Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Mayor: I'm not taking a position on Zulich's convention centre offer yet:
Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger said it's premature to talk about locating a proposed convention centre at the Kingsway Entertainment District while the entire project is still subject to planning appeals. Bigger was reacting to news Wednesday that developer Dario Zulich is proposing including the convention centre at the KED, where he says he can build it for a quarter of the $65 million estimate to build it downtown. Zulich sent a formal letter last week to CAO Ed Archer asking for a meeting to discuss his plan. The mayor said in an interview that he's willing to listen to ideas, but with the uncertainty surrounding the KED has to be addressed first. More on this story here.
"It seems like they're trying to force me to close down": Murray appealing city's decision to revoke his business licence:
EcoLife Home Improvements owner Dave Murray is appealing Greater Sudbury's decision to revoke his business license. The embattled business owner has been the focal point of a number of Sudburians who say they were bilked out of thousands of dollars for home improvement projects contracted by Murray and EcoLife that have not yet been completed. During an April 10 interview with Sudbury.com, Murray said he plans to make good on his contracts and finish the work for clients that had incomplete jobs at their homes. That same day, Greater Sudbury revoked Murray's business license, forbidding him from doing any work in the city, and leaving a number of clients in limbo. "In order to operate a business in the City of Greater Sudbury, you must be in possession of a valid business license," said city spokesperson Shannon Dowling. "When somebody's business license is revoked or suspended, they would find out when it (comes) into effect." In a phone interview Wednesday afternoon, Murray said he is appealing the city's decision, and said he should find out if his appeal was successful by June 5. Murray said he has asked for the process to be expedited so he can get to the jobs he has promised to complete. The EcoLife owner has reached out to some of his clients who are waiting, but says he's hit some snares and feels there is some outside interference."The police are interfering right now,” Murray said. “There's a couple of clients that I was scheduled to do installations and they were on my side and now they're not on my side any more." Check back with Sudbury.com for more on this story later today.
Video: Bear spotted near Marymount in Sudbury:
Bear sightings are not unusual in Greater Sudbury, especially this time of year when black bears come out of their dens in search of food after hibernating all winter. Katherine Glen sent in this video of a black bear sauntering around the Marymount area on April 23. Remember, bears usually avoid humans, but they are attracted into urban and rural areas in order to get food. Check out Bear Wise tips here.
More cases emerging of flu strain not covered by annual shots:
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning residents to be extra careful – especially older adults – because this year's influenza vaccine doesn't protect against an emerging strain of the virus. In an advisory, Public Health said they have received more and more reports of people getting the influenza A (H3N2) virus and want doctors and the community to know of the risks. As of April 6, 97 per cent of the 11,159 people who got the flu had influenza A. Of those cases, 59.3 per cent were the H1 variety, which is covered by the flu shot. However, 40.7 per cent were H3. “Across Canada, 57 per cent of all influenza A (H3N2) detections have been reported in adults 65 years of age and older,” the alert said. “Estimates from the Canadian Sentinel Practitioner Surveillance Network suggest the 2018-2019 influenza vaccine provides substantial protection against (H1) ... but little or no protection against influenza A (H3) viruses this season.” Get the full story here.
Sudbury-area First Nation embarking on industrial park plans:
Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation will use $220,643 in federal funding to draw up engineering plans for a light industrial and commercial park. FedNor announced on April 24 the community, located 19 kilometres west of Sudbury, would receive the money. The community will use the funds to hire a project manager to work with the engineers, organizing community consultations on designs, developing governance and leasing policies and processes, and working with potential tenants. Currently, the community has limited commercial space available for new or expanding private or community-owned enterprises. Full story here.
Areas of Greater Sudbury under a flood watch until April 30:
Conservation Sudbury has issued a Flood Watch for the lower Junction Creek (downstream of Kelly Lake), the Onaping River (Dowling area) and the Vermilion River (Dowling, Chelmsford and parts of Walden). For all other watercourses in Greater Sudbury, Water Safety messaging is being maintained. Both statements remain in effect until 10 a.m. April 30. Environment Canada's forecast for the rest of the week calls for warm temperatures nearing 13 C with light precipitation. Conditions must be closely monitored by all residents, especially those living in low-lying, hazard areas where overland flooding could become an issue. Residents who experience problems due to overland runoff or flooding should call 311.
Two thousand pairs of socks: Sock it to the Homeless sets ambitious goal:
Help Sudbury's homeless walk in warmth with DeSimone Foot and Ankle Centre's eighth annual “Sock it to the Homeless” sock drive, taking place May 1-31 in partnership with the Sock Burglar. Throughout the month of May, DeSimone Foot and Ankle Centre will be collecting new socks and gently used winter boots for Sudbury's homeless. There are currently 1,315 homeless people living within the Greater Sudbury, many of whom travel kilometers a day to access the essentials offered at the city's three emergency shelters, said a press release. In an effort to combat that need, Sock it to the Homeless have set their most ambitious goal yet, with the aim of collecting 2,000 pairs of socks to complement their ongoing shoe drive. All socks will be distributed through local social service agencies. Donations can be brought to the DeSimone Foot and Ankle Centre (761 LaSalle Blvd.) or Dr. Yannick Charette (2416 Long Lake Rd.). Call DeSimone Foot and Ankle Centre's at 705-560-3338 for more information.
Friday Weather:
Periods of rain expected for Friday. Cooler temperatures out there today with the high only getting up to 6. Rain showers into the evening, possibly changing to periods of snow tonight. Overnight low dropping to -3, feeling like -10 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.
