Lines Out of Water After 37th Wawa Salmon Derby

Boats and lines are out of the water, as the Wawa Salmon Derby's wrapped up its 37th year.

The annual derby saw a weekend of sun and warm weather, with numerous fish caught, including an 18.9-pound salmon which earned John Scott and Shane Bukowski the $6000 top prize and $500 more for the biggest fish of Sunday.

Scott and Bukowski - who reeled in the tenth largest salmon of the weekend on Saturday - say they were quite sure the fish caught Sunday would net them the top prize.

The $1000 prize for the largest lake trout went to a 9.7-pounder caught by Don Coleman and Bill Maj on Sunday, while Maegan Vosdingh won the Bill Young Memorial Award for largest fish caught by a youth - a 10 pound salmon on Saturday - and the Early Bird prize of a fly-in fishing trip for two went to Adam Kinnunen and Dan Swystun.

Licence Plate Check Leads to Stolen Vehicle Arrest in Wawa

Local police have recovered a stolen vehicle after a random licence plate check.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say an officer conducting routine patrols queried the licence plate of a minivan on Mission Road late Wednesday night, with the query revealing the vehicle was reported stolen a few hours earlier.

The vehicle was stopped and the driver - a 48-year-old man from Pond Inlet, Nunavut - was arrested on charges of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available, and drive motor vehicle - no licence.

He's been released from custody, but it scheduled to appear at Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice next month.

37th Annual Wawa Salmon Derby Arrives

Anglers are streaming into Wawa as the 37th annual Wawa Salmon Derby gets underway later today.

Organizer Brad Buck reminds there's several prizes anglers could reel in, including for the largest salmon of the weekend.

Buck notes entry forms will be accepted for the derby until 5 pm this evening, which is when fishing first begins - it continues until 9 pm tonight, then from 5 am to 9 pm Saturday and 5 am to 1 pm Sunday.

There'll also be a pancake breakfast Saturday and Sunday, as well as a Saturday night fish fry open to everyone.

JJAM FM will be live on location for the derby from 11 am to 3 pm Saturday.

Chapleau Council Considering Load Restrictions for Roads After RYAM Talks Fail

Chapleau Town Council is mulling over some local load restrictions as talks with a major local employer have failed to bring about an agreement desired by Council.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains Township representatives had met with RYAM multiple times since its parent company bought the Tembec sawmill, hoping to reach a deal addressing the effect its operations - specifically 18-wheel traffic - have on some local infrastructure.

Emphasizing that the mill is outside of town limits - so there is no tax base from RYAM for Township to rely on to address the issue - Mayor Levesque says Council has made no decisions at this time, though he adds the Township is planning to soon turn to the public and outline options - like load restrictions on Martel Road and the Monk Street Bridge - something that would be done "in open forum", so public response can help guide Council's decision.

Superior East OPP Remind Operation Safe Trucking Still Underway

Ontario Provincial Police are continuing to watch commercial vehicles as a week-long safety blitz winds down this weekend.

Superior East OPP Constable Trevor Tremblay explains "Operation Safe Trucking" was intended to make roads safer.

The OPP say they've already seen over 4800 commercial motor vehicle-related collisions this year, 46 of which were fatal - up from nearly 4700 collisions this time last year, 39 of which were fatal - while commercial vehicles have been linked to 30% of this year's fatal crashes on OPP-patrolled roads, despite only accounting for about 11% of all collisions.

1st Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race Arrives in Chapleau

Chapleau's first ever Gold Rush Nationals drag race is racing into town.

Organizer Ryan Bignucolo explains the CRDC event will be quite similar to drag races held in nearby communities, who he credits for supporting this event.

Bignucolo notes the similarities include some features at the track.

Bignucolo adds there will be a band Saturday night, there is a VIP section, and will be camping sites available.

More information on the drag race is available on the event's Facebook page.

While the Township of Chapleau warns the airport is closed until 12 noon on Monday, August 26th - to accommodate the drag races - a runway will remain open for the exclusive use of air ambulance, to allow for medical transportation.

