Pedestrian Struck Near University District

A 19-year-old pedestrian is in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle on Johnson Street near Albert Street in Kingston on Friday night. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. in an area commonly traveled by students and late-night pedestrians.

Emergency Response and Hospitalization

Paramedics and police responded quickly to the scene, and the injured pedestrian was transported to Kingston General Hospital. Medical staff report the individual remains in critical condition and is undergoing continued treatment.

Description of Suspected Vehicle

Kingston Police have identified the suspected vehicle as a white Toyota Tundra. Investigators say the truck likely has noticeable front-end damage from the collision. The driver did not remain at the scene.

Appeal for Public Assistance

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or may have dashboard or surveillance footage to come forward. Officers noted that even minor details or partial clips may help identify the vehicle or driver.

Ongoing Investigation

The investigation remains active, and police are working to confirm the vehicle’s movements before and after the collision. Residents and businesses in the area may be contacted as part of the inquiry.

How to Provide Information

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kingston Police at 613-549-4660. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers.

The post Hit and Run Leaves Pedestrian Critical in Kingston first appeared on Maple News Wire.

A Fire Like Nothing Seen Before

This August, a massive wildfire swept across Kingston and communities along Conception Bay North, scorching over 10,000 hectares and levelling more than 200 buildings. Volunteer firefighters say the blaze moved with terrifying speed, generating its own winds and hurling flaming debris more than 15 metres ahead of its path.

“It was a big monster fire,” said Bay Roberts firefighter Adam Russell. “It surrounded you — not just in front but a kilometre around.”

Battling Intense Heat and Unpredictable Winds

Thirteen volunteer fire departments were among the first on scene, cutting trees for fire breaks and soaking homes to slow the flames. But towering walls of fire forced repeated retreats.

“We stayed as long as we could,” Russell said. “Some firefighters knew their own houses were burning but stayed to protect someone else’s.”

Landmarks and Homes Lost Forever

For Bay Roberts fire chief Michael Murphy, the devastation hit close to home. A school in Western Bay — where his father had served as principal for two decades — was among the many structures destroyed.

“Seeing it gone was heartbreaking,” Murphy said, adding that many homes lost were over a century old, their history now irretrievable.

Dispelling Rumours of Abandoned Homes

Social media claims that crews left some properties to save others are false, Russell stressed. “We didn’t choose between houses. We saved what we could reach. Sometimes the fire took back what we’d just saved when the wind shifted.”

Preparing for the Next Big Blaze

Firefighters and local leaders say the province must adapt to increasingly severe wildfire risks. Bay Roberts Mayor Geoffrey Seymour is calling for proactive measures, such as constructing fire breaks before emergencies strike.

“We saw an incredible response during those three weeks,” Seymour said. “Now we need a coordinated strategy so we’re ready before the next one.”

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The post Kingston Wildfire Haunts Firefighters, Sparks Call to Act first appeared on Maple News Wire.

Blaze Intensifies Across Avalon Peninsula

After a weekend of extreme heat and strong winds, the Kingston wildfire in Newfoundland and Labrador has expanded to over 5,000 hectares. Premier John Hogan confirmed in a Sunday 5 p.m. briefing that projections indicate the fire could reach Ochre Pit Cove by Sunday evening.

Structures Damaged in Multiple Communities

Reports confirm additional structures were impacted Saturday and Sunday in Adam’s Cove, Kingston, and Western Bay. Due to smoke and dangerous conditions, officials have not yet verified which buildings were destroyed.

Firefighting Assets Face Delays

Efforts to control the blaze have been hindered by equipment shortages. Two Quebec water bombers were grounded for maintenance, while two from Ontario were delayed by local fire demands. Reinforcements include a high-capacity helicopter from Manitoba, two Quebec water bombers, and a bird dog plane that arrived Saturday.

