Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Always remembered: 20 years since death of Sudbury officer Sgt. Rick McDonald:
A graveside memorial service was held July 28 to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Sgt. Rick McDonald of Sudbury Regional Police. “Twenty years may have passed, but he will never be forgotten,” said a tweet from Greater Sudbury Police. “Our 'Mon Chum' will always be remembered for his sense of humour, his strong personality & his commitment to youth in our community.” The 12-year veteran of Sudbury Regional Police was struck and fatally injured by a stolen vehicle that was fleeing police July 28, 1999. McDonald was deploying a spike belt when the collision occurred. A passenger in the suspect vehicle was also killed, and two other youths were subsequently charged. McDonald was survived by his wife, a fellow police officer. The Sergeant Rick McDonald Memorial Act came into effect on Jan. 1, 2000, which stiffened penalties for those who flee police. His death also saw Ontario toughen up young offender legislation. In 2006, a highway overpass at the Hwy. 17 and Hwy. 69 interchange near Sudbury's Four Corners, where McDonald was hit and killed was named in his honour.
Police arrest and charge man in connection to pair of convenience store robberies:
The Greater Sudbury Police Service Break Enter and Robbery (B.E.A.R.) Unit located and arrested a 23-year-old man on July 27 in connection to two robberies that occurred last week. Just after 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 27 members of the B.E.A.R. Unit arrested a 23-year old man on Municipal Road 35 in Azilda. Around 1:30 a.m. on July 20, the 23-year-old entered a convenience store on Highway 69 North in Val Caron, displayed a knife and demanded money from the cashier. The employee complied and gave the man an undisclosed amount of cash. The employee was not injured during the interaction. Shortly after 1:20 a.m. on July 27 the same man was seen entering a convenience store on Highway 144 North in Chelmsford where he once again displayed a knife and demanded money from the till. The cashier gave him an undetermined amount of money and the man fled the store. The 23-year-old man has been charged with Robbery with a Weapon (two counts) and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (two counts). More on this story here.
Ontario Tories working towards needs-based autism program:
The Ontario government announced Monday that they will be expanding the scope of the autism expert panel to provide advice on what a new needs-based and sustainable autism program would look like. While the new plan is being worked out, those receiving therapy under the old system will get a six-month extension on funding, families promised money will receive it and more children will come off the wait list, according to Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, Todd Smith. "My message to families of children and youth with autism is, we have heard you, and we are taking action," said Smith. It didn't take long for the Ontario NDP party to respond to the Ford government's announcement, stating that the wait is still too long for kids with autism and budget caps are too restrictive. “Families and children were devastated by Doug Ford’s callous cuts to the Ontario Autism Program,” said the NDP critic for Children and Youth, Monique Taylor. “Over a year later, they’re still waiting, while their children have week after week of critical developmental potential stolen away from them. Now, they’re waiting at least until the fall — and who knows if they’ll get the support they need, then.” Smith said Monday the funding envelope will remain at $600 million – the same funding ceiling Minister Lisa MacLeod set. More on this story here.
Pre-trial conference takes place for Callam Rodya:
Callam Rodya, a former Sudbury reporter, was back in court today, but for pre-trial only. Those meetings are not open to the public. Rodya, 32, is charged with a number of child pornography-related offences including possession of child pornography, accessing child pornography, making available child pornography and one count of possession of a Schedule 1 controlled substance (cocaine). He was granted bail in February. A former reporter, most recently with CTV, he was suspended following his arrest. Rodya will return to court Aug. 14.
Wolves hire former Hurricanes amateur scouting director:
The Sudbury Wolves have hired Tony MacDonald to the hockey operations department, where he will work as a senior adviser to the club. MacDonald has worked in the NHL and OHL, most recently with the Carolina Hurricanes organization for 25 years, the past 12 of which he was Canes' director of amateur scouting. He retired from the position with Carolina following last June’s NHL draft. MacDonald, who is from Guelph, will focus on scouting the OHL and key international events for the club, and “will become a tremendous resource for the Wolves hockey operation team,” said a release from the Sudbury Wolves. Full story here.
Blue-green algae bloom confirmed in Ramsey Lake:
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed a sample taken from Ramsey Lake earlier this week is blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria. The samples contained a species of cyanobacteria that can produce toxins, Public Health Sudbury and Districts said in a news release Friday. The ministry tested samples taken from Ramsey on July 25. “Blue-green algal blooms could also appear in other parts of the lake,” the release said. “Because blooms are not anchored, they can move from one location to another through wind and water action. New blooms can also form. All residents on lakes should look for blooms in their area.”
Printable version of 10-year Vale strike coverage now available:
Since publishing One Day Longer, Ten Years Later a few weeks ago, Sudbury.com has received a lot of requests to make the series available in hardcopy. The series, a collaborative effort of the Sudbury.com newsteam and freelance reporter Carol Mulligan, explores the origins of the 2009-2010 Vale strike, in which more than 3,000 Steelworkers walked off the job for a year, the impact of the year-long job action, and the legacy the bitter dispute left in its wake. Strictly an online project in the beginning, we received numerous requests for a printable version of the series. The document is about 40 pages and can be downloaded or printed here.
Tuesday Weather:
Sunny start to the day then a mix of sun and cloud with 30 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon. Tuesday high will be sitting at around 26, feeling like 29. Partly cloudy this evening with 30 per cent chance of showers early in the evening. Skies clearing overnight with the low dropping to 12. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
