Chapleau-Area Forest Fire Under Control

A small forest fire in the Chapleau area is now under control.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says "Chapleau 2" has been brought under control at four-tenths of a hectare in size - it's located west of Spanish River Provincial Park, more specifically just west of Low Lake.

It was first reported early Sunday evening, and quickly listed as "being held".

There is one other forest fire in the Northeast, in the southwest side of Windy Lake in the Sudbury area.

The forest fire hazard for the Northeast is mostly moderate to high across the central portion of the region, or low for the southernmost and northern parts of the region.

Multiple Charges Laid After Wawa Domestic Disturbance

A young Wawa woman's facing multiple charges after a domestic disturbance over the weekend.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a domestic disturbance on Hillcrest Avenue around 6:45 pm Saturday night, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 22-year-old on charges of: domestic mischief; spousal assault; fail to comply with probation order; resist peace officer; mischief under $5000; and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, spousal.

They were remanded into custody for a bail hearing in Sault Ste. Marie today.

The resident has not been identified, to protect the victim's identity.

Superior East OPP emphasize victims in abusive relationships are not alone and there are local resources to help, such as Wawa and Area Victim Services and CHADWIC Home.

Small Forest Fire Burning in Chapleau Area

A small forest fire's being held in the Chapleau area.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says "Chapleau 2" covers four-tenths of a hectare, located west of Spanish River Provincial Park - or more specifically, just west of Low Lake.

It's the sole active wildfire in the Northeast, reported early Sunday evening, and quickly listed as "being held".

The forest fire hazard for the Northeast ranges from low - in the Wawa area - to moderate - a band from Sault Ste. Marie through Chapleau to Temagami - to high along the north shore of Lake Huron, including Sudbury.

Deadline Nears For Nominations for Chapleau's Annual Volunteer Award

Time is running out for nominations in Chapleau's annual volunteer awards.

Mayor Michael Levesque encourages nominations, as the deadline approaches for the annual "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Award.

Nomination forms can be found at the Township Offices or on the municipal website - they'll be accepted by mail or email until 4 pm this Friday, June 7th, to be awarded during Chapleau's Canada Day festivities.

Wawa and Area Victim Services Hosting Free BBQ

Wawa residents are being invited to a free barbecue.

As last week marked "Victims and Survivors of Crime Week", Wawa and Area Victims Services is celebrating with an event for the community, as explained by Executive Director Beverly Boyd.

Boyd emphasizes that the local organization is frequently supported by a core group of volunteers and collaboration with other local organizations.

The barbecue starts at 11 this morning, in the lot between the OPP detachment and the Post Office.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Palliative Care to Hold Memorial Butterfly Release

Wawa's hospital is planning a special way to honour those who've passed: the release of butterflies.

Jolene Binda explains the Palliative Care Program's First Annual Memorial Butterfly Release is an opportunity to honour loved ones who've passed - helping with grieving and "letting go" - though the event will be more of a celebration.

Binda notes the butterfly could be released "in honour of a loved one, to celebrate life and new beginnings, or simply to connect with nature on a personal level".

While the event isn't until July 17th, Binda emphasizes that the butterflies must be ordered ahead of time - anyone who wants to release a butterfly must reserve it at the hospital's front desk before July 3rd.

There is a cost of $20 per butterfly, with proceeds supporting the Palliative Care Program.

CHADWIC Home Prepares for June Fundraisers

Wawa's local women's shelter is preparing for a couple fundraisers next month.

CHADWIC Home Executive Director Paula Valois says the group is holding a "Paint Nite" - a frequently well-received event - though this time will be a bit different, as participants will paint a wine bottle instead of a canvas.

Valois invites everyone to get a ticket through CHADWIC Home's website or Facebook page - the Paint Nite fundraiser will be held June 13th.

Also coming up: the annual CHADWIC Home Charity Golf Tournament, which will be held Friday, June 28th - call CHADWIC Home to register by June 21st.

Both events support CHADWIC Home programs not funded by its main budget.

Chapleau Seniors to Protest Provincial Government Cuts

Chapleau seniors are showing their distaste for cuts to government services today.

The Chapleau Senior Citizens Club is encouraging everyone to join in a "public outcry" today - Mayor Michael Levesque says it relates to cuts by Ontario's Progressive Conservative government.

Levesque reads part of the club's invitation for the protest.

The mayor concedes that Premier Doug Ford has rolled back plans for some cuts, though he's not optimistic that Ford won't implement the cuts in the near future.

Levesque encourages everyone to show their support by stopping at one of four locations on Main Street between 10 am and 4 pm today.

Wawa Residents Encouraged to Join Join Participaction Challenge

Wawa residents are being challenged to join in Participaction's "Community Better Challenge" over the next couple weeks.

Similar to Wawa's Wellness Challenge, the Participaction initiative encourages communities to "sit less and move more" to be crowned "Canada's most active community" - a title Lady Dunn Health Centre dietitian Jenelle McAuley believes is within Wawa's reach.

McAuley says anyone can participate by tracking physical activity through the Participaction app or website - and she suggests anyone with difficulty using the website contact her.

The challenge starts today, running to Sunday, June 16th.

Deceased Pedestrian Identified After Fatal Collision South of White River

Police have identified the pedestrian killed in a White River-area collision with a commercial motor vehicle early Saturday morning.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say 32-year-old David Oak of Manitouwadge was pronounced dead at the scene, on Highway 17 just south of White River around 2:30 am on Saturday.

