OPP Provides Safety Advice For Halloween

As kids prepare to trick-or-treat, local police are reminding of some important safety tips.

OPP Constable Ashley Nickle has some advice for parents about trick-or-treating - including to go with your kids.

Constable Nickle also has some warnings for trick-or-treaters.

Nickle also reminds costumes should fit properly and "be as visible as possible", with the children able to see and move easily, and reminds drivers to be extra cautious and drive slowly.

Nickle further advises drivers to turn on headlights early in the day to better see trick-or-treaters at a distance, and to slowly enter or exit driveways or intersections.

Northern Lights Ford & Wawa Public Library Ending Campaigns for Wawa Food Bank

A couple month-long campaigns supporting the Wawa Food Bank are in their final day.

Northern Lights Ford's "Let's Scare Hunger Together" campaign wraps up today, after collecting non-perishable food items all month, and Danette Mathias says it has been well-received.

As the campaign launched, Mathias noted they'd set an ambitious goal this year.

Donations can be dropped off at the dealership today, with donors entered into a draw for a $25 gift card.

Meanwhile, Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell notes the library's wrapping up a campaign supporting the food bank.

The campaign is part of the local library's celebrations for Canada Library Month, along with a draw for those who come in and show their library card - or get one - and putting all used book & DVD sales toward Alzheimer's - both of those are concluding today, too.

Chapleau's Winter Parking By-Law Taking Effect

The Township of Chapleau's reminding its winter parking by-law is set to take force.

The by-law applies from November 1st to April 30th, prohibiting parking on any street between 1 am and 7 am, including the full 66-foot right-of-way running from the front lot line on one side of the street to the front lot line on the opposite side of the street.

Once the by-law takes effect, the Township's asks drivers park entirely within their property limits and landlords ensure tenants have off-street parking spaces free of snow - and the Township warns creating parking spaces in snow banks isn't permitted, nor is clearing the snow on the side of the road in front of your home into large piles.

Wawa's winter parking by-law took effect October 15th, prohibiting parking on any street or boulevard between 1 am and 8 am.

Wawa Public Library Marking It Red for Dyslexia

The Wawa Public Library will be "marking it red" for dyslexia this week.

While the library's been celebrating Canada Library Month and Ontario Public Library Week, CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell notes October's Dyslexia Month.

Jarrell encourages people to come in, see, and ask questions about the collection, with a special social to be held Friday afternoon, from 1 pm to 3 pm.

The library's wrapping up the current Ontario Public Library Week with an "Afternoon of Music with Isabella and Doris" on Saturday, while several month-long initiatives continue: the "Food For Fines" campaign accepting non-perishable food items for the Wawa Food Bank in exchange for a coupon covering library fines; a draw for those who come in and show their library card - or get one - and putting proceeds from used book and DVD sales toward the Alzheimer's Society.

Wawa Public Library Marking Ontario Public Library Week

Ontario is celebrating public libraries this week - and Wawa's library is marking the occasion.

Part of Canada Library Month, this week is Ontario Public Library Week, and Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell emphasizes a key message.

Jarrell notes this week's festivities wrap up with an "Afternoon of Music" with Isabelle and Doris Saturday, though Jarrell a few month-long initiatives are still underway, including the draw for those who come in and show their library card - or get one - the "food for fines" campaign doubling coupons covering library fines in exchange for non-perishable food donations for the Wawa Community Food Bank; "marking it red for dyslexia", promoting the library's dyslexia awareness books; and putting all used book & DVD sales toward Alzheimer's.

2nd Wawa Curling Registration Event

Registration for Wawa's curlers is continuing tonight.

Men's Curling Club President Jim Hoffmann discusses the different leagues.

Hoffmann notes there are a few options to pay.

Experienced curlers, amateurs, and entirely new curlers are welcome, with teams or individuals - including those interested in being a spare - also encouraged to register.

Anyone looking for more information is encouraged to contact Tom Terris about the Mixed League, Danette Mathias for the Ladies League, or Jim Hoffmann for the Men's League.

The registration event runs from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm tonight at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre - the curling season begins the first week of November.

Wildfire Reported in Chapleau, Sault Ste. Marie Districts

A few forest fires have been confirmed in the region in recent days.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says "Chapleau 18" - located about 13 kilometres south of Highway 101 and 24 kilometres southwest of Chapleau - is "not yet under control" at a half-hectare in size, while "Sault Ste. Marie 23" is being held at 30 hectares in size about 2 kilometres south of Serpent River with four FireRanger crews committed to the fire.

Seven other wildland fires were confirmed in the northeast since Friday afternoon, including one in the Wawa district that was called "out" before growing beyond a tenth of a hectare in size.

The fire hazard's moderate to high for much of the Northeast, though it falls to low north of the Highway 101 corridor.

Wawa Council Holding Special Meeting for Financial Update

Wawa Municipal Council's getting a financial update in a special meeting tonight.

The meeting will start with an "in-camera" item - a legal issue relating to KPMG's audit findings - followed by KPMG's public presentation of the 2023 Consolidated and Trust Funds Financial Statements - Council will then vote on accepting those statements, more or less a formality.

Aside from the opening "in-camera" items, tonight's meeting is open to the public - it's scheduled to start at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers.

