Mary Katherine Keown
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mkkeown.bsky.social
Mary Katherine Keown
@mkkeown.bsky.social
71 followers 18 following 220 posts
Award-winning multimedia journalist with The Sudbury Star. I also take and post a lot of photos. Find me on Instagram at mkkeown or monochromeMK. I am also on Facebook at mkkeown. I ❤️ paddling, the outdoors and dogs, so there may be some of that too.
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mkkeown.bsky.social
The #HalifaxProfessionalFireFighters are cautioning their colleagues in #GreaterSudbury re: some aspects of Ken Stuebing's leadership. Stuebing left Halifax after 8y amid controversy. The union prez said in an intv the HPFF had lost faith in Stuebing.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/new-top...
New top manager for Greater Sudbury left Halifax in swirl of controversy
Firefighters' union says it had lost faith in Ken Stuebing, who announced his retirement, then was hired for a senior position in Sudbury
www.thesudburystar.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:32 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
The #GreaterSudbury fire service presented their 2026-27 budgets earlier this wk, worth $38.8M and $40.3M. The dept is asking for 4 more FF, since they rely too much on OT, and 2 new mechanical officers. As of Oct. 31, the fire service had accrued $2.5M in OT.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury fire chief: 'We quite literally rescue cats from trees'
Rob Grimwood outlines the fire department's budget for next year, its expanding role in the community and need for more firefighters.
www.thesudburystar.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:55 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
In early October, #KoralTheKayak and I spent a glorious day on #MijinemungshingLake in #LakeSuperiorProvincialPark. The area is largely #BorealForest, so lots of #conifers glowing in yellow and gold. The drive in was so pretty - like passing thru the sun. The #kayaking season isn't over just yet...
November 26, 2025 at 7:27 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Dr. Hirji of PHSD delivered a presentation to the community services cmte this wk in which he said most #overdoses occur in private homes. While death rates are trending down, #GreaterSudbury and #NorthernOntario remain hot spots for the #opioids, drug crisis.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/most-dr...
Most drug overdose deaths in Sudbury area happen at home, top doc says
Dr. Mustafa Hirji also warned that it's drug cocktails, rather than a single drug, that have been more dangerous.
www.thesudburystar.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:27 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Happy #NationalBorderCollieDay to this distinguished gentleman, my favourite floof... It is no understatement to say I love and adore this #dog beyond all measure... Dakota the #BorderCollie is the best #GoodBoi at all times, even when he's being naughty ❤️ He's the best #WingDog a girl could have.
November 24, 2025 at 11:13 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
In Sept as part of a 3-week #camping trip thru northern #Quebec and #NorthernOntario, I spent a day with #KoralTheKayak on #LacLaPeche in @gatineaupark.gc.ca. It was a gorgeous lake (and creek) under cloudless #BlueSkies w a ton of #wildlife, inc. 2 deers and 1000s of fish. La Pêche is well named.
November 24, 2025 at 4:59 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Although there have been fewer ODs in 2025 than in 2024, #DrugPoisonings across #GreaterSudbury and the Manitoulin districts are significantly higher than provincial average. Last yr, #opioids epidemic cost Canadians $14B+ and great struggle to municipalities.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/number-...
Number of drug-related deaths in Sudbury area 'remain extremely high'
On the positive side, the number of overdose cases are beginning to drop.
www.thesudburystar.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:45 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
City council voted Tues to scrap the CAN program. CANs have been responsible for many ward-specific activities, but they are tricky to govern. A consultant recommended a new approach, which cllrs endorsed. Transition period will extend to 2027. #GreaterSudbury
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury to kill community action network program - Take our poll
There are 20 CAN groups spread throughout the city but consultants say they are cumbersome and outdated.
www.thesudburystar.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:11 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
An arbitrator ruled recently the City of #GreaterSudbury will be required to pay AD&D benefits to the family of Mike Frost, an 11-year veteran of the fire service. Frost died in 2022, a result of #PTSD. The local union - SPFFA - took CGS to arbitration.
www.thesudburystar.com/feature/arbi...
Arbitrator rules Sudbury firefighter’s suicide was accidental
Mike Frost, an 11-year veteran of the Greater Sudbury Fire Service, had been traumatized by what he experienced as a first responder.
www.thesudburystar.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:33 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Three of the city's 4 service partners have now presented their 2026-27 budgets to the finance cmte. They will have a 3% impact on the tax levy. The @sudburypsb.bsky.social passed a budget with a 10.2% increase, while the library increase stands at 4.9%.

www.thesudburystar.com/news/service...
Service partners present budgets, nudge increase upwards
Three of four partners have presented their 2026-27 budgets, impacting the tax increase by three per cent. PHSD will present on Nov. 25.
www.thesudburystar.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:35 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Sudburians gathered at the Sudbury arena on Tues for the annual #RemembranceDay ceremony. 30 wreaths were laid, inc one from Jocelyn Tait, repping the #SilverCrossMother. Her son, Jesse, 34, died after serving in Afghanistan and Bosnia-Herzigovina. #NeverForget
www.thesudburystar.com/news/not-eve...
Not every soldier lost to war dies in battle: Sudbury mom
Sgt. Jesse Tait was not killed in action, but he carried the psychological wounds with him when he returned home.
www.thesudburystar.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:06 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Do you know someone who goes out of their way to make life better for others? Someone who does so in the shadows, w/out the need for fanfare? Sounds like they'd be a good candidate for #TheHelpers. Reach out; let's celebrate #GreaterSudbury from the ground up.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/the-sud...
