Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Health unit reporting first new COVID-19 cases in Sudbury in more than a month:
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting two new COVID-19 cases in residents in the areas of Greater Sudbury, Sudbury District, and Manitoulin District. “This is a serious reminder that the risk of infection is still present. Although we haven’t reported a case of COVID-19 since May 14, these new cases are a reality check and strong reminder that we must keep up our guard to control the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health with Public Health Sudbury & Districts. “We are not clear of the virus yet. With the re-opening of the province, we have more opportunities to interact with each other and for the virus to spread. With re-opening, it is sort of like the speed limit has increased in our area and so now more than ever, we need to “wear our seatbelts”. The two cases reported are the area's 65th and 66th individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. Case number 65 is a man in his 20s, while case number 66 is a woman in her 20s. Both individuals were exposed to the virus through contact of a case with unknown exposure. Both individuals were tested on June 17 and are currently self-isolating.
Ontario announces smartphone app that tracks your exposure to COVID-19:
With the possibility of a "second wave" of COVID-19 cases happening later this year, the Ontario government has unveiled a new smartphone application that will anonymously notify users if they have had contact with other persons who have tested positive for the coronavirus. That gives the users notice so they can take further action if they feel their health has been compromised. The new technology, which has been tested in other jurisdictions, was revealed by the Ontario Ministry of Health in a technical briefing Thursday and then followed up in a media briefing by Ontario Premier Doug Ford. The app will rely on the agreement of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and who then agree to have that information stored anonymously on their personal cellphones, said Ministry of Health officials at the briefing. More on this story here.
Sudbury BLM protest set for ‘Juneteenth’ (June 19) — the day marking American slavery's end:
Sudbury has been called once again to march in protest of racism and racial injustice through its downtown core, but this time on June 19, otherwise known as Juneteenth. Black Lives Matter: Racial Injustice Rally is the third demonstration held in the Nickel City to raise awareness for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and its motivations of recognizing and eliminating racism, racial injustice, and police brutality. It’s one of many such protests that have taken place across the globe since 46-year-old George Floyd was killed May 25 during an arrest by Minneapolis Police after he allegedly used a counterfeit bill. The traditionally American holiday of Juneteenth commemorates the date in 1865 when slaves living in Galveston, Texas were informed by Union Gen. Gordon Granger that the civil war had ended, and they were free. The announcement instituted the Emancipation Proclamation issued by American President Abraham Lincoln more than two years prior, on Jan. 1, 1863. Full story can be found here.
Be patient and respectful, St. Joe’s Villa CEO asks, as visitations resume:
The president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Centre is asking family members of the homes’ residents to be patient and respectful as visitation resumes. Visits to Ontario long-term care, group homes and retirement homes started Thursday amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but under strict conditions. For long-term care homes, the rules are one visitor per resident at a maximum of one visit her week for an outdoor visit only. For retirement homes, outdoor and indoor visits are allowed, with the number of visitors being left to the discretion of the home. However, all visitors must have tested negative for COVID-19 in the past two weeks and passed an active screening questionnaire. Hands must be washed and/or sanitized upon arrival and departure, and all visitors must wear a mask, stay in a designated area and maintain physical distancing. Full story here.
Police ask people to be on the lookout for missing 13-year-old:
Greater Sudbury Police are asking for the public's assistance to locate 13-year-old Alexia Alexander. The teen is 5'5" in height and around 110 pounds. She has brown eyes and hair. Alexia was last seen wearing red pants, a grey Roots sweater and black Adidas shoes. She was carrying a black school bag with gold on it. She was last seen in the Burton Street area around 9 p.m. June 17. It is believed she is heading to Toronto. Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Sudbury Police at 705-675-9171 or Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS (8477) or www.sudburycrimestoppers.com.
Police, fire marshal called in after ‘suspicious’ fire on Elizabeth Street:
The Ontario Fire Marshal and Greater Sudbury Police have been called in to investigate an early-morning fire that did extensive damage to an Elizabeth Street apartment building Thursday. Greater Sudbury Fire Services was called to the fire at around 4:30 a.m. on June 18. The fire was concentrated in the rear of the building. No one was injured, the fire service reports, but three people were displaced by the blaze. Deputy Fire Chief Jesse Oshell said damage estimates at the moment range from $100,000 to $150,000, but could climb higher as the investigation unfolds. He explained that there is a laneway that runs behind the structure and there is a stairwell that runs up the back of the apartment building. It was in this area where fire damage is heaviest and where it appears the fire got started. The damage to the back of the building, the upper floor apartment and the roof is extensive, Oshell said. “At this time (the cause is) undetermined. We’re leaning toward it being suspicious, so we brought in our partners with Greater Sudbury Police and the Ontario Fire Marshal,” he said. Fire officials are suspicious of the blaze, Oshell said, for several reasons: the location of the fire at the exterior back of the building and the fact there is no clear indication of how the fire started.
Sudbury Market now open for season, but many vendors have seen online success during pandemic:
The hustle and bustle of the Sudbury Market returned to York Street this past Saturday, kicking off the summer season under a new set of safety regulations to protect both vendors and guests from COVID-19. Setting up under these new restrictions took time, said newly-appointed market manager Kayla Smith, resulting in the delay and visible differences from past Nickel City markets. One change was a noticeable decline in the number of vendors in attendance, but according to Smith, there’s actually a positive reason behind the drop in vendors. With the market’s opening day delayed this spring, the Sudbury Market has been making a concerted effort to encourage market patrons to make their sales directly through the vendor. All the relevant contact information has been shared on the market’s website and social media pages, said Smith, in addition to what has been conveyed directly when a recommendation is requested.
Sofia Brine’s ice cream hair earned her third place in Skills Ontario contest:
St. John Catholic Elementary School student Sofia Brine’s hair flair has earned her third place in the Skills Ontario Wacky Hair Challenge. Sudbury Catholic District School Board students have been participating in the #SkillsAtHome Challenge Series presented by Skills Ontario. Sofia was excited to enter the contest and get creative with her hair. “I wanted to enter the contest because I love playing with my dolls' hair and I love ice cream!” she said. “What’s better than ice cream hair!?” The #SkillsAtHome challenge allows students to explore the skilled trades and tech through a series of challenges without ever leaving home. Challenges have included: Rollercoaster Challenge, Cookie Challenge, Wacky Hair Challenge, Marshmallow Bridge Challenge and Tinfoil Boat Challenge. The next #SkillsAtHome challenge is underway and is a paper tower challenge. Submissions will be due on June 22. “We congratulate Sofia and her efforts in the Wacky Hair Challenge!” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “We are so proud of her and all of the Sudbury Catholic students who have participated in the challenges so far. Check out a photo of Sofia's hair here.
Friday Weather:
Beautiful day on the way to close out the work week. Sunny skies overhead with the high soaring to 30. A few clouds expected tonight with the low dropping to 16. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