Chapleau Cemetery Clean-Up Nears

Chapleau's planning to clean up its cemeteries later this month.

The Township's warning residents that the fall cleaning of the municipal cemeteries will happen on or after Friday, October 25th, with all lot decorations to be removed in accordance with the Cemetery By-Law.

That includes all structures, ornaments, candles, and other embellishments, but not headstones, monuments, or markers.

It warns residents to "ensure all items of value are collected prior to this date".

Small Forest Fire Burning in Chapleau District

A small forest fire's continuing to burn in the Chapleau district.

As of its Wednesday evening update, Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources listed "Chapleau 17" as a tenth of a hectare in size but "not yet under control", located about 100 metres west of Woods Lake.

It was one of three "active" fires in the Northeast at the time - the other 2 were either under control or being held - with the fire hazard low to moderate across the northeast.

LDHC Declares Respiratory Virus Outbreak in Acute Care, SAH Reports COVID-19 in 3B Unit

A respiratory virus outbreak's been declared for the Lady Dunn Health Centre's Acute Care wing.

In response, the Wawa hospital says masking is now required throughout the facility for all visitors and staff, while general visitors are not permitted until further notice, though patients in the Acute Care Wing can still be supported by two essential caregivers, and there are no changes to Long-Term Care visitation.

Further south, Sault Area Hospital's declared a COVID-19 outbreak in its 3B unit, requiring anyone visiting that unit to wear a mask at all times and use hand sanitizer upon entry and exit - people are also asked to limit visits as much as possible.

Wawa's Winter Overnight Parking By-Law Now In Effect

Wawa residents are reminded the town's winter parking by-law is now in force.

The Municipality's warning its winter overnight parking by-law - intended to help with snow clearing efforts - took effect for the season on Tuesday, October 15th, barring parking any vehicle, trailer, or vessel on a street or boulevard between 1 am and 8 am.

Any vehicle, trailer, or vessel found breaking the rules can be removed, with the owner fined and charged for the removal cost and daily storage fees, which will need to be paid in full before the item's released.

Chapleau residents have a little longer, as the town's winter parking by-law takes effect November 1st.

Wawa Curling Registration Opens

Good news for Wawa curlers: registration starts tonight.

Organizers are holding two events so teams and curlers can sign up for the Men's, Ladies, or Mixed Leagues, the first tonight and the second next Tuesday, both running from 6:30 to 8 o'clock at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Wawa Men's Curling Club President Jim Hoffmann notes there are a few options to pay.

Experienced curlers, amateurs, and entirely new curlers are welcome, with individuals interested in being a spare also encouraged to register - anyone looking for more information is encouraged to contact Tom Terris about the Mixed League, Danette Mathias for the Ladies League, or Jim Hoffmann for the Men's League.

The season begins in the first week of November

Wawa Cleaning Up Woodland Cemetery for Season

The Municipality of Wawa's cleaning up Woodland Cemetery.

A notice from the Municipality warns that (per a 2019 by-law) artificial flower arrangements, wreaths, and other decorations - including ornaments, candles, and the planting of "other embellishments" - needed to be removed from cemetery plots by Tuesday, though a single wreath or flower arrangement's allowed on a plot for special occasions - such as Remembrance Day or Christmas - as long as they're removed within 30 days of being placed, otherwise they'll be considered abandoned and may be disposed of by staff.

Wawa Hosting Mayor & Council Luncheon for Small Business Week

The Municipality of Wawa's inviting residents to celebrate Small Business Week next week by sitting down for lunch and learning about the Municipality's efforts to help the community.

Economic Development Officer Kristy Hansen explains an event coming next week.

Hansen warns people need to register.

Hansen notes there is a cost to attend.

The registration deadline is this Friday, October 18th, with the Mayor and Council Luncheon to be held next Wednesday, October 23rd from 11:30 am to 1 pm at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Wawa Council Holding Dual Meetings After Thanksgiving

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

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting including a delegation on a request to lease space on municipally-owned property, discussion on monthly reports from department heads, the draft multi-year accessibility plan, a request from the Wawa Men's Curling Club to extend the curling ice so the Men's Bonspiel can be held in early April, and a request from the Superior East OPP Detachment Board - which replaced the local Police Services Board - for the Municipality to cover a share of the board's required liability insurance.

The latter item will come back up in tonight's regular Council meeting, which also includes a resolution to accept plans for a small Business Week luncheon on October 23rd and a request from Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 to waive MMCC rental fees for this year's Remembrance Day ceremony.

The meetings will be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Wawa Red Apple Wrapping Up Annual Food Drive

A Wawa store's wrapping up a campaign to support the local food bank.

As today is last day for the Red Apple store's annual food drive, manager Josee McCoy reminds people can still help out, noting it's an easy process.

McCoy says the campaign's been going well.

McCoy thanks all customers who've supported a great cause, encouraging everyone to continue to do so "wherever they can".

1 Dead After CMV/Passenger Vehicle Collision Between Cartier & Gogama

One person is dead after a collision between Cartier and Gogama.

Nipissing West Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the two-vehicle collision involving a commercial motor vehicle and a passenger vehicle on Highway 144 around 1 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, with one person pronounced dead at the scene.

OPP are continuing to investigate.

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