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Results are in from the annual Hawk Junction Local Services Board Family Fishing Derby.
Held Saturday, the event saw David Dupuis reel in the largest fish - a 9 lb, 3 oz pike - to win the 1st place Adult Trophy, followed by Barb Thorne with a 5 lb pike, and Diedre Dupuis with a 3 lb, 7 oz pike.
For the youth category, Arianna Plant earned the 1st place trophy with a 4 lb, 4 oz pike, while Hunter Proutman and Chase deRoche claimed second and third with whitefish weighing over 2 pounds.
Ontario Provincial Police will be watching out for distracted drivers as schools are out for March Break.
Superior East OPP say a Distracted Driving campaign will run today (Monday, March 11th) through Sunday, March 17th, warning it's illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial, or use other handheld communication or entertainment devices - and a first offence can lead to a fine up to $1000, three demerit points, and a three-day licence suspension.
A second conviction within five years could mean a fine up to $2000, six demerit points, and a seven day licence suspension, while subsequent offences would mean a fine up to $3000, six demerit points, and a 30-day license loss.
Police also note studies show a driver using a cell phone is four times more likely to be in a collision than a driver focused on the road, while dialing and texting carry the highest degree of risk of all cell phone-related activities.
Charges are expected after an SUV and a snowmachine collided at the start of Wawa's derby weekend.
Speaking with JJAM FM News, Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Trevor Tremblay confirmed that a snowmachine and an SUV collided in Wawa last Friday afternoon, with the two people on the snowmobile suffering unspecified "non-life-threatening injuries".
While he did confirm charges are expected, he couldn't confirm who might be charged or what charges may be laid.
Snow has become an important topic in Chapleau.
Removal of snow was discussed by Chapleau Town Council - and in a recent emergency management meeting - and Mayor Michael Levesque says residents have also asked him whether snow banks will be removed, though he says the Township can't do that, noting the above-average amount of snow.
A notice from the Township advises people monitor roof snow conditions and "take the necessary action to maintain safe roof loads", reminding the weight of snow varies by density, composition, and ice buildup.
The notice also reminds property owners that the warmer spring temperatures bring the potential for "water ponding", recommending property owners ensure they have a working sump pump which drains to the exterior of the building - not the municipal sewage system - and that sewage vent pipes - as well as furnace intake and exhaust pipes - are clear of snow and ice.
Chapleau is moving forward on plans for downtown revitalization.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains a recent open house held to show off AECOM's conceptual plans for the project was a key part of the process to get the work done.
Mayor Levesque notes the "revitalization" work would include sidewalks and road work, as well as underground infrastructure like pipe replacement - and also beautification efforts.
While he won't commit to a "definite timeline" for the project, Levesque says the Township is moving forward by seeking funding - like government grants - and notes anyone interested in the plan can contact Charley Goheen at the Township Office.
Wawa women are marking International Women's Day with a special event today.
CHADWIC Home Executive Director Paula Valois explains the event's "fun and interactive", with a light lunch, music and information tables - including from local service providers - with a key theme for this year's festivities.
Valois reminds the event's free - and accessible - with all women invited to stop by for today's event, which runs from 11 am to 2 pm in the Community Centre Banquet Room.
A proposed Dubreuilville gold mine appears ready to go forward, after clearing its federal environmental assessment.
While Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna concluded in late January that the Magino Gold Project is "not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects when mitigation measures are taken into account" - her decision did include 120 conditions to protect fish and fish habitat, migratory birds, human health, the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes, and species at risk, along with mitigation measures and requirements for a follow-up program the proponent, Prodigy Gold Incorporated, must fulfill.
Sault Ste. Marie's Liberal MP, Terry Sheehan, touting the decision, as the proposed open pit gold mine and onsite metal mill - valued at $427-million - is expected to create up to 550 jobs during construction and 350 during operations over the life of the project.
Hawk Junction is welcoming anglers of all ages this weekend.
The Hawk Junction Local Services Board's Annual Family Fishing Derby will be held tomorrow, and board member Mark Owen emphasizes everyone is welcome to the event, which he says is quite popular.
Owen adds the derby has trophies for first, second, and third place in the adult and youth categories, as well as random prize draws - and he reminds the canteen will be open from 12 noon to 5 pm Saturday.
Registration will be held at the Hawk Junction Community Hall from 5 pm to 8 pm tonight and 7 am to 11 am tomorrow morning, with fishing from 8 am to 3:30 pm tomorrow - the weigh-in deadline is 4 pm.
A Sault Ste. Marie-based law group will act as Integrity Commissioner for Wawa Municipal Council.
Given the commissioner only investigates complaints, Council noted it was unclear whether costs for the role will exceed $10,000 - which would force the municipality to put it out for tender - so Council decided it would be best to waive its tender policy, and immediately approve the appointment of Mary E. Pascuzzi Law Professional Corporation as Integrity Commissioner.
Required by provincial law - specifically recent changes to the Municipal Act - the Integrity Commissioner's mandated to "perform functions relating to the application" of the Code of Conduct and other procedures, rules, or policies governing ethical behaviour for members of Council.
The Municipality of Wawa is sticking with its insurance provider.
Council's approved a resolution awarding the 2019 municipal insurance program to Frank Cowan Company in partnership with Dawson and Keenan Insurance.
While Mayor Ron Rody noted the quote of nearly $125,000 was slightly higher than the other quote received, he suggested it'd be better to continue with the current provider rather than change, noting the current provider had paid out quite a bit of money to provide the municipality with a lawyer amid recent - unspecified - litigation.
