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Time's running out to submit photos for Chapleau's annual Welcome Guide.
Coordinator Hannah James explains the contest.
James reminds the purpose of the Welcome Guide.
James notes "a very small number of openings" are available for Chapleau businesses to sponsor the guide - those interested, and those entering the photo contest, can email hjames@chapleau.ca by tomorrow.
Chapleau's once again without a top administrator.
Mayor Ryan Bignucolo explains Judith Meyntz - who's been Chief Administrative Officer less than three years - is no longer in the role.
Mayor Bignucolo says further information will be provided "in due course", such as the process for more permanently filling the CAO position.
Currently Operations Director, Rejean Raymond has held various management roles with the Township of Chapleau since summer 2019, though he previously held various roles with the Township of Dubreuilville, including CAO, mayor, and councillor.
Chapleau's had a tough time with the role since longtime CAO Allan Pellow retired in 2017, with his successor serving about 3.5 years before a roughly one year search that only saw someone in the role for three months before search efforts started again, running nearly eight months with the subsequent hire lasting about as long before prompting the three-month search that led to the hiring of Meyntz in August 2023.
A lucky supporter of Wawa's firefighters will be $1000 richer tomorrow.
As the second early bird draw in their annual cash draw will be held Friday morning, Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association Past President Mike Krell emphasizes the draw supports the local fire department's equipment purchases.
Krell notes the draw also supports local students going into emergency services.
Ticket sales halt today to ensure none get missed for the 8:45 am draw, after which tickets will go back on sale until the final draws at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby - or they sell out.
Wawa's library is preparing to mark the Winter Carnival weekend.
CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the Wawa Public Library is bringing back a popular activity.
Jarrell notes a carnival badge is not required for the library event.
The Wawa Winter Carnival schedule can be found in a mailout that was sent to post office boxes or through the Wawa Recreation Facebook page - badges are available at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
Festivities are ramping up for Chapleau's "Taste of the North" Winter Carnival.
While some events have been underway since Monday, Leisure and Culture Services Director Carole Ouellette says there's "a full day and night of activities" starting this afternoon.
Ouellette highlights events this evening.
A full schedule of events is available through the carnival's Facebook page, while keychains are available at the arena.
A local health unit wants to hear your thoughts as it determines priorities for the coming years.
Algoma Public Health has launched a survey, asking residents who live and work in the region to share their perspectives, emphasizing that "community input will help shape decisions about programs and services that support families, youth, seniors, and neighbourhoods across Algoma - from health monitoring and community prevention partnerships to emergency preparedness and outbreak control".
Voluntary and anonymous - there is a $50 gift card draw for participants, but info for that is collected separately - the survey's available through the APH website until 4:30 pm February 20th.
Wawa's Michipicoten Rod and Gun Club is raising concerns about plans for a new truck rest stop along Highway 17 north of town.
Club President Rocky Alajoki explains the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's proposed location is next to where the club's range has been for decades.
Alajoki says the club's calling for some "safety considerations" to address unauthorized or unintentional access to the club's property or sound and "secondary safety issues".
Wawa Municipal Council heard the Club's concerns on Tuesday night, and gave their backing with a resolution calling for the rest stop to incorporate the necessary health and safety measures such as the requested berm, fencing, and signage, as well as relocation of the proposed picnic and area, truck inspection station and weigh scale away from the border with the range, and that electronic signage be placed along the highway before the rest stop to warn of closures.
The prepared Transportation Environmental Study Report can be found at northernhighwayrestareas.com, while public comments can be emailed to northernhighwayrestareas.canada@egis-group.com but the deadline is just ten days away: Sunday, February 15th.
Comments are being taken on a new ten-year plan to manage the White River Forest.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says it's in the process of developing the White River Forest's 2028-2038 Forest Management Plan, encouraging people to visit the ministry's website at ontario.ca/ForestPlans
Hydro One's continuing open houses for a major power line project.
