Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Tuesday morning.
Coniston family killed in murder-suicide, GSPS reports
Police have released more information about the three deaths reported at a home in Coniston last night, with the investigation revealing a father, mother and son died in a murder-suicide. The three individuals have been identified as 46-year-old Brian Desormeaux, 43-year-old Janet Dessormeaux and 17-year-old Ashton Desormeaux. “This incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide,” Greater Sudbury Police state in a press release. “Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation, no further details will be provided at this time.” A family member and neighbour who lives across the street from the Caruso Street home where the tragedy occurred shared some information with Sudbury.com this morning. You can find that story here. Officers were dispatched to the home at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Sunday in relation to what police referred to as an “unknown trouble.” They entered the home, “as there were immediate concerns for the person’s well-being,” police said in a media release. Upon entering the home, officers located three deceased people. Detectives from Greater Sudbury Police’s Criminal Investigation Division are working in collaboration with the Coroner’s Office on the investigation.
Haché retires from Laurentian today, Eger is interim president
Laurentian University president Robert Haché’s retirement from the university takes effect today, Oct. 31, and another LU administrator, Tammy Eger, will step in as interim president, Sudbury.com has learned. This as Laurentian hopes to finally exit insolvency in November after undergoing restructuring under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (or CCAA) since early 2021. In July, the university announced the impending retirements of both Haché and provost Marie-Josée Berger as part of its plan of arrangement, which includes as one of its conditions the renewal of senior management. At the time, LU said Haché and Berger were to retire prior to Laurentian’s emergence from the CCAA. Eger, Laurentian’s vice-president, research, is a full professor in the School of Human Kinetics, and research chair in occupational safety with the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health.
Investigation continues into possible druggings downtown
Greater Sudbury Police continue to investigate scattered reports of women being drugged at nightclubs and bars in downtown Sudbury. In mid-September, Greater Sudbury Police began investigating after multiple women were taking to hospital on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 17 after experiencing symptoms consistent with having been drugged while visiting various entertainment establishments in the downtown core. GSPS said at the time detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division were investigating the reports in order to determine the number of women who experienced these symptoms. “At this time, we do not have a confirmed location where the incidents may have originated, however, we feel that it is extremely important to share this information with our community,” according to the media release. In information provided to Sudbury.com, GSPS did not say how many reports they received or how many victims there may be. Police have also not said if testing of the people who complained of symptoms confirmed the presence of an intoxicant.
Craig Duncanson out as Wolves head coach
The Sudbury Wolves have announced a coaching change as of Oct. 31, with the team saying Craig Duncanson was being “relieved of his duties” as head coach. Assistant GM Ken Mackenzie, described by the team as one of the most successful coaches in Wolves history, will step in on an interim basis until a new head coach is found. Duncanson joined the pack in July 2021. A Pack veteran, the Lively native played three seasons with the Wolves from 1983 to 1986, before being drafted to the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, ninth overall in 1985. “We would like to thank Craig for his time and effort with the team,” said Wolves VP and GM Rob Papineau in a news release. “He holds a special place in our franchise’s history as one of our highest-drafted players and also as an alumnus who coached the team. He is a great person, and we wish him nothing but success with his future endeavours.”
Civic Nov. 11 service to be held in Memorial Park again
The 2022 Civic Remembrance Day ceremony will be held in Memorial Park in downtown Sudbury once again this year. The ceremony is being presented through a collaboration between two local Royal Canadian Legion branches, Branch 76 Dr. Fred Starr and Branch 564 Lockerby. The service will be carried out live at the cenotaph in Memorial Park on Nov. 11, beginning at 10:35 a.m. “In fostering remembrance and serving veterans, their loved ones, and this community, we are proud to gather at the Memorial Park Cenotaph, constructed in 1957, to keep the memory of our local heroes alive for generations to come,” said Branch 564 President Jennifer Huard. The service will be livestreamed to the video board inside Sudbury Arena for those who are unable to participate in the outdoor ceremony in person. If there is inclement weather in the forecast, the service will be moved indoors at Sudbury Arena with three days notice, the branches said.
Small businesses struggling to recover from lockdowns, soaring inflation
Ballooning inflation is pounding small businesses still struggling to recover from pandemic lockdowns, and according to a new report confidence is at all-time low even with the holiday shopping season just around the corner. According the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), confidence levels among business owners are the lowest in Ontario compared to any other province, and the retail sector is preparing for the biggest hit during what is normally the most lucrative time of year. “As a product moves along the supply chain to get to the business owner, the costs keep increasing,” says Julie Kwiecinski, the CFIB’s director of provincial affairs for Ontario. “And then the business owner says to themself ‘okay, I’ve got this additional cost what do I do?’ Because if you are a retailer going into the holiday shopping season this could be you’re make it or break it season. And you hearing that consumers are squirreling away their acorns, they’re not going to be spending as much and that’s going to impact you with lower sales.”
High of 14 and sunny by the afternoon
Expect another unseasonably warm October day today. The forecasted high is 14 with cloudy skies clearing near noon. Fog patches will dissipate over the morning. The UV index today is three, or moderate. Tonight, the skies will stay clear and the mercury will dip top 3.
