Chapleau Winter Carnival Continues

Festivities are ramping up for Chapleau's "Taste of the North" Winter Carnival. Leisure and Cultural Services Director Rejean Raymond reminds tonight's event include the annual torch light parade by the Chapleau Arctic Watershed Snowmobile Club.

Raymond notes - once the two groups arrive at the arena - there'll be the lighting of the carnival bonfire by the Chapleau firefighters. More events are planned for the weekend, with the full schedule available on the municipal website, chapleau.ca. Carnival keychains are needed for most events, available until the weekend at the Civic Centre and over the weekend at the AW Moore Arena.

ONTC Bus Service Expanding from White River to Thunder Bay

Bus service is expanding across Northwestern Ontario.
Energy, Northern Development and Mines Minister Greg Rickford's announced the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission is launching a new bus route between White River and Thunder Bay, to provide six-day-per-week return service.
Ontario Northland most recently added a 15-community Manitoulin Island route in April 2018, after expanding to Wawa and White River that January.
The new service schedule is set to begin in April.

Chapleau Winter Carnival Events Begin

Festivities are getting underway today for Chapleau's "Taste of the North" Winter Carnival.
Leisure and Culture Services Director Rejean Raymond reminds the big event of the night gives a chance to get artistic.

Raymond reminds that things will ramp up Thursday night, with the annual torch light parade and a Northern Lights Walk, both of which will wrap up at the arena for the carnival bonfire.
A full schedule of events is available on the municipal website, chapleau.ca.
Carnival keychains are needed for many events - including tonight's Paint Night - and are available at the Civic Centre or - over the weekend - at the AW Moore Arena.

Wawa Winter Carnival Approaches, With Change to Parade

Wawa's preparing for carnival weekend - reminding there's been a change to an annual event.
EDC of Wawa Administrative Assistant Isabeau Allard says the Friday night parade is being replaced with a "Northern Lights Walk" that night.

Allard says floats are still welcome - for those who'd already started working on them - though they'll be at the end of the walk, for safety reasons.
The Northern Lights Walk will kick off the Wawa Winter Carnival at 6 o'clock Friday night, followed by a bonfire, fireworks, and more.
Schedules should be in mailboxes, but can also be found on the Wawa Recreation and Winter Carnival Facebook pages.

ADSB Elementary Schools Remain Closed For Local ETFO Strike

The Algoma District School Board's elementary schools remain closed today, for another teachers' strike.
Following yesterday's province-wide strike, Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario members with the ADSB are walking out today, keeping the board's elementary schools closed.
They'll stay closed tomorrow, as well, as the ADSB will close all of its schools during a targeted strike by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation.
That targeted strike also includes the other three local school boards, though the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board assures its schools will stay open, as the OSSTF only represents noon-hour aides with the board.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon is closing its local schools tomorrow, due to a strike by the AEFO, which represents French-language teachers, while the Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario will also close amid tomorrow's strikes.

Chapleau Council to Focus on Budget and Other Items, But Not Drag Races

Chapleau Town Council's meeting on a different day than usual, to discuss finance and other items.
Included on tonight's agenda is a by-law for a formal complaint policy, as well as resolutions opening and recording bids for a 4-Wheel Drive Rubber-Tire