Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Friday morning.
Woman’s death being investigated as homicide
Greater Sudbury Police say they’re investigating the death of a 40-year-old woman as a homicide. Just before 2:40 p.m. on Nov. 8, officers were dispatched to the wooded area west of McNeill Boulevard north of the railway tracks in Sudbury's Donovan neighbourhood after a community member located what was believed to be a deceased person. Officers arrived on scene and found the body of a 40-year-old woman, who they confirmed to be deceased. Police say her name will not be released at this time. A post-mortem will be conducted today, Nov. 9, through the Coroner’s Office to assist in determining the cause of death. The woman’s death is being treated as a homicide investigation, and GSPS detectives are investigating the incident.
COVID outbreak prompts HSN to restrict visitors on one floor
Health Sciences North said that as of Nov. 8, it has temporarily restricted visitors and designated care partners on level six of the north tower at the Ramsey Lake Health Centre due to a COVID-19 outbreak. “Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our patients and dedicated health care workers,” said a notice posted to the hospital’s website. “By reducing the number of people entering the unit, we can minimize the spread of COVID-19. Exceptions to visitor restrictions will be considered by the manager or delegate. Thank you for your understanding.” COVID-19 outbreaks were declared on both levels six and 8 of the hospital’s north tower on Nov. 6.
Ontario grants hospital $5M for capital expansion planning
It was almost lost in the news of 52 new hospital beds being added to Sudbury's Health Science North (HSN), but Ontario health minister Sylvia Jones also announced Tuesday that Ontario is providing a "one-time grant" of $5 million to Sudbury's hospital. The money is being directed to support early planning for HSN’s future capital expansion project to support patient care for the next 30 years. "This grant supports planning for the redevelopment of the existing hospital site in Sudbury to expand and enhance inpatient beds for children, adult inpatient mental health beds, acute inpatient beds, " said Jason Turnbull, the manager of communications and community engagement at the hospital. He said the work is in line with provincial government health priorities to improve access to quality inpatient and mental health services in the region.
Remembrance Day ceremonies held across the city Nov. 11
Remembrance Day ceremonies will be happening across the city on Nov. 11, with both indoor and outdoor services taking place. For the first time since 2019, there will be a ceremony at the Sudbury Community Arena hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 76. The doors open at 9 a.m. and the service will begin at 10:30 a.m. The parade will be formed inside the arena. On their social media, Branch 76 states they will have a free bus leaving the branch around 9 a.m. Attendees are asked to register with the Legion for the bus, as spots are limited. The Royal Canadian Legion Lockerby Branch 564 will be hosting a cenotaph parade at their new cenotaph at 2 p.m. Lockerby’s parade starts at 2 p.m.
Public transit ridership hits a new record in Greater Sudbury
Public transit in Greater Sudbury hit a new milestone this year, with a record-setting ridership of 540,000 recorded in September, making it the busiest month on record. This was followed by a ridership of 521,000 in October. With 4.2 million passenger trips recorded so far this year, city transit services director Brendan Adair said they’re on track to log more than five million rides by the end of the year. This obliterates last year’s 3.4 million rides, and surpasses the pre-pandemic total of 4.6 million recorded in 2019. “Whether it’s a return to in-person work or in-person schooling, post-pandemic, they’re finding a way to exist outside of the home and feel safe,” Adair told Sudbury.com of riders.
Mobile game to serve as recruitment tool for future miners
The Sudbury developers of a new mining-based video game hope to win over young people with the story of mining, new technology and teaching people that mining can be done in an environmentally safe way. Details of the new game were unveiled at a news event held at Dynamic Earth on Nov. 9. The game is called Mine Evolution and is a collaboration between Science North and the Canadian Institute for Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM). The developers hope the game, which can be downloaded free on Google Play or the Apple App Store, will be used as a joint education awareness and recruiting tool. At the launch on Thursday, Mine Evolution was unveiled to around 100 students from St. Charles College and Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, who were gathered in the Dynamic Earth Epiroc theatre.
