Mary Katherine Keown
LightNews LightNews
banner
mkkeown.bsky.social
Mary Katherine Keown
@mkkeown.bsky.social
73 followers 18 following 240 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.
Posts Replies Media Videos
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
mkkeown.bsky.social
The #HomelessnessNetwork, which inc. the City of #GreaterSudbury, has helped 11 of 12 #homeless #veterans find housing in the past year, according to a report going to the community and emergency services cmte on Monday.

www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury has helped 11 of 12 homeless veterans find housing - Take our poll
The veterans homelessness program is part of the city’s housing first strategy.
www.thesudburystar.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:42 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
#FromTheArchives... 19y ago, I was lucky to spend a night aboard the #Inco #slag train. I drove to the gate under the cloak of darkness. I was ushered in by the gatekeeper and escorted to a wee parking area. I boarded, got a brief safety talk and we set off. A #CoreMemory was unlocked that night.
December 15, 2025 at 4:58 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
#FromTheArchives... When I lived in #Rwanda, I was lucky to spend a night at the #SorwatheTea factory, near Kinihira. I was enchanted by the landscapes, replete w tea fields. I was told Romeo Dallaire visited the site on occasion in 1994. If green had a smell, it would be the Sorwathe plantation.
December 15, 2025 at 4:52 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
The #GoGiveProject, which offers overnight #outreach on the streets of #GreaterSudbury, as well as an intervention prgm, is facing a major #funding shortage. They have laid off 11 outreach staff as of Dec. 31 and may not be able to offer service as of Jan. 1.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/go-give...
Go-Give calls on community for support amid loss of funding
"All the partnerships we have built will be deeply affected; everything runs from that first point of contact, where an individual is at."
www.thesudburystar.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:25 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
A vigil took place last wk to mark 36y since the 1989 #MontrealMassacre, in which 14 women were killed for pursuing their dreams. Organizers also wanted to draw attn to the local situation. GSPS says incidents of IPV are on the rise in #GreaterSudbury area.
www.thesudburystar.com/feature/ipv-...
IPV survivor: 'He punched me to the point I was unrecognizable'
Sudbury woman recalls what it took to leave her abuser as city gathers to honour the victims of the Montreal massacre.
www.thesudburystar.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Mayor Paul Lefebvre told council this wk the City of #GreaterSudbury invested $12M into #homelessness initiatives. In 2025-26, TDS will contribute $7.16M to 12 agencies working on frontlines of the crises, and $4M+ to emergency shelters.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury's mayor details how city is addressing homelessness
'We will not turn our backs on the most vulnerable members of our community,' Paul Lefebvre says.
www.thesudburystar.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:13 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
Ward 7 Coun. Natalie Labbee won an amendment last wk to provide free #GOVA transit rides to seniors (65+) the first Tuesday of every month. She has been championing this cause since May 2023. Labbee said it's a good way to keep seniors engaged and active.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury councillor claims partial victory on transit fees
Seniors will be able to ride transit for free on Tuesdays once a month; Coun. Natalie Labbee wants to make that every Tuesday.
www.thesudburystar.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:12 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
#GreaterSudbury finance cmte approved a $634M op. budget for 2026, w a tax hike of 3.9%. Mayor Paul Lefebvre said there is an emphasis on #PublicSafety, w more cops, firefighters, EMS staff and bylaw officers. Also, investments in Kalmo beach, public housing.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/increas...
Increased spending on police drives Sudbury's tax increase for 2026
Mayor says Greater Sudburians want better public safety.
www.thesudburystar.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:20 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
The City of #GreaterSudbury finalized its 2026-27 budgets on Wed. #Taxpayers will pay an increase of 3.9% next yr. The budget inc. a 1.5% capital levy, but several important amendments were deferred, inc. 2 #TransitionalHousing projects. #Budget2026 #SudPoli
www.thesudburystar.com/news/breakin...
Greater Sudbury council approves $1.5-billion budget, 3.9% tax hike - Take our poll
Councillors opt to hold a number of projects - including the demolition of the Sudbury Arena - to whittle down the tax increase in 2026,
www.thesudburystar.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:50 AM
mkkeown.bsky.social
The #GreaterSudbury finance cmte is meeting this wk to deliberate the 2026-27 budget. As of day one, taxpayers were looking at a 2026 tax increase of 5.5 per cent (but it has since dropped). #Budget2026 #SudPoli

www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury council adds four firefighters, two mechanical officers
Councillors also added new security staff for Greater Sudbury Housing; tax hike for 2026 as of Tuesday stands at 5.5 per cent.
www.thesudburystar.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
The #GreaterSudbury elxn compliance audit cmte met last wk, but would not reveal nature of the mtg; however, the cmte has been looking into the 2022 elxn expenses of Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc, who filed a lawsuit vs. CGS and a Ward 11 resident, which was tossed.
www.thesudburystar.com/news/greater...
Greater Sudbury committee meets in secret, releases no information about meeting
Election compliance audit committee has been dealing with a controversial case around Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc.
www.thesudburystar.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:38 PM
mkkeown.bsky.social
This sounds like good entertainment. CGS will consider adding #cricket infrastructure to its inventory. Couns. Labbee and Benoit said the sport - religion in India - is growing in popularity, w 2.5B fans worldwide. In #GreaterSudbury, there are abt 500 players.
www.thesudburystar.com/sports/great...
Greater Sudbury to take another look at providing places to play cricket
'We have a lot of assets that could be converted for this, and it could be a great option going forward,' Coun. Eric Benoit says
www.thesudburystar.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:15 PM
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