Stay up to date with what’s happening in your community.
Just days are left for public comments in a federal environmental assessment of a proposed gold mine in the area.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's accepting comments online for Prodigy/Argonaut Gold's proposed Magino Gold Project, which would be 14 kilometers southeast of Dubreuilville.
Information on the proposal and how to comment can be found on the Canadian Environment Assessment Registry website.
The deadline is Sunday, December 2nd.
Wawa's firefighters are reminding time an annual campaign is back - with a couple weeks before an upcoming draw.
The annual Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association cash draw has returned, offering ticket holders the chance to win up to five draws for $1000 or the grand prize of $10,000.
Captain Craig Spooner reminds the cash draw supports a few causes.
The "Early Bird" draw will be held on December 8th, with another draw on Valentine's Day, and the others at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.
Chapleau's English public school is getting a heating upgrade.
In their final meeting of the term - earlier this week - Algoma District School Board's trustees approved a series of capital projects, including the heating upgrade for the junior kindergarten to grade 12 school in Chapleau, as well as several projects in Sault Ste. Marie and along the north shore of Lake Huron.
The board notes the projects could amount to a total of about $45-million.
A mobile event supporting food banks "rolls" through the region later today.
Canadian Pacific's 20th annual Holiday Train stops in Chapleau, Dubreuilville, and White River Saturday, and CP spokesperson Salem Woodrow emphasizes that the most important part of the initiative is its local focus.
Woodrow notes the Holiday Train's raised more than $14.5-million and 4.3-million pounds of food since it hit the tracks in 1999.
She also reminds this year's attendees will be treated to musical performances by Canadian country superstar Terri Clark, as well as country singer Kelly Prescott, and Winnipeg singer-songwriter Sierra Noble.
The CP Holiday Train's scheduled to arrive at Chapleau's Train Station at 3:15 Saturday afternoon, then in Dubreuilville at 6:20, and finally White River at 9:15.
Ontario Provincial Police are watching the roads for impaired drivers this holiday season.
The annual Festive R.I.D.E. - Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere - campaign is officially underway, and Superior East OPP Constable Trevor Tremblay says that means an increased police presence on local roads, with RIDE checks to see if people are impaired by alcohol or drugs, particularly as this is the first Festive RIDE since the legalization of recreational cannabis.
Constable Tremblay emphasizes that there is no safe amount of alcohol or cannabis to consume before driving, encouraging those who plan to partake of alcohol or drugs to prepare another option, such as a designated driver - including a taxi - or staying the night.
The campaign continues until January 2nd.
Chapleau will rally this weekend over changes to Ontario's French-language services.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains the rally is a chance to show opposition to the changes.
Numerous political figures across Canada - particularly francophones - have raised concerns about the PC government's decision to scrap plans for a French-language university and abolish the independent office of the French Language Services Commissioner - with an Ottawa-area Tory even leaving the party over it - prompting Premier Doug Ford to re-establish the commissioner's office within the office of the provincial ombudsman, while making the Office of Francophone Affairs into a new Ministry of Francophone Affairs.
Chapleau's rally will be held at 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon, at the gazebo behind the Civic Centre.
While Chapleau Council held their final meeting of the term earlier this week, the mayor highlighted ongoing talks with a major local employer.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains Township representatives have met with RYAM multiple times since its parent company bought the Tembec sawmill, hoping to reach a deal addressing the effect its operations have on local infrastructure.
Mayor Levesque emphasizes that - as the mill is outside of town limits - there is no tax base for Chapleau to rely on, so the Township is seeking more of a "financial partnership".
The mayor also notes the Chapleau Fire Department's been discussing other concerns with RYAM.
Mayor Levesque further adds that he's expressed hope that RYAM's parent company, Rayonier Advanced Materials, would bring its scholarship programs and the Rayonier Foundation supporting non-profit organizations to Canada, and offer access locally.
While the ideas have been discussed, he says nothing's been confirmed, though he'll continue working on the file in the coming term of Council.
Chapleau Town Council has agreed to nearly double the amount budgeted for repairs to the arena's ice resurfacer.
Mayor Michael Levesque says Council needed to approve the increased cost, after a closer inspection of the equipment.
The increased amount was approved in Monday's meeting.
Chapleau's bringing in outside help to cover while the Township's CAO/Clerk is away on maternity leave.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains Council has approved the appointment of an acting CAO and Clerk, Barbara Major, who has been brought it through an agreement with "Expertise for Municipalities Non-Profit Association".
Mayor Levesque notes that the Township's usual CAO/Clerk, Chelsea Swearengen, is on maternity leave for six months.
Chapleau's saying goodbye to one Council member, with less than a week before the new term.
Kevin Lindquist's term is set to end, as he opted not to run for re-election - Mayor Michael Levesque thanks his soon-to-be-former colleague.
Chapleau's new Council - including returning Mayor Levesque and councillors Gerard Bernier and Rick Smith, as well as former councillor Lisi Bernier and new councillor Nicolle Schuurman - will be sworn-in on Monday, December 3rd.
Chapleau Town Council's will need to consider the future of an aging wooden bridge.
AECOM presented a report on the condition of the Cedar Street Bridge during Monday night's Council meeting, and Mayor Michael Levesque says it leaves the question as to whether Council wants to fix it up, replace it, or simply get rid of it.
Noting the bridge "technically doesn't go anywhere" - as it crosses to a defunct road - Mayor Levesque does highlight one possible option.
While he expects the incoming Council will need to study the situation again - to introduce new members to the situation - Mayor Levesque does say he hopes to see it resolved "within a reasonable period of time".
