Fires at Vacant Wawa Buildings are "Crime of the Week"

Local police are asking for public help solving two suspicious fires in Wawa.
Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District Crime Stoppers say their "Crime of the Week" relates to the fires, which happened just over a week ago, on Friday, November 29th.
That morning, the Wawa Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire at a vacant motel building on Pinewood Drive - formerly known as the "Northern Gateway", "Pinewood Inn", and "New Era" - that building was fully consumed by flames.
Late that night, firefighters also responded to a fire at an abandoned residence on Third Avenue.
Both are considered "suspicious" by the OPP, who noted in previous releases that this comes after several suspicious small brush fires that happened in Wawa in September.
Superior East OPP are investigating, and ask anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Local NDP MP Reacts to Throne Speech & Speaker Election

Local New Democrat Carol Hughes is skeptical about the federal Liberal government's recent Speech From the Throne.
The Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP says the speech seemed to have good things in terms of what was promised, but she's waiting for details, particularly on issues like the environment.

Hughes says she's also "happy to hear" mention of pharmacare - but she wants it to be a universal, comprehensive, single-payer program - and also highlights needs to address housing, and - while she acknowledges the speech talked about reconciliation - Hughes says "a lot of infrastructure changes" are needed to help First Nation communities.
The local MP had also been in the running to be the new Speaker, but lost to a fellow Northern Ontario MP, Liberal Anthony Rota - she does mention a good working relationship with Rota, as they were both assistant deputy speakers in the last Parliament, and she does hope to continue in that role, if possible.
Meanwhile, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke Conservative Cheryl Gallant's accusing the Liberals of "completely abandon[ing]" Northern Ontario in the speech, without "a single mention of helping those who work in the forestry or mining industries, nor a focus on rural economic development", while Kenora MP Eric Melillo says plans to "preserve Canada's natural legacy" by protecting a quarter of Canada's land a quarter of Canada's oceans will actually make it more difficult for Northern loggers to access land to harvest - and he calls for support for developing the Ring of Fire mineral deposit in Northwestern Ontario.

Early Bird Winner Announces for MVFA Cash Draw

Wawa's firefighters are congratulating a Wawa woman for claiming the first draw in an annual fundraising campaign.
The $1000 early bird draw for the Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association cash draw ended up going to a ticket belonging to Josee Rioux, but Captain Craig Spooner notes there's still more draws to go - and the first winner isn't out of the running.

Tickets are available at many places in the community, and through local firefighters.

Bargain Shop Wawa Toy Drive Far Surpasses Local Goal

An effort to support children in Wawa, Dubreuilville, and White River this holiday season far surpassed its goal this weekend.
Wawa's Bargain Shop wrapped up its Toy Drive with a "Fill the Sleigh Day" Saturday, far surpassing the campaign's $5000 goal - raising a total of $7736.01 - and manager Nick Veldt thanks everyone who made that possible.

He also congratulates Abigail Moulton of Wawa, who won a $50 gift certificate.
Veldt says all of the funds raised through the toy drive will go to support and purchase toys and clothing for children, to be distributed through the Wawa Christmas Hampers, the Dubreuilville Food Bank, and the White River Food Hamper.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's Wish Campaign Now Underway

With the holiday season here, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's asking residents to help grant a wish from the local hospital.
Foundation Chair Lina Rody explains the annual "Wish Upon A Star" campaign is now underway, and reminds that names of donators will be displayed on a Christmas tree in the hospital lobby - though you could also donate in someone else's name.

Rody this campaign is part of efforts to raise $125,000 for a new "Medical Device Reprocessing Device", which is important for ensuring equipment at the hospital is safe to use.
Donations can be made at the hospital, online, or via mail - the campaign ends January 3rd.

Deadline for Ordering Ice Candles for New Wawa Tradition

Time is running out for those hoping to participate in a new Wawa tradition.

Wawa Cemetery Committee member - and municipal councillor - Bill Chiasson says the committee is inviting everyone to participate in a fundraising "celebration of life" at the Woodland Cemetery: the 1st annual "Ice Candle" Celebration Day.

