Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
'Wolf in sheep's clothing': Sudbury woman is prison bound for major fraud schemes:
In what the Crown attorney called a case of "large-scale fraud," a Sudbury woman was sentenced on Friday to 16 months in prison. Sandra Baggs, 47, pleaded guilty Jan. 25, 2019, to two counts of fraud over $5,000 after taking money from two local small businesses. Sentencing was delayed, however, to allow Baggs get her orders in affair before going to prison. Justice Andre Guay handed down the sentence Sept. 6 in a Sudbury court room after an agreed statement of facts was submitted by the Crown and defence. In addition to jail time, Baggs was given 18 months probation and two freestanding restitution orders to pay back the money she stole from both businesses. Freestanding means there's no time frame by which Baggs must pay back the money. Baggs was hired by NIM Disposal in November 2012, where she bilked the company of more than $86,000. Full story here.
Anderson Farm fall fair: Summer's wrapping up, but fall fair season on its way:
Sadly, summer is coming to a close but that brings good things too, including the return of fall fairs. The Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society holds its 13th annual fall fair Saturday, Sept. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Anderson Farm Museum in Lively. This year's fair will be even bigger than previous years, said a press release. with 90 vendors and community groups set up under tents, eight snack food vendors. 13 farmer's market vendors and 27 community partners providing free activities, displays and demonstrations. There's also live entertainment on the main stage, including The Sudbury & District Pipe Band, Pop Machine, The Tremonics, Wild Geese, Roller Rink Rewind, North of 69, Jon Stos and Hillbilly Ramblers. The fall fair also features the “Shine & Show” classic and special interest car show and a “valve cover race” (that's a vehicle constructed from a valve cover from a car's engine). There will be no public parking on site, but free shuttles will be provided from the TM Davies Community Centre parking lot in Lively.
An 'Ocean Pearl' of a headliner: 54-40 coming in for Valley East Days:
Following a tradition established the last few years where Valley East Days has brought in bigger bands, Canadian alternative rock band 54-40 headlines the late-summer community festival's Saturday rock night this year. You might recognize some of the band's popular tunes, including “Ocean Pearl” and “I Go Blind.” Headliners in previous editions of the festival, which celebrates its 44th year in 2019, have included Kim Mitchell and Trooper. Valley East Days kicked off Friday night with Country Night, featuring headliners Blackjack Billy, an American country rock group. Both Country Night and Rock Night are 19+ events, and take place at the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre. Besides the headliners, a variety of tribute acts and local musicians will be performing. Tickets cost $50 at the gate each evening.
Judge tosses 'frivolous, abusive' lawsuit by Sudbury man:
The man who garnered media attention in 2014 when he released a video of a police officer banging his head against the glass during an arrest for intoxication has lost yet another appeal. Tanner Currie and his lawyer, Trent Falldien, have pursued multiple appeals in the case, arguing the Crown refused to pursue charges in the case because they were biased. They released a surveillance video to media outlets in December 2014, showing the late Const. Christopher Labreche slamming Currie's head against a window, shattering the glass, during Currie's June 2014 arrest. Labreche died at the age of 37 earlier this summer in a crash on Highway 69. Greater Sudbury Police Chief Paul Pedersen said at the time Falldien made a “non-negotiable” request for a financial settlement in exchange for not pursuing assault charges. The video was released when that request was rejected. More on this story here.
Parole Board responds to criticisms from victims of George Harding Lovie:
The Parole Board of Canada has responded to criticisms of its process from a family whose parents were murdered in 1991, and watched last week as the killer was granted parole. The case of George Harding Lovie has received considerable attention in recent years, as he has applied to be paroled to a halfway house in Sudbury. Those appeals have been rejected up until last week, when he was granted a six-month stay in Sudbury. Lovie murdered his parents and tried to kill his sister, Michele. He was out on bail at the time on charges of sexually assaulting and confining Michele, who had broken off a relationship with him. At the parole hearing at the Beaver Creek Institution in Gravenhurst, the two-person board told the family their victim impact statements couldn't include information about the sexual assault, because it was never dealt with in court, and the board members were already familiar with the charges. Edwards was also upset that Lovie was being released after serving the equivalent sentence for one murder – “was my dad the freebie?” – and that they had no avenue for appeal of the decision. Full story here.
Authentic cuisine will be the calling card of The Shawarma Shop:
Sudbury entrepreneur Kelsey Cutinello is at it again, with plans to open her sixth business in the Nickel City in the coming weeks. The Shawarma Shop is a joint venture between Cutinello and her fiancee, Trevor Miles, and will feature authentic Lebanese cuisine made from family recipes. Out of the gate, the Shawarma Shop will feature a fairly small menu with plans to grow as the customer base expands and requests begin to come in for different menu items. Price points at the Shawarma Shop will be very much in line with similar food stops like Pita Pit, Osmow's and Mucho Burrito, with wraps in the range of $10. With students headed back to school, the Shawarma Shop will add another food option that is friendly to the student budget. Get the full story here.
'Seasoned social activist' Beth Mairs gets the NDP nod for Sudbury:
Beth Mairs, best known as managing director of Sudbury Indie Cinema, was acclaimed as the NDP candidate in the Sudbury riding for the upcoming federal election Thursday evening. Mairs also sought to run for the NDP in Sudbury in the 2018 provincial election, but the nomination went to Jamie West, who was ultimately elected MPP for Sudbury. A filmmaker who also previously ran an outdoor adventure company for women, Mairs' press release said she is a “notable progressive voice in Sudbury” and a “seasoned social activist.” More on this story here.
Sudbury mining engineering firm expands into Toronto:
Sudbury-based Bestech is expanding into the Toronto area. On Sept. 3, the company announced the acquisition of Primary Power Group, based in Ajax, Ont. Primary Power Group designs, engineers and commissions power systems. Clients have included Xstrata Nickel (now Glencore), Vale, Enbridge and Petro-Canada. Following the acquisition, the company will integrate into Bestech’s power systems division. In a news release, Bestech said the acquisition would allow the company to grow into new markets, access new and existing clients, and recruit new talent. Patrick Fantin, Bestech’s general manager of engineering services, characterized the merger as a partnership which will allow the company to seamlessly broaden its reach into the GTA. Established in 1995, Bestech provides engineering, automation, software development, and environmental monitoring services to the mining industry.
