Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Downtown Sudbury BIA plans to spend $20K to fight Kingsway project:
A potential battle is brewing between Sudbury's downtown business improvement association and city council over the group's plans to use $20,000 to fight the Kingsway Entertainment District. At its February meeting, the BIA approved a $534,000 budget, representing an increase of 2.5 per cent, an amount that includes $20,000 to help fund its fight to stop the arena from moving to The Kingsway, alongside a new casino. The BIA is joining with casino opponents to oppose the planning approvals needed to make the KED conform to zoning rules. A report headed to the city's finance department next week recommends approving the budget, minus the $20,000 set aside to fight city council's decision. Councillors have the right to approve only sections of the proposed budget, the report said, although they can't add new expenditures. Find the full story here.
Late spring means hungry bears just waking up:
Two years ago, when cold weather meant a late spring, the number of Sudburians encountering bears on city streets and backyards soared. Between April and December 2016, there were 1,470 bear calls in the city. Police were regularly being called to neighbourhoods where bears were popping up, city councillors were getting a stream of complaints from worried residents and social media was filled with videos and pictures of bruins in backyards, garbage bins and trees. Last year, with a more routine spring, the number of bear complaints dropped to 571. But the snowstorms and freezing temperatures this spring have created potentially similar conditions to 2016. After a slow start – 36 in April – the number of bear calls as of May 10 have already exceed 70 on the city's bear reporting map. More on this story here.
Ministry investigating incident that hospitalized Glencore worker:
The Ministry of Labour is currently investigating an incident that injured a worker at Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations on May 9. It was reported that a worker came in contact with a substance causing injuries. According to media reports, the worker was transported to Sunnybrook Hospital. "A ministry inspector attended the scene. No orders were issued and our investigation is ongoing," said MOL spokesperson Janet Deline.
Police make arrest in Memorial Park assault:
Greater Sudbury police have made an arrest in the case of a man who was attacked Tuesday evening in the area of Medina Lane and Memorial Park. Police responded after received the call around 11 pm, finding a 51-year old man who had bruises and cuts to his head that required stitches, police said in a news release Thursday. “The suspect had already fled the area with the man’s backpack,” the release said. “Further investigation revealed the suspect’s identity and an arrest warrant was requested for 60-year old.” The 60-year-old suspect was arrested Thursday morning when he was spotted on Elgin Street near Minto Street. He was charged with robbery, assault causing bodily harm and breach of probation. “When detectives searched him, they found 114 grams of marijuana valued at $1,400 and a prohibited weapon, being a knife,” the release said. As a result, the suspect has also been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and breach of probation.
Downtown foot chase leads to man's arrest:
A 19-year-old man was arrested May 9 after leading police on a foot chase in downtown Sudbury. Greater Sudbury Police Service responded to a call of a disturbance on Lisgar Street at about 2:40 p.m. A fight had taken place when one man was assaulted by another man near Canada Post. Officers arrived on scene and were provided a description of the man who had left the scene. Officers saw a man meeting the description on Durham Street. When the suspect saw the officers, he fled on foot. The officers chased down the suspect on foot and apprehended him a short time later.
Street sweeping on Sudbury Rocks Marathon route from Thursday until Saturday:
To ensure the Sudbury Rocks Marathon route is ready to go for runners on Sunday, crews will be out during the day sweeping the main marathon route roads from Thursday, May 10 to Saturday, May 12. This incudes Notre Dame Ave., Lasalle Blvd., Falconbridge Rd., Second Ave., Atlee Ave., Auger Ave., and Gemmel St. Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians should expect some dust during these sweeping operations. "We apologize for any inconvenience this will cause," said a notice from the City of Greater Sudbury. The Sudbury Rocks Marathon gets underway Sunday morning on Minto Street next to Tom Davies Square.
Former deputy fire chief signing debut novel at Chapters on Sunday:
Greater Sudbury's former deputy fire chief Dave Wickenden is holding a signing of his debut crime thriller novel “In Defense of Innocence” May 13. The event takes place at Chapters Sudbury from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “In Defense of Innocence” follows Janice Williams, head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Child Sex Crimes Division, as she hunts child abusers only to be beaten to their capture by a vigilante who avenges the harms done to these innocent children. When Janice uncovers the identity of the vigilante, she is faced with the dilemma to do her job to uphold the law or help this person escape a nation-wide manhunt. "In Defense of Innocence" is available at Chapters Sudbury and on the Indigo Chapters website. Readers can also find the book on the Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and IndieBound websites.
Friday Weather:
More cool temperatures ahead before a weekend warm up. Friday will see a mix of sun and cloud with the high sitting at 11. Mainly cloudy this evening with a 30 per cent chance of showers. Evening low will get down to 2. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
