Mary Katherine Keown
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mkkeown.bsky.social
Mary Katherine Keown
@mkkeown.bsky.social
77 followers 18 following 260 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
Six orgs held a presser Thurs announcing the #HARTHub will open its doors at 105 Elm St. on Feb. 17. The hub aims to help #homeless folks recover and reintegrate. It is part of a continuum of care that includes the Lorraine St bldg and #SupportiveHousing.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/hub-aim...
Hub aims to get the addicted and the homeless off Sudbury’s streets
The Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment hub opens Feb. 17 at 105 Elm St., thanks to almost $19 million in provincial funding.
www.thesudburystar.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:53 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
A group of investors is seeking a total of abt $1.53M from the City of #GreaterSudbury to help w conversion of 30 Ste. Anne Rd. into a 135-unit #SupportiveHousing complex. Couns. Pauline Fortin and Mike Parent are championing the appy. Should be an easy yes 🤞🏼
www.thesudburystar.com/news/group-h...
Group has new use for former nursing school in downtown Sudbury - Take our poll
With financial support from the city, the building at 30 Ste. Anne Rd. could soon begin providing 135 units of supportive housing.
www.thesudburystar.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:37 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
The @sudburypolice.bsky.social say they received 5 complaints in Dec from women alleging they were #SexuallyAssaulted at an after-hours establishment downtown. Centre Victoria pour femmes says they are trying to shift the narrative away from victim-blaming.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/spiked-...
Spiked drink allegations a cautionary tale for Sudbury women
Police investigating reports that women were drugged at an after-hours party; sexual assault centre offers safety advice.
www.thesudburystar.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:12 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
@hydrooneofficial.bsky.social is seeking public input on its draft environmental report, which is available now for viewing. The utility is building a 200 km power line from #GreaterSudbury to Wharncliffe, in #Algoma district, north of Hwy 17.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/new-pow...
New power line could spark new economic opportunities in Sudbury, northeast
Hydro One is now inviting people to comment on its plan to build a line from the Hanmer transformer station to Wharncliffe, 200 km away.
www.thesudburystar.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:02 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Ward 4 Coun. Pauline Fortin accuses Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc of spreading inaccurate information re: the #EventsCentre. Leduc said last wk part of the capital levy is going to the EC and that council has not seen design plans. Fortin says false to both claims.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/sudbury...
Sudbury councillor slams Leduc for events centre, special levy claims - Take our poll
Despite what mayoral hopeful claims, Pauline Fortin says no money from city’s special levy is going to new arena.
www.thesudburystar.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:02 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc has announced he plans to run for mayor of #GreaterSudbury in the upcoming municipal elxn, which takes place in October. He is running on 4 pillars, including the cancellation of the downtown events centre and housing for the #homeless.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/ward-11...
Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc announces plan to run for mayor of Greater Sudbury
In addition to cancelling the events centre, Leduc wants to address homelessness and the infrastructure gaps in roads and water/wastewater.
www.thesudburystar.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:13 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
The #Python5000 #PotholePatcher was only on #GreaterSudbury streets for 15d in 2025, city staff told the ops cmte recently. There have been major challenges and finding parts has been difficult, delaying repairs and keeping the $400K machine out of commission.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury’s much-hyped Python 5000 faces an uncertain future
The performance of the pothole-patching machine has been disappointing, city staff says .
www.thesudburystar.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:17 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Ward 5 Coun. Mike Parent won a motion Tues to urge #QueensPark to incorporate #WaterSafety and swim-to-survive training into the elementary school curriculum. The motion was prompted by tragedy - last yr, 2 siblings drowned in the Wabigoon River near #Dryden.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/bring-s...
Bring swimming lessons to school, Greater Sudbury councillors say - Take our poll
Motion prompted by the deaths of two children last July near Dryden.
www.thesudburystar.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:32 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
While members of the @sudburypsb.bsky.social have said #panhandlers can earn $60-80/hour, the 3 folks I spoke with all scoffed. They say $50 in a day in #GreaterSudbury is a good return; but, earnings are inconsistent; sometimes you walk away w an empty cup.
www.thesudburystar.com/feature/panh...
Panhandling a tough way to make a go of it in Sudbury
Those who panhandle and those who work with the city’s vulnerable say the activity is not very lucrative, despite suggestions to the contrary
www.thesudburystar.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:50 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
#GreaterSudbury will seek funding from the feds for a 40-unit #TransitionalHousing project on Bruce Ave, beside the Balmoral Apts. The CGS #RoadmapToEndHomelessness also calls for a second 40-unit bldg. The mayor said CGS has seen good results from Lorraine St.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury looks to build two more supporting housing projects - Take our poll
One would be located on Bruce Avenue if the city can obtain funding from a federal government housing program.
www.thesudburystar.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:35 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
So cool you can #bike from Lasalle to John Street on the relatively safe and fast #ParisNotreDameBikeway. The City of #GreaterSudbury has installed abt 60% of the #cycling infrastructure planned for the 268 km network. Last yr, CGS installed 5.4 km of pathways.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury continues to add facilities for cycling and walking
Committee approves two resolutions that will make it easier to get around the city without a vehicle.
www.thesudburystar.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:05 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Dario Zulich is excited abt plans for the #KingswayEntertainmentDistrict. The new #KED could inc 3 hotels, a water park, convention centre, festival field, sportsplex, offices and a commercial strip. Zulich said he would like to complete the project within 5y.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/sudbury...
