Kingston news

• Crystal meth, weapons and cellphones recovered in major Collins Bay Institution seizure

  19-06-2026 21:20 via thewhig.com
  
  Staff vigilance at Collins Bay Institution has led to the seizure of multiple packages containing contraband and unauthorized items.Accoring to the Correctional Service of Canada , the seizures took place between June 12 and 15.The confiscated items included tobacco, marijuana, cannabis concentrate known as “shatter,” crystal methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, edged weapons, and cellphones with accessories.Correctional officials estimate the institutional value of the seized items
  
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• STANDALONE PHOTO: Eyes on the road, sir!

  19-06-2026 20:19 via thewhig.com
  
  The Whig’s Elliot Ferguson captured this photo of a dog sporting sunglasses while Ferguson was about and about doing his Friday patrol for news.A day earlier, Ferguson captured the below photo of a rather upset-looking water snake.
  
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• Kingston youth showcase STEM solutions in Jr. Mayor’s Innovation Challenge

  19-06-2026 20:13 via thewhig.com
  
  Young innovators put their creativity and STEM skills on display at the second annual Jr. Mayor’s Innovation Challenge held at the BGC South East .Four teams, between the ages of 10 and 14, were tasked with identifying community issues and developing robotic solutions using science, technology, engineering and mathematics, work created at the 9,000-square-foot STEM & Robotics Centre at the BGC South East.As the largest facility of its kind in the region, it features a Makerspace with
  
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• Kingston’s only gay bar closes after six months

  19-06-2026 19:42 via thewhig.com
  
  After only having been open six months, the first gay bar in the city in nearly 20 years closed its doors on June 18.Bottoms Up, which officially opened on Jan. 3, was the first gay bar in Kingston since Shay Foo Foo in 2009. However, the endeavour was short-lived due to low turnout. After hosting its final mixer, Bottoms Up permanently closed on Thursday.The bar was on the lower level of the Renaissance, a hospitality venue that Paul Fortier has owned for the past 20 years. That floor was form
  
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• After five generations, rural family worries there may not be a sixth with threat of high-speed rail

  19-06-2026 18:37 via thewhig.com
  
  MELROSE — For Mary McAvoy, a walk around her family homestead is a stroll with family long departed.Just outside the house’s back door, maple trees have protected the house from wind and sun for 50 years.“I helped my uncle plant these maple trees. I was about 10,” she said.Do they make her feel old now?“Yeah, maybe, but I love them,” she replied.“The blue spruce over here, we planted that the year our youngest daughter was born,” she added. &ldquo
  
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• Kingston-area students unite in youth initiative for United Way

  19-06-2026 18:26 via thewhig.com
  
  A group of local high school students is helping decide how charitable dollars are spent in the community through a United Way initiative aimed at giving youth a direct voice in philanthropy.Launched last year by the United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington , in partnership with two local school boards, the Youth United program encourages students to raise funds, learn about community needs and ultimately allocate money to local agencies themselves.The initiative is designed to &ldq
  
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• Mother, daughter set out to publish book inspired by The Toucan

  19-06-2026 14:48 via thewhig.com
  
  After retiring from her job as a nurse at Kingston General Hospital, Colleen Murphy decided to partner with her daughter, Madeline Clark, to write a book about the local Irish pub that has held such a strong role in the history of their family.In November 2025, the two began interviewing The Toucan’s regulars, previous owners, patrons, and anyone else who was interested in sharing their stories from the pub — no matter how bizarre or wild.They have since conducted 15 interviews, but
  
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• Scotiabank renews partnership with Queen's to help build AI-ready workforce

  19-06-2026 14:03 via thewhig.com
  
  Scotiabank is investing $2.5 million over five years in a renewed partnership with Smith School of Business at Queen’s University to help prepare Canada’s workforce for the growing demands of the artificial intelligence economy.According to a news release, the funding, provided through ScotiaRISE , Scotiabank’s 10-year, $500-million community investment initiative, will support applied research, experiential learning opportunities and the ongoing work of the Scotiabank Centre
  
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• Vanessa Mensah joins the race to be Kingston's mayor

  19-06-2026 13:53 via thewhig.com
  
  KINGSTON — A career spent in helping underrepresented communities find their voices inspired Vanessa Mensah to launch a campaign for mayor.Mensah filed her campaign papers shortly after the nomination period opened in May but just announced her plans publically this week.Originally from Ghana, Mensah moved to Kingston in 2013 after her husband got a job here.She worked for five years as a manager of equity diversity and inclusion before leaving the city earlier this year and currently wor
  
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