Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Up Here 2018 starts on Friday:
Up Here Headquarters has bustling until the wee hours of the night ahead of the start of year four of the festival on Aug. 17. Muralists have started to paint. The big marquee of the Grand has our headliners' names on it. It's on. Festival organizers will holding a kick-off press conference on Aug. 16 at noon with partners, artists and members of the media all attending. Be sure to check back with Sudbury.com this afternoon for more from this afternoon's presser.
A look at what goes in to fighting Parry Sound 33:
Sudbury.com was recently invited to tour the Parry Sound 33 Fire's Incident Command Post in Britt, ON. As of Wednesday morning, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said fire crews have made great progress extinguishing hot spots. The forest fire remains at approximately 11,362 hectares in size and is categorized as "being held". Check back later today for a video of what happens at the Incident Command Post and to see what the area currently looks like from the air.
Bigger defends Kingsway development: 'Sudburians want that project done':
City council is moving ahead with preparations for the Kingsway Entertainment District, even as a legal fight proceeds in an attempt by opponents to block it. Meeting on Tuesday, councillors heard that bids have been received for a site excavation contract, with the lowest bid at $8.49 million. The cost of the work will be shared by the city, Gateway Casinos and the property owner, under an agreement that is nearing completion, said Catherine Matheson, the city's general manager of community development. “This is necessary to get ready for the timelines we have,” Matheson said. The city is aiming to open the new arena in 2021, and Gateway hopes to open its casino in 2020. But 12 appeals of the zoning changes required to build the KED will be heard by the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal, with a first conference scheduled for Nov. 6. Under provincial legislation, a decision on the case must be made by June 2019. “We are confident ... that the appeals will show the city has made a good decision,” Matheson said. The city can take ownership of the land under an agreement it has reached with property owner Dario Zulich and his partners at any time up until Dec. 31, she added. Mayor Brian Bigger, who voted to keep the arena downtown, said it's clear residents want to move forward with the Kingsway project, as reflected by the support it has on council. Find the full story here.
Laurentian professor Michael Persinger, most famous for his God Helmet, passes away:
Laurentian University announced on Twitter today that Dr. Michael Persinger has passed away at the age of 73. A professor of psychology at Laurentian since 1971, Persinger is perhaps best-known for the development of the "God Helmet", a device used to study creativity, religious experiences, and the effects of stimulation of the temporal lobes. Persinger made national news headlines in 2016 when he was removed from a course by the university because of a form he had students sign, warning them that they would encounter some words and language that they may find offensive. An online petition was started to re-instate Persinger, which garnered hundreds of signatures and positive comments from students who believed he was being treated unfairly. That same year, a giant mural was painted atop Science North by French artists Ella and Pitr for Up Here, depicting Persinger and Michael Koren's God Helmet on a sleeping giant. Despite his feuds with Laurentian's administration over the years, Persinger has also been recognized for his teaching style. In 2007, he won a TVOntario contest and was named the province's best lecturer.
Young woman's death being investigated by coroner:
Ontario's north regional supervising coroner has confirmed that preliminary investigation into the death of a woman from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation has taken place. Ashley (Anang Kwe - Star Woman) Mandamin is described in her obituary as the daughter of Dean Jacobs and Mary Lou Mandamin, the mother of a child named Connor, and a beloved sister to Tanya and Tiffany. "Ashley will always be remembered for her caring nature and for the love she held for her son and family," her obituary noted. Mandamin died on Aug. 2 at just 20 years old. Dr. David Cameron, the regional supervising coroner in Sudbury, has confirmed that a preliminary post-mortem examination was completed at the North East Regional Forensic Pathology Unit at Health Sciences North on Aug. 3. According to the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, a coroner is called to investigate deaths that appear to be from unnatural causes or natural deaths that occur suddenly or unexpectedly. As per the Coroner's Act, information about the results of the examination may only be released to family members.
City staff hatching a plan to allow backyard chickens:
City staff have been told to prepare a report on the implications of allowing residents across the city to raise chickens in their backyards. Ward 9 Coun. Deb McIntosh asked for the report, saying she's had the request from residents. Guelph and Kitchener already allow it, McIntosh said. “They made it work and I think we can make it work, as well,” she said. “There seems to be quite a bit of interest among a number of residents in exploring this option,” said Ward 5 Coun. Bob Kirwan, who said it would be great for local kids to get some farming experience. Ward 7 Coun. Mike Jakubo said, while he understands the benefits, said there's likely a reason backyard chicken farms are currently restricted to agricultural and rural areas of the city. “My biggest concern is that we live in a large city,” Jakubo said. “We've got some very urbanized areas. The challenge for me is imposing something on the public.” And Ward 6 Coun. Rene Lapierre said he's already getting questions from people about whether they will have to put up fences to keep chickens out of their yards, and how many birds someone can raise on their property. “And how much of an impact will this have on bylaw (services)?” Lapierre said. “Because this would require enforcement.” The staff report will look at what is done in cities that allow urban chickens, the concerns that arise and the benefits. The report is due next month.
One fish, two fish, red fish ... blue fish?
Sightings of rare and unique critters are popping up around Sudbury recently. Last week, Sudbury.com received photos of a rare blue bullfrog, and earlier this week, thanks to some help from Science North, we were able to identify a colour-changing tree frog. The hits keep coming, as Bob Ethier sent us photos of a blue perch he caught while fishing with his grandchildren Alla (8) and Max (5) last week on Whitewater Lake in Azilda. "I don't really fish all that much, just when my grandchildren visit," said Ethier. "We were out on the lake and I caught this little guy and when I brought it in the boat I was pretty surprised by the colour of it." Bob snapped a few photos of the fish, which is actually a yellow perch, before tossing it back in the lake. Blue perch are quite rare to the Greater Sudbury area, according to Science North staff scientist Amy Henson, who explained that much like the blue bullfrog, blue perch are the result of genetic mutation where the fish lacks yellow pigmentation. "I always compare these types of thing to leaves in the fall," said Henson. "During the summer, chlorophyll causes the leaves to be green, but as the chlorophyll disappears you see the underlying colours like yellow and orange and red start to show through." While not that common in Sudbury, Henson says that this mutation in yellow perch is seen with some regularity in northern parts of the United States. "I haven't seen one like that around here, but in northern states like Minnesota you can see entire populations with this mutation," said Henson. "If you're catching them to eat, they are still safe, the blue colour won't have any negative effects on the fish."
Wanted Wednesday: Woman allegedly breached court-ordered conditions twice:
Greater Sudbury Police Service has an outstanding warrant for the arrest of Tiffany-Ann Solomon. It is alleged that on July 13 and 16 Solomon was breaching court-ordered conditions. Solomon is known to be in the City of Greater Sudbury. She is wanted for, breach of recognizance (two counts), fail to attend. If you know this person and where she is presently located, you are urged to call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS or locally at 705-222-TIPS (8477). You must call this number to be eligible for a cash reward. Tips can also be submitted online at www.sudburycrimestoppers.com.
Thursday Weather:
Mainly sunny today with a high of 28. It's going to be feeling like 33 out there with the humidity. Increasing cloudiness early in the evening and a 60 per cent chance of rain late in the evening and overnight. Overnight low will be sitting near 18. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