While events were held in Timmins and Chapleau in recent days to discuss the proposed 500 kilovolt Wawa-Timmins Power Line, Hydro One is holding another in Wawa to provide information and get feedback on the project.
Plans are for the line - connecting the Wawa Transformer Station near Wawa and the Porcupine Transmission Station in Timmins - to be in service for 2030.
The Wawa open house will be held at the Legion Hall from 4 pm to 7 pm today, though anyone who can't attend can find information on the project at hydroone.com/wawatimmins
Wawa Municipal Council has had its first look at this year's proposed capital budget.
In their Corporate Planning Committee meeting last night, staff presented Council with a draft 2026-27 Capital Budget - which outlined plans for both years - intended to align with the municipality's updated strategic plan and other planning documents.
Led by Treasurer Heather Rainville, department heads outlined plans for approximately $5,768,925 in capital projects for 2026, including redesign studies and renovations for the Town Hall and Fire Hall, improvements to the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, a 3-phase project covering the Ganley Street Storm Sewer, a 2-year project for the Algoma Street and Beck Avenue Watermain and Sanitary Sewer, and continued infrastructure work like cemetery and landfill expansion, pavement preservation, sidewalk and hydrant rehabilitation, and fleet renewal - they also outlined plans for over $9.65-million in capital projects for 2027.
The capital budget presentation was preceeded by the presentation of a proposed Migrating North Tourism Project - which would include work on the Tourist Information Centre and Goose Nest Market, as well as signage - as items from that were included as subject to funding.
Plans are for a revised version of the Capital Budget to come back up to Council with the draft Operating Budget on March 3rd, followed by two weeks for public comment before it goes to a vote.
Council also reviewed the proposed 2026 schedule of fees at the committee meeting, though it also was not put to a vote.
Wawa Municipal Council's holding a pair of meetings tonight.
First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting including discussion about a request for "Community Bear-Proof Bins" - like in Chapleau - and comments from the Michipicoten Rod and Gun Club regarding the MTO's proposed location for a rest stop along Highway 17, next to the club's property north of town.
Council's also set to discuss public comments on the Strategic Plan refresh, as well as Migrating North Tourism Project, the draft operating and capital budgets and schedule of fees.
That'll be followed by a regular meeting of Council, which includes resolutions regarding levy increases for Algoma Public Health and a call for the provincial government to establish an Airport Capital Assistance Program, approving the 2026 budget for the Superior East OPP Detachment Board, and commenting to the MTO about the proposed Highway 17 rest stop, as well as by-laws confirming agreements for voting services and for a lease for the Wawa Goose Seniors Centre.
The meetings will be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm tonight in Council Chambers -the main level boardroom of Town Hall - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.
Hydro One's continuing open houses for a major power line project.
While an event was held in Timmins yesterday to discuss the proposed 500 kilovolt Wawa-Timmins Power Line, Hydro One is holding another in Chapleau today - and one in Wawa tomorrow - to provide information and get feedback on the project.
Plans are for the line - connecting the Wawa Transformer Station near Wawa and the Porcupine Transmission Station in Timmins - to be in service for 2030.
The Chapleau open house will be held at the Legion Hall from 4 pm to 7 pm today, with the Wawa open house also at the local Legion Hall from 4 pm to 7 pm tomorrow, though anyone who can't attend can find information on the project at hydroone.com/wawatimmins
Organizers of Wawa's recent "funspiel" are thanking everyone who helped make the event a success.
Members of the Wawa Goose Seniors' Centre met for the Rocks and Rings Funspiel last Thursday, with Norma Kauk and Andre Bedard claiming first place, followed by Christine Parise and Jennifer McLaughlin in second, Diane Spencer and Maria Reid in third, and Paulette Albert and Lynne Zuliani rounding out the winner's circle, though Parise and McLaughlin also won the Skill Testing Quiz.
