Good morning, Nickel City — local stories to start your day

This roundup notes municipal buses now cost about $970,000 each and a report finds homelessness in Northern Ontario has risen 117% since 2021.

Good morning, Greater Sudbury. This roundup brings together several recent local developments and reports. Items range from municipal spending and social service data to political statements, community fundraising, and a possible product relaunch. The pieces reflect budget pressures, rising social needs, and local efforts across the region. What we know: - The city agreed to buy six GOVA Transit clean diesel buses at a total cost of $5,824,960, or about $970,000 per bus, a rise from past purchases reported in 2018, 2021 and 2024. - A report titled Municipalities Under Pressure: One Year Later found a 117% increase in known homelessness in Northern Ontario since 2021, compared with a smaller increase in the south. - Conservative MP Jim Bélanger issued a media release calling for the federal Liberal gun buyback program to be scrapped, saying it targets lawful firearms owners and does not address illegal smuggling, according to his statement. - Greater Sudbury’s two MPs said the federal Liberals have shifted politically, while rejecting the idea that the party is now essentially Conservative, as discussed in recent commentary and interviews. - The Elgin Street Mission reported raising a record $140,000 during Mission 31, which the organization said will support meal service through winter months. - A new website and social media presence indicate a possible relaunch of the Temagami Dry ginger ale brand, noting plans to produce the drink in Northern Ontario and support local tourism and jobs. Summary: These stories together point to pressure on municipal budgets and local social services alongside examples of community fundraising and potential business revival. Undetermined at this time.