Stay up to date with what’s happening in your community.
Local police are shifting gears for the holiday weekend, winding down the Fall Seatbelt Campaign and joining a national campaign.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Trevor Tremblay explains the Ontario Provincial Police are participating in "Operation Impact".
Constable Tremblay is also reminding drivers to keep safety in mind as we are now into colder weather conditions - and he especially recommends winter tires.
Wawa and surrounding area are being encouraged to "scare hunger" this weekend.
As part of Northern Lights Ford's efforts in the national "WE Scare Hunger" campaign, the "Hunger Wagon" will be stopped at John's Valu-Mart tomorrow, to accept non-perishable food donations to support the Wawa Food Bank.
Service advisor Lonna Rilley notes the local campaign's hoping to surpass past years.
Rilley reminds donations could also be dropped off at the Wawa dealership before the end of October.
Northern Lights Ford's "Hunger Wagon" will be located at John's Valu-Mart from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday.
Ontario Provincial Police have charged two Chapleau residents in connection to a break-and-enter at a seasonal residence near the town.
Superior East OPP say they were called to the Serviss Lake seasonal residence on Friday, with officers observing signs of forced entry and that multiple items had been taken - police were able to locate a suspect in possession of some of the stolen items later that day, leading to the arrest of a 33-year-old on a charge of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000.
On Monday, police arrested a second suspect - a 24-year-old - on charges of break and enter a place to commit an indictable offence and possession of property obtained by crime over $5000.
Both have been released, scheduled to appear in court in two months.
In the meantime, Superior East OPP are reminding seasonal residence owners to take "extra precautions" for the off season, including: establishing clear views of your windows and doors from a distance; installing lighting to eliminate dark areas around doors and windows; installing deadbolts with at least a one-inch throw for all doors; reinforcing any windows located in or next to doors that are withing 40 inches of a door lock; ensuring all windows have a secondary security device in case a window lock's defeated; and having a trusted friend or neighbour periodically check on the place during your absence.
A neighbouring OPP detachment's warning of an increase in "non-emergent" 911 calls.
Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police say statistics show the number of 911 calls within the detachment area have increased because of non-emergency calls and "pocket dials" - but OPP lament that, noting 911 calls require two officers to respond to confirm the nature of the call, taking up the officers' time by travelling and investigating pocket dials or non-emergency calls.
OPP remind there is a separate phone line for non-emergencies, and ask the public help in a few ways, including: staying on the line if you accidentally call 911, to verify that it was an accidental call; locking your cell phone when it's in your pocket or purse; and not letting children play with your phone.
Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is thanking the community for its support, as the organization's wrapped up its annual Dream Vacation Lottery.
Foundation Chair Lina Rody says the lucky winner of a return trip for two anywhere WestJet flies - plus $2000 cash - is Bob Mann.
Rody adds that the foundation is "very, very pleased" with the lottery, coming "very close" to selling out of tickets.
She reminds funds raised by ticket sales support a campaign to raise $125,000 for a new washer, disinfector, and sterilizer for the Medical Device Reprocessing Department - very important for safely treating patients at the local hospital.
It might not be the usual Council day, but Chapleau Town Council is set to meet tonight
Included on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting is a by-law amending the Zoning By-Law to permit an eating establishment at 200 Monk Street, as well as a resolution on a request from Crestview Rooming House, and a budget update from the Treasurer.
There's also an "in-camera" item on the agenda, relating to "personal matters about an identifiable individual".
Aside from the "in-camera" portion, tonight's meeting is open to the public, starting at 6:30 in Civic Centre Council Chambers.
A Chapleau resident's facing a meth trafficking charge.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers were conducting follow-up on a break-and-enter at a Chapleau residence on Friday when they observed a suspect walking down Pine Street - the suspect was arrested and searched, leading officers to find about 325 suspected methamphetamine tablets.
The 37-year-old was charged with trafficking a schedule I substance - methamphetamines or crystal meth - under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
They're scheduled to appear in court in two months.
Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is readying for the end of a major fundraiser: the annual Dream Vacation Lottery.
Patricia Lalonde - a director with the Foundation - reminds the prize is in the name of the draw.
Foundation Coordinator Crystal Lutz says the lottery supports an ongoing $125,000 capital campaign.
Tickets for the Dream Vacation Lottery will be available at John's Valu-Mart and the hospital's admitting desk until about 2 pm - or until they sell out - with the draw to be made at the hospital at 4:30 pm.
Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is reminding time is almost up for a major fundraiser: the annual Dream Vacation Lottery.
Patricia Lalonde - a director with the Foundation - reminds the prize is in the name of the draw.
Funds raised through this campaign support a campaign to raise $125,000 for a new washer, disinfector, and sterilizer for the Medical Device Reprocessing Department at the local hospital.
Tickets are currently available at several local businesses - though they'll be pulled from local stores later today - with tickets also being sold at John's Valu-Mart and at the hospital.
The draw will be made at the hospital at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon.
A Wawa car dealership is looking to "scare hunger" this month.
Northern Lights Ford's is again holding the "WE Scare Hunger" campaign locally, collecting non-perishable food items to support the Wawa Food Bank.
Service advisor Lonna Rilley explains there are a few ways to donate.
Rilley adds a few local organizations are also providing special support.
Rilley notes plans are to collect donations at John's Valu-Mart on October 12th and 26th, as well, with the hope that the local campaign will be able to beat past efforts and raise over 1500 pounds.
The "WE Scare Hunger" campaign continues until the end of the month.
Some cookies are adding an extra smile for a local organization.
Tim Hortons says its week-long "Smile Cookie" campaign last month raised a record $9.8-million for 550 charities, hospitals, and community groups across Canada - and Tim Hortons Wawa is touting $2928 brought in for Community Living Algoma.
