Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Public complaints about police behaviour declined last year:
The public lodged 26 complaints about the behaviour of Greater Sudbury Police in 2017, 11 fewer than a year earlier. At its meeting this week, the police services board reviewed the annual report detailing the number and nature of each complaint, and how each was dealt with. The process must conform to provincial legislation on how to investigate and report on the complaints. Each is sent to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director, a civilian agency that oversees how each complaint is handled. Of the 26 received last year, the OIPRD dismissed six as vexatious or made in bad faith. Another 11 were investigated and found to be unsubstantiated and six were withdrawn by the person who filed the complaint. One was substantiated and was addressed with the officer involved, while two are still under investigation. More on this story can be found here.
High time to train police as pot legalization nears, chief says:
With marijuana legalization scheduled to take place sometime this summer in Canada, Sudbury's police chief is again sounding the alarm that the force is still in the dark about training and equipment for officers. Speaking at Wednesday's police services board meeting, Chief Paul Pedersen said time is running out if police are going to be ready for legalization. “We still don't have a clear indication of what training will be required, and whether there will be new equipment” police will have to be trained on to detect drugged driving, for example. Ontario has made several recent announcements on how legal pot will be handled in the province. It will be sold at stores run by the LCBO, through a subsidiary corporation, and you must be 19 to buy it. It will be available for purchase online, with about 40 standalone stores open as soon as legalization comes into effect. Within a year, 80 stores will be open, rising to 150 in 2020.
Manitoulin's water warrior Autumn Peltier addresses UN General Assembly:
Thirteen-year-old Wiikwemkoong water advocate Autumn Peltier is speaking at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York Thursday morning on the occasion of World Water Day. “We recognize and applaud your leadership and advocacy on the importance of clean drinking water and your initiatives to provide safe water to your people and the First Nations communities in your territories,” said the invitation to Autumn from the UN. “By lending your powerful voice to this important cause, you give voice to the youth, most needy and vulnerable among us who have none.” Autumn was the last speaker scheduled for the hour-long program. You can watch Autumn's speech here.
Northern Lights Festival Boréal releases more of its lineup:
Northern Lights Festival Boréal is sharing more of the lineup for this year's festival, which runs July 5-8 in Bell Park. In January, the festival announced Lisa Leblanc, Jane’s Party, Mama’s Broke and Sheesham & Lotus & Son will be playing the 2018 edition of the festival. Headlining NLFB’s Saturday night will be Canada’s fastest rising indie band Alvvays. Its dreamy-pop melodies and introspective lyrics detail a world of ice cream truck jingles and radiophonic workshop noise. But even with their darker content, Alvvays remains a summer essential, continuing to amass fans, wow critics, and play major festivals across the globe. Named ‘Top 10 Canadian Musicians You Need to Know’ by CBC Music, Iskwé (meaning ‘woman’ in Cree) is bringing her empowering music to the festival stage this summer. NLFB 2018 will also present Laetitia Zonzambé, an undeniable leader of African Music in Canada. Afrikana Soul Sister is expected to be the dance party of the summer with their earthshaking, electro-afro-house beats. The full lineup will be announced soon.
Ramp, stairs in Elgin Street underpass both reopened:
Good news for those who use the Elgin Street underpass. Concrete work on both the ramp and the staircase has been completed, so both are now open to the public. However, city spokesperson Shelley Ahmed said the contractor still needs to do some electrical lighting upgrades in the underpass. “So there still could be some intermittent closures,” she said. Pedestrians are being encouraged to use the overpass bridge from Elgin Street at Nelson Street to Edmund Street while work is being completed. Detour signs will be in place to help direct pedestrians. All of the work should be completed by April 30.
Who's got the ugliest schoolyard in Greater Sudbury?
Could your schoolyard be greener, healthier and more student-friendly? VETAC, the City of Greater Sudbury's Regreening Advisory Panel, is inviting local schools to enter the annual Ugliest Schoolyard Contest. Schools can win a prize package worth thousands of dollars to transform their school grounds. The deadline to enter is May 10. Entry forms, contest guidelines and information on past winners can be found at www.greatersudbury.ca/VETAC. Greater Sudbury’s Ugliest Schoolyard Contest was established in 2005. Since then, 43 local schools have received assistance in re-greening their schoolyards. More than a dozen local businesses, organizations and volunteers participate each year.
Heart & Stroke needs more Big Bike teams:
Heart & Stroke Big Bike returns to Greater Sudbury for another year May 14-18. What exactly is Big Bike? Here's a description provided by the Heart & Stroke. “It's a heart-pumping, cheer-thumping, crazy big, fun ride!” the description said. “For 20 minutes, 29 riders power one Big Bike. On event day, one of our drivers will accompany you as you pedal through your community and celebrate your accomplishments. “While you pedal, you literally stop traffic to support critical heart disease and stroke research, so you’ll feel good, while doing good. But be warned: The minute you stop, you’ll want to climb right back on. It’s that much fun!” The Big Bike Race Night takes place at Delki Dozzi Cycle Park Wednesday, May 16. Three more teams are needed or organizers are worried they might have to cancel race night. The event, which starts at 5 p.m., involves a pizza supper, a Zumba warm-up and a children's race on the track afterwards (kids need to bring their own bikes and helmets). Visit Heart & Stroke's website to sign up your Big Bike team.
Friday Weather:
Mix of sun and cloud again today and the daytime high will finally get out of the negatives. Friday's high is expected to hit zero. Partly cloudy this evening with the overnight low dropping to -19. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
