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A Greater Sudbury roundup noting Laurentian University approved 11% raises last fall for its president and provost, and an update marking one year since Shanda Playford's disappearance.

Good morning, Greater Sudbury. This roundup brings several local items that are in the news on Thursday. Minutes from a closed October meeting show Laurentian University approved 11-per-cent pay increases last fall for its president and provost. Police issued an update on the one-year anniversary of Shanda Playford's disappearance, and the city planning committee approved municipal renovation grants. A Trillium Foundation grant is supporting land-based sport programs for Indigenous youth, a seasonal forecast outlines an uncertain spring, and a Lively couple's Antarctica cruise is featured. Key items: - Laurentian University: Board minutes record an 11-per-cent raise last fall for the university president and provost, raising president Lynn Wells' base salary from $286,815 to $318,365; the board said the increase aimed to align compensation with market benchmarks. LUFA president Fabrice Colin noted pay gaps for full and associate professors and commented on reciprocal treatment across employee groups. - Missing-person update: Kevin Playford's daughter, Shanda Playford, has been missing since about 3 p.m. on Feb. 25, 2025. Greater Sudbury Police said their missing persons investigator has conducted more than 100 interviews and followed up on tips and leads, but has not corroborated information confirming her whereabouts; the family has made a public plea for information. - Municipal renovation grants: The city planning committee unanimously approved grants totalling $55,000 for two commercial building renovations at 479-495 Notre Dame Ave. (Flour Mill neighbourhood) and 603 Main St. in Lively. Each applicant is receiving $27,500; the Flour Mill project also qualified for roughly $12,000 in tax increment equivalent grants and the Lively project for about $6,400, both to be spread over five years. - Trillium-funded program: A GROW grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation awarded $372,100 in 2025 to Spirit North to expand land-based sport and play programs for Indigenous youth in the Sudbury region. Local MPPs attended an event at Walden Cross Country Ski Club to mark the program's work in schools and communities. - Seasonal weather outlook: The Weather Network's seasonal forecast suggests a sluggish and volatile start to spring across parts of Canada, with a possible late-season shift toward hotter, drier conditions; senior meteorologist Doug Gillham noted that May could change the pattern. - Travel feature: Don and Brenda Johnston of Lively took a 21-day Viking Antarctica cruise last November, visiting Ushuaia, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island, and spending five days on the Antarctic Peninsula; about 105,000 travellers visited Antarctica in 2025. Summary: The stories cover governance, community projects and ongoing local concerns, including questions about executive pay at Laurentian and an active missing-person investigation where police say their focus remains on locating Shanda Playford. Other items describe municipal support for building reuse, a Trillium-backed expansion of Indigenous youth programs, and seasonal weather uncertainty; undetermined at this time.