Order Deadline for Wawa's 6th Ice Candle Celebration Day, But Event Delayed

Time is running out for those hoping to participate in Wawa's sixth annual Ice Candle Celebration Day - though when the event will be held is now up in the air.

While the annual fundraiser was scheduled to be held December 29th, the Wawa Cemetery Committee's announced that is being delayed to January 18th due to expected mild weather ahead of that date, which is detrimental to the making and storing of the ice candles, though today remains the deadline to order ice candles for the event.

Committee vice chair Claude Samson notes it's easy to participate.

Samson reminds the Ice Candle Celebration serves a couple purposes.

Samson explains that - while the Municipality's responsible for cemetery maintenance - the committee will put funds raised toward beautification, with a couple items in mind.

The 6th annual Ice Candle Celebration Day will be held January 18th.

Chapleau Council Honours Retiring Workers, Longtime Firefighters

Some longtime Chapleau employees and firefighters were honoured in this week's Council meeting.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo highlights one retirement in Public Works.

Mayor Bignucolo also highlights a retiring worker in the front office.

Bignucolo notes some firefighters were also honoured.

Former Fire Chief Ken Groves was presented the Ontario Fire Fighter Long Service Award, while James Apsey, Marc Turcotte, Bryce Bertrand, Chad Byce, and Kevin Gherbaz received federal Fire Services Exemplary Service Medals.

Chapleau Snowmobile Club Receives $25k from Chapleau Tourism Fund

The Chapleau Snowmobile Club's getting support from the community's tourism fund.

Funded by the town's Municipal Accommodation Tax - to boost tourism and economic growth - the Chapleau Tourism Fund has announced a $25,000 grant for the club, whose president, Richard Bignucolo, says they're really grateful the funding was approved.

Bignucolo notes some other work done.

Bignucolo adds the upcoming season looks great, with the club "pretty optimistic" that the trails will be "up and running" by the usual date of January 15th, though he recommends watching the OFSC website for trail status.

LP Building Solutions Donates to Wawa Charities

The owners of Wawa's sawmill are touting support for its local communities - including Wawa.

Louisiana-Pacific says it - and its LP Foundation - increased annual giving over 2024, with more than $1.3-million awarded to more than 100 initiatives "in the communities...team members call home", including $10,000 donated in Wawa, split between the Children's Aid Society of Algoma, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation, the Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters, and the Regional Employment Help Centre, all of whom were supported by the Foundation's Community Grants program, one of five giving programs it offers.

The non-profit arm of LP, the foundation focuses its giving on affordable housing, environmental stewardship, and future workforce development.

McDougall Energy Donates to Chapleau Charity

McDougall Energy's touting support for various charities - including locally.

The Sault Ste. Marie-based fuel and lubricant distribution business has announced $86,000 in donations to over 30 "local charities dedicated to fighting food insecurity and providing gifts for children, families, individuals, and newcomers this holiday season" in communities it serves across Ontario, including Chapleau, where it has donated to Meals of Hope - Food and Clothing.

CSC Nouvelon Schools to Hold Open Houses

Grade 8 students and their parents will get a preview of what's in store for next school year, as the local French Catholic schools hold open houses next month.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says Wawa's Ecole secondaire Saint-Joseph and Chapleau's Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium will be holding separate open houses Thursday, January 16th, at 6:30 pm.

Hydro One Picked for Wawa TS to Porcupine TS Transmission Line

Hydro One's been picked for a key power transmission line between Wawa and Timmins.

The Ontario government's given the utility the "go-ahead" to seek necessary approvals and build the 260-kilometre, 230-kilovolt transmission line between the Wawa and Porcupine transformer stations, scheduled to come into service in 2030.

That bid was backed by the Wabun Tribal Council Chiefs, who'd announced a developmental coalition including the Wabun First Nations of Mattagami, Brunswick House, Matachewan, Flying Post, and Chapleau Ojibwe would partner with Hydro One on a Transmission Infrastructure Partnership, which would also see them have a 50 percent equity stake in the line.

A rival bid had been put forward by the Michipicoten, Chapleau Cree, and Missanabie Cree First Nations, Taykwa Tagamou Nation, and American electric power provider Ameren, as well as private investment, but that was unsuccessful.

Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator identified this line as a key priority in its electricity plan for Northeast Ontario, as demand in the region is expected to rise 28% by 2035.

SJD Thanks Wawa for Supporting Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser

A Wawa school's thanking the community for supporting a recent fundraiser.

Sir James Dunn Public School Special Education Resource Teacher Heather Watson says their spaghetti supper was "a tremendous success".

Watson thanks everyone who made the event successful, including the staff, parents, students, family, and everyone who volunteered, as well as the community for coming out and supporting the event.

Input Deadline for Wawa's Draft Capital Budget

Only hours are left to provide input on the Municipality of Wawa's proposed capital budget.

