Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Expected plea from former reporter on child porn charges not delivered:
There was no sign of former Sudbury reporter Callam Rodya at the Sudbury Courthouse on Elm Street Tuesday afternoon, as his matter was adjourned to Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. in Courtroom E. He was scheduled to enter a plea on Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. Reporters in the court to witness the plea were surprised when Rodya, who was supposed to be present, never appeared. It wasn't until a break in the proceedings that the media was informed that, despite the 2 p.m. court time, Rodya's matter had been dealt with in the morning when no media was present. Rodya is charged with three counts of possession of child pornography, three counts of accessing child pornography, three counts of making it available and one count of possession of a controlled substance (cocaine).
Frank Marasco to make his first court appearance Wednesday:
A well-known Sudbury hair stylist facing a charge of sexual assault is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Jan. 8. Greater Sudbury Police confirmed last month that Frank Marasco, 75, was arrested and charged with one count of sexual assault on Nov. 28. Marasco is the long-time operator of the salon A Touch of Class on Loach's Road. More on this story later today.
Pharmacy employee charged with forging $1.5M in fake fentanyl prescriptions makes first court appearance today:
A 49-year-old employee of a local pharmacy charged with forging $1.5 million in fake prescriptions for fentanyl is scheduled to make her first court appearance Wednesday morning. 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 Greater Sudbury Police Service's financial crimes unit after concerns were brought forward by a co-worker. 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. 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. Check back with Sudbury.com for more on this story later today.
Nobody has gotten sick from grocery store deli with Hep A-infected workers:
As of Monday afternoon, no one had gotten sick from eating food from a grocery store deli where two workers tested positive for hepatitis A, Public Health Sudbury & Districts said in a news release. However, Hep A can survive for long periods outside of the body and it is known as a hardy virus, release said. Combined with its long incubation period, it's possible that other cases of hepatitis A may occur. “This is unfortunate but not unexpected given that people can be infectious even when they do not have any symptoms,” Stacey Laforest, Sudbury & Districts director of health protection, is quoted as saying in the release Monday evening. “The actions of Public Health to control the spread of hepatitis A will reduce the risks of the spread of hepatitis A, but unfortunately the risk cannot be reduced to zero.” Public Health has been impressed by the number of people who came forward to be immunized, the release said, a step that will help prevent it from spreading. More on this story can be found here.
Rough start to winter a challenge for snow removal:
After a record-breaking winter last year, this year's winter weather is presenting a new set of challenges for the city's snow removal department. A report headed to the operations committee Monday afternoon says Greater Sudbury received 12.3 feet of snow as of the end of November 2019. The average for that time period over the last 30 years is 6.56 feet. In February, for example, 101.2 cm of snow fell, compared to the 30-year average of 51.7 cm. We even got 12 cm of snow in May – compared to the 1.9 cm that usually falls. For the current winter, the city received its first major storm at the end of October, a month when 19.4 cm of snow fell, while we normally get 5.7 cm. In November, 80.8 cm fell, compared to the 30-year average of 29.6 cm. The early onset of winter also presented training challenges, the report says. Employees are added in late fall and are usually trained as the winter slowly gears up. The severe storm in October – and two more in November – made training difficult. Get the full story here.
Six drivers charged after travelling on Hwy. 17 while it was closed:
OPP say they have charged six people for driving on Highway 17 near Spanish while it was closed Monday. If convicted they face a $110 fine and three demerit points. "Driving on a closed road is dangerous for emergency services at the scene," says an OPP tweet. On Sunday, Jan. 5, at 11:45 p.m., East Algoma OPP officers, Algoma Emergency Medical Services and Sables-Spanish River Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle collision on Highway 17 east of the Town of Spanish. The investigation has since revealed that an eastbound tractor trailer collided with a westbound plow truck. The operator of the tractor-trailer was confirmed deceased at the scene. The operator of the plow truck was transported to hospital with serious injuries.
Eww! Sudbury ranked No. 9 in Canada for bed bugs:
Pest control giant Orkin Canada has once again released its list of the 25 worst Canadian cities for bed bugs, and for the fourth straight year Sudbury is among the top 10. For the last three years (2017, 2018 and 2019) Sudbury has been ranked in the No. 8 spot, but this year has dropped down one place to No. 9. The small creatures, approximately four to five millimeters long when fully grown, have been making a recent resurgence in Canada and North America. Some reasons behind the resurgence include the reduced use of pesticides, the use of second hand furniture and international travel. These critters are notorious hitchhikers. No need to fear however as they don't cling to humans, but they will hide in your belongings. Bed bugs live near their hosts and since they feed off of humans, they inhabit the space around us including our homes, hotels or anywhere people frequent. Find the full story here.
Double dose of division rivals this weekend for the Wolves:
The Sudbury Wolves will host two Central division rivals this weekend as the North Bay Battalion visit the Nickel City on Friday at 7:05 p.m. and the Mississauga Steelheads visit on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. The Wolves continue to lead the Central Division and sit four points up on the Barrie Colts and Niagara IceDogs. The Wolves will welcome Quinton Byfield back to the line-up this week as they face off against three divisional rivals. Quinton returns from the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship with a gold medal around his neck after Team Canada defeated Team Russia 4-3 in the final.
Wednesday Weather:
Mainly cloudy Wednesday with a 30 per cent chance of flurries in the morning. Skies clearing late in the afternoon with the temperature fallin g to -16, feeling like -25 with the wind chill. A few clouds overhead this evening with the low getting down to -22. It's going to feel like -30 with the wind chill overnight, and there is a risk of frostbite. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
