Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
'Never a cold case': Robert Steven Wright, 39, of North Bay facing 1st-degree murder charge in Sweeney case:
Greater Sudbury Police Criminal Investigations detectives arrested and charged 39-year-old Robert Steven Wright on Dec. 11 in connection with the Renée Sweeney homicide case. Wright has been charged with first degree murder and is in police custody in North Bay, where he was arrested at 11:14 a.m. on Dec. 11. He will be transported to Sudbury to appear in bail court on Dec. 12. On Jan. 27, 1998, Renée Sweeney, 23, was brutally attacked at her workplace; an adult video store on Paris Street, where she sustained multiple stab wounds and succumbed to her injuries. Robert "Steve" Wright was 18 years old at the time of Sweeney's murder and was a resident of Sudbury and a student at Lockerby Composite School, GSPS said today at a news conference where they announced the arrest. You can watch Tuesday's press conference here.
12 Days of Kindness: He uses music to turn kids' lives around, so we crash a jam session to thank him:
Music is a universal language that has the power to uplift, motivate and inspire. Today's 12 Days of Kindness recipient has dedicated his life to bring that transformative power to disadvantaged youth in our community. Twelve years ago, Joel Mackey created a program to help at-risk youth stay on the right path. Through music instruction, Sudbury Youth Rocks builds self-esteem and gives kids a chance to shine both on and off stage. Sudbury.com's 12 Days of Kindness continues today with a special surprise for Mackey. Check back with us at 7 a.m.
Group of 6 Sudburians wins $1M in lottery:
A group of six from Greater Sudbury won a collective $1 million through the MAXMILLIONS prize in the Oct. 26 LOTTO MAX draw. The group members are Steven Little, Allison Little, Daniel Taylor, Darryl Taylor, Kimberly Taylor and Natalie Taylor, all from Greater Sudbury. The winning ticket was purchased at The Corner Store on Westmount Avenue in Sudbury. Since its launch in September 2009, Ontario LOTTO MAX players have won over $4.5 billion, including 60 jackpot wins and 531 MAXMILLIONS prizes, right across the province.
Copper Cliff blaze involved car fire that spread to home:
In case you saw emergency vehicles heading toward Copper Cliff Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 11), there was a fire at a single family home on Diorite Street in the Little Italy section of the community. Platoon Chief George Lalonde said the blaze involved a car fire that spread to the home. The City of Greater Sudbury's Paramedics tweeted just before 3 p.m. that all occupants were safe. “We're still trying to determine exactly what happened,” Lalonde said shortly after 3 p.m., adding that firefighters were still on scene. “We're doing some primary and secondary searches through the building to make sure everybody is out and OK.”
Wolves' first overall Priority Selection commits to club:
The Sudbury Wolves have announced that goaltender Mitchell Weeks has committed to the hockey club. Weeks, 17, was selected by the Wolves first overall in the 2018 OHL U18 Priority Selection. The 6-3, 175 lb Barrie native currently plays for the Newmarket Hurricanes where he has a 1.80 GAA and a 0.939 SV% in 16 games played. “We are very happy to have Mitchell commit to the Sudbury Wolves and the OHL,” said Rob Papineau, Wolves General Manager and VP Hockey Operations. “He has continued to play extremely well and has been a huge part of his Newmarket team’s success. He is another very high character young man who has a great future that we are thrilled to be a part of.”
Wolves Teddy Bear Toss is this Friday:
Wolves Hockey action continues this Friday night for the final home game before the Christmas break when the Wolves host the Kitchener Rangers for the annual Teddy Bear Toss at 7:05 p.m. The Wolves are currently riding an 11-game winning streak at home and six-game winning streak overall as they defeated the Barrie Colts and Guelph Storm on home ice this past weekend. Friday’s game marks the annual Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are encouraged to toss a stuffed animal on the ice when the Wolves score their first goal of the game. The toys will be donated to the local TD Toy Bank and proceeds to the Salvation Army.
Give life this holiday season: Jamie West hosting blood donor clinic to support Sudbury family:
Sudbury MPP Jamie West is donating blood to support the Johns family, their baby daughter Olivia and her sister Kaylee, who need blood transfusions. “I am very excited to be able to help save lives through blood donation,” said MPP West. “There are so many ways that you can help those in your community, and donating blood is one with immediate impact. My team and I are inviting Greater Sudbury residents to join us and make a lifesaving appointment.” This past year Olivia Johns was diagnosed with Rhesus Alloimmunization. Since birth, Olivia has had blood work done twice a week, and has needed one blood transfusion, as she turned a month old. Olivia is a growing, thriving little girl, strong like her big sister, Kaylee, who has needed six transfusions. Due to mother Cassie's rare blood type, AB-, Olivia has become very anemic, and was diagnosed with Rhesus Alloimmunization. Olivia received four intrauterine blood transfusions this past summer, and was born in Sudbury at 36 weeks gestation. Jamie West will be at Canadian Blood Services (944 Barrydowne Rd.) on Dec. 14 at 8:30 a.m. to make his donation. West will be hosting a blood donor clinic on Thursday and Friday of this week from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Bartolucci position a 'slap in the face' to staff, Vagnini says:
Count Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini among those who were not impressed by Mayor Brian Bigger's inaugural address last week, intended to kick off the new four-year term. There was a lot in the speech he didn't like, but Bigger's decision to bring in former Liberal cabinet minister Rick Bartolucci was particularly troublesome for Vagnini. Bigger announced Bartolucci would be a liaison between city staff and private developers trying to get approvals for projects. Bigger announced the new position during the October municipal election campaign and said at the time the position would be a paid one, with costs divided between the city and developers. But when he announced last week Bartolucci would be the liaison, he said it would be an unpaid position. Either way, Vagnini wonders why a liaison is necessary when there are city managers in place to do the job, such as planning director Jason Ferrigan and building controls director Guido Mazza. Bringing Bartolucci on board as well is a slap in the face to staff, he said. Full story can be found here.
Letter: Pessimists in this city are killing the economy:
Reader Tony Sottile asks in a letter to the editor if Sudbury really is open for business. "We lost the ferrochrome plant, because according to the developers, “they were not welcome in this community," writes Sottile. "Thousands of jobs were lost. Thanks to Tom Fortin and his cohort, John Lindsay, we will most likely lose the Kingsway project and thousands of more jobs will be lost, if we do. We are becoming known across Canada that investors are not welcome in the Greater Sudbury area." Find the full letter here.
Wednesday Weather:
A mix of sun and cloud for Wednesday with a high of -5. Feeling like -16 with the wind chill this morning and -9 by the afternoon. Mainly cloudy this evening with a 40 per cent chance of flurries overnight and a risk of freezing drizzle. Overnight low will be -10, feeling like -15 with the wind chill. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.