Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Wednesday morning.
Repair options for Laurentian pool released, but not the costs
Repair options that range in price and lifespan are proposed in a consultant’s report on the long-closed Laurentian University Jeno Tihanyi Olympic Gold Pool. These options include everything from temporary crack repairs to using a more costly advanced technology to reinforce the pool. Laurentian University has released a redacted version of the report following a Freedom of Information request submitted by Sudbury.com. The redacted material in the more than 200-page report by JL Richards and Associates relates to the cost estimates for repair options to the pool, so we’re not able to bring you that information at this time. Sudbury.com first made the formal freedom of information request in March for a report we were told was developed on the topic in December 2023. This was after university communications staff declined to send us the report this past winter.
Northern home sales showing strong growth, Sudbury up 5.7%
Ontario home prices were stable in May, continuing a trend set in February that ended a five-month fall that began last summer, figures released by the Canadian Real Estate Association Monday show. On a year-over-year basis, the average single-family home in the province sold for $951,600 in May, down 3.8 per cent from the average of $989,300 they sold for in May of 2023. The numbers are seasonally adjusted and do not take inflation into account. Inflation, depending on what measure you choose, is running at between 3.4 and 3.7 per cent. “May was another sleepy month for housing activity in Canada, although it may prove to be the last of those now that interest rates have moved lower,” CREA senior economist Shaun Cathcart said in a release.
Health Unit warning about possible ‘pink cocaine’ in Sudbury
Drug users are being warned that a substance called “pink cocaine” or “tucibi (2CB)” is circulating in the community and leading to a spike in drug poisoning. The warning was issued by the Community Drug Strategy. “While we cannot confirm the specific substance(s) responsible for the recent reactions, we have reports that the drug in question may have been “pink cocaine”, or “tucibi (2CB)”, said the warning,” the group warned in a news release. Pink cocaine is not actually cocaine, though it can contain cocaine. Dyed pink, the substance is often a mix of ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamines, cocaine, opioids and new psychoactive substances, the Drug Strategy said. Because this unregulated substance contains both stimulants and depressants, symptoms may vary based upon experience with the components and the amount of each substance in the supply, leading to poisonings.
GSPS officer headed to trial for alleged assault on 12-year-old
Melisa Rancourt is headed to trial on charges including assault, uttering threats (death or bodily harm) and causing a disturbance. Rancourt is a GSPS constable who faced disciplinary action during the pandemic after being arrested due to her refusal to show proof of vaccination. She is now accused of assaulting a 12-year-old hockey player on Feb. 11. Her attorney, Len Walker, told Espanola court that Rancourt would be proceeding to trial, and dates were set by Justice Dana Peterson. First, Rancourt will appear July 15 for a trial confirmation hearing.
Here are public places you can stay cool during heat wave
As temperatures continue to sit in the 30s and with the humidex today prompting a heat warning from Environment Canada, the City of Greater Sudbury advises that there are public places available for those who need to cool off. The effort is part of the city’s Heat Wave Response Plan. Follow the link to a list of city resources to help cool off while the temperatures stay high.
Armed robbery suspects from Sudbury arrested in Schreiber area
Three people were arrested on the Trans-Canada Highway over the weekend after OPP spotted a vehicle being sought in connection with an armed robbery. The Greater Sudbury Police Service had requested other police services be on the lookout for suspects. Schreiber OPP spotted the vehicle they were believed to be travelling in late Saturday afternoon on Highway 17. They strategically followed from a distance while officers from the Nipigon OPP detachment and Anishinabek Police Service set up spike belts on the highway.