Emphasizing that proceeds support beautification of local cemeteries - particularly Woodland Cemetery - Chiasson says the campaign allows residents to purchase an "ice candle" to be placed along the pathway leading to Woodland Cemetery, or pay a little more to have a volunteer place it.

They'll be placed in an event on December 28th, though today is the deadline to order candles - order forms are available at the Municipal Office and on the municipality's website.

1st Draw Approaches For Wawa Firefighters' Association Cash Draw

A lucky supporter of Wawa's firefighters will soon be $1000 richer.

The Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association's annual cash draw has returned, and Captain Craig Spooner reminds it offers ticket holders the chance to win up to six different draws - including one this weekend.

Spooner reminds proceeds from the draw help the Association offer two annual bursaries to local high school students pursuing a career in emergency services - and the funds also help with public education, and training and equipment for the local firefighters.

While tickets have been pulled from local stores ahead of tomorrow's draw, they're still available from firefighters, and will return to stores after the draw.

Bargain Shop Wawa Prepares for Fill the Sleigh Day

An effort to support children in Wawa, Dubreuilville, and White River is wrapping up for the holiday season this weekend.

The Bargain Shop of Wawa's annual toy drive culminates with the "Fill the Sleigh Day" tomorrow, and Manager Nick Veldt says the event - which features local emergency services - is a key time for donations during the annual campaign.

Veldt reminds this year's toy drive will support not just the Wawa Christmas Hampers, but also the Dubreuilville and White River food banks, so children in all three communities can enjoy the holidays.

JJAM FM will be broadcasting live from the "Fill the Sleigh Day" event from 11 am to 2 pm tomorrow.

Wawa Council to Apply for Service Delivery Review Funding

Wawa Municipal Council's seeking provincial funding for a municipal service review.

In a special meeting on Wednesday, Council waived the municipality's tendering policy in order to accept KPMG's quotation for a review, and submit a funding application for it, under the provincial government's "Municipal Modernization Program".

Mayor Ron Rody explains the idea would be to bring in KPMG to assess how services are delivered.

KPMG did conduct a similar review nearly a decade ago, and Mayor Rody calls this something of an "update" on that, but notes he's seen reviews that compare the service costs with other municipalities - and he expects this to be quite helpful for the future.

While the review will highlight possible changes, Mayor Rody says Council won't be forced to implement them - but they would be considered.

The Township of Chapleau's also applying under the provincial program, though Council's decided it should focus more on energy use.

Many Local Schools Closed, Some Open During 1-Day Strike

Some local schools are closed today, as Ontario's public high school teachers hold a one-day walkout.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation - which started a work-to-rule job action campaign just over a week ago - says its roughly 60,000 members - who mainly work at public high schools - are walking off the job for the day, to try and pressure the provincial government and school boards for a new collective agreement.

The Algoma District School Board warns all of its schools - not just the secondary schools, but elementary schools, as well - are closed today, as members of the union work at both levels.

Similarly, the Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon and the Conseil public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario say all of their schools are closed, though Nouvelon notes any of its daycares and pre- and after-school programs remain open

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board - meanwhile - is assuring that its schools are open - though the board employs some members of the union, it says they only amount to about 25 noon-hour aides, so classes can continue.

While the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario also launched a job action campaign last week, they haven't announced plans for their roughly 83,000 members to escalate.

Chapleau Hosting Public Consultation for Winter Carnival

Chapleau's starting preparations for the annual winter carnival.

Noting Council last week reviewed a proposed budget and list of events recommended by the Township's Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Rejean Raymond, Mayor Michael Levesque notes a public consultation's being held tonight.

Levesque notes some of the plans include a magician for the kids, dog sled rides, face painting, snow sculpturing, and men's and women's hockey tournaments.

Tonight's open house on the Taste of the North Winter Carnival starts at 7 o'clock in Council Chambers.

Wawa Council Calls Special Meeting

Wawa Municipal Council's meeting earlier than expected.

