Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Diocese making good progress to replace vandalized statues at The Grotto
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie is well on its way to replacing eight religious statues that were beheaded at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. The statues depict the Stations of the Cross and were originally erected in 1953. They were vandalized in May 2020, likely for the metal content, said David Sirois, assistant financial administrator at the Diocese. Statues are being crafted by artist Timothy P. Schmalz (of Sculpture by Timothy P. Schmalz Inc.), which is slowly moving ahead, and on track to have them installed by the fall, said Sirois. Learn more here.
Warning: Anecdotal reports of substance called ‘THC Gold’ circulating in Greater Sudbury
The Community Drug Strategy has received anecdotal reports of a new substance called “THC Gold” circulating in Greater Sudbury. Public Health Sudbury & Districts put out a warning about the substance Friday evening. While the health unit said it cannot confirm what THC Gold consists of, anecdotal information indicates that this substance is being offered free of charge and that these gold flakes contain various substances. This situation serves as an important reminder to the community that street drugs may be cut or mixed with substances such as fentanyl or carfentanil, and that even a very small amount of these substances can cause an overdose. Read the full story here.
Coalition tells feds University of Sudbury should get French program money instead of Laurentian
All federal money going to Laurentian University for its French-language programs should be “immediately transferred to the University of Sudbury” as the former federated university attempts to transform itself into a French-language university. That was one of the recommendations made June 3 by a spokesperson for Coalition nord-ontarienne pour une université de langue française before the House of Commons Official Languages Committee. The same coalition also asks that all French-language programming currently offered by Laurentian University, including programs recently cut by LU, “be fully and comprehensively and immediately transferred to the University of Sudbury.” Learn more here.
Sudbury Wolves ‘thrilled’ with new recruits after being awarded 1st overall selection
The Sudbury Wolves welcomed 15 new prospects to the organization through the two-day 2021 OHL Priority Selection event June 4-5. “Our staff are thrilled with the results of the draft and the way the past two days have played out,” said Sudbury Wolves VP and general manager, Rob Papineau, in a press release. “Anytime you can start off selecting a player like Quentin Musty first overall, it’s going to be an unbelievable draft. We were able to add some great players to our organization for the upcoming and future seasons. Selecting an incredible group of prospects, eight forwards, six defencemen, and one goaltender. I am incredibly proud of our scouting team as we were able to select those from the top of our list, including our top-rated forward, the number one defencemen, and our top-ranked goalie. We are really happy with the results and we are excited for our fans to join us back at the arena on Sept. 4.” The Wolves kicked off the 2021 OHL Priority Selection on Thursday, June 3, naming Quentin Musty as their first overall choice. Read the full story here.
PHSD says quicker 2nd COVID vax shots not opening up locally to general 70+ population just yet
The Ontario government announced that as of 8 a.m. on Monday, June 7, more people will be eligible to receive their second doses of COVID-19 vaccine sooner than previously scheduled. These individuals include the following: those aged 70 and over in 2021 as well as individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) on or before April 18, 2021. However, the ability to book second dose appointments sooner than previously scheduled in Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ service area is based on the local vaccine supply, the health unit said in a press release. Public Health is constantly adding more clinics and appointments to make sure the most people possible can get vaccine based on our local supply. If you do call or check online at times and don’t find available appointments either for a first or second dose, please call or check back again—appointments are added routinely. Currently, individuals 80 years of age and older in 2021 can contact Public Health to book appointments to get their second doses sooner than originally scheduled. Click here to find out who else is eligible for an accelerated second dose.
Teen allegedly driving drunk gets into collision, $22K worth of drugs found in vehicle
A teen driver who got into a collision while allegedly driving drunk on Lasalle Boulevard Friday evening is facing not only impaired driving but drug trafficking charges after a search of his vehicle turned up $22,000 worth of drugs. Greater Sudbury Police say they were called to the collision near the intersection of Lasalle and Barrydowne at around 8:45 p.m. June 4. Upon arrival, officers spoke with one of the drivers involved in the collision and detected alcohol on his breath. While speaking with the driver, officers saw what appeared to be cans of alcohol in the vehicle. Based on these observations and the odour of alcohol on his breath, officers conducted a roadside breath demand of the driver that resulted in a fail. The accused, a 17-year-old young man, was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where a Breath Technician conducted further testing using an Intoxilyzer. The young man blew over 80 and was charged with Operation While Impaired - Alcohol and Operation While Impaired – Blood Concentration Over 80mg. Upon his arrest, officers searched the vehicle and located over 600 grams of Cannabis and 90 grams of what is believed to be Heroin. The estimated value of the drugs is over $22,000. Officers also found $3,000 on the driver when he was searched after being arrested. Read more here.
Firefighters called out to Fisher Wavy concrete plant after equipment catches fire
Firefighters were dispatched to the Fisher Wavy concrete plant in Skead early Saturday morning after equipment inside the plant caught fire. As of late Saturday morning, the fire was considered “under control,” as firefighters continued to put out difficult-to-reach areas. The fire department got the call at around 6 a.m. Saturday after passing motorists reported a large column of black smoke coming from the complex off of Skead Road. Equipment inside of the cement block/steel industrial structure had caught fire, and spread to other areas of the building, including office and storage space. “The fire appeared to have been smouldering and/or growing for a period of time,” said Deputy Fire Chief Jesse Oshell. He said fires of this nature are always challenging to extinguish, as they involve potential hazards for firefighters and difficult-to-access areas. Fisher Wavy officials were on hand at the site to give information on the building’s layout and any hazards. So far, there have been no injuries reported, Oshell said. Nobody was at the plant when the fire started, as the company had ceased operations for the day as of late afternoon Friday. He said the cause of the fire is currently unknown, although it is not considered suspicious in nature. Although it’s difficult to give a damage estimate for an industrial fire, Oshell said the company is probably looking at $500,000 or more. “But I don’t have a good dollar value for their specific equipment,” he said.
