Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to get you started on this Thursday morning.
Laurentian senate condemns past LU leaders, calls for inquiry
In the wake of the release of Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk’s report on Laurentian University last month, the university’s senate has passed a resolution condemning LU’s past leadership. With the same resolution, Laurentian’s senate also joined in the calls for a public inquiry and (if warranted) criminal investigations “into the senior administration’s ruinous mismanagement of Laurentian University from 2010 to 2021.” The resolution specifically condemns former LU president Dominic Giroux, former interim LU president Pierre Zundel, former LU president Robert Haché, former LU vice-president, academic Marie-Josée Berger and former LU vice-presidents, administration Carol MacAulay and Lorella Hayes for mismanagement of Laurentian. It also condemns former Laurentian board of governors chair Claude Lacroix “for his misgovernment of this university.”
Sudbury man wins $50K on Instant Jackpot
When David Depatie went to his local convenience store to purchase a lottery ticket, something he’s been doing regularly for more than a decade, the store had just one ticket left to sell. Depatie took that as a sign. And it’s a good thing he did, because that Instant Jackpot ticket ticket won him $50,000. “This was the last ticket of this game at the store – I knew it had to come home with me,” he told staff at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto. Even after playing his ticket and seeing the winning numbers come up, the retiree couldn’t believe his eyes.
Travelling Wolves fall 7-5 to Barrie Colts
Despite outshooting their opponents 40-24, the Sudbury Wolves fell 7-5 to the Barrie Colts at Sadlon Arena on Dec. 13. The Wolves' power play was also an issue in the game with the Pack going just one-for-five while Barrie did better than .500 with the man advantage, going four-for-seven on the power play. The loss drops the Wolves' record to 9-15-3-0, while Barrie improved theirs to 13-9-3-2. The Pack is now sitting ninth in the OHL’s Eastern Conference and 19th overall. Meanwhile, Barrie is fourth in the Eastern Conference and 10th overall. The Pack is back in action at home on Friday, Dec. 16 against the Mississauga Steelheads. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Then, the Wolves head to Oshawa to take on the Generals at Tribute Communities Centre.
‘Royal’ welcome: GSPS welcomes new police dog
Greater Sudbury Police said they are “pawsitively” thrilled to introduce the police service’s newest member — police dog Royal, a.k.a. Roy. Royal is on duty along with Const. Chris Vitali after completing the 16-week dual purpose patrol and detector course with the Halton Regional Police Service. Vitali was hired in 2008 and spent the last seven years as a member of the GSPS Emergency Response Unit. Royal was born on Nov. 1, 2020 in Slovakia before being transported to the United States, where he was hand-selected by a group of K9 trainers. Roy loves long tracks in the bush, howling under the stars and his ball.
City to audit its zero-based budgeting potential
Bandied about as a potential course of action for the past several years, zero-based budgeting might finally become a reality in the City of Greater Sudbury in time for the 2024 budget cycle. During Tuesday’s audit committee meeting, Ward 10 Coun. Fern Cormier and Ward 9 Coun. Deb McIntosh presented a successful motion for city auditor general Ron Foster to audit zero-based budgeting next year. “It’s not necessarily a new idea, it’s been tried to different degrees by different municipalities, different levels of government, across different jurisdictions,” Cormier told Sudbury.com after the meeting. “We just felt this was an appropriate method to take a deeper dive into it.” Cormier’s motion, which passed unanimously during Tuesday’s meeting, will see Foster assess the merits of undertaking reviews that incorporate a zero-based approach for specific services.
No injuries reported in New Sudbury house fire
A residential fire this afternoon at a home on Madeleine Avenue in New Sudbury caused an estimated $150,000 in damages. No injuries were reported, Deputy Fire Chief Jesse Oshell told Sudbury.com, but four people were displaced by the blaze. The fire was determined not to be suspicous. While firefighters managed to contain the fire to the front of the home, there is smoke and water damage throughout the structure, Oshell said. He added that firefighters did rescue some items from the home for the family. Greater Sudbury Fire Services also ensure the family had a place to go. "All were safe and that's what counts," Oshell said.
High of 0 with snow, blowing snow today
Expect a cloudy day today with a high of 0. Periods of snow and local blowing snow should begin late in the morning. About five cm is expected during the day. The wind will be southeasterly at 30 km/h, gusting to 60. A wind chill of -16 is expected this morning. Tonight, expect periods of snow and local blowing snow in the evening. Another five cm is possible. The winds will stay southeasterly at 30 km/h, gusting to 60. The temperature will be steady at -1 with a -9 wind chill.
