Good morning, Greater Sudbury! You made it to Wednesday, which means we're that much closer to the weekend.
Here are a few stories to start your day.
Cleanup of toxic tailings in Long Lake could begin soon
Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas said late last week the long-awaited cleanup of the toxins leaching into Long Lake may start late in this summer, depending on whether there are more objections to the proposal. Mined from 1908 to 1939, the Canadian Exploration Company mined, milled and smelted gold from the deposit, discharging some 200,000 tonnes of tailings directly into the environment.
The tailings, which contain acidic minerals and arsenic, have eroded and are leaching into wetlands, creeks and lakes, including Long Lake. In 2012, it was discovered that arsenic levels in the lake exceed the province's water quality objective for arsenic. Cleanup would take about two years, but objections filed by residents in the area have delayed the start. Energy and Northern Development and Mines Minister Greg Rickford said the province would like to start the clean up as soon as possible, barring any further objections.
New evidence postpones sentencing for city police officer
Potential new evidence has postponed the sentencing of a Sudbury police officer found guilty of discreditable conduct at a hearing in February. First Class Const. Robert Rheaume Rheaume was found guilty of discreditable conduct for posts he made on Facebook in 2017 critical of other members of the police service.
Rheaume participated in a conference call this morning with members of the Greater Sudbury Police Service Board, the defence and the Crown on Tuesday morning in a conference call with both the defence and prosecution. A GoFundMe account set up by Rheaume to raise funds for his legal costs has brought new information to the table. The defence and the Crown are at odds over its admissability.
As a result, both parties agreed to come back to the table on June 13, giving adjudicator Greg Walton time to review written submissions and determine whether the new evidence should be allowed.
Education reforms could impact 80 jobs, says local teachers' union rep
An estimated 80 English public secondary school teachers' jobs in the region could be impacted by education reforms introduced by the province, according to a local rep with the Ontario Secondary Teachers' Federation (OSSTF).
James Clyke, president of OSSTF District 3, which represents secondary school teachers and support staff working for the Rainbow District School Board, told Sudbury.com there will be an impact on about 25 per cent of the union's teachers. Provincewide, between 3,600 and 5,000 teachers who belong to the OSSTF could be impacted, “depending on how it all shakes down,” he said.
In a written statement sent to Sudbury.com recently, Rainbow District School Board director of education Norm Blaseg said the board has yet to assess the full impact of the class size announcement. He said the board is currently awaiting details from the province related to grants it will receive for 2019-2020.
World Autism Day: Students raise the flag at Foyer-Jeunesse
Students at École publique Foyer-Jeunesse in Hanmer held a flag-raising ceremony in honour of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. In light of legislative changes regarding those on the autism spectrum, the Conseil Scolaire Publique du Grand Nord de l'Ontario see the anniversary as an opportunity to demonstrate the board's commitment to providing dedicated support and services to families. In addition to celebrating those on the autism spectrum and their many contributions through the ceremony, group activities and a hot lunch, Tuesday's event is a valuable opportunity to learn about the atypical challenges faced by these families and to raise awareness for these challenges.
Read the full story here.
Her dying wish: Donna Williams died too soon, but the push she started for a second MRI scanner continues
Health Sciences North is on target to have a second MRI scanner operating in five years, ending middle-of-the-night diagnostic tests for patients and chronically long wait times. HSN is operating its one MRI machine 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, completing about 13,000 scans a year. Still patients must wait an average 52 days for a test, well passed the provincial target of 28 days.
A second MRI will mean no late night tests, quicker access and shorter wait times. Purchasing a second MRI and renovating a space to house it will cost $3.5 million, an amount the Health Sciences North Foundation needs to raise.
At the same time, the foundation is raising $2.6 million to replace the existing decade-old MRI, which nearing the end of its life. HSN officials aim to have both the second MRI in operation and the replacement for the current scanner in place by 2024.
Tickets on sale: Steve Earle and The Dukes playing Fraser Auditorium in July
Award-winning American rock, country and folk singer-songwriter Steve Earle is coming to Sudbury in July. Steve Earle & The Dukes will be performing at the Fraser Auditorium on July 16, and tickets for the show go on sale on April 2. Earle began his career as a songwriter in Nashville and released his first EP in 1982. His breakthrough album was the 1986 album Guitar Town. He has won three Best Contemporary Folk Album awards (2005, 2008, and 2010). You can get your tickets to see Steve Earle & The Dukes at the STC DiBrina Box Office at 170 Shaughnessy St., phoning 705-674-8381 or online.
For ticketing information and links, click here.
Concert commemorates 20th anniversary of Columbine massacre
On April 20, 1999, two Grade 12 students at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado, murdered 12 students and one teacher at their school, and then killed themselves. They also injured an additional 21 people with gunshots, and also exchanged gunfire with police. At the time, it was the deadliest shooting at a high school in United States history.
The Nickel City Wind Ensemble marks the 20th anniversary of this tragic event at an April 7 concert. The group will perform American composer Frank Ticheli’s haunting “American Elegy.” The concert takes place at Lockerby Composite School Auditorium Sunday, April 7 at 2:30 p.m.
