Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Tuesday morning.
Fire at St. Andrew's Place in downtown Sudbury
Fire broke out at St. Andrew's Place in downtown Sudbury Monday evening. The fire is "under control," Deputy Chief Jesse Oshell told Sudbury.com at approximately 6 p.m. One person was taken to hospital with "significant smoke inhalation," and two people were treated by paramedics on site, he said. Later on, firefighters continued sweeping the building for residents, and least two more people were taken out of the building. One was escorted by firefighters, and the other was taken out by paramedics on a stretcher. The fire took place on the fourth floor of the high-rise building, and its resulting smoke migrated to the top floor. At approximately 5:30 p.m., smoke was seen billowing out of a fourth-floor window at the rear of the Larch Street building in downtown Sudbury. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Video: Peek inside the historic Laurentian president's home
A mix of potential buyers and more than a few looky-loos packed the Laurentian University president's house Feb. 25 during an open house in advance of its sale. The home is listed for $899,000. Built in 1930, the house is not only expansive, but has hosted many big names, including former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, said Didi Martin, regional sales lead and sales representative for the listing agency, Unreserved. Chrétien’s late wife, Aline Chrétien, was Laurentian University’s first chancellor. Other famous guests at the president’s house include authors, film stars and academic greats. The home’s original builder only stayed there for about five years, said Martin, before a man with “a huge family” moved in, and made use of the home's six bedrooms, six bathrooms, two fireplaces and spacious high-ceilinged living room filled with natural light.
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Anonymous funding keeps Sudbury drug consumption site open for now
Anonymous and private funding has been provided to keep Sudbury's supervised drug consumption site open for another month, said a news release from Réseau ACCESS Network. Réseau, which operates the supervised consumption site known as The Spot, said the new source of funding will keep the site open until March 29. But it is likely that unless provincial funding is granted, the last day of operation for The Spot will be March 29, the press release said. "During a time of unprecedented death due to a crisis of toxic, unregulated drugs, receiving last-minute funding will allow the team at The Spot to continue to provide desperately needed life-saving services to the drug-using community for another month," said the release. This means the facility, located at Energy Court behind the Lorne Street Beer Store, will remain open throughout March operating Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Réseau said staff shortages have contributed to reduced hours as The Spot was previously in operation seven days a week. Réseau said the staff shortages are a result of the Ontario government’s unwillingness to provide operational funding.
Transitional housing complex now on track to open by July
The troubled transitional housing complex project on Lorraine Street is on track to open by July, and remains on budget despite its challenges. City Community Development general manager Steve Jacques gave city council an update on the project last week, noting that tradespeople are on site working on the first two floors. The third and fourth floor of the 40-unit complex are expected to arrive for placement in mid-March. “As hopefully the weather continues to improve and the snow leaves, then we start to do the ground work and the finish,” Jacques said, adding there has been “marginal delay” in the project’s timing. When a ceremonial groundbreaking was held for the project in June 2023, it was anticipated to open by the end of that year. “We anticipate there will be some delays, but we’re being reassured by our trades and our providers that they’re endeavouring to meet all the timelines,” Jacques said.
