Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Thursday morning.
Hospital lottery jackpot for December is more than $1 million
The popularity of the Health Sciences North (HSN) 50/50 cash lottery was in evidence this week when the monthly take-home prize hit more than $1 million. And the draw itself is still more than a week away. This is the largest-ever jackpot in the two-and-a-half year history of the fundraiser,l which is based on hospital supporters buying draw tickets and when the month-end draw is held the proceeds of ticket sales are split on a 50-50 basis. Previous to this, the largest ever jackpot was $914,855 which was won in May of 2021, said a news release from the HSN Foundations office. Since it began, the lottery has raised more than $14.5 million to support the highest-priority needs of HSN through the work of the local foundations
Three charged in aftermath of Travelodge Hotel double murder
Greater Sudbury Police have provided an update with regard to three individuals who were taken into police custody in the aftermath of the double homicide investigation at the Travelodge Hotel Dec. 20. Police said that through their investigation, it has been determined that two of the individuals in police custody were not involved in this incident. However, they have been charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 in relation to the Theft of a Motor Vehicle. Both individuals attended bail court Dec. 20 to answer to the charge. The third individual, a 33-year-old man from Greater Sudbury, was originally arrested on scene on an outstanding Arrest Warrant for Fail to Comply with Probation Order. Upon searching the man, officers located two firearms.
Missing man found deceased south of the city
The body of a Sudbury man, missing since Dec. 19, has been found in a remote area south of the city. Mark Giambattista, 51, was reported missing around 9 p.m. on Dec. 19. Police provided a photo and description of Giambattista, as well as a description of his truck. Police said at the time he may be in the area of the Highway 17 bypass or in the South End. On Dec. 20 at around 11:40 p.m., Greater Sudbury Police officers were dispatched to Oak Ridge Road, which runs along Long Lake off Moxam Landing Road. Police said a member of the public told police they located what they believed to be Giambattista’s dark blue Dodge Ram pickup truck. Unfortunately, upon arrival officers located [Giambattista] deceased,” GSPS said in a news release.
Online fundraiser for Sudbury couple with medical challenges
A Sudbury family is reaching out to the community through a GoFundMe campaign to help a local couple who are both suffering with medical issues and need help with travel and medical costs. The effort is aimed at helping out Jeannine Sloss and Robin Sloss, described as a Sudbury family dealing with "difficult medical challenges." An email authored by Carrie Lacoste outlined the urgency of the situation. "A family in our community needs help this holiday season. Jeannine Sloss and Robin Sloss are a Sudbury family dealing with difficult medical challenges. Jeannine has been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm and Robin Sloss has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Robin has been given until the end of February 2023 to live. We are hoping to raise money for traveling and medical costs and unfortunately the costs that may come when Robin passes," she wrote.
St. Charles College reunited with statue from original location
The 1951 charter class of St. Charles College purchased a statue of the Holy Mother for the school. They presented it to the Basilian Fathers who ran the school at 258 Pine St. The statue was stationed above the front entrance for many years. When the Basilians sold the property, the statue stayed with the building that was made into apartments. The alumni of the charter class always felt the statue should have been removed and given to the current St. Charles College location. Recently Gerry Lougheed approached the current owner of the Pine Street property, Robert Kelava, who said he would donate the statue to the new St. Charles College if Lougheed would repair any brickwork required.
Memory Lane: Readers share memories of Christmases past
Nearly 60 years after he cried out, “Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”, Charlie Brown would be proud. You know that it says something special about us when we reminisce about Christmas shopping downtown in the past and discover that most of the discussion surrounds the decorations, the atmosphere … the “feeling” of Christmas and not the commercial aspect. This feeling was captured ever so perfectly by the late Oryst Sawchuk in his watercolour titled “Last Minute Shopping.” It is a painting that evokes nostalgia, making one feel they could step into right into the painting as if by magic, like the chalk drawings in “Mary Poppins”, and return to a snowy Christmas Past on Elm Street. As Sudbury.com reader Carol Maleszko wrote, “Sudbury was a magical place … at Christmas.”
High of -3 with snow in the forecast
Expect upwards of 2 cm of snow today. The wind will be out of the east at 20 km/h, becoming light early in the afternoon. Today’s high is -3, but the wind will bring a -15 wind chill in the morning and -9 in the afternoon. Tonight, there’s more snow in the forecast and a low of -4.
