Motorcyclist Killed in Collision With SUV in Goulais Township

Ontario Provincial Police are continuing to investigate a fatal two-vehicle crash that closed Highway 17 just north of Sault Ste. Marie for several hours over the weekend.

Sault Ste. Marie OPP say emergency services responded to the crash between Highway 552 and Pineshores Road in Goulais Township around 2:30 Saturday afternoon, with preliminary investigation determining a motorcycle struck the rear of an SUV.

The motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries, while the SUV's occupants were uninjured.

No other details have been given at this time.

Highway 17 has since reopened.

Woodland Masonic Lodge Golf Scramble Returns to Raise Funds for Bursaries

Golfers are hitting the greens in Wawa this afternoon, as Woodland Masonic Lodge's 18th annual Charity Golf Scramble arrives.

Lodge member Eric Mitrikas notes proceeds from the event helps the lodge offer bursaries to local high school graduates, which he says are quite broad-ranging in terms of qualifications and what they support.

Eric Mitrikas on Bursaries Support by Golf Tournament
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Mitrikas also reminds there may still be space for teams of two or three - men, women, or a mix - to sign up for today's tournament, which starts at 1:30 pm.

Chapleau Firefighters Association Hosting BBQ & Car Wash

Chapleau's firefighters are inviting residents to a barbecue and car wash to support a local initiative.

Fire Chief Ken Groves explains the Chapleau Firefighters Association is holding today's event as a simple fundraiser to help with their part of the Community Christmas.

Fire Chief Ken Groves on Firefighters Association BBQ & Car Wash
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Groves hopes the weather will co-operate for the barbecue and carwash, which will be held from 4 to 8 at the Fire Hall - car washes will be by donation, with hot dogs for $1 each.

Chapleau Resident Charged With Spousal Assault Over Canada Day Weekend

A Chapleau resident's facing an assault charge after a domestic dispute over the weekend.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to an incident in Chapleau around 7 o'clock Sunday morning, with investigation into the dispute leading to the arrest of a 37-year-old on a charge of assault - spousal.

The person - who is not identified, in order to protect the victim's identity - has been released with a court date in mid-August.

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.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Long-Term Care Memorial Butterfly Release Nears

Wawa's hospital is reminding time is running out to reserve a special way to honour those who've passed: releasing of butterflies.

Jolene Binda explains the Palliative Care Program's First Annual Memorial Butterfly Release says painted lady butterflies will be released during the event as a memorial.

Jolene Binda on the Purpose of Memorial Butterfly Release
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Binda notes you could release a butterfly for other reasons, too.

Jolene Binda Highlights Reasons to Release Butteflies
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

While the event isn't until Wednesday, July 17th, Binda encourages people to reserve butterflies ahead of time at the hospital's front desk, noting proceeds support the Palliative Care Program.

Woodland Masonic Lodge Prepares for Annual Charity Golf Scramble

The local Woodland Masonic Lodge is reminding there is time left to register for their upcoming 18th annual Charity Golf Scramble.

Encouraging everyone to sign up, lodge member Eric Mitrikas outlines the event.

Eric Mitrikas Outlines Woodland Masonic Lodge Golf Scramble
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Mitrikas reminds the event helps support bursaries given out to support local high school students going into college, university, or even a trade.

Tee-off times can be booked by contacting the Michipicoten Golf Club pro shop almost until the event begins at 1:30 Friday afternoon.

Superior East OPP Remind Caution Needed As School's Out For Summer

School's out for the summer, and local police are reminding everyone to be careful and watchful for kids.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Trevor Tremblay reminds no school means drivers will need to watch for kids all day long - not just before and after school.

Constable Trevor Tremblay on Summer Driving Safety
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Tremblay also notes that local police see "lots of kids on bikes", but also "lots of kids on bikes without helmets" - and he emphasizes helmets are needed.

Constable Trevor Tremblay on Summer Bicycling Safety
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Constable Tremblay wishes everyone a fun - but safe - summer.

Annual CHADWIC Home Golf Tournament Arrives

Golfers are hitting the greens today to support the local women's shelter.

CHADWIC Home's annual Charity Golf Tournament is being held this afternoon, and Executive Director Paula Valois emphasizes it's a fun event to raise awareness and support, particularly for programs not usually covered by the shelter's "main budget".

Paula Valois Highlights the Cause of CHADWIC Golf Tournament
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Valois thanks all sponsors of the event, including Northern Lights Ford for providing a hole-in-one prize, Wesdome for sponsoring green fees, and Dynamic Roofing, whose donation helps cover the door prize.

Superior East OPP Urge Safety Over Canada Day Weekend

Ontario Provincial Police will be watching the roads, trails and waterways for the Canada Day weekend.

Superior East OPP Constable Trevor Tremblay reminds the focus of enforcement is "the big four" factors in fatal collisions.

Constable Trevor Tremblay on Canada Day Weekend Driving
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Constable Tremblay also reminds those who plan to celebrate the weekend by drinking not to operate any motor vehicle - car, ATV, or boat - and he warns 22 of 24 boating fatalities OPP saw last year were people not wearing life jackets.