Wawa Municipal Council's approved additional funds for the purchase of a new truck.
A resolution passed last August had authorized nearly $60,000 plus HST for the purchase of a 2018 Ford F-450 Super Duty Truck, though a resolution passed last night says delays in awarding the RFP meant the vehicle was no longer available.
Instead, a 2019 model with plow and dump will be purchased, though it costs nearly $1500 more than the amount in the previous resolution, for a total of $61,249 plus HST.
That's still nearly $20,000 less than the amount included for the purchase in the 2018 capital budget.
The truck will be used by the Community Services and Tourism Department.
Chapleau residents have a chance tonight to give input on plans for downtown revitalization.
The Township's holding an open house to review and discuss AECOM's conceptual plans for the project, which were presented to Chapleau Town Council last month, as explained by Mayor Michael Levesque after the February 11th meeting.
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 from 4 to 8 pm in the Community Hall at 4 Maple Street.
Two pairs of local wolves are settling in to their new home on a Lake Superior island - in Michigan.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and US National Parks Service say they captured one male and one female from the Wawa area, as well as two male wolves from Michipicoten Island - all four were successfully transferred to Isle Royale National Park, which is located in western Lake Superior - near Thunder Bay - though it is within Michigan's borders.
They join three Minnesota wolves brought to the island last fall, part of efforts to boost its native wolf population, which had dropped to a single male and a single female, unable to successfully mate due to inbreeding and genetic deformities.
Reviving that wolf population is also part of efforts to restore a level of predator-prey balance, as Isle Royale has about 2000 moose with no other predators.
The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation has provided a $50,000 grant to help move and monitor the wolves, and has offered the US Interior Department a further $55,000 to cover any National Park Service costs for ongoing research conducted on the island every winter since 1959, by Michigan Technological University researchers.
Wawa has a new top administrator.
The Municipality's new Chief Administrative Officer and Treasurer, Maury O'Neill, officially starts in the role today, nearly a month after her hiring was confirmed in a Council resolution.
O'Neill was CEO of the Wawa Economic Development Corporation for the last 15 years, but had previously served as CAO and Director of Planning and Development for the Municipality.
Local police were kept busy with a trio of domestic disputes in recent days.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they received a complaint on Friday about a domestic dispute in Wawa last Wednesday, leading to the arrest of a 23-year-old Wawa man on a charge of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
Officers were also informed on Saturday about a domestic dispute that occurred in Dubreuilville on Friday, leading to the arrest of a 30-year-old Dubreuilville woman on a charge of spousal assault.
Police also received an emergency call about a domestic dispute involving a male and a female at a White River residence Saturday night, leading to the arrest of an 18-year-old White River woman on a charge of spousal assault, and two counts each of assault peace officer and obstruct peace officer.
All three have been released from custody, scheduled to appear at Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice in early April.
Anglers have left the ice, putting the 28th annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby in the books.
Speaking after the close of fishing - but before prizes were awarded - Derby Chair Scott Popert was happy with this year's event, including the roughly 95 fish reeled in this weekend.
As for the standings, Terry Shewfelt of Echo Bay reeled in the largest fish in the derby - a 16.3-pound pike - to claim the top prize on Manitowik Lake - while Mario Scarpino of Sault Ste. Marie reeled in a 10.34-pound lake trout to win the top prize on Wawa Lake, and Hawk Junction's Debra Desrochers had the largest fish from Hawk Lake, a 8.02-pound pike.
Other winners include Gino Buonomo of Sault Ste. Marie - who won the $30,000 registration prize draw - while Shane Wardrop won free Tim Hortons coffee for a year, and the five Early Bird prize winners of $1000 each were: Jason Prevost of Sault Ste. Marie; Eric Raincourt of Wawa; Cindy LeClair of Timmins; Eric Leonard of Wawa; and David Courchene.
Wawa's firefighters are thanking the community for their support, after a very successful fundraising campaign.
The Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters Association's Annual Cash Draw sold out Saturday night, one of the earliest times ever.
Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin commends the support from the community.
The big winner was Patti Fortier - who claimed the $10,000 grand prize - while Jessica Webb and Hunter Lobban each won $1000, with the final $1000 ticket held by Terri Sanderson and William.
The local school boards have confirmed their calendar for next school year.
A joint release from the Algoma District School Board, Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario, and Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario says students and staff will begin classes for the 2019-20 school year on Wednesday, September 4th - a Professional Activity Day is planned for Tuesday the 3rd, extending the Labour Day long weekend.
PA Days will also be held September 27th, October 21st, November 22nd, January 31st, April 24th, and June 12th, while the Christmas break will run December 23rd through January 3rd, and March Break will be March 16th through 20th.
The last day of classes will be June 26th.
This is the first time in a few years that all four boards have had the exact same calendar - as the ADSB had differed slightly in recent years - though it still needs to be approved by the Ministry of Education.
The Wawa Community Food Bank is thanking a local school for its support.
Students from Sir James Dunn Public School trudged through the snow and wind on Thursday to make a substantial donation, well over 400 items raised by students at the school.
It's part of an annual campaign to raise 100 food items to celebrate the 100th day of school, organized by Jennifer Chandor-Hall - her Grade 5 and 6 class raised 116 items by itself, and brought in all the donations.
This year's campaign was turned into a competition, with the Grade 7 class raising the most, about 180 items.
Nearly a month after Chapleau's Pike Ice Fishing Derby, someone's reeled in a prize-winning fish.
Doug Zarkovich caught the tagged fish this week, earning himself a free entry into the 2020 derby.
If the fish had been caught during last month's derby, it would've won him $5000.