The Sudbury Star looking for The Helpers
Is there someone in your life who has made a difference to you, without seeking fanfare or recognition? We want to hear about it.
www.thesudburystar.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:09 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
The Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy Centre announced this wk the #LivingWage in #NorthernOntario has gone up by 80 cents to $21.10/hour. A LW is an important part of realizing a decent quality of life. Includes shelter, food, transportation, child care.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/paying-...
Paying living wage also good for employers, Sudbury advocate says - Take our poll
When employees know their employers care, morale improves and absenteeism decreases, Scott Florence.
www.thesudburystar.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:06 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
The #GreaterSudbury police board (@sudburypsb.bsky.social) voted to cancel its bldg fund payments in 2026/2027, saving taxpayers $3.4M. As a result, the 2026 increase is down to 10.2 per cent. It was sitting at 12.2 per cent.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/board-t...
Board trims Sudbury police budget by $3.4 million over next two years
Savings will come from money the board has been putting away for a new police headquarters.
www.thesudburystar.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:54 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
November means #budget time. Property owners in #GreaterSudbury will likely pay at least 5.7% more in taxes on next year's bill, plus 4.8% more for water. Council will begin deliberations next month to finalize the 2026-27 budget.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury taxpayers looking at tax hike of more than 5% - Take our poll
'This proposed budget reflects our continued commitment to responsible financial planning and effective service delivery'
www.thesudburystar.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:45 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Ward 7 Coun. Natalie Labbee wears a BE KIND pin, so no surprise she won a motion to restore civility and respect to municipal politics. Her colleagues agreed 11-1 to sign the #ElectRespect pledge. She said harassment is discouraging folks from getting involved.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury councillors call for more civility in politics and society - Take our poll
Elect Respect is a movement in Ontario that asks people to ‘treat others with respect in all spaces — public, private, and online’.
www.thesudburystar.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:27 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Two life-long friends have recently purchased #Computrek, which has been around #GreaterSudbury for nearly 40y. It started as a retail shop in the Montrose Mall. My family bought our first home computer from them waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy back...
www.thesudburystar.com/news/longtim...
Longtime employees and life-long friends buy Sudbury’s Computrek
New owners say they want to expand.
www.thesudburystar.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:44 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
The former ED of #ReseauAccessNetwork in #GreaterSudbury has left the org. Staff say frontline work is unaffected, but w/out leadership, will they be able to seek funding? How will they participate in the ongoing work to curb #homelessness in CGS? Lots of Qs.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/reseau-...
Reseau Access Network in Sudbury looking for executive director
Heidi Eisenhauer, the agency’s former executive director, has left the organization.
www.thesudburystar.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:29 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Downtown Sudbury, CGS and the GSPS are gearing up for the annual #SantaClaus parade, which takes place Nov. 22 at 5:30 p.m. This year's theme is the Xmas movie. The route will be expanded to offer more viewing opportunities and to include more local businesses.
www.thesudburystar.com/entertainmen...
Christmas movies theme of this year's Santa Claus parade in Sudbury
Annual parade slated for Nov. 22 in downtown Sudbury, which begins at 5:30 p.m.
www.thesudburystar.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:41 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Ward 7 Coun. Natalie Labbee will intro a motion next wk aimed at creating social opportunities for seniors. She wants CGS to offer free transit rides to seniors (65+) the first Tues every month. She says a 2023 pilot showed promising results, helped ridership.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury councillor wants to expand free transit program for seniors
Ward 7 Coun. Natalie Labbee proposes granting seniors one day per month of free transit.
www.thesudburystar.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:35 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Get out the lighters... A choir from #SudburySecondarySchool will perform Thurs w Foreigner at the #GreaterSudbury arena. The choir will perform the hit, I Want to Know What Love Is. Beyond nurturing a love of song, choir builds community, the director says.
www.thesudburystar.com/entertainmen...
Sudbury Secondary choir excited to join Foreigner on stage - Watch video
They will perform I Want to Know What Love Is with the iconic rockers at the Sudbury Arena on Thursday.
www.thesudburystar.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:21 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Time well spent on Saturday with #KoralTheKayak. Conditions were perfect - not a cloud in the sky - and the #tamarack trees were aglow…
October 28, 2025 at 3:32 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Andre Leite, VP of ON ops for #AgnicoEagle, told an audience last wk nearly 1/3 of all gold produced in Canada comes from #NorthernOntario 💪🏽 The company has plans to expand operations at Detour Lake to 1M oz. gold produced annually, with an underground mine.

www.thesudburystar.com/news/for-agn...
For Agnico Eagle, all that glitters is golden, Sudbury chamber hears
Andre Leite outlines gold miner’s plans to expand, especially in Northern Ontario
www.thesudburystar.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:50 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Despite vocal opposition from nearby residents, the #GreaterSudbury planning cmte approved Mon a rezoning appy for a tract of land on Bancroft Dr. It currently contains 1 house, but 84 apartments in 3 towers are planned, wedged in btwn Seguin St and Avalon Rd.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/despite...
Despite opposition, committee OKs three apartment towers in Minnow Lake - Take our poll
The development will contain 84 apartments, city councillors are told.
www.thesudburystar.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:04 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc intro'd motion Tues asking Premier #DougFord to reimburse cities for expenses incurred due to proposed cancellation of ASE prgm. Only Leduc voted in favour of the motion. Ford intro'd legislation Monday to kill the cameras.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury councillor fails to win speed camera motion
Bill Leduc says if the province kills the program, it should compensate the city.
www.thesudburystar.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:18 PM