Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Grits promise gas price watchdog as part of northern platform:
Glenn Thibeault unveiled the Ontario Liberals' platform for Northern Ontario Friday morning during a press conference at Science North. Standing on the Elements patio overlooking Ramsey Lake, Thibeault said only the Liberals understand the North. "The Liberal government is the only party that truly understands the needs of the North, and how to invest in our communities and contribute to our prosperity,” Thibeault said. In a news release, the party said a "one-size-fits-all approach" doesn't work in Northern Ontario and only the Liberals can provide "leadership that recognizes the realities of northern living." Among the party's promises is one lifted from Thibeault's previous life as an federal NDP MP. When he was still an NDPer, Thibeault often called on the federal government to create a watchdog and questioning whether there was price-fixing in the retail gasoline sector. Now, the provincial Liberals are promising — if they get re-elected, of course — to create just such an independent watchdog "to ensure there is no price fixing of transportation fuels anywhere in our province." Find more on this story here.
Lots to do in Capreol this weekend:
There will be a flurry of activity around the town of Capreol on Saturday May 12, as several groups have initiatives underway. The Capreol Community Action Network (CAN) will be hosting their annual Highway Cleanup Campaign between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. and ask that any volunteers interested in participating meet at the old Capreol Bowling Alley (25 Regional Road 84) by 9:45 a.m. While the Capreol CAN focuses on cleaning things up, another group will be busy getting down and dirty with the return of the 2018 Big Deal ATV Mud Run. Registration will take place between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. at the Capreol Community Arena followed by the Mud Run. Check out the full list of activities here.
Zine scene: Celebrate DIY culture (and get a little punk rock about it) at Expozine 2.0 on May 12:
Chloe LaDuchesse describes Sudbury as “the land of opportunity” for artists and creators. She would know: LaDuchesse has only lived in Sudbury for two years, but the Nickel City’s fifth poet laureate has already become a major player in the local literary community. These days her energy is focused primarily on Expozine Sudbury, the second annual edition of which takes place May 12 at La Fromagerie. This year, Expozine is growing: LaDuchesse already has 10 zine makers lined up, and it’s being presented as a partnership with Salon du Livre Grand Sudbury, a Francophone book fair taking place May 9 to 12 at the McEwan School of Architecture. That said, Expozine is open to English and French speakers alike. LaDuchesse thinks the visual nature of zines makes them uniquely poised to bridge the divide between the two communities in Sudbury, as it does in Montreal.
Annual Junction Creek brook trout release is on May 12:
The Junction Creek Stewardship Committee hosts its 10th Annual Junction Creek Festival and Trout Release from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 12. The event takes place this year at Twin Forks Playground on Gary Avenue. It is free to attend, and hot dogs and drinks will be available for purchase. Festival goers will release brook trout into the stream to help maintain a healthy population. Staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will be on site to assist with the release of about 1,000 fish. The MNRF has donated more than 25,000 brook trout since the year 2000. The festival will offer a variety of activities for families of all ages. It will be environmentally friendly and accessible by walking or cycling using the Junction Creek Waterway Park Trail.
Young man, 18, facing weapons charges after bringing BB gun to Lasalle Secondary School:
An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and carrying a concealed weapon after bringing a BB gun to Lasalle Secondary School Thursday morning. The young man, a former student at the school, was speaking to a senior Lasalle student, also an 18-year-old man, on school property at around 7:30 a.m., when he allegedly told that student he had a weapon. The student told school staff about the situation, who contacted Greater Sudbury Police. Upon arriving on the scene, officers spoke with the young man, who was already with school staff members. He was “found to be in possession of a BB gun,” police said. Rainbow District School Board spokesperson Nicole Charette said school staff commended the student who alerted them to the situation. However, she said there was “no threat made to the school.”
Mother's Day tradition returns - Sudbury Rocks!!! goes May 13:
The annual Sudbury Rocks!!! Race Run or Walk for Diabetes returns on Sunday, May 13. This race and fundraising event offers something for people of all levels of ability. This year's event offers a free 1 km kids run, a 5 km, 10 km, half-marathon and a full Boston qualifier marathon. There is also a marathon team relay where a group of up to eight people can compete to cover the full marathon distance as a relay team. Prizes are up for grabs for first, second and third place in the solo paid races. Since 2004, Sudbury Rocks!!! has raised more than $600,000 for Diabetes Canada.
Food Forest workshops and planning at Delki Dozzi:
Sudbury Shared Harvest will be planting phase 2 of Sudbury's first community food forest at Delki Dozzi park on Saturday, May 12. In conjunction with planting activities, they will be offering two workshops. The presentations will be approximately one hour followed by two hours of hands-on planting. For those willing to contribute time to help with maintenance tasks through the growing season, the workshops are free (three hours commitment per workshop). Or you can donate $25 (per workshop) to Sudbury Shared Harvest. The day gets underway at 10 a.m. and will run until 5 p.m.
