Deena passed away peaceful 16 days shy of her 92 birthday on June 24 Deena has always been proud of being born and raised in Penticton and of being part of the frontier families She was a 1949 Peach Festival Princess and a co-founder of Teen Town Deena’s wonderful artistic abilities helped her design ladies garments for the Hudson Bay Company in Vancouver before returning to Penticton to marry Kevin Crusher Conway and become a wonderful mother to four children.  Northern OntarioNewsHwy. 69 reopens after serious, single-vehicle crash in EstaireBy Darren MacDonaldPublished: July 02, 2024 at 9:33AM EDT Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved Jazz Police “On a good day it is very likely that you’ll find an artist who is a fine vocalist fronting a highly successful ensemble But once in a blue moon you’ll find one who is magnificent in the vocal department writer and arranger of music with all of these aspects of artistry being almost second nature And then there is that small matter of leading a fine ensemble as well Estaire Godinez is just that kind of artist; a rare and gleaming gem.” –Raul da Gama “I like to mix it up and shake it around then let it all pour out.” –Estaire Godinez Last time I googled “Estaire Godinez,” I found a website labeled “Music the former resident is known as a percussionist vocalist and songwriter who has performed with Prince yet she has also accumulated a number of acting credits Her musical talents will be front and center when Estaire returns to Minnesota for two nights (one show each night) at the Dakota Her last visit was three years ago when she performed at The Russian Museum of Art and at the Artists Quarter CA and raised in a Mexican American family of musicians acquiring fluency in three languages (Spanish Portuguese and English) and honing wide-ranging talents she learned by singing along with record by Sergio Mendez and Brasil 66 Although she was more attracted to the male singers “She always made people laugh,” she says “I figured if I can do that as an entertainer Estaire started out singing in salsa bands and playing hand percussion instruments she moved to Europe and to the full array of percussion (including congas and cajon) working as a singer and manager of a salsa band in Amsterdam Next came a stint in Spain backing pop stars and working in house bands for Spanish television Estaire has performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival and at London’s International Rock Awards and has toured extensively through Europe and South America Estiare still plays frequently in Hawaii with brothers Carlos and Salvador While she attained some of her training at Berklee College of Music in Boston and through private study with conguero Giovanni Hidalgo Estaire notes that  “Playing with George Benson Prince and other people is what feeds my solo music–other musicians are what inspire me most.” Estaire was based for a while in the Twin Cities Stokely Williams (drums) and Serge Akou (bass) was recorded in Minneapolis and produced by Estaire with same cast of musicians expanding to include bassist Enrique Toussaint guitarist Dirk Freymuth  and vocalist JD Steele to several tracks and pop around a snaky sax line.” The recording was recently re-released Estaire has appeared regularly at such venues as Vibrato and Catalina’s and on Monday nights at Cafe Was with fellow actor/musician Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra; she has also worked on a CD project with composer Leon Ware Estaire will reunite with old friends –Peter Schimke on keys with Kathleen Johnson and Kevin Jackson adding vocals and hints of other guests The Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com or call for reservations at 612-332-1010 Estaire and Sal Godinez have formed a new trio on Maui specializing in Latin and Brazilian-flavored jazz the Godinez Family Trio will perform Saturday at the Empanada Lady Restaurant and Lounge and Monday at the Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate Factory multitalented musician brothers Sal and Felipe Godinez and sister Estaire Godinez have formed a new group specializing in Latin and Brazilian-flavored jazz collective resumes include performing with George Benson and Prince and on Maui with Amy Hanaiali’i and John Cruz They will perform at Wailuku’s Empanada Lady Restaurant and Lounge today and the Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate Factory in Lahaina on Sunday “It’s something we’ve always wanted to do play as a family once again,” Estaire explained “Felipe came here years ago to play with Sal Now we’re all here again and we wanted to do a band together.” “it will be a mix of songs Sal does with his trio and songs I do with my trio just beautiful.” Covers will include songs by Brazilian legends “We do an arrangement of Sting’s ‘Fragile’ as a salsa with some Spanish lyrics,” added Sal “And we do some Adele songs with a Latin feel and a salsa arrangement of ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’ by the Beatles.” Estaire’s journey included 14 years of playing around Europe and later touring with Prince and jazz legend Benson She spent about a year as a percussionist and background singer with Prince’s New Power Generation her passion for playing was seeded through salsa dancing “I was singing and dancing and did a lot of hand percussion,” she recalled “I seriously started playing congas in Europe and I toured with well-known people in Spain.” Latin Jazz Network praised: “Once in a blue moon you’ll find an artist who is magnificent in the vocal department writer and arranger of music with all of these aspects of artistry being almost second nature.” The oldest of nine brothers and sisters from the East Bay Area “I came for three weeks and it turned into 40 years,” he recalled A versatile keyboardist adept at a broad range of music from classical to jazz and Latin he was once featured in a New York Times article on Maui spotlighting his playing at Wailea’s Four Seasons Resort Initially passionate about playing classical music he began taking lessons from a piano teacher from Mexico “I started when I was around two and a half and my brothers and sisters ended up following in my footsteps,” he said he was working at Caesars in Tahoe when his brother Carlos called him from Maui ‘Our band leader is leaving for three weeks You want to come front the band for awhile?’ So I bought a one-way ticket.” A long creative collaboration with Hanaiali’i began at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua some 26 years ago “She had gotten back from college and was auditioning there,” he recalled “Her thing back then was musical theater and Whitney Houston We did a couple of covers by the Cazimeros.” I’ve also done several recordings with her as well,” he said These include the albums “Nostalgia,” and her most recent recording “Kalawai’anui.” In the last few years he has collaborated with Cruz playing at the Pro Arts Playhouse every first and third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m “I love his original music,” he said Amy and a few other Hawaiian acts were touring the Big Island,” he said we stopped and performed for the Hawaiian protesters at Mauna Kea Also occasionally playing with Cruz and Willie K in the past Estaire has released the albums “Live at the Dakota” and “This Time.” She is currently recording her third album “It’s all of her favorite Mexican songs,” she explained “They’re all Mexican songs I’m arranging and I’m hoping to have it done by the summer.” the Godinez siblings will be augmented by drummer Duke Gadd son of legendary drummer Steve Gadd (Paul Simon “He’s an amazing drummer,” said Sal The Godinez Family Trio perform at the Empanada Lady Restaurant and Lounge from 6 to 8 p.m They play the Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate Factory from 5 to 7 p.m Tickets are available at www.mauichocolatetour.com/sunset-jazz/ Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Jazz Maui’s music education programs A grant information session for Maui County’s recycling grants program will be at 2 p.m In light of increased property values driving up tax payments the Maui County Council’s budget committee has .. Copyright © 2025 Maui News Publishing Company LTD | https://www.mauinews.com | 100 Mahalani Street Northern OntarioNewsHighway 69 reopened following motorcycle crash in EstaireBy Dan Bertrand and Chelsea PapineauPublished: August 11, 2024 at 6:02PM EDT ROAD CLOSURE: #Hwy69 in Estaire is closed N/B at Hwy 69 and Hwy 64 following a vehicle collision. #OPP on scene. ^kk pic.twitter.com/ra6ZXl6jax Collision on #HWY69 Both Directions at LOVERING LAKE ROAD OVERPASS, KILLARNEY. All lanes closed. #Closure #ONHwys https://t.co/m0MOCiO0Wc Blue-green algae has been detected in Boulder Lake We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentIn a release Public Health Sudbury and Districts said tests the Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks conducted last week confirmed the presence of the cyanobacteria that can produce toxins Boulder Lake is located east of Estaire and south of Nepewassi Lake Blue-green algal blooms could also appear in other parts of the lake they can move from one location to another through wind and water action All residents on lakes should look for blooms in their area Blue-green algal blooms have an unsightly pea soup appearance and foul smell and can produce toxins Residents should avoid using or drinking water from areas where blooms are visible The highest concentrations of toxins are usually found in blooms and scum on the shoreline Start your days with the latest local news By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of Sudbury Star Morning Briefing will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. “These dense accumulations pose the greatest potential risks to people and pets,” Public Health said.“The algae toxins can irritate a person’s skin and they could suffer liver and nervous system damage.” The health unit said people using lakes and rivers to be on the lookout for algal blooms If you see a bloom near your property or water intake line: or livestock to drink or swim in the bloom – Be aware that shallow drinking water intake pipes can pump in blue-green algae – Do not boil the water or treat it with a disinfectant – Do not rely on water jug filtration systems as they may not protect against the toxins – Avoid cooking with the water because food may absorb toxins from the water during cooking “Exercise caution with respect to eating fish caught in water where blue-green algal blooms occur,” Public Health said On lakes and rivers where blue-green algal blooms are confirmed people who use the surface water for their private drinking water supply may wish to consider an alternate transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy The last time Katelyn Boyle spoke to her father it was to ask if he would come to her wedding “He said he was going to call me right back Three years later Katelyn and her elder siblings would learn of their father’s whereabouts only because of a horrific development in Estaire — a place far from their southern Ontario home that none had ever set foot in And their father Terry Boyle — so they suddenly learned — was her widower “It was absolutely out of nowhere,” says Shawn “That’s actually how we found out where he was because we were approached by the Sudbury police trying to get some background on Sheri-Lynn’s death.” still not having managed to connect with their dad or figure out exactly when he had moved to Estaire and remarried his adult kids would find out Boyle himself was dead It was their mother Mary who fielded that news “The OPP came to my house to give me the information that he was gone and left it to me to go and tell the kids,” she says “That’s how we found out Terry had committed suicide.” Mary — who was married to Boyle for 13 years — pauses and then corrects herself “Actually I don’t think they told us that part “They just told us it wasn’t a suspicious death.” and gleaning whatever they know mostly from media accounts pretty much defines the past seven years for the family who struggle to understand