Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters Association Early Bird Draw Winner

Wawa's firefighters are congratulating an Alberta man to claiming the first draw in an annual fundraising campaign.

The early bird draw for the Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association cash draw ended up going to a ticket belonging to Luke Lesperance of Grand Prairie, Alberta, who will be able to claim $1000.

Captain Craig Spooner reminds the cash draw supports a few causes.

Captain Craig Spooner on MVFA Cash Draw Purpose
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Though he won the "Early Bird" draw, Lesperance's name will be put back in for the remaining draws.

There are four more: another $1000 draw on Valentine's Day, and three more at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby, along with the $10,000 grand prize draw, also at the derby.

Wawa Fill the Sleigh Event for Christmas Hampers

Wawa residents are being encouraged to support an annual tradition helping the needy in the community - the Christmas hampers.

A "Fill the Sleigh" event will be held outside of Wawa's Bargain Shop tomorrow, with local OPP, firefighters, EMS, and others looking to raise items for the Christmas hampers, which offer needy families everything needed for a Christmas dinner and a little more, including gifts for children.

Christmas Hamper Fund President Richard Watson notes a wide variety of items would be welcome - particularly gifts for children age 7 to 16 or non-perishable food items - but monetary donations can also be a great help.

Richard Watson Highlights Monetary Donations Usefulness
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Watson notes cheques made payable to Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund will also be eligible for a tax receipt.

Donations can also be dropped off in an antique sleigh at the Wawa Motor Inn - before December 17th - and will also be gathered by Wawa firefighters on Sunday the 16th.

The "Fill the Sleigh" even runs from 11 to 1 tomorrow, outside the Bargain Shop.

Registration Deadline for Wawa's Festival of Lights

Wawa's being encouraged to decorate for the holiday season for the upcoming Festival of Lights - and to sign up today for the chance to win a prize.

Brian Lachine - the Municipality's Assistant Director of Community Services and Tourism - explains organizers have changed things slightly from last year's first annual Festival of Lights.

Brian Lachine Explains Festival of Lights Changes
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Lachine adds that the BIA and the Municipality will give away $500 worth of gift certificates between first, second, and third place prizes based on voting.

Registrations for the Festival of Lights contest must be in today - either email Lachine at blachine@wawa.cc or call 705-856-2244, extension 247.

The Festival of Lights will be held next week, on Saturday, December 15th.

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Calls For Province to Support Idle Chapleau Mill

Local MPP Michael Mantha's calling on the provincial government to support a long-stagnant mill in Chapleau.

Speaking in Question Period Thursday, the Algoma-Manitoulin New Democrat explained there has been an "Indigenous component of interest" and "industry component of interest", though the NOHFC has released its interest, causing a bid leading to two competing interests, with one likely result.

Michael Mantha Raises Chapleau Mill Salvage Concern

Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Indigenous Affairs Minister Rickford responded that this situation was brought to his attention last week and his officials are following up on it, assuring the NOHFC will "take a serious look" at opportunities, though Mantha called on Rickford to come to Chapleau and meet with locals willing to get the mill working.

Michael Mantha Highlights Chapleau Mill Opportunity

Rickford did not directly respond to that call, instead decrying "red tape", and accusing the NDP of wanting the highest carbon tax in the world.

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Raises Local Service Ontario and Drive Test Concers

Both Wawa and Chapleau were named in the Ontario Legislature this week - amid concerns about Service Ontario and Drive Test service in the North.

Algoma Manitoulin NDP MPP Michael Mantha first questioned why Wawa families are forced to "settle for less", in this case a Service Ontario office only open four hours a day.

Michael Mantha Raises Wawa Service Ontario Concerns

While Mantha stated the office is only open four days a week, it is open every weekday.

Mantha further raised concerns about Drive Test service in Wawa and Chapleau, noting residents often have to wait months to book tests - only to be told there are no qualified staff members able to test for DZ licenses.

Michael Mantha on Wawa/Chapleau Drive Test Issues

Government and Consumer Services Minister Bill Walker assured - while he's only been in the role for three weeks - he's focused on ensuring service is offered when the community wants it, noting he's met with some service providers to do that.

Longtime Local ADSB Trustee Elected Vice Chair

A longtime local school trustee will help lead the Algoma District School Board.

Wawa's own Russell Reid is now the board's Vice Chair - he replaces Sheryl Evans-Price, who'd had the job for the last two years.

Reid's been a trustee for North Algoma and Chapleau since 1994, and has served as the ADSB's Vice Chair for four years, as well as Chair for two years.

Sault Ste. Marie Ward One trustee Jennifer Sarlo remains the ADSB's Chair, a job she's held since 2011.

This comes just after the Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario elected Dubreuilville and Hornepayne trustee Roger Lemoyne as the local French catholic school board's new Vice-President.

