Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Tuesday morning.
Sudbury experiencing 20-year high in influenza cases
Influenza is raging in Sudbury. Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) reported Monday that the area is experiencing a 20-year high in recorded flu cases. PHSD said residents are reminded to take precautions to reduce the spread of flu during the holiday season. "Influenza activity began unusually early this year, and the number of confirmed influenza cases to date this season has surpassed the number of cases reported during the entire influenza season for more than the past 20 years," said a news release from PHSD. As of December 16, PHSD said it had documented laboratory reports of more than 300 confirmed local cases of flu.
More than $3M in funding to improve bicycle lanes in Sudbury
The federal government has pledged more than $3.3 million to support a couple of bicycle-related infrastructure projects in the central core area of Sudbury. The money is to be spent on the final section of the Paris Street-Notre Dame Street Bikeway that runs from Van Horne Street in the downtown area, north to Wilma Street in the Flour Mill. The announcement was made by Sudbury MP Vivian Lapointe on behalf of Infrastructure Minister Dominic Leblanc. Lapointe said creating active transportation infrastructure is part of creating inclusive and sustainable communities. "The network of bike routes, trails and footbridges provide convenient and equitable ways for residents of all ages and abilities to get around their communities and beyond. And that means benefiting the environment and everyone," Lapointe said. She added that new bicycle routes offer environmental benefits, economic savings and even promote tourism for the city.
Club Richelieu distributes 140 Christmas baskets
The message from Club Richelieu Les Patriotes this week is: Mission accomplished! Every year, the local Francophone service club builds and distributes Christmas baskets to local families in need. This year, Les Patriotes distributed 140 Christmas baskets to Greater Sudbury families. Club members and teen volunteers were at the Jem Mart on Kathleen Street on Dec. 17. They had a little assembly line going, with some people putting the baskets together, others keeping track of materials and others distributing them. “On Saturday, Dec. 17, dozens of enthusiastic citizens gathered in Jem Mart on Kathleen Street in Sudbury to ensure the distribution of 140 Christmas baskets for families in need living in various parts of Greater Sudbury,” the club told Sudbury.com.
Wolves take a big 7-1 bite out of the Oshawa Generals
The Sudbury Wolves were hungry for a win when they hit the ice at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa on Dec. 18 to take on the Generals. The Pack jumped out to an early lead and didn’t look back, skating to a major 7-1 win. They outshot Oshawa 40-29 and beat them on the faceoff, too, winning 34 to the Generals’ 27. Sudbury was slightly better on the power play, as well, going two-for-five to Oshawa’s one-for-six. The win improves the Pack’s record to 10-16-3-0, good enough for ninth in the OHL’s Eastern Conference and 19th overall. The Generals’ record is only slightly better at 11-14-1-3, which sees them sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference and 17th overall. Sudbury is now on their Christmas break. The team is back in action on Dec. 28 on the road in North Bay to take on the Battalion at Memorial Gardens. Puck drops at 7 p.m. for that match.
Laurentian’s board adds another member
Laurentian University’s board of governors recently added another member. A press release issued Dec. 15 said Tammy Manitowabi has been appointed to serve for a three-year term, beginning this month. “We are fortunate to have another community leader step up to help Laurentian University on its path forward,” said Jeff Bangs, chair of Laurentian’s board of governors, in a press release. “Tammy’s experiences in community building and public administration will be critical to our Board discussions. We continue to renew our board’s membership and we expect to have similar announcements in the months ahead.” Formerly the director of operations for Sagamok Anishnawbek, Manitowabi was responsible for many aspects of Sagamok First Nation, including; community relations, financial management, public administration and strategic planning.
Sudbury Community Service Centre still making a difference at 50
The Sudbury Community Service Centre celebrated its 50th birthday Dec. 15 with a bash at a local hotel. If you’ve never heard of the local agency, which is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, it provides developmental services to assist adults diagnosed with a developmental disability to live independently in the community. The agency also provides a financial empowerment program for low-income individuals to help them with things like filing tax returns, applying for government subsidies and benefits and providing support to get identification. Commenting on the agency’s 50th anniversary, executive director Kevin Cooper said he thinks it’s “amazing.” “I've been here for 31 years, so I've sort of grown up in the agency,” he said.
Snow, wind and wind chill in the forecast
Expect a cloudy day today with a 70-per-cent chance of snow. The wind will be out of the southwest at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 late in the afternoon. Today’s high is -1, with a -14 wind chill in the morning and -5 in the afternoon. Tonight, expect cloudy periods with a 60-per-cent chance of flurries and a low of -12.
