Wawa Council Holding 2 Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a pair of meetings tonight.

That includes a Committee of the Whole meeting featuring a delayed delegation about water and sewer concerns, reports on a curling ice fee review request and the Municipal Election Voting Method, and memos on the 2026 Civic Achievement Award and the Asset Management Plan.

That'll be followed a regular Council meeting, which includes a resolution backing a call by the Township of Hornepayne for a new Northern Residential Property Tax Class.

The meetings will be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm tonight in the main level boardroom of Town Hall - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Alamos Gold Holding Community Mining Showcase in Wawa

A local mine's inviting Wawa and area to a special showcase tonight.

Alamos Gold's Island Gold District is inviting residents to a "Community Mining Showcase" this evening, encouraging people to "explore interactive exhibits", "meet [their] team", and "learn about local opportunities", with representatives and activities from many departments at the local mining operation, able to speak about the operations.

The first 200 attendees are also offered "Alamos swag".

Open to everyone at no cost, the showcase runs from 5:45 pm to 8 pm.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Now Selling Glam For Good Gala Tickets

Tickets are now on sale for a major fundraiser supporting Wawa's hospital.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Chair Susan Switzer explains the Glam For Good Gala is set to return after a very successful first year.

Expecting tickets to sell quickly, Switzer encourages people to get theirs quickly, by contacting the Foundation office - tickets are $100 each or $700 for a table of eight.

Funds raised through the gala will support the ongoing campaign to raise enough for ten hospital beds, to replace all of those in the acute care area.

This comes as the Foundation's preparing for its annual meeting - set to be held next Wednesday, October 8th, at 5:30 pm at the hospital - it is open to the public, though anyone interested must RSVP to the Foundation by Monday, October 6th.

Chapleau Area Wildfire Already Under Control

A small forest fire is already under control after being confirmed in the Chapleau area.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources says "Chapleau 15" was reported late Monday, located between September and October Lake, though it has already been classified as "under control" at 1 hectare in size.

The fire hazard's low to moderate across the northern part of the Northeast Region, but predominantly high - or higher - for the central and southern parts of the Northeast.

Northern Lights Ford Launches 12th Annual Let's Scare Hunger Together Campaign

A Wawa car dealership is encouraging everyone to help "scare hunger" this month.

Today marks the start of Northern Lights Ford's 12th annual "Let's Scare Hunger Together" campaign, and organizer Danette Mathias says - with the support of local schools and health services - they're hoping to raise three F-150 trucks full of items for the Wawa Community Food Bank.

As Mathias notes a couple ways to support the campaign.

Mathias notes donations will also be accepted at John's Your Independent Grocer on October 18th and 25th.

Past years have been considered great successes, which Mathias attributes to the community.

The "Let's Scare Hunger Together" campaign runs through Halloween, October 31st.

Wawa Public Library Kicks Off Canada Library Month

The Wawa Public Library's kicking off a month-long celebration with music.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains October is Canadian Library Month.

In addition to today's usual Tot Time and Drawing Club, the library's hosting finger weaving with Carolle and will have a Music Night with Marty, Mary, and Paula at 6 pm this evening, though Jarrell notes today also marks the start of an initiative promoting having a library card, as it lets you do "so much".

Jarrell also highlights a colouring contest for the kids.

Jarrell also notes all book and movie sales this month will support the Alzheimer Society.

Wawa's 1st Boob Bus to Hit Road

Wawa's first ever "Boob Bus" will be hitting the road tomorrow, to help community members undergo breast screening or mammograms.

Wawa Councillor Cathy Cannon - who helped organize the bus - explains this was prompted by the end of Screen For Life Coach service in the area.

Cannon notes the initiative received funding from the North East Cancer Centre, so the "Boob Bus" may hit the road again in the future, as the funding allows and the need is there, until the Screen For Life Coach returns.

The bus leaves Wawa for the Sault Area Hospital at 7:30 am Thursday morning, then starts its return journey at 4:30 pm that afternoon.

