Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Region’s top doc urges businesses to take strong stance on face coverings:
Beginning Wednesday, Sudbury residents will be asked to wear a face covering if they want to enter local businesses or use public transit. In the case of a person who doesn't want to wear a face mask without a valid reason, business owners still have the right to let that person into their business or to turn that person away. Sudbury's chief public health official Dr. Penny Sutcliffe believes it's best to turn them away. The details of the new masking rules set out by the Ontario government were spelled out in a news release from Public Health Sudbury and Districts where Dr. Sutcliffe said, "Face coverings are extra protection to prevent COVID-19 spread. They also send a message that the wearer wants to protect others." Public response has been mixed, but some opponents are working hard to grab the spotlight with claims on social media of not being able to breathe well, that non-medical masks are not at all helpful and not liking the idea of big government trampling on their Charter rights. Sutcliffe said she understands why some people are wondering why the medical authorities changed their position on the mask issue in recent weeks, when it was not an issue three months ago. "I guess there's a number of things. We have more information about asymptomatic spread so people who don't have symptoms can still spread the virus. And more information about the effectiveness of face coverings as part of the tools in the toolbox," said Sutcliffe. She added that social distancing and hand-washing are still vital tools. She said the common goal is to keep ourselves healthy, to keep the health care system healthy and to keep local businesses healthy and economically viable. More on this story here.
City facing $10M in costs, lost revenues due to COVID-19 response:
The potential net impact of lost revenues and costs related to operations during the COVID-19 pandemic could potentially eclipse the $10 million mark by the end of the year. A report on the financial implications associated with the city's response to COVID-19 was presented to the finance and administration committee on July 7, providing the most current details of the impact that the pandemic has had on the city in terms of dollars and cents. On June 2, council was presented with the estimated financial impact of COVID-19. That report highlighted net financial impact of $5.1 million to the end of June. The net financial impact to the end of July remains at $5.1 million. While the provincial state of emergency has been extended until July 15, the city has been able to make a number of operational changes in order to reduce the potential deficit. Landfills were reopened on May 15, which will help the city mitigate lost tipping fee revenue. The city has also increased its salary gapping target from $1 million to $2.5 million and these savings will be realized at the end of 2020. Summer programs such as life guarding and service level changes in parks and leisure services resulted in the cancellation of summer student hiring. Full story here.
Child porn trial for HSN nephrologist Ian MacDonald set to start July 13:
The trial for Dr. Ian MacDonald, a Health Sciences North nephrologist charged with several counts of child pornography, begins July 13. A trial confirmation hearing was held today in the Ontario Court of Justice. The trial for the nephrologist was set for June 22-25, then was set to resume again July 13-17, however, courts were closed in March in a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. MacDonald was arrested May 15, 2019, by Greater Sudbury Police Service after staff at Health Sciences North contacted them about concerns regarding activity on a computer in the hospital, suspecting child pornography had been accessed on the device. The Internet Child Exploitation Unit and Computer Forensic Unit executed search warrants and a forensic investigation was conducted on the computer seized from MacDonald's personal office. He was charged with seven counts of accessing child pornography and two counts of possessing child pornography. He was released on bail on May 17. A court-ordered publication ban has been imposed on evidence in the case. MacDonald is being represented by Toronto lawyer Michael Lacy. MacDonald has been suspended from HSN until completion of the legal proceedings. He had been a staff physician in the nephrology department since October 2006, as well as the director of Ian MacDonald Medicine Professional Corporation, according to his Linked In profile.
‘Karen’ for Kids: Sudburian striving to raise $10,000 for NOFCC next month:
It's been five years since Karen Falldien Yawney shaved her head after raising funds for the Northern Cancer Foundation, and come the end of September of this year she will once again have her golden locks shorn. The Karen for Kids with Cancer fundraiser was officially announced on July 7, with Karen and husband Sam Yawney joining Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer (NOFCC) executive director Dayna Caruso at Timberwolf Golf Course. Karen has set a goal of raising $10,000 through donations during the month of August, which will then be given to NOFCC. Falldien Yawney raised money for the pediatric oncology unit five years ago, raising funds to help families with an array of expenses including travel, hydro bills, mortgage and rent payments. "Anything that they weren't able to pay out of pocket; there's so many expenses that these families incur that I've found out over the past few years, so I've decided it's been five years and it's time to do it again," said Falldien Yawney. Sam Yawney is the president and part owner of Golf Sudbury and has stepped in for the fundraiser as well, with three Golf Sudbury courses offering discounted golf rates to those who donate during the month of August. If you donate $5 at Timberwolf during August you'll get $10 off your next round, and if you donate $2.50 at Monte Vista or Cedar Green you'll get $5 off your next round. To donate to Karen for Kids with Cancer visit nofcc.ca or canadahelps.org/en/dn/50368, or you can contact Dayna Caruso at [email protected].
‘She was our hero’: Mom thanks business owner for small gesture that meant a lot:
A kind gesture from a small business owner means a great deal to a local mom and her four-year-old daughter. On July 5, Chantal Chartrand’s daughter, Valerie, found herself without her favourite sippy cup. For most, it wouldn’t seem like a big deal, but for Valerie, who is non-verbal autistic, it resulted in an inconsolable young girl. “Valerie gets fixated on things, and one of those things is her cup,” said Chartrand. The cup ended up breaking Sunday afternoon, and there was no consoling Valerie. Chartrand said she bought Valerie’s favourite cup at Mel’s Dollar Klub in the Hanmer mall. She goes there every few months to replace the cup, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, she hasn’t been able to visit the store. On Sunday, when she needed a new cup the most, Mel’s Dollar Klub was closed. So, Chartrand took to Facebook to see if she could track down the owner, Melanie Lacroix. She was successful, and Lacroix agreed to meet her at the store. Lacroix, who comes from a small town and has always run a family business, said helping people out like that is essentially par for the course. Living only five minutes away from her store, it was an easy choice. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the same cup in stock, but managed to find a similar cup that seemed to appease Valerie, at least for the time being. She didn’t charge Chartrand for the cup, either. Lacroix has since ordered an entire box of the cups, so there will be plenty there for Valerie in the future.
Essential Worker of the Day: Security guard Donna Bushey:
Sudbury.com is recognizing G4S Security employee Donna Bushey as Tuesday's Essential Worker of the Day. Bushey was nominated by her mom. "She's a wonderful worker and does as much as she can," Angel Bushey wrote. "Keep up the good work. Love you lots. Stay safe."
Discover: Molecular cuisine, the magical place where tasty food and science-fiction collide:
‘Red’ has a flavour. Let’s talk Popsicles, cold drinks and candy. If you reach into a freezer or cooler this summer, and take out one of these items without looking at the label or package, chances are you know the flavour, or something close to it; you’ve had an expectation of flavour ahead of your first bite. It will be some combination of berry or cherry, and when you eat it that is what you expect to taste. But what if you taste lemon. What if that red Popsicle you are just about to put in your mouth on a hot day tastes like chocolate, or avocado, instead of the flavour you expect. What about tasting a Popsicle that is spongy, airy or soft and chewy as opposed to the texture you expect? That is the beginning of the fascination with molecular cuisine. Part science, part trickery, and all delicious. Read the latest in Sudbury.com's Discover series here.
Wednesday Weather:
Mostly sunny skies in the forecast for Wednesday. Another hot day on tap today with the temperature getting up to 30, feeling like 34 with the Humidex. A few clouds expected this evening with the temperature sitting at 19 overnight. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
