Year in review: SooToday's most impactful stories of 2019

In 2019, the Sault experienced horrifying fires and the death of a young 'superhero.' Amid the darkness, we also witnessed Saultites come together and rally behind those experiencing trying times. Here are some of the most impactful stories that we at SooToday reported on this past year.

Devastating blaze on Queen St. E.

A stubborn fire engulfed 224 Queen St. E in January 2019. The fire, which resulted in the loss of a barbershop, hobby and comic shop, a legal office and an embroidery shop, started in the early morning, and took almost 12 hours and 34 firefighters to put out.

SooToday was on the scene throughout the day. Despite the devastation, we saw the community come together to help those displaced or affected by the fire. Red Cross volunteers assisted displaced people at GFL, providing coffee, food and assisting with lodging needs.

The cause of the blaze is still undetermined, but Ontario Fire Marshal investigator James Allen has concluded that the fire started on the second floor of 224 Queen St. E.

Studio 10 up in flames

In February, the Sault's only adult entertainment venue went up in flames. The fire at the Dime Nightclub, formerly known as Studio 10, took 30 hours and a total of 51 firefighters to put out.

It also tragically claimed the life of a 60-year-old man.

The Ontario Fire Marshalls Office is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Special delivery of green thingamabobbers

Saultites found out in April that big, lime green thingamabobbers would be delivered to their homes to use as garbage bins. 

The GFL trash bins were rolled out in July, and a very strict set of rules accompanied their arrival. For example, the bins cannot be within three feet of any other cart. If they are, collection trucks can't lift 'em.

In related news, we also got used to putting our garbage and recycling bins out on separate days.

Walmart closes

In May, Walmart Canada announced that it would be closing the downtown Sault Ste. Marie store, located in the Station Mall. The company cited the need to 'meet customer needs and ensure continued growth strategies' as the reason for closing two stores - one in the Sault and one in Quebec.

A sentiment shared by many, Ron Sim, general manager of the Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen Community Centre, described the news as 'horrific.' Especially for those core-area low-income earners with no other options to purchase food downtown.

The store originally opened in the Station Mall in 2012.

Community grieves the loss of 'Super Kayge' Fowler

Young Sault boy Kayge Fowler battled DIPG, an extremely aggressive form of cancer, for just over a year. 

The Sault community rallied around the Fowler family, with myriad fundraising initiatives and events to assist with medical and transportation costs. Needless to say, Saultites were devastated to hear of Fowler's passing on May 31 of this year.

The community came together again a few days later to welcome Kayge's family, accompanied by a motorcycle escort, home from Toronto.

The Sault is getting a weed store! Eventually?

In July, Saultites finally got the news that we would be receiving a pot shop. The second lottery, which brings 50 more cannabis retail outlets to the province, saw cannabis shops added to the docket for the Sault, Kenora, North Bay, Thunder Bay and Timmins, in addition to both already approved in Sudbury.

The winning location is 317 Northern Ave. The application was filed by Thomas Miszuk. 

The shop isn't open yet.

City taxes eyesores

In July, city council was asked to set the wheels in motion to start tax sales on 41 properties, with a total of $510,304 unpaid property taxes.

If unpaid after a year, the properties will be sold by the city.

The residential and commercial properties facing possible sale include the once-stately-but-now-dilapidated dwelling at 154 Albert Street East, as well as an unsafe dwelling on Andrew Street from which squatters had been evicted, to the perpetually-under-renovation yellow house at Wellington and Pim, an almost-new home on Ruscio Crescent and west-end watering-hole, the Nicolet.

Sault man's life cut short by horrific and senseless murder

In October 2019, Superior Court Justice Edward Gareau heard the facts of the case surrounding Jacob Davey's death in January 2017. SooToday's Linda Richardson reported on the brutal story, which had been clouded with mystery and had gripped Saultites. 

Davey was killed on his 22nd birthday by Cody Quesnel, who plead guilty to an amended count of second-degree murder.

Quesnel was sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligilbity for 15 years.

Algoma Steel lights up the night sky

Many SooToday readers sent in photos and reported seeing huge flames over Algoma Steel back in October. 

The issue was a tiny ruptured steam line, according to the steelmaker's manager of communications and branding Brenda Stenta.

The Ontario government's hourly air quality measurements for the Sault showed spikes in fine particulate matter correspendong to major flares reported by our readers, but Algoma Steel said that particulate levels werent related to the coke oven flares.

What news story did you find the most impactful this year? Let us know!