Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Young girl allegedly attacked at Ryan Heights Playground:
News about a young girl who was physically attacked in the Flour Mill has residents concerned. "It’s alarming. It's quite scary." Amanda Peltier said. "I haven’t been living here for very long time but I have known this area to be safe to my knowledge so it's kind of a surprise." A Facebook post made on the Ryan Heights Bulletin Board said a 10-year-old girl was physically attacked by a man on Jan. 14 between 8:30 and 9 a.m. The post said the incident took place at the Ryan Heights Community Playground by the back fence walkway that children use to walk to Queen Elizabeth II Public School. The post also said, the man ran towards the Balmoral Apartment building after the assault. The Greater Sudbury Police Service has not release a statement regarding the alleged attack but said they are actively investigating the incident. The man is described as an older adult male with grey/white hair and a beard. He was wearing a dark blue coat and dark coloured jeans. The victim was wearing a pink checkered coat and a blue hat. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS (8477)
Council to debate Ford's Bill 66 bylaw, which allows developers to sidestep planning rules:
The planning committee has referred debate of the province's open-for-business bylaw to next month's meeting of city council. Meeting on Monday, the committee was joined by Mayor Brian Bigger, who pointed out that Bill 66, the act creating the bylaw, is far from final. At this point, the province is looking for feedback. "This is requesting comments, it's a consultation with municipalities at this point," Bigger said. Formally known as Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, the bill was introduced in in the legislature last December. The legislation includes clauses that would allow developers of major projects to bypass a number of planning approvals normally required, with the goal of getting to a decision within a year. Open-for-business bylaws would be directed to industrial developments that create at least 50 jobs. Cities must receive approval from the province to enact the bylaw, but don't have to hold public hearings first. Get the full story here.
Disciplinary hearing for GSPS officer continues today:
A disciplinary hearing for Greater Sudbury Police constable Roberty Rheaume began on Tuesday. Rheaume is a 17-year veteran of the police service and is pleading not guilty to charges of discreditable conduct. The constable is accused of discrediting the GSPS in several Facebook comments he posted that were highly critical of the salaries of four civilian GSPS staff. All four are women. Wideley circulated among the rank and file, Rheaume allegedly refused to remove the posts when told they contravened GSPS social media policy and workplace harassment rules, saying it was a free speech issue. The hearing is expected to conclude today. Check back with Sudbury.com for updates.
Sudbury in the top 10 for worst cities for bed bugs:
Orkin Canada has released its annual list for top bed bug cities in the country, and for a third straight year Sudbury ranks eighth in Canada. Sudbury was ranked eighth in 2017 and 2018 as well. Topping the list was Toronto, followed by Winnipeg in second and St. John's in third. In less than two decades, this pest has gone from a rarely experienced irritant to a major problem. No one is immune because bed bugs can thrive in either clean or dirty homes and some entomologists are warning this epidemic is set to get worse. Orkin Canada is reminding everyone at this time of year, after all the parties and social events, it is likely some bed bugs have found themselves new homes. The findings by Orkin Canada are based on the number of commercial and residential bed bug treatments carried out by the country’s largest pest control provider.
'His contributions were immeasurable': Wahnapitae FN customary chief passes away at 91:
The man who made Wahnapitae First Nation what it is today passed away Jan. 11 at the age of 91. Norman Recollet, first customary chief of the First Nation located near Capreol, a position he held for 28 years, was born in 1927 on the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island. He returned to his people's traditional territory of the Wahnapitae First Nation in 1964, establishing Post Creek Campground with his wife Muriel. Although the community now numbers a little over 100, with a band list of 550, Recollet and family were the sole occupants of Wahnapitae First Nation for a quarter century, ensuring the preservation of its reserve status. Full story can be found here.
Teen caught driving more than 50 km/h over speed limit:
A teen driver from Sudbury had his vehicle impounded and his driver's licence suspended after he was caught driving at excessive speeds on the Highway 17 bypass on Jan. 12. At around 10:06 a.m., OPP Traffic Incident Management Efficiency team members were approached from behind by a vehicle travelling at more than 50 km/h over the speed limit on the Highway 17 bypass in Sudbury. As a result of the investigation, an 18-year-old male from Sudbury was charged with stunt driving - excessive speed. The driver is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury, on Feb. 11. The vehicle he was operating was impounded for seven days and his driver's licence was suspended for seven days.
Wednesday Weather:
Periods of snow this morniong and local blowing snow ending in the morning then clearing. Temperature will drop to -15 this afternoon, feeling like -24 with the wind chill. Clear skies this evening with some increasing cloudiness overnight. Low will be -27, feeling like -32 with the wind chill. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
