Thumbs up for New Year’s Eve party in the Sault, thumbs down for heated sidewalks
Sault Ste. Marie will have its own New Year’s Eve ball drop – or puck drop.
City council has given city staff the green light to begin planning a New Year’s Eve party at the city’s Downtown Plaza.
At the start of the year, council asked staff for a report on the feasibility of hosting a New Year’s Eve ball drop, citing the potential social and economic benefits.
The idea not only gained the support of staff but also caught the attention of a sponsor.
“We just found out just before council that GFL wanted to commit and support this great community event and cover the full cost of $16,000 to make it a reality,” said Brent Lamming, director of community services.
“I’m so glad to have our staff behind it and have so many constituents and residents behind it,” said Coun. Angela Caputo, who was behind the motion for the feasibility report.
“Also, we got the surprise last night that GFL is behind it.”
The event will be held at the Downtown Plaza, with activities and food and beverage options to be explored.
The object to be dropped when the clock strikes midnight is still to be decided. It could be a ball with the city’s logo on it, or it could be a giant hockey puck. Lamming said citizens will be consulted on what they’d like to see.
Another item on this week’s council agenda was a request for information from Caputo on the cost of installing heated sidewalks downtown.
Administration advised against this, as it would greatly increase the cost of the Queen Street reconstruction project set to begin this year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 5 storm. Florida orders evacuations
Florida's storm-battered Gulf Coast raced against a Category 5 hurricane Monday as workers sprinted to pick up heaps of appliances and other street debris left over from Helene two weeks ago and highways were clogged with people fleeing ahead of the storm.
'Selfish billionaire': Chip Wilson's mansion vandalized after political sign erected outside
Days after a political sign was erected outside Chip Wilson's Vancouver mansion, the waterfront property has been vandalized with graffiti.
Hurricane Milton has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm. What does that mean?
Hurricane Milton quickly intensified to a Category 5 storm on Monday, reaching the most dangerous rank on what's known as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Canadians head for higher ground as threat of Hurricane Milton nears Florida's Gulf Coast
The contents of entire homes have been kicked to the curb in one south Tampa neighbourhood. Piles of garbage bags, broken trees and waterlogged furniture serve as reminders of how unforgiving nature can be.
Two people injured in apparent road rage incident, shooting in Toronto
Two people are in hospital after they were chased and shot at in what appears to be an act of road rage before eventually flipping their car while trying to escape, police say.
Sammy Basso, longest living survivor of rare rapid-aging disease progeria, dies at 28
Sammy Basso, who was the longest living survivor of the rare genetic disease progeria, has died at the age of 28, the Italian Progeria Association said on Sunday.
Senior charged after minivan set ablaze outside Vancouver City Hall
The day after a minivan was set ablaze outside Vancouver City Hall, a 78-year-old man has been criminally charged.
Canadian soldier wins compensation for cancer linked to burn pits after Veterans Affairs denied claim
A Canadian soldier who was exposed to toxic chemicals from burn pits while serving in Afghanistan has been awarded full medical compensation for testicular cancer after Veterans Affairs initially denied his claim.
A Canadian woman was recently diagnosed with scurvy. Here are the factors tied to the disease
Scurvy is not just an archaic diagnosis of 18th-century seafarers and doctors should watch for possible cases, according to researchers following a recent case.