Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Monday morning.
Greater Sudbury city councillor Michael Vagnini reported missing
Michael Vagnini, a member of Greater Sudbury city council, has been reported missing. Greater Sudbury Police Service issued a media release at approximately noon on Sunday indicating he is considered missing. They’d responded to a missing person incident within the City of Greater Sudbury during the evening of Jan. 27, and “continue to investigate the incident.” Vagnini, the city council member for Ward 2, is described as: 62 years of age, male, white, 5 feet and 11 inches tall, 260lbs, black short hair, unshaven face. He was last seen wearing a bright yellow hooded sweater, green pants and black running shoes. He was driving a black 2021 Ram 1500 truck - Ontario license plate BK22 178.
Saturday marked the tragic anniversary of Renée Sweeney’s murder
More than half of Kim Sweeney’s life has been marked by fear. After her sister, Renée, was murdered in a shocking and grisly crime at a video store that left the community shaken on this day, Jan. 27, in 1998, the younger Sweeney was never the same. Her mother, who was already struggling with multiple sclerosis, never walked again. From the moment she heard about her sister's murder, she has avoided, at all costs, walking alone. Whether outside, in a shopping mall, or even to and from her car, she asks for an escort. And even though Robert Steven Wright, the man the jury found guilty of the murder after a 2023 trial, has sat in a jail cell since 2018, Sweeney sold Sudbury.com that old habits don’t break easily.
Capreol comes out ‘in full force’ to help displaced residents
In the wake of Wednesday’s residential fire in Capreol, the community has come together in various ways to help those affected. “We rally,” Capreol Community Action Network president Barbara Boucher told Sudbury.com. “We are a close-knit community and everyone comes together in these situations in full force.” Sudbury.com connected with Boucher on Friday morning, at which time she and a handful of other community leaders were working to line up an account at Northern Credit Union to help those displaced by the fire. Rather than have people contribute to a GoFundMe.com fundraiser, which charges fees, she said the credit union account will allow all proceeds to go toward helping those in need.
Health Sciences North wing goes ‘under the sea’
The Pediatric Ambulatory Care Unit at Health Sciences North has transformed into an under-the-seascape. No, it hasn’t flooded. It’s been renovated to suit the child-friendly theme thanks to a donation to the NEO Kids Foundation from Nick and Janelle Foligno. This newly renovated space offers captivating underwater scenes, 3D characters, and new exam rooms to enhance the care experience for pediatric patients and families. “We understand the importance of having children cared for in a hospital space designed for their needs,” Nick and Janelle said in a shared statement issued in a media release by HSN. “As a family, we have undergone our own health-care challenges, and have travelled to hospitals across North America.
McDowell Equipment employees win $445.5K HSN 50/50 draw
A group of 10 McDowell Equipment employees won $445,452 by selecting Health Sciences North’s winning 50/50 ticket in January. “We’ve been buying tickets as a group for about a year now, but only ever with the thought of supporting the hospital,” said Shannon Commando, who is in charge of buying tickets for the group. “None of us ever expected to win – one of our girls even cried when she found out! This is such a special way to start our year.”
