Wawa Planning to Move Council Chambers For Accessibility

Wawa Municipal Council could be moving.

In their Committee of the Whole meeting last night, Council was apprised of a request to move Council Chambers from the current location in the top level of the Town Hall building downstairs, into the former OPP space, which is currently used as a meeting area and host site for various events - a move intended to make Council Chambers more accessible for both councillors and the broader public.

While CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill noted a number of potential pitfalls or concerns - including changes to furniture, layout, and equipment that may be needed for the new space, compared to the current chambers - it was Councillor Mitch Hatfield who questioned the potential impact on court proceedings, which are currently held in Council Chambers - O'Neill noted hopes the court would also move into the more accessible location, but there are certain needs that the court has which might not be met, so she'll discuss that with the court.

All councillors spoke in favour of the idea, with Mayor Melanie Pilon acknowledging the potential loss of decorum as the current chambers are "rooted in history", but emphasizing the need for the chambers to be more accessible.

As Council showed approval for the idea, the recommendation from O'Neill was that staff take efforts so that the move can happen by March.

Wawa Council No Longer Considering Curling Season Extension

Wawa's curling season won't be extended after all.

While Wawa Municipal Council last month heard a request from the Wawa Men's Curling Club to extend the curling ice season so that the club's 75th annual bonspiel can be held the first weekend of April, Municipal CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill noted in last night's Committee of the Whole meeting that the final weekend of March had been freed up, so the event would be held then, no longer requiring the extension.

O'Neill did note staff are still investigating requests from Ecole Saint-Joseph and the Wawa Minor Hockey executive that the arena ice season be extended to start September 1st and end April 15th, rather than starting the final Monday of September and ending the final Monday of March.

Wawa Council Holding 2 Meetings, Starting Early

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

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which will start by going "in-camera" for Council education or training before returning to a publicly open meeting to discuss the request to extend the end of the curling ice season for the Men's Bonspiel, then monthly reports from department heads, an annual municipal accessibility report, and a request to move Council Chambers from the current upstairs location downstairs, into the former OPP space, which is currently used as a meeting area and host site for various events.

That'll be followed by a regular meeting of Council, including a resolution to adopt the 2025-29 Wawa Accessibility Plan, and four "in-camera" items: a legal issue about the proposed sale of municipal land; two legal issues about offers to purchase property; and a personal issue regarding the Civic Achievement Award nominations.

The meetings are set to be held back-to-back, with the Committee of the Whole meeting starting at 5:30 pm in Council Chambers - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Chapleau Driver Facing Impaired Driving Charge After Vehicle Ended Up in Ditch

A Chapleau driver's facing an impaired driving charge after a vehicle ended up in a ditch south of town.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the single vehicle collision on Highway 129 in Reaney Township - south of Highway 667 - around 2:30 am last Wednesday morning, with officers determining while speaking with the driver - who did not require medical attention - that alcohol had been consumed, leading to their arrest and transportation to the Chapleau detachment for further testing, resulting in a charge of operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).

The 46-year-old was released with a future court date, though a 90-day Administrative Driver's Licence Suspension was issued, and their vehicle's impounded for seven days.

New Wawa Cenotaph/Memorial Officially Unveiled & Dedicated at MMCC

Wawa's officially unveiled a new monument recognizing veterans and those lost in conflicts around the world.

During Monday's Remembrance Day ceremony, the new maple leaf-shaped monument at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre was officially unveiled and dedicated, and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 President Mary Anne Pearson says she was happy to see it happen.

Pearson explains there were a couple main concerns about the old cenotaph in Queen's Park.

Pearson says it was Municipal staff who'd brought up the issue, and she commends their efforts to help address the problem, particularly Alex Patterson and Sam Rowe, as well as Jessie Labonte, though the Legion also thanks Mike and Fern Moore of Moore Construction, Tulloch Engineering, Greg Hardwick and HGH Granite, Tom Terris and Wawa Rent-All and Repair, Traders Metal, and Monty McIntyre.

Plans for the old cenotaph will be decided at a later date.

Wawa Council Approves 5 Year Lease for Iris Place

A major Wawa organization will move - to the opposite end of Broadway Avenue.

In their meeting last night, Wawa Municipal Council approved a five-year lease agreement with the Canadian Mental Health Association Algoma for Iris Place to relocate to a portion of municipally-owned property at 96 Broadway Avenue, as Iris Place's lease for its current location is ending at the end of this month.

Clubhouse/Peer Support Worker Michelle Richardson welcomes the news.

At this time, Richardson couldn't give an exact timeline of the move, such as any related closures needed.

In the meeting, municipal CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill noted some maintenance and other work that would be done to prepare the space, including replacing some carpet and building doors to better secure other sections of the building, though some rewiring will also be needed to accommodate a fridge and ventilation for a stove.

NL Ford's Let's Scare Hunger Together Campaign Donates to Wawa Food Bank

Wawa's food bank is thanking the local Ford dealership and the community for their support in a recent campaign.

Danette Mathias of Northern Lights Ford says the Let's Scare Hunger Together campaign was "a huge success".

Mathias thanks those who donated or otherwise helped.

Wawa Community Food Bank volunteer Debbie Banks lauds the support provided.

Banks emphasizes the need for this support.

The Wawa Community Food Bank's open every Wednesday - except for the first of the month - from 2 to 4 pm, though it is set to be closed for two weeks straight over the holidays, due to Christmas and New Year's Day.

Wawa Council to Discuss Possible Iris Place Lease, Age Friendly Plan

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

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting including a memo and draft lease agreement for Iris Place to relocate to 96 Broadway Avenue - as they need to move out of their current location by the end of the month - as well as an update on the Age Friendly Plan.

The Iris Place lease is set to come back up for a vote in tonight's regular Council meeting, which also includes a resolution to appoint a new member of the Wawa Heritage Committee.

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

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.

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