By Stew Kernan

The 24th annual Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival is quickly approaching.

Up to 130 films to be shown over the nine days of the festival from September 15th to 23rd.

Festival Managing Director Patrick O’Hearn says once again Canadian films will be highlighted with northern film-makers playing a big role in the festival.

Some of the line-up was announced today including the Opening Night Gala.

Festival Director Tammy Frick says they’re thrilled to open-up with “The Riverbank” a film shot entirely here in Sudbury.

Tickets go on sale on August 8th…call 705-688-1234 or go to www.cinefest.com for more information.

By Stew Kernan

Bad news for swimmers….the Bell Park Main Beach has been closed as a precaution because of possible blue-green algae blooms.

The Ministry of Environment is taking water samples to confirm the presence of the algae.

Meantime…tests done on the water at the David Street Water Treatment Plant have shown no signs of blue-green algae or it’s toxins.

All users of the lake are asked to call the Health Unit if they spot any blooms.

By Stew Kernan

The Warren Detachment of the OPP is investigating an apparent case of animal cruelty.

Calls came into police this week after dead dog was spotted floating in the West Arm of Lake Nipissing, in the area of Musky Island.

The small white and brown spotted dog was likely a Terrier.

Police say the dog was weighted down with a heavy object tied to its leg.

Anyone with information should contact Warren OPP or Crime Stoppers.

By Angela Gemmill

Several callers to our newsroom alerted us to a problem with power in New Sudbury this morning.

Just before 9:30am, Greater Sudbury Utilities customers reported having their lights flick off and on, several appliances wouldn’t work and then they had a reduction in power or low voltage of electricity.

GSU told the 105.3 EZ-Rock Newsroom there was a problem with the Arthur Street Sub-station.

They were unsure how many customers were affected or how long the problem would last.

Most customers reported full power back shortly after 10am.

By Angela Gemmill

It’s the middle of summer when most people are at their camp or cottage and aren’t really thinking about politics.

Yet, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance is seeking pre-budget consultations from Canadians for what they’d like within the 2013 budget.

Nickel Belt M-P, New Democrat, Claude Gravelle, is disappointed.

He feels the Harper Conservative Government did this on purpose.

The deadline for providing input, comments, concerns or ideas is Friday, August 3rd.

Gravelle feels the Conservatives made the consultation a short period in the middle of summer to avoid getting too many comments from concerned citizens.

Citizens can post concerns, comments and suggestions online at www.parl.gc.ca.

However Gravelle feels the Conservatives majority government will do what they want regardless.

By Angela Gemmill

Once again the suspect in the Buddy the Hero Dog case did not attend court when his case was before a judge in Sudbury yesterday.

Thirty-two-year-old Simeon Smith was represented by his lawyer, who asked the case be adjourned until October 1st.

At that time Smith will either enter a plea or have a trial date set.

A German Shepherd was found shot in the face along the side of the road in St Charles in March.

Despite rescue efforts to save him he died a few days later during surgery.

Smith faces four counts of animal cruelty under the OSPCA Act.

A guilty sentence could carry a jail term of up to two years, a fine of up-t0-$60,000 and/or a lifetime ban on animal ownership.

(Picture courtesy of Walden Animal Hospital Facebook page)

By Stew Kernan

Sudbury Police continue the search for a missing 14-year old boy.

Zach Bigras was last seen leaving his home in Wahnapitae last Tuesday afternoon.

Police believe he may be staying somewhere in the city.

Bigras is described as 5’8″, 122 pounds with a brush cut, brown eyes and he usually wears Nike high top sneakers.

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

If you know where 14-year old Zach Bigras is call Police (705-675-9171) or Crime Stoppers (222-TIPS).

By Stew Kernan

A major drug bust west of Sudbury.

Last night around 6 o’clock, an officer from the Espanola OPP detachment made a traffic stop on Highway 17 near Webbwood.

A search of the vehicle found 30 pounds of marihuana valued at 90-thousand dollars.

Facing drug charges is 31-year old Abe Fehr from Windsor.

By Angela Gemmill

There is a new economic engine in Sudbury, helping to create jobs, stimulate the economy and even improve the city’s image.

Two local film producers and entrepreneurs, David Anselmo and Pierre Bonhomme have transformed the former Barrydowne Arena into a 20,000-square-foot sound stage called the Northern Ontario Film Studios.

Over the past several years films productions have come to the city, shot footage and then left soon after.

Anselmo says the studio now provides the permanent infrastructure needed so these productions can stay longer using a controlled environment.

According to Bonhomme the response has been overwhelmingly positive and the studio is booked for the next year for various television and film productions.

He says they’re getting phone calls and visits from both local and out-of-town producers on a weekly basis.

Anselmo attributes the recent growth in the Northern Ontario film industry to the incentives from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, which provides financial support for productions that film within the region.

He says that bodes well for people from the region who want to work in the film industry.

Mayor Marianne Matichuk was at the studios on Beatrice Crescent this morning.

She is excited by the job creation and potential business spin-offs from the studio and is thrilled Sudbury is now the hub for film production in Northern Ontario.

Matichuk feels the growth in the local industry helps bring prestige to our city and improves the image outsiders may have of Sudbury.

Anselmo and Bonhomme have leased Barrydowne Arena from the city for the next few years, but plan to build a larger studio in the future.

Along with the 20,000 square feet of clear span space, Northern Ontario Film Studios also includes a green room, dressing rooms, storage space and plenty of parking.

It is the largest film studio north of Toronto.

Bonhomme and Anselmo both grew up in Sudbury, but left to establish their respective careers.

Several years ago they both decided to return to their hometown to continue their passion for the film industry.

(Producer of Dark Rising Craig Fleming, NOFS Founder Pierre Bonhomme, Sudbury Mayor Marianne Matichuk and NOFS Founder David Anselmo)

By Angela Gemmill

Northern Ontario has seen a lot of growth in its economy and businesses over the past 25 years and much of that can be linked back to FedNor investments.

In 1987, the federal government created an economic development initiative for the region to focus on economic disparities and unique regional challenges.

It was, and still is called the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, FedNor for short.

Since then FedNor has improved to include a number of initiatives and programs proving successful in job creation, economic growth and long term prosperity across the Northern Ontario region.

July marks the 25 year anniversary of the government agency.

It is currently led by Industry Minister Tony Clement.