Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Saturday morning.
Sudbury politicians pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Sudbury politicians have joined people around the world in paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after her passing on Sept. 8. The longest-serving British monarch died at Balmoral, Scotland yesterday at age 96. Mayor Brian Bigger issued a statement following the passing of the queen, expressing condolences on behalf of the city. “On behalf of the entire City of Greater Sudbury, I want to express our sincerest condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our longest reigning monarch,” the statement reads. “Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were in Sudbury for the official opening of Science North in October 1984, which has remained a landmark in our city and continues to be an economic driver for the region.” Flags across the city will be lowered to half-mast in Queen Elizabeth’s honour and will remain lowered until after her funeral. An official book of condolences will be made available in coming days, but no details have been provided so far.
Health Unit: Crow tests positive for West Nile virus
Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) has reported a positive case of West Nile virus (WNv) in the Greater Sudbury area. PHSD said it received confirmation that an American Crow was discovered that had tested positive. West Nile virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes get the virus by feeding on infected birds, said a health unit news release. The infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to humans and other animals. The American Crow is regarded as a common bird throughout most of Canada according to the Audubon Field Guide. PHSD said local surveillance to date this year has not detected virus in any mosquitos collected this year. WNv positive mosquitoes were last detected in the area in 2018, said the health unit. Jon Groulx, a manager in PHSD's Health Protection division, said the risk is low but the virus is still out there and late summer is a prime time for concern. “In our service area this year, there have been no confirmed cases of people being infected with the virus or mosquitoes carrying the virus. However, this positive bird reminds us that although the overall risk of a person becoming infected is low, the virus is still present,” Groulx said.
Smith excited to lace up for the Greater Sudbury Cubs
The Greater Sudbury Cubs announced this week that local forward Oliver Smith is returning to the Nickel City from Barrie and will be lacing up for the local NOJHL team this season. The 19-year-old was drafted and played for the OHL’s Barrie Colts last season, scoring 10 goals and adding nine assists in 55 games. Smith was expected to return to the Colts this season, the Cubs said, but he decided in early August to continue his education and junior hockey career in his hometown of Sudbury. “We are absolutely ecstatic to have Oliver return to the NOJHL this season,” said Cubs Managing Director Blaine Smith. “Oliver played for us three seasons ago as a 16-year-old and he was instrumental in leading our Rayside Balfour Canadians to a West Division championship.” For his part, Smith said he is excited to be returning home. “I’m really excited to play hockey for the Cubs in my hometown,” he said. “I love being at home in Sudbury surrounded by family and friends. This opportunity is giving me a chance to pursue a post-secondary education while still being able to play hockey at a high level. I’m grateful for the opportunity to do both.”
Memorial walk for Meagan Pilon happening Sunday
Meagan Pilon of Sudbury was last seen Sept. 11, 2013. And while the then 15-year-old hasn’t been seen in nine years, it doesn’t mean people have stopped looking. Please Bring Me Home is a volunteer group that works to try to close cold-case missing person cases. This Sunday, Please Bring Me Home in Sudbury invites community members to take part in a memorial walk in Meagan’s honour, and in honour of all missing people. The walk also serves to keep the search in the public’s mind, Pickering and Charette said. The event begins at 11 a.m. on Sept. 11 in the York Street parking lot across from Bell Park. Following a prayer, there will be a march along Paris Street across the Bridge of Nations to Elm Street, looping on Lisgar Street back to York Street. “We are encouraging everyone to come participate and help bring our missing persons home.”
Northern MPs sign joint letter opposing riding redistribution
Northern Ontario's members of parliament ignored party lines and released a joint letter expressing concern over the draft plan to restructure federal riding boundaries across the North. Signatories include Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré and Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe. Also signing the letter are Kenora MP Eric Melillo, Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus, Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski, Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Patty Hajdu, Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes, Sault Ste. Marie MP Terry Sheehan, Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota and Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison. "As Members of Parliament representing the federal electoral districts of Northern Ontario, we have substantial concerns regarding the proposed boundary changes. Chief among these concerns are the loss of an electoral district, the creation of electoral boundaries that will be more challenging to serve, and the limited number of consultations," the letter reads. "We understand that the commission has been seized with the difficult task of reviewing and adjusting riding boundaries, but Northern Ontario should not pay the price of having its representation dwindle in order to satisfy the population growth in bigger centres which have access to better infrastructure and resources." Reducing the number of ridings in Northern Ontario, which is sparsely populated while being geographically massive, will only harm northern residents, the signatories state.
Take a bite out of Applefest this weekend
Local apple enthusiasts have teamed up to start what they hope will become an annual event, allowing you to enjoy apple season to the core. Seasons Pharmacy and Culinaria, Beautiful Field Farm & Fruit Trees and Sudbury Shared Harvest have come together to organize Applefest, which will include tours and talks at the Delki Dozzi food forest, plus apple tasting and pressing, kids activities, and cooking demonstrations at Seasons Pharmacy and Culinaria (815 Lorne St.). Most of the event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 10, food forest tours begin at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m, with the cooking demonstrations and apple pressing continuing throughout the following week. There will be a cider pressing demonstration at Seasons Pharmacy for the full day of Sept. 10.
Mixed bag of weather this weekend
There is a mixed bag of weather in the forecast this weekend. Expect a high of 28 today under sunny skies. The wind will be southerly at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 in the morning. The humidex value today is 33 and the UV index is six, or high. Tonight, expect cloudy periods with a 30-per-cent chance of showers and a low of 14. For Sunday, expect a cloudy day with a 60-per-cent chance of showers and a high of 19. For the evening, there is a 30-per-cent chance of showers and a low of 14.
