Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Province backs Science North's 'bold' strategic plan with 'historic' $16M funding:
Science North’s growth of programs and activities throughout all of Northern Ontario received significant support with a $16-million funding package from the Ontario government. What's being called in a press release a “historic level of funding” for the science centre was announced Wednesday by Sudbury MPP and Minister of Energy Glenn Thibeault. The funding will be instrumental for Science North to deliver on the five key strategic priorities and 15 goals in its recently launched 2018-2023 Strategic Plan, the press release said, a plan the science centre's CEO, Guy Labine, called "bold" when it was unveiled in March. The funding will support the creation of new science experiences that will engage and inspire audiences at Science North, Dynamic Earth and in communities across Northern Ontario. More on this story here.
Sudbury police rescue man who fell in sinkhole:
Greater Sudbury Police rescued an O'Neil Drive resident Wednesday morning after he fell into a hole in his backyard. According to a tweet from police, officers arrived at 11:30 a.m. The homeowner went to look at a sink hole in his yard “when the ground gave out and he fell in,” the tweet said. “The ground shifted, causing him to fall further, crushing him inside the hole. Officers arrived, extended a blanket and pulled him to safety.” The 55-year-old man was taken to hospital, but the severity of his injuries are not yet known. “A huge shout out to our officers for their quick thinking,” the tweet said. “Thank you to city crews who quickly arrived on scene to stabilize the ground around the hole. The ground has been secured.
Sudbury teen charged for sharing intimate Snapchat video:
Greater Sudbury Police have charged an 18-year-old Sudbury youth for recording a sexual encounter with a girl and sharing the video on Snapchat. Police were contacted April 8 regarding the distribution of intimate images without consent, police said in a news release Wednesday. “An 18-year old man from Greater Sudbury had previously recorded consensual sexual acts of himself with a young woman on April 8, 2018,” the release said. “A short time later, he sent the video to a group of friends via snap chat. One of the individuals in the snap chat group opened the video the next day while in the cafeteria of a local post-secondary school.” The teen, who can't be named until the charges have been processed through the court system, is facing criminal charges of voyeurism (capturing images/footage without the person’s knowledge or consent) and distribution of intimate images without consent. He will appear in Court on May 23.
Wanted Wednesday: Police searching for man who allegedly broke court-ordered conditions:
The Greater Sudbury Police Service have an outstanding warrant for Matthew Gagnon. The police service and Crime Stoppers are requesting the assistance of the public in locating Gagnon. It is alleged that on Feb. 14, Gagnon breached a court-ordered condition. Gagnon's wherabouts are unknown at this time and he is wanted for failing to attend court. If you know where Matthew Gagnon is, you're asked to contact Police or to remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 705-222-8477 or www.sudburycrimestoppers.com.
One up! Get your game face on at the Northern Game Expo this weekend:
Gaming fans will be treated to full slate of all things video games this weekend as the Northern Game Expo returns to Sudbury. Cambrian College will be the site of the one-day expo that features more than 90 vendor tables, video game tournaments, a cosplay masquerade, and giveaways. The event is Sunday, April 29 from 12-5 p.m. Retro and modern games will be display, alongside comics, anime and much more. A unique highlight to this iteration of this expo will be special guest Syd Bolton, the curator of Canada's Video Game Museum. Bolton is the owner of Canada's largest video game collection and will bringing some games and items that have never been seen. There will be a special event with Bolton one day early — from 7 - 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 — where attendees can get an up-close look at some of the rarest video games around and get a crash course in Canadian video game history. Find the full story here.
Councillors agree to review development charges:
Long the bane of builders in Greater Sudbury, city councillors voted Tuesday to review their policy on development charges, with an eye on replacing them or changing how they are implemented. The charges are fees developers must pay to build a new home, apartment building or commercial structure. Based on the principle that growth should pay for growth, builders are charged for the increased demands on city infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, etc.) that the new development will create. For example, the city spent more than $60 million on a new biosolids plant, and estimate development charges could pay $4.8 million of that cost. The city plans to recover $2.9 million of the $5.7 million it spent building the South End Library, while it estimates the fees would cover $12.8 million of the $125.2 million Maley Drive extension. Development charges soared in the city in 2009, going from more than $3,000 to more than $14,000 for each single family home. But nickel prices were at record highs at the time and the city's housing market was red hot. On Tuesday, council approved a motion from Ward 8 Coun. Al Sizer to have staff look for alternatives to the fees “or new approaches to managing development charge rates with an estimate of their financial impacts.”
Winter is officially over, bring on construction season:
The winter weather has finally subsided and construction crews will be out in force in the coming weeks, working on Sudbury's roadways. Residents will see an investment of $60.2 million to repair and improve the city’s transportation network. Most of the work will include construction, road widening and intersection enhancements. "Investing in improving and maintaining roads is a key community priority outlined in Council's Strategic Plan and I am proud of the increased investments we have made to improve our roads for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians," said mayor Brian Bigger. The city will also invest $35.8 million in water/wastewater infrastructure to extend the service life of our existing pipes, with minimal disruption to the roads, and less water service interruption to residents.
Annual Easter Seals Telethon is this Sunday:
This Sunday, Easter Seals Ontario will broadcast its annual telethon on EastlinkTV channel 10/HD 610. Airing live from 2–7 p.m., the show will ask viewers to help reach a fundraising goal of $315,000 for Easter Seals Ontario. The five-hour fundraiser will be hosted by local media celebrities and will feature interviews with Easter Seals families, VIP Challenge, corporate matches, volunteer phone panels, clips from Easter Seals camp and more. Individuals are encouraged to donate online before, during, or after the show at EasterSealsTelethon.org or by calling in to the show throughout the live broadcast.
Thursday Weather:
Spring weather returns after a cool and damp day Wednesday. Today will be mainly sunny with a high of 13. A few clouds overhead this evening with increasing cloudiness overnight. Low will drop to zero. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
