Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to get you started on this Monday morning.
Busy New Year’s Eve for Greater Sudbury Police
Greater Sudbury Police Service had a busy start to the new year. The Traffic Management Unit checked 371 vehicles in Greater Sudbury that night, conducting 12 roadside screening tests and 11 mandatory alcohol screening tests. These checks resulted in four impaired driving charges, 18 Highway Traffic Act violations and five other charges, police said today. Among the stops, officers stopped a vehicle at around 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 1 on Barrington Street under suspicion the driver was impaired. Police said after confirming the driver was impaired and moving to arrest him, the man resisted and assaulted police. The 31-year-old now faces charges of driving while impaired, failing to comply with a demand, resisting arrest and assaulting a peace officer. “It was also learned that he had a Canada-wide warrant for conspiracy to traffic in controlled substances,” GSPS said today. “He was issued a 90-day administrative driver’s licence suspension and his vehicle was impounded for seven days.”
Risk of exposure low but possible for bus travellers to Sudbury on Dec. 21
Anyone who travelled on an Ontario Northland bus from Toronto to Sudbury on Dec. 21 may have been exposed to COVID-19, though the risk of exposure is low Public Health Sudbury & Districts has said. The Ontario Northland bus in question is No. 1904 that left from a terminal on Bay Street in Toronto at 2 p.m. on Dec. 21 and arrived in Sudbury at 6:45 p.m. Anyone on board this bus is advised to follow public health guidance. That guidance includes self-monitoring for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from Dec. 21. If you have symptoms, you should self-isolate immediately and seek testing.
Report of man with a shotgun leads to $44K worth of cocaine, GSPS report
A New Year’s Eve weapons complaint on Myles Street in the Flour Mill not only led to a man’s arrest and the seizure of a shotgun, but also $44,000 worth of cocaine, Greater Sudbury Police report. On Dec. 31, GSPS received a weapons complaint report from a resident of Myles Street, regarding a man armed with a shotgun. Police report the man was arrested without incident and faces numerous firearms offences. As a result of the arrest, police executed a search warrant of a Myles Street residence. Police seized a firearm and ammunition. Officers also located what they described as a “large quantity of cocaine” in the residence, with a street value of $44,000. A man is being held in custody pending an unspecified court date.
Outbreak declared at St. Joseph’s Villa after staff member tests positive for COVID-19
Public Health Sudbury & Districts has declared an outbreak of COVID-19 at St. Joseph’s Villa in Sudbury after a staff member tested positive for the virus. The health unit announced the declaration New Year’s Day in a news release. “To date, no residents have tested positive in relation to this outbreak,” the release states. Public Health Sudbury said it is working with the long-term care home to investigate the source of the outbreak.
Paying down debt No. 1 financial goal of Canadians for 2021: Poll
A new survey says paying down debt is the No. 1 financial goal of Canadians heading into the new year, with many saying they took on more debt this year to cover day-to-day expenses and make up for a loss of income. The annual CIBC poll says tackling debt has remained unchanged as the top financial priority for the past 11 years, despite many Canadians grappling this year with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis. The survey found the second financial priority of Canadians for 2021 is simply "keeping up with bills and getting by." The bank says optimism for the year ahead has declined compared with previous years, with 24 per cent of Canadians believing their financial situation will improve in 2021, down from 32 per cent in 2019. The poll also found the top financial concerns of Canadians for the next 12 months include inflation, the rising costs of goods and slow economic growth.
Three GoFundMe campaigns running after comic shop suffers another break-in
Downtown Sudbury comic book shop Comics North has suffered yet another break-in. On Dec. 31, the store posted to Facebook that thieves made off with at least $10,000 worth of merchandise. This marks the third time in as many months that the store has suffered a break-in. Back in November after suffering a second break-in, Abrams shared his frustration with Sudbury.com in a story about an increase in property crimes downtown. Comics North’s customers have stepped up to help, however, and now three GoFundMe campaigns are running to help the store recoup some of its losses. Between the three campaigns, some $2,900 has been raised. If you would like to contribute, you can find the campaigns here, here and here.
Read the full story on the Sudbury.com homepage.
Fatal underground incident at Timmins mine being investigated
A fatal underground incident at a Timmins gold mine is under investigation. In a statement, Lake Shore Gold, a subsidiary of Pan American Silver, said an incident involving a contractor happened underground at the Timmins West Mine today (Jan. 1) around 3:30 p.m. Marcel Cardinal, Lake Shore Gold director of environmental and sustainability, said the person has passed away. Both police and Ministry of Labour have been or are on site, he said. "We are currently gathering information on the incident and wish to express our sincere thoughts for the individual and families involved," according to the company. "Authorities are currently investigating the incident and we will provide more information as it becomes available."
