Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Video: Knives, bear spray, a hostage, charges laid in scary downtown Tims incident:
The incident that closed the downtown Tim Hortons on May 25 was a lot more harrowing than early reporting indicated. It may have begun with a man wielding a large knife and threatening customers, but it escalated to fighting, bear spray and, eventually, a hostage situation. After holding one woman on the ground, the man was sprayed with bear spray, which cleared a lot of patrons from the building, but didn’t seem to faze the man. When police arrived he put a knife to an employee’s throat, before that worker managed to get himself free and police moved in and arrested him. The 31-year-old man faces numerous charges. Also charged is a 34-year-old woman who fired off the bear spray. Check out video of the incident here.
No sweltering summer for Sudbury this year:
If you're a fan of balmy temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celcius, don't hold your breath, as it looks like this summer is going to be a bit cooler than the sizzling summer of 2018. The Weather Network has released its 2019 summer forecast, and Sudbury and most of Ontario will be seeing temperatures slightly below average over the months of June, July and August. Not only will the days be a degree or two cooler, but when we do get some extremely warm conditions, they won't be sticking around for too long. On the flip side, Sudbury and most of Northern Ontario will see a bit more precipitation than average throughout the summer, good news when it comes to forest fires. No one wants a repeat of last year’s intense forest fire season.
The Market opens for the season this Saturday:
Sudbury's farmer's market, known as The Market, opens for the season Saturday, June 1. Meet local farmers, crafters, artisans, food vendors, and entertainers and purchase their wares next to the train station on Elgin Street each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Thursday edition of The Market, held on York Street in the parking lot across from Bell Park, opens for the season June 6 from 2-7 p.m.
Watch the Raps and Warriors on Northern Ontario's biggest screen:
Toronto Raptors fever has taken hold across the country as the team takes on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. Science North is jumping on board and will be screening game two of the finals on Sunday night, and you can watch the game on Northern Ontario's biggest screen, for free. The science centre posted on their Instagram account that they will be hosting a viewing party starting at 8 p.m. and tickets are available for pickup right now. "Show your support for Canada's team and watch the #RaptorsvsWarriors in game two of the #NBAFinals on Northern Ontario's biggest screen! FREE event, however donations to Science North's Mary Toppazzini Bernardi Fund are encouraged," said Science North in their Instagram post. Tickets are available for pickup at Science North starting Friday May 31 on a first come, first serve basis. There is a limit of two tickets per person. There will be a cash bar and snacks available for purchase. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 2.
Plan would reduce annual water/sewer hikes from 7.4% to 4.8%:
If recommendations from an outside consultant are approved, residents in Greater Sudbury will see an end to the 7.4 per cent annual hikes in their water and sewer rates. The report from BMA Consulting recommends replacing the city's 10-year plan, which includes the 7.4 per cent increases, with a 20-year plan that includes 4.8 per cent increases. The goal is to conform with Ontario laws requiring municipalities to shift the burden for maintaining and replacing water and sewer systems from all property taxpayers to individual users of the system. The city's current water license has to be renewed in 2020, and a new plan has to be filed by then.
A double lung transplant saved Luc Robidas' life ... it also took his sight:
For Sudburian Luc Robidas, a double lung transplant was supposed to be a new lease on life. Robidas, as you may remember, has cystic fibrosis. In the fall of 2017, he and his wife, Jen, had to uproot their lives in Greater Sudbury and move to downtown Toronto, where he would be close enough to Toronto General Hospital when a new set of lungs became available. The good news: the double lung transplant was a success. But there's also bad new: Luc suffered two mini strokes during the procedure, causing blood and oxygen deprivation in his optic nerve. He is now blind. It is a “rare complication,” said Luc's wife, Jen, and he's adjusting to life as a blind man. Jen said doctors told her this has only happened a handful of times before. There is nothing further that can be done, she said, and they have accepted it and are moving forward. Full story can be found here.
Embrace your inner nerd at Graphic-Con June 8:
Attention nerds — Graphic-Con, Greater Sudbury's own fan convention, returns to the Sudbury Arena another year Saturday, June 8. “Everyone should come to Graphic-Con,” said Amanda Harte, who's the president of the convention's board of directors. “Graphic-Con has everything from horror, sci fi, fantasy, manga, anime — it touches on everything everyone could like and enjoy.” If you enjoy cosplay, you're welcome to dress up as your favourite character. Cosplay groups including Sudbury's own Klingon Assault Group chapter (they dress up as Klingons from Star Trek) and the 501st Legion (who dress up as Stormtroopers from Star Wars) will be on hand at the arena. Sudbury zombie artist Rob Sacchetto will be selling his art, including a limited-edition print he created for Graphic-Con. The season finales of the Eastlink shows “Talk Nerdy” and “Late Night Ticket” will be recorded on site during Graphic-Con. The event runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sudbury Arena. Admission costs $10 for adults, with kids age 12 and under getting in for free.
