Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Wednesday morning.
Feuding councillors eager to move past ugliness to focus on city work
After North Bay Police cited “insufficient grounds to proceed with criminal charges” against Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini, both he and the colleague he’s accused of threatening are moving on. “You really can’t hold grudges or feel anger about stuff once it’s completed,” Vagnini told Sudbury.com. “It is what it is.” “It’s just time to get on with business, period,” Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc said. “Show respect to one another as councillors as you would your neighbours and colleagues in the workforce.” The threat of criminal charges stem from a Jan. 25 phone call between the two councillors in which Leduc alleges that Vagnini threatened him. Initially describing the threat as “very serious” to Sudbury.com, Leduc clarified this week that it was against his life and that Vagnini had said, “I will kill you.” “But at the end of the day, it’s behind us. Let’s move on, let’s move on with our city business and move forward,” Leduc said, adding that he understands why police were unable to pursue the matter, since the accusation was his word against Vagnini’s.
Capreol man wins $100K playing Lotto Max
Capreol resident Mark Owens has some serious decisions to make on how he plans to spend the $100,000 he won playing Lotto Max. The retired 64-year-old matched the last six of seven Encore numbers in the exact order in the Feb. 15 draw. Owens said he has been playing the lottery on and off for years. “I started playing Encore about a year ago," he said, while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up his winnings. Owens was with his friend when he remembered he had a ticket to check that day. "I scanned it using the OLG app, and I passed it to my friend for a second look," Owens said. "He was jumping up and down – more excited than I was.” Owens has some plans in min for his windfall. "I have a lot of decisions to make. I might put some toward my mortgage. I’d like a newer vehicle and to travel. But first, new glasses. Now comes the fun part of spending it."
‘Heart of gold’ Greek immigrant who owned iconic Deluxe restaurant has passed away
One of the members of the Deluxe restaurant dynasty in Sudbury has passed away. Fotios (Frank) Zikopoulos passed away March 11 at the age of 87. In 1964, Zikopoulos began his career at the Deluxe on Lorne Street and in 1971 purchased the restaurant, where he remained for the next 56 years. Over those years, together with his family he built an upstanding and respectful business, said his obituary. He always said he was blessed to work with his wife, son, and grandsons. Zikopoulos was also always grateful for the wonderful staff at Deluxe. His obituary said this is the place where family and friends not only came to eat but to have a coffee and hang out with Uncle Frank. “Uncle Frank never forgot where he came from, and he stayed connected to everyone,” the obituary stated. “He was loving, caring, and had a heart of gold, a man not afraid to show his emotions.” Zikopoulos was born June 17, 1934 in Agia Sotira, Kozani, Greece.
COVID-19 measures remain in place at the Greater Sudbury Airport
COVID-19 requirements at Greater Sudbury Airport will remain in place into the foreseeable future, despite many restrictions being lifted locally and provincially. As airline flights and passenger traffic increase at the Greater Sudbury Airport, airport management would like to remind the public that airports are governed by federal regulations, said a news release. “Masking continues to be required at all times for our passengers, airport personnel and contractors to enter the airport terminal, along with proof of vaccination," said Jean-Mathieu Chenier, director of Marketing, Airport Excellence & Innovation. “We want the public to be informed that when they come to the Greater Sudbury Airport, they should arrive with their approved face mask and proof of vaccination.” It is important to note that only ticketed passengers and airport personnel are permitted in the airport terminal, said the release. Friends and family are still being asked to remain at their vehicles while waiting for their passenger’s arrival.
Ontario to permanently set speed limits on some highway sections at 110 km/h
Ontario is set to announce today that speed limits of 110 kilometres per hour on six sections of provincial highways are here to stay. The province launched a pilot project in 2019 to boost the speeds on certain areas of highway across the province, and The Canadian Press has learned that those speed limits will now be made permanent as of April 22. Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney, who is set to make the announcement later today, says in a statement that those sections of highway were carefully selected based on their ability to accommodate higher speeds. It applies to the Queen Elizabeth Way from Hamilton to St. Catharines, Highway 402 from London to Sarnia, Highway 417 from Ottawa to the Quebec border, as well as from the Kanata area to Arnprior, Highway 401 from Windsor to Tilbury, and Highway 404 from Newmarket to Woodbine.
SSO’s upcoming concert pays tribute to those impacted by COVID
Sudbury Symphony Orchestra presents a concert entitled “Healing Touch” April 9. This special concert marks two years since the pandemic began and honours those who suffered with COVID, their caregivers and all first-line responders and essential workers within our community. The SSO String Quartet will perform Beethoven’s String Quartet OP 132 in A minor, that “offers a prayer of thanks after illness” with T.S. Eliot’s writings on suffering and resilience inspired by this piece. The event is MCed by local radio host Markus Schwabe. There are two concert times: 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The event takes place at Sudbury Indie Cinema on MacKenzie Street. $5 from each ticket goes to Health Sciences North Foundation. Purchase tickets through SSO’s website.
Lovely spring day: Freezing rain and ice pellets in the forecast
Well, the lovely spring weather continues today. Expect the cloudy sky to begin dropping snow or ice pellets beginning in the morning that will change to either ice pellets or freezing rain this afternoon. Up to two centimetres of snow or ice is possible. The wind is out of the southeast at 20 km/h. Today’s high is -2 with a -16 wind chill expected in the morning and -9 in the afternoon. Tonight, more freezing rain or ice pellets is expected, changing to rain showers overnight. The wind will remain out of the southeast at 20 km/h, so expect a wind chill of -9. The temperature is expected to rise to three by the morning.
