Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Federated universities also in the crosshairs as part of LU’s CCAA process:
Although not much attention has been paid to the topic so far, Laurentian University intends to “review and restructure” its relationship with the federated universities operating on campus — Huntington University, Thorneloe University and the University of Sudbury. Laurentian is taking these actions after declaring itself insolvent and announcing plans to restructure with a deadline of April 30 under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA). The intention to review Laurentian’s relationship with federated universities operating on campus is referred to several times in court documents and other materials related to the CCAA process. Other goals include the review and restructuring of academic programs and the Laurentian University Faculty Association collective agreement, and plans to reduce Laurentian’s overall employee headcount. More on this story here.
Sudburian facing $3,000 fine for breaching the quarantine act:
A Sudbury resident is facing a $3,000 fine for ignoring quarantine rules after travelling to the United States, Greater Sudbury Police said this morning. GSPS said they were notified on Feb. 20 by a quarantine officer with the Public Health Agency of Canada that a Sudbury resident had breached the Quarantine Act by returning from the U.S. with outdated test results and then ignored rules about self-isolating. “Information provided was that a resident of Greater Sudbury had returned to Canada from the United States on February 19, 2021 with COVID test results that did not meet the current Federal timeline requirement,” GSPS said in a news release. “Under the authority of the Quarantine Act, the individual was directed to the designated quarantine facility in Toronto in order to be tested and await the test results prior to returning to Greater Sudbury. The individual was advised that failing to do so would be in direct contravention of the Quarantine Act resulting in a fine.” Police said the person ignored the order to report to a quarantine facility for testing, instead returning home to Sudbury. Get the full story here.
Man facing numerous charges after drugs and explosives found in Lively residence:
A 25-year-old man was arrested and charged after he was found to be in possession of drugs and weapons. On Feb. 16, Greater Sudbury Police Services received information that a resident on Moxam Drive in Lively was in possession of explosives and illicit drugs. Detectives from the GSPS Major Crime Section of the Criminal Investigation Division began an investigation into the matter. Based on the investigation, detectives applied for and were granted Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrants for the residence. Shortly before 1:50 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18, members of the GSPS Emergency Response Unit conducted a high-risk vehicle stop on Moxam Road taking the 25-year-old man into custody. Once the man was in custody, members of the Emergency Response Unit made entry into the residence and members specializing in Explosive Disposal conducted a search of the home locating the explosives. The explosives were rendered safe by Explosive Disposal Technicians on scene and then transported to a location where they were safely disposed of. As a result, a 25-year-old man has been charged with: Utter Threats (two counts), Possess Explosives to Endanger Life or Cause Damage to Property, Possession of an Explosive without a Lawful Excuse, Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000, Unsafe Storage of a Firearm and Ammunition, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon. He attended bail court on Friday, Feb. 19 to answer to the charges.
Public Health Sudbury reports no new COVID-19 cases for Feb. 22:
Public Health Sudbury and District (PHSD) revealed Monday that there are no new cases of COVID-19 in the area. With three recoveries included in Monday’s update, the number of active known cases in the region has fallen to 21. Since the pandemic was declared in March 2020, there have been 583 total COVID-19 cases reported to the Sudbury health unit, with 562 of those cases being resolved locally. On the provincial COVID-19 report, the Ontario government daily website reported 1,058 new confirmed COVID-19 cases across the province on Feb. 22. The province also reported 11 new deaths had occurred in the previous 24 hours.
‘Probable’ cases of COVID-19 at Cyril Varney, Lasalle Secondary:
What is being termed “probable” cases of COVID-19 have been reported at both Cyril Varney Public School and Lasalle Secondary School. Both schools remain open for in-person learning, said letters dated Feb. 21 posted on the Rainbow District School Board’s website. The affected individuals are currently self-isolating and being monitored by Public Health Sudbury & Districts while the investigation continues. The Grade 1 class at Cyril Varney has been asked to self-isolate until further notice. The afternoon portion of bus route N100 for Cyril Varney has also been cancelled until further notice. A previous case of COVID-19 was also announced at Cyril Varney last week. At Lasalle, two classes have been asked to self-isolate until further notice: Grade 10 History CHC-2D0-01 and Grade 10 English ENG-2D0-03. There is no impact on transportation at Lasalle. The affected students, their parents/guardians and relevant staff at both schools have been notified and have received a letter from Public Health with specific guidance.
Canada to receive record 640K vaccine doses this week with Pfizer, Moderna deliveries:
Canada is poised to receive a record number of COVID-19 vaccine doses this week thanks to scheduled deliveries from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, as the country looks to speed up its vaccination efforts. The Public Health Agency of Canada says it expects more than 640,000 shots from the pharmaceutical giants this week, which would represent the largest number of deliveries in a single week. The previous record was set last week when Pfizer and BioNTech delivered more than 400,000 doses of their vaccine following a month-long lull while they expanded a production plant in Europe. The two companies will ship more than 475,000 shots this week before scaling back slightly to 445,000 doses per week as they look to fulfil their commitment to deliver 4 million jabs by the end of March. Canada will also receive 168,000 shots this week from Moderna, which ships its doses every three weeks. Unlike the Pfizer-BioNTech shots, Moderna's are largely destined for northern and remote communities. The expected influx of vaccine shots follows news on Friday that the millionth Canadian had received a first dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. Full story here.
Volunteer safely from your home with Virtual Activity Pods:
Older adults in Sudbury can now continue their volunteerism and socialize from the safety of their home thanks to a new initiative by Volunteer Sudbury. Virtual Activity Pods is targeted towards residents 55 or older and will help decrease feelings of social isolation by providing innovative ways to get involved in the community despite the ongoing pandemic. Here’s how it works. Three groups or “pods” meet virtually on Zoom once a week for a 12-week period. Each pod has a different theme, including crafting and messages of hope. The activities cover a wide range of topics, such as sewing masks and knitting winter wear to donate to community organizations such as warming centres and shelters, and assembling care packages and writing cards and notes for front-line workers in a continued effort to thank them. The program has no cost for participants, and all the supplies needed for the activity pods are delivered via contactless delivery. Each pod will be led by another older adult in the community, who will act as a liaison between Volunteer Sudbury and their group, helping to plan and facilitate the meetings and activities each week on the video calls. Learn more about this initiative here.
Tuesday Weather:
Mild day on tap with rain showers and flurries possible today. Mostly cloudy Tuesday with a 40 per cent chance of rain showers or flurries. The high will get up to 4 today. Cloudy into the evening with periods of snow expected tonight. Overnight low will drop to -6, feeling like -10 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.
