Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
'An amazing legacy': The last Sally Spence bursaries make dreams come true for 16 more young people:
Riding and skating lessons, summer camp, post-secondary tuition funds, assistive technology, laptops and iPads — these are some of the dreams of NEO Kids Children's Treatment Centre clients and alumni that are coming true. Sixteen toddlers, children, youth and young people between the ages of almost two years old and 26 years old received bursaries of up to $1,000 for self-development June 11 as part of the final iteration of the Spirit of Sally Spence Awards. Get the full story here.
Forest fire out of control but being held in place 4 km from Gogama:
Cooler, rainy weather over the past few days has helped firefighters in their battle to tame the Timmins 2 fire burning four kilometres from Gogama. The small community two hours north of Greater Sudbury up Highway 144 was estimated on Sunday to be about 6,000 hectares in size, but with less smoke obscuring visibility on Monday, that original estimate has been revised. Still, the fire is around 5,000 hectares in size, burning on the west side of Highway 144. The community remains under a voluntary evacuation order. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has also recommended a two-hour evacuation order for residents of Gogama and surrounding areas. As a health precaution, Mattagami First Nation evacuation 30 young children and elderly people on Saturday night when smoke was at its thickest. Those people were able to return home on Sunday. Full story can be found here.
'Senseless killing': Endangered whooping crane shot near Manitoulin:
The wildlife enforcement division of Environment and Climate Change Canada and Crime Stoppers are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying suspects with relation to what they've termed the “senseless killing” of a whooping crane. In the evening hours of May 5, unknown culprit(s) allegedly shot the whooping crane on private property in the area of N Line and 10th Side Road on the north end of Barrie Island (that's off of Manitoulin Island). The whooping crane is a rare and endangered species, said a press release from Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers. Whooping cranes are the tallest birds in North America. It takes its name from its distinctive loud whooping call that can be heard for kilometres. Its large wings and method of flying means whooping cranes can fly nonstop for long distances, staying in the air for 10 hours and 750 kilometres. This crane belonged to a small population of 100 raised and released cranes that are being monitored with telemetry bands. Any information leading to the identity of the people or vehicles involved would be appreciated. Phone the Crime Stoppers tip line toll-free at 705-222-TIPS (8477) or if long distance 1-800-222-TIPS.
CUPE gives negotiators overwhelming strike mandate in talks with city:
Without a contract since April 1 and with talks progressing slowly, members of CUPE Local 4705 gave negotiators an overwhelming strike mandate on Monday. The local represents about 1,500 municipal workers. Of that, more than 800 are full- and part-time workers — classified as “inside workers” — in office work, clerical, technical, leisure programming, transit, libraries, museums, paramedical and social services. More than 500 members of the local are classified as “outside workers,” responsible for mechanical work, maintenance on roads parks and recreation and buildings, as well as water and wastewater, airport maintenance and firefighting. When workers voted June 10, the inside bargaining unit gave negotiators a 94-per-cent strike mandate, while the outside unit voted 97 per cent in favour of a strike mandate. A recent Facebook post by the union characterized the talks as “continuing [but] have been progressing slowly.” The two sides have been in talks since April, when the last contract expired.
No more 'Junk Creek': Junction Creek Stewardship Committee turns 20:
People used to call it "Junk Creek." But Sudbury's Junction Creek has seen major changes over the last 20 years and it's all thanks to volunteers and the not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to restoring its ecosystem. Junction Creek Stewardship Committee celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special awards ceremony on June 5. Director and one of the original founders of the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee says there's still work to be done in the restoration of the creek but overall it’s come a long way. "We used to call it Junk Creek because people didn't associate life with the creek, people would just throw garbage in it," Franco Mariotti said. "But there are now species of fish in certain areas that had no life before so the amount of life in the creek has increased, not only in numbers but in locations." More on this story here.
Rally for Dad tradition continues this weekend:
It’s been a Father’s Day weekend tradition for 17 years, and Sudbury’s motorcycle community is ready to make it a 18th – rain or shine. June has been proclaimed Prostate Cancer Awareness Month by Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger, and the Northern Cancer Foundation is excited to take motorcycle enthusiasts on a 200+ km scenic ride on June 15. The ride starts at the Northeast Cancer Centre Centre and travels eastbound on Highway 17 to Verner, then south to Noëlville and returning to Sudbury and to A&W on Marcus Drive via Highway 69. The rally is followed by lunch and prizes at A&W. Registration is still open and costs $35 per participant, or free with $100 in pledges.
Bail decision reserved for man facing manslaughter charge for opioid overdose:
The decision on whether David Leon Stefanczuk will be granted bail is going to come at a later date. Justice of the Peace Diane Lafleur said Monday she is reserving her decision, saying she has much to consider. She set a date of June 23 to give her decision. On Monday, three people were sworn in as sureties, each accepting a $7,500 responsibility if Stefanczuk is granted bail. Stefanczuk's lawyer, Alex Toffoli, called the sureties “people of honest means,” and had no doubt they would ensure the accused adhered to his bail conditions, if granted. Assistant Crown attorney Kevin Ludgate and federal prosecutor Lisa Goulet were both opposed to his release. Stefanczuk is charged with manslaughter in connection to an overdose death in Sudbury in February of this year. He is also charged with trafficking a Schedule 1 substance. He was arrested on May 14. The name of the victim has not been released.
Artist, founder of Prise de Parole and two mining leaders receive honourary degrees from LU:
Two leaders in the arts and two mining executives are being presented with honourary doctorates by Laurentian University at its convocation ceremonies last week. The recipients are Bernard Poulin, Denise Truax, Ned Goodman and Terry MacGibbon. “We’re very pleased to be welcoming these outstanding individuals into our alumni family,” said interim president and vice-chancellor Pierre Zundel. “We marvel at their immense talents, but also at their willingness to share their knowledge, passion and resources with others to expand their horizons and help realize their full potential. We are extremely proud to be celebrating their generous spirits.” “Each of these exceptional honorees have made tremendous contributions to the social, cultural and educational fabric of our region, and their influence extends across the country and around the world,” said Laurentian chancellor Steve Paikin. “Their creativity, ingenuity and willingness to give back make them incredible examples for our students to follow.” Bios of the four recipients can be found here.
Wednesday Weather:
Overcast to start the day with increasing cloudiness into the afternoon. There's a 40 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon with risk of a thunderstorm. Wednesday's high will be 18. Cloudy with a 70 per cent chance of showers this evening and risk of a thunderstorm. Overnight low will be sitting around 12. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
