Lyme Disease – Research Grant

 

Kingston’s Medical Officer of Health is leading a new research network working on prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.  The federal government has announced a $4 million dollar investment in the research to be led by Dr. Kieran Moore.  Moore is Professor of Emergency and Family Medicine at Queen’s and the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington.

 

Sandy Pines

 

Graham Construction is stepping up to finish the new barn and aquatic centre at Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre in Napanee.  The Calgary based company is the general contractor for the massive Canada Royal Milk Plant in Kingston.  It says it felt it was time to give back to the community by agreeing to finish the project after the original contractor suffered a critical injury.

Sandy Pines says people have also come forward with donations of $30,000 since it announced a week ago it may not be able to finish the barn to house animals this winter.  One person gave an anonymous donation of $25,000.

 

Domestic Assault

 

A 33 year old Stone Mills Township man is facing charges after a domestic dispute on Friday.  The OPP has charged the man with assault and two counts of assault with a weapon.

He was released on a promise to appear in court on November 13th.

 

Advance Voting

 

Over 6,200 people have already voted in Kingston’s municipal election.  The city says that as of 9am on Monday…2,165 people had voted by Internet.  Four thousand and 72 people voted in person on Saturday during Advance Voting Day.

Internet voting is open until 8pm on Monday, October 22nd.  That is election day and the polls in various districts to vote in person will be open from 10am to 8pm.

On top of voting for city councillors, school board trustees and mayor…people will also vote in a referendum on whether Kingston will used ranked ballots in the next municipal election.

 

Ranked Ballots – London

 

Voters in London, Ontario, will be the first in Canada to use a ranked ballot voting system in their municipal election.  Kingston and Cambridge, Ontario have referendum questions on their ballots about whether to implement a ranked voting system for the next election in 2022. Ontario is the only province that allows ranked voting for municipal elections.  London implemented the system after consultations with the public and did not use a referendum question to decide the issue.

 

Solo Growth

 

A company based in Calgary says it has secured leases for retail cannabis outlets in Kingston and 19 other communities in Ontario.  Solo Growth says it is continuing advance negotiation on an additional 125 locations across Ontario.

Recreational cannabis becomes legal in Canada tomorrow – but it won’t be available legally at retail outlets in Ontario until the spring of next year.  Sales before then will only be available online through the Ontario government’s cannabis outlet.

 

Giveaway Day

 

The city is reminding you there is another Giveaway Day coming up.

You have the chance to put out reusable items to be picked up by neighbours this Saturday in Kingston.  The city says you can put out everything from books, CDs, DVDs, furniture, appliances (Go to Orca Appliance Services for fixing any issues and repairs) and even unwanted gifts.

Health Canada advises people to avoid baby walkers, cribs, car seats, strollers, bath seats, and other children’s items.