Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Black Monday: Laurentian axes 58 undergrad, 11 grad programs:
Laurentian University announced Monday that it will be axing 58 undergraduate and 11 graduate programs as it restructures amid insolvency. Of those programs, 34 are English-language programs and 24 are French-language. That leaves the university with 107 undergraduate programs and 33 graduate programs, the university said in a statement released Monday. According to posts on the Save our Sudbury Facebook page, which is dedicated to opposing the restructuring at Laurentian, employees were let go Monday via group Zoom meetings. Brett Buchanan, a professor in the School of Environment, said in a tweet that more than 100 people were let go at the university, including himself. A full list of the programs that have been cut can be found here.
Federated university students will be able to complete their degrees, Laurentian president vows:
Students enrolled in programs at any of Laurentian’s federated universities will be able to complete their degree, said the president and vice-chancellor of Laurentian University. Last week, Laurentian announced that it had terminated its federation agreement with Huntington University, Thorneloe University and the University of Sudbury. Dr. Robert Haché said despite the uncertainty surrounding the situation with Laurentian, students at the federated universities will still be able to complete their degrees. “Students enrolled in programs and courses through the federated universities are Laurentian students, and Laurentian will continue to ensure that all students are provided with an academic path forward to completion of their degree, notwithstanding this change in the contractual federation relationship,” said Haché. Students will be offered a place within a similar or alternative program or course at Laurentian, and assistance will be available to help navigate those choices, said Haché. Laurentian has already undertaken a review of the academic path for each student enrolled in programs at any of the federated universities, and has developed options that are available for each student to consider. “We want to reiterate that all federated university students are Laurentian students: credits you have earned at the federated universities, including in this current term, will count towards your Laurentian degree,” he said.
Ontario schools moving to online-only following April break:
Ontario students will not be returning to class following the April break, and Ontario schools will move to online-only for the time being. Ontario Premier Doug Ford made the announcement on April 12, indicating that community spread of COVID-19 was a major point of concern. "The problem is not in our schools it's in our community spread," said Ford. "Bringing our kids back to a congregate setting in our schools after a week off in the community is a risk I won't take." Child care for non-school aged children will remain open, before and after school programs will be closed and free emergency child care for the school-aged children of eligible health care and frontline workers will be provided. To protect the most vulnerable, boards will make provisions for continued in-person support for students with special education needs who require additional support that cannot be accommodated through remote learning. You can watch Monday's press conference here.
Sudbury Public Health reports 41 new cases of COVID-19 for April 12:
There were 41 new cases of COVID-19 being reported by Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) for Monday April 12. Public Health also said there are now 263 active cases being monitored. That is an increase of 25 cases over Sunday. Also, since the Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) began tracking COVID-19 cases just over one year ago, there have been 1,740 total COVID-19 cases confirmed locally. PHSD also said 1,477 of those cases have been resolved. With respect to where the newest COVID-19 cases might have occurred, the Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) daily update page reported that 40 of the new cases were found to have occurred within the Greater Sudbury Area. One new case was reported from the wider Sudbury district. In terms of possible causes of the new cases, PHSD reported eight cases associated with an outbreak, 24 new cases linked to close contact of a confirmed case, one case that was travel related, and eight cases listed as "under investigation". In terms of local outbreaks, PHSD also reported a COVID-19 outbreak Saturday at the Glencore Fraser Mine. Also, on Saturday an outbreak was declared at the End Of Roll store and the Home & Have Design Studio, both in New Sudbury. PHSD declined to provide any numbers of personnel infected in those outbreaks. On the provincial COVID-19 register Monday, the Ontario government daily website reported 4,401 new confirmed COVID-19 cases across the province.
Sudbury small businesses eligible for new support program:
Small businesses in the Nickel City can access some support funds through the Regional Business Centre, the City of Greater Sudbury has said. The Next Step Small Business Support Program is an initiative of the Ontario Together Fund and the province’s Small Business COVID Recovery Network. Local businesses with less than 100 employees may be eligible to access complimentary one-time professional services of up to $1,500 for new projects or initiatives that aid economic recovery, adjust operations and establish new revenue streams. Eligible full-time businesses must have registered as a sole proprietor, partnership or corporation prior to March 1, 2020. Applications will remain open between April 8 and May 2, 2021. Find out how to apply here.
Tip leads to $38K fentanyl, cocaine bust at Brodie Street residence:
Two southern Ontario residents are facing numerous charges after a tip led to a drug raid at a Garson residence on Friday. Greater Sudbury Police reported this morning that they received a tip that day that a southern Ontario resident was breaching his release conditions and was in Sudbury selling illegal drugs. After obtaining a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant, GSPS said detectives from the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) headed to a home Brodie Street in Garson where information said the man was staying. Around 9:30 p.m. Friday night, DEU officers as well as Emergency Response Unit (ERU) officers executed the warrant and took two men into custody, including the man from southern Ontario, GSPS reported. "Upon searching the residence, officers located over $38,000 worth of cocaine and fentanyl, as well as scales, packaging materials, cutting agents and multiple cell phones," GSPS said in the release. "Officers also seized $1,565 in cash." A 34-year-old man and a 38-year-old man, both from southern Ontario, were arrested and charged with: Possession of a Schedule I substance of the purpose of trafficking (x2); Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and; Breach of release order (for the 38-year-old). Both men were held in custody, before answering to the charges April 10. Both men were also issued a provincial offence notice for failing to comply ($880.) under the Reopening Ontario Act for breaching the current COVID-19 Orders.
Let’s eat! With sandwiches like no other, Cara’s is a deli destination:
Sometimes the most fundamental things are what deliver the most satisfaction. Sure, anyone can make a sandwich — or can they? At Cara’s Deli grab-and-go — like prepared subs made fresh daily — is one option, but it really is the bespoke that brings the crowds. There is often a line up outside Cara’s. Sandwich artisans at Cara’s Deli build beautiful stacks of savoury delight that John Montagu, Fourth Earl of Sandwich, would pronounce inconceivably outstanding. Yes, the eponymous inventor of the sandwich — If he could rise from his grave — would see his concept of using “two slices of bread to enclose meat” taken to levels he could not imagine. Find the full story here.
Tuesday Weather:
Some cooler weather today with chances of showers. Mainly cloudy Tuesday with showers through the morning into the afternoon. Daytime high will be sitting at 11 for today. Overcast into the evening with a 40 per cent chance of showers. Overnight low will drop down to zero. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
