Stay up to date with what’s happening in your community.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry staff in Chapleau are giving back to the community today with a food drive.
Conservation officers and other staff will be set up outside the Chapleau Valu-Mart for the annual event, which supports the Chapleau Food Bank.
Non-perishable food and monetary donations will be collected, including food cards.
The food drive runs from 10 this morning until 3 o'clock this afternoon.
Wawa's receiving major federal support for waterfront upgrades.
A release from the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario - FedNor - says it is providing the Municipality of Wawa $723,500 to "implement its Boreal Forest Eco-Walk and Waterfront Rejuvenation project to help increase local tourism and foster business opportunities and development along the beach and downtown areas".
Work has already begun on the waterfront project, expected to continue in 2019.
Wawa Municipal Council have confirmed which committees they'll join as representatives of Council.
Mayor Ron Rody's been chosen to remain the Council appointee on the Algoma District Social Services Board, the Wawa BIA, the Wawa EDC, the Algoma District Municipal Association, the Regional Mayors Group, the Age Friendly Committee, and the Library Board.
Councillor Pat Tait - who was confirmed as deputy mayor for this term - will also sit on the Library Board, as well as the Community Development Committee and the internal Fire Review Committee.
Councillor Robert Reece will join Mayor Ron on the EDC board, and will also sit on the Police Services Board.
Councillor Mitch Hatfield's proposed for the Algoma Public Health board of directors - but will require approval from Dubreuilville and White River, as she would represent all three communities - and she's been appointed to the Heritage and Special Events Committees.
Councillor Bill Chiasson will remain on the Cemetery and Wawa Transit Committees.
Wawa Municipal Council's holding off on deciding whether to allow cannabis retail stores in town.
While recreational cannabis is now legal in Canada, the Ontario government's given municipalities until January 22nd to "opt out" of allowing the stores when they start opening in April - any municipality that has opted out would be able to "opt in" at a later date, but a municipality that does opt in will not be able to change.
Chairing the meeting in the absence of Mayor Ron Rody, Councillor and Deputy Mayor Pat Tait stated his preference for the LCBO conducting cannabis sales - an idea rejected by the PC government - then opened discussion to members of the public in attendance.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson noted potential tourism benefits for allowing such stores - similar to having the LCBO or Beer Store - while Councillor Mitch Hatfield lamented that Council does not have more time to make the decision, suggesting an expert panel would have been helpful, and Councillor Robert Reece suggested a survey of the public may help inform Council's decision, but concerns were raised about how much time that could take and how much is left.
It was also noted that a municipality that opts out will not be able to access special funding intended to address the spinoff effects of legal cannabis sales.
Council is expected to discuss the issue further - and make a final decision - at their next meeting, on January 15th - one week before the deadline to opt out.
Chapleau Council also discussed the issue this week, but requested more information before making a decision - their next meeting is also in January.
A team of Wawa students have taken home a medal for their cardboard boat skills.
The École secondaire Saint-Joseph team made a boat which navigated 25 metres in 21.53 seconds while carrying a load of 247 kilograms - enough to claim bronze at the recent North-Western Cardboard Boat Race Competition in Thunder Bay, earning a spot in the provincial competition being held in Waterloo in March.
The team's made up of Spencer Terris, Nicolas Lafrenière, Raelyn Scott, and Wesley Stewart.
An annual Wawa tradition to help the needy in the community received a major boost over the weekend.
The Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund was the beneficiary of a "Fill the Sleigh" event outside of the Bargain Shop local emergency services raising items for the Christmas hampers, which offer needy families everything needed for a Christmas dinner and a little more, including gifts for children.
Bargain Shop manager Nick Veldt thanks everyone for the support, which raised over $3000 in toys for the hampers.
Superior East OPP Constable Trevor Tremblay says local officers were happy to participate.
Wawa Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin emphasizes the firefighters were eager to support this great cause.
Sabourin notes the firefighters will also be collecting food for the Christmas Hamper Fund next Sunday - starting at 10:30 in the morning - and donations for the hampers are also being collected in an antique sleigh at the Wawa Motor Inn before next Monday, December 17th.
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.
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.
Foleyet's under a drinking water advisory after a mechanical issue.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the Town of Foleyet has re-established water supply after a loss of pressure due to a power outage, but the health unit's warning against using the water for consumption, until testing confirms it's safe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 has a new municipal council - though it includes a few familiar faces.
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.
Councillor Bill Chiasson is thankful he's been elected to a third term.
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.
New Councillor Mitcheline - or Mitch - Hatfield was similarly eager to get to work.
New Councillor Robert Reece also expressed excitement and eagerness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
