Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Northern Lights Festival director promises 'best festival ever':
The 47th edition of Northern Lights Festival Boréal, starts in Bell Park on Thursday evening and runs until Sunday evening, is “going to be the best festival ever, and people should totally come." That glowing invitation was issued by Max Merrifield, the July 5-8 festival's artistic/executive director. “We couldn't be more excited,” he said. “Oh man, there's so much going on this year.” For starters, there's an all-Canadian lineup of headliners. That includes award-winning rock band Arkells on Thursday, banjoist and singer-songwriter Lisa LeBlanc on Friday, indie pop band Alvvays on Saturday and father-and-son team Bill and Joel Plaskett on Sunday. Other acts among the 55 or so to be featured in this year's edition of Northern Lights are Cree and Dene pop and electronic music singer Iskwé and Canadian rock band Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet (best known for penning the theme to “The Kids in the Hall”). Be sure to check back with Sudbury.com later today for more on what to expect from this year's festival.
City ponders doubling security for downtown transit terminal:
As part of a larger effort to overhaul Greater Sudbury Transit, a report headed to the community services committee next week calls for doubling the hours for security guards at the downtown transit terminal. The recommendation comes after an April 1 incident in which an extremely agitated and aggressive man holding two knives was shot and wounded by police. Two days later, two knives were found hidden on the terminal property. In addition to that incident, in late May 2017, a bus driver was injured by a knife-wielding passenger. In March of this year, a man being forced to leave the transit terminal attacked a security guard and threatened him with a knife. While those incidents are relatively rare, they can discourage members of public from taking the bus. Staff is recommending doubling the billable contract security hours at transit, ensuring two guards will be physically posted at the transit terminal for all hours of operation, between 6 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. The move would cost about $86,000 a year.
Sudbury senior scammed by woman claiming to be a PSW:
A Sudbury senior has been duped out of around $700 in the past year by a woman posing as a personal support worker (PSW). The latest incident occurred on June 20, when a woman, calling herself "Robin," gained entry to an elderly couple's home, stating that she was there to provide respite care for the woman. Once inside, Robin told the woman's husband that he could leave for two hours, which he did, and while he was gone Robin made her way through the home and made off with $300 in cash. This is not the first time that the woman had been victimized by this scam. Nearly a year ago, the same woman calling herself Robin gained access to the couple's home and took around $400 from them. Greater Sudbury Police Services spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn says that reports of these types of scams are not very common in Sudbury, but the police service did recently receive a call about someone posing as a PSW. "We did get a call about an incident on June 24, but nothing was taken from the home," said Dunn. "A woman showed up to a home with no ID or tags and said she was there to take measurements of the place for home care services, and the person who lived there had never requested home care so they found that suspicious and reported it to the police." Find the full story here.
Foundation seeks $2.95M for soccer dome:
The Fabio Belli Foundation is asking the city for $2.95 million towards the construction of a soccer dome next to Lasalle Secondary School in New Sudbury. Members of the community services committee will decide July 9 whether to direct staff to make a business case for the money as part of the 2019 budget process. That means the final decision will be made after the October municipal election. The Foundation is looking for $2.2 million for roadwork necessary for the dome, as well as $750,000 for a 5,000 square-foot fieldhouse with washrooms, meeting rooms and change rooms. In addition to the capital dollars, the Foundation is also looking for $25,000 a year in operating money. The dome itself is being built thanks to a $4 million grant provided by the province, which was announced in April by outgoing Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault, a friend of Belli. Other funding includes $1.1 million from the Rainbow District School Board, and $500,000 raised by the Foundation.
No bailout for Theatre Cambrian:
Theatre Cambrian's finances are in such dire straits, a report headed to city council next month recommends against providing a $150,000 lifeline to the struggling troupe. “The organization remains in a state of significant uncertainty regarding both its financial and governance status,” the report says. “Given this situation, staff recommend against a direct contribution to the organization at this time.” The group had sought a mix of grants and interest-free loans to pay their creditors. However, the staff report does recommend a $20,000 contribution – to be paid directly to the Sudbury Theatre Centre – to allow Theatre Cambrian to have shows in November of this year and in February 2019. “This contribution would enable Theatre Cambrian to produce revenue-generating events at a community venue while reducing the burden of their operational expenses,” the report says. “This approach also reduces the risk to the city while demonstrating support for their cultural mandate and history.” Theatre Cambrian's request comes after both the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra and the STC received similar bailouts from city council this year. Unlike those professional companies, however, Theatre Cambrian is primarily a volunteer organization, including its directors, producers, actors, stage managers and front of house volunteers.
Wanted Wednesday: Woman used forged documents at a bank:
The Greater Sudbury Police Service has outstanding warrants for the arrest of Starr Finlayson. It is alleged that on Dec 9, 2017, Starr Finlayson committed the offence of fraud and use of forged document at a banking establishment. Finlayson also committed numerous other offenses between December 2017 and February 2018, including breaching court-ordered conditions. She is known to be in the Greater Sudbury Area. Starr Finalyson is 25-years-old and stands 5=5 and weighs 130 lbs. She has brown hair and blue eyes. She is wanted for a number of other offenses including assault, theft under $5,000, breach of recognizance and failing to attend court. If you know this person and where she is presently located, you are urged to call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS or locally at 705-222-TIPS (8477). You must call this number to be eligible for a cash reward. Tips can also be submitted online at www.sudburycrimestoppers.com.
Ganja bears being distributed in Kirkland Lake area:
Members of the Kirkland Lake OPP are investigating an incident where a controlled substance has been distributed in the Kirkland Lake area. During the investigation, the OPP seized a quantity of gummy bears similar to those which can be purchased as children's candy. The gummy bears were found to contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the principal psychoactive compound in marijuana. The Kirkland Lake OPP wish to advise the community that along with the illegality of trafficking these cannabis-related drugs, there are health hazards associated with their use. The OPP is also encouraging parents to share this message with children of all ages as they embark upon their summer vacations. Any person with information regarding the person(s) responsible for the illegal distribution is asked to contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 or their nearest police authority.
Thursday Weather:
Mainly sunny to start the day with some increasing cloudiness by afternoon. Thursday's high will hit 32 with a 60 per cent chance of showers. Skies clearing this evening and the heat wave is expected to break with the low hitting 14 overnight. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
