By David Lacasse

A single vehicle accident on the newly opened section of highway 69 has left one person dead. 

Initial investigations revealed that the driver was making a gradual right turn when it went off the left side of the road.

Officers were initially dispatched because of a traffic complaint about a truck weaving in and out of its lane, they later found the truck in the ditch.

No names have been released.

By Stew Kernan

Sudbury Police are looking for a missing 24 man.

Lucas McHugh-Blanchette was last seen walking in New Sudbury yesterday.

His family is concerned for his well being.

Blanchette is described as 6-feet 3-inches tall, 200 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.

Missing 24-year old Lucas McHugh-Blanchette

*****update**** McHugh-Blanchette was located August 1st, 2010. Police are thanking the public for their assistance in this matter.

By Stew Kernan

The Sudbury Regional Hospital has received just over 1-million dollars in funding to help reduce wait times in the Emergency Room.

The “Pay for Results” program rewards hospitals for meeting specific wait time reduction targets.

Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci says the funding will address a number of initiatives including hiring more nurses, tools to help improve physician initial assessments and enhanced transportation services for better patient flow in and out of the ER.

The goal is reduce wait times in the local E-R by 15% percent over the next year.

By Angela Gemmill

Science North has a couple of new attractions to lure more visitors there this summer.

Two object theatres have opened: one focuses on the Great Lakes, called Legends of the Great Lakes and the other is about space and dark matter, called Between the Stars.

Science North Media rep Marianne Zadra says the latest additions are the second and third of four object theatres to be developed.

The first, Club Genome, opened to visitors in 2009, while the fourth will be finished next spring.

By Angela Gemmill

There will be traffic delays across the Bridge of Nations this afternoon due to a flag raising ceremony.

Austrian Ambassador to Canada, Werner Brandstetter, is in Sudbury as part of a goodwill tour and will help raise his country’s colours.

It will mean the southbound curb lane of the Paris Street bridge will be closed from 12:15 until 12:30pm.

Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez will also be on hand for the event.

By Angela Gemmill

First Nickel Inc. has the go ahead to begin looking for investors for the Lockerbie Mine.

One-hundred production and maintenance workers ratified a three-year contract with the company by a 96 percent margin during voting yesterday.

The members of Mine Mill 598/CAW have been off the job since October 2008 when the mine closed due to low metal prices and demand.

The company hopes to get backing from investors and start the project in early 2011.

Workers would be recalled as the project advances.

By Stew Kernan

The 22nd edition for the Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival is less than two months away running September 18th to the 26th.

This year it’s expected more than 130 films will be shown during the nine day festival.

Festival Director Tammy Frick announced some of the details this morning including the opening night film…perfect for Sudbury…Score: A Hockey Musical.

Tickets go on sale August 3rd.

For full details go to www.cinefest.com.

By Stew Kernan

12 teams will battle it out at the Caruso Club Men’s Invitational Soccer Tournament this weekend.

Four teams from the Soo as well as teams from the G-T-A go up against four local entries.

Tournament games will be played Saturday and Sunday at the Kinsmen Complex in Walden with the semi-finals and finals on Monday.

$10,000 in prize money is up for grabs.  

Organizing committee for this weekend’s Caruso Club Soccer Tournament.

(2010 Ontario Summer Games Co-Chair Dan Lee raises the flag at Tom Davies Square)

By Angela Gemmill

When Sudbury hosts the 2010 Ontario Summer Games next month there could be a future Olympian or national champion among the 35-hundred athletes.

The event, involving competition in 32 different sports, is less than two weeks away, but organizers and volunteers celebrated this morning at Tom Davies Square.

The medals were unveiled and the summer games flag was raised marking August as Summer games month in Sudbury.

Co-Chair Dan Lee expects Sudbury to set a new standard for summer games.

He says there is a great base of local volunteers who have experience putting on successful sporting events, who think outside the box and work to do their best.

Dave Saad, with Sports Alliance of Ontario has helped with other Summer Games across the province and says it is Sudbury’s community spirit which will help us stand out from other cities who hosted the competition.

He says the caliber of participation of the athletes and the competition will be outstanding and encourages citizens to come watch.

(Gold, Silver & Bronze medals for 2010 Ontario Summer Games)

By Stew Kernan

Another step was taken to improve safety along Highway 69, South of Sudbury.

The new four kilometre stretch of highway at the Killarney S-Curve opened to traffic Tuesday night.

Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci says it’s too late for Kelly Ann Henderson and her twin 12-year-old sons, Corbin and Jordin Sauve, who died along this stretch of highway in August 2002.

But Bartolucci says it will help prevent future tragedies.