Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Friday morning.
MR 55 collision near Copper Cliff involved 20 vehicles
The first real snowfall of the year led to the season’s first weather-caused collision. At around 6:15 a.m., Greater Sudbury Police responded reports of a collision on MR 55 near the Highway 17 interchange. A spokesperson for Greater Sudbury Police said the crash involved approximately 20 vehicles. Multiple injuries were reported, but all were listed as minor. Traffic was re-routed at Kelly Lake Road/MR 55 and Big Nickel Mine Road/MR 55. GSPS pointed to slick roads after the first snowfall of the season as the likely cause of the incident.
Rogers deal brings 5G tower to NORCAT test mine
Rogers Communications is partnering with NORCAT in Sudbury to step up the future of smart mining. Rogers announced Wednesday it has created a new Rogers Technology Centre of Excellence located within the NORCAT Underground Centre in Levack. At the same time, the company is installing a new 5G cellular tower site to deliver a higher degree of "connectivity" for some northern parts of the City of Greater Sudbury. Rogers, a major Canadian telecom company, said the partnership is a five-year strategic relationship to accelerate technology adoption in the global mining industry. Rogers said the new venture would bring innovative new solutions to life and increase efficiency, safety, and productivity in mining. NORCAT CEO Don Duval said he was pleased with the partnership. “The NORCAT Underground Centre has proudly become the global destination to ‘see and touch’ all that is the future of mining technology and innovation. Using our ‘active laboratory,’ we connect and broker relationships between emerging technology companies and global mining companies, creating an ecosystem like no other in the world,” Duval said.
Laurentian SPAD program celebrates 50 years
More than 300 alumni and students of the School of Sports Administration (SPAD) came together Oct. 15 and 16, with a full slate of events during the SPAD 50th Anniversary, raising more than $50,000 in donations to support students. Events were headlined by a fundraising gala at the Liberty Grand in Toronto, which attracted graduates from all 50 years of the program’s history. From CEOs of major corporations to current and former general managers of professional sports teams, graduates were eager to reconnect with former classmates and professors. Fiftieth anniversary events then extended into Sudbury, where graduates spent time volunteering at the Elgin Street Mission, leading a hockey equipment drive and making new connections at the many social events. The School of Sports Administration dates back to 1972 and boasts over 1,300 alumni, many of whom are active donors and regularly contribute to the advancement of the SPAD program. The school will welcome another 70 students into their ranks in September 2023.
Still under CCAA, Laurentian U. posts $16.8M surplus for 2021-22
After posting a deficit of $66.7 million in the 2020-2021 financial year, draft financial statements released by Laurentian University this week show the university has a nearly $16.8 million surplus for 2021-22. Laurentian University’s board of governors will vote Oct. 21 on whether to approve the statements for the 2021-22 financial year. Sudbury.com has obtained a copy of the agenda and board package in advance of the Oct. 21 meeting, which includes a draft of Laurentian’s 2021-2022 financial statements. The following motion is up for discussion during the meeting: “Be it resolved that the Board of Governors approve the Consolidated Financial Statements of Laurentian University of Sudbury for the year ending April 30, 2022, as presented at its meeting of October 21, 2022.” This as Laurentian expects to exit insolvency restructuring next month after filing for creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) more than a year and a half ago, in February 2021.
Tearful Sudbury family claims late mother’s big lotto prize
The family of the late Anne Zacerkowny of Sudbury are pretty sure she’s smiling down on them after they took her turn on the Big Spin and won $300,000. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) said Zacerkowny was a diehard instant game player, such that when she passed away the family paid tribute to her by playing the “winner/gagnant” jingle at her funeral. Just prior to the pandemic in 2020, Zacerkowny won a shot to spin the Big Spin wheel. The 93-year-old was very excited, OLG said in a news release, and even chose a special outfit to wear to take her chance on the wheel. Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented her from attending the prize centre and Zacerkowny passed away in July 2021 at age 93 before she could claim her prize. With the reopening of the OLG Prize Centre, Zacerkowny’s three children and grandson were give the chance to spin the wheel in her honour.
Greater Sudbury Cubs crack the CJHL top 20
The Greater Sudbury Cubs achieved a big first by ranking in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) top 20 rankings. As of Oct. 17, the Greater Sudbury Cubs ranked No. 17. “The surging Cubs coached by Darryl Moxam continues to raise eyebrows with their high-octane offence led by Billy Biedermann, Pierson Sobush, Cameron Walker, Cole Crowder and rookie defenceman Kyloe Ellis, who are all ranked in the top 20 in NOJHL scoring,” according to a media release issued by the hockey club. “The family-friendly Cubs are very appreciative of the fan support received so far this season,” they added. “The Cubs will now focus on maintaining their first-place position and providing even more exciting Junior ‘A’ hockey entertainment to our growing fanbase.” The Cubs won both games played last weekend, aided by goaltender Noah Beaulne, who is now ranked as sixth overall in the NOJHL.
Drizzle and a high of 12 expected today
Expect a mix of sun and cloud today with a 30-per-cent chance of drizzle early in the morning. The wind will be out of the south at 30 km/h, gusting to 60. The UV index today is three, or moderate. Tonight, expect partly cloudy skies with fog patches developing before dawn. The wind will be southerly at 20 km/h gusting to 40, before becoming light near midnight. The overnight low is 6 .
