Good morning, Greater Sudbury. Here are a few stories to start your day.
Marcus Drive 'incel' attacker told police he was 'out to murder a little white girl'
The man who was “out to murder a little white girl” pleaded guilty on Jan. 13 to two counts of attempted murder and one count of breach of probation. In an agreed statement of facts, Alexander Stavropoulos, 25, stabbed a 35-year-old woman multiple times and injured her baby in the parking lot of Michael's on June 3, 2019. At the time, he was under an order not to be in possession of knives outside of his home. Assistant Crown attorney Leonard Kim said the attack was random, but it was focused on Stavropoulos' attempt to kill a young white girl. Stavropoulos told police in a recorded interview he was sexually frustrated and angry with “white women” because they wouldn't have sex with him. He labelled himself as “incel,” or involuntarily celibate.
Former Sudbury track coach pleads not guilty to sex crimes
A former track coach in Greater Sudbury pleaded not guilty to five charges, including sexual assault, at the start of his trial this morning in a Sudbury courtroom. David Case and a former student of his, Celine Loyer, were charged in February 2017, following an investigation by Greater Sudbury Police. Case, 57, pleaded not guilty this morning as his trial, scheduled to last five days, began. The accused decided to proceed with a judge alone, meaning the trial is not being held before a jury.
Sudbury police make two impaired driving arrests in 45 minutes
On Jan. 10, Greater Sudbury Police Service arrested two men for impaired driving within a span of about 45 minutes, and they're reminding drivers that it is never OK to drink and drive. The first call came in on Friday around 8 p.m. Then at around 8:45 p.m. that same night, GSPS responded to a call involving a transit bus that had been rear-ended at the intersection of Barrydowne Road and Lillian Boulevard.
Tax changes will impact northern campgrounds, says MP
Changes to the way campgrounds are taxed should be a cause for concern, Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus said in a recent press release. He has written to the minister of finance after the federal Liberals indicated they want to remove the status of small business for incorporated campgrounds that do not employ at least five employees full-time year-round. “This will have a hugely negative effect on small rural communities that rely on private campgrounds to stimulate their local economy," Angus said in a press release. "It will also have a very negative impact on families who look to these campgrounds to enjoy the beauty of Canada’s great outdoors.”
Pond Hockey Festival on the Rock looking to recruit 150 volunteers
Pond Hockey Festival on the Rock returns to Ramsey Lake from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1. But, without the contributions of our many volunteers, the Pond Hockey on the Rock Festival would be on thin ice. Event organizers are looking to recruit 150 volunteers to help run the outdoor festival.
LU hosts application meetings for high school students affected by teacher's strike
The rotating one-day strike by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) members will cancel classes for high school students in the Rainbow District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon and Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario on Jan. 15. This date is significant as it is the deadline for Grade 12 students in Ontario to complete their applications for university programs through the Ontario University Application Center (OUAC). As a result, Laurentian University’s Liaison Services will be hosting a day of application-oriented meetings for Grade 12 students and their families who may have questions about their applications prior to submission.
Marketing program aims to attract more youth to skilled trades
The province has launched a flashy new marketing campaign designed to entice young workers into the trades. ‘Find a Career You Wouldn’t Trade’ comprises a series of videos highlighting various trades – including pipefitter and industrial technician – which will be run digitally, in movie theatres, and on Tim Hortons TV across the province. While filming tradespeople in their places of work, the footage espouses the benefits of working in a trade: good incomes, the potential for advancement, and, because there is such a shortage of trades workers, the opportunity to remain steadily employed over the long term.
