Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
12 Days of Kindness: Kids bedroom makeover makes single mom's year:
There are many reasons why Christmas can be a tough time of year. We live in a materialistic world and its probably never more obvious than at Christmas. Today’s act of kindness looks at the reality of being a single parent working to provide for their kids. Shannon Denault’s family has been through some hard times this year. Her and her two young boys were recently uprooted and just getting settled in new surroundings. Today, in our final episode of our 12 Days of Kindness we surprise Shannon with a fresh start for her and her boys. Be sure to check back for today's video.
South End Walmart reopens Friday after busted pipe leads to flooding:
The South End Walmart in Greater Sudbury will reopen Friday after being closed since Monday evening due to flooding, the store has confirmed. Shoppers were caught off guard when a pipe broke in the ceiling above some of the grocery aisles, causing flooding and ceiling tiles to fall. Greater Sudbury Fire Services responded and turned off the water supply. Fortunately, nobody was injured in the incident.
Transit fares increasing in the new year:
Greater Sudbury Transit fares will increase three per cent on Jan. 1, as approved under the 2018 municipal budget for both conventional transit and Handi-Transit services. Fares for a single ride for students and adults will increase from $3.20 to $3.30, while day passes for everyone ages five and up will increase from $9.50 to $10. The City of Greater Sudbury subsidizes approximately 60 per cent of the cost of operating a public transit service with assistance from federal and provincial gas tax funds. The remaining budget from fares helps to partially offset direct operating costs, such as fuel and maintenance. Discount fares are available to passengers age 65 and over, as well as recipients of a disability pension and children over the age of four. Seniors and disability pensioners will see their fares take a 10 cent increase from $2.30 to $2.40 on Jan. 1.
Dreaming of a white Christmas? You're in luck — the forecast is on your side
If you're driving out of town for the holidays, you may want to leave a day or two early as Sudbury is expected to have a snowy Christmas. That's not out of the norm for Greater Sudbury, according to Weather Network meteorologist Michael Carter, who says that Sudbury has had a white Christmas 95 per cent of the time since 1955. Those planning to travel from Sudbury might want to get out of town by Friday afternoon, as there's a good chance of snow hitting the Nickel City at a number of different times over the weekend. Check out the full Christmas forecast here.
Stolen text messages, misconduct and the suspension of a Sudbury judge:
A Sudbury judge has been suspended without pay for 30 days after he was found guilty of judicial misconduct by a provincial body in charge of investigating complaints about judges. Justice John Keast fought unsuccessfully to have the inquiry into his conduct held in private, arguing that because youths were involved, there should be a publication ban on the entire case. However, the Ontario Judicial Council (OJC) ruled that such a sweeping ban should only be imposed if there was no other way to ensure the confidentiality of vulnerable persons. As a result, no information that could lead to children in the case being identified can be made public. In its decision, the council detailed the facts of the case. Between January and March 2016, Keast exchanged text messages with a friend who works for the Children's Aid Society. At the time, he was hearing a case involving the CAS. Someone managed to get Keast's cellphone, copied the texts and gave them to the CAS, who filed the complaint. Full story can be found here.
MacDonald: Thibeault regrets nothing, despite heavy criticism and byelection scandal:
Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeauly says he "would absolutely do it all again" while reflecting on entering provincial politics and dealing with a political scandal that made headlines across the province. Sudbury.com reporter Darren MacDonald recently spoke with Thibeault, asking if entering provincial politics was worth it considering the vitriol he received – and continues to receive – for switching parties and the flood of bad press he got, and from the charges others faced as a result. Find Thibeault's comments here.
Hospice Foundation making special announcement this afternoon:
The Sudbury Hospice Foundation will be making a special announcement to celebrate a legacy gift in honor of Norinne E. Perdue today at noon. Norinne had a longlife interest in personal academic achievement, in educational accomplishments of her children and in supporting others to meet their educational goals and interests. Friday's announcement reinforces the reality of those words for Sudbury and North Eastern Ontario. Check back with Sudbury.com later today for coverage from the announcement.
Gentili: An atheist’s Christmas greeting to you and yours:
Sudbury.com managing editor Mark Gentili writes about what Christmas means to him in his latest column. "Despite its Christian associations and its pagan origin, the Christmas message transcends cultures and ethnicities," writes Gentili. "It’s a message that works if you’re Christian or Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist, Wiccan or otherwise. It’s a message even atheists like I am can get behind, one that speaks to that human capacity to strive, to hope, to act and to reflect. To me, that message has always been best summed up in the simple phrase: It’s better to give than to receive." Read the full column here.
Friday weather:
Cloudy this morning with a 40 per cent chance of flurries in the morning and early in the afternoon. Mix of sun and cloud this afternoon with a high of -11. Cloudy skies this evening with 40 per cent chance of flurries. Low will drop to -14. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