Presented to Wawa Municipal Council November 27th, the draft document outlines plans for 2025 - and some ideas through 2028 - with approximately $3,118,500 in new capital projects - for a total of $7,029,704, with prior commitments - including plans for a Town Hall redesign study - and similar study for the Fire Hall - the relocation of Council Chambers, improvements to the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre - including its roof - as well as annual projects like sidewalk rehabilitation and pavement preservation.

That presentation can be viewed on the Municipality's YouTube channel - with the slide show on the Municipality's website - with input accepted until the end of today.

The draft operating budget will be presented in a special meeting on January 8th.

Impaired Driving Charges After Vehicle in Ditch East of Chapleau

Impaired driving charges have been laid after a vehicle ended up in a ditch east of Chapleau.

Superior East OPP say they responded to the single vehicle collision on Highway 101 in Chewit Township early last Wednesday morning, and - while speaking with the driver - officers determined he'd consumed an alcoholic beverage, so he was taken to the Chapleau detachment for further testing, resulting in the 51-year-old Timmins man's arrest on charges of operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs and operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).

Set to appear in court next month, the man was also issued a 90-day Administrative Driver's Licence Suspension and the vehicle impounded for seven days.

OPP remind the public that - if you see a possible impaired driver on roads, waterways, or trails - "make the call" and dial 9-1-1.

Iris Place Receives Support Through Holiday Smile Cookies Ahead of Move

Some cookies have added an extra smile for a local organization.

Iris Place Clubhouse/Peer Support Worker Michelle Richardson says last month's Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie campaign went well.

Richardson notes that isn't the only donation the local drop-in centre has seen.

Richardson says these come at a key moment, as Iris Place is set to change locations.

Richardson reminds everyone to watch Iris Place's Facebook page for updates on phone number and address - as well as potential changes to the timeline - with Thursday set to be the "last actual day" for Iris Place's current location, followed by a Christmas luncheon for members at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre on Friday.

2 Charged With Using Fake ID in Chapleau & Wawa

Two Quebec residents are charges for using fake ID in Chapleau and Wawa.

Superior East OPP say the two attempted to use false identification at a business in the Town of Chapleau around 4 o'clock last Wednesday afternoon, but they fled the scene before police arrived - they were, however, located around 11 o'clock the next day, attempting to use false ID at a business in the Town of Wawa.

Officers searched the suspects and seized 20 to 25 pieces of false ID each, leading to the arrest of the 41-year-old and the 48-year-old on numerous charges of identity theft, plus personation with intent to obtain property, and possession of a forged document with intent.

Wawa Holds Vigil for Shooting Victim, Bridgette Hagen

Wawa residents held vigil in support of Bridgette Hagen, after she was seriously injured in a shooting at the Northern Credit Union last week.

The vigil took place at St. Paul's Anglican Church on Monday, just four days after Hagen - an employee at the credit union - was shot several times by someone who then killed himself.

Hagen was airlifted to Sudbury and has undergone multiple surgeries, including amputating her right hand and part of her forearm - an update on a GoFundMe page launched to support Hagen and her family says she underwent abdominal surgery on Sunday, which went well, allowing her to be taken off blood pressure medication, though it notes "a lot of pellets [remain] in the soft tissues of the chest" - those that pose a risk were removed, but removing those remaining could potentially damage surrounding tissues, emphasizing she is "doing as best as can be expected under the circumstances".

That GoFundMe page has already raised over $100,000 through more than 800 donations, nearing its stated goal of $125,000.

While the OPP's Criminal Investigation Branch is still investigating - assisted by the Superior East OPP Crime Unit - no charges are expected, though anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to contact the OPP.

Chapleau MNR Holding Annual Holiday Food Drive

Chapleau staff of Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources are giving back to the community today with a food drive.

Conservation Officer Melissa Fairbairn explains conservation officers will be accepting the donations to support families in need during the holiday season.

Fairbairn says there isn't a particular goal set, just hoping to get as much support as possible to support families in need.

The food drive runs from 10 this morning until 3 o'clock this afternoon, at the Chapleau Valu-Mart.

OMNR Investigating Shooting of Cow Moose Near Chapleau

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources wants to know who shot a cow moose near Chapleau.

Conservation Officers were informed October 16th that a cow moose was shot and abandoned in a "cut block" off of Kebskwasheshi Road in Eaton Township a few days to a week before it was discovered

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call the Ministry's TIPS line - toll free - at 1-877-847-7667 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Wawa Supports Holiday Hamper Food Drive

Wawa residents are being thanked for supporting an annual tradition helping the needy in the community.

The Wawa Volunteer Fire Department and staff from St. Augustine French Immersion Catholic School held their annual Christmas Hamper Holiday Food Drive over the weekend, more than filling three half-ton trucks - or six pallettes - with non-perishable donations, and collecting a further $1925 in monetary donations.

That will be put toward the Wawa Christmas Hampers, which Hamper Fund President Richard Watson reminds offer a few items to brighten the season for the less fortunate in the community.

The hampers are set to go out next week.

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