Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your Monday morning.
SACY says it’s now closing Monday, leaving ‘massive’ service gap
After initially announcing it would close at the end of this month, the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth, better known as SACY, announced Friday it will close its doors Monday, March 18, two weeks sooner than initially planned. “Although we were hopeful we could continue delivering services until March 31, we unfortunately are insolvent and must close our doors by Monday, March 18,” said a press release issued via social media by the Sudbury shelter and harm reduction agency March 15. “Our doors will be closed to clients at 10 a.m. on Monday and closed to staff by 4 p.m.” The press release added that “the staff at this agency would like to express their heartfelt sorrow and horror at the situation and we would want everyone to know that we are aware of the consequences of this closure for our most vulnerable community members.
Second-degree murder charge laid in West Nipissing shooting
A 48-year-old man from West Nipissing has been charged with second degree murder after a March 13 shooting death. Shortly after 5 p.m. March 13, members of the Nipissing West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a shooting at a residence on Bradley Street in West Nipissing. The deceased has been identified as Joseph Genereux, 53, of West Nipissing. As a result of the investigation, Marc Larabie, 48, also of West Nipissing, has been charged with second degree murder, unauthorized possession of a firearm and knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm.
Neighbours oppose the next phase of New Sudbury subdivision
Area residents are not too pleased with Dalron Construction Ltd.’s proposal for the next phase of a subdivision in a New Sudbury neighbourhood. On the table is a proposal for 176 semi-detached dwelling units west of (and on the west side of) Montrose Avenue and north of Forestdale Drive (which would also be extended northward). The proposal is a redraft of the draft-approved Royal Oaks/Nickeldale subdivision, and includes new street alignments for the next phase. Similar to a 2021 redraft, this latest incarnation of the subdivision’s next phase doesn’t have nearly as much green space as prior plans did. The latest application covers the southern portion of the subject lands, where it would allow for the development of 86 lots for 172 semi-detached units, which is a 27-unit decrease from the current draft-approved plan for 199 units. This subdivision has been on the books since 1989, with subsequent revised layouts and several extensions approved over the years.
Northern Ontario School of Medicine supports bid for Sault campus
As part of a solution to Sault Ste. Marie's doctor shortage, a push for a "new, innovative" regional campus of Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM U) is expected to launch next week. "NOSM U. has confirmed that they are willing to collaborate on the development of this business case and funding proposal," says Tom Vair, chief administrative officer at City of Sault Ste. Marie. At Monday's city council meeting, Vair will ask for $75,000 in community development funds toward the $100,000 cost of developing a business case for a NOSM campus in the Sault. "Council is well aware of the challenges that are being experienced with the provision of primary care services in Sault Ste. Marie," Vair says in a report prepared for Mayor Matthew Shoemaker and councillors.
Brazil court tosses criminal lawsuits over tailings dam failure
It was just over five years ago that the global mining industry was shocked at seeing news reports of the massive Brumadinho tailings collapse at Córrego do Feijão iron ore mine, owned by Vale in Brazil. More than 250 people died in the incident which happened in February of 2019. This week, a court in Brazil has ruled that criminal lawsuits against former Vale CEO Fabio Schvartsman cannot proceed. The court said the case was being suspended. A Minas Gerais state court said in a statement to the media that public prosecutors had not presented enough evidence of criminal conduct by Schvartsman. The court said it had not discussed the former Vale CEO's innocence or culpability, said a news report from Reuters. A previous news report in December 2023 said Schvartsman had been facing charges of qualified intentional homicide and environmental crimes related to the dam collapse. Schvartsman had been CEO at Vale from May 2017 before taking a leave in March 2019 after federal prosecutors in Brazil recommended his immediate exit, said news reports. The court said new cases against Schvartsman over the Brumadinho case can be filed by prosecutors, said the Reuters report. Criminal lawsuits against another 15 people were not affected by Wednesday's decision, it added, as it only encompassed Schvartsman's case, the report continued.