By Stew Kernan

The Sudbury and District Health Unit being compensated for extra costs during last year’s H1N1 crisis.

This morning, Sudbury M-P-P Rick Bartolucci presented the Health Unit with just over 580-thousand dollars.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe says the number one priority was that residents were protected from the flu virus, but it came at a cost.

The total cost locally for the H1N1 response totaled 1.3-million dollars.

By Angela Gemmill

A 50-year-old woman suffered serious injuries to her skull when she was attacked in her Hanmer home early this morning.

A male suspect broke into her home, assaulted her with a edged weapon and then fled the scene.

He is known to the victim, but police aren’t saying how.

Police stopped a vehicle in Chelmsford and arrested a 54-year old male suspect.

Robert Byrnes of Sudbury is charged with Attempted Murder, Break & Enter, Aggravated Assault and Impaired Driving.

The victim remains in hospital in serious, but stable condition.

By Ian Campbell 

For thirty years Inco has allowed the city to dump bio-solid waste in the tailings pond in Lively, but now that has to stop.

With mounting pressure from the province, the company told the city last year it needs to find somewhere else by 2012.

City Council voted Wednesday to create a new 30 to 40 million dollar facility to deal with the problem.

“The city budget is very high, it’s a half billion dollars and rising and in my view we have to start cutting it back,” says Councillor Frances Caldarelli.

She was concerned about the price tag, feeling there were many other options they could have looked at.

“Now one of the comments made is that we can’t send it somewhere else because we have 16, 17 tankers a day and no one city can take that much, but my first thought was can’t we split that up and maybe one city can take four or five,” asks Caldarelli.

She says with the recession, a strike and city coffers expecting five to six million less from the province for next year we have to start worrying about how we can afford these things.

According to numbers provided by city staff, the city currently can set aside 3.6 Million for this project leaving the rest to be financed during 2011 budget deliberations.

“I would like a lot more information about the other alternatives we have,” says Caldarelli. “Because this is a horribly expensive project.”

The city’s next step will be informing the public of its intent and timelines. 

They’ve hired a firm to help move the project forward past design.

By Angela Gemmill & Stew Kernan

The public transit system in Sudbury will be seeing some improvements soon…thanks to another 2.7 million dollars from the province in Gas Tax funding.

Deputy Mayor Ron Dupuis says the improvements will include new buses, route improvements and initiatives aimed at protecting the environment.

The city has now received over 14-million dollars in provincial Gas Tax funding.

By Angela Gemmill 

Just a few more days until the Sudbury Rocks Race Run Walk for Diabetes.

According to Regional Director Jennifer McKinnon at the Canadian Diabetes Association, the goal is to have 2,010 participants for 2010 and raise 75-thousand dollars.

There are six different events, however the largest is always the 5K race with about 500 participants.

McKinnon says the race is a great way to showcase the benefits of exercise for those with diabetes or those at risk of developing the disease.

Exercise helps to prevent complications of the disease, keeps blood-glucose levels in a healthy range and helps maintain a good healthy weight.

Those not participating in the events should be aware of traffic delays and a few road closures along the routes.

By Angela Gemmill

Sudbury is expecting a high profile visitor next week.

As part of her Northern Ontario visit, Governor General Michaelle Jean will be in Sudbury next Tuesday evening and all day Wednesday.

Her itinerary includes meetings with our mayor, visiting Collage Boreal and Laurentian University and hosting an art forum.

She will visit Heart and Timmins prior to her Sudbury stop.

Jean says the cultural vitality and energy of Northern Ontario impresses her, especially the Francophone and Aboriginal communities.

By Stew Kernan

“Disappointed” and “regrettable”…two words being used by the Sudbury and District Chamber of Commerce today in their response to a motion approved by city council.

It calls on Vale Inco to limit the use of replacement workers…while at the time demanding the province come up with anti-scab legislation.

Chamber chair Steve Irwin says everyone wants to see the strike end, but council shouldn’t be taking sides.

Irwin says by doing so…Sudbury’s reputation as a great place to do business is harmed.

By Stew Kernan

One hurdle cleared in a local MPP’s fight to ban the use of replacement workers during labour disputes in Ontario.

The private members bill from Nickel Belt’s France Gelinas passed first reading at Queen’s Park today by a vote of 32 to 3.

The bill must still pass second and third reading before it becomes law.

Gelinas received support outside on the lawn of the legislature as hundreds of Steelworks gathered for a rally.

By Stew Kernan

A boost to local health care.

31 regional specialized mental health beds are moving from North Bay to Sudbury.

The move was made by the Northeast Local Health Integration Network on a recommendation from the Regional Advisory Panel.

The LHIN says the beds will continue to be fully accessible to any person across the region.

By Stew Kernan

The line-up is out for the 2010 Northern Lights Festival Boreal running July 9th to the 11th.

Artistic Director Paul Lowenberg says they were very fortunate to get this years headliner…Gord Downie and the Country of Miracles.

Downie is of course the founding member of The Tragically Hip.

Other performers include Cuff the Duke, The Sadies, Juno Award Winner Amelia Curran and children’s performer Fred Penner.

For the first time in 39 years the festival will not be held at Bell Park…because of construction, the festivities have been moved to Laurentian University.

For athe complete line-up and details on tickets go to www.nlfbsudbury.com