Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are stories to start your day this Saturday morning.
Sudburians protest against health-care privatization
Several people gathered on Saturday for the latest in a series of protests against what they fear as being a push toward a two-tiered privatized health-care system. “The general public is not really aware of the threat that is going on, and that’s why we’re rallying,” said Dot Klein, co-chair of the Sudbury chapter of the Ontario Health Coalition. The province's health-care system, she added, is “It is not for sale.” Earlier this year, the province announced that for-profit private medical clinics will be allowed to perform routine surgeries at no extra cost or charge for patients. The list of surgeries includes cataract surgeries, as well as knee and hip joint replacements.
Canadian Bed Bath & Beyond locations going out of business
All 54 of Canada’s Bed Bath & Beyond locations are going out of business. This, according to court documents filed with the Superior Court of Justice on Feb. 10 through which they sought creditor protection. Greater Sudbury has a Bed Bath & Beyond outlet southeast of Costco off of The Kingsway. The parent company’s 11 buybuy BABY locations in Canada are also closing, of which none are in the Greater Sudbury area. Of the 65 locations total, 27 are in Ontario.
Photos: Lively lives up to its name with Walden Winter Carnival
The community of Lively is hopping this weekend for the 50th Annual Walden Winter Carnival. The festivities kicked off with a scattering of events on Thursday and Friday evenings before the main events kicked off on Saturday. The Tom Davies Community Centre and Arena, Anderson Farm Museum and various surrounding buildings and outdoor areas were seen packed with people on Saturday.
Read the full story and see the full photo gallery here.
Art Gallery of Sudbury receives $150K boost for Junction East
The Art Gallery of Sudbury’s contributions toward their upcoming space at the Junction East Cultural Hub received a $150,000 boost this week. The Douglas A. Smith Family Foundation pledged the money to support the gallery’s capital campaign. “This innovative and responsive donation to the back of house operations will enable the Gallery staff to catalogue and house new acquisitions along with current artworks in an appropriate setting,” gallery director and curator Demetra Christakos said in a media release.
Teacher allegedly punished special needs student at ‘boot camp’
A Sudbury Catholic District School Board teacher allegedly punished a special needs student with what she termed a “boot camp” at her own home at the request of his parents. The above allegations regarding teacher Marie Bonita Chantal Bazinet’s actions are outlined in a notice of hearing document on the Ontario College of Teachers website. That hearing, which has yet to be scheduled by the Ontario College of Teachers, will determine if Bazinet is guilty of professional misconduct. She is accused of abusing a student verbally and psychologically, and committing acts, “that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.” Bazinet is listed on the Ontario College of Teachers site as being in “good standing.”
Read the full story here.
Cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of flurries today
Today is expected to be cloudy, with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. This, according to Environment Canada's forecast. There's also a risk of freezing drizzle in the morning, and fog patches which will dissipate in the morning. Wind will become northeast 20 km/h late in the afternoon, with temperatures hitting 2 C after dipping down to -6 including wind chill in the morning. The evening will be cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of flurries early on, clearing before morning. The wind will gust at between 30-50 km/h in the evening, and the evening low will be -9C, or -11 C with wind chill.