Full Provincial Fleet in Action

By Sunday evening, Newfoundland and Labrador’s entire water bomber fleet was deployed to the fire’s north end. Additional support includes one bird dog aircraft, five helicopters, two Coast Guard helicopters, and 50 ground crew members. Premier Hogan stressed that firefighter safety remains the top priority.

Regional State of Emergency Declared

A regional state of emergency was declared Saturday for the Bay de Verde peninsula, from Bristol’s Hope to Whiteway. This allows coordinated deployment of municipal and provincial resources. Residents are urged to be ready to evacuate at short notice.

Challenging Weather Conditions Persist

High winds of 30 km/h, with gusts up to 50 km/h, continue to complicate suppression efforts. Provincial fire duty officer Mark Lawlor warned that resources are stretched thin and urged residents to obey the province-wide fire ban. Fines for violations now range from $50,000 to $150,000, with possible jail time.

Expanding Evacuation Zones

Evacuation orders now include:

• Small Point–Adam’s Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove
• Western Bay
• Salmon Cove
• Kingston
• Perry’s Cove
• Ochre Pit Cove
• Burnt Point–Gull Island–Northern Bay

Advisories remain in effect for cabins along the Bay d’Espoir Highway, including Great Rattling Brook and Rushy Pond.

Other Wildfire Activity in Labrador

While a fire near Happy Valley–Goose Bay has been extinguished, crews are responding to another blaze 19 km south of the town. The Martin Lake fire remains out of control at 245 hectares, with suppression focused on its southwestern edge.

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Grammy Artist Strikes a Chord in Kingston Prison

The Bill Frisell Trio, led by Grammy-winning jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, delivered an unforgettable performance this week — not in a concert hall, but inside the gymnasium of Collins Bay Institution. The intimate concert, met with standing ovations from inmates, was part of the growing Pros and Cons Prison Arts Program, which is using music to transform lives behind bars.

An Unlikely Venue, a Powerful Experience

The makeshift venue was a far cry from typical concert spaces. Inmates dressed in standard-issue blue T-shirts sat quietly at first, but by the end, the gym reverberated with applause and cheers. For Frisell, returning to perform for incarcerated Canadians marked a rare connection. “It’s intimidating,” he admitted, “but it’s just so inspiring seeing their reaction because it’s purely about the music.”

A Program Rooted in Redemption

The concert was organized by Hugh Christopher Brown, a musician and founder of the Pros and Cons Prison Arts Program. Since launching his first songwriting workshop over a decade ago, Brown has built recording studios in five correctional facilities across Canada. Inmates have recorded and released four full albums, with proceeds donated to charities aligned with rehabilitation, such as women’s shelters and food banks.

Giving Inmates a Voice and a Choice

Brown believes music offers incarcerated people a rare sense of agency. “They’re doing it because they like it, and they have agency,” he explained. “When you provide trust to someone, they start offering it to themselves — and others.” Beyond artistic expression, the program fosters accountability and emotional presence, something Brown says is often absent in institutional life.

From Inmate to Advocate

Scott Argyle, a former participant who served an 18-month sentence at Joyceville Institution, credits the program with reshaping his worldview. A lifelong drummer, he stumbled upon the opportunity while in prison and ended up collaborating with inmates from diverse musical backgrounds. “We wouldn’t even have talked to each other, let alone play music together,” Argyle recalled. The experience helped him reconnect with empathy — a shift he says helped him successfully reintegrate into society.

A Vision for National Expansion

Now a registered Canadian charity, Pros and Cons aims to reach every federal institution in the country. Brown sees the initiative as more than a creative outlet — it’s a tool for healing, reconciliation, and transformation. “When you’ve done harm to another, the courage and humility it takes to face that… music helps bring you there,” he said.

A Harmony of Hope

While the walls of Collins Bay Institution remain unchanged, the echoes of jazz, hip-hop, and rock created a moment of shared humanity. For inmates, performers, and organizers alike, the experience underscored music’s unique ability to transcend bars and borders — even in the most unlikely places.

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