Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Review of HSN budget on track to be completed by June 30:
The Northeast Local Health Integration Network's (LHIN) third party review of Health Sciences North's budget is expected to be completed by June 30. “The review is in its final stages and is on track to meet its deadline," said the LHIN in a statement on June 25. A third-party validation review of the hospital's $505.8-million budget was ordered by the LHIN back on April 14 in order to ensure that funds were being used in the most optimum way. HSN’s board passed a budget containing a $4.9-million deficit, that trims 113 jobs from the payroll, reduces $6.9 million in program expenses outside clinical departments and cuts HSN’s capital budget for renovations, equipment and information technology by 23 per cent. Find the full story here.
The fight against ferrochrome: Information protest Tuesday morning:
No Ferrochrome Sudbury will be holding an information protest at the boat launch on the Wahnapitae River, on June 26 at 10:30 a.m. The boat launch is located across the street from Wahnapitae Community Centre in Wahnapitae on Glenbower Crescent near Hwy 17. Members of No Ferrochrome Sudbury and supporters will be in attendance to raise awareness about the potential for hexavalent chromium to contaminate the City of Greater Sudbury’s water treatment facility on the Wahnapitae River. This treatment facility provides drinking water to 60 per cent of the city’s population, including New Sudbury, Garson, Coniston and Wahnapitae.
Born to ride: Bike camp a blessing for James Butcher:
The iCan Shine Bike Camp returns to Sudbury for a third year from July 23 - 27. Since it made its debut in Sudbury, the program has helped numerous children with disabilities learn to ride a bike. James Butcher, 12, who has cerebral palsy, graduated from the camp the first year it operated, in 2016. He and his twin brother Michael ride their bikes together nearly every day when the weather is right, but that wasn't always the case and might never have happened if not for the iCan Shine Bike Camp. "We saw a poster for the camp at the Children's Treatment Centre," said James' mom, Paula. "James had learned how to ride a bike the year before but he grew out of that bike and when we got him a bigger one he just couldn't seem to get the hang of it again." The week-long camp is made up of 75-minute sessions where each participant is given the opportunity to develop their cycling skills under the watchful eyes of the camp's leaders and volunteers. More on this story here.
Cambrian College signs First Nation teachings into curriculum:
By this fall, First Nation teachings will become an integral part of the curriculum and staff training at Cambrian College in Sudbury. The college officially ratified its Indigenous Education Protocol on June 20, at a ceremony in the Sacred Arbour on the main campus. This is an agreement and implementation plan to integrate First Nation culture and traditional knowledge. The celebration brought out a large crowd of elders, students, staff and onlookers to partake in the ceremony, which included the signing, as well as a conference that included lighting a sacred fire, a sharing circle, smoking of the ceremonial pipe, berries and water sharing and a feast plate offering.
Anonymous donor offers to double donations towards wheelchair van for severely disabled teen:
It's looking more and more likely that Massey teen Emily Richer will soon have a brand-new ride. Almost a month ago, the 15-year-old's grandmother, Julie Carpenter, started a Go Fund Me page to purchase a new wheelchair-accessible van to transport the severely disabled and medically fragile teen to appointments. The online fundraising page has brought in about $9,500 so far. But Emily's family has recently learned that a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous has agreed to match any donations on the page up to $20,000 that come in before 12:01 a.m. July 1.
Is Rogers barking up the wrong tree with new cell tower in Sudbury?
A new Rogers cellphone tower in Greater Sudbury is stirring a commotion. The new tower, erected off Long Lake Road across from Sunnyside Road, isn't your normal tower — at least, not for Sudbury, anyway. It's sporting branches designed to make the tower look like a tree. It's the first of its kind in Northern Ontario, and although it's a more common site in southern Ontario, here in the North, it's left many residents asking to whom it belongs. One resident of Long Lake Road, who chatted with Sudbury.com briefly, said the idea is a good one, to help the tower blend in, but it actually sticks out like a sore thumb right now. Rogers has verified it is indeed their tower. When asked for comment on the tower, the company's reply was rather commercial. “When determining the locations of our towers, our engineers take into consideration the proximity to communities, the visibility of the tower from passing traffic and existing structures, and the concerns of local residents,” said spokesperson Michelle Kelly, director, media relations, in an email. “As with any potential tower, we work closely with the community and the municipality to make sure the design and location works for them.” She said she couldn't go into whether there will be similar towers erected in the future. Construction on the tower started in May, and service will be up this summer.
Film 'pInco Triangle' wins big at Queer North Film Festival:
Queer North Film Festival wrapped up its third year Sunday evening in downtown Sudbury, having screened 30 LGBT- themed films from around the world, over the course of the festival’s four-day run. With pInco Triangle sweeping up three top awards, makers Patrick Crowe and Tristan Whiston released the following statement. “We were so delighted to finally be able to watch this film with a hometown crowd - the very people for whom the film was made,” they said. “When first released 20 years ago, it required no explanation why pInco Triangle wasn't screened in Sudbury, because the dangers facing the LGBTQ community here and everywhere was obvious. “Today the fact that there is a Queer North Film Festival with youth outreach and public visibility reflects the realization of a strong and evolving queer community here in the north. To have the honour of these awards means the world to both of us.” The festival also ran a one-day digital storytelling workshop with LGBTQ2 youth thanks to support from Rainbow District School Board. In addition, the festival added an Industry Networking Program for local queer artists to support their emerging filmmaking efforts and expand the use of film/video in existing arts practices, an effort supported by a City Arts grant.
Is it hogweed or parsnip? Be careful either way:
Large and flowered, giant hogweed is an impressive-looking plant, but it is not your friend. The large plant has been in Greater Sudbury at least since 2010, when the first sighting was reported. Giant hogweed is an invasive species, the sap of which becomes toxic to humans if it gets on the skin and is exposed to sunlight. The perennial herb is native to the Caucasus Mountains in southwest Asia, but was likely brought to North America in the first half of the 20th century, possibly as an ornamental plant. It has been cutting a wide swath through Ontario and B.C. Hogweed can grow as high as 14 feet and can cause blindness if the sap gets in the eyes and is exposed to the sun. While big and impressive, hogweed has a similar appearance to other plants in the carrot family, to which it belongs. Most often, hogweed is confused for cow parsnip. And while the plants are certainly different, they do share a common trait: the phototoxicity of the sap. Sap from both plants can cause burns when exposed to sunlight.
Tuesday Weather:
Mainly sunny today with the high hitting 25. A few clouds this afternoon and into the evening. Chances of some showers overnight and into Wednesday morning. Evening low will be around 13. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
