Local News

UPDATED — May 21, 2:10 p.m. Steelworkers Local 6500 president John Fera said he doesn't understand why Vale Inco hasn't yet agreed to negotiate with the union between June 4 and 7.

The City of Greater Sudbury has joined the Ministry of Natural Resources in issuing a fire ban. During the ban, there are no outside fires allowed, including grass burning, brush burning, or the use of firepits.

A provincial taxation reassessment on Greater Sudbury properties last year has forced Greater Sudbury to increase the 2010 tax burden on city residents, though not all residents and businesses will see increased taxes. City taxes will increase 0.

Representatives from Vale Inco and United Steelworkers Local 9508 in Newfoundland and Labrador will meet with a province-appointed conciliator May 25-26 and try to work out their differences, a Vale Inco spokesperson confirmed May 20.

UPDATED May 21 at 3:25 p.m.

Sudbury Regional Hospital showed off its new diagnostic equipment at a public event May 19.

A large portion of northeastern Ontario, including Greater Sudbury, is currently under a restricted fire zone order from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

A date has not yet been set to restart negotiations between Vale Inco and Steelworkers Local 6500, but union president John Fera said he is hopeful they will resume soon.

City staff members are still looking for public input on the new draft zoning bylaw being developed for Greater Sudbury. A public meeting is happening June 1, at 5:30 p.m. during the regular planning meeting of city council at Tom Davies Square.

A former Sudbury woman is one of three cyclists who were killed in an traffic accident in Rougement, Que. May 14. Lyn Duhamel, an avid triathlete, was biking down Highway 112 in Quebec, en route to a training camp with four other women and a man.