Restricted Fire Zone in effect @ 12:01 AM July 7 2018

Restricted Fire Zone in Effect @ 12:01 AM JULY 7 2018

"Due to an extreme fire hazard and recent periods of heavy lightning in parts of the Northeast region, and the large number of wildfires burning, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will implement a Restricted Fire Zone for the areas outlined in the map below (zone 18, zone 19,zone 20, zone 21)as of midnight tonight  July 6th (12:01am-July 7).

The Restricted Fire Zone is in effect until further notice.

Restricted Fire Zones help protect public safety.

In a Restricted Fire Zone, outdoor fires are banned.

Portable gas stoves may still be used BUT must be handled with extreme care.

For more information contact your local Fire Management Headquarters.

Follow us on Twitter @ONforestfires. "

They also advise that detailed information can be found on the Restricted Fire Zone boundaries by visiting http://ontario.ca/forestfire

Canada Day Fireworks Delayed For Wawa

Poor weather conditions have caused the Canada Day fireworks to be rescheduled.  The Wawa Volunteer Firefighters say the fireworks will not take place at dusk on Sunday, July 1st, but plans are to go ahead with them on Monday, July 2nd, also at dusk.

Chapleau Council Reviews Budget to Date and Approves Engineering Work

Chapleau Town Council took the time this week to review the Township's budget for the year to date.
Mayor Michael Levesque says there were no real surprises, but notes Council is looking at a few items in the Capital Budget, as $1.7-million in infrastructure funding is available.

Mayor Levesque also highlights issues with the turnaround at the Beer Store.

Levesque notes Council has not approved any actual work on that turnaround, just the engineering work for Pine Street from Monk to Lisgar, to determine "a reasonable fix for a reasonable price", which would come to Council for approval.

Canadian Milk Tour Visits Wawa

The Wawa Goose was visited Tuesday night by a special cow supporting the Canadian dairy industry.
Henk and Bettina Schuurmans rode their tractor - complete with large plastic cow "Maple" - into Wawa as part of their "Canadian Milk Tour" from their farm in Elmira (in the Kitchener-Waterloo area of southern Ontario) to Vancouver.
Henk Schuurmans explains this is the couple's own initiative, calling for milk to stay 100 percent Canadian amid U-S efforts to end Canada's supply management system - a system Schuurmans praises.

Schuurmans also touts superior quality of Canadian milk, pointing to a monitoring system that helps maintain high standards.
A ninth generation farmer - who notes his last name means "man from the barn" - Schuurmans says he has over three decades experience in the dairy industry, adding that - of his five children - all three sons want to be dairy farmers, but he's worried "maybe" 10 percent of Canada's 11,000 dairy farms would survive without supply management.
The "Canadian Milk Tour" continued on to White River Tuesday night, and is now heading further west.

Wawa Wood Heat Rebate Program Ends

A Wawa-based rebate program intended to help residents switch to a new wood heat appliance is a casualty in the provincial government's cancellation of cap-and-trade.
Wawa Economic Development Corporation CEO Maury O'Neill explains the EDC has been informed that the Wawa Wood Heat Rebate program can no longer take applications as the incoming government has cancelled the GreenON program - which funded the local rebates - though she notes some good news for those who've already applied.

O'Neill notes the program - which offered rebates for residents and business owners in Wawa, Hawk Junction, and Michipicoten First Nation to switch from oil or propane heat to wood heat or from an older wood heat appliance to a new one - was "very well received - beyond expectations".

O'Neill adds that the E-D-C will work with the Municipality of Wawa and other communities impacted to lobby for a return of the rebate program, or something similar.

The rebate program was only launched at the start of May, one of four such pilot programs funded by proceeds of the province's carbon market, including another municipally-led pilot in Sioux Lookout and Indigenous-led pilot programs for Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Wiikwemikoong territory.

More Details In Plane Crash in Whitefish Bay Off Lake Superior

Canada's Transportation Safety Board will not be launching a full investigation into a plane crash near Sault Ste. Marie last Friday.
The TSB says it was able to speak with both people who were in the Piper P-A-18 150 (Piper Super Cub), who told the federal investigative body that they were practicing some forced approaches on a beach shoreline near the undeveloped remote island of Ile Parisienne, in the middle of Whitefish Bay, about 25 kilometres northwest of the Sault.
During the overshoot procedure of the process, a windshear occurred, but the plane's descent could not be stopped - the single-engine monoplane then touched down on the beach and flipped over.
While the plane was substantially damaged, no injuries were reported.

Tragic End to Search For Missing Boaters on Whitefish Lake

Search efforts have tragically ended after two boaters went missing on Whitefish Lake east of Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they've recovered the bodies of the two missing boaters, identified as 74-year-old Normand Savoie of Wawa and 57-year-old Daniel Savoie of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec.
The two were reported missing Friday morning, after their boat was found floating near the shore of Whitefish Lake in Maness Township.
An extensive search was conducted by the Superior East, Sault Ste. Marie, and South Porcupine marine units, as well as an OPP helicopter, the OPP's Underwater Search and Recovery Unit, and the North East snowmobile, all-terrain, and vessel enforcement - or SAVE - unit.