why Boyle became so distant and what exactly happened in Estaire “This whole situation is just one big perpetual state of questions,” says Shawn They were also denied the usual outlet for grief Mary says she called the fire hall in Estaire where her ex-husband had served as a volunteer but there was visitation for some of the firefighters.” “I was told if we showed up we would be arrested,” she says That warning came from the funeral director and presumably reflected the wishes of McEwan’s family “We’re not trying to blame Sheri-Lynn’s family and don’t know what they were thinking at that time but it seems they did not want us there,” she says The kids weren’t looking for “anything material,” emphasizes Jaclyn But they did want to say goodbye to their dad “It would have been nice to have something — even a sweater or a picture of our father.” A redheaded OR nurse in Sudbury with a passion for motorcycles and roller derby McEwan is regularly described as fun-loving and kind-hearted and the two were married just a few months before her death They lived across from the fire station in Estaire McEwan had returned from a trip to Las Vegas and was dropped off at the house by friends A 911 call was placed from the residence and McEwan was found gravely injured inside The OPP has been tight-lipped about the murder scene and haven’t confirmed whether or not there was forcible entry to the house They also haven’t pointed to any leads or persons of interest in the case but police have never suggested he was connected to the crime Mary says police assured her they didn’t view her ex-husband as a suspect but remains a bit confused by the approach they took with the family because there was an ongoing investigation It doesn’t make much sense why we couldn’t contact him.” The Estaire resident was distraught in the weeks after McEwan’s death and had been staying in the home of friends in the community he had decided to return to the house he had shared with McEwan and was found deceased inside the residence Police are typically circumspect when a death is suicidal They only said no foul play was presumed in Boyle’s demise and people who weren’t close to the situation had to read between the lines pen some lines of his own — in the form of a suicide note Mary says she eventually learned as much in conversations with the OPP But neither his ex-wife nor his adult kids have been privy to the contents of that note which only adds to their list of unresolved questions “We don’t know what Terry’s state of mind was,” says his ex-wife So why did he feel like he needed to commit suicide Shawn says the note must pertain to the investigation but he still struggles with not knowing what it says The three children and their mom don’t even know where Boyle’s remains have been placed “One thing I know about him was he was very vocal about wanting to be cremated,” says his son “So it’s safe for us to assume his ashes are out there somewhere I would like to know where my father’s resting place is.” Boyle’s disappearance from the lives of his children did not come on the heels of a huge fight or any other incident the three can point to “We weren’t on bad terms or anything when he left; there was no argument,” says Katelyn Their parents had split up when all three were young — between the ages of two and seven — so they were accustomed to not seeing their dad all the time but each had maintained a fairly good bond with him spending weekends and holidays at his home meeting subsequent partners of his (he remarried once and introducing him to their children as they were born “The last conversation for all of us was positive,” says Jaclyn “It was all something exciting and something to look forward to,” agrees Katelyn and would have been about 55 when he faded from the lives of his children Shawn says he had a trailer on Manitoulin and had talked about travelling but he had no reason to think he would simply fall off the map All of the kids made efforts to contact him and find out where he was living And they weren’t the only ones wondering what happened to Boyle “It was his all his friends in the Niagara area Bates eventually sleuthed out a possible explanation through someone her dad had been previously involved with in Niagara “I did connect with Sheri-Lynn at one point,” she says I looked her up on Facebook and emailed her and kind of explained we’re looking for our dad and we’re really upset and basically just want to connect with him.” She says McEwan told her she could send a message to her dad “And I never heard anything back,” says Bates All of them remain perplexed by the disappearing act “There were times when we didn’t talk for a while but even in those periods we always knew where he was,” says Shawn “This was very out of character,” agrees Mary “The kids had always been involved in his other relationships — they knew his second wife; they knew his ex-girlfriend We didn’t know he got remarried until Sheri-Lynn was murdered and the police came and asked questions about his wife.” Could Boyle have been capable of killing his wife His children and first wife don't think so — and yet there seems to be some hesitation among family members in firmly ruling out the possibility He says he never saw his father exhibit an inclination toward violence and can’t picture him hurting — let alone killing — anyone and can’t remember a time he got in a verbal confrontation with someone,” he says “I just don’t think he was a violently natured man for me it would definitely be a stretch of the imagination to say he would be capable of doing something like that.” offering neither a yes nor a no to the question “It’s really hard to speculate on that,” interjects their mother I can tell you that in my marriage he was never physically abusive But for us to speculate on what we think happened there The problem is none of the family had been in touch with him for three years so don’t know what kind of state he was in “We have no idea what kind of mindset he was at when he was in Sudbury,” says Shawn that he did not have a history of depression or