Council's called a special meeting for noon tomorrow, to deal with three related items: a resolution to waive the municipality's tendering policy, which would allow Council to pass a resolution accepting KPMG's quotation for a municipal service review, then pass a third resolution to submit a funding application for that review, under the provincial government's "Municipal Modernization Program".

Chapleau Council approved a similar application last week, though their review's expected to focus more on energy use.

Tomorrow's meeting will be open to the public, starting at noon in Council Chambers.

Some Local Schools Closing, Others Staying Open During 1-Day Strike

A looming strike by Ontario's public high school teachers will affect some schools - but not others.

The Algoma District School Board warns - if the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation moves forward with strike plans - then the board will close all of its schools for tomorrow, including not just secondary schools, but elementary schools, as well, since members of the union work at both levels.

Meanwhile, the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board is assuring that - while it employs about 25 members of the OSSTF - they're noon-hour aides, so the board will keep all of its schools open even if there is a strike.

The union - which started a job action campaign a week ago - says its roughly 60,000 members - who mainly work at English public high schools - will walk off the job tomorrow, as talks have failed to bring about a new collective agreement.

While the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario also launched a job action campaign last week, they haven't announced plans for their roughly 83,000 members to escalate.

Wawa Cemetery Committee Seeking New Member(s)

The Municipality of Wawa's looking for new members for its Cemetery Committee.

A notice from the Municipality says Council's looking for interested residents to join the committee, which makes recommendations to Council regarding operation and maintenance of all cemeteries owned by the Municipality.

It's also intended to ensure the cemeteries conform to provincial legislation and municipal by-laws, and to identify methods to raise additional revenues for the cemetery operation.

The Municipality has clarified to JJAM FM News that at least one new member is needed to fill a vacancy on the five-person committee, though it is noted that there used to be seven members, so as many as three new members could be accepted.

Anyone interested is asked to submit an expression of interest by December 20th.

It's not the only Wawa committee looking for members - the Drag Race Committee's also put out a call, with those interested asked to contact Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson.

Superior East OPP Investigating Fires at Vacant Wawa Properties

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a couple suspicious fires at vacant Wawa properties last Friday.

Superior East OPP say officers - and the Wawa Volunteer Fire Department - first responded to a fire at a vacant motel building on Pinewood Drive shortly after 9:30 Friday morning - the motel formerly known as the "Northern Gateway", "Pinewood Inn", and "New Era" was fully consumed by the flames.

The second fire happened shortly before 11:30 Friday night, at an abandoned residence on Third Avenue - police say that fire was extinguished by members of the public "prior to gaining intensity".

In addition to the two structure fires on Friday, police note they're still investigating several suspicious small brush fires that happened in Wawa in September.

Anyone with information about any of the fires is urged to call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.

CP Holiday Train Rolling Into Chapleau and White River

A mobile event supporting food banks "rolls" through the region this weekend.

Chapleau Mayor Michael Levesque notes Canadian Pacific's annual Holiday Train is coming, raising support for local food banks along the way.

This year's musical guests are popstar Scott Helman and country star Madeline Merlo.

The CP Holiday Train's scheduled to arrive at Chapleau's Train Station at 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon and later ride to White River for 8:45 pm.

Chapleau Council Agrees to Metis Association Plaque Request

A special tribute will be added to Chapleau's arena.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains the Township received a request from the local Metis association, hoping to put a plaque commemorating Amelia Moore.

Mayor Levesque says Council's agreed to the request, which will see the association cover the costs - and process - of creating the plaque, which would then be placed in the arena.

Chapleau Council Considers Zoning Rules for Temporary Accommodations

Chapleau Town Council is considering how to address temporary accommodations, such as AirBnB rentals.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains the issue was discussed in the recent Council meeting, as the practice of temporarily renting part or all of a home is growing in other communities, though it's not one that Chapleau Council has looked at in terms of zoning.

Mayor Levesque emphasizes Council's still studying the issue and determining how they wish to address it.

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