Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Thursday morning.
Get ready, Nickel City, automated speed traps are coming
A longstanding effort to make Greater Sudbury a more pedestrian-friendly city appears to be coming to a head, with the city in the midst of several significant steps forward. Between efforts to reduce speed limits, prioritize sidewalks, install traffic-calming infrastructure and automated enforcement devices, the city has been gaining traction. So described Ward 9 Coun. Deb McIntosh, who chairs the city’s operations committee which has been dealing with the city’s 3,600 lane kilometres of roadway. “All of us get a lot of complaints about speeding through residential neighbourhoods,” she said, adding that a leading concern at community meetings has consistently been about people speeding on certain stretches of road. “I’m just one councillor, but we all have those, so it’s a constant thread – a constant complaint that comes in.” The latest step the committee has taken is approving the creation of a business case calling for automated speed traps, which could be introduced in the city as early as next year.
University professor suing HSN over alleged mistreatment
A former Indigenous studies professor at the University of Sudbury, Tasha Beeds, is alleging she was not only mistreated and racially profiled at Health Sciences North two years ago, but was also detained by Greater Sudbury Police because hospital staff assumed she was intoxicated. Beeds has filed a lawsuit against Health Sciences North, the Greater Sudbury Police Services Board, as well as the attending physician, Dr. Nicholas Fortino. These claims have not been proven in court, and all parties deny the allegations entirely. Beeds, of nêhiyaw, Scottish-Métis, and Bajan ancestry, said she was treated “horribly” while in distress at Health Sciences North in March of 2020, just as the pandemic hit. Beeds is currently the Ron Ianni Scholar at the Indigenous Legal Orders Institute at the University of Windsor and lectures at the University of Saskatchewan. She was also an Indigenous Studies professor at the former University of Sudbury. She told Sudbury.com not only does she feel that she was assumed to be intoxicated because she is a person of colour, but more than that, she said she — or anyone else — shouldn’t have been treated as she was even if she had been intoxicated.
Jane Goodall to help celebrate Sudbury’s 10-millionth tree
In what Mayor Brian Bigger considers a “historic moment” for Greater Sudbury, the community has been invited to celebrate the planting of the 10-millionth tree at Bell Park on Thursday. World-renowned scientist Jane Goodall will be joining the 3 p.m. celebration at the William Bell Gazebo to film a segment for the upcoming IMAX film, “Reasons for Hope.” The city’s regreening effort under which these 10 million trees have been planted since 1978 certainly qualifies as a reason for hope, Bigger told Sudbury.com. “My god, you look at the pictures of the black rock with dead tree stumps and a pretty desolate environment,” Bigger said of the city prior to its regreening, adding that it would have been difficult at the time to imagine how greatly things would improve in only one generation. “It’s not hopeless, things can be repaired, turned around in the environment, and look at what Sudbury has done.” The city’s regreening effort has been ongoing since 1978 and has remained the product of various community and industry partners.
Northern Lights Festival’s 50th is free for kids 14 and under
Northern Lights Festival Boréal celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend and festival organizers want you to know they promise fun for the whole family. “It’s our 50th anniversary festival this year,” Executive Director Krishna Patel said in a news release, “and we just want to make sure that families know kids 14 and under can enjoy the festival for free!” The NLFB Family Area offers performances curated to appeal to young festival lovers. Entry to the family area is free for kids accompanied by a ticket-bearing adult. “We understand that bringing kids to a music festival can be a lot,” says Patel, “which is why we’ve made sure the Family Area is fun for all and will keep both kids and adults very entertained!” Performing on the family stage will be Rabbit & Bear Paws, Amandine et Rosalie, Sharon & Randi (Sharon, Lois & Bram) and more. Kids can also enjoy free arts & crafts, musical activities, face-painting, inflatable amusements and interactive workshops. For those who aren’t really concerned about headline shows, there is a $15 day-only pass available at the gate.
Former Sudbury mayor Maurice Lamoureux has died
Former mayor of Sudbury, Maurice Lamoureux, has passed away. First elected as a City of Sudbury alderman for New Sudbury, Lamoureux enjoyed a career in municipal politics that spanned more than five decades. He served as mayor of Sudbury in 1981-1982. Lamoureux died on July 5 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind his wife Marina, six children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Lamoureux worked 33 years at Falconbridge Nickel Mines, retiring in 1989, but certainly not stopping. He worked as a consultant with Petryna Advertising, and the Petryna Group before beginning yet another career as a sales representative at Coldwell Banker Charles Marsh Real Estate for 15 yrs. First elected as a City of Sudbury Alderman for New Sudbury in 1964, Lamoureux became mayor of Sudbury in 1981 when he stepped in for Jim Gordon, who was running provincially. Lamoureux was later elected as president of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities.
Spartans host season’s final double header this weekend
Sudbury Spartans fans rejoice — you can get double the football fun this coming weekend when both the JV and men’s Spartans teams suit up at home July 9 at James Jerome Field. The Sudbury Junior Spartans host their final game of the 2022 season against the Clarington Knights for a 4 p.m. kickoff, while the Spartans men host their final home game of the season against the North Bay Bulldogs at 7 p.m. that evening. During this game the Spartans will present former players Bruce Vaillancourt and JP Pigeon as their 2022 Hall of Fame inductees. Tickets are available at the gate for $10. Kids 12 and under get in free.
Mix of sun and cloud for Thursday
Expect a mix of sun and cloud today in the morning before the skies get cloudy this afternoon. The wind will be out of the southwest at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 in the morning. Today’s high is 25 with a humidex of 27. The UV index today is nine, or very high. Tonight, expect cloudy periods with a 30-per-cent chance of showers and a low of 13.
