Wawa Police Urge Safety Amid Ice Fishing Derby

With anglers in Wawa for the annual derby, police are reminding everyone to be especially careful for a safe weekend.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Trevor Tremblay notes some concerns stemming from the milder weather and heavy snowfall.

Constable Tremblay adds the snow also poses problems in-town, with some large snowbanks at intersections and parking lots - he recommends drivers and snowmobilers take your time and proceed "very, very slowly" in such situations, even if you have the right-of-way.

OPP have brought in outside help for snowmobile patrols and RIDE checks.

Wawa's Lift For the Legion Campaign Auctioning Johnny Bower Leafs Jersey

Hockey fans could get a piece of Toronto Maple Leafs memorabilia while supporting Wawa's Legion Hall.

Matthew Hart - the Project Administrative Assistant for Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429's "Lift For the Legion" Fund - explains the jersey has been put up for auction.

Hart notes the "bid box" is normally located at the Legion, while the jersey is on display in the window of Dawson and Keenan Insurance, though they'll be brought to events like this weekend's Wawa Ice Fishing Derby, the Women's Curling Bonspiel, and the Men's Curling Bonspiel, where the winning bid will be chosen on Sunday, April 14th.

Funds raised from the auction will support efforts to build a wheelchair-accessible lift at the Legion Hall - $150,000 has already been raised through a federal grant and donations, though $100,000 more must be raised.

Donations can be made via e-transfer to ar@wawa.cc or by mailing or delivering them in person to the Municipality of Wawa.

28th Annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby Arrives

Anglers are gathering in Wawa today, as they look to reel in some prizes at the 28th annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

Derby Chairperson Scott Popert notes there are some prizes that can be won by anyone with a ticket - especially if you bought them early.

Popert reminds - like recent years - there are also eighteen major fishing prizes: six identical prizes for top fish on each of the three derby lakes, Hawk Lake, Manitowik Lake, and Wawa Lake.

Some tickets are still available, to be sold during registration, which runs from 1 pm to 10 pm this afternoon at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre

Fishing runs from 8 am to 4 pm Saturday and 8 am to 1 pm Sunday, with Canadian country music star Brad James performing for the dance at 9 pm Saturday night.

JJAM FM will be live-on-location from the derby from 12 noon to 4 pm Saturday afternoon, 7 pm to 9 pm that night, and 10 am to 2 pm Sunday.

MVFA Annual Cash Draw Nears End

Wawa's firefighters are reminding time and tickets are running out for their annual cash draw.

The Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighter Association is preparing for the final four draws, and Captain Craig Spooner reminds ticket sales support two major causes.

Winning tickets are kept in for remaining draws, meaning you could win multiple times with the same ticket.

Tickets will be sold at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby until they're gone or the final three $1000 draws and the $10,000 grand prize draw are made during the derby prize ceremony Sunday night.

Open House Announced For Chapleau's Downtown Revitalization

Chapleau residents will have a chance next week to give input on plans for downtown revitalization.

The Township's announced plans for an open house to review and discuss conceptual plans for the project.

Speaking after Chapleau Town Council the February 11th Council meeting, Mayor Michael Levesque explained firm AECOM had presented that preliminary work.

At the time, Mayor Levesque said the next step is applying for grants to apply the plan, which would also include some beautification in addition to the infrastructure work.

Shortly after that, FedNor announced $120,000 to help the Township "contract the professional services required to undertake planning, design, and engineering activities to support capital infrastructure upgrades to its downtown core", including developing detailed designs and engineering schematics, construction cost estimates, and the creation of a capital funding strategy.

The open house will be held Wednesday, March 6th, from 4 pm to 8 pm in the Community Hall at 4 Maple Street.

Wawa EDC Searches For New Economic Development Director

Wawa's Economic Development Corporation is looking to fill a key role.

As current CEO Maury O'Neill is set to become the Municipality of Wawa's CAO-Treasurer this Monday, March 4th, the EDC has put out the call for a new Economic Development Director, explaining the person chosen would "provide leadership and support to a volunteer Board of Directors and contract staff to promote the economic well-being of Wawa".

That includes identifying and implementing strategies to achieve economic development goals, as well as overseeing and managing daily EDC operations.

Applications are directed to the EDC's Hiring Committee, and must be submitted by March 15th.

Chapleau Film Gets Worldwide Online Release

A Chapleau-based - and filmed - movie is getting an international boost.

Filmed in and around Chapleau in 2012, independent feature film "The Road to Tophet" was released on iTunes and VOD on Tuesday, as part of a new distribution deal

Speaking to JJAM FM News in 2012, writer, director, and producer Steve Schmidt explained the idea of the film - a French Canadian kid smuggling drugs across the US border who's betrayed by his boss to force him to stay in the business - stemmed from a want for a story that "would work" in Chapleau.

