Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Wednesday morning.
Gas prices jump to 208.9 at many stations in Greater Sudbury
Gas prices jumped 10 cents per litre to 208.9 at many gas stations in Greater Sudbury on Tuesday, according to GasBuddy.com. Most gas stations in the city were charging 198.6 yesterday morning. Many stations are still listed on the website as charging that price, so you may be able to get gas at the lower price if you hurry. Gas prices also jumped over the $2 per litre mark last week, although not so high as this week.
Kerry Burke pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder in brother Brant’s death
Kerry Burke told the court in pleading guility to second-degree murder on Tuesday that he was sleeping with his brother’s wife when she promised him $10,000 and a home if he would “get rid of the problem.” That “problem” happened to be Kerry’s own brother, Brant Burke, and on Oct. 19, 2020, Kerry fatally shot Brant in the back while they were moose hunting near Killarney. Kerry pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on May 10 via Zoom from the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene. He was originally charged with first-degree murder. Brant Burke’s wife, Melissa Sheridan of Sudbury, is charged with first-degree murder in the case. Sheridan was released on bail in December 2020. Her matter returns to court June 7 to be spoken to. Kerry is being represented by Sudbury lawyer Glenn Sandberg. Sheridan is represented by Toronto lawyer Michael Lacy.
‘Intensive’ rescue operation needed to save elderly hall of famer at Lake Laurentian
A missing person case became an involved search and rescue operation in the Lake Laurentian Conservation area on May 9, when three-time author, athlete and former Laurentian University professor, 88-year-old Ronald Wallingford, went missing from his home. Wallingford was located by Greater Sudbury Police and rescued by Greater Sudbury Fire Services after both water and high angle search and rescue techniques were employed. Kaitlyn Dunn, spokesperson for Greater Sudbury Police, told Sudbury.com they received a call around 12:55 that Wallingford had disappeared from his home. A tweet from GSPS noted that they were focusing their search in the Laurentian Conservation area and were employing a drone, or Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), to assist officers. Wallingford was located by officers at approximately 3:30 p.m., at which point it was determined that a more intensive rescue operation would be required, and Greater Sudbury Fire Services were called in. Deputy Chief Jesse Oshell told Sudbury.com that Wallingford was down a very steep embankment rock face, so steep that Oshell noted he was uncertain of how Wallingford even made it down to the area where he was found. Oshell described it as “a difficult-to-access area adjacent to Ramsey Lake, off Keast drive in the south end of Sudbury.”
A windfall from the electric vehicle revolution expected to rain on Sudbury and the North
The big splash agreement that Elon Musk and his Tesla car company made last week with Brazilian miner Vale should have a ripple effect in the nickel-rich Sudbury basin and across Northern Ontario, according to a Toronto-based mining columnist. “This is a tremendous opportunity to highlight the enormous potential of the Sudbury basin for clean, low-carbon nickel,” said Stan Sudol, owner of the Republic of Mining website, who heaped praise on the Tesla CEO. “Elon is someone who thinks out of the box and by solidifying a secure supply of clean nickel he’s ensuring that Tesla continues to be one of the most innovative electric vehicle manufacturers in the world.” On May 6, Tesla and Vale finally confirmed a rumoured deal floating around for months that Canadian-mined and processed nickel from Sudbury and Labrador will be used in the manufacture of Tesla electric vehicle batteries. Neither company revealed the dollar value or length of the agreement other than it being a multi-year deal.
North Bay leader's debate draws union demonstrators
A group of high-profile union leaders were among the close to 75 protesters that gathered on the street to voice their displeasure over Tuesday's Northern Leaders Debate which was scheduled to take place inside the Capitol Centre. "We are sick and tired of Fords cuts and sick and tired of conservatives," yelled Fred Hahn, CUPE Ontario's president. "We can and we will elect a labour friendly government. We are tired of them calling health care workers heroes and then take away their rights." The event, organized by the North Bay and District Labour Council, asked speakers to bring up questions they would have liked to ask the leaders during the northern debate. However, Henri Giroux, president of the North Bay Labour Council, pointed out that to attend the event at the Capitol Centre, the guests needed to pay $125. "I don't know about you, but I cannot afford $125," Giroux said to the crowd.
Greens introduce Glenys Babcock as their Nickel Belt candidate
Both ridings in Greater Sudbury now have a Green Party of Ontario candidate, with Glenys Babcock named as their Nickel Belt candidate. She joins David Robinson, who is running in the Sudbury constituency, by seeking seats for the party in the June 2 provincial election. “I’m running for the Ontario Greens to give a voice to Nickel Belt residents,” Babcock said in a media release. “I’m deeply concerned about the lack of affordable housing, mental health support, and environmental protection in my community and across Ontario.” Babcock is a public policy analyst and data scientist, and said the Green party has the right vision and leadership to tackle the most pressing issues facing Ontarians. In the media release, she is credited with serving diverse clients within Ontario and federal government departments, as well as at the World Bank, multiple Fortune 500 companies, and dozens of not-for-profit organizations for more than 25 years.
If you thought yesterday was nice, just wait
Expect a mix of sun and cloud today and a high of … wait for it … 27. There is a 40-per-cent chance of showers in the morning and a risk of a thunderstorm as well. The UV index today is nine, or very high. Tonight, the temperature will dip to 12 under clear skies.