Josee Rioux, a manager with Tim Hortons Wawa, says the store is happy to have raised that much for such a good cause.
Community Living Algoma's website says it "supports people with intellectual disabilities" and is "committed to the advancement of a community in which all people are recognized as full citizens, achieve personal dignity, enjoy the benefits and responsibilities of independence, and are supported to reach their full potential".
The Municipality of Wawa's moving forward with a logo and marketing plan for the "Wawa Waterfront Boreal Gateway".
Assistant Director of Community Services and Tourism Brian Lachine says the plan ties into a focus on the Group of Seven by the larger Algoma area.
Lachine explains the plan includes new signage in the community and around it.
Signage will also include interpretive panels and informational signs - something Lachine is "really excited about".
With the logo and marketing plan presented to Council, Lachine says the call will be made to have the signs produced, with plans to get the signs in before the snow - though wood elements of the signs won't be installed until the spring.
Wawa Municipal Council's considering a staff proposal to apply for higher government funding to support the local arena.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson presented the proposal to Council during last night's Corporate Planning Committee meeting, highlighting the rare opportunity for funding for this kind of infrastructure - particularly for repairs - and noting there are a few major priorities that could be tackled.
Patterson notes the funding program would require the municipality to cover 26.67% of the project, with preliminary numbers for the project between $2 and $3-million.
No decision was made during the meeting, though the proposed application is expected to be discussed at the next two meetings, so a decision can be made in early November, ahead of the November 12th application deadline.
Ontario Provincial Police are checking to make sure drivers and passengers "buckle up".
Superior East OPP Constable Trevor Tremblay explains the annual Fall Seat Belt Campaign is underway today, meaning a greater focus on proper seatbelt use.
Tremblay also emphasize the importance of seatbelts, noting there are numerous collisions where people might have died if they weren't wearing the restraint - and numerous others which likely wouldn't have been fatal if the people had been wearing seatbelts.
OPP note 42 people who've died in collisions on OPP-patrolled roads this year were not safely buckled up - a 20% spike over the 35 people at this time last year - while 233 motor vehicle deaths over the last five years have been linked to lack of seatbelt use, 103 of them vehicle occupants who were ejected from the vehicle and the others dying of injuries sustained inside the vehicle.
The seatbelt campaign continues until Friday, October 11th, the start of the Thanksgiving weekend.
Just a week after its grand opening, Chapleau's new gold mine has started commercial production.
Newmont Goldcorp says the Borden Gold Mine has "achieved commercial production safely, on schedule, and within budget".
Chapleau Mayor Michael Levesque welcomed the mine's opening last week, noting - as ore from the operation will be processed by the mill at Newmont Goldcorp's Porcupine Gold Mines in Timmins - it meant an increase of traffic between the two communities.
Newmont Goldcorp touts Borden for its "state-of-the-art health and safety controls, digital mining technologies and processes, and low-carbon energy vehicles", as well as the 1000 square kilometre land package that "represents additional exploration upside as the deposit remains open at depth in a favourable mining jurisdiction".
Some local high school students have been honoured for their volunteer spirit.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says a lunch conference celebration was held for all Grade 12 students from Wawa's Ecole secondaire Saint-Joseph who've already completed their 40 hours of community volunteer hours.
Community service hours are required to graduate high school in Ontario.
Efforts to make Wawa's Legion Hall more accessible are progressing.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 President Mary Anne Pearson has confirmed to JJAM FM News that the Legion has awarded the contract for installation of the elevator to Michael Moore Construction of Sault Ste. Marie, with plans for the project itself to commence "when the permits are in place".
Intended to improve the ability of those with mobility issues to move between the upper and lower floors of the building, the lift follows other efforts to improve accessibility of the Legion Hall: a barrier-free washroom and a ramp in the downstairs area.
Wawa Municipal Council has a fairly light night ahead, despite back-to-back meetings.
First up will be a Corporate Planning Commitee meeting, with items to be discussed including: a logo and marketing plan to be presented by Community Services and Tourism Assistant Director Brian Lachine; a regional strategic plan from the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation; and requests to waive the Community Centre rental fee, arena ice fee, and rental fee for space at 3 Maple Street.
That will be followed by a regular meeting of Council, with items including a by-law for an agreement with the Township of White River, providing the neighbouring community with Building Code Act management, inspection, and enforcement services - essentially renewing a previous agreement.
There are also two "in-camera" items: a deputation about a legal issue regarding a sewer back-up; and an educational item about a procedural item.
Aside from the "in-camera" portion, tonight's meeting is open to the public, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers.
Police are asking for help finding out who's behind multiple suspicious brush fires in Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the Wawa Volunteer Fire Department - and local OPP officers - responded to four suspicious brush fires over September, two in wooded areas between Golf Course Road and Highway 17 on September 11th and 12th and two near Winston Road on the 21st and yesterday.
No injuries were reported nor any property damage, though police are looking to find out who was behind the fires.
Currently there are no suspects.
Anyone with information is urged to call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.
Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is reminding time is running out for a major fundraiser: the annual Dream Vacation Lottery.
Offering a prize of a return trip for two anywhere WestJet flies plus $2000 cash, the lottery kicks off a campaign to raise $125,000 for a new washer, disinfector, and sterilizer for the Medical Device Reprocessing Department at the local hospital.
Patricia Lalonde - a director with the Foundation - notes it's just the latest fundraising effort since the Foundation was formed more than ten years ago.
Lalonde reminds the Foundation is a small committee of volunteers focused on helping the hospital to address equipment needs.
Tickets are available at several places in the community - including the hospital admitting desk - with the draw October 9th.
