Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Gateway still betting on Kingsway casino, council told:
Gateway Casinos, which aims to build a $60 million casino as part of the Kingsway Entertainment District in Sudbury, has merged with another company, city council was told Tuesday. The merger, which took place last month, is with Leisure Acquisition Group, creating a new company valued at $1.46 billion. The new entity will still be called Gateway. Marc J. Falcon, a director with Leisure, will become CEO, taking over from Tony Santo, who is retiring and will act as an adviser. Ian Wood, who is overseeing construction of the city's big projects for Greater Sudbury, said city staff recently met with Gateway and developer Dario Zulich in Toronto. Both said they are still committed to the KED, which has been mired in legal appeals since it was approved in early 2018. Get the full story here.
From sulphur to solar: A big idea for Sudbury’s Superstack:
Rather than tearing down the iconic Superstack, former Sudburian Jason McLennan of McLennan Design proposes converting the massive structure into the world’s largest solar array to generate power and to generate tourism. Imagine the Superstack armoured in solar panels, ascending 1,200 feet to the height of the stack, transforming the one-time massive pollution source into the world’s tallest solar energy source. If people come to Sudbury excited about the Big Nickel, imagine what the Superstack could become. Check out McLennan's vision for the iconic structure here.
Crime Stoppers offering $1,000 reward for information on Donovan break in and assault:
Crime Stoppers and the Greater Sudbury Police Service are seeking the public’s assistance in locating the parties responsible for a home invasion that occurred at a residence on Bloor Street Monday evening. Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers is convinced someone has information on the identity of the culprits who violently assualted two people and robbed them. The two victims were taken to hospital where they were treated for extensive injuries and subsequently released. It has been reported that the two male suspects are in their mid-20's and were wearing dark clothing at the time of the assault and robbery. Crime Stoppers is offering a guaranteed minimum $1,000 reward for tips received before midnight on Wednesday, Jan. 29, if the information leads to the identity of the culprits. Reward money will be divided if many successful tips are received. If you want to provide information on the identity and/or location of these culprits or have any information about other criminal activity, and you want to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or submit an online tip on our secure website www.sudburycrimestoppers.com.
Thieves walk away with man's wallet – and his prosthetic leg:
A King Street man was not only robbed overnight Wednesday, the crooks took his prosthetic leg, Greater Sudbury Police said in a news release. Two men entered his home around 1 a.m., the release said, and robbed him while he was asleep. “The two suspects took a pair of pants that were lying on the occupant’s bed, which contained the occupant’s wallet and prosthetic leg,” the release said. “The suspects then immediately fled the residence.” While the victim didn't see the men, police are hoping someone in the area saw something, or have information that can help them locate the thieves. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 705-675-9171 or call Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS (8477).
OPP urging the public to be on alert for phone fraudsters:
The Sault Ste. Marie OPP is reminding the public that there are frauds and scams out there trying to pry you away from your hard-earned money. The OPP would like you to be alert and prevent youself from becoming a victim. Phone scams continuously change as fraudsters attempt new ways to steal your money or identification. Recently, the Sault Ste. Marie OPP received a complaint from a person who provided personal information to someone over the phone. During the conversation, the caller provided a name of a constable allegedly from the Sault Ste. Marie Detachment along with the detachment phone number. When the victim called the Sault Ste. Marie Detachment and found out that the said constable did not exist, the victim came to the realization that they had provided personal information to a fraudster. The OPP want you to do your homework prior to giving any personal information or money to anyone. If you suspect you may be the victim of fraud or have been tricked into giving personal or financial information, contact your local OPP detachment at 1-888-310-1122 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Gentili: Comment moderation, how we do it, why we do it and why you can’t comment on some stories:
Sudbury.com managing editor Mark Gentili pulls back the curtain on how the comment section is moderated on our website. "We’ve tried to keep the rules pretty straightforward in order to keep the conversation going. We ask people to discuss things fairly and constructively, and refrain from cursing and insulting or attacking other readers for their opinions," writes Gentili. "As the editor, I’ve been reluctant to close comments on stories. I prefer to give warnings to commenters who stray too often over the line. If that doesn’t work, we flag a user’s account so every post they make has to be approved by a moderator before it appears publicly." Read the full column here.
Yay, Feb. 1 is Snow Day! Bring the fam to Bell Park for some winter fun:
Residents are invited to a free outdoor family celebration on Snow Day, Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. near the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre in Bell Park. Activities at the event, put on by the City of Greater Sudbury, include sliding, climbing, snowshoeing, skating, snowboarding and much more. A warm-up area, equipped with change tables and nursing stations, will be available for families with babies and young children. Transportation to Bell Park will be free of charge aboard GOVA Transit when passengers inform the bus operator they are attending Snow Day. Free helmets and equipment for activities will be available for loan at the Bell Park entrance. Meals and snacks can be purchased from food vendors. The schedule of Snow Day activities may change dependent on weather conditions.
Friday Weather:
Still no sign of the sun as cloudy skies are expected again Friday. There's a 60 per cent chance of flurries and risk of freezing rain late in the afternoon. Today's high will get above the freezing mark, sitting at 1. A few flurries tonight, changing to freezing rain mixed with ice pellets after midnight. Overnight low will be -1, feeling like -7 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.
