Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Netting being installed under 90-year-old College Street underpass to catch falling concrete:
A contractor is going to spend the next four weeks installing netting under the 90-year-old College Street underpass to prevent flaking concrete from falling into the street. The netting is being installed by Belanger Construction at a cost of around $60,000. Built in 1930, the underpass allows traffic to flower beneath the CP rail line running near downtown Sudbury. And while installing netting to catch falling concrete might suggest the bridge is in a poor state of repair, Stephen Holmes, a city engineer, said structurally the bridge is sound. “When concrete falls off the outside of a structure, it’s important to know that concrete isn’t actually providing strength, but cover for the rebar,” Holmes said. “It’s corrosion of that rebar that would be a cause for concern.” From what he’s seen, Holmes said there’s little to no exposed rebar visible on the underside of the College Street underpass. More on this story here.
Spike in suspected ODs prompts drug warning from Public Health:
You really never know what you’re getting when you buy street drugs. That’s the message Public Health Sudbury and Districts released today in its latest warning to the community about the illicit opioid supply in the area. On Feb. 21, after community partners reported what appears to be a spike in overdoses, the health unit issued yet another warning to opioid drug users that it appeared the illicit opioid drug supply was again contaminated, possibly with another highly potent opioid like fentanyl or carfentanil. “There are potent substances circulating in Greater Sudbury, which have led to an increase in suspected opioid-related overdoses,” the health unit stated in a release to media. Full story here.
Gélinas joins fight to reunite elderly couple separated by long-term care system:
Rick Levesque said during 69 years of marriage, his parents have never been apart until their health failed them. Now Rick and his sister, Lucille Ouellette, feel Ontario's long-term care system is failing to help keep them together. After falling out of bed in December, 2018, 87-year-old Bertha Levesque ended up in hospital. A few weeks later, her husband, Rhéal, 88, was hospitalized for severe pneumonia. As a result to the fall, Mrs. Levesque developed dementia and needed 24/7 care. Not being able to care for their mother themselves, Ouellette and Levesque agreed long-term care was the best option. The sibling's preference was for Mrs. Levesque to move to Finlandia Village, but a bed opened at Extendicare Falconbridge first. They were told "if we didn't take the bed, they would have to send her back home and there's a three-month waiting period." "She needed 24/7 care and we aren’t trained for that," Ouellette said. "We couldn't take care of her ourselves." So, Bertha was placed at Extendicare in January 2019. The next month, Mr. Levesque was placed at Finlandia Village. "(Finlandia) is where we wanted mom and dad to be together," Levesque said. "Her dementia is more progressive than his. That's why we are trying to get them back together while they can still remember each other." Levesque said his mother's health continues to deteriorate, and she is afraid to leave her room and refuses to eat. She misses her husband, the siblings said. The Levesque's story is similar to another Sudbury couple who spent six months apart in 2018. Gottfried and Hildegard Adler were reunited at Finlandia in March 2018 thanks to a push from New Democrat health critic and Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas. A provincial regulation, new in 2018, puts a priority on reuniting family members who have been separated, setting aside beds in long-term care homes for that purpose. Get the full story here.
Court to hear arguments in May on moving trial of accused Sweeney killer:
An application to move the second-degree murder trial of Robert Steven Wright out of Sudbury will be heard May 11 and 12. Wright is charged in the 1998 stabbing death of Renée Sweeney. Lawyers for a suspect typically apply for a change of venue when they feel it's necessary to ensure the accused has a fair trial with an impartial jury. Wright appeared for the hearing in person Feb. 21, while Superior Court Justice Alex Kurke spoke with the defence and Crown to determine dates for the change of venue application. Kurke said he hoped an earlier date could be found to hear the application, but conceded with materials being filed by both parties in late March and April, that was impossible.
Expect a lengthy wait at HSN Emergency Department:
Health Sciences North is currently experiencing extremely high volumes of admitted patients resulting in impacts to the Emergency Department. With this significant surge, patients coming to to the Emergency Department can expect longer than usual wait times for an inpatient bed. Hospital staff are asking for the public to please be patient and all emergency issues should be referred to HSN’s Emergency Department.
Is your kid a Thomas the Train superfan? Head to Capreol March 18:
If you have a fan of Thomas the Train (or just trains in general) in your household, the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre has a March Break event you may want to check out. Sudbury Railway Modellers partners with the museum for a “day filled with family fun and excitement” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 18. Explore model railways of various scales and meet club members to learn about model railroading as a hobby. There will be Thomas ride-on train for young children and a full Thomas model layout on display. The museum will have a gift shop with all your favorite Melissa and Doug, Thomas and Tonka toys available for sale, as well as concessions.
PSW shortage pushing workers 'to the brink':
“We just need help." Those were words uttered by personal support worker Shawn Mathe, the member at large for the nursing care sector, Local 598, Unifor and the unit chair for Finlandia Village. He was speaking at the launch of a new report, “Caring in Crisis: Ontario’s Long-Term Care PSW Shortage,” written by the Ontario Health Coalition and commissioned by Unifor. Mathe said there's an easy solution to address the shortage of PSWs across the province. PSWs need to be given the time they need to properly care for residents, and that decision rests with the provincial government. “It's that simple,” Mathe said. “More time is all we need. We all take it for granted, but in this job, we need that time to provide the quality level of care we are expected to provide." Full story here.
Sudbury baker named Cake Designer of the Year at Ontario Wedding Awards:
Sudbury baker Justine Martin was recently named Cake Designer of the Year at the Ontario Wedding Awards, beating out 39 other finalists from across the province. “As a new, young entrepreneur, I am constantly being reminded of how grateful I am to have a community who supports us by shopping locally,” said Martin, the owner of Guilty Pleasures Bakeshop. “I want to thank the over 100 amazing couples who’ve not only allowed us to be part of their very special day, but who also helped us by submitting a nomination for The Ontario Wedding Awards. To be recognized in such a capacity after just two years in business is both incredibly humbling and encouraging.” Internationally recognized for excellence in cake design and decorating, Guilty Pleasures Bakeshop is a boutique bakery, specializing in crafting luxurious custom desserts. Martin started For Heaven’s Bake Sudbury in 2015 from her home kitchen. She opened Guilty Pleasures Bakeshop, at 82 Cedar St. downtown, in February of 2018 after being named Downtown Sudbury’s Win This Space Top Entrepreneur in 2017.
