Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Superior Court rules against argument that city acted in bad faith in KED decision:
Superior Court Justice Gregory Ellies ruled against Sudbury businessman Tom Fortin's application to quash four bylaws related to the Kingsway Entertainment District. Fortin's lawyer, Gordon Petch, argued on June 29 during a two-day Superior Court hearing that city council acted in bad faith and was not transparent in their decision to approve the Kingsway Entertainment District. Petch spent hours unpacking transcripts of the June 27, 2017 council meeting when the KED was approved, pointing to instances of intimidation and smear campaigns by members of council against the Sudbury BIA, in-camera meetings and more that added up to the city not adhering to a robust democratic objective. The city's lawyer, Tom Halinski spent the second day of the hearing going over Petch's arguments, indicating that everything was above board and the city had never acted in bad faith, and asking that Fortin's application be dismissed. On Sept. 4, Ellies ruled against Fortin's application, making way for a two-day Local Planning Appeals Tribunal (LPAT) hearing scheduled for Sept. 17 and 18. Full story here.
GSPS bust ‘extensive’ illegal cannabis grow op in Chelmsford:
Greater Sudbury Police have charged three people after uncovering what they say is an “extensive outdoor cannabis grow operation” in Chelmsford. Police say they received information about the grow op in August, and began an investigation in conjunction with the OPP. A search warrant was executed Sept. 1. Over two days, a search of the property revealed a large outdoor grow operation with approximately 1,000 cannabis plants that the property owners did not have a licence for. Upon searching the residence and outbuildings on the property, a sophisticated cannabis resin (hash oil) extraction lab was uncovered. Police say this extraction lab posed an obvious danger to the officers as well as the public. The total estimated value of the seizure is approximately $2 million in cannabis and $143,625 in cannabis resin extraction lab equipment. Find the full story here.
No expected plea from Callam Rodya:
Former reporter Callam Rodya wasn’t in court Friday morning, where it was anticipated he would enter a plea. Instead, his lawyer, Jacob Gauthier, told the court via teleconference there is still disclosure that needs to be reviewed. He asked the matter be adjourned until Sept. 16. Ontario Court Justice John Keast agreed, allowing the case to be adjourned. On Sept. 14, it will be 19 months since his arrest, when he was charged with possession of child pornography, accessing child pornography, making available child pornography and one count of possession of a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine). Rodya has been out on bail since February 2019. He is a former reporter at Sudbury.com and was a reporter with CTV in Sudbury at the time he was arrested and charged.
At home on the frontlines: Sudbury soldier shares story of being deployed during COVID-19:
Warrant Officer Michael Young was back at the Sudbury Armory on Sept. 3 as the Irish Regiment gathered for the first time since March, when much of the country was brought to a halt due to COVID-19. Young was one of 20 Sudbury soldiers from the Irish Regiment who were on-call when the pandemic hit, with Young travelling to CFB Borden in early April for what was dubbed Operation Laser - the Canadian Armed Forces' domestic response to COVID-19. "The minister of health took a look at the state of the long-term care homes and they put in a request to the military," said Young. "Guys from Ontario and Quebec, other platoons got there the last week of April when things were kind of tapering off, and then we got sent to a home that didn't have any military support yet on May 31 and they needed that extra push and mentoring to get the back into what we called the green." Young was part of a group that was made up of 14 health services personnel and 23 soldiers who performed general duties at the long-term care home. More on this story here.
Sturgeon Falls assaults — including baseball bat attack — result in charges against 3 people:
Three Sturgeon Falls residents have been charged after an Aug. 31 series of events that at one point included an assault with baseball bats. The Nipissing West OPP received the report of two people fighting with baseball bats on Cache Bay Road in Sturgeon Falls. An off-duty officer was on scene, attempting to intervene. An investigation revealed that an altercation had ensued at a residence on Cache Bay Road, where one person was assaulted and the suspect left the scene on foot. The suspect was subsequently confronted down the road and assaulted by two other individuals. The victim from the assault at the residence was transported to hospital by ambulance and suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries. The other victim was taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries. Get the full story here.
Cochrane man suspected of impaired driving stopped by OPP in Chelmsford:
A Cochrane man has been charged with refusing to take an impaired driving breath test after the OPP received a complaint about an impaired driver southbound on Highway 144, north of Cartier. The OPP received the call at around 8:20 p.m. Sept. 1. Officers located and stopped the vehicle on Highway 144 in Chelmsford. Police say their investigation revealed the driver had consumed alcohol. A breath demand was issued and the driver refused to comply and was subsequently arrested. The 28-year-old Cochrane man was charged with: Failure or Refusal to Comply with Demand. The accused was released on a promise to appear in court Sept. 23 in Sudbury.
NLFB announces lineup for Sept. 19 drive-in concert at New Sudbury Centre parking lot:
Despite no summer festival in July, the Northern Lights Festival Boréal team has been steadily planning new ways to bring live music experiences to the community. The organization said it was thrilled last week to announce NLFB #49, a diverse and exciting presentation of festival programming in alternative formats. The veteran music & arts festival has been re-introducing live music in ways that are safe, responsible and fun. This special festival #49 programming culminates in the region’s first-ever drive-in concert event, featuring some past festival favourites, as well as a few new faces. The Sept. 19 concert will include: Canadian roots-pop icon Serena Ryder, dynamic songwriter/performer Hawksley Workman, Toronto roots/folk/soul artist Julian Taylor, as well as locals Martine Fortin and Maxwell José. The event will take place in partnership with Horizon Drive-in, at the New Sudbury Centre parking lot (1349 Lasalle Blvd.) For ticket information and more click here.