Chapleau Airport Closing Ahead of Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race

Chapleau's airport is set to close for a few days, as preparations for the first ever Gold Rush Nationals drag race rev up.

The Township of Chapleau warns the way the drag races are set up means the airport will be closed to general users starting at 12 noon today until 12 noon on Monday, August 26th, though a runway will remain open for air ambulance use.

Drag race organizer Ryan Bignucolo explains the CRDC event will be quite similar to drag races held in nearby communities.

Bignucolo notes that volunteers have helped cut asphalt to prep the runway for paving, needed for the drag races.

The first ever Gold Rush Nationals start tomorrow, running through Sunday, August 25th.

Wawa Salmon Derby's Pre-Derby Fishing Contest Wrapping Up

Fishing is coming to an end ahead of the upcoming Wawa Salmon Derby.

Today is the last day in a five-day pre-derby fishing contest ahead of the 37th annual derby, offering early anglers a chance at a prize for the largest fish caught today.

Organizer Brad Buck reminds the derby itself has many prizes, including for the largest salmon of the weekend.

Participants in the pre-derby fishing contest must be registered for the Wawa Salmon Derby, which is this Friday through Sunday.

Wawa Salmon Derby Pre-Derby Fishing Contest Underway

Eager anglers have the chance to earn some early prizes ahead of the upcoming Wawa Salmon Derby.

Organizer Brad Buck reminds a pre-derby fishing contest is underway.

Buck notes anyone can participate in the "pre-fishing contest", so long as they register for the derby before going out on the water.

The 37th annual Wawa Salmon Derby is this weekend: Friday, August 23rd to Sunday the 25th.

Let's Roll For Eddy Half Marathon Arrives in Dubreuilville

Runners will crowd into Dubreuilville this evening, in honour of a local ALS activist.

"Let's Roll For Eddy" Half Marathon organizer Josee Bouchard says the event follows on efforts by Dubreuilville's own Eddy Lafrancois.

Bouchard emphasizes all donations received will go to the cause.

Bouchard encourages everyone to come out for the event, which includes a 1k "kiddie run", a 5k "run, walk, and roll", and 10, 15, and 20k runs.

Held at Dubreuilville's ecole secondaire l'Oree des Bois, registration starts at 5:15 pm, with the run at 6 pm.

Township of Chapleau Warns of Airport Closure During Upcoming Drag Races

The Township of Chapleau's warning the municipal airport will be closed for the upcoming drag races - for most users, at least.

A release from the Township notes the airport will be closed to "general aviation" from noon next Thursday, August 22nd, until 12 noon on Monday, August 26th, though it assures that one runway will remain open "for the exclusive use of air ambulance, to permit medical transportation to continue as usual".

Wawa's airport was similarly closed during the recent drag races - as it has in past years - though it had a helicopter pad open for air ambulance, rather than another runway.

Chapleau's first ever Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race will be held August 23rd to 25th.

Copper Wire Theft Reported Near Montreal River Harbour

Local police are asking for public help finding who stole copper wire from a construction site south of Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Trevor Tremblay explains the incident happened between 4:00 pm Tuesday afternoon and 7:45 am Wednesday morning, at a Bell tower site near Montreal River Harbour.

Tremblay notes the reels were about four-feet in diameter - "not the type you'd find in the hardware store" - and adds there have been similar incidents in recent months.

Tremblay emphasizes he can't confirm whether the incidents are connected, but notes there are no suspects in any of the incidents, and urges anyone with information to call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Let's Golf Fore Eddy Golf Tournament Arrives in Wawa

Golfers will be hitting the greens at Wawa's golf course for a good cause this weekend.

"Let's Golf Fore Eddy" ALS Golf Tournament organizer Eric Levesque reminds the event honours his friend, Eddy Lafrancois, the Dubreuilville ALS activist who passed away earlier this year.

