Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Saturday morning.
Arson triple homicide: Stinson found guilty of first-degree murder
Liam Stinson has been found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and one count of arson causing bodily harm for a 2021 fire on Bruce Avenue in the city’s Flour Mill neighbourhood that killed three people. He has been in custody since he was arrested on April 20, 2021, and will have his sentencing date set in assignment court on May 21. Stinson was convicted for his role in a April 11, 2021, fatal fire that took the lives of three people and severely injured another. The jury has found that Stinson planned the murder, and enlisted two people to throw Molotov cocktails into the home of his estranged partner, Jamie-Lynn Rose, killing Rose, Guy “Popcorn” Henri and Jasmine Somers, as well as injuring David Cheff. The courtroom of about 100 people listened intently as the jury read their verdict. This week, Stinson, through his lawyers Joseph Wilkinson and Liam Thompson, admitted to the arson causing bodily harm and to manslaughter. Though Stinson pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Rose, Henri and Somers, Stinson’s lawyers argued Stinson was only an “abetter” meaning he encouraged the two people who set the fire, rather than directed them. The defence invited the jury to find Stinson guilty, but of the lesser manslaughter, which would come with a shorter sentence.
Laurentian swim club wants in on discussions about pool
With the now four-year-long closure of the Jeno Tihanyi Olympic Gold Pool having “severely impacted” the club, the Sudbury Laurentian Swim Club said it wants to participate in discussions between LU and the City of Greater Sudbury aimed at reopening the university-owned facility. “As Laurentian University moves forward with the pool's remediation, we would like the opportunity to participate on the joint planning committee recently mentioned in a Laurentian University press release,” said an April 29 letter to Laurentian’s new president, Lynn Wells, and Mayor Paul Lefebvre from the Sudbury Laurentian Swim Club, signed by president Marie-Lea Bray. “Given our club’s history and investment in the pool, we believe our insights would be valuable as the university and city map out the future of the pool,” the letter continues. “Your leadership is crucial in revitalizing our aquatic infrastructure for the benefit of all Sudburians and we would like the opportunity to contribute.” The pool’s prolonged closure “has severely impacted our club and others in the region,” and “communication has been consistently frustrating,” the letter continues. It points out the club’s significant investments in the pool’s equipment, but “nonetheless, we have not been engaged in any dialogue around a clear plan for the pool's future.”
Your pet could become ‘mayor’ of Sudbury’s newest bookstore
Do you have a furry, feathered or scaly reading buddy? If you do, you’re invited to enter them to become the pet mayor of Greater Sudbury’s newest bookstore. The Panache bookstore is Sudbury’s only French-language bookstore, and opened at Place des Arts at the end of January. It sells a wide selection of French literature for people of all ages — from kids to adults — as well as board games and some makers’ items from local artists. The bookstore also regularly hosts fun literacy-based activities for the whole family. Bookseller Chloé LaDuchesse, a former Greater Sudbury poet laureate, said the store has some “very regular, enthusiastic readers,” but there’s still a lot of people who don’t know the store exists. She said it’s a needed service, as 25 per cent of Greater Sudbury’s population speaks French, and there’s also many local children who attend French immersion school.
New OMA president wants more support for Northern doctors
Dr. Dominik Nowak, the new president of the Ontario Medical Association, was officially recognized in Sudbury last night as the OMA held its annual general meeting in this city. The meeting is a closed affair and the media were not invited. Speaking to Sudbury.com Friday morning, Nowak said that while there are many challenges to being a family doctor in Ontario these days, there are many unique challenges faced by family doctors in Northern Ontario. Nowak said he believes more needs to be done to "level the playing field" for Northern physicians. Nowak, who visited NOSM University on May 2, said he was so impressed to see many of the Northern Ontario medical students studying for family medicine and getting ready to return to set up practice in small towns. "And they love being part of the communities that they're serving, right? They love the medicine. How do we get them the support that they need to care for their communities? And how do we get people in their communities that kind of support?" Nowak asked. "I'd love to see a northern human health resources strategy to finally level out the playing field between different parts of our healthcare system, including what people need in the North."
North continues to lag behind Ontario's broadband coverage level
Blue Sky Net has released the newest Northern Ontario Broadband Report. The report uses combined data from ISED’s National Broadband data portal, Census Canada community data, and broadband project data from Ontario Connects to perform an analysis of broadband availability in Northern Ontario. The federal and provincial governments understand the importance of high-quality internet access, the report states. Both have set a target for 50/10 Mbps internet access — the federal government aiming for every household by 2030 and Ontario for every household by 2025. According to the feds — as of September 2023 — 93.5 per cent of Canadian households have access to 50/10 Mbps and Ontario households have 92.9 per cent access. Ontario household coverage of 50/10 is at 92.9 per cent, however, Northern Ontario household coverage is 73 per cent and that number is even smaller (52 per cent) when one isolates the five largest communities. In the Nipissing District, there are 15 communities. Four of those communities have 50–74 per cent of their households with access to 50/10. Just three communities in Nipissing have access to 50/10 in 75 per cent or more of their respective households.
Helpers: The small but mighty Royal Purple Lodge 148
The Canadian Royal Purple Lodge 148, a community service club, has just seven members, but they are a busy, active group who, for 72 years, have been known for getting things done. Lodge 148 is typical of many service groups in that they would like to have more members to help them do their good work. Statistics Canada says more than 65 per cent of non-profit organizations are experiencing a shortage of volunteers. "We are few but we are mighty," said Darlene Sargent, who has been a member since she was 18. She joined at the same time as another member, Phyllis Devost. Both women are looking forward to receiving their 60-year membership pins this year. "We are a fun-loving, dynamic group of volunteers helping kids and our communities," said Sargent.