suicide attempts and seemed to easily gain the affection and trust of others he met “He was funny and he was a good dad,” says Katelyn Shawn says he could “be somewhat absent as a father” at times although he attributes that “mostly to the distance” that derived from his parents splitting up and Boyle living in a different community the three would spend time at the fire hall where Boyle worked in Niagara and his colleagues there were “a second family,” says Shawn many of the firefighters in Estaire were supportive of Boyle and upset that anyone could imagine him being involved somehow in the murder Yet when his family tried to connect with his colleagues at the fire hall “I got a bit of a chill from the fire department,” says Shawn Mary says the impression she received was that a split existed among this contingent “Some were in favour of Terry and some were against him,” she says “Some thought Terry might have had something to do with her murder The notion that some people in the community — including members of his firefighting fold and conceivably members of McEwan’s family — have suspicions about Boyle is troubling and hurtful for his surviving kin “We don’t know what people are saying,” says Jaclyn “It breaks our heart to think that people are thinking negatively or saying negative things about him.” “And what would his funeral have been like if they thought he was responsible?” adds Shawn Along with not knowing what he wrote in his suicide note the family members don’t know what was written in Boyle’s will They presume they would have been contacted by now if there was anything in it pertaining to them but would still appreciate knowing its contents “That and the suicide note were his last words to the world.” In the weeks and months following the double tragedy the Boyle kids were tempted to speak publicly but resisted doing so because their emotions were too raw and they felt it might just add to their suffering They also contemplated taking legal action to access the will but decided it wasn’t worth the cost — financial “Getting in a legal battle while trying to wrap your head around the unique situation that this is it’s a monumental emotional task,” says Shawn “At the time we were just trying to get our heads around everything and move forward with our lives.” They’re speaking now because after four years they still have questions and hope coming forward might prompt someone in the community to share more information Ideally the police would also keep them more in the loop As the fourth anniversary of McEwan’s death approached earlier this month the OPP renewed efforts to investigate the crime sweeping the area with a chopper and drone in the air and detectives on the ground — but that was something Boyle's first wife and children only heard about through media stories “I was in contact for a while and they had given us somebody in Sudbury looking after the case who I was told we could contact if we had questions,” says Mary “They were very nice about it but there’s been no information Police have never contacted any of us to say the investigation is ongoing or they’re taking another look at things.” the family hopes speaking out might help build a bridge to members of the McEwan family whom they have never met — and not had much success engaging through messages — but would like to be on good terms with “My hope is that they see this and something clicks for them,” says Jaclyn “And they no longer just think of us as Terry’s kids And maybe see us for who we are and open up communication They stress they don’t want to point fingers and or in any way belittle the pain that Sheri-Lynn’s family and friends have experienced from her death “We realize they’re a victim in this and they lost their loved one “But I have a hard time coming to grips with why the kids couldn’t say goodbye to him.” and the anniversary of his death is this Friday so he is very much on the minds of his children this week And after four years of silently grieving and struggling with so many unanswered questions “They talk about Sheri-Lynn and they talk about Terry but there’s never a mention that he had children and grandchildren,” notes Mary And the kids are at the point where they were like They get why the tragic events of 2013 draw the most ink but feel like they’ve been pushed into the background and Boyle himself is “only a brief footnote on stories about Sheri-Lynn,” as Shawn puts it it’s in relation to the murder and his own murky end Yet “he had a whole life down here before moving to Sudbury,” says the son “Sudbury was just the last few years of his life.” his adult kids crave some kind of clarity to the unsolved tragedy “We would like to have a lot of the holes filled in with the story,” says Shawn because obviously everyone still has fears — just in the back of your mind,” says Jaclyn jmoodie@postmedia.com This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. As officers continue to search for her killer, the OPP on Tuesday released the name of a woman murdered in Estaire on Monday. Sheri-Lynn McEwan, 40, of Estaire, was found in a home with serious injuries following a 911 call about 4 p.m. McEwan later died of her injuries. As of Tuesday morning, officers were still out in full force searching for a male suspect who could be armed. An OPP canine unit and police helicopter with infrared cameras searched the wooded area near Elbow Ridge Road in Estaire, about 30 km south of Sudbury, Monday night. By 7:30 p.m., several police cruisers, a van and heavily armed officers in combat gear were stationed at the corner of Estaire Road and Elbow Ridge Road, near the crime scene. OPP Const. Michelle Coulombe said police are asking members of the public with any information regarding the homicide to come forward. They have asked people in Estaire and the surrounding area to remain vigilant, and said the suspect could be armed. "If they (members of the public) see any suspicious activity, call 911 right away," Coulombe said. Police have not released any details about the incident, including how the woman was killed. Nepewassi