Levesque emphasizes proceeds from the fun tournament will go to ALS Canada, either to support people living with ALS and their families or to support research.

The tournament has "shotgun" start, from 1 pm to 4 pm Saturday at the Michipicoten Golf Club.

Winnie's Hometown Festival Arrives in White River

White River is bustling with excitement this weekend, as the Winnie's Hometown Festival is back.

Festival Coordinator Natalie Albert says the 31st annual festival includes many returning favourites, like the riding lawnmower races.

Albert notes the Winnie's Funland and Trade Fair includes Christina the Crazy Hooper - as seen on "Ellen" - an interactive show with Mr. Mark, and appearances from Buzz and Woody, Peppa Pig, Pikachu, and - of course - Winnie the Pooh.

Also highlighted are two new events: the "Cornhole Tournament" on Saturday, and the First Annual "Mud Run" at the old ski trail across from the water plant on Sunday.

Event sign-up sheets, the schedule, and other information can be found on the Winnie's 31st Annual Hometown Festival Facebook page.

Wawa's Infrastructure Director Recommends Against Curbside Recycling Pickup For Now

Wawa's Infrastructure Services Director is recommending against curbside recycling pickup at the moment.

Speaking to Council earlier this week, Cory Stainthorpe stated he's recommending against it in the new refuse collection contract, citing costs and a lack of incentives or programs to offset them.

Stainthorpe did note the Municipality currently recycles many materials, including tires, "e-waste", and metals, while cardboard and paper can be grinded and mixed with sand for the landfill's cover.

He isn't fully abandoning the idea of expanded recycling in town, however, noting options are being reviewed, such as setting up a transfer station or something else tied in with the planned expansion of the landfill.

Registration Deadline for "Let's Golf Fore Eddy" Golf Tournament

Golfers are reminded to sign up for a charity golf tournament coming this weekend: the "Let's Golf Fore Eddy" ALS Golf Tournament.

Organizer Eric Levesque notes the event's fairly open.

Levesque emphasizes the golf tournament's in honour of his friend, Eddy Lafrancois, the Dubreuilville ALS activist who passed away earlier this year, with proceeds to support that cause.

Anyone wanting to sign up is asked to contact Levesque today, as the tournament's this Saturday.

It's not the only event happening in honour of Eddy Lafrancois this week: the "Let's Roll For Eddy" half marathon will be held at Dubreuilville's Ecole secondaire l'Oree des Bois tomorrow evening.

Wawa Council Considers Options to Address Bear-Related Garbage Issues

Wawa Municipal Council will consider options to address concerns about bears and garbage in the community.

Following a letter citing concerns on Long Beach Road, Mayor Ron Rody spoke at this week's Corporate Planning and Policy Committee meeting, stating that the letters points "are very valid", but adding he believes the concerns apply to much or all of town, noting he remembers a bear stealing his garbage can and eating from it in the middle of Superior Avenue.

The mayor questioned whether the suggested option of special bins for waste in that area would be the solution, and - if so - where they should be placed or not placed.

Rody encouraged Council feedback on the issue before turning it back to staff.

Chapleau Woman Charged With Assault

A Chapleau woman's facing an assault charge after an incident Monday night.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to a Chapleau residence around 5:50 pm Monday evening over a reported assault - investigation led to the arrest of the 32-year-old Chapleau woman on a single charge of assault.

She was released from custody, with a court date in Chapleau in October.

Winnie's Hometown Festival Nearing for White River

Organizers of White River's 31st Annual Winnie's Hometown Festival are finishing up preparations for the event.

Festival coordinator Natalie Albert explains one of the new features this year is a "Cornhole Tournament" on Saturday.

Albert says the tournament "seems to have a good start already", but there is room for more teams - teams are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible, using the registration form on the festival's Facebook page.

There's also time left to sign up for the trade fair which will be held Saturday afternoon or for the Riding Lawnmower Races that evening - sign-up forms are also on the Facebook page, along with a full schedule of events.

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