Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Pharmacy employee charged with forging $1.5M in fake fentanyl prescriptions:
A 49-year-old employee of a local pharmacy has been charged with forging $1.5 million in fake prescriptions for fentanyl, Greater Sudbury Police said in a news release Wednesday. Lise Blanchette is facing a host of fraud-related charges, including identity theft, making forged documents and possession of illegal drugs. The investigation began in May 2018 by the police's financial crimes unit “after concerns were brought forward by a co-worker,” the news release said. Through the investigation it was determined that between May 2016 and May 2018, the employee fabricated and forged over 225 non-existent prescriptions by entering falsified data into the pharmacy’s computer management system, acquiring 3,410 Fentanyl patches of various strengths,” the release said. “She also falsified data for an additional 31 non-existent prescriptions in an attempt to obtain 475 more Fentanyl patches, however those transactions were not successful.” The total street value of the fentanyl patches acquired over the two-year period is about $1.5 million, police said.
Judge reserves conflict of interest ruling in Sweeney murder case:
Justice John Fregeau has reserved his decision on a conflict of interest application in the case against the accused killer of Renée Sweeney, a year after the man's arrest. A publication ban means details of the application cannot be reported. Wright appeared in person for the three-hour hearing, dressed in a blue dress shirt and black pants. His head was shaved, but he is sporting a large, bushy beard. Wright is charged with second degree murder in the 1998 slaying of Sweeney. Police say at the time of the offence, Wright lived in Sudbury and was an 18-year-old student at Lockerby Composite School. Wright was arrested Dec. 11, 2018 at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. He was working as a laboratory technician. In August, the Crown Attorney's office succeeded in securing a direct indictment, meaning there will be no preliminary hearing, and the case will go directly to trial. A date for trial has not yet been set.
"We need to get this case in the system": Judicial pre-trial scheduled for EcoLife owner:
EcoLife Home Improvements owner Dave Murray made a brief appearance in court Wednesday morning to have his 45 charges of fraud spoken to. It has been more than five months since Murray made his first appearance on July 3 for 23 counts of fraud - 20 counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of fraud under $5,000. Dec. 11 was Murray's first scheduled appearance on a second set of fraud charges - 14 counts of fraud over $5,000 and eight counts of fraud under $5,000, and Wednesday's appearance was used to combine both the first 23 counts with the more recent 22 counts. Crown attorney Patrick Travers was brought in from Toronto to speak to the matters due to it being "a complicated matter." "There's a conflict in this case as one of the complainants works at the local (Crown) office, so an outside Crown was brought in to deal with this," said Travers. Murray appeared without defence counsel Wednesday, and though he has been granted legal aid in this matter he has still not retained a lawyer. The Crown and Justice John Keast agreed to a judicial pretrial for Murray on Jan. 7, where the Crown, defence lawyer, police officer in charge of the case and a judge will discuss and negotiate the case.
This should go without saying, but clear snow and ice from your car before you drive:
We've all seem them – people who drive after a snow storm and make their way around Greater Sudbury with their back window covered in snow as they peer through a little hole they cleared in their windshield. On Tuesday morning, Greater Sudbury Police fined two people for driving while their view was obstructed, a $110 fine. Monday's storm coated the city with freezing rain, followed by snowfall overnight, covering vehicles with ice, then a layer of snow. Police are reminding drivers it is their responsibility to ensure their vehicles are clear and safe to drive before they hit the road. In addition to clearing windows, leaving a pile of snow on the roof of your vehicle can net drivers a $130 fine for having an unsecured load – a fine that rises to $310 for commercial vehicles.
KPMG review finds 100 ways — some likely controversial — for city to spend less:
City council received an update Tuesday from KPMG on its core services review, which has identified “100 opportunities” for Greater Sudbury to deliver the same services for less money. The $300,000 study is being paid for using the city's share of a $8.15-million fund the province has offered cities to conduct a “line-by-line” review of their budgets. Nick Rolfe, a partner with KPMG, told councillors at Tom Davies Square the goal is to identify where savings and efficiencies are most likely to be found, and to rank them according to the potential to save money and streamline service. The review is focused on seven areas: recreation, arenas, facilities management, community grants, long-term care, parks, road operations and maintenance. Get the full story here.
Wanted: Reward offered for info on accused armed robber:
A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Michael Mills, a.k.a. Michael Spinelli. Greater Sudbury Police has an outstanding arrest warrant for Mills’ capture. Police alleged that back on July 21 at 1:30 a.m., he walked into a retailer on Lasalle Boulevard, near Montrose, and brandished a knife to commit a robbery. Police didn’t specify what was taken from the business. He’s wanted for robbery with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Although Mills is believed to be in Greater Sudbury, police are hoping tips from the public can help track him down. He is described as standing 5-8 and weighing 154 pounds, with light brown hair and blue eyes. Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to his arrest. If you have information, you can phone the Crime Stoppers tip line toll-free at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or locally at 705-222-8477. You must call the number to be eligible for the reward.
12 Days of Kindness: It's a double date surprise at the Inner City Home of Sudbury!
Welcome back to another day of Sudbury.com's 12 Days of Kindness supported by @homeEnergy. On Wednesday we visited the Inner City Home of Sudbury Food Bank — not only to surprise two long-time volunteers. but also the executive director, Jennifer Grooms. Grooms was excited to help us surprise Lila and Art Stokes, 92 and 93 respectively, who have been volunteering at the Inner City Home for more than 30 years. But she had no idea we were also there to recognize her for her leadership as well. Check out the video here and be sure to check back daily for new installments in our 12 Days of Kindness.
Wolves take on Otters and Attack at home this weekend:
The Sudbury Wolves return home this weekend after a midweek game agaist the Soo Greyhounds. The boys will return home to host the Erie Otters on Friday and Owen Sound Attack on Saturday. Both home games are set for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop. Friday’s game marks the annual Teddy Bear Toss in support of the TD Toy Bank and Salvation Army. Fans are encouraged to throw a new or gently used stuffed animal on the ice following the Wolves first goal of the game. Join the Pack for a Sudbury Saturday Night on Dec. 14 with Dave McNab on the MIC Queen’s Stage and Porketta sandwiches will be available in the club area for purchase.
Thursday Weather:
Cloudy today with snow beginning in the morning. Up to 5 cm of snow is expected today with the temperature hitting a high of -5. It's going to feelik like -25 with the wind chill this morning and -9 by the afternoon. Snow is expected to continue into the evening, ending near midnight then cloudy with 60 per cent chance of flurries. We could see up to 10 cm of snow by Friday morning. Temperature will be steady at -3 overnight. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
