Kingston’s big win—are you in the know?

Gooood morning everybody! Happy Friday! It’s another busy day in YGK, and we’ve got everything from the latest strikes to St. Paddy’s Day shenanigans, plus a paws-itively awesome contest you won’t want to miss! Let’s dive in—your daily dose of local news is here!

Today Around YGK:

• Get your pet’s photo on a Daft beer can

• The Shining playing at The Screening Room

• The Fronts impressive streak

and much more…

Weather

Friday
High 11°C
Low -2°C

Saturday
High 12°C | Precipitation: Chance of showers
Low 6°C | Wind: 47 km/h

Sunday
High 14°C | Precipitation: Rain
Low 1°C | Wind: 68/h

Weather loves to keep us on our toes! Be sure to check an official weather source closer to the date for the latest forecast. ⛅️

Kingston named a Smart21 Community for 2025

Kingston just landed a global shoutout, earning a spot on the Smart21 Communities of 2025 list—basically the Oscars of smart cities. The Intelligent Community Forum recognized Kingston for its forward-thinking approach to tech, connectivity, and innovation, all aimed at boosting economic growth and improving everyday life. With initiatives like open data programs, smart infrastructure, and a thriving innovation ecosystem (hello, St. Lawrence College and Queens University), Kingston is proving it's not just historic—it’s future-ready. (Kingstonist)

News Notes

Kingston post-secondary students pitch big ideas for cash
Young innovators are taking over City Hall at 9:00 this morning for the Mayor’s Innovation Challenge, pitching fresh ideas to improve Kingston. Students from Queen’s, St. Lawrence, and RMC will compete for a slice of $5,000 in seed funding—and bragging rights. Watch live in person or via City Council’s YouTube. (Kingston Daily)

Loblaws rolling out 'tariff labels' on U.S. products
Loblaws, No Frills, and Superstore are adding a “T” symbol to price tags, marking U.S. products impacted by tariffs. Expect price hikes soon—but a maple leaf label will highlight Canadian-made alternatives to help you shop local and save. (Narcity)

What’s happening with The Bay—and your rewards?
Hudson’s Bay is out of money and has filed for creditor protection, blaming inflation and trade tensions. Rewards points? Paused indefinitely—and could be gone for good. Gift cards? Still valid in stores (including Kingston’s Cataraqui Centre location) and online, but best to use them ASAP. (Daily Hive)

One week left! Enter & vote today!

Time's ticking! ⏰ You've got one week to enter the Animals & Ales Pet Photo Contest for a chance to get your pet featured on a special-edition beer—and help animals in need!

Frontenacs extend home win streak to 15
The Kingston Frontenacs dominated the Ottawa 67’s with a 7-1 blowout, pushing their home win streak to a franchise-best 15 games. The Fronts are now tied for 2nd in the East. Next up: Petes and 67’s this weekend—can they hit 16 straight? (Kingston Daily)

Multimillion-dollar upgrade
Big changes are coming to Ivy Lea port, with City Cruises Gananoque investing in a new dock, ticket booth, retail space, upgraded washrooms, and an outdoor patio to level up the 1000 Islands tourism experience. Renovations wrap up by May—just in time for peak season. (The Whig)

2,000 student workers strike at Queen’s
Class dismissed? Teaching assistants, research assistants, and grad instructors have been on strike since Monday, potentially impacting nearly 26,000 Queen’s undergrads. This union group is pushing for better wages and job security. With finals approaching, tensions are rising on campus as classes, grading, and research projects hang in the balance. (The Whig)

Conservation authority urges caution around waterways
With spring melt underway, Cataraqui Conservation is warning residents to be extra careful near rivers, lakes, and streams. Rising water levels, fast-moving currents, and thinning ice make conditions unpredictable—especially for kids and pets. Best bet? Admire the view from a safe distance. (The Whig)

Kingston warns students: St. Patrick’s Day parties could cost you
Thinking of throwing a St. Paddy’s rager? Kingston Police say you might want to reconsider. The University District Safety Initiative runs from March 14 to 18, meaning illegal parties and bylaw violations could land you in trouble with fines, court dates, and even emergency response fees—that’s $90 per officer or firefighter, per hour. Long story short: If you party hard, you might pay harder. (Kingston Daily)

Foodie Friday

Business highlight

Nora’s Coffee and Sandwiches has the Iced Matcha Shamrock Shake & White Chocolate Pistachio Mocha—just in time for St. Paddy’s! ☘️💚 Open all weekend! Walk in or drive-thru for fresh baked goods and delicious lunch options. Check their Instagram for more!

Events

Friday

Kingston Frontenacs vs. Peterborough Petes | Friday, March 14 | 7:00 p.m. | Slush Puppie Place, Kingston | $20+ | The Frontenacs hit the ice against the Petes in a heated OHL showdown. Can the Fronts maintain their winning streak?!

Sham Rock Bash - A Night of U2 & 80's Hits | Friday, March 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Kingston Grand Theatre | $49 | Break out the leather jackets and neon—this St. Paddy’s Day party is all about U2 and ‘80s anthems. Live music, big energy, and plenty of nostalgia.

Marc McLaughlin with Good Fortune + Liam Cole // Live in Kingston | Friday, March 14 | 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. | The Grad Club, 162 Barrie Street, Kingston | Ages 19+ | Indie rock meets folk vibes as Marc McLaughlin and company take over The Grad Club. Good tunes, good fortune, and maybe a pint or two.

“Here’s Johnny!”—The Shining (1980) 45th Anniversary | Friday & Saturday | Multiple times | The Screening Room, 120 Princess Street, Kingston | $6 | All work and no play? Not here. Celebrate 45 years of The Shining on the big screen—just don’t lose yourself in the maze.

Saturday

Family Smoothie Pack | Saturday, March 15 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Mr. Mango, 318 Princess St, Kingston | Free entry | A deliciously fun night for families—sip, blend, and enjoy free smoothies at this community event.

Love Lyla Books Ramadan & Eid Pop-Up | Saturday, March 15 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Pedal Works Cafe & Studios, Kingston | Free entry | A literary celebration of Ramadan & Eid with books, culture, and community. Great for families looking for meaningful reads and festive vibes.

Sunday

Crepe Day at Memorial Centre Farmers' Market | Sunday, March 17 | 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Memorial Centre Farmers' Market, Kingston | $10 | Hot, fresh, and made-to-order—start your Sunday with sweet and savoury crepes at Kingston’s favourite farmers' market.

_{Note: Events may be cancelled or have changed times. Be sure to see our event calendar and reach out to the venue before going.}

Signing Off

Have something exciting happening? Share it with us! We’d love to hear from you.

We’ll be back on Monday to bring you the latest scoop, events, and all things YGK to kick off your week. In the meantime, enjoy the weekend—get out there, explore, and make some memories! Catch you in a few days! 👋 

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