A look at some of the top local news stories from 2016, in no particular order:
Sudbury byelection scandal is back:
In April, when criminal charges against Gerry Lougheed Jr. were dropped in connection to the 2015 Sudbury byelection scandal, most people thought that was the end of almost two years of controversy. Wrong.
In November, the OPP announced Lougheed and former Liberal campaign director Patricia Sorbara were facing bribery charges under the Elections Act. And a federal prosecutor told reporters that Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault had accepted benefits in return for running – although the same prosecutor later said he didn't mean to imply Thibeault broke the law.
After years of fundraising and lobbying, Sudbury to get a permanent PET scanner:
Nearly a decade after Sam Bruno started his battle with colorectal cancer, and subsequently, to get a PET scanner in Sudbury, his friends and family were able to celebrate in November when they finally received the funding to purchase the medical imaging device, and provincial support to build a suite at Health Sciences North in which to house it.
Dario Zulich buys the Sudbury Wolves:
Businessman Dario Zulich made headlines for much of 2016, first with his events centre plan pitched late last year, his purchase of the downtown water tower and, in late August, the Sudbury Wolves.
School closure discussions become heated, controversial:
With the Rainbow District School Board considering closing as many as 12 schools, there were several emotional public meetings held in 2016 as parents battled to change minds and save their schools. One trustee resigned, but officials denied it was related to accusations of conflict of interest. With a final decision looming in early 2017, this is a story that will continue into the New Year.
Thibeault named energy minister as soaring hydro rates become a big issue province-wide:
In June, when it appeared the Sudbury byelection was finally in the rearview mirror for the provincial Liberals, Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault became Ontario's energy minister. He immediately became the focal point for anger over rising hydro prices, and announced a rebate program that cost about $1 billion.
City council gets behind four big 'transformational' projects:
Meeting in April, city councillors picked four major projects it wants to make a priority this term. They selected an arena/events centre, a new art gallery and main library, the Place des art and the Synergy Centre. And in December, they committed as much as $5 million for the Place des arts.
Opioid addiction takes a toll across the province, especially the North:
The gravity of Ontario's problem with opioid addiction, and the toll it takes on thousands of people every year, is not fully understood by the public, says Tara Gomes, lead author of a report on opioid use and its adverse effects in the province.