The participants, Melanie Coe and Community Centre staff, and Ecole Saint-Joseph are thanked for their efforts.
Another Rocks and Rings Funspiel's planned for Thursday, February 26th, with a sign-up sheet at the Seniors' Centre.
A Highway Traffic Act charge has been laid after a collision in Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the collision involving an SUV and a minivan occurred just after 9:00 am Tuesday morning, at the intersection of Mackey and McKinley Avenue, by Sir James Dunn Public School.
No injuries were reported.
One of the drivers was charged with disobeying a stop sign in a community safety zone.
Local mayors are touting attendance at a recent conference.
Calling the recent Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) conference her "busiest and most successful to date", Wawa Mayor Melanie Pilon explains she joined in a number of delegations.
Mayor Pilon says the municipal delegates were "well received" and felt "confident, prepared, and sharp" in discussions on challenges and opportunities for the community and residents.
Aside from the delegations - which also included a meeting with Hydro One about economic opportunities from the Wawa-Timmins Power Line - Pilon notes she moderated two sessions as Chair of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's Indigenous Advisory Council, and attended the ROMA Chairs Reception, which she says offered an opportunity to increase Wawa's "visibility on the provincial stage".
Chapleau Mayor Ryan Bignucolo likewise calls the event a "good opportunity to meet all levels of government" and talk about Northern issues as well as what is and isn't working, adding he was part of "numerous" delegations and meetings on "a bunch of different topics".
Mayor Bignucolo notes the conference was also an opportunities to see how other communities are doing certain things and what is happening in the province.
A new principal's been named for a local school.
Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says Stéphanie McGregor's been appointed interim principal for Dubreuilville's Ecole Saint-Joseph starting next Monday, February 2nd.
McGregor has more than 23 years of experience in education, including as a teacher at Wawa's École Saint-Joseph, where she has been vice-principal since 2021.
A few local businesses are looking to open soon.
In Chapleau, Town Council has approved a zoning amendment in that community to accommodate a new business.
More from Mayor Ryan Bignucolo.
A building permit application is still in the works.
Meanwhile, in Wawa, Pet Valu is aiming to open in March.
Spokesperson Daryn Haight says the company hopes to be actively involved in the community.
The store will be located on Mission Road.
With cold weather here to stay, a local health unit's urging northerners to help prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
Warning hypothermia and frostbite can happen at a wide range of termperatures - but especially when it's colder - Public Health Sudbury and Districts is encouraging precautions, including dressing in layers with a wind resistant outer layer, covering extremities, and staying active but dry, as well as planning according to the weather forecast, limiting the amount of time spent in the cold, and seeking shelter from the wind.
It also recommends monitoring those who may be more vulnerable due to age, living conditions, health conditions, reduced mobility, or isolation, including the unhoused, reminding frostbite is skin that has actually frozen - usually starting with extremities like fingers, toes, ears, nose, and cheeks - while hypothermia's a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's exposed to cold for a long time and loses more heat than it can generate.
A day later than normal, Wawa Municipal Council's holding its first 2026 meetings tonight.
That includes a Committee of Adjustment meeting - with Council to hear an application for a minor variance for a Regina Crescent address - as well as a Committee of the Whole meeting including monthly reports from department heads and a quarterly report from the Economic Development Officer, as well as a regular meeting of Council including a resolution to accept the Integrity Commissioner's yearly report as well as a by-law to authorize the purchase and sale of land on White Drive.
The meetings are set to be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.
Organizers of Wawa's recent "funspiel" are thanking everyone who helped make the event a success.
Sixteen teams were participated in the 5th Annual Doubles Curling Funspiel held last Saturday, with Team Tom Terris ending up first overall, followed by Team Leschishin in second, then "The Other Terris Team" in third.
The participants, refreshment server, Pat Harron and her crew, organizers, and Community Centre personnel are thanked for their efforts.
Curlers are reminded the Triples Funspiel's planned for February 28th.
