Algoma District Mine Rescue Competition Underway in Wawa

Wawa's Community Centre will be a busy place today and tomorrow as a few local mines show off their mine rescue skills.

Teams from the Wesdome Gold Mines Eagle River Mine, Alamos Gold's Island Gold Mine, and Barrick's Hemlo-Williams Mine are competing in the Algoma District Mine Rescue Competition.

Mine Rescue Officer Mike Krell explains there are two main parts to today's portion of the competition.

Krell adds that tomorrow will see the major team competition, in which each team will undergo a scenario testing various skills that may be needed for mine rescue.

The winners will compete in the provincial competition to be held at Newmont Goldcorp's Red Lake Gold Mines in Red Lake June 4th to 7th.

Municipality of Wawa Applying For Connecting Link Funding Again

The Municipality of Wawa is once again seeking "Connecting Link" funding for changes to Mission Road - and work on Main Street.

While he acknowledges that the municipality's unsuccessfully applied for Connecting Link funding for this stretch of road multiple times in recent years, Infrastructure Services Director Cory Stainthorpe says the current proposal - still subject to changes in the design phase - has changed from the original focus on resurfacing without curb, gutter, or sidewalk work.

Stainthorpe adds the switch to two lanes with a middle turning lane - and the addition of bike lanes that would likely be closed during winter - is expected to help reduce travel speed along Mission Road, eliminating opportunity for drivers to weave in and out of lanes - and he says the middle lane generally makes it safer and improves flow, following adjustments.

Another key part of the proposal would be crosswalks, proposed for three points: the intersection of Mission Road with Churchill and Winston; the intersection of Mission and Magpie; and the intersection of Mission with Main and Third.

While there is a crossing guard at Mission and Magpie, Stainthorpe says they have limited hours and there are other points where traffic is a problem.

Stainthorpe emphasizes the project does rely on provincial funding, though he warns - if it isn't done soon - then the municipality may need to work on the road, anyway.

He suggests the Municipality may also take the opportunity to extend the water main along Subway toward the Viking Apartments to install a fire hydrant - something the Municipality would need to cover, as the provincial funding wouldn't.

Work Resuming for Wawa Waterfront Project - Off the Waterfront

Work is resuming for the Wawa Waterfront Project.

Brian Lachine, the Acting Director of Community Services and Tourism, says work is set to start today a little off the waterfront.

Lachine says other work planned to start soon includes work on the Lion's Beach stairs.

That work is also expected to be complete for Canada Day weekend.

Lachine adds hopes are - within a few weeks - to bring forward a recommendation for a contractor to do the sand for the beach - which he hopes will be "like Sandy Beach sand" - which will be followed by the installation of the new boardwalk and park equipment.

Sault Ste. Marie Chosen for Ring of Fire Ferrochrome Smelter

Sault Ste. Marie's set to cash in on the Ring of Fire - but not for a few years.

Citing competitive advantages such as location, logistics, industrial workforce, infrastructure, a "great partner in Algoma Steel", and "attractive" operating and capital costs, Noront Resources says it's selected the Sault to host for a Ferrochrome Production Facility that would process chromite from the major deposit in Northwestern Ontario.

The facility's expected to employ 300 to 500 people directly and more than 1000 more indirectly through suppliers and other businesses.

Plans are for the facility to be located on Algoma Steel property - subject to a land agreement Noront says it's in the process of finalizing - though it'll also need to complete environmental and feasibility assessments, community consultation and engagement, and technical approvals before construction can be tendered - Noront expects construction to begin in mid-2025 and take about three years, costing about $1-billion.

That timeline also depends on the development of road infrastructure to the Ring of Fire.

Premier Doug Ford's touting the announcement as a show of how his PC government's made northern Ontario "open for business and open for jobs", thanking Energy, Northern Development and Mines Minister Greg Rickford and Rickford's Parliamentary Assistant, Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano.

Sault Mayor Christian Provenzano highlights the efforts of the "FPF project team", and support of Romano and Liberal MP Terry Sheehan, the chiefs of the Batchewana and Garden River First Nations, and the executive leadership of Algoma Steel.

NextBridge Holding Local Open Houses on East-West Tie Line

Wawa residents will have a chance later today to learn more about plans for construction of a major power line between Wawa and Thunder Bay.

More than three months after being designated as the transmitter to build the 450-kilometre, double circuit transmission line known as the "East-West Tie Line", NextBridge is holding a series of "pre-construction open houses" from Wawa to Thunder Bay this week, covering topics such as construction process and timing, what to expect during construction, local benefits, and how to stay connected and informed.

NextBridge has said construction will start in the coming months and end by 2021, planned to progress along the project route in eleven different “work fronts".