Wawa again came out to "Feed the Need" this weekend - and helped fill the food bank even more than past years.
Wawa Food Bank Co-ordinator Cindy Szekely says the event supporting the Food Bank - its largest fundraiser of the year - went quite well.
While attendance numbers were down - about 105 people compared to about 205 last year - the support was higher: 1376 food items were donated, which is 26 higher than last year, while $2465 in monetary donations were received, up from about $2200 in 2017.
Szekely thanks everyone who supported this year's event or the food bank, particularly the entertainers and the various sponsors who offered food or door prizes as a thank you for supporting the event.
Chapleau's celebrating Christmas a little early.
The Olde Fashioned Christmas is tonight, with downtown businesses to stay open late while members of Odd Fellows Lodge 266 sell food and serve free hot chocolate.
A special guest's also expected: Santa Claus is set to arrive downtown at 6 o'clock tonight.
The event's also sponsored by the Chapleau Volunteer Firefighters Association, Rebekahs Lodge 391, and the Chapleau Branch of the Northern Credit Union.
Wawa residents are being urged to come out to "Feed the Need" and fill up the Wawa Food Bank this weekend.
The annual "Feed the Need" fundraiser offers a hot dog, nachos, a hot or cold beverage, and a cookie, all in exchange for a non-perishable food item donation.
Thanking several organizations who are providing support for this year's event, Food Bank Coordinator Cindy Szekely notes attendance has been astounding for the many years the event's been held.
Szekely emphasizes this is the food bank's largest fundraiser, and it comes amid unprecedented need.
Szekely reminds there will also be live entertainment, several door prizes, and JJAM FM broadcasting live on location.
Wawa Feed The Need will be held at the Community Centre from 11 to 3 Sunday.
Wawa municipal staff are still assessing damage after "a pretty significant flood event" in recent months.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains the marina was under about three to four feet of water.
Patterson notes staff are working with Brookfield and "the powers that be in terms of river management" to ensure anything "put down at the Marina" in the future is designed with the expectation of that level of water.
Patterson also notes the Vallee Park bridge washed away in the storms.
Discussions are underway with an engineer to figure out a design, expected to come to Council next year.
Local residents are getting a chance to make comments in person about a waste disposal from a proposed gold mine in the region.
A public consultation session is being held on the proposed Magino Gold Project today, focusing on regulations that would allow mine waste to be deposited in water bodies where fish live.
Wawa's public consultation session will be held from 6 to 9 tonight at the Legion Hall, with a session at Dubreuilville's Town Hall from 6 to 9 tomorrow night.
Anyone who can't attend the sessions could submit comments in writing by December 21st.
This comes as the project's in the final comment period of a federal environmental assessment - the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's accepting comments for that online and through the mail until December 2nd.
Wawa's cemetery by-law is another step closer to being updated.
In their Corporate Planning Committee last night, the outgoing Wawa Municipal Council - absent Mayor Ron Rody and Councillor Sandra Weitzel - went over a revised version of the updated by-law which had been presented to Council last month.
The revisions were meant to address concerns raised by Council last month, and include language allowing headstones with room for one or more urn of cremated remains, with the director of Infrastructure's approval on the design.
That would be in addition to four cremated remains already allowed on a plot - placed on a coffin.
It does not include a ban on beverages which was included in the version presented in October - Councillor Julia Rowe had suggested water or coffee might be reasonable - and it does not ban dogs from the property, though they must be leashed and owners must clean up after them.
While that's consistent with the previous by-law, concerns were raised that owners may not clean up after their dogs or that the animals could be generally disrespectful - such as urinating on headstones - though Rowe argued pets can be an important part of the grieving process, and Councillor Pat Tait with Rowe that people were likely to bring their pet, whether or not it was banned.
Infrastructure Services Director Cory Stainthorpe suggested more steps will be involved before it goes to a vote, expecting opportunities for public input as the municipality seeks approval from the Bereavement Authority of Ontario before approving the updated by-law - and he suggests changes may come from that input.
As for the need to update the by-law, Stainthorpe emphasizes the previous one is actually outdated and not in compliance with other regulations.
Wawa and White River are getting some support for asset management.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the federal government have announced $4.5-million to support 109 green innovation, climate change resiliency, and infrastructure planning initiatives in communities across Canada.
Among the recipients are Wawa and White River, each receiving $50,000 for asset management - Wawa officials say it will help with updating the asset management plan and making a strategic assessment management policy, to comply with government regulations.
An outgoing Wawa councillor's looking back on her term fondly.
Speaking with JJAM FM News following last night's Corporate Planning Committee meeting - the last meeting scheduled for the current Council - outgoing councillor Julia Rowe stated she's thoroughly enjoyed her time on Council.
Rowe encourages residents to be involved "in this process and...whole structure" - saying the more people who put their names forward to serve as councillor, the better - and even indicated she may run for Council sometime in the future.
Rowe was sworn-in as a councillor in April, but opted not to run for a full term in last month's election.
A local school's offering a chance for parents to pick up French books and educational products - and support the school.
École St-Joseph in Dubreuilville is hosting a free book fair today, with part of the profits from sales at the fair going toward the purchase of new educational resources.
It runs from 9 to 3 and 6 to 8 today, and again from 9 to 3 tomorrow.
Several Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario schools are hosting book fairs, with Wawa's École Saint-Joseph hosting one from 8 to 6:30 tomorrow, and Chapleau's École Sacré-Cœur holding one from 5 to 8 Wednesday night.