CSCNO Chooses Local Trustee As Vice President

The local French catholic school board's confirmed its top board members - including a local name.

Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario says trustees have re-elected Andre Bidal as President - the Greater Sudbury trustee's held the role for the last five years.

Local trustee Roger Lemoyne - who has represented Dubreuilville and Hornepayne for several years - has been elected the board's new Vice-President.

They'll serve in those roles for the 2018-19 school year, until next December.

Tbaytel Warns of Chapleau Outages for Maintenance

Cell phone service in Chapleau may see a series of disruptions or outages today.

Tbaytel's warning scheduled network upgrade maintenance at its Chapleau cellular site is starting this morning, expected to continue until 6 o'clock tomorrow night.

According to Tbaytel, the work means Tbaytel mobility customers in the Chapleau area "may be impacted by a limited number of rotating three-hour service disruptions or outages to their Tbaytel HSPA mobility service" today only - that could include voice calls, data usage, and texting.

Any Tbaytel customers experiencing issues outside of that time or area are encouraged to call Tbaytel's 24-hour technical support team.

Wawa Welcomes New Municipal Council

Wawa has a new municipal council - though it includes a few familiar faces.

Wawa Municipal Council Swearing-In
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

That's the sound of Wawa's new Council taking their oaths of office - they'll now serve a four year term, ending in December 2022.

Second-term Mayor Ron Rody says it was good to return to Council after being away from chambers for five weeks due to illness - and he's eager to work with the returning and new councillors.

Mayor Ron Rody on Starting Second Term
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Councillor Bill Chiasson is thankful he's been elected to a third term.

Councillor Bill Chiasson on Starting Third Term
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Councillor Pat Tait - who was appointed in April before winning election for a full term - warned during his speech to attendees that Council may need to make tough decisions over the term, but he was positive following the meeting.

Councillor Pat Tait on Starting First Full Term
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

New Councillor Mitcheline - or Mitch - Hatfield was similarly eager to get to work.

Councillor Mitch Hatfield on Becoming Councillor
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

New Councillor Robert Reece also expressed excitement and eagerness.

Councillor Robert Reece on Becoming Councillor
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Their first meeting will be held next Tuesday, December 11th.

The new Chapleau Town Council was also sworn-in last night, with Mayor Michael Levesque starting his second term, joined by returning councillors Gerard Bernier and Rick Smith, as well as former councillor Lisi Bernier and new councillor Nicolle Schuurman.

Erratic Wawa Snowmobiler Charged

A Wawa man's facing multiple charges after reports of a snowmobile driving erratically in town.

Superior East OPP say they received the complaint of a possible impaired driver on November 23rd, with officers finding the snowmobile and driver at a local residence.

The 25-year-old Wawa man's been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight while pursued by peace office, and fail to wear proper helmet - he's been released from custody with a court date in January.

Wawa and Chapleau Welcoming New Councils

A couple local councils are being sworn-in today.

Wawa will welcome a new municipal council tonight, with Mayor Ron Rody to be sworn-in for a second term, Councillor Bill Chiasson returning for his third term, and Councillor Pat Tait to serve his first full term, after being appointed in April - they'll be joined by new Councillors Mitch Hatfield and Robert Reece.

The ceremony is open for the public to attend, starting at 6 o'clock in Council Chambers.

Chapleau's also swearing-in a new town council tonight, with Mayor Michael Levesque also returning for his second term, joined by returning councillors Gerard Bernier and Rick Smith, as well as former councillor Lisi Bernier and new councillor Nicolle Schuurman.

That ceremony starts at 7:30, in Civic Centre Council Chambers.

OPP Suspend Wawa Driver's Licence For 7 Days After Tip

Ontario Provincial Police are urging drivers to exercise "due diligence" while travelling on local roads over the holiday season, after a traffic complaint led to a seven-day suspension for a driver.

Superior East OPP say they were told about a possible impaired driver in Wawa on Thursday, with a traffic stop on Algoma Avenue leaving to a seven day roadside driver's licence suspension.

Police emphasize - if you think someone's driving impaired by alcohol or drugs - to call 9-1-1.

CEAA Ending Public Comment on Magino Gold Environmental Assessment

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.

Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters Association Cash Draw Returns

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.

Captain Spooner on MVFA Cash Draw Purpose
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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 School Getting Heating Upgrade

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.

CP Holiday Train Rolling Through Region

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.

Salem Woodrow CP Holiday Train Purpose
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

Festive RIDE Arrives for 2018 Holiday Season

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.

Cst Trevor Tremblay Explains Festive RIDE Preparation
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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 Rallying Over Changes to Ontario's French Language Services

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.

Mayor Levesque on Rally for French Language Services
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

Chapleau Mayor Updates Council on RYAM Discussions

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 Explains Reason for RYAM Discussions
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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 on Fire Response for RYAM
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

Cart (0)