Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to kick off your Tuesday morning.
Stage 1 of reopening Ontario: Here’s what you need to know
The Ontario government, in consultation with the chief medical officer of health, will move the province into Step One of its Roadmap to Reopen on Friday, June 11, a few days ahead of schedule. The move is based on the provincewide vaccination rate and continuing improvements in key public health and health system indicators, including the vaccination of 60 per cent of adults with at least one dose for two weeks or longer, ensuring the first dose offers a strong level of protection against COVID-19. Step 1 reopening plans are focused on low-risk outdoor activities with small crowds. It will also permit more limited indoor settings to be open, all with restrictions in place. In consultation with the chief medical officer of health, the Ontario government has amended Step 1 to also permit indoor religious services, rites and ceremonies, including wedding and funeral services limited to 15 per cent capacity.
Gélinas glad 41 northern families part of autism program, but wonders why the late invitations
Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas has responded to statements by Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli, who said comments she made at Queen’s Park June 1 regarding the Ontario Autism Program Pilot were “flat-out wrong.” The NDP health critic said the Northern Ontario Autism Alliance had informed her that no one had “been able to identify a single Northern Ontario family who have received an invocation to participate in the pilot program.” But the Progressive Conservative Fedeli told Sudbury.com sister publication BayToday.ca that the pilot program will have 41 Northern Ontario families participating. We reached out to Gélinas about Fedeli’s comments, and she said she thinks the key words in his statement are “will have 41 families.” “The pilot project was launched in February, many families had received invitations, but none in Northern Ontario were receiving invites,” she said, in a written statement. “So I am glad we will get 41 families, but given the level of anxiety in that sector, the government should at a minimum tell us where Northern Ontario begins for this pilot (north of Barrie or north of the French River) and how many First Nations and Francophone families from Northern Ontario were invited.”
Thunder Bay man who threw trailer hitch, killing Indigenous woman, gets 8 years
After nearly four-and-half years since 34-year-old Barbara Kentner of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway First Nation was struck in the abdomen with a metal trailer hitch thrown from a moving vehicle, which ultimately led to her death, Brayden Bushy, the one responsible, will spend the next eight years in a federal penitentiary. Justice Helen Pierce handed down her sentence in a Thunder Bay Courtroom on Monday where Bushby, who has been out on bail since November 2017, was led away in handcuffs. “We all have an interest in this sentence and the message it sends,” Justice Pierce said. “There will be some who think this sentence is not harsh enough while others will think it is too harsh.” “What you did Mr. Bushby was not brave. It was not manly. It was not impressive. It did not make our community a better place.” Bushby, now 22, was found guilty of manslaughter following a four-day trial last December. Before the trial, Bushby pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, not denying that he was the one who threw the metal trailer hitch that struck Kentner.
Loblaw pharmacy in Chelmsford booking for June 11 vaccination clinic
The Loblaw Drugstore Pharmacy located at Terry’s Your Independent Grocer in Chelmsford is hosting a vaccination clinic on June 11 for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The clinic will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. this coming Friday. Call ahead to book your appointment. This clinic is only for those: Aged 18 and over who have not received a first dose; anyone who received their first dose before April 18, and, and; anyone who is over the age of 70. Call 705-855-8200 to book your appointment while supplies last.
Sunday’s temperature was record-breaking for Greater Sudbury
The June heat wave Greater Sudbury is experiencing is officially record-breaking. The previous record for June 6 was set in 1976, when it was 31.1 C. Sunday’s temperature got up to 31.3 C. Monday’s temperature was supposed to get up to 30 C, which it did. The temperature record in Greater Sudbury for June 7 was also set in 1976, when the temperature got up to 31.1 C.
It's now mandatory for long-term care homes to have COVID-19 vaccine policies
The Ontario government said it is mandating that long-term care (LTC) homes should have COVID-19 immunization policies for staff and to set out the minimum requirements that need to be included in these policies. The announcement was made late last month by Long-Term Care Minister Merrilee Fulleton, who said the success of vaccinations in LTC homes so far is an example to be followed. In accordance with the new policies, staff members will be asked to do one of the following actions: Provide proof of vaccination of each dose; provide a documented medical reason for not being vaccinated, or; participate in an educational program about the benefits of vaccination and the risks of not being vaccinated. The news release said long-term care homes must have their COVID-19 staff immunization policies fully implemented by July 1.
Read the full story on the Sudbury.com homepage.
Registration is now open for free summer camp offered by the Northern Ontario School of Medicine
CampMed, the annual summer camp for high school students interested in a health-care career, is being offered virtually again for a second summer by the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). Registrations are now open online at the NOSM website. NOSM said the 2021 version of CampMed will again be presented entirely online, as it was last summer. This year's version takes place from July 12 to July 23, said the NOSM news release. "NOSM’s 16th annual summer camp is designed for high-school students interested in a career in health care. CampMed focuses on four core learning areas: interprofessionalism, leadership, culture, and clinical skills. The experience provides Northern youth with an opportunity to explore a variety of health-care careers and be mentored by post-secondary students," said the release.
Read the full story on the Sudbury.com homepage.
Another scorcher: High of 30 today, but the humidity will make it feel like 37
Tuesday is shaping up to be another scorcher, Greater Sudbury. Expect a mix of sun and cloud today with a high of 30, though the humidity will make it feel more like 37 outside. Today’s UV index is, not surprisingly, nine or very high. There is a 40-per-cent chance of showers this afternoon and the risk of a thunderstorm. This evening, there is also a 30-per-cent chance of showers. Tonight’s low is 17.