Lake Road resident Kelly Langill was unaware of what was going on in the neighbourhood late Tuesday morning. "I know before dusk (Monday), the helicopter kept circling and circling," he said. "I found it odd. They were searching the same place. Maybe a hunter is lost." Langill said he and his wife moved to Nepewassi Lake Road (not far from Elbow Ridge Road) in 1999 to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. "Generally, people do keep to themselves," he said. "It's a nice quiet area. (The homicide is) scary." Langill said he understands that a couple who lived at the home -- which the OPP have closed off -- moved there about six years ago. About two or three years ago, he added, a fire damaged the home. Langill said he and his wife had no idea the OPP wanted area residents to be on the lookout for a possibly armed man. "We usually never lock our doors, but I'm sure now going to," he said. Eight years after Sheri-Lynn McEwan was murdered the OPP hope the public may still be able to help them identify her killer under the direction of the OPP’s Criminal Investigation Branch continue their investigation into the 40-year-old Estaire woman’s death We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentAs part of the ongoing investigation the Government of Ontario has offered a reward of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for McEwan’s death The OPP appealed to anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity to call 1-888-310-1122 or our tip line at 1-866-220-2505 where they may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000 Shoulder and lane blockage on Highway 69 in the Estaire area ESTAIRE — 511 Northeastern Ontario is reporting delays on Highway 69 and the information within may be out of date ESTAIRE — UPDATE: 511 Northeastern Ontario is reporting the right lane and shoulder of Highway 69 southbound ramp to Nelson Road has reopened as of 4:27 p.m of a shoulder and lane blockage on Highway 69 in the Estaire area Cleared: Estaire: #HWY69 SB ramp to #HWY7285 (Nelson Rd), right lane and shoulder have reopened. #ONHwys The 511 website states that this is an unplanned incident More information will be reported as it comes available For updates and information on road conditions and traffic delays, including live tweets from OPPand MTO, visit our LIVE: Parry Sound traffic and road conditions. For up-todateshort and long-term weather forecasts, visit our weather page. To let us know how your drive is, tweet with#MyParrySoundDrive. Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account. critic saysLow water levels bad for beavers If you look at an area south of Wanup between the original highway and its four-lane replacement using satellite view on Google Maps to this location just north of Secord Road on Old 69 and you will encounter a dried-up marsh full of tall of yellow grass along with patches of mud and a deserted beaver lodge We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentEstaire resident Rannah Sopha said the buck-toothed critters happily inhabited this wetland — along with many other species — until highway maintenance workers contracted by the Ministry of Transportation dismantled their dam “I’ve lived out here forever and drive that route all the time,” said Sopha “In September I encountered Emcon workers who were down in the ditch breaking up beaver dams Sopha noticed similar activity along the old highway and was disturbed enough by the disruption of habitat to write Caroline Mulroney “I notice in the past two years how the wildlife has dissipated in this particular area,” she wrote in June Sopha pointed out she has resided in the Estaire area for more than 40 years and drives this stretch of road on a daily basis “It has been very distressing to see this willful destruction by the highway work crews,” she said in her letter maintenance superintendent for the MTO in Sudbury The resident said she understands that culverts need to be freed of debris on occasion, but cannot understand why the dam-busting work had to be carried out this summer along Estaire Road, particularly in the location near Secord Road, as the route here is elevated and far from flood-prone. “The culvert is way below the highway and it would take a month of torrential rain to wash out any of the highway,” she wrote in her letter to the MTO. “No way in 50 years would that little dam cause flooding to any road way that high above the groundwater level.” Sopha stressed she is not predisposed to revere beavers or think of them as cute, cuddly animals. “I grew up on a farm,” she said. “My father hated beavers and would break up their dams so he could keep the water at a level where he could get his tractors on the field.” She does respect their place in the ecosystem, however, and does not want to see them trapped or displaced for no good reason. “I know they can be destructive in certain aspects,” she said. “But when they are breaking up beaver dams from the start of Estaire Road all the way down to Killarney Road, that’s a pretty big stretch of habitat they are affecting.” Sopha said at one time a beaver family was quite noticeable in the neighbourhood where she resides in Estaire, but that is not the case now. “Where I live here on Whipporwill Road there was a big dam and they broke that so many times now I don’t think the beavers have even bothered to go back there,” she said. “I can think of probably four spots where I’m pretty sure they wiped them out entirely.” Once a dam is broken up and a pond gets drained, the beavers “have to move out or die,” she said. “I think there should be some kind of humane, live trap if they are doing that.” It isn’t just the fate of the beavers that upsets her, however. It’s the way the destruction of their environment affects so many other species. “There goes the habitat for the moose to eat the bullrushes, for turtles to live in and lay their eggs,” she said. “It’s an ecosystem that is obviously very delicate.” She said she encountered more turtles — including endangered Blanding’s turtles — crossing Estaire Road this year, which she presumes is related to the beaver pond destruction, while moose have become much less noticeable. “I haven’t seen moose alongside of this highway for a few years now,” she said. “Before you used to see them standing in the ditches, eating all kinds of vegetation.” In a statement, the MTO said it “takes its responsibility for protecting the environment very seriously.” The ministry and its service providers must balance this environmental commitment, however, with “maintaining safe and reliable highway infrastructure for the people of Ontario,” the MTO said. In recent years, beavers have been active along the Highway 69 corridor, “removing vegetation and building dams within the highway right of way,” according to the ministry.  “Beaver dams block culverts, impede designed drainage patterns, and restrict water flow. The presence of beaver dams prematurely ages infrastructure and increases the risk of damage to highways through beaver dams failing and washing away granular materials.” Beaver populations are managed using trappers licensed by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, the MTO said. “Dams are lowered by non-mechanical means where a beaver dam failure could impact the highway and be a safety risk to highway users,” the statement reads. “Due to beaver population management and low precipitation rates, water levels along Highway 69 have dropped.” The MTO said the majority of the work in this area has been completed and it has reduced the risk of highway infrastructure failures.  “It is anticipated that water levels will return to relatively normal levels,” the ministry said, adding its contractor will “continue to monitor beaver dam activity within the highway right of way and will safely remove beavers and lower beaver dams as appropriate to ensure the safety of the travelling public.” Beavers were trapped to near-extinction in the formational years of Canada, when their pelts were prized for felt hats in Europe, but they are plentiful again now. For that reason, many would argue dispatching or displacing a few is not a big deal, and that driving on a dry highway is important — not just for enjoyment but also for commerce, commuting to a job, or reaching a hospital. “I get that,” said Sopha. “But it’s the spinoff. Their dams are gone; therefore the moose don’t have the bullrushes to eat, the wetland birds don’t have their feeding areas, and the turtles are just up the creek without a paddle.” Two people were displaced and their home lost in a fire on Estaire Road on Saturday morning but Greater Sudbury firefighters were able to find the family dog and reunite him with his owners Reached later by text message, Oshell said damages were estimated at $750,000. Four stations responded to the blaze. No injuries to residents or firefighters were reported. Three feral felines came to live on a farm We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentIt sounds like the start of a song or nursery rhyme — or perhaps a joke (“A cat walks into a barn…”) — but it’s a real scenario playing out on a rural property in Estaire At this point it’s too soon to say whether there will be a storybook ending but the farmers feel optimistic it can be a win-win The cats are getting a home — albeit in an outbuilding — and already there are signs they are earning their keep She also recently noticed some hay strewn suspiciously about on the floor of the cat enclosure — a clear sign the initiative “places cats that are best suited to be barn cats and working cats Sonntag said she heard of the option through word of mouth including positive reviews from others who had gone this route “A couple other farmer-neighbour friends said they had good luck with the program,” she said “They said they picked out the most feral cats and eventually they turned into these cute on how snuggly the Birch Meadow meowers will become “I’m still in that fun stage of not knowing if that’s ever going to happen,” said Sonntag with a laugh Sonntag and her partner originally planned to get just two cats that seems to have the most pettable potential — because they felt bad leaving her behind “As soon as we got home we emailed back and were like named Nelson — had only been there for a week so it was far from clear if they would all get along “The two females were living with other cats and they considered them cat-friendly all three have gelled pretty well — particularly Nelson “I think they’re boyfriend and girlfriend,” said Sonntag who “came with a bite warning,” is a bit more aloof but also seems generally compatible with her barnmates The cats aren’t yet ranging freely through the whole barn “We were told to keep them in a confined space for three to six weeks but I’m convinced if I let them out at the three-week point they would have just left forever so they are still acclimatizing,” said Sonntag “I think we’ll give it another couple weeks before we let them wander.” the cats are getting daily helpings of “yummy wet food,” she said which theoretically will keep them from straying too far in the future so could be tracked and returned to the farmers should they be found on another property and received a round of shots to protect them from disease given the veterinary care they have received But she also feels good about giving them a better home than a cage where they can lead a life that suits their temperaments “The way it was explained is that this is really their last chance at any sort of life just because they’re so wild and not touchy-feely,” she said she’s not ruling out a closer connection as time goes on “Our neighbours across the road have a barn cat from a similar program and this cat has become really friendly,” she said ‘the thug life is not for me,’ and she’s at their front door begging to get in every day.” who raise chickens along with pigs and turkeys the boarders will still be providing a worthwhile service Rodent issues are “inevitable out here,” said Sonntag “It’s mostly small ermines and mice eating feed bags Mink have also been horrible in the winter; they can get through anything the size