Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
CIBC Run for the Cure launch is today:
This year's CIBC Run for the Cure is coming up on Sunday, Sept. 30, and in preparation for the event, organizers will be holding a media launch at Cambrian Ford on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. The media launch will have a guest speaker from the event's top fundraising team, Pam Pancel, who will be walking with for her 19th consecutive year. She walks in memory of her late friend, Myra, who co-created a team for the Run for the Cure with Pam in 1999, the same year that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Check back with Sudbury.com later today for a full story from this morning's conference.
Fostering strong community relationships a top priority as United Way launches annual campaign:
United Way Centraide North East held their annual campaign launch on Sept. 11 at the Northern Water Sports Centre. Representatives from a number of the organization's community partners were on hand to celebrate the work that the United Way has done in the past year and to look forward to the year that is to come. Karen Hourtovenko will be the 2018 campaign chair, with Alex Freedman taking on the role of vice chair. "As a community, we have an opportunity to help one another. United Way believes in a community where everyone can succeed. I share in that vision," said Hourtovenko. "I have seen first hand and been touched by the stories of those who have been supported by the programs and services funded by the United Way, and for many kids and adults, their lives have been changed forever." During the 2016-17 campaign, United Way Centraide North East funded more than 36,000 individuals across Northeast Ontario, with 26,000 of those people residing in Sudbury. More on this story can be found here.
Tedman Avenue explosives: Neighbour describes suspect as 'a very nice man':
A resident who was evacuated from a home next door to the property where explosive devices were found on Saturday morning described the ordeal as both "scary" and "confusing." "It was pretty scary at first because we didn't really know what was happening," Sally Norquay told Sudbury.com. "We didn't know the scale of it. They (the police) just said, 'We don't know, so we have to evacuate.' I'm glad everything is okay." Since October 2017, Norquay, a student, has lived in a home on Tedman Avenue adjacent to the property where four explosive devices were located and safely disposed of (by which we mean, detonated) by Greater Sudbury Police Services some time after 2 a.m. Saturday. A 34-year-old male was arrested and now faces multiple charges in relation to incident. The charges include: Possession of Prohibited Device, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (two counts), Explosives – Making or Possessing for an Unlawful Purpose, Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon/Device, Using Explosives, Possession of Incendiary Material, Drive Under Suspension (two counts). Norquay said she was surprised by the "hefty" offences of which the 34-year-old is accused. Her surprise is due, in part, to the charges themselves, but also due to her previous interactions with him. She said the man living in the house where the devices were found — who she said was a roofer — has helped her fix her car and had even offered to help repair a roof at her camp this coming weekend. The man, she said, was "extremely friendly, just honestly, just a friendly, nice person. He's helpful, he offers to help people all the time." Check out video of the GSPS tactical unit disposing of the explosives here.
Election recap from Sept. 11:
Mayoral and council candidates have been releasing their platforms as we creep closer and closer to the Oct. 22 municipal election. Ward 11 candidate John Lindsay has released his platform, highlighting his concerns about tax increase and legacy projects proposed for the city's downtown. Lindsay has made it no secret that he is an opponent of the Kingsway Entertainment District which would be located in the ward 11, adding that the proposed 3,000 - 7,000 parking spaces for the entertainment district will have adverse affects on Ramsey Lake. "The proposed 3,000 to 7,000 parking spaces in the Kingsway Entertainment District will add tons of additional salt to the Watershed and Ramsey Lake, already at above safe sodium levels for those on salt-restricted diets and chloride levels are approaching dangerously high levels for aquatic life," said Lindsay in a news release. "There is no economical method to remove salt - prevention is the only solution." Mayoral candidate Patricia Mills said she gives Mayor Brian Bigger a failing grade for his performance over the past four years. “We are not better off than we were four years ago,” she said in an open letter. “Our roads are not better. Our neighborhoods are not better. Our economy is not better. And for that, Mr. Bigger gets a failing grade. “October 22 is our chance to change the course for Greater Sudbury. We’ve seen a Bigger Sudbury. It’s time for a better one.” Cody Caciotti is another mayoral candidate, and he released his platform this week, outlining four key categories, Leadership, Working Together, Economic Development, and Value For Dollar. "The City of Greater Sudbury is unsustainable with regard to infrastructure," said Caciotti in a news release. "In order to stabilize tax increases, the City of Greater Sudbury must expand its tax base." Caciotti says that the city must promote an environment that will encourage growth and break down the barriers stadining in the way of economic opportunity. Bill Crumplin continued his push for the mayor's seat this week, vowing to file an FOI to get details on councillor expenses. Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini was in Crumplin's crosshairs as he was singled out in a news release for racking up "excessive spending of tax payers’ dollars on meetings, hospitality and office expenses." "As a former auditor and self proclaimed numbers guy, how could Mayor Bigger not have known about this spending?" said Crumplin. "Perhaps it's not a lack of knowledge, but rather a failure of leadership to stand up for taxpayers." Stay up to date with all candidate news releases and stories at Sudbury.com's election page.
Letter: Job site rules need to change in wake of Cecile Paquette's tragic death:
Co-chair with Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury, Naomi Grant asks what needs to be changed to ensure that the city doesn't see another incident like the 2015 death of Cecile Paquette who was killed after she was struck by a road grade at a job site at Elgin and Beech Streets. "The recent court ruling found that the city was not the constructor or employer and, therefore, not responsible for health and safety. The City of Greater Sudbury has been cleared of all charges it faced under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in the 2015 death of Cecile Paquette," wrote Grant. "The question remains, what needs to change to ensure this doesn’t happen again? The city hired a contractor to do roadwork. Safety concerns were observed and raised. The city followed all the rules and met all their legal obligations, but someone lost their life. The only conclusion is that the rules need to change." Find the full letter here.
St. Charles College student crowned Miss Wiikwemkoong:
St. Charles College student Dana Lewis was crowned Miss Wiikwemkoong during the Wiikwemkoong Cultural Festival in August. Lewis, who is the goalie for the St. Charles College Girls Hockey team, used her hockey skills in the talent portion of the pageant. She also won first place in the biography portion helping her to earn her crown. Dana stated that she is very excited and honoured to represent her community at various events, celebrations and pow wows as Miss Wiikwemkoong. Lewis was invited to speak about the missing and murdered Indigenous Women at the Sisters in Spirit Conference in October. “Giving back to the community is a big part of who I am,” Lewis wrote in her biography. “At a young age I was provided with the teachings and knowledge for sewing, and over the past years I started teaching young girls ages 7-12 how to sew. I facilitate many workshops showing the youth how to make their own regalia, hand drum bags, ribbon skirts. By teaching these youth, I’m passing down my knowledge of our culture for the next generation. I believe that we should be encouraging our next generations to continue with these teachings so they can teach the next ones."
'Stand Up Against Bullying Day' is Sept. 13 at Rainbow board schools:
Staff and students in Rainbow District School Board schools will wear pink on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, as the board marks its eleventh “Stand Up Against Bullying Day.” “This small gesture will go a long way in demonstrating our commitment to safe schools,” said director of education Norm Blaseg, in a press release. “We invite the entire community to join us as we wear pink on Thursday, Sept. 13. “By nurturing a strong partnership between the school, the home and the community, Rainbow schools ensure that students receive an education that includes personal, social and citizenship development. We are leaders in learning inspiring success for all students by reaching minds and touching hearts.”
Wednesday Weather:
A mix of sun and cloud to start the day and becoming sunny near noon. Wednesday's high is expected to get up to 24, feeling like 27 with the humidity.A few clouds and some fog patches overnight with the low sitting near 12. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
