Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Public Health Sudbury reports 34 new COVID-19 cases for March 8:
As Sudbury begins a new work week by moving into the Red-Control zone, Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) reported that there are 34 new cases of COVID-19 in the area. PHSD also said there are now 204 active cases being actively monitored. This is the highest number of active cases in Sudbury since COVID-19 tracking began a year ago. There are 150 more cases more than what was reported last Monday. Since the pandemic was declared in March 2020, there have been 818 total COVID-19 cases reported to the Sudbury health unit. PHSD said 614 of those cases have been resolved locally. In regards to where the new cases might have occurred, the PHSD daily update page reported that 34 cases were found to have occurred within the Greater Sudbury Area. With respect to possible causes of the new cases, PHSD reported 28 cases as "under investigation”. Six other cases were described as being close contact of a confirmed case. On the provincial COVID-19 roster Monday, the Ontario government daily website reported there were 1,250 new confirmed COVID-19 cases across the province.
PHSD bans team sports, restricts restaurant dining as city enters Red-Control zone:
As Public Health Sudbury & Districts entered the Red-Control level of the provincial COVID-19 response framework Monday, the health unit is putting in place additional measures that it hopes will slow the spread of the virus. In keeping with the need for enhanced measures to safeguard health, Public Health Sudbury & Districts has issued two formal Letters of Instruction under Ontario Regulation 263/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 2, under the Reopening of Ontario Act, to all food premises and sports and recreation facilities. These instructions come into effect on Wednesday, March 10, at 12:01 a.m., and include the following measures, in addition to all measures already in place under the Red-Control framework. The Letter of Instruction will apply to all persons responsible for food premises with indoor and/or outdoor dining areas open to the public within the Public Health Sudbury & Districts service area. In addition to the Red-Control requirements, Public Health is now requiring that all patrons seated at the same table in a dining area of a food premise be from the same household, with some exemptions for patrons who live alone or are caregivers. The Letter of Instruction will apply to all persons responsible for sports and recreation fitness facilities open to the public within the Public Health Sudbury & Districts service area. In addition to the Red-Control requirements, Public Health is now requiring that additional measures be implemented to prohibit in-person team sports from being played or practised, as well as prohibiting activities (outside team sports) that result in individuals coming within three metres of one another. Get the full story here.
Urban Air Adventure Park visitors potentially at high risk to COVID-19 exposure:
Anyone who attended Urban Air Adventure Park at 1066 Barrydowne Rd. on Saturday, Feb. 27, is advised to seek COVID-19 testing as soon as possible. In addition to this, if you are symptomatic or become symptomatic at any time, you should seek testing. Even if you receive a negative test result, you must remain home and self-isolate up until and including March 13, 2021. For the duration of your isolation period, everyone else in your household is required to stay home except for essential reasons. Get the full story here.
EcoLife owner’s trial gets underway, here’s what you need to know:
It has been just over two years since a group of Sudburians gathered downtown to voice their frustration with a contractor who had allegedly bilked them out of thousands of dollars. The contractor in question is Dave Murray, owner of EcoLife Home Improvements, and his 15-day trial for 45 counts of fraud began March 8. Murray is being represented by Elliot Lake defense lawyer Antoine-Rene Fabris and there are almost 40 witnesses in the case. The trial runs from March 8 to March 11, then resumes March 22-26 and March 29-30, April 1 and May 3, 4 and 6. Murray was first arrested and charged in May 2019 with 20 counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of fraud under $5,000 for taking deposits for work and never accomplishing the work promised. In November 2019, Murray was arrested and charged with another 22 counts of fraud, bringing the total to 45 charges. You can get caught up with the events linked to the case over the past two years here.