OPP Investigating Collision Outside of Wawa Tim Hortons

Ontario Provincial Police are continuing to investigate a serious collision at the entrance to the Tim Hortons parking lot in Wawa.
Superior East OPP say they responded to the collision on Mission Road around 3:45 Friday afternoon, with preliminary investigation revealing a motorcycle and a passenger car had collided - two people were taken to hospital with undetermined injuries, though neither have been publicly identified.
Police have confirmed to JJAM FM News that both had been riding the motorcycle at the time.
Technical Traffic Collision Investigators are assisting with the investigation.

OPP Search For Missing Boaters on Whitefish Lake

Ontario Provincial Police are continuing to search for a missing boater on Whitefish Lake near Wawa.
Superior East OPP say they were called to the lake in Maness Township around 8:20 Friday morning, advised that a boat was found floating near the shore - but without the two boaters.
A search by an OPP helicopter, multiple OPP marine units, and the Northeast OPP snowmobile, all-terrain, and vessel enforcement - SAVE - unit led to the discovery of one deceased male, but the search is continuing for a second missing male.
Neither have been publicly identified at this time.

No-One Injured After Light Aircraft Crashes in Whitefish Bay

No injuries have been reported after a plane crash in the Whitefish Bay of Lake Superior.
Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police have confirmed they were called about a plane crash around 3:50 Thursday afternoon, told that two occupants of the plane had already safely made it to shore with no injuries.
A marine unit was sent out and confirmed there was no-one else in the plane, which went down near the undeveloped remote island of Ile Parisienne, in the middle of Whitefish Bay, about 25 kilometres northwest of the Sault.
OPP say there was no criminal intent involved, and they will not be investigating, though they have notified the Transportation Safety Board.
The TSB has confirmed that they are looking into the crash of a Piper PA-18 150 (or Super Cub) - a two-seat, single-engine monoplane - though they have not decided whether to launch a full investigation and so have not deployed investigators at this time.

11th Annual CHADWIC Home Charity Golf Tournament Arrives

Golfers are hitting the greens today, to support the local women's shelter.
CHADWIC Home's 11th annual Charity Golf Tournament is being held today and Executive Director Paula Valois notes it is supported by local businesses.

Valois reminds the tournament's meant to get people out and enjoying themselves while learning more about and supporting CHADWIC Home.

Local Residents Asked To Answer Survey On Internet Service

Local residents are being encouraged to talk about their internet service in a regional survey.
The survey's been launched by the Northeast Superior Regional Broadband Network, a partnership of thirteen organizations and communities, including Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and Hornepayne, as well as the Brunswick House, Chapleau Cree, Michipicoten, and Pic Mobert First Nations.
Dubreuilville Economic Development Officer Melanie Pilon says the group is seeking to gather information about the current state of service in the region - and they want an in-depth look to see any problems in any of the communities.

Pilon emphasizes it's important that people complete this survey at home, if they can, as it includes a speed test to gather important information about internet service quality - though you could complete another survey and speed test at a camp or separate business location.
Paper versions of the survey are available at Economic Development offices, Town or Band Halls of each community - the online version can be found through the EDC of Wawa website and Facebook page, or you can contact the EDC of Wawa or Dubreuilville for more information.

4th Annual Dub Wild Run Almost Here

Dubreuilville's getting ready for a messy, fun challenge: the fourth annual Dub Wild Run.
Leisure and Cultural Services Director Rejean Raymond emphasizes it's not a race, but a "challenge" to see if you can complete the roughly 5 kilometre course of obstacles - even working with others.

Raymond warns participants will get dirty and wet - particularly as the event's held rain or shine - though he expects fantastic weather, especially as it's now held mid-day in June, compared to previous years.
He also reminds the first 75 registrants get a special t-shirt, noting people can register at the Municipal Office or online - sending their form and e-transfer to money@dubreuilville.ca - or simply register between noon and 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
The Dub Wild Run officially starts after rules are read to participants at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon.

Superior East OPP Officer Charged In Highway 17 Collision

A local Ontario Provincial Police officer's facing a careless driving charge after an OPP cruiser collided with a civilian vehicle on Highway 17 earlier this month.
Superior East OPP say the officer was on-duty in uniform when his fully marked black and white police cruiser collided with a civilian motor vehicle also in the southbound lane of Highway 17.
The OPP vehicle did not have emergency lights activated at the time of the collision, which occurred at 7:30 pm on Friday, June 8th, in the Township of Alanen - an earlier release had stated the collision happened at Hammer Lake.
The officer was taken to hospital with what police describe as non-life-threatening injuries, as were the two occupants of the other vehicle, a 21-year-old female driver and a 25-year-old female passenger - they were also assessed with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police is 27-year-old Provincial Constable Garrett Roth of Hornepayne, a member of the O-P-P for two years and five months - he's been charged with careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act.
Superior East OPP have confirmed to JJAM FM News that Constable Roth has not been suspended, and remains on active duty at this time.