OPP are still seeking more information, urging anyone who was travelling Highway 17 south of White River between 1 am and 3 am Saturday to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

The highway was closed between White River and Wawa for nearly 12 hours, as a Technical Collision Investigator and a Reconstructionist processed the scene.

Driver Charged After Transport Truck Crash Near Agawa Bay

A charge has been laid over a single vehicle collision involving a transport truck south of Wawa last Thursday.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the 44-year-old driver has been charged with careless driving in connection to the Thursday night collision - the tractor portion of the tractor-trailer came to rest in the southbound lane of Highway 17 near Agawa Bay, while the trailer was off the roadway on a steep embankment.

Crews took several hours to unload the contents of the trailer - piglets - leading to intermittent closures of the highway last Friday.

Island Gold Expansion Approved

Some good news for a local mine: Alamos Gold has been given approval for an expansion of the Island Gold Mine - ahead of schedule.

Alamos says it's been granted amendments to its existing operational permits from Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, allowing for Phase II expansion of the mine, to 1200 tonnes per day, up from the previously permitted rate of 1100 tonnes per day.

It expects underground mining rates to hit 1200 tonnes per day in 2020, though it will look for opportunities to ramp up to that mark before the end of the year - but it isn't changing the 2019 guidance for production and costs.

The company's also continuing with a large exploration program at Island Gold, which it notes has led to "significant" growth in mineral reserves and resources in recent years, with the growth and ongoing exploration to be incorporated into a Phase III expansion study to be completed over the next year.

Chapleau's Handi-Transit Bus Service to Try Different Hours During Summer

Hours for Chapleau's handi-transit bus service could be changing in the future - with the summer being used as a test.

While the service currently runs from 9 am to 11:30 am and 1 pm to 2:30 pm, Council has received a request from Carrefour Sante - Chapleau-Foleyet-Sultan that it change to 8 am to 4 pm.

Mayor Michael Levesque says extended hours will be tried out - but not immediately.

Levesque notes the current hours are to accommodate the bus driver - who also drives a school bus - so any changes beyond the summer would require further discussion.

Chapleau Council Approves New Fees For Community Hall

Chapleau Town Council's approved a few new fees for use of the Community Hall.

Mayor Michael Levesque says the fees approved Monday night are for accommodation "in addition" to simply renting the facility.

Levesque says the fees are now included with the already-approved schedule of fees for renting the facility.

Wawa's St. Joseph French Immersion Hosting Wellness Fair

A Wawa school's inviting everyone to a Wellness Fair tonight.

St. Joseph French Immersion Catholic School Principal Michaela Sheehan explains the event is an initiative stemming from the parent council, who wanted to focus on mental health and well-being, which she emphasizes are broad-ranging.

Sheehan says the event is backed by a provincial "pro-grant", with more than a dozen local community organizations attending, to show and speak with families about what is available in this community.

On top of refreshments and healthy snacks, Sheehan notes there's additional motivation for attendees to learn as much as possible: the door prize of a gift basket featuring items from some local businesses and vendors, only available to those who get a stamp at each booth.

Open for everyone to attend, the Wellness Fair runs from 6 to 8 tonight, at St. Joseph French Immersion Catholic School.

Chapleau Council Adding Power Outages to Emergency Plan

Chapleau Town Council is assessing its emergency plan after a major power outage earlier this month.

Mayor Michael Levesque acknowledges concerns were raised because of the roughly 24-hour outage nearly two weeks ago.

The mayor says further measures are planned.

Mayor Levesque notes the power outage had caused problems with communications - along with problems with information from Hydro One - but that should also be addressed, and he's also concerned about the need for things such as cooling or heating stations during warmer or especially colder periods.

Cleanup Efforts Bloom at Chapleau Peace Park

A Chapleau park is getting ready for the season.

Mayor Michael Levesque thanks everyone who came out for the Peace Park Cleanup event last weekend.

Levesque notes fertilizer and soil was done last year by a group from the high school, with hopes they'll do so again this year, hopefully leading to planting in the first or second week of June.

Renovation Plans Move Forward For Chapleau's Civic Centre

Plans are moving forward for renovations to Chapleau's Civic Centre.

Mayor Michael Levesque says plans are to redo parts of the building to improve accessibility.

While Council has only just approved drawings for the project - to move toward tendering for the project - Mayor Levesque says the funds provided to the Township must be spent this year, so the work should be done before the end of 2019.

Wawa's École St-Joseph Hosting "Welcome to Kindergarten" Event

A Wawa school's holding an event welcoming children starting kindergarten next fall.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says École St-Joseph is hosting a "Welcome to Kindergarten" event, inviting upcoming students and their families to show up at the school at 2:45 this afternoon.

The event's meant to promote a smooth transition to kindergarten, including several activities for children and parents, while providing parents important information about speech development, social and daycare services, and school transportation.

Dubreuilville's École St-Joseph will hold a similar event June 21st.

Chapleau Pitch-In Days Begin

Cleanup efforts are picking up in Chapleau.

After a "park clean up day" for the Peace Park this past weekend, "Pitch-In" days are being held in various parts of the community for the rest of the month.

Today, the "pitch-in" will focus on what is described as "all that area west of the CPR tracks and south of the Chapleau River".

Tomorrow, the focus is "all that area east of the CPR tracks to Lansdowne Street", then on Thursday it will be "all the area from Aberdeen Street to the separate school", wrapping up on Friday with a focus on "all of that area north of the Chapleau River, within the Township limits".

Every citizen's encouraged to "pitch-in", "taking advantage of the free service" to help beautify Chapleau.