News
The Southeast Public Health Unit is warning residents of the possibility that local supplies of unregulated drugs containing carfentanyl. Incidents have been reported in the Kingston, Lennox and Addington and Hastings Prince Edward areas of unexpected sedation and loss of consciousness due to the presence of carfentanyl. The Health Unit advises residents to not use unregulated drugs alone, not mix substances including alcohol and make sure nalaxalone is on hand Naloxalone kits are available free of charge from the Health Unit.
Trustee Ernie Parsons raised the issue of foreign ownership of some of the schoolbus companies that service the Tri Board Transportation area. Parsons made the complaint at last night’s Hastings Prince Edward School Board meeting. Parsons said that several providers that appear to be local companies are in fact owned by European or American interests. He said he had no complaint about the companies meeting safety or service requirements, but he objected to local taxpayers funding foreign profits. Triboard Transporation CEO Jeremy DaCosta did not address Parson’s concerns directly but did say that 11 companies bid on Triboard routes and five were chosen using a transparent, public procurement process that adhered to mandatory provincial guidelines. TriBoard Student Transportation buses more than 31,000 students for The Hastings Prince Edward School board, the Limestone District School Board, and the Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board.
And if you are new to the County or your existing blue recycling box is broken, you are going to have to contact the provincially mandated collection company, E360 directly. The County announced today that, in line with provincial legislation, Shire Hall will no longer be handling the distribution of new or replacement blue boxes. The good news is E360 will deliver the box directly to your home. New residents are allowed two 22 litre blue boxes and there is no charge for replacing broken or damaged blue boxes.
As a pilots strike looms at Air Transat, the airline continues to issue cancellations. More than a dozen flights scheduled for today were cancelled and six planned for Wednesday have also been dropped. The airline and the pilots continue to negotiate but more cancellations could occur before the strike deadline tomorrow. Air Transat said refunds will be issued automatically but anyone with a flight or package vacation booked directly with the airline can contact them about changing or cancelling a flight. The airline said those who booked through a travel service should contact that service directly to rebook or inquire about a refund.
The Liberal government introduced new legislation today to protect victims of intimate partner violence. The law will also protect children from sexual predators. The Protecting Victims act increases penalties for sexual crimes and restores the use of mandatory minimum sentences. The act would also increase hate motivated murder to a first degree offence and make it easier for victims of sexual violence to testify. Justice Minister Sean Fraser said the government would also introduce measures to accelerate the court process with specific amendments for sexual assault trials. Several high profile cases have been stayed because they dragged on too long and Fraser said the government intends to correct that situation.
And the National Highway Service in England has released a list of the more unusual objects found abandoned on or beside British highways. Along with sofas, Christmas trees and bicycles found in traffic lanes the service also removed a boat and trailer, 797 cars, and an assortment of building supplies, household items and garden equipment. The most unusual item abandoned was a fairground ride left on the shoulder in Lincolnshire. While attempts were made in some cases to locate the owners, in most of the objects were scrapped. England’s Highway service removes more than 49,000 abandoned objects annually.
Sports
Three time NBA all star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was awarded the Northern Star award as Canadian athlete of the year today. Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA last season with an average of 32.7 points per game and helped the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA championship. The 27 year old Hamilton, Ontario native is one of only 10 athletes to win the award more than once.
Four Canadian teams in action in the NHL tonight, all at home. The Montreal Canadiens host the Tampa Bay Lightning starting at 7 pm. The New Jersey Devils travel to Ottawa for a 7 pm faceoff against the Senators. The Dallas Stars are in Winnipeg for an 8 pm puck drop with the Jets and the Buffalo Sabres are in Edmonton. The Sabres and Oilers get underway at 9 pm.
The NBA Emirates Cup tournament continues tonight with the Toronto Raptors at home to the New York Knicks. Toronto leads East Group A with four wins and no losses. Tip off for tonight’s game is at 8:30.