Open houses will be held locally at the Wawa Legion from 4:30 to 7:30 this evening and the White River Legion tomorrow evening.

Wawa Council Holding Committee And Regular Meeting Back-to-Back

Wawa Municipal Council's set to hold back-to-back meetings tonight.

Council will start with a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, which will include the presentation of a Firefighter's 20-Year Exemplary Service Medal, as well as presentations or deputations from the Algoma Public Health Unit and the Cemetery Committee.

Also on the agenda: a policy on workplace violence and domestic violence; reports on the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and a Connecting Link Program application; and the 2018 annual monitoring and operation report for the landfill.

That will be followed by a regular meeting of Council - the agenda for that includes a resolution to adopt an organizational chart, requests to approve a sidewalk bistro for the Roxy Bowling Centre and the installation of a temporary greenhouse for John's Valu-Mart, and by-laws to adopt policies on service for sewer conditions, as well as Council attendance of events and conferences.

Council will also go "in-camera" to discuss a legal issue relating to a Freedom of Information request.

Aside from the "in-camera" portion, tonight's meetings are open to the public, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers.

Wawa's Spring By Hand Festival Arrives

Wawa residents are getting a chance to see the works of many local artisans - and get pick up some Mother's Day gifts - at the By Hand Festival this weekend.

Noting there are 21 exhibitors registered - mostly local, but also from Chapleau, Marathon, and Sault Ste. Marie - Festival Coordinator Maria Reid says there will be "quite the choice" of unique items.

Reid notes the cost to attend is simply silver collection, to cover the costs of holding the event.

The By Hand Festival will be held at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre from 6 to 9 o'clock tonight, and 10 to 3 tomorrow.

Sudbury Man Charged With Driving Nearly Double 80 km/h Speed Limit Near Chapleau

A Sudbury man's facing a racing charge after being clocked driving nearly double the speed limit on Highway 101 near Chapleau.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they observed the vehicle travelling over 150 kilometres an hour in a posted 80 kilometre an hour zone in Caouette Township Monday night.

The vehicle was stopped and the driver arrested on a charge of "race a motor vehicle - excessive speed" - the 36-year-old Sudbury man's also been issued a seven-day roadside suspension and his vehicle's been impounded for seven days.

He's scheduled to appear in court in Chapleau next month.

Joint Open House Held For Wawa's Toronto Ave. and Waterfront Projects

Wawa residents had an opportunity to learn about two major projects - the Waterfront and Toronto Avenue - in a joint open house Tuesday.

Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson says the open house was an opportunity to inform the public and get input on plans for the waterfront, especially as there are some alternatives proposed to address public concerns about the swales.

Patterson emphasizes feedback from the "community consultation" will help with the selection of an option to bring to Council.

The open house also presented the waterfront's proposed "natural playground", which Patterson calls "fairly unconventional", but also "unique" and a way to diversify what's offered in the community.

Patterson emphasizes that community feedback's needed on the idea, especially if people would prefer a more traditional playground, as the hope is to meet the community's preference.

He does emphasize "time is of the essence" - as the construction season's almost here - so the best way to give input is to go to or call the Community Centre - and he reminds the information is posted online.

As for the Toronto Avenue project, Infrastructure Services Director Cory Stainthorpe says the open house was meant as more of an information session, to update people on the status.

Stainthorpe expects work on Toronto Avenue to resume in the last week of May, to be complete by July.

Budget Approved for Chapleau's Canada Day Celebrations

Two months ahead of the day, organizers are preparing for Chapleau's Canada Day celebrations.

Mayor Michael Levesque says Council has confirmed "everything" for the event.

Volunteers are especially wanted to help run games.

Mayor Levesque notes Canada Day festivities will include inflatables, face painting, balloon twisting, volleyball and "Texas horseshoe" tournaments, Science North, and evening fireworks.

Chapleau Council Approves Contracts for Dock Installation and More

Plans are moving forward to change the municipal dock on the Chapleau River.

Council's awarded a $1500 contract to install a new dock - something Mayor Michael Levesque explains as a solution to a problem with the original dock plan.

Mayor Levesque notes the contract awarded this week is simply for the installation of the floating docks, as they were already constructed by a local company.

Council's also approved a nearly $66,000 agreement for inspections of four local bridges, over $21,000 in repairs to the front-end loader, a nearly $17,000 "summer work agreement" for combination maintenance/capital work at the Recreation Centre - replacing the brine piping system - and a rezoning request to allow a medical office in the basement of a local doctor's existing residence.

Chapleau Town Council Prepares Budget For Final Vote

Chapleau Town Council seems ready to pass its budget in a couple weeks.

Council discussed the capital and operating budgets during Monday's meeting, and Mayor Michael Levesque says they were able to hammer out a draft for approval.

