Sault community groups host outreach initiative in Jamestown
A large community outreach initiative is taking place in Sault Ste. Marie's Jamestown area this week.
The event, organized by The ArtsSpeaks Project and City of Sault Ste. Marie, invites residents to take part in painting, planting and other tasks to help spruce up the neighbourhood.
It also gives some an up close and personal view of some special insects, with a visit from Entomica Insectarium.
"We wanted to remove the barriers for those who are unable to visit us at the Bushplane Centre," said Jessica Fischer, Entomica board member. "We want them to know that we care about them, we see them, we're going to come to you if you can't come to us."
Fischer said Entomica will be participating in the Jamestown revitalization plan next year, with its Entomica Connects program. It will see the non-profit education group construct a pollinator bed and other initiatives that will help the area.
"For us, it's all about creating growth in this neighbourhood and giving back," Fischer said.
Tuesday's event also saw members of the city and Sault police attend, in an effort to meet and speak with residents.
"The more people to a community, the happier, the more collective we become and that just increases public safety all around," said Sault Police chief Hugh Stevenson.
Jamestown has been devastated by two recent murders in the city, which both took place in the area.
It's also been at the forefront of addictions and mental health-related issues for years.
For resident Janet Gough, she said recent tragedies inspired her to create memorials for all of those who've died in the city.
"It's not even something I wanted to do, but in my heart, it says, these people need to be remembered," Gough said.
She has carved out crosses with the names of those who've died on them, and intends to put them up in the area.
Gough also made two memorials for the recent homicide victims.
"Thing's like this, it helps take away from the negativity," Gough said. "It's about community, togetherness, it's about getting along with people."
Residents have also been invited to write messages on some of the canvases put up in flowerbeds along James Street.
The event wraps up Wednesday afternoon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What Michael Cohen said on the stand in Trump hush money case
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Behind the barricades: How protesters spend their first days in a new encampment
Students in Montreal describe life in a newly erected encampment in Montreal as a whirlwind of preparations, from facing rain and a potential police crackdown to setting up a space for the exchange of ideas.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Canucks' Soucy suspended 1 game, Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosschecks on McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been suspended for a game and another was handed a hefty fine after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.