"The Road to Tophet" was originally released in 2014, and has seen success in film festivals, including winning "Best Micro-Budget Feature" at the Toronto Independent Film Festival in 2014.

Superior East OPP Arrest Wawa Man After Domestic Dispute

A Wawa man is facing multiple charges after a domestic dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers were received the call around 4:40 Monday afternoon, leading to the arrest of a 47-year-old Wawa man whose name is being withheld, to protect the identity of the victim.

He's been charged with two counts of spousal assault and one of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

The man was released from custody, scheduled to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice in early April.

OPP remind victims of abusive relationships are not alone and there are local resources available to help, such as CHADWIC Home, Wawa and Area Victim Services, and Victim Services Algoma.

Newfoundland Man Charged After Erratic Driving Near White River

A Newfoundland man is facing an impaired driving charge after his vehicle was spotted driving erratically on Highway 17 Saturday morning.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say an off-duty officer spotted the commercial motor vehicle driving erratically in Vasiloff Township - just southeast of White River - around 8:46 Saturday morning.

The officer followed the vehicle until it parked at a White River business, where the officer arrested the driver, a 52-year-old man from Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador.

He has been charged with dangerous operation and operation while impaired by alcohol and drugs, remanded into custody and scheduled to appear in Sault Ste. Marie's Ontario Court of Justice tomorrow.

Wawa Business Improvement Association Elects New Board

Wawa's Business Improvement Association has chosen a few new board members.

During last week's annual general meeting, board members Ron Ouellette, Liz-Talian-Clarke, and Heidi McLaren were re-appointed for the next four-year term, joined by new members Richard Lacroix, Hamza Khattak, and Brenda Ouellette, who'd announced at the start of the meeting that she was stepping down as executive secretary/treasurer.

Mayor Ron Rody will fill out the board, as the Municipal Council representative.

The BIA bid farewell to departing board members: chair Betty McGie, Bonnie Smedts, and Maury O'Neill, who is leaving the group as she becomes Municipal CAO/Treasurer next week.

The Municipality's Assistant Director of Community Services and Tourism, Brian Lachine, also spoke to the BIA about local tourism initiatives - including a planned tourism plan - and provided an update on the waterfront project.

Wesdome Touts Strong Local Production Numbers

Gold production's jumped at a local mine - and it's expected to keep rising.

Wesdome Gold Mines says total production from its Eagle River Complex hit 71,625 ounces in 2018, up 21 percent from the 58,980 ounces the year before - within the midpoint of the raised production guidance.

The Toronto-based miner expects the Eagle River Underground Mine will produce 69,000 to 76,000 ounces this year, with the Mishi Open Pit to add 3000 to 4000 for a total of 72,000 to 80,000 ounces.

Development's also continuing at the Eagle River Underground mine, to provide drill platforms for exploration and definition drilling, to expand the current resource base.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Requests Wawa Council Support Recruitment and Retention Efforts

Wawa's hospital is asking Municipal Council to help with recruitment and retention efforts - and not just for doctors.

Lady Dunn Health Centre CEO Kadean Ogilvie-Pinter made the request while speaking to Council earlier this week, outlining current staffing levels and issues for recruitment, like difficulty getting people that have qualifications for multiple functions.

Ogilvie-Pinter explains she views recruiting and retaining staff at the hospital as not just important for the facility, but for the overall well-being of the community.

While Ogilvie-Pinter says the hospital has a good compliment of seven physicians, she says more nursing and laboratory staff are needed - and she wants to ensure an agreement's in place now, to be prepared for any other recruitment needs or to help retain the current staff.

Following the presentation to Council, Mayor Ron Rody spoke in favour of providing support, suggesting Council may re-write a previous by-law which provided funds to support physician recruitment efforts.

Rody noted there'd need to be a review of what funds are available to help, and suggested Ogilvie-Pinter discuss a possible plan with incoming Municipal CAO Maury O'Neill.

Local Police Kept Busy in January

Local police were kept busy over January.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to about 500 calls for service, including seven violence-related incidents, fourteen property-related incidents, 39 motor vehicle collisions, one impaired-by-alcohol incident, and two "warn range" suspensions.

OPP remind drivers to leave plenty of time for travel, driving carefully to arrive safely at your destination.

Wawa Business Improvement Association To Hold Annual General Meeting

Wawa's Business Improvement Association is set to look back at the last year and plan for this one, as they hold their annual general meeting tonight.

As in past years, the meeting's expected to include a review of last year's activities and finances, this year's priorities, and a draft 2019 budget to be approved.

Two guest speakers have been announced, as well: Wawa's Director of Community Services and Tourism, Alex Patterson, is set to talk about the Waterfront Project and Vendor Market; while the department's Assistant Director, Brian Lachine, will discuss Tourism Initiatives.

