Chapleau Man Charged With Assault and Sexual Assault

A young Chapleau man's facing multiple charges after a dispute between two males in the town.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the dispute around 5 am Saturday, December 15th, with investigation revealing it related to "a prior alleged sexual assault involving a female".

Police arrested the 21-year-old Chapleau man, whose name is not being released, to protect the victim's identity.

He's scheduled to appear in Chapleau's Ontario Court of Justice in early February, on charges of sexual assault, assault, mischief under $5000, and failing to comply with probation order, as well as two counts of assault with a weapon and two of unauthorized possession of a weapon.

Superior East OPP also emphasize victims of abusive relationships are not alone, and that anyone in such a relationship - or who knows someone in such a situation - can contact local Victim Services.

Wawa Festival of Lights Results

Organizers of Wawa's annual Festival of Lights are calling the event an overwhelming success.

Wawa's Assistant Director of Community Services and Tourism Brian Lachine lauds those who participated in the parade, and those who came out to see the parade and enjoy the refreshments at the Community Centre, including cinnamon buns from Judy Page.

Brian Lachine Lauds Festival of Lights Response

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Speaking with Town Talk last month, Lachine noted some prizes for winners of the Festival of Lights decoration contest.

Brian Lachine on Festival of Lights Prizes

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

17 Maple was voted first place, followed by 148 Regina in second, then 172 Regina in third, 22 Maple in fourth, and 27 Birch in fifth.

The prizes can be picked up at the Community Centre Pro Shop between 10 am and 4 pm Wednesday through Friday of this week.

Wawa Man Charged With Refusing to Provide Breath Sample

A Wawa man's facing multiple charges after police spotted an SUV driving aggressively in town.

Superior East OPP say officers stopped the SUV on Second Avenue around 12:30 Thursday morning, and - while speaking with the driver - detected the odour of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, leading to his arrest on charges of failing or refusing to provide a sample, failing to surrender licence, and novice driver refuse to provide breath sample.

The 31-year-old Wawa man's driver's license has also been suspended, while the vehicle was towed and impounded.

He's set to appear in Wawa court early next month.

Meanwhile, OPP are reminding drivers that no amount of alcohol or drugs is acceptable to consume before driving - and they urge anyone who observes a suspected impaired driver to report them.

Superior East OPP November Statistics

Local police were kept busy over November.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to about 507 calls for service, including 4 violence-related incidents, 16 property-related occurrences, 5 drug-related cases, 29 motor vehicle collisions, and 2 impaired by alcohol incidents.

Officers also conducted 121 RIDE checkpoints over the month.

The Superior East detachment covers communities including Wawa, Chapleau, Dubreuilville, White River, and Hornepayne.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Wishing Upon A Star

With Christmas nearly here, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's asking residents to help grant a wish from the local hospital.

Foundation Chair Lina Rody explains the annual "Wish Upon A Star" campaign is supporting phase two of the hospital's recent digital radiography upgrade.

LDHCF Chair Lina Rody Explains Wish Upon A Star Cause

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Rody notes the Foundation's already raised $100,000 for Phase 2, with a further $8000 already raised by the Wish campaign - including over $500 from the Superior Children's Centre.

Donations can be made at the hospital, online, or via mail - names of donators will be displayed on a Christmas tree in the hospital lobby.

HSCDSB Elects New Chair and Vice Chair

Trustees with the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board have chosen new top representatives.

Espanola trustee Lindsay Liske's been chosen as the local English Catholic school board's chair - a role he has held before - while Sault Ste. Marie trustee Sandra Turco will serve her first term as vice chair.

This week's meeting was also the first for a couple trustees - Debbie Mayer and Joe Ruscio - Ruscio was elected as a Sault Ste. Marie trustee in October, while Mayer takes over as First Nations trustee.

Wawa's 2nd Annual Festival of Lights Nears

Wawa will be lit up this weekend for a holiday tradition: the Festival of Lights.

Assistant Director of Community Services and Tourism Brian Lachine says the second annual event will be done differently than last year.

Brian Lachine Explains Festival of Lights Tours

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Lachine also notes there's an incentive for those who've registered to show off their decorations: $500 in gift certificates between the first, second, and third place prizes.

Anyone who needs the accessible bus to get to the Community Centre can contact Jolene Binda at the Wawa Family Health Team - 705-856-1313 - by 4:30 today.

The Festival of Lights starts at 7 o'clock, after the Santa Claus Parade and the lighting of the tree at the Community Centre.