Fraud trial against Ecolife owner David Murray gets underway:
Frustrated by the runaround from Ecolife Home Improvement owner David Murray spanning almost a year, Sudburian Tony Nash said he purchased windows he had already paid for and installed several of them himself. Nash was one of two witnesses to testify on Day 1 of David Murray’s 15-day fraud trial. There are more than 30 witnesses who will testify throughout the trial. In 2018, Nash was looking to have his windows and a door in his home replaced, and was visited by David Murray, who was doing work on Nash’s neighbour’s house. Nash said he was going to do the work himself, but was convinced to hire someone else to do the work. He said Murray talked to him about the benefits of the Green On Rebate program, available to residents who hire participating contractors to make insulation upgrades that qualify. It didn’t take much convincing, though. Nash said he had remortgaged his home in order to do renovations and repairs, and had more than enough money in the bank, even if there wasn’t a rebate involved. “It was kind of a rush, the grant was ending, and I didn’t have a lot of time to think (before signing the contract),” said Nash. He said Murray drafted up a contract right there in the driveway, and he admitted he did not read any of the terms and conditions. “He talked a good game,” Nash said. “It was a great deal. Even without the rebate, I thought it was still a pretty fair deal. The rebate sweetened it, but I would have still spent the money to get the work done.” When the contract was brought up in court, the Crown’s office pointed out it was dated April 4, however, Nash said he never even met Murray until the day he showed up in his driveway in June. He surmised the contract was backdated so it would qualify for the rebate program, which was cancelled by the provincial government in June 2018. Full story here.
Public library has no plans to pull Seuss titles from shelves as of yet:
Bay Used Books in Sudbury was busy this past week thanks to an announcement by Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and more than a few misconceptions about that announcement. “The big misconception is that Dr. Seuss is being banned altogether,” said Cory Gaudette, who’s worked at the used bookstore for the last five years. “We have to keep repeating that they’re not being banned. It’s just six books that are no longer being published.” Dr. Seuss Enterprises, the company that manages the author’s legacy, released a statement on March 2, coinciding with the birthday celebrations of Dr. Seuss himself, Theodor Seuss Geisel. But even though the statement was released officially on a Tuesday, the people of Sudbury must have had an inside view, Gaudette said. “It kind of started on Monday. We had a few inquiries, people who were ahead of the trend,” he said. “But then it really started on Tuesday.” Gaudette figures about 10 emails have come into the Elm Street used book store, and six calls by last Thursday, as well as walk-ins. “And then first thing this morning (March 5), five emails in the inbox and more people walking in asking for them. I think I've had three people walk in and ask for them.” While many of the calls are to inquire about copies hoping to complete collections or get in on a new investment opportunity, other contacts have been from those who simply want to know what the fuss is about. “They say, ‘We’re not really interested in the books. We just want to know what’s in them’,” Gaudette said. If you’re wondering about the books as well and you are prepared to deal with any stereotypical depictions and the guidance that comes with them, you can find them at the Sudbury Public Library. Mary Seale, co-ordinator of Library Collections for the Greater Sudbury Public Library (GSPL), would also like to mention the Dr. Seuss books have not been banned, only that “the publishing company has decided to cease publishing.” More on this story can be found here.
Let’s eat! Hardrock 42 is a ‘temple to beer’ and good food:
“Ten years in May!” It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade. Sudbury knows this is the place to go for the best selection of beer in the city. “It feels like it was yesterday,” Dave Temmerman said, recalling the day he and Jason Heaton opened the Hardrock42 Gastropub. These two chefs had been crossing paths for years, so it only seemed natural they then team up. Where to create the dream? The Days Inn (formerly the Clarion and before that The President Hotel) has proven to be just the right spot. “It’s Sudbury, so we celebrate our mining history in our name.” Despite much speculation the 42 is not from “The Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” It came instead from a photo reminisce of the Sudbury streetscape. “Here’s the vintage image on the far wall.” Temmerman points to the indistinct writing in the corner. “We had a good laugh when we discovered it actually was ’52, but the 42 felt right … sort of the perfect answer.” And it has been the perfect location. Read more here.
Tuesday Weather:
Some early signs of spring are in the forecast for Tuesday. Mostly sunny today with the high getting all the way up to 7. A few clouds expected overhead Tuesday evening with temperatures dipping just below the freezing mark. Overnight low will be steady at -1. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