of a toonie and we lost quite a few chickens last year to them.” and they have mostly kept the predators at bay this year Whether the cats and dogs will get along is a story that remains to be told Sonntag doesn’t regret the move and would recommend the Barn Buddy option to others — and not only to those who farm “I think anyone who lives out in the country has a mouse problem it was the best $50 you ever spent; if they take off hopefully the city will pick them up and scan the chip and you can try again at least you got an animal out of the shelter jmoodie@postmedia.com An Estaire man who pointed a shotgun at two police officers doing a wellness check on him has been given a suspended sentence and one-year probation order We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle content“If you thought it was a bear what good is an unloaded gun?” Ontario Court Justice Greg Rodgers asked Daniel St Germain in Sudbury court just before imposing the sentence The Crown and defence lawyer Jacob Gauthier had suggested the sentence “Your explanation about what was going on: there are a lot of bears in the Estaire area A bear is not going to be scared off by an unloaded gun.” Germain pleaded guilty to pointing a firearm at police officers on July 27 Germain also told him there had been a lot of burglaries and break and enters in the area but that “his alcohol consumption had a big part in his decision-making (that day).” “The officers used extraordinarily good judgment and restraint,” continued Justice Rodgers really bizarre behaviour meeting up with very restrained behaviour We hear about it all the time … I’m sure the officers are glad it didn’t.” The probation order includes conditions that St. Germain takes counselling as directed for grief, alcohol abuse and stress management. He must also not possess weapons. I addition, Rodgers issued a four-year weapons ban (the Crown wanted five years while Gauthier asked for three) and a DNA order. The 20-gauge shotgun police seized was forfeited to the Crown. A person with a valid possession/acquisition licence will be allowed to retrieve 21 other firearms and two crossbows found properly stored at St. Germain’s residence that police also seized. “Mr. St. Germain: I hope this never happens again and you deal with your issues,” Rodgers told St. Germain, who was accompanied in court by his mother. The court heard that Ontario Provincial Police officers went to St. Germain’s home to do a wellness check at the request of his mother. As they approached, St. Germain appeared at the door and pointed a shotgun at them. The officers retreated to a safe position, drew their firearms and ordered St. Germain to put down the shotgun.  After repeated requests, St. Germain dropped the firearm and was arrested. St. Germain told the officers he thought a bear was approaching his residence. The police cruiser, however, had come up to the property with its roof lights flashing. “As Mr. St. Germain realized it was the police, he cocked the barrel of the firearm and put it down,” said Gauthier. St. Germain did not have a prior record but did enter into a peace bond in 2020. In his sentencing submission, Gauthier said St. Germain’s mother was worried about her son, who had turned to alcohol following is father’s death in 2021.  The lawyer said that since the incident, St. Germain has seen a psychiatrist 10 times for counselling, taken a John Howard Society anger management course, and completed a substance abuse program. “He is clearly remorseful,” said the lawyer. “Alcohol did affect his behaviour on the night in question. He acknowledges that. He is very fortunate the police officers were very well-trained … “The situation could have ended up much, much differently. He acknowledges his behaviour was wrong.” Assistant Crown attorney David Elhadad said pointing a firearm at anyone is dangerous, but more so if it’s at police officers. “Police officers: they put themselves at risk,” he said. “They don’t know if it’s loaded or not. They had to ask a couple of times for him to put down the firearm. They were there to help and they had a firearm pointed at them.” When asked if he had anything to say before being sentenced, St. Germain told Rodgers “I wish this never happened.” That response did not sit well with the judge, who told St. Germain that “I wish this never happened and I had nothing to do with it.” Rodgers then asked St. Germain if he should express regret about the incident, to which St. Germain replied, “I’m sorry it happened.” That answer did not sit well with the judge. either. Rodgers asked St. Germain if he could do a little better. “I’m sorry that I did this,” said St. Germain. “That’s worth a lot more than ‘I’m sorry it happened’,” said the judge. As a result of the guilty plea, the Crown dropped other charges St Germain was facing. A $50,000 reward is still being offered for information on an Estaire woman’s murder Sheri-Lynn McEwan was killed seven years ago today We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentNo arrest has been made or suspect identified in the slaying of the popular redhead who worked as an emergency room nurse and enjoyed motorcycles Nipissing West OPP said Tuesday they are continuing to look for her killer under the direction of the OPP’s criminal investigation branch “The public’s assistance with solving this crime is appreciated,” the OPP said in a release McEwan had just returned from a trip to Las Vegas with friends who dropped her off at her home at 7 Elbow Lake Rd although the OPP would not say who called or confirm reports that there wasn’t any sound on the other end OPP and members of the Estaire-Wanup Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call McEwan — the wife of the community’s deputy chief Terry Boyle and a former volunteer firefighter herself — was found gravely injured after an assault where she succumbed to her injuries and her death was immediately ruled a homicide The tragedy was compounded a couple of weeks later when Boyle himself was found dead from an apparent suicide The 59-year-old was interviewed by police