Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Maley Drive extension running a $4M surplus:
The $80.1 million Maley Drive extension project is running a healthy surplus, city councillors will hear next week, and that could allow the city to extend the four-laning of a section originally planned for two lanes. The project, which will be completed at the end of 2019, is running a $4 million surplus, thanks largely to lower-than-forecast bids on contract tenders, a report headed to city council June 26 says. There's still a chance that the price of other contract tenders and construction issues could eat up the surplus, the report said. But if current trends continue, there's an opportunity to four-lane more of the first phase of the project than originally planned, making the next phase cheaper.
'Kirwanker' signs not harassment unless complaint made, police say:
Those signs that keep popping up around the city critical of Ward 5 Coun. Bob Kirwan — often referring to the polarizing elected official as "Kirwanker" — aren't harassment unless he were to complain and likely don't constitute mischief, Greater Sudbury Police say. The signs, or more accurately, banners, have popped up in various locations around the city since early May. The messages on the banners have varied. One called for his impeachment (which is impossible since you can't impeach a politician in Ontario), others were variations on the "wanker" theme, including "WanKirwan," "Kirwan = Wank!r" and "Kirwanker." A little more elaborate than simply spray-painting words on a bed sheet, some thought obviously went into the design of the banners. But while they may be annoying, they aren't likely criminal. Greater Sudbury Police spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn said they have had reports about the signs, but only from the media. "There hasn't been a report to police from a complainant," Dunn said. "I don't believe it would be considered mischief because they're not defacing property." If Kirwan complained, she said police would look into the matter to determine if anything criminal was going on.
Memory of fallen GSPS officers lives on:
Greater Sudbury Police payed their respects to a pair of former officers who were killed in the line of duty 69 years ago. On June 18, 1949, Cst. Gerry Dault and Cst. Edward Terrell responded to a domestic disturbance complaint. Terrell was shot and killed as he approached the house. Dault secured the area, making sure the public was safe, before he was fatally shot, as well. The culprit, Clarence Brosseau, whose wife and children had fled the apartment, was found dead when police rushed into the building after using tear gas. Edward Terrell was just 28-years-old when he was shot and killed. Gerry Dault 32. Both Nault and Terrell are members of the GSPS Honour Roll which pays tribute to officers who were killed in the line of duty. "On this day, June 18, in 1949, Constable Edward Terrell and Constable Gerry Dault were killed in the line of duty," said a GSPS tweet. "We remember them now and forever."
Ranking Northern Ontario's federal ridings by child poverty rate:
An anti-poverty group has released a report on child poverty rates in Canada. Campaign 2000 is using the report to push for improvements to how Canada assists struggling families and individuals, and advocating for programs, policies and services that help to lift people out of poverty. As part of that report, Campaign 2000 separated out the national rates by federal electoral riding and listed them, including which party represents the riding. For instance, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau's Toronto Centre riding has a child poverty rate of 40 per cent, meaning nearly half the children in the riding are living in poverty. Campaign 2000 said the level of income inequality, even in federal ridings with relatively high incomes, should alarm Canadians. How do Northern Ontario ridings rate? Sudbury.com went through the list to of all 338 ridings and ranked them from highest to lowest below. We've also included the name and party of the MP. The Kenora riding in the northwest has the highest child poverty rate on the Northern Ontario list, at 34.7 per cent and was ranked seventh overall in Canada. It has far and away the highest rate in the North, but five of the 10 ridings have rates that top 20 per cent. Find the rankings list here.
Now Real Food brand Zesty Sprouting Mix recalled because it may be contaminated with Salmonella:
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says Puresource Inc. is recalling a limited quantity of Now Real Foods brand Zesty Sprouting Mix - Clover, Fenugreek and Radish Seeds because two lots of it may be contaminated with Salmonella. Packages bearing the product codes Lot #3031259 and Lot #3038165, UPC 7 33739 07271 9, should not be used and should be returned to the retailer where they were purchased. Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections.
Sudbury mining humour forged in charity calendar:
The humorous side of mining in Sudbury is coming to the surface in a calendar, featuring the work of Sudbury artist Doug Bonish, which is being put together to help raise funds for charity. David Leblanc, a local fitness instructor, who's working to get the calendar made and sold, said he's motivated by all the people that he's come to know after surviving a stroke years ago and undergoing therapy. Leblanc met Bonish decades ago when he worked in mining and came to know his cartoon work. He thought that with Sudbury's strong mining heritage and Bonish's talent, the calendar would be a hit. The calendar itself features one-panel cartoons lampooning various aspects of mining jobs and life underground, from the various jobs and positions to lunch breaks and safety hazards. The calendar is slated to be ready by August. If this goes well, Leblanc said they might put together another calendar of Bonish's work with a hunting and fishing theme. To inquire, contact Leblanc at 705-522-7838, or [email protected].
Can you catch the ace? Raffle supports Sudbury Food Bank:
The Catch the Ace raffle in support of the Sudbury Food Bank and hosted by Overtime Sports Bar and Grill returns for another week this Thursday as the jackpot continues to grow. The raffles are held every Thursday from 5 -8 p.m. until the ace of spades is picked. The raffle is heading into week 12 and the progressive prize for Thursday June 21 is now $552.00 + 30 per cent of the night’s proceeds. The public is invited to participate and support a great cause for a chance to win the monetary prize. For more information about Catch the Ace or the Sudbury Food Bank visit www.sudburyfoodbank.ca. Must be 19+ to purchase tickets to participate.
Tuesday Weather:
Look for a mix of sun and cloud to start the day. Clouds should clear this afternoon and the high will reach 24. Some cloudy periods expected this evening with the low sitting around 14. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
