By David Lacasse

About 1.5 million Ontarians don’t have a driver’s license, which in the past made it difficult to access services, open a bank account or make travel plans.

But that all changed this week when the provincial government announced new special photo ID cards.

The identification looks and acts similar to a driver’s license, only it clearly states it is not a driver’s license.

Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci says the new card will be valid for five years at a cost of 35-dollars.

By David Lacasse

It took less than two hours to plan, but the results have been quite succesful up to now.

John Porter has been high atop the Southridge Mall parking lot since Friday afternoon raising money for children in Sudbury.

He hasn’t had an ounce of food since Friday and has only been drinking water and stopping for bathroom breaks.

Since Friday, The Human League has raised over $3,500.

By David Lacasse

An attempted robbery at the Wabagishik Lake Dam Friday night got two teens arrested.

A Vale Plant Protection officer observed the two males entering a gated part of the plant.

Once on the property, the culprits managed to put a forklift into motion and used it to facilitate entry into a locked utility trailer.

When police arrived, they arrested the two teens who according to police used a boat to access the scene and were in the process of transporting the stolen goods across the lake to a camp site.

The 19 and 21 year-old suspects were charged with Break and Enter, Mischief and Possession of Stolen Property.

By: Lynn Bulloch

Ontario’s former NDP leader, Howard Hampton, says he won’t run for re-election October 6.

He says after 35 years in politics, it’s time to move on. The 59-year old MPP of Kenora-Rainy River hasn’t decided what he’ll do next, but says he’s still a lawyer and could update his teaching certificate.

Hampton stepped down as NDP leader in March 2009; he was succeeded by Andrea Horwath. He’s the husband of former Nickel Belt MPP Shelley Martel.

By: Lynn Bulloch

The Liberals say they’ll change the way Ontario’s rent increase rate is set if they’re re-elected this fall.

Sudbury MPP and Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rick Bartolucci announced one of the biggest jumps in years yesterday.

Landlords will be able to increase tenants’ rents by 3.1 per cent in 2012 — up from the 2011 rate of point-seven per cent.

The rate is currently tied to the Consumer Price Index, which is calculated annually by Statistics Canada.

By: Lynn Bulloch

Greater Sudbury Police are looking for a man accused of robbing a blueberry vendor in Valley East.

It happened Friday, just before 4pm on Regional Road 84, by the old Nickel Belt Hotel.

Police say the blueberry vendor was threatened by a lone male with a wrench.

The suspect made off with a fanny pack of cash… he fled on foot, but may have left the area in a black 2-door Jeep with a soft top.

He’s described as a white male, 5-9, weighing between 140 and 170 pounds. He was wearing a bandana over his face, sunglasses, blue jeans, a dark shirt and had a black baseball cap on backwards.

The victim was not hurt in the robbery.  Anyone with information is asked to call Police or Crimestoppers at 222-TIPS.

By Stew Kernan

Three million boaters don’t have their Pleasure Craft Operators Card, but will still head out on the water this long weekend.

President of BOATsmart Canada Cameron Taylor says getting the card is simple and educational.

When you go on-line you will learn the proper way to operate your boat along with safety tips.

Just go to www.boatsmartexam.com

The fine if you are caught without the card is $250.00.

The one time cost to take the test is $49.99 and the price drops to $32.00 a person for a family of four.

By Stew Kernan

Sudbury Police looking for a suspect after an early morning robbery.

Just before 1 this morning, a man entered the Mac”s Milk convenience store on Lasalle Blvd and demanded the clerk hand over cash.

The suspect said he had a gun, but no weapon was seen…he eventually fled the store with an undisclosed amount of money.

The clerk wasn’t injured.

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

Store surveillance video catches robber in action.

By Stew Kernan

Greater Sudbury Police have made more arrests in their latest prostitution sweep.

Problem areas of the city were targeted yesterday, areas where prostitution has been identified.

Seven women and two men were arrested for communicating for the purposes of engaging in prostitution.

One man was also charged with robbery, resisting arrest and breaching  a peace bond.

One man faces a possession of a controlled substance charge as well.

By Angela Gemmill

The Sudbury Regional Hospital is taking a big step forward in orthopedic care, by opening a diagnostic imaging clinic in the same building as the seven orthopaedic surgeons in the city.

Both x-rays and ultrasounds can be done at the site at 2120 Regent Street South.

Dan Newell, who is getting both hips replaced, lists convenience and free parking as benefits….but mostly says the clinic will mean less pain for patients like him who find it difficult to get in and out of cars and travel to and from buildings.

Hospital President and CEO, Dr Denis Roy, says patients don’t have to go to the main campus for the procedures, they won’t have to carry the X-ray films around to their appointments and all pictures (old and new) will be in the same file.

The clinic is linked to the hospital’s electronic medical records system meaning treating physicians can view results within minutes of the x-ray or ultrasound.

Administrative Director Tyler Speck explains orthopaedic surgeons see a great number of people who need X-rays and by being in close proximity the clinic extends to where the patients need it.

Plus it means patients only have to go to the hospital for surgery.

Five full-time staff work at the clinic including two X-ray technicians, two ultrasound technicians and clerical staff.

(Diagnostic Imaging Administrative Director Tyler Speck; Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci, patient Dan Newell; Radiologist Dr Evan Roberts; Chair of HRSRH Board Russ Boyles & Sudbury Regional Hospital President & CEO Dr Denis Roy)