Wawa Firefighters to Collect Food for Christmas Hampers

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

Members of the Wawa Volunteer Fire Department are going door to door on Sunday to support the Christmas hampers, with Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin noting this is their annual food drive.

Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin on Christmas Hamper Food Drive

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Christmas Hamper Fund President Richard Watson reminds that the hampers themselves support the needy, offering a bit of holiday cheer.

Richard Watson Explains Christmas Hampers

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Donations can also be dropped off in an antique sleigh at the Wawa Motor Inn before Monday, when the items will be collected and organized for distribution on Wednesday.

The firefighters' food drive runs from 10:30 am to 1 pm on Sunday, December 16th.

Santa Claus Parade Coming to Wawa

Santa Claus is coming to Wawa.

Brian Lachine - the Municipality's Assistant Director of Community Services - explains that Wawa is hosting a Santa Claus Parade for the first time in years.

Brian Lachine on Wawa's Santa Claus Parade

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Lachine encourages local businesses and organizations wanting to join the parade - as well as people with antique sleds - to contact him at 705-856-2244, extension 247.

Jolene Binda of the Wawa Family Health Team also encourages local seniors to contact her, so they can take the municipal bus and wave to those watching the parade.

The Santa Claus Parade will leave the Fire Hall in downtown Wawa at 6:30, heading for the Community Centre.

Superior East OPP Remind Snowmobilers of Important Rules

Local police are reminding snowmobilers of important rules for the season.

Superior East OPP emphasize that those under 12 years old can only drive a snowmachine on private property only, and those who are 12 or older must have a valid motorized snow vehicle operator's licence, which is restricted to snowmobile trails only - you can only travel on or cross allowed roads if you have a valid driver's licence.

Police also emphasize that speed is often a factor in snowmobile collisions, reminding the limit is 50 kilometres an hour on snowmobile trails, as well as roads where the normal speed limit is over 50 - for roads where the limit is normally 50 or less, snowmobiles must go no faster than 20 kilometres an hour, which is the limit for any public parks or exhibition grounds that allow them - but OPP emphasize you should confirm what is allowed by municipal by-laws.

Superior East OPP Charge Toronto Driver Over Early Morning Vehicle Fire

Ontario Provincial Police have charged a Toronto driver after an early morning collision resulted in a fire near White River.

Superior East OPP say the vehicle was travelling along Highway 17 about 15 kilometres south of White River around 5 o'clock Monday morning when it left the roadway, and entered the ditch - the vehicle caught fire and was fully consumed before the White River Volunteer Fire Department was able to extinguish the flames.

Both people who were in the vehicle escaped from the blaze, but did suffer minor injuries.

Police have charged the driver - a 27-year-old Toronto man - with careless driving.

Wawa Red Cross Opening Doors Ahead of Holidays

As the holidays approach, Wawa's branch of the Canadian Red Cross is opening up its doors for the public to come in and say hello.

While Senior Services Coordinator Darlene Trovarello notes the annual holiday open house is a chance to get together with clients and volunteers - playing games, enjoying treats, and giving away prizes - she adds it's a great opportunity to learn more about the many programs offered by the local Red Cross, particularly if you're interested in volunteering.

Darlene Trovarello on Local Red Cross Programs

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Trovarello notes there are 25 Red Cross volunteers in this community.

The holiday open house runs from 11 to 2 today.

Foleyet Drinking Water Advisory Lifted

Foleyet's no longer under a drinking water advisory.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the advisory's been lifted from the Town of Foleyet - it was issued Sunday after a temporary loss of pressure caused by a power outage.

The health unit assures tests have confirmed the water's safe for consumption, but notes residents may notice chlorine odours or discoloured water, suggesting faucets run on cold for five minutes or until the water runs clear, water softeners are run through a regeneration cycle, hot water heaters are drained and refilled, and faucet screens are removed, rinsed, and put back in place after sediment's removed.

Chapleau MNRF Raising Food for Chapleau Food Bank

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.

FedNor Supporting Wawa Waterfront Project

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 Confirms Committee Representation

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 and Chapleau Councils Still Considering Whether to Allow Cannabis Retail Stores

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.

École secondaire Saint-Joseph Team Takes Bronze With Cardboard Boat

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.

Wawa Fill The Sleigh Raises Over $3000 in Items For Christmas Hampers

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.

Nick Veldt on Fill The Sleigh Support

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Superior East OPP Constable Trevor Tremblay says local officers were happy to participate.

Cst Trevor Tremblay on SE OPP Supporting Hamper Fund

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Wawa Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin emphasizes the firefighters were eager to support this great cause.

Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin on Fill the Sleigh Event

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.