Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Sudburians block major intersection in solidarity with B.C. pipeline protest:
Tuesday's rally by more than 50 Sudburians was about igniting change, said one of the organizers. The group gathered at the intersection of Elm and Lorne streets, and they blocked traffic for an hour. Greater Sudbury Police Service was on hand to control traffic, but that didn't stop some passersby from venting frustrations over not being able cross the intersection. The group was rallying in solidarity with members of the Gidimt'en clan of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in B.C. They set up a blockade to a forest service road in northern British Columbia to prevent access to a pipeline project owned by Coastal GasLink. Similar demonstrations are occurring or have occurred across the country. The RCMP arrested 14 members at the B.C. blockade on Monday, citing alleged violations of an injunction order against the blockade. More on this story can be found here.
What does climate change mean for Northern Ontario?
Ontario Environmental Commissioner Dr. Dianne Saxe was in Sudbury Tuesday evening to discuss Northern Ontario's role in protecting environmental resources. The event was hosted by four local organizations, Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury, reThink Green, Citizens' Climate Lobby and Sudbury Naturalists. Saxe spoke at the Vale Living With Lakes Centre about how the effects of climate change are being felt here in Northern Ontario. Check back with Sudbury.com later today for a full story.
Wolves welcome back gold medal winner Luukkonen:
The Sudbury Wolves are welcoming back goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, as he returned from the IIHF 2019 World Junior Hockey Championships in British Columbia. Luukkonen backstopped team Finland to a gold medal and he will be speaking with local media in Sudbury on Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. at the Sudbury Community Arena. Check back with Sudbury.com later today for a full story.
Railroad police warning Capreol: Don’t risk your life for a shortcut:
A popular shortcut to access Greens Lake in Capreol got some attention from the CN Police on the weekend. The shortcut, which is used by snowmobilers, hikers and those looking to go ice fishing on the lake, happens to cross railroad property. A weekend blitz resulted in several trespassing charges, CN said. “Trespassing, which includes walking or driving your Off-Road vehicle on, across or along the tracks is very dangerous and illegal and is not worth the risk for a short cut,” the railroad police said in a news release. The CN tracks run parallel to Capreol Road / Old Highway 69. CN is warning the public that crossings are private and owned by the railroad, and cannot be used as a short cut. “Eight no trespassing signs reading ‘Danger Warning Trespassing on Railway Property is Illegal Offenders will be prosecuted’ are posted at the gated and locked private crossing near the solar panel farm,” the release stated. Ignoring the signs and the locked gate can earn you a fine of $125 under the Railway Safety Act.
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month aims to change attitudes about dementia:
The Alzheimer Society’s nationwide campaign: Yes. I live with dementia. Let me help you understand launched Jan. 7 during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. It showcases the unique and diverse stories of individuals from across the country and from our own community who are living with dementia or helping care for a loved one living with the disease. The aim of the campaign is to change attitudes toward the disease and erase the stigma. A local campaign launch took place Jan. 8. Mayor Brian Bigger proclaimed January as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and the society's flag was raised at Tom Davies Square. Throughout January and the remainder of the year, Canadians are invited to visit the campaign’s dedicated website to read and watch the compelling stories of people getting on with their lives in spite of dementia, get tips on how to hep end stigma, test their own attitudes towards the disease and download useful resources. To learn more and get involved, visit ilivewithdementia.ca.
Former NHLer Theo Fleury talking #MeToo in upcoming Laurentian U. lecture:
Former NHLer Theo Fleury presents the Dr. Dan Andreae Distinguished Presidential Lecture Series at Laurentian University Jan. 24. His lecture will be entitled “The Power of Me Too.” Fleury co-wrote “Playing with Fire,” a best-selling autobiography released in October 2009, in which he revealed that he had been sexually abused by former coach Graham James. The Canadian hockey player filed a criminal complaint against James, who subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault. Fleury has since become an advocate for sexual abuse victims and developed a career as a public speaker. He was a recipient of the Indspire Award in the sports category in 2013. The lecture gets underway at 7:30 p.m. at the Laurentian University Fraser Auditorium. Register for free tickets online here.
Police bust 'illegal' cannabis storefronts in Wahnapitae First Nation:
Six people have been charged under the Cannabis Act after police searched two “illegal” cannabis storefronts in Wahnapitae First Nation Jan. 3. One of the stores they searched was on Loonway Road, and the other on Taighwanini Trail. Press releases from the OPP said members of the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET) of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), along with members of the Anishinabek Police Service (APS) executed the search warrants.In relation to the Loonway Road search warrant, a 20-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man, both from Greater Sudbury, were charged with possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling, contrary to section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act. They were released on a promise to appear in Sudbury court Jan. 23. The items seized included suspected cannabis bud, oil, shatter, hash and edibles. The street value of the cannabis seized is about $47,430. Police also seized about $2,700 in Canadian currency. And in relation to the Taighwanini Trail search warrant, a 24-year-old man, a 32-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman, all from Greater Sudbury, were also charged with possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling, contrary to section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act. They were released on a promise to appear in Sudbury court Jan. 23. Full story can be found here.
NOSM will welcome new Dean and CEO July 1:
The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) has appointed Dr. Sarita Verma as its new dean and CEO effective July 1. The NOSM Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment on Dec. 12, 2018. "We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Verma to NOSM and to the wider campus of Northern Ontario,” said Dr. Pierre Zundel, Chair of the NOSM Board of Directors and Interim President and Vice Chancellor of Laurentian University. “Dr. Verma’s passion, vision and experience will continue to propel NOSM toward world leadership in distributed, community-engaged and socially accountable medical education.” Verma is currently vice president, education at the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) and until January 2016, was associate vice-provost, relations with Health Care Institutions and special advisor to the Dean of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Formerly the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (2008-2015) and Associate Vice-Provost, Health Professions Education (2010-2015), she is a family physician who originally trained as a lawyer at the University of Ottawa (1981) and later completed her medical degree at McMaster University (1991). More on this story here.
Wednesday Weather:
Periods of snow throughout the day Wednesday with colder temperatures returning tonight. Mainly cloudy today with light snow expected. Temperature will fall to -8 by the afternoon, feeling like -17 with the wind chill. Mainly cloudy tonight with a low of -17 overnight, -25 with the wind chill. There is a risk of frostbite overnight Wednesday. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