Constable Trevor Tremblay on Canada Day Weekend Boating
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Tremblay emphasizes the time it takes to put on a life jacket could be the difference between life or death, though it's even worse if you fall out of your boat without it.

Wawa's Goose Nest Summer Market Takes Flight

Wawa's new "Goose Nest Summer Market" is set to take flight with its grand opening this weekend.

Speaking with JJAM FM's Town Talk in May, Brian Lachine - Wawa's Acting Director of Community Services and Tourism - highlighted the promise of the site.

Brian Lachine on Wawa's Goose Nest Summer Market
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

The inaugural opening ceremony - including ribbon cutting and speech from Mayor Ron Rody - starts at 4 pm today, with the market open until 8 pm, then from 10 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Lachine also reminds stand-up paddle boards and voyageur canoes will be available on Saturday - as part of Canada Day festivities - with the fireworks at Dr. Rose's Beach at dusk on Canada Day.

UPDATE on July 1st: Fireworks have been postponed to Tuesday, July 2nd, due to the fog.

Hawk Junction Prepares for Annual Horseshoe Pitch Tournament

An annual event is rousing up excitement in Hawk Junction this weekend.

Hawk Junction Local Services Board member Steve Turyk explains the annual Horseshoe Pitch Tournament is a fun community event, with some added incentive.

Steve Turyk Explains Hawk Junction Horseshoe Pitch Tournament
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

The tournament will be held at the Hawk Junction Community Hall tomorrow, with registration starting at noon, followed by the competition at 1 pm.

Chapleau Prepares for Canada Day Celebrations

Chapleau's touting big plans for Canada Day.

Mayor Michael Levesque emphasizes festivities include the annual kids parade starting from Cedar Grove at 12:30.

Mayor Levesque Discusses Canada Day Kids Parade
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Canada Day celebrations will also include the presentation of the annual "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Awards - and other awards - during opening ceremonies at the Waterfront Pavilion at 1, numerous activities at the waterfront from 1 to 5, the duck race at the waterfront at 3, the Canada Day Market Place on Pine Street from noon to 5, and the fireworks at dusk.

The "splash pad" at the waterfront has also started up, just in time for the holiday weekend.

Sixth Annual Wawa Music Festival Arrives

Wawa will be full of music this Canada Day weekend, as the sixth annual Wawa Music Festival arrives.

While Committee Vice Chair Isabeau Allard notes a variety of music will be played, she says there is a special theme for this year's festival.

Isabeau Allard Explains Theme of 6th Annual Wawa Music Festival
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Allard says the festival's opening ceremony will be held at Lion's Beach at 3 pm this afternoon - before moving to the evening venues of the Lakeview and Legion - with the street fair on Broadway Avenue near Lion's Beach starting at 10 am Saturday morning, with more evening performances at the Legion and Lakeview starting at 6 pm Saturday evening, ending at the Legion on Sunday.

A full schedule's available on the festival's Facebook page.

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing NDP MP Presses For Universal Pharmacare

While Parliament is out for the summer - likely until after the fall election - a local MP is pressing for movement on universal pharmacare.

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing New Democrat Carol Hughes is calling for the Liberal government to adopt the NDP's plan for universal pharmacare, delivering a petition that calls for public, universal, and comprehensive pharmacare - she emphasizes Canada's behind the times on this front.

Carol Hughes on Universal Pharmacare Petition

Hughes claims replacing the current system with single-payer pharmacare would benefit everyone, saving the country $4.2-billion a year, especially as the collective purchasing power of Canadians would reduce drug costs and health care expenses.

Chapleau Dock Work Approved

Work has been approved for some docks in the Chapleau River.

Chapleau Town Council approved a $2000 quote for the work, which Mayor Michael Levesque says will address issues with the "Government Dock".

Mayor Levesque on Government Dock Problem
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

The work also includes the removal of anchor plates that had been used for another dock for a year, before Council decided to use floating docks instead, though Mayor Levesque notes the Township can't afford to convert all the docks this year so the dock will instead be removed for now, due to "safety considerations".

Work Planned for Chapleau's Recreation Centre Roof

Some work is planned for Chapleau's recreation centre - to avoid leaks from the roof.

Council approved a proposal from Tulloch Engineering, which Mayor Michael Levesque says relates to three major parts.

Mayor Levesque on Recreation Centre Roof Work
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

The proposal approved by Council quoted nearly $18,000 for the work: $1200 for roof leak review and repairs recommendations; $4200 for compressor/condenser review nad design of steel support frame; and $14,200 for roof structural evaluation.

Chapleau Updates Smoking By-Law

Chapleau's smoking by-law has been updated - and Council is warning some changes may surprise smokers.

Mayor Michael Levesque says the update aligns the municipal by-law with provincial regulations, though he notes Council had some questions about the restrictions.

Mayor Levesque on Council's Smoking By-Law Concerns
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Mayor Levesque suggests people may need to "speak up" and remind smokers they aren't allowed to smoke in some places.

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