Sudbury developer unveils new vision for a revamped KED
Dario Zulich says The Kingway property will include a new casino, hotels, convention centre, sportsplex and an outdoor festival field.
www.thesudburystar.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:48 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
CGS is quiet after a fatal tent fire at #EnergyCourt. There is a #homelessness crisis in #GreaterSudbury and across #NorthernOntario. It is heartbreaking to think how many lives could be lost, as folks try to stay warm. Many say the warming space is too small.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/city-of...
City of Greater Sudbury saying little after fatal tent fire at Energy Court
Municipality owns the land and has encouraged city's homeless to gather there so they can access services.
www.thesudburystar.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:27 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Couns. Pauline Fortin and Mike Parent will intro motion next wk aimed at reducing admin, IT and HR costs in 2027. They want staff to look at sharing resources amongst the City of #GreaterSudbury, @sudburypsb.bsky.social and Public Health Sudbury and Districts.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury councillors want to eliminate duplication of services - Take our poll
Ward 4 Coun. Pauline Fortin and Ward 5 Coun. Mike Parent think police and public health can share staff and services to cut costs.
www.thesudburystar.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:53 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
#GreaterSudbury got a nice shout-out recently from Daredevil star #DeborahAnnWoll. She said she had a great steak and enjoyed some #hiking 💪🏽 It seems the Nickel City has been enjoying a bit of a renaissance, with better things to come. Proponents are excited.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/i-just-...
'I just wanted to say thank you so much to Sudbury'
American actress praises city after making film here; officials say it reflects Sudbury's upswing in reputation and investment.
www.thesudburystar.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:45 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc is unhappy w terminations announced last wk at #CityHall. He says the way Shari Lichterman let go 5 senior staff was disrespectful to council, and showed a lack of trust. Not all agree tho. Labbee said she stands firmly behind the CAO.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/at-leas...
At least one city councillor unhappy with city hall terminations
Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc says he was not consulted or informed ahead of time before a number of senior city staff were let go last week.
www.thesudburystar.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:19 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
The City of #GreaterSudbury announced Thursday it has shuttered the office of the #AuditorGeneral, effective Dec. 31. It said the closure will save taxpayers $500K/year. CGS was 1 of 5 cities in ON still employing an AG. Ron Foster had been w the city for 10y.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/city-of...
City of Greater Sudbury loses a layer of oversight as it cuts AG office - Take our poll
Municipal officials say the move will save taxpayers $500,000 a year.
www.thesudburystar.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:10 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
The second major staff change of the day at the City of #GreaterSudbury: Kevin Fowke, formerly the GM of corporate services, has been terminated.

www.thesudburystar.com/news/city-of...
City of Greater Sudbury announces second major staff shake-up: Fowke out
CAO Shari Lichterman emailed staff Thursday to inform them of organizational changes
www.thesudburystar.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:01 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Rob Grimwood, the city's new fire chief, announced to staff on Thursday that Jesse Oshell, formerly one of two deputy fire chiefs, is no longer employed by the City of #GreaterSudbury.

www.thesudburystar.com/news/staff-s...
Staff shake-up at city hall; Jesse Oshell no longer deputy fire chief
Rob Grimwood emailed staff Thursday morning to inform them of the staffing change.
www.thesudburystar.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:04 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc is on the hook for $60K+ after a failed lawsuit against a Ward 11 resident and #GreaterSudbury. Leduc has been ordered to pay full legal fees of the resident, and partial fees of CGS. Lawsuit stems from allegations re: elxn expenses.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury councillor out more than $60,000 for failed lawsuits - Take our poll
Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc sued a critic and his own municipality in controversy over his election expenses.
www.thesudburystar.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:05 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
When a resident passes at #PioneerManor, the city's LTC home, staff and volunteers call a #CodeButterfly and organize a butterfly walk, akin to a hospital #HonourWalk. Staff say it is a moving ceremony that provides a modicum of closure for family. ❤️🦋🌙
www.thesudburystar.com/life/code-bu...
Code Butterfly a 'beautiful' way to honour Pioneer Manor residents
It is part of the palliative care program at city's long-term care home.
www.thesudburystar.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:16 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
The next person to be recognized in our Helper series is Barb Booth. She says she has a drive to help. Booth heads the local @cfuw-fcfdu.bsky.social #AdoptAFamily prgm, which gifts Xmas hampers to folks in the #GreaterSudbury area who could use a little help.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-n...
Her motto is to ‘live a life that matters’
Adopt-a-Family just one of many compassionate causes for Barb Booth
www.thesudburystar.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:26 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
In the first of our #HelperSeries, we feature Toni Berardi, a retired nurse who heals w soup. Berardi volunteers her time to help elderly friends run errands, and she donates weekly effort and sandwiches to SOS and the Samaritan Centre. Definitely a #GoodEgg.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-n...
Caring comes naturally for retired Sudbury nurse
‘I saw a lot of people that needed help and had no one,’ says Toni Berardi
www.thesudburystar.com
December 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
There have already been 12 hospitalizations due to #influenza in the #GreaterSudbury and Manitoulin districts, @publichealthsd.bsky.social said this wk, and 117 confirmed cases of the flu. Sounds like it's gonna be a bad year, so stay home when sick. #FluSeason
www.thesudburystar.com/news/flu-sea...
Flu season hits Sudbury, and the province, early and hard
Three children have died from the flu in Ontario this month; people urged to get the flu vaccine.
www.thesudburystar.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:37 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
A group of #veterans in #GreaterSudbury is planning to build a 60-unit apartment complex prioritizing vets, first responders, nurses, 911 dispatchers and correctional officers. The complex will inc. #WrapAroundServices tailored to mental and physical health.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/sudbury...
Sudbury group aiming to build housing for veterans, first responders
The group is planning to build a 60-unit complex, hopefully on Long Lake Road.
www.thesudburystar.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:15 AM