Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Green Party leader stops in Sudbury ahead of October election:
There's something liberating about talking with politicians who don't exactly expect to sweep into power in the next election. Not to say Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, isn't in the October federal election to win it. But even at 10.6 per cent in national opinion polls – a historic high – May has no illusions about governing after the Oct. 21 vote. In Greater Sudbury on Tuesday, May visited the Northern Life building for an interview. In contrast with candidates and party leaders aiming to take power – who often treat media interviews as either a dance with the devil, or a sort of test to see how well they stick to party talking points – May was relaxed and talkative. What has separated the Greens from Canada's traditional parties is their willingness to tell Canadians things they don't want to hear, and to resist the urge to demonize opponents, such as climate change deniers – a term she dislikes. Full story can be found here and be sure to check back with Sudbury.com closer to October's election for the full interview.
Driver in critical condition after crashing into Hwy. 144 rock cut:
One person was airlifted to hospital Tuesday morning after a pickup truck crashed into a rock cut off Highway 144 at Crab Lake south of Cartier. The roadway was closed for several hours as a result of the collision. Investigation into the collision is ongoing.
Backpack Buddies: Free backpacks, school supplies being handed out Thursday:
If you're interested in receiving free backpacks and school supplies for your children, you're going to want to show up at Brady Storage Solutions during the evening of Aug. 22. The second annual “Backpack Buddies of Sudbury” distribution of school supplies runs at Brady Storage Solutions (20 Brady St.) from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22. Brady Storage Solutions, Our Children, Our Future and Cooper Equipment Rentals partnered in 2018 to help ensure that less fortunate children who live in our community can start the school year on the right foot with a backpack and school supplies. The program's goal was to help more families in the community cope with the financial burden of the return to school in a few weeks and provide the children with the tools they need to succeed. This partnership grew out of a successful pilot program, then having collected more than 240 backpacks and a tremendous amount of school supplies for local children. In 2019, the program has collected close to 300 backpacks and the partners are looking at reaching a larger number of backpacks. The program is accepting donations right up to the distribution time. For more information, phone 705-677-0440 ext. 223 or email [email protected].
Sudbury golfer's LPGA tour dream dashed by California car crash:
A local golf pro's dreams of qualifying for the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour were dealt a blow this week when a car crash forced her to pull out of a key tournament. Casey MacNeil, 24, an assistant pro at Timberwolf Golf Academy, wasn't seriously hurt in the accident, but she was banged up enough she has to miss the LPGA qualifying tournament in Palm Desert, just south of Palm Springs, which began Monday. MacNeil landed in California on Sunday evening. She was driving to her hotel in her rental car around 11:30 p.m. when she was hit by another driver who went through a red light. Local police have wrapped up their work, MacNeil said, and found the other driver was completely at fault. But that doesn't help the bruised and scratched golfer from Northern Ontario, who has been working for years to earn her tour card. Full story here.
City's public transit overhaul gets rolling next week:
The city of Greater Sudbury will roll its new GOVA service, which promises to provide better routes, schedules and service to public transit users, starting Aug. 26. GOVA will transform local public transit to offer higher frequency and more reliable service to the most popular destinations, improved Sunday and late evening service, easier to understand schedules and route information, and fares that reward frequent riders. During the first week of the new GOVA service, front-line transit ambassadors will ride buses and be stationed at key boarding locations to help passengers learn about new maps, route numbers, departure times and fare structures. Information is also available online at GOVAtransit.ca, by calling 705-675-3333 and at the downtown transit centre. Full story here.
National team alum takes the helm for Laurentian women's soccer team:
Brian Ashton has been announced as next head coach of the Laurentian University women’s soccer program. The Sudbury resident will be the second coach for the program, taking over for Rob Gallo, who led the program for its first 20 years. Laurentian athletic director Peter Hellstrom said he is excited for what the future holds. “I am extremely excited to have Brian on board,” Hellstrom said. “His expertise in soccer within the Ontario provincial program, combined with his years of playing professionally, is a very welcomed addition to Voyageur Athletics," said Hellstrom. Ashton, who began representing Canada internationally at the 1991 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Trinidad and Tobago and last pulled on the red and white at the 1994 Jeux de la Francophonie in Paris, went on to play for six years as a member of the Toronto Lynx in the USL A-League before retiring and taking on the role of regional head coach in the North for the Ontario Soccer Association. After holding that position for a decade, Ashton opened up the Northern Soccer Academy in 2014 to provide the best talent in Northern Ontario a place to play together and develop. More on this story here.
