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Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Friends and family say goodbye to "kind and gentle giant" Marc Hovingh:
A community said goodbye to Provincial Constable Marc Hovingh on Nov. 28, sharing stories about the kind and caring man that he was. Marc Hovingh, a 28 year veteran of the Ontario Provincial Police died on Nov. 19 in a shooting on Manitoulin Island. Friends, family and co-workers gathered on Saturday to say their final farewell to Hovingh, while pulling back the curtain on the type of officer, friend and family man that he was. The terms "mountain of a man" and "gentle giant" were used by many who spoke at Hovingh's funeral at Manitoulin Secondary School. Hovingh's wife Lianne thanked everyone in attendance and those who have sent their condolences in the wake of the tragic death of her husband. "Thank you for what feels like an ocean of prayers," said Lianne. "I've felt no anger...whatever you're dealing with, love will do a better job than anger." Ontario Provincial Police commissioner Thomas Carrique was stoic, but heartfelt in speaking of his fallen comrade. "Thank you to Lianne, Laura, Nathan, Elena and Sarah (Hovingh's children) for the honour and privilege to honour Marc," said Carrique. "I'm here with a broken heart, I'm so sad but so proud at the same time; proud of the manner in which Marc served his community. I feel gratitude to Marc for his dedication to duty, yours was a meaningful life." The funeral service was livestreamed on Saturday and can be viewed here.
SIU investigating death at Manitoulin residence:
The province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked its mandate and have commenced an investigation into a death at a residence on Manitoulin Island. On Friday, Nov. 27, at around 10:40 p.m. the Manitoulin OPP responded to a request for assistance by the United Chiefs in Council of Manitoulin Police Service (UCCM) in response to a domestic dispute. The incident escalated to a response to a person who had barricaded themselves within a residence. During the course of the investigation, the person inside the residence was found deceased. The SIU has invoked their mandate and have commenced an investigation.
You can’t park your car on the road overnight in Greater Sudbury as of Dec. 1:
Greater Sudbury’s overnight parking bylaw will be in effect Dec. 1 through until March 31. During this time, parking is not permitted on any roadway, highway, laneway or side street within the city, between midnight and 7 a.m. The overnight parking restriction is in place to permit effective and efficient snow removal on local roadways. The bylaw will be strictly enforced, seven days a week. Motorists who do not adhere to the overnight parking bylaw may be ticketed and the vehicle may be towed if it is impeding snow removal.Exemptions to the bylaw are in place to allow overnight parking on local roadways and in municipal parking lots from 12:01 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Dec. 25, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. Residents are asked to be mindful of any snow removal requirements on these nights. For more information about the bylaw, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/parking.
City taking public input on 2021 budget:
The City of Greater Sudbury is preparing the municipal budget for City Council’s review and approval early in 2021. The goal is to prepare a plan that delivers public services which meets the community’s highest priority needs, at a cost that includes no more than a 3.9 per cent property tax increase over 2020. “We want to hear your views on service priorities and approaches that could be considered to achieve this goal,” said a news release from the city. The City of Greater Sudbury is in 58 lines of service, and each service is important to some segment of the community. Nonetheless, adjustments will be required to balance the budget and keep total costs within the 3.9 per cent guideline council established. Find out how to have your say here.
Food bank’s 40 member agencies to share in $524K from fall give:
While the world is full of negative news right now, the Sudbury Food Bank is sharing something positive — it raised $524,000 to hand out to its 40 member agencies. That amount far exceeds any total raised for past gives, which are held several times a year and provides much-needed funding for the food bank’s member agencies. Food banks and meal programs have seen a 30-per-cent increase in first-time users over the course of the pandemic, said food bank executive director Dan Xilon. “Most of these citizens and families never envisioned a need for food assistance in their lives,” said Xilon. “It’s a challenging number that has grown during this pandemic and may very well continue to grow.” Being able to raise that much money is a tangible symbol to how much giving there is in this city, said Police Chief Paul Pedersen, chair of the board for the Sudbury Food Bank. “There was a call for Sudburians to step up in the time of COVID-19, and they stepped up,” Pedersen said. “This is our largest give ever, and it’s the community giving us their hard-earned money so we can give a hand up instead of a handout.” Get the full story here.
Sudbury's health unit shifting to once-daily COVID-19 reporting:
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is further scaling back the number of COVID-19 reports that they will be releasing to the public. At the height of the pandemic, the health unit was providing updates on a nearly case-by-case basis, but in recent weeks made the change to providing updates twice daily. Starting Nov. 30, PHSD will be providing one update daily at 4 p.m. on their website. "This consistent, daily update provides timely information about case activity in our area, and the timing is aligned with the availability of data from existing sources and reporting cycles," said the health unit in an update on phsd.ca. Sudbury.com will be providing updates on new COVID-19 cases in the Greater Sudbury Area as soon as information is made available by the health unit.
Hoops for the holidays: Sudbury Five host Christmas camp:
The Sudbury Five has partnered with the YMCA to host a three-day Christmas Camp for kids aged 8-15. The camp will take place from Dec. 28-30. Players will receive professional instruction and advice from Sudbury Five head coach, Logan Stutz. This three-day camp includes a wrapped Five present for under the tree this holiday season. The present consists of a Five hoodie, Five t-shirt, and a special Five item, valued at $75. Gift the perfect present this Christmas. “The Holidays are here, along with the chilly weather, and there is nothing I love more then being able to share the court with the kids and continue to grow their skills and the game of basketball in the community," said Stutz. "It has been difficult during COVID-19 but at the same time we have been able to adapt our camps to fit the safety guidelines so the kids can still enjoy basketball in a safe environment. We wish everyone a safe Holiday and hope to see many of you at our Christmas Camp.” Two sessions will be held; session one for ages 8-11 from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. followed by session two for ages 12-15 from 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. The Sudbury Five and YMCA will be following all public health regulations including increased sanitization, temperature checks and screenings. The cost to register is $135 + HST per participant. Find out how to register here.
Monday Weather:
Get the boots and toques out, snow is expected throughout the day today. Periods of snow to start the day with around 2 cm falling. Temperature will be steady at -3, feeling like -11 with the wind this morning. Snow will continue into the evening with some local blowing snow. Temperature will drop to around -5 overnight. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
