Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Weather statement upgraded to storm watch for Greater Sudbury area:
Environment Canada has upgraded this weekend's special weather statement to a winter storm watch, and Greater Sudbury has said it is prepared to respond to what could be a major storm. Snow is expected to start late Friday evening and continue into Saturday and Sunday. The city could also see some ice pellets or freezing rain during the storm. Environment Canada is forecasting between 15 - 25 cm of snow to fall on the area by the time the storm tapers off on Sunday afternoon. "Persons in or near this area should be on the lookout for adverse weather conditions and take necessary safety precautions," Environment Canada said. "Watch for updated statements." The city said weather conditions are closely monitored by municipal staff around the clock, seven days a week, using a customized weather service, Ontario Ministry of Transportation highway reports, and data generated from local remote weather stations.
Demonstrators back nursing mother who was asked to leave Rainbow Centre food court:
The property manager of the Rainbow Centre said he is taking allegations that a nursing mother was asked to leave the food court with "extreme seriousness" and said women who are breastfeeding are always welcome to do so at the downtown mall. About 30 supporters visited the Rainbow Centre for a "nurse-in" demonstration on Jan. 10 to support a mother who says she was told she couldn't nurse her baby in the food court. Sylvie Poulin told Sudbury.com that she was confronted three different times, first by mall security guards and then by staff of some food court tenants. The first incident took place in October. Poulin said she was breastfeeding her youngest daughter, Anatasia, who was three months old at the time, in the food court, when a security guard told her she had to cover up. She politely did what he asked. But when the 24-year-old returned to the food court three weeks later, Poulin said she was confronted by a different security guard who told her she had to nurse Anastasia in the family restroom. Although Poulin said she did not report either incident to mall management, Rainbow Centre property manager Robert Green said he did not take the situation lightly when he learned what had happened. Get the full story here.
Two Chelmsford men charged after trying to lure the same child online:
In 2019, the Greater Sudbury Police Service Internet Child Exploitation (I.C.E.) Unit was notified by Facebook of some disturbing communication between what appeared to be a man and a young girl on Facebook Messenger. The I.C.E. Unit conducted an investigation and was able to identify the girl, as well as, the person responsible. On Jan. 8, with the assistance of the Integrated Crime Team, Tactical Unit and the Computer Forensic Unit, a warrant was executed at a Chelmsford residence and a 47-year-old man was arrested and charged with the following offences: Possession of Child Pornography (six counts), Make Child Pornography (six counts), Luring a Child (12 counts), Indecent Exposure (two counts). While reviewing evidence gathered from the Jan. 8 investigation, detectives learned of a second man luring the same girl. On Jan. 9, the Integrated Crime Team assisted by member of the Tactical Unit arrested a 33-year old man, also from Chelmsford. The I.C.E. Unit and the Computer Forensics Unit executed a search warrant at a second Chelmsford residence where digital storage devices, cell phones and computers were seized. The 33-year old man has been charged with the following offences: Luring a Child, Sexual Exploitation, Fail to Comply with Probation.
Rainbow board and both French boards cancelling classes Jan. 15 in wake of one-day OSSTF strike:
The rotating one-day strike by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) members hits local school boards next Wednesday (Jan. 15), and Rainbow District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon and Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario will be cancelling all high school classes that day due to the labour action. CSCNO schools will also be closed to all elementary students on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Rainbow said this includes schools in Sudbury, Espanola and on Manitoulin Island. The strike also includes students at Barrydowne College, N'Swakamok Native Alternative School, the Attendance Centre and the Adult Day School. Extra-curricular activities, field trips, school events and co-operative education placements for secondary students will also be cancelled Jan. 15. Dual credit courses will continue at Cambrian College. Get the full story here.
Sudbury woman wins $50K, but can't claim OLG prize just yet:
A Sudbury woman who won a $50,000 prize in the Ontario Lottery and Gaming's Instant Celebrate draw will have to wait a while before she celebrates. In a news release Thursday, the OLG said as an employee who works at a store licensed to sell lotto tickets, Dorothy Anttila has to go through a special vetting process. While she didn't buy or claim the winning ticket where she works, Anttila still must go through the process. “Dorothy is an employee at an authorized OLG retail location, (so) this prize falls within OLG's definition of an Insider Win,” the release said.
It's a two-step process, the release said, and as of Thursday, she had completed the first step, “which included enhanced scrutiny of the prize claim. “To complete the prize claim, the prize will be held for a 30-day waiting period as part of OLG's Insider Win process, in order for OLG to publicize the win,” the release said. “If there are no additional claims on this prize, it will be paid to the claimant on Feb. 7.”
2020 Police Cup hockey tournament underway at Countryside:
The puck has dropped on the 2020 Police Cup hockey tournament, with hundreds of kids in Greater Sudbury taking to the ice at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Arena this weekend. It's the 11th year for the tournament, which not only provides an opportunity for Sudbury Playground Hockey League players to get quality ice time, but also collects food through the Play It Forward Challenge, in support of the Sudbury Food Bank. What's really nice about this tournament is the kids learn to give back as they receive, said Greater Sudbury Police Chief Paul Pedersen, who dropped the puck in the opening ceremonies on Friday morning. “This is about the love of the game, and about giving an opportunity to kids who aren't away playing tournaments every weekend. This is it; this is their Stanley Cup. They all look forward to it.”