a number of times but the OPP has never suggested he was connected to the crime he had been doing a local run as a truck driver They said his firefighter pager went off when the call came in about the medical emergency at his address Boyle was distraught in the weeks after McEwan’s death and had been staying in another home in the community Firefighters who visited the home of McEwan and Boyle after the scene was released said there was evidence the garage door was broken into and a door to the house was kicked in leading them to believe there was a break and enter although police haven’t released any details about the crime scene Sudbury OPP officers have continued to investigate and first announced in 2018 that a $50,000 reward was being offered through the provincial government members of the Sudbury OPP also conducted a sweep of the murder area for new evidence using resources both in the air and on the ground “We have members of the Emergency Response Team our unmanned vehicle system (or drone) and our helicopter here,” media relations constable Andre Taschereau said at the time our detectives are on the ground doing a follow-up talking to some of the local residents in the hope that somebody might have a piece of the puzzle that we’re missing.” Taschereau said there was no new lead driving the 2017 search but police were hoping their efforts might generate one “We want to show the public we’re continuing to investigate and fully engaged in trying to bring this to a conclusion where we can arrest someone and prosecute them,” he said “We want people to think back for something they might have seen that they didn’t think was relevant at the time Taschereau conceded time can be an enemy to a murder investigation the more difficult it is for the investigators.” But he said one small detail could help to find a resolution in the case “Your small piece and a small piece from somebody else might put a bigger piece together that would assist our investigators,” he said Anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity is being asked to call 1-888-310-1122 or the OPP tip line at 1-866-220-2505 A 49-year-old woman has died in hospital after being critically injured in a collision with an OPP boat on Nepewassi Lake early on Friday morning the Special Investigations Unit said in a media release We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentSIU investigators have asked the public for information about the collision between an OPP boat and another watercraft operated by the woman Officers from the Nipissing West detachment responded to a domestic disturbance call from a residence accessible only by the water the OPP boat was involved in a collision with another watercraft,” the agency said “The female operator of the other boat was seriously injured and taken to hospital in Sudbury No one was seriously injured aboard the OPP boat.” The woman was pronounced deceased on Friday afternoon SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette later confirmed in an email Three investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case One subject official and one witness official have been designated The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials, including police officers, that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person. Investigations are conducted by SIU investigators, who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the director of the SIU must official has committed a criminal offence and, depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid, as well as to publicly report the results of investigations. A Wikwemikong man is charged in relation to a carjacking incident near Estaire We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentNipissing West OPP said officers responded around 7 p.m 24 to a theft of a motor vehicle on Hendrie Township Road in the Nepewassi Lake area “The owner of the vehicle was transporting two individuals in the vehicle when one of the individuals brandished an edged weapon and demanded the owner to exit the vehicle,” the OPP said in a release “A struggle occurred and the owner was able to escape the incident without any injuries and contacted the police.” The accused was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury on Jan An arrest warrant has been issued for a second individual involved in the incident The OPP said this was an isolated event and there are no safety concerns Northern OntarioNewsHwy. 69, Hwy. 17 reopens FridayBy Darren MacDonaldPublished: February 28, 2025 at 1:18PM EST Sign in Join now, it's FREE! members from the Nipissing West (Sudbury) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a two motor vehicle collision involving a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) on Highway 69 north of Estaire Road in the City of Greater Sudbury The investigation has revealed that the SUV was stolen from the City of Greater Sudbury and was traveling southbound on Highway 69 when it collided with a northbound CMV.  47, from Parry Sound was pronounced deceased at the scene while the driver of the CMV was not injured Members of the OPP Traffic Incident Management Enforcement Team (T.I.M.E.) attended to process the scene The collision investigation is on-going and further information will be released as it becomes available OPP report that just after midnight today Nipissing West officers investigated a two motor vehicle collision involving a Sports Utility Vehicle and a Commercial Motor Vehicle on Highway 69 north of Estaire Road in Greater Sudbury Preliminary investigation indicated that the SUV was traveling southbound on Highway 69 and collided with a northbound transport The driver of the SUV was pronounced deceased at the scene while the driver of the truck did not receive any injuries The name of the deceased driver is not being released until the next of kin is notified Members of the OPP Traffic Incident Management Enforcement Team are processing the scene The investigation is still on-going and further information will be released as it becomes available More Spotlight >