While everyone can attend the meeting, only BIA members will be able to vote on any proposed items, such as the budget.

The BIA meeting begins at 6:30 tonight in the Wawa Motor Inn's Cornell Room.

Chapleau Council Defers Decision on Naloxone Kits For Firefighters

Chapleau Town Council's holding off on deciding whether to approve plans to get more than two dozen naloxone kits for the local fire department.

Councillor Rick Smith - who chaired Tuesday's meeting, as Deputy Mayor - explains Council wanted more details.

Councillor Smith expects the information requested will be provided by the next meeting of Council, which is scheduled for March.

Wawa Municipal Council approved a similar request from the Wawa Fire Department in October - plans were for Algoma Public Health to train the Wawa firefighters in use of the naloxone kits, to be kept in all fire department response vehicles for easy access, meant to help in case firefighters encounter someone overdosing on opioids - or in case a firefighter accidentally comes in contact with opioids, such as fentanyl or carfentanil.

Wawa Council Approves Plans To Start Meetings Later

Wawa Municipal Council meetings will start slightly later from now on.

The idea was discussed at last week's Corporate Planning Committee meeting, with Councillor Bill Chiasson citing complaints from community members and Councillor Robert Reece noting his own concerns about the 6 o'clock start, given how close it is to the end of his usual work day.

While the municipal procedural by-law does state meetings should begin at 7, Council's passed resolutions temporarily changing that to 6 since September 2015 - the resolution passed last night is similar, changing the start time for meetings to 6:30 for regular Council and committee meetings from March through June.

Wawa Council Makes A Few Major Appointments

Wawa has a new municipal clerk - but it's a familiar face.

During last night's regular meeting, Council passed a by-law appointing a clerk and issuer of marriage licences: Cathy Cyr, the longtime deputy clerk.

Council did not discuss Cyr's promotion during the meeting and her name was not included in the portion of the by-law read out loud.

Cyr's also been appointed "acting treasurer" for the period of January 23rd to March 4th, when outgoing Wawa Economic Development Corporation CEO Maury O'Neill will officially start as the municipal CAO/Treasurer.

Council's also made another key appointment: the community representative on the local Police Services Board.

Chris Buckell will hold the role, replacing Jayne Griffith, who stepped down in October.

Former councillor Mike Abbott is chair of the board - serving as the provincial government's appointee - while new Councillor Robert Reece is Council's representative on the board.

Chapleau Receives Federal Funding For Downtown Revitalization

Chapleau's getting federal support for a downtown revitalization.

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains has announced FedNor's providing over $120,000 to help the Township of Chapleau "contract the professional services required to undertake planning, design, and engineering activities to support capital infrastructure upgrades to its downtown core", including developing detailed designs and engineering schematics, construction cost estimates, and the creation of a capital funding strategy.

Chapleau Town Council discussed the project last week - Mayor Michael Levesque explains firm AECOM presented preliminary work.

At that time, Mayor Levesque noted the next step is to apply for grants to apply that plan, which would also include some beautification in addition to the infrastructure work - he expected public meeting on the project next month, with hopes to have the work done "within the next year or two".

Regional Strategic Economic Development Plan Efforts Bolstered by Federal Funding

Efforts to create a regional economic development plan are getting a federal boost.

FedNor's providing the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation $45,000 to hire a consulting firm to develop a "strategic vision and detailed action plan with targets and milestones" - CFDC General Manager Tracy Amos explains the organization's hired the MDB Insights to create the Regional Strategic Economic Development Plan.

Amos notes the "partners" include municipalities, First Nations, and economic development offices within the Superior East region, including Wawa east to Chapleau and north to Manitouwadge.

As part of the efforts, MDB Insights has been conducting a phone survey, asking businesses various questions to gather information for the plan - Amos encourages those contacted to take the survey, as a better response will greatly help with the plan's creation.

The final plan's expected in May.

Efforts Renewed in Wawa's Lift For The Legion Campaign

Fundraising efforts to build a lift in Wawa's Legion Hall are being renewed.

Mary Ann Pearson of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 explains the renewed push comes as the Legion was successful in applying for a $100,000 federal "Enabling Accessibility" grant, but not for a matching provincial Ontario Trillium Fund grant.

To help with the Legion's applicaton for the federal funding, the Municipality of Wawa agreed in November to act as guarantor for $50,000 in funding - with the Wawa Economic Development Corporation to match that amount - though the Council resolution stipulated that the municipal funding guarantee would be cancelled if either of the Legion's applications to the federal or provincial governments were not approved - that means the Legion needs to raise the remaining funds for the lift.

The lift would build upon work already done at the Legion Hall: the installation of a barrier-free washroom and a ramp in the downstairs area.