Mayor Levesque assures the new budget won't mean major changes to service, though there was a doubling of the snow removal budget - particularly due to the costs of removing snow from the arena roof - and a planned project has been dropped.

The mayor also highlights $350,000 in repairs planned for the Monk Street, Lisgar Street, and Pedestrian bridges - expected to cost the Township less than $100,000.

As for taxes, Mayor Levesque says - should the budget stay as it was decided Monday night - there should be a 3% increase.

Council is scheduled to vote on the budget during their next meeting, on May 13th.

Southwestern Ontario Man Faces Multiple Charges Including Speeding and Impaired Driving

A southwestern Ontario man is facing multiple charges after being stopped for speeding near Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were conducting speed enforcement on Highway 17 in Bailloquet Township north of Wawa when they stopped an SUV around 3:15 Sunday afternoon - officers detected the odour of alcohol on the driver's breath and the driver ended up registering a "fail" on an approved screening device, so he was taken back to the local detachment for further testing.

The 40-year-old London, Ontario man has been charged with: operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus); operate a motor vehicle without insurance; speeding 1-49 kilometres over posted limit; driving motor vehicle with liquor readily available; and 2 counts of driving while under suspension.

Though the man's been released from custody with a court date in June, his driver's licence has been automatically suspended for 90 days while the vehicle's been impounded for seven.

Superior East OPP remind no amount of alcohol or drug is safe to consume and drive, and urge anyone who suspects an impaired driver to call 911 or the OPP.

Wawa Ice Fishing Derby Supporting Local Hospital and Firefighters

Wawa's annual ice fishing derby is spreading support around the community.

The Wawa Ice Fishing Derby Committee has presented two cheques in recent days, the first being $2800 for the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation presented during the foundation's donor appreciation reception on Sunday.

Derby President Scott Popert says the committee always supports local charities, to "give back to the town".

Popert also presented a $2800 cheque to the Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters Association last night.

Municipality of Wawa Holding Open House on Toronto Ave. & Waterfront

Wawa residents are being encouraged to learn about two major local projects this afternoon.

A special open house is being held at the Community Centre, to address the Toronto Avenue and Waterfront projects - Infrastructure Services Director Cory Stainthorpe explains the Toronto Avenue portion will touch on the construction schedule and spring maintenance.

Topics for the Waterfront project will include its new swale design, Rose's beach house, Lion's Beach stair replacement, boardwalk, playground and furniture, beach sand, signage and art, and the Goose Market.

While the open house is something of a "come-and-go", the Toronto Avenue portion runs from 4 pm to 6 pm, and the Waterfront project will be the focus from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Honours Donors

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is honouring those who've supported the organization over the last year - and supporters lost over the past year.

The Foundation held its annual Donor Appreciation Reception on Sunday, showing the newly updated donor recognition boards - including twenty-three names added to the "In Memoriam" section, all of which were read out during the event.

Foundation Chair Lina Rody notes this also comes as the organization marks its tenth anniversary.

Rody says the Foundation has raised nearly $443,000 to support the hospital over the last decade - that does not include the amount raised through the spring mail-out campaign which ends on Mother's Day, nor does it include two checks presented on Sunday: $10,000 from the Wawa Family Health Team and $2800 from the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

That means the Foundation's been successful in raising the remaining funds needed for the second phase of a digital radiography upgrade at the local hospital, so a new goal will be announced for the next fundraising campaign.

Radio Auction Raises Strong Support for Rotary Club of Wawa

The Rotary Club of Wawa is thanking the community for supporting their 37th annual Radio Auction.

Emphasizing the event is the Rotary Club of Wawa's largest annual fundraiser, Auction Chairman Mark Owen says he's quite pleased with the support, including the more than $20,000 in goods and services donated for auction - and the amount bid for them.

Owen reminds successful bidders who haven't already picked up their items can do so at the Regional Employment Help Centre between 11 am and 3 pm weekdays until next Monday, May 6th.

In addition to the winning bidders, Diane Spencer was a winner: claiming this year's special addition, a door prize of a $50 Tim Hortons gift card.

The Rotary Club's still in the process of another fundraiser: a draw for a gourmet dinner for eight at Naturally Superior Adventures - tickets are available through any Rotarian, with the draw to be made in mid-May.

Wawa's "For The Health of It Challenge" Begins

Numerous Wawa residents will be getting active over the coming weeks, as the annual wellness challenge starts today.

Wawa Family Health Team dietician Jenelle McAuley notes the annual spring campaign's been rebranded from the Community Walking Challenge to the "For the Health of It Challenge" - covering not just fitness, but other aspects of healthy living - and there's also been a change in the prizes, too.

The challenge runs until Sunday, May 26th.

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