Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Wynne wanted to talk education, but students at LU wanted to talk about Colten Boushie:
The 2016 shooting death of a young Indigenous man in Saskatchewan was a dominant topic of conversation at a Monday morning town hall meeting between Premier Kathleen Wynne and Laurentian University students. There have been protests across the country since Saskatchewan farmer Gerald Stanley was found not guilty Friday of second degree murder in Colten Boushie's death. The case was referenced by several speakers at the event, held in Laurentian University's new Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre, which opened its doors in 2017. It was one of three stops on the premier's visit to Sudbury on Feb. 12. More on Wynne's visit, along with video can be found here.
Sudbury protesters 'stand in solidarity' with Boushie family:
Around 100 people gathered in cold weather and snow at noon on Sunday in front of the Sudbury courthouse in response to the verdict of a widely-watched trial that ended in Saskatchewan last week. On Friday, Gerald Stanley was found not guilty in the August 2016 shooting death of Colten Boushie, a 22-year-old man from Red Pheasant First Nation. The Boushie family has called for action in the form of prayer and demonstrations across the country. Similar events were held in Toronto, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and in the Western provinces. The verdict garnered intense emotions in the forms of both criticism and affirmation online over the weekend, such that Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has been prompted to appeal to the public for calm. Find more on this story and video from Sunday's gathering here.
Team Jacobs beats out Sudbury's Tanner Horgan to earn Brier berth:
It took a little bit of adversity but Brad Jacobs and his team from Sault Ste. Marie's Community First Curling Club is heading back to the Tim Hortons Brier. Needing three victories on Saturday to get into the championship at the 2018 Northern Ontario Curling Association provincials in Little Current, Ont., the Jacobs rink used a pair of steals to beat Sudbury’s Tanner Horgan 6-5 on Sunday afternoon to advance to the Brier, which begins on Mar. 3 in Regina.
Weekend snowmobile blitz results in one suspension:
Greater Sudbury Police Services conducted a snowmobile blitz and RIDE spot check on Feb. 10 on the Sudbury Trail Plan. Officers patrolled area trails, local gathering areas where snowmobilers are known to be, a local fishing tournament and attended the Walden Winter Carnival. Officers also conducted a RIDE spot-check in relation to drinking and driving relating to both snowmobiles and motor vehicles. During the blitz officers stopped a total of 40 snowmobiles, three ATVs and seven motor vehicles. Police issued seven warnings were given for administrative and moving offences. Drivers and riders were educated in relation to proper documentation and safe driving. One three-day suspension was issued for a motor vehicle driver on a local lake in relation to drinking and driving.
Teen taken to hospital after snowmobile collision:
On Saturday, Feb. 10 at around 5:40 p.m., Manitoulin-Espanola OPP officers with the assistance of the Sudbury-Manitoulin District EMS responded to a snowmobile collision on the North channel near White's Point Road in Little Current. The single snowmobile collision occurred as a result of the machine travelling at a high rate of speed and striking a pressure crack, causing the operator to fall off. An 18-year-old male from Little Current was transported to hospital with minor injuries. Alcohol was not a factor in this collision.
Early Saturday morning weapons complaint an 'isolated incident':
Greater Sudbury Police say a weapons complaint early Saturday morning is believed to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public at this time. Officers responded to a weapons complaint on Mountain Street at around 3:20 a.m. Feb. 10. Police say "unknown parties" were seen leaving the scene. They say they're still in the preliminary stages of the investigation. Police did not provide any information as to what exactly the weapons complaint entailed. Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Sudbury Police at 705-675-9171 or Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS, online at www.sudburycrimestoppers.com or by texting TIPSUD and the information to CRIMES (274637).
Researcher seeking participants for McIntyre Powder study:
A post-graduate health student at Laurentian University in Sudbury is studying the emotional impact on miners who were exposed to McIntyre Powder aluminum dust while working in Northern Ontario mines. Danielle Aubin is conducting the research for her Master’s degree thesis in interdisciplinary health. McIntyre Powder was a finely ground aluminum dust developed by mine executives and administered to underground miners between 1943 and 1980 as a proposed preventive measure against silicosis. It was later proven the powder was never effective as a prophylactic and the practice was discontinued. However, miners who had been exposed and later developed a variety of health issues – everything from respiratory illnesses to neurological disorders – believe McIntyre Powder is a direct cause of their illnesses. Full story can be found here.
Tuesday Weather:
Increasing cloudiness expected throughout the day with a 30 per cent chance of flurries in the afternoon. Tuesday's high will get to -8, but will feel like -26 with the wind chill this morning Partly cloudy this evening with chances of some flurries. Temperature steady near -9. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
