Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Sober driving campaigners Impact 6/21 is ending operations:
The Impact 6/21 Foundation, created after three local teens lost their lives to an impaired driver, will be wrapping up its operations. The organization issued a news release on May 8, indicating that they have decided to fold their operations, stating that it was a difficult decision and that the time has come to let the memories of those three children who were killed by a drunk driver, rest in peace. Steven Philippe, 16, Jazmine Houle, 15, and Caitlin Jelley, 15, were killed in 2009 when a speeding and drunk driver hit them. He kept going and crashed into a house a kilometre away. Nicholas Piovesan was later sentenced to the harshest penalty in Canadian history for impaired driving causing death. Impact 6/21's annual walk will no longer be a formal event, though the memorial site will be maintained and those wishing to pay their respects will be allowed to visit. The organization's signs will remain in place for the time being, and any decisions on their future will be made by the families. The group thanked the public for their support over the past decade. "When we look back on the past decade, we will take with us only the happy memories that this community has shared with us," said the release.
Introducing Sudbury's pro basketball team ... The Five (no really, that's the name)
So, Sudbury's professional basketball team will be known as ... wait for it ... the Sudbury Five? Yup, that's the name. Cliff Skelliter of Launchpad Creative, explained the "Five" refers to the end of the Northern Ontario area code, 705, the nickel (the major ore mined in Sudbury) is five cents and five players are on the court at any given time on a basketball team. The team will begin play as part of the eighth National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada) season this coming November.
They blew up a Cadillac in downtown Sudbury. We got it on video!
Between midnight and 3 a.m. on May 8, production, artistic and special effects crews from the television show Bad Blood created a fiery scene in the parking lot at Elgin and Larch Streets. At approximately 1:30 a.m., an explosive device was detonated, lifting a Cadillac CTS sedan up and off of the ground and into a flame that rose higher than 40 Larch Street. The scene was really impressive and required a lot of preparation and planning. "It takes a lot of different stuff to control it," explained Billy Gridley, who was working as an Artistic Director on set. "We have quite a few officers firefighters here, we've got safety, we've got a medic. We talk about it in prep and we plan it out a whole lot before we go. We time everything out to a tee and that's why these setups can take a while so they look good." You can check out the video of the explosion here.
Veggie Fiesta a Localicious event for vegans, vegetarians (and anyone who likes food, really):
A unique culinary experience is organized for the first time in the City of Greater Sudbury and will take place in participating restaurants, from May 4-21. “Veggie Fiesta 2018 is a celebration of taste, similar to well-known Localicious but entirely plant-based,” said Elias Eleftheriadis, part owner of Gloria’s Restaurant and organizer of the event. The event aims to highlight the veggie options that are available from local restaurants. There will be an Instagram contest with food selfies and most popular plate pictures will win gift cards from the participating restaurants.
Ugly driveways needed: Fisher Wavy holding contest:
Is your driveway riddled with weed? Do you dream about a jealousy-inducing driveway, but the renovations are expensive? Fisher Wavy Inc. wants to make your dream come true. They are partnering with Pioneer Construction, Mark Elliot Associates, Oaks by Brampton Brick and Dixon Contracting to host the inaugural Ugliest Driveway Contest. The contest is open to all homeowners within the City of Greater Sudbury. The rules are simple, just send in a two-minute video of why your driveway is the ugliest in Sudbury and why you think you deserve the makeover and submit in the comments on the contest post on the Fisher Wavy Facebook page. The rewards, however, are huge, with the winner being awarded a complete driveway makeover. The makeover is valued at more than $25,000 and includes all of the costs from excavation, removal and disposal of the old driveway to designs by a Mark Elliot Associates, a local landscape architect, and the entire build of the new entrance. The contest closes on May 31 at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be chosen by June 8.
'It's good medicine': St. David students go outside to celebrate Child and Youth Mental Health Week:
Families are being encouraged to go outdoors and be active during Child and Youth Mental Health Week, which runs May 7-13. The Child and Family Centre organized a number of free family events Monday under the theme Reconnecting with Nature. These free events included a medicine walk at St. David Catholic Elementary School guided by Perry McLeod-Shabogesic, traditional co-ordinator at Shkagamik-Kwe Health. Kids received teachings about medicinal plants and participated in outdoor learning on the school's beautiful new grounds. "We're excited: we're in a new building, we're in a new outdoor space. We really believe that nature and everything about nature is very important when we talk about mental health," said Dawn Wemigwans, principal at St. David's Catholic Elementary. "Especially with our youth. Getting them outside, getting them breathing in that good air, learning more about culture and identity, it's all kind of goes together. It's good medicine."
Wednesday Weather:
Another warm day on the way with mainly sunny skies this morning. Increasing cloudiness late in the afternoon. The high will get up to 22. Clouds expected to roll in later with periods of rain beginning in the evening. Risk of thunderstorms late in the evening and overnight. The low will drop to around 11. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