Chapleau Council Loosens Skateboarding Ban

Rules for skateboarding are loosening in Chapleau.
Council's approved a revised by-law regarding skateboards, in-line skates, rollerskate, and "other conveniences drawn, propelled, or driven by any kind of muscular power" - such as scooters - ending the ban on their use on local streets by allowing them in neighbourhoods or on small volume roads.
Mayor Michael Levesque outlines exceptions where skateboarding will still be prohibited - all "high volume" or high traffic areas.

Mayor Levesque notes items such as ramps are still banned from local streets and sidewalks, but reminds that tricks using ramps can still be done at the local skatepark, which will continue to be maintained.

Algoma-Manitoulin Re-Elects Michael Mantha For Third Term

New Democrat Michael Mantha will represent the Algoma-Manitoulin riding for a third consecutive term.
Unofficial results show Mantha with just shy of 16,000 votes - over 58 percent of ballots cast - and the re-elected MPP is thankful for the support.

Progressive Conservative Jib Turner was the closest to Mantha, receiving just shy of 25 percent of ballots cast.
He says he's surprised by the result - based on the support he'd heard while campaigning - and expresses disappointment that a non-government MPP will again represent the riding.

Turner was followed by Liberal Charles Fox, who finished with a little more than 8 percent - he congratulates Mantha.

After Fox was Northern Ontario Party candidate Tommy Lee with shy of 5 percent, Green Party candidate Justin Tilson with nearly 4 percent, and Libertarian Kalena Mallon-Ferguson finishing with less than 1 percent.

Provincially, Doug Ford is premier-elect, as the PCs claimed a total of 76 seats, while the NDP form the official opposition with 40 seats.
The Liberals only have 7 - one shy of being able to maintain recognized party status - with outgoing premier Kathleen Wynne re-elected in her riding, though she announced she's stepping down as Liberal leader.
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner was elected in Guelph, making him the first Green MPP elected to the Ontario Legislature.

All preceding figures are based on unofficial results.

Michipicoten Golf Club Open For The Season

Wawa golfers can now start hitting the greens.
The Michipicoten Golf Club officially opens for the season today, with pins and tees out front, though Club President Craig Spooner does note you may need to walk for the first few days, suggesting you ask at the club whether carts can be used at this time.
While the Club is opening for the season, Spooner is urging all golfers to get their memberships - particularly due to financial concerns at the Club.

Spooner emphasizes membership revenue helps sustain the club "moving forward", and the club can't afford to see it decrease again.
Aside from memberships, Spooner says the Club is also looking at another way to help: reviving attempts to get rid of shareholder status, which was granted to those who helped build the course in the 1960s, and was not ended when the club went non-profit in 1979.

While an attempt to get rid of shareholder status about a decade ago failed, Spooner underscores the benefits of being a true non-profit, and encourages shareholders to talk with him about the proposal.
League nights are also set to start next week - Wednesday, May 30th for the Ladies and Thursday the 31st for the Men - with the Seniors league to start soon and Junior Golf to begin after the school year ends.

Wawa Residents May See Smaller Tax Bills For 2018

Many Wawa residents could see their tax bills dropping this year.
Municipal CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Chris Wray notes - while the newly-passed budget does include a levy increase of nearly $18,000 - that will be covered by increased assessments rather than an increased rate.
As for the effect on tax bills, Wray says the average change for the 1372 residential properties listed will actually be a $20 reduction, mostly due to a change in assessments.

Wray says the average for "commercial occupied" properties is also down, with the increase coming from "commercial unoccupied" properties - like mining claims or places with no structures - with the 434 properties in that category seeing an average rise of $126.
Water and sewer rates are rising - up 4% for the year - though Wray also reminds this should be the last year using the current fee structure for water and sewer services, expecting rates using the water meters to be in force for January 1st.

Wawa Municipal Budget Meeting Moved Up

A week after taking a deep dive into the proposed municipal budget, Wawa Municipal Council is set to vote on it - even earlier than planned.
The Municipality says the meeting originally planned for Wednesday, May 23rd, has been moved up for the second time - to 4 o'clock this afternoon.
The agenda includes a resolution to accept the 2018 operating budget and related by-laws setting tax rates and the schedule of fees.
Last week's presentation laid out a levy of $4,748,992 - that's nearly $30,000 higher than last year's budgeted levied taxes, but it would actually be achieved by reducing the levy by 0.07 percent, due to an increase in assessments.
Just over $433,000 of the operating budget has already been allocated for the capital budget (major equipment purchases or projects) which was approved in March.
Council will also consider writing off taxes and vesting three properties, as well as two yearly by-laws regarding agreements for the upcoming Northern Nationals Drag Race, one with Luskville Dragway Company Limited - which helps run the event - and the other with the Wawa Volunteer Firefighters Association, for assisting and hosting the event.
The meeting is open to the public, starting at 4 o'clock in Council Chambers.

Nominations Open for "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Award

Chapleau's putting out the call for nominations for the annual "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Award.
The award's named for a former councillor, volunteer, and coach, and Mayor Michael Levesque explains Swanson's family has established the award for those who've similarly dedicated themselves to the community.

Nominations are being accepted until 4 p-m on Tuesday, June 5th - forms are available at the Civic Centre and on the township's website.
Those nominations will be reviewed by a committee that will name two winners later this year.