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Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Video: Pandemic shutdown ‘a nightmare’ for homeless left without water or toilets, advocate says:
When the pandemic hit back in March, Sudburians were told to stay home. Meanwhile, the shutdown of services forced Sudbury’s most vulnerable members to fend for themselves on the streets. Sudbury.com spoke with Bob Johnston, founder of Tomorrow's Hope, to get a better understanding of what it has been like for those less fortunate. Hear what Johnston and business owners had to say about the city's response in relation to homeless, mental health and addiction in Sudbury's downtown core in this video.
Fire marshal investigating ‘suspicious’ Nov. 1 fire on King Street:
A fire at a five-unit apartment building on King Street Monday is being considered suspicious, and is now under investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office. “The nature of the fire and the conditions that our crews found upon extinguishing the fire and conducting our preliminary investigation all led to a determination that we needed to bring in the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office and the police service,” said Deputy Chief Jesse Oshell of Greater Sudbury Fire Services. He said the fire started in the building’s basement, in the laundry room/furnace/storage area of the structure. Oshell said the building’s residents told fire officials that homeless people would often come into the building and sleep in the basement. Whether that is related to the cause of the fire will be determined by the investigation. With significant fire and smoke damage throughout the building, Oshell estimates damage at around $250,000 to $300,000. More on this story here.
Sudbury flu shots up by more than 10 per cent over 2019:
Some Ontario residents might see it as bad news, but Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, the medical officer of health for Public Health for Sudbury and Districts, sees the shortage in the flu vaccine program as "a really good news story." Sutcliffe was commenting on the fact that there is currently a shortage of flu vaccine doses in Ontario, but she said that doesn't mean fewer people are getting vaccinated. "My understanding is that this is a question of increased interest and uptake this year, which is a really good news story. And possibly it's just a question of the timing of the delivery, but I don't know that for certain," said Sutcliffe on Tuesday. The reality was spelled out Monday by Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott in response to a question from Nickel Belt MPP and opposition health critic France Gélinas, who wanted to know why some pharmacies in Northern Ontario had run out of the flu vaccine. Elliott responded by revealing that Ontario residents have been coming out to get flu shots in unprecedented numbers. "I can tell you that as of today (Monday, Nov.2), just at pharmacies, over one million doses have already been given to people. Whereas this time last year, it was 150,000, and we almost had to beg people to come in to get the flu vaccine. Over one million doses already. So this is a very successful flu campaign. As I said, I’m very grateful that the people of Ontario are coming forward to get their flu shot," Elliott said. Get the full story here.
‘It’s all still a bit of a shock’ says family who won $141K in HSN’s latest 50/50 draw:
A new Oculus VR headset, a new snowmobile or house renovations: These are on the list of possible purchases for the Sudbury family that won $141,105 in Health Sciences North’s 50/50 Cash Lottery for the North. Danny and Julie Moulton purchased the winning ticket for the record-setting jackpot in the October draw. “We have been purchasing tickets since September, and, for us, it wasn’t a tough decision to buy in,” said the couple. “We have used HSN many times as our oldest son has epilepsy and our youngest has Type 1 diabetes. The care our sons receive at HSN has been excellent. It feels great to win, but it’s good to know the other half of the winnings support the hospital, too." More on this story here.
Elevated water levels on Wanapitei River prompts Conservation Sudbury to raise the risk level:
Conservation Sudbury is raising the watershed condition on the Wanapitei River to Water Safety level. Water Safety level means high flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected. With warmer temperatures forecast for the rest of this week, along with cooler evenings, have elevated water levels and stream flows on the Wanapitei River, and will remain elevated for some time. “The inundation of low-lying areas, adjacent to watercourses with a history of flooding, continues,” said a news release. Developing conditions must be closely monitored by all residents, especially those living in known low-lying, hazard areas where overland flooding or ponding could become an issue. Public safety is the No. 1 priority, especially for children who may be attracted to the edge of creeks or rivers. The cold, fast-flowing water must be avoided. Stream banks will be very slippery and unsafe, and must be avoided.
Massive poppy flag flying again over the Nickel City:
For the second year in a row, one of the largest poppy flags on the continent is flying high above Sudbury. A group of a few dozen Sudburians gathered on Oct. 30 for the raising of the flag. Adorned with a large poppy and the familiar phrase 'Lest We Forget', the flag measures 4.5-metre by 9-metre (15x30 feet), and will be flown at the flagpole that was put up by Lopes Ltd. last summer in the city's Minnow Lake area at the corner of Falconbridge and The Kingsway. The flag-raising was held in partnership between RufDiamond and gold mining company IAMGOLD. This year's master of ceremonies was Daryl Adams, cofounder of RufDiamond and a Canadian Forces veteran, who explained that the second annual flag raising was to signal the start of the 2020 poppy campaign. "To see the support from the community and the genuine interest from IAMGOLD without any fanfare, just to do the right thing, that's powerful and it means so much," said Adams. "The poppy to me represents part of our history, it reminds me of the time I spent in the military and it resonates as a symbol of freedom that was paid for by others and most of them aren't here now." The last Friday of October is traditionally the kickoff to the poppy campaign. Adams encouraged everyone in attendance to "get their poppy and wear it proudly."
Sudbury teen thrilled to meet Umbrella Academy’s Tom Hopper, in town filming Resident Evil:
One of the exciting things about movies and television shows being filmed here in Greater Sudbury is the chance for locals to potentially rub shoulders with their favourite celebrities. With the reboot of “Resident Evil” currently filming in town, Vienna Lessard, 13, got to do just that Monday afternoon. She and her dad, Dan Lessard, were able to meet British actor Tom Hopper, who is in Greater Sudbury for the “Resident Evil” shoot, in which he’s playing the role of the villanous Albert Wesker. But Vienna was excited to meet Hopper not for his role in "Resident Evil" (which is still pretty darn cool), but because he plays the role of Luther Hargreeves in her favourite television show, “The Umbrella Academy.” The Grade 8 student at École St-Denis is a huge fan of the show, having watched both seasons about three times already. Find out more about Vienna's brush with celebrity here.
Wednesday Weather:
Mild weather will return to Greater Sudbury on Wednesday. Mostly cloudy today but the high will be back in the double digits, sitting at 11. Partly cloudy this evening with the low getting down to around 6. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
