Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
City approves big hike in taxi rates:
Unlike most industries, taxi companies can't increase what they charge customers without approval from the municipality. Ward 9 Coun. Deb McIntosh said Tuesday that's why she asked for a report on allowing local cabbies to increase their rates to account for the recent 21 per cent increase in the minimum wage. “If minimum wage impacts costs (for other businesses), they are able to increase rates to accommodate the new costs,” McIntosh said. But taxis have to get approval for increase, since the city heavily regulates rates they can charge. The report approved Tuesday by the finance committee allows companies to raise rates by five per cent, making a cab ride in Greater Sudbury among the most expensive in Northern Ontario. Currently, it costs passengers $3.75 as soon as they get in a cab in Sudbury – a fee called the 'drop rate' -- and are charged 25 cents per 100 metres, $2.50 a kilometre, or $40 an hour for waiting. With the increase approved Tuesday, the drop rate in Sudbury will rise to $4, riders will pay 25 cents for each 95 metres, or $2.63 per kilometre. Find more on this story here.
Sudbury Police standing up to promote tolerance and inclusion:
The Greater Sudbury Police Service will be hosting a luncheon on March 21, in observance of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The goal of the day is to promote tolerance, inclusion, unity and respect for diversity here in Greater Sudbury and beyond to combat racial discrimination. This year, Chief Paul Pedersen will be the keynote speaker for the event. He will highlight the Service’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that our personnel are trained to be culturally aware and sensitive, serving our community members with respect and dignity. He will also talk about the evolution of the Policing profession and the emphasis that has been placed on diversity training here in Ontario. Be sure to check back with Sudbury.com later today for coverage from today's luncheon.
Downtown Sudbury celebrating Guilty Pleasures Bakeshop + Bar next week:
Downtown Sudbury, the city's downtown core business improvement association, is celebrating the winner of its 2017 Downtown Sudbury Win this Space Contest on March 27. Guilty Pleasures Bakeshop + Bar is already up and running at 82 Cedar St. (though the "Bar" side of things is still awaiting a liquor license). The event isn't the official opening; it's a celebration of the Guilty Pleasures' contest win. Justine Martin, the shop's owner, won a year's lease of a downtown property through the contest. Besides having her lease covered, the contest gives her access to a prize package worth $44,000 from several local sponsors. Northern Life, Sudbury.com and Sudbury Living Magazine kicked in a branding package worth $6,000. Mayor Brian Bigger, project partners and sponsors will be on hand for the March 27 event. The second edition of the Downtown Win This Space contest is currently underway. Participants have until March 29 to register.
GSU warns about fraudulent callers demanding payment:
Greater Sudbury Utilities received several reports from local businesses Monday of attempted fraud, posing as a disconnection warning. In a news release, the utility said the phone calls appeared to be from a Greater Sudbury Utilities phone number, but the source of the calls was "spoofed," meaning the callers used software to mask their actual phone number. The caller threatened immediate disconnection if money was not paid, and gave the business owners a toll-free number to "check" their account and give payment information. “The business owners contacted GSU to find out if the calls were real,” the release said. If you have questions about your account, call Greater Sudbury Utilities directly at 705-675-7536. If you are the victim of a fraud or attempted fraud, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 1-888-495-8901.
Lace-up, Team Up: Annual Hike for Hospice has officially been launched in Greater Sudbury:
Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger was at the Four Corners Royal Bank with representatives from Maison McCulloch Hospice and Sudbury Hospice Foundation, where the 2018 Hike for Hospice campaign has officially been launched. Before proclaiming May 6 - 12 as National Hospice Palliative Care Week in Greater Sudbury, Mayor Bigger praised personal support workers and hospice staff for the care they show in a most sensitive time in life. "I think most people in the room appreciate what the hospice does for people, and for the families and friends of those who have used the services of the hospice," Bigger said. "Every year in May, I encourage all residents in the city of Greater Sudbury to come out, and to show that you do stand with the hospice and to come out for the RBC Hike for Hospice." Churchill Public School is a great support of the Hike for Hospice by way of hosting its own Hike every year and raising funds. Theirs will take place on May 4, 2018. The goal of this year's hike is to raise awareness of hospice palliative care in the community, as well as $150,000 for hospice services in Greater Sudbury.
Sudbury Arena will host an OHL playoff game this year:
The season may be over for the Sudbury Wolves, but diehard hockey fans can catch some OHL playoff action at the Sudbury Community Arena on March 27. In a rare occurrence, the North Bay Battalion and Kingston Frontenacs will play a neutral site playoff game on Thursday, March 27 in Sudbury, which will be game three of the teams' first round playoff matchup. The series gets underway in Kingston on Friday, March 23, and game three gets underway at 7 p.m. in Sudbury. Tickets for next Thursday's game are on sale now and can be purchased at greatersudbury.ca/tickets.
LU researcher receives $2M grant for Aboriginal kids' health study:
Laurentian University researcher Nancy Young has received a $2 million Health System Research Fund (HSRF) grant for Health Promotion from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. This grant is in support of Young's project Evaluation to Action: Integrating the Voices of Aboriginal Children (ETA), which examines a tailored evaluation model in partnership with eight Aboriginal communities. Young is Laurentian's Research Chair in Rural and Northern Children's Health. Roughly 40 per cent of the Canadian Aboriginal population is made up of children and youth. Many of these children — particularly those living on reserves and in remote communities — face health-care inequities when compared to others their age living in more accessible locations. Part of this is due to a lack of information — in many places, there is a lack of sufficient evidence with which to guide community policies and health services. The Evaluation to Action project is meant to improve this situation, gathering information that can be used to support future action.
Pair of Sudbury rinks headed to Travelers Curling Club Championship:
The Travelers Curling Club Championship Starts Thursday, March 22 in Sault Ste. Marie as six men's rinks and six women's rinks will vie for the chance to represent Northern Ontario in the national championship in November. Teams qualified for this week's event by advancing through regional playdowns in February, and Greater Sudbury will have a rink on both the men's and women's side in the competition. In the men's division, Jason Strelezki's rink from the Copper Cliff Curling Club will be taking the ice. The rink includes Strelezki at skip, Chris Gordon (vice), Rob Shalla (second), Derek Crew (lead). Sudbury Curling Club will be represented on the women's side, as Janice Vettoretti's rink looks to make their way through to the national stage. The Subudry Curling Club rink is comprised of Vettoretti (skip), Jess Orford (vice), Jill Dutrisac (second), Deb Beitschat (lead). The championship kicks off on Thursday evening with round robin play running until Saturday afternoon. Finals will be Sunday morning. All games will be played at the Community First Curling Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.
Wednesday Weather:
Another sunny but cool day on the way today. Clear skies with a high of around -2. Partly cloudy as we head into the evening. Overnight low will drop to -13. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
