Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Friday morning.
Laurentian OKed for crucial step to finally exit insolvency
The courts have granted Laurentian University permission to hold a virtual meeting of its creditors Sept. 14, in which they will have a chance to vote on the plan of arrangement that would allow LU to finally exit insolvency restructuring. Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz, the judge who has heard most matters related to LU’s insolvency over the past 18 months, told those attending the July 28 virtual hearing that he is “satisfied that it is appropriate to grant the meeting order in the form that has been submitted. I will sign that order this morning and have it issued and entered. I will provide some brief reasons. I would like to see them either tomorrow or Monday.” A plan of arrangement is a plan put forward by an insolvent organization to pay out its creditors, and it must be approved by these creditors. Laurentian continues to undergo court-supervised restructuring after declaring insolvency in February 2021, and filing for creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (or CCAA). Provided the plan of arrangement is approved by Laurentian’s creditors, the university hopes to seek a “sanction order motion” to exit insolvency on Oct. 5.
Mining community mourns the death of Sudbury’s Dick DeStefano
A Sudbury man who was regarded as a driving force in the development and eventual global reach of Northern Ontario's mining supply and services sector has died. Community leaders across the North were saddened this week to learn of the death of Dick Destefano. He was 85. An extensive biography on DeStefano was written in 2019 by Norm Tollinsky, the founding editor of the Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal (SMSJ), on the occasion of DeStefano retiring from SAMSSA. DeStefano was a regular columnist for SMSJ. The story goes that DeStefano had planned to retire in the early 2000s when Paul Reid, a business development officer with the Sudbury Regional Development Corporation, pitched him on developing the potential of the city’s mining supply and service companies. Sixteen years later, SAMSSA had 140 members spread across Northern Ontario and a thriving concentration of more than 500 mining supply and service companies accounting for some 25,000 jobs — the association has evolved into a mining supply and service powerhouse serving the global mining industry. By 2019, SAMSSA provides a wide range of programs and services that help its members grow their business. It organizes trade missions to stimulate export business, operates quarterly export club networking events, hosts incoming delegations of mining companies and promotes its members to a global mining marketplace through its website.
Fear for other victims after Sudburian taken in grandparent scam
A Sudbury resident is out $9,000 after falling victim to a grandparent scam, Greater Sudbury Police said today in a news release. On July 25, GSPS said it received a call from an elderly Greater Sudbury resident who believed she was a victim of a grandparent scam. The woman had received a call from someone pretending to be her granddaughter who said she had been involved in a collision and police had found $10,000 worth of cannabis in her vehicle. The woman withdrew the cash from her bank account and a woman went to the victim’s house to pick up the money. Police have made an arrest in the case. The next day, July 26, a 20-year-old Ottawa resident was arrested and charged with fraud over $5,000. She was granted bail on July 27. And while an arrest has been made, GSPS is concerned there may be other victims in the city who have not reported being scammed to the police. If you or someone you know is a victim of this or a similar scam, you are encouraged to contact GSPS at 705-675-9171.
Sudbury police officer killed 23 years ago yesterday remembered
Twenty-three years ago on July 28, Sudbury police officer Sgt. Rick McDonald was killed in the line of duty. In the early morning hours of July 28, 1999, McDonald was fatally injured when he was struck by a stolen vehicle that was fleeing police. A 12-year veteran, he was survived by his wife, mother, brothers and sister. In a statement posted to its website, Greater Sudbury Police highlighted the impact McDonald’s death had not only in Sudbury, but for police services across the province. Over the course of his career, McDonald served in several departments, including Uniform Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division, and the Traffic Management Unit. His commitment to the health, safety and prosperity of his fellow officers was a driving force in his career, GSPS said. “Throughout his career, Rick's determination to fight for officer rights and his strong opinions were put to good use as he spent many years on the board of the Sudbury Police Association, which included two terms as president,” the police service said. “At the time of his death, Rick was serving as president of the Police Association.” His impact on his fellow officers continued after his passing, as well. The Rick McDonald Memorial Act (Suspect Apprehension Pursuits) 1999 was enacted after his death. This act amended the Highway Traffic Act to allow for stiffer penalties for those who run from police.
Pro wrestling fans will want to check out Capreol Days
Professional wrestling is coming to this weekend’s Capreol Days, with several wrestlers from throughout North America poised to body-slam jabronis at the Capreol Arena on Saturday. “Greater Sudbury as a whole has always had a long history of professional wrestling and has a pretty rich legacy here,” Capreol Days organizing committee member Derek Young told Sudbury.com. “We wanted to return to some of our roots, celebrate that legacy and the history behind it.” The show, put on by Great Canadian Wrestling as part of this weekend’s Capreol Days festivities, is all about “quality family entertainment,” despite the smashing and bashing that will go on in the ring. “You’ll quickly discover who the bad-guy heels are, who the baby faces are. It’s classic wrestling, and a lot of these guys will go on to take contracts with larger sports entertainment companies.”
Read the full story on the Sudbury.com homepage.
Governor General’s Gold Medal win poignant for Laurentian grad
Post-doctoral researcher and Laurentian University alumni Xuyang Meng has received a Governor General’s Gold Medal award for academic excellence at the graduate level. Meng’s Ph.D in Economic Geology, belonging to the Mineral Deposits and Precambrian Geology program at Laurentian, focused on understanding the formation of porphyry copper deposits in the early Precambrian eon. Established in 1873, Governor General Academic Medals encourage strong scholastic performance across Canada. Medals are awarded annually to students graduating with the highest academic standing in four distinct levels of education; secondary, post-secondary collegiate, undergraduate, and graduate. Nominated for this achievement by the Harquail School of Earth Sciences, Meng described feeling honored and humbled to be a recipient.
Cloudy and slightly warmer temps today
Expect cloudy skies to end the work week with a 40-per-cent chance of showers for the day. The wind will be westerly at 20 km/h gusting to 40 in the morning. The high today is 22 with a humidex value of 25. The UV index today is four, or moderate. Tonight, the skies will stick around and so will the 40-per-cent chance of showers (in the evening and after midnight). The winds will lighten up as the evening moves on. The overnight low is 13.
