations…including Kingston Police.

The family oriented event attracted 4,400 visitors last year.

Science Rendezvous takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 12 at the Rogers K-Rock Centre.

CMW – K-Rock

The Rogers K-Rock Centre in Kingston has won the award for major facility with a capacity of under 8,000 at Canadian Music week in Toronto.  It has now won the award in eight of the last nine years.

K-Rock in Kingston was also up for a station of the year award in the small market category and tied for first place with a station from Woodstock, Ontario.