ADSB Reports Higher Than Expected Enrolment

Enrolment's once again higher than expected at the local English public school board.

In their first meeting of the new school year, trustees with the Algoma District School Board were told the board's schools "welcomed 428 more students than originally projected" in March, including 264 more in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 and 164 more at the secondary level, though the board notes schools are still registering students, particularly in secondary, adult, and alternative programs, so enrolment's expected to rise slightly more by the end of the month.

The enrolment figures have prompted the board to review class sizes to "determine which additional staffing might be needed for this semester".

Superior East OPP Seek Public Help on Mischief to Helicopter in Foleyet

Ontario Provincial Police are asking for public help solving a mischief incident in Foleyet.

Superior East OPP say they responded to the reported mischief on September 4th, with preliminary investigation determining that a helicopter parked overnight was vandalized between 6 pm September 3rd and 7:30 am September 4th, sustaining "significant damage" that has rendered it "inoperable", including a broken windshield and "extensive damage" to the tail rotor - a total estimated cost around $100,000.

The helicopter had to be transported out of province for repairs.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Superior East OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Wawa Schools to Participate in Terry Fox Run

Wawa students will be running in honour of Terry Fox tomorrow.

St. Augustine French Immersion Catholic School Principal Nadine Cartledge outlines Thursday's event.

Cartledge says it's open to the local school community.

Cartledge touts the importance of the event.

Pledges or donations can be made at terryfoxschoolrun.org, with Wawa's run beginning at 9:30 am tomorrow morning, at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Superior East OPP & OMNR Urge Caution Amid Local Bear Sightings

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police are urging residents to be "bear wise" amid an increase in bear sightings in the region.

The local detachment - which covers Wawa, Chapleau, Dubreuilville, White River, and Hornepayne - says officers have already responded to 65 calls for service involving bears this month, many involving sightings in residential areas.

Though they emphasize "not all bear encounters pose an immediate threat", they note "safety becomes a concern when bears exhibit aggressive or threatening behaviour", urging residents to reduce bear attractants around your home, including store garbage indoors or in containers with tight-fitting lids, only putting it out the morning of pickup day, regularly cleaning garbage bins and outdoor dumpsters with a strong disinfectant, keeping pet food indoors and cleaning barbecue grills after each use, including the grease trap, removing bird feeders during bear season, picking ripe fruit and berries from trees and the ground, avoiding placing meat, fish, or sweet foods in composters, which should be turned regularly, instead freezing meat and fish scraps until garbage day.

If you encounter a bear, remain calm and do not approach the animal nor block its exit route, keeping pets and children indoors and away from the area, and call 9-1-1 if it gets aggressive or poses an immediate threat to public safety.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says the increased sightings "may be linked to below-average natural food availability and an abundant apple crop in residential areas", noting you can report sightings to the Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327.

Chapleau Council Holding 2nd Meeting of September

Chapleau Town Council's set to meet tonight.

Included on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting is a request to amend the budget to include pagers and jaws of life equipment for the Fire Department, an update on next year's Taste of the North Winter Carnival, reports on dehumidifier pricing for the arena, expanding the administration departmnet, video-taping staff and patrons in Municioal Buildings, and additional asphalt costs - Council will also consider requests for use of the Handi-Transit Bus and for a rebate on arena use, and there are three "in-camera" items, all human resources items.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm tonight in Civic Centre Council Chambers - details on accessing it electronically can be found on the Township's website.

2nd North Algoma Bird Tests Positive for West Nile Virus

Algoma Public Health is warning residents to take precautions against West Nile virus as another bird's tested positive for it in North Algoma.

The health unit says a wild bird in North Algoma recently tested positive for the virus, the second to do so this season - after another in mid-August - indicating the virus' "continued presence...in Algoma and the potential risk to its residents even in late summer".

It came just a day after Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported a second American Crow in the Greater Sudbury area had tested positive, after another in July.

The health units encourage precautions to protect against mosquito bites: wear light-coloured, tightly woven but loose clothing, with long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes when outdoors; apply an approved mosquito repellent; avoid the outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active; remove standing water from your property, as that's where mosquitoes can breed; and repair or replace screens on windows and doors to avoid mosquitoes entering your home.

Wawa Deputy Fire Chief Honoured for 25 Years Service

A Wawa firefighter's been honoured for longtime service.

During Wawa Municipal Council's meetings last night, Wawa Volunteer Fire Service Deputy Chief Pierre Gauthier was presented with a medal and certificate recognizing 25 years with the local fire department, with Mayor Melanie Pilon lauding that service, during which he's responded to "hundreds of emergency calls and devoted thousands of hours to training and preparation".

Mayor Pilon also commended Gauthier for his "commitment, courage and selflessness [which] have stood as a shining example of service to our community", while Gauthier noted he's been happy to serve the community and appreciates the recognition.

Gauthier's wife, Amanda, was also presented a pin in recognition of her sacrifice, support, and dedication that made his service possible.

Train Derailment Near Sultan

Ontario Provincial Police are assuring there are no safety concerns after a train derailed near Sultan.

Posts on OPP North East Region social media explain the derailment occurred Tuesday "just outside of Sultan, in the Chapleau area", assuring "there are no hazardous materials on the train and there are currently no safety concerns for the surrounding community".

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada's confirmed it is deploying to the incident.

PHSD Reports 2nd Crow Tests Positive for West Nile

A local health unit's warning about the dangers of West Nile virus as another bird's tested positive in the Greater Sudbury area.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it has received confirmation an American Crow tested positive - it last saw a bird test positive in July, though the last human case in its area was in 2023.

Still, the health unit emphasizes the bird testing positive reminds that "although the overall risk of a person becoming infected is low, the virus is still present", urging precautions such as wearing Health Canada-approved insect repellent and light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing, ensuring there are no holes or tears in screen doors and windows of your home, and removing - or weekly changing - of standing water around your home.

Algoma Public Health also reported a wild bird in Wawa had tested positive in August, warning that indicated the virus' "presence...in Algoma and the potential risk to its residents during peak mosquito season", as West Nile is spread to humans through the bite of a mosquito that has been infected by biting a bird carrying the virus.

Wawa Council Holding 3 Meetings, Will Recognize Local Firefighter's Longtime Service

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a trio of meetings tonight.

That includes a Committee of Adjustment meeting to consider an application for a minor variance for an Arnott Avenue property - though it'll be started by honouring firefighter Pierre Gauthier for 25 years service - followed by a Committee of the Whole meeting including a delegation about water and sewer concerns, monthly reports from department heads, a quarterly update on economic development, and an update on the third-party entity that will receive half of the proceeds from the Municipal Accommodation Tax.

Finally, there'll be a regular Council meeting, which includes a by-law to adopt a new Municipal Flag and Proclamation Policy.

The meetings will be held back-to-back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm tonight in the main level boardroom of Town Hall - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Barrick Selling Hemlo Gold Mine

A nearby mine is changing hands.

Barrick Mining Corporation's announced an agreement to sell the Hemlo Gold Mine east of Marathon to Carcetti Capital Corporation, which will be renamed Hemlo Mining Corp. once the transaction closes.

It's a deal worth up to $1.09-billion, with Barrick getting cash consideration of $875-million, an aggregate value of $50-million in stock in the company, and a production and tiered gold price-linked cash payment structure of up to $165-million, for a five-year term starting in January 2027.

Barrick plans to use proceeds from the sale to further support its balance sheet and return capital to shareholders, the same reason it gave for selling a gold and silver project in Chile last month and a 50 percent interest in an Alaskan operation earlier this year.

Hemlo's been operating continuously for more than 30 years, producing over 21-million ounces of gold over that time.

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