18th Annual PC Children's Charity BBQ Arrives

JJAM FM and John's Your Independent Grocer in Wawa are inviting everyone mark the coming long weekend with a barbecue helping a great cause.

John Michalcewicz explains today's event.

Michalcewicz outlines the reason the local store's hosting the barbecue.

Michalcewicz highlights the work the charity does.

Also sponsored by Wawa Canadian Tire, Davidson's Fuels, Lock City Dairy, and Old Dutch Chips, the barbecue runs from 11 am to 2 pm at John's Your Independent Grocer in Wawa, broadcast live here on JJAM FM.

CAPT Urges Show of Support for Bear Train in Federal Budget Consultations

A group of local passenger train advocates are urging residents to tell the federal government the "Bear Train" passenger train service is important and needed now.

Noting today's the last day of pre-budget consultations by the federal government, the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains is encouraging supporters to fill in the government's survey and add a comment at the end about the need for the "Bear Train" proposal for passenger train service between Sault Ste. Marie and Oba Lake.

CAPT points out proponent MTA Inc. is proposing the feds and provincial government split the start-up and annual operating costs, like with the Huron Central Railway, with an operator, Watco, already lined up so service could start quickly.

The former Algoma Central Railway passenger train service ended a decade ago, cutting one of - if not the only - option to access many remote locations.

Small Wildfire Already Out After Being Confirmed in Chapleau District

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

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources says "Chapleau 14" was reported Wednesday, on the south side of Bunting Lake - about 2.6 kilometres west of Perth Lake and 1.1 kilometres south of Nackawic Lake - but never grew beyond a tenth of a hectare in size before it was declared "out" later that day.

The fire hazard's low in areas north of Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins, and primarily moderate to high for the rest of the northeast.

NOMA Backs FONOM's Call for "Nation-Building Commitment" to Northern Ontario's Trans-Canada Highway

Northwestern Ontario municipal leaders are backing a call from their northeastern counterparts for a "nation-building commitment" to the Trans-Canada Highway in northern Ontario.

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) is joining the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) in urging the Ontarian and Canadian governments to modernize both Highways 11 and 17 across Northern Ontario, and - to help with that - designate it a "nation-building project" under the Building Canada Act.

Both organizations note the Trans-Canada Highway's a four-lane corridor in most other provinces, but is mostly two-lane in Ontario, making it the "weak link in Canada's national highway system", with FONOM proposing a combination of strategic four-lane widening, selective twinning, and 2+1 highways - featuring alternating passing lanes with a crash-rated median barrier - to improve the highway, warning "each accident not only causes human tragedy but also disrupts more than 8400 trucks moving $200-million in goods daily", with expectations truck traffic will double in the next decade.

FONOM Urges "Nation-Building Commitment" to Trans-Canada Highway in Northern Ontario

Northeastern Ontario municipal leaders are calling for a "nation-building commitment" to the Trans-Canada Highway in the region.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is urging Ontario and Canadian governments to modernize both Highways 11 and 17 across Northern Ontario, and - to help - designate it a "nation-building project" under the building Canada Act.

They argue the mostly two-lane highway has "some of the highest fatality and collision rates in Canada", noting "each accident not only causes human tragedy but also disrupts more than 8400 trucks moving $200-million in goods daily", and - with expectations that truck traffic will double in the next decade - urgency to address the problem is growing.

To address the "weak link in Canada's national highway system", FONOM is proposing a combination of strategic four-lane widening, selective twinning, and 2+1 highways - featuring alternating passing lanes with a crash-rated median barrier - emphasizing that other "upcoming national priorities, including the Ring of Fire, the NWMO nuclear facility in Ignace, expanded St. Lawrence port activity, and proposals for a James Bay port" would all rely on the Trans-Canada Highway, and that FONOM's proposals are supported by its northwestern counterpart, NOMA, as well as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and Rural Ontario Municipal Association.

Chapleau's 2nd Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race Hailed as "Amazing" Success

Chapleau's mayor is thanking the community for its support as the checkered flag's been waved for the second Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says last weekend's event - the first edition of the Chapleau drag races since they debuted in 2019 - was quite successful.

Bignucolo particularly highlights work done on the airport ahead of time.

Mayor Bignucolo thanks the various sponsors and supporters - particularly Discovery Silver/Discovery Porcupine, who provided $50,000 in support - and notes plans for the third edition of the event to be held next year, though the date has yet to be confirmed.

Wawa District Fire Out

A small forest fire is already out after being confirmed in the Wawa area.

While the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed "Wawa 7" Tuesday - located "midway between Ruthie and Danny lakes" - it now shows the fire was called "out" after growing to seven-tenths of a hectare in size.

The fire hazard's mainly low to moderate across the northeast, with a "large swath" of high hazard from the north shore of Lake Huron to the shores of James Bay.

Wawa Salmon Derby Pre-Fish Contest Ending

Fishing is coming to an end ahead of the Wawa Salmon Derby.

Today's the last day in the five-day pre-derby fishing contest, offering any anglers registered for the derby a chance at a $50 prize for the largest fish caught today, though Derby Chair Brad Buck reminds anglers could reel in much bigger prizes this weekend.

The 43rd annual derby runs this Friday, August 22nd, through Sunday the 24th - registration is open now.

Brunswick House First Nation Re-Elects Chief, Chooses 6 Councillors

Results are in from Brunswick House First Nation's recent election.

Cheryl St. Denis has been elected as chief once again - with 76 votes, just ahead of Lorraine Giroux's 67 - joined by returning councillors Amberly Quakagesic and Lorraine Tangie, as well as Bonnie Saunders, Bev Tangie, Lisa Vanbuskirk, and Irene Redbreast, surpassing 26 other candidates, while one withdrew.

37th Winnie's Hometown Festival Arrives in White River

White River's bustling with excitement this weekend, with the 37th annual Winnie's Hometown Festival.

Mayor Tara Anderson Hart explains there will be similar activities to previous years, with some new attractions.

Anderson Hart highlights a few other things at the park.

Mayor Anderson Hart thanks all of the volunteers who've stepped up to help put on this event.

Festivities start today, running through Sunday.

Wawa Salmon Derby's Pre-Fish Contest to Begin

Anglers will start hitting the water this weekend for the chance at some prizes for the upcoming Wawa Salmon Derby.

While the 43rd annual derby isn't for another week, Derby Chair Brad Buck reminds the five-day "pre-fishing" contest starts tomorrow.

Buck reminds the "pre-fish" - which runs through Wednesday, August 20th - is open to anyone registered for the derby, which runs next Friday, August 22nd through Sunday the 24th - registration's open now.

Brunswick House First Nation Election Day

Ballots are being cast today for the Brunswick House First Nation elections.

Six people are in the running for chief - current Chief Cheryl St. Denis, as well as Lorraine Giroux, Alex McWatch, Rene Ojebah, Edward Saunders, and Eli Taylor - while 33 people are running for six councillor positions.

Voting runs from 9 am until 8 pm at the Joseph H. Saunders Community Center.

Wawa & Other Municipal Representatives Heading to AMO Conference

Municipal, provincial, and other representatives are gathering in Ottawa this weekend for the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference.

That includes Wawa Mayor Melanie Pilon, who says a key priority will be discussing the Algoma District Services Administration Board (ADSAB) apportionment calculation (how it determines what each member community pays into it) - particularly how it considers the power dam compensatory grant Wawa receives in lieu of property taxes from local power dams - an issue Wawa has been pushing on for a few years.

Mayor Pilon says another key issue is highway travel.

Mayor Pilon - who will be accompanied by Councillor Joe Opato - also notes plans to meet with the Ontario Medical Association about physician recruitment and retention, Ontario's Ministry of Labour and Immigration about immigration and workforce attraction issues, and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, as well as attending the launch of AMO's Indigenous Advisory Council and its first Indigenous Reconciliation Plan.

Chapleau's Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race Returns

After nearly six years, Chapleau's Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race returns to the track.

While the event debuted in 2019, today marks the beginning of the second edition of the drag race - after attempts in 2020 and 2023 were called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a busy forest fire season, respectively - with Chapleau Mayor Ryan Bignucolo touting not just $45,000 in prizes, but lots of fun for the family.

Bignucolo highlights not just the community's support, but broader support.

Bignucolo notes there is also on-site camping available.

The Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race runs today through Sunday, at the Chapleau Airport.

Wild Bird Tests Positive for West Nile in Wawa

Algoma Public Health is warning residents to take precautions against West Nile virus.

The health unit says a wild bird in Wawa recently tested positive for the virus, indicating its "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 - the health unit notes it's not known to spread from person-to-person nor directly from bird-to-person.

While it says the the risk of being infected in Algoma is "low", Algoma Public Health encourages 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.

The neighbouring Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported last month that an American Crow from the Greater Sudbury area had tested positive, though neither health unit's reported a human case this year.

Missanabie Cree First Nation Election Day

Ballots are being cast today weekend for the Missanabie Cree First Nation elections.

Six people are in the running for chief: current Chief Jason Gauthier, who's held the role since 2013; current Deputy Chief Jutta Horn; former councillors Gloria Jean Harris, Cory McLeod, and Eddy Robinson; and Vanessa Mahan.

There are also fourteen up for five councillor positions: current councillors Les Nolan and Jo Ann Pezzo; former councillors Bobbi Fletcher-Decorte, Roy Gideon, and Cheryl Macumber; former chief Kim Rainville; and Sherri Black, Amanda Daigle (Inberg), Hollie Felix, Michael Fletcher, Moonie Fletcher, Warren Fletcher (Mandoshkin), Kathryn Beth Jeremiah, and Alethea Pezzo.

Those elected will serve a three-year term.

Voting runs from 8 am until 8 pm at the Missanabie Cree First Nation Annual Gathering in Missanabie.