Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Tuesday morning.
Sudbury family finds themselves at Vatican when new pope named
The Derro family of Sudbury is on an Italian vacation the likes of which they never could have imagined before setting off. Local Booster Juice franchise owners Dean and Diana Derro and their college-age daughters, Alyssa and Ava, took the trip to visit relatives in Carpineto, Romano, but took the occasion to visit several other famous Italian destinations. Or, as Ava Derro put it to Sudbury.com, they found themselves with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “Over the past 48 hours, we have experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we feel could enlighten the Catholic community of Sudbury,” she said. “What was originally a planned trip to The Vatican booked several months ago, turned into an unpredictable and priceless journey.”
Copper Cliff fire displaces five people, causes $200k in damages
A weekend fire in Copper Cliff has displaced five people and caused upwards of $200,000 in damages on Mother’s Day, May 11. Sunday evening's fire at a residence on Balsam Street was caused by “careless cooking,” said Jesse Oshell, Deputy Chief, Greater Sudbury Fire Services. “Careless cooking remains one of the top, if not the top, reason for fires in our community,” he told Sudbury.com. “If you're not paying very close attention to what you're doing in the kitchen, things can get away from you very quickly.” Oshell said six units from three nearby stations responded to the fire call, which came in around 6 p.m.
Sudbury youth wins Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers
On April 28, the Ontario government honoured 11 young people with the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers (OMYV), including Sudbury’s own Adam Selalmatzidis. A Lockerby Composite School graduate, Selalmatzidis has just completed his first year of mechanical engineering at the University of Waterloo and has continued to demonstrate his commitment to his community through his volunteer efforts. The medal is the province's highest recognition for youth aged 15 to 24, and recognizes their outstanding contributions to their communities and the province through volunteerism. Due to the pandemic, the awards are being presented two-years in arrears. The medal will sit among many other awards Selalmatzidis has received, including the 2024 Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Youth Achievement (he was only one of two students in the province to receive the honour that year), a 2024 Greater Sudbury Civic Award, given in recognition of meritorious service, voluntary contributions, personal efforts and exemplary community development. Selalmatzidis was also one of 86 Platinum Jubilee pins during a 2023 ceremony.
River & Sky releases first wave of bands playing at summer festival
River & Sky released its first wave of bands playing its 17th festival. The popular and unique summer festival is held on the banks of the Sturgeon River at Fishers’ Paradise, half-way between Sudbury and North Bay. It runs July 23-27 this year. Headlining the festival is Descartes a Kant, Shub, Tia Wood, Preoccupations, DijahSB and By Divine Right. Other first wave bands include Thea May, Casper Skulls, Bibi Club, and Fauxcils. “River & Sky’ers have come to expect the unexpected – a mix of beloved bands and emerging ones they might not know, but will be blown away by,” said Lara Bradley, communications lead. “There’s lots to love in this diverse first wave of artists including powerful Indigenous voices. We can’t wait to share the rest of the line-up soon, too.”
Let’s eat! Take your sweet tooth to Sweets On 47
A rich and decadent dream that awoke Noelia Fraser on Jan. 3 has become a reality. After baking out of sheer joy for many years, Fraser just opened Sweets On 47 out of her home in Garson, specializing in clean baking that caters to those who love low-carb, sugar-free, gluten-free and gourmet diets. “I had just returned from visiting my family in Uruguay in January. I dreamt of a baking business, then got up and announced in the living room that morning that I was starting Sweets On 47,” Fraser said. She originally thought about opening a storefront but opted to start small in her home. By Jan. 21, she was getting the proper licensing in order but admits starting small doesn’t mean she is any less busy.
Inaugural walk to end sexual violence set for May 28
May is Sexual Violence Prevention Month and a Health Sciences North violence prevention program is hosting its inaugural walk this month to raise awareness of the issue. Lise Montpellier is the clinical manager of the Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (VIPP) and Voices for Women Sudbury Sexual Assault Centre (VFW), which provide an array of services for survivors of violence. “Our trauma-informed team is here to support you or your loved one in a way that is compassionate and non-judgmental,” Montpellier told Sudbury.com. “Receiving care is confidential and available with or without police involvement. We strive to ensure that everyone will have safe access to the care/support they need.” The May 28 walk is call the "Step Up for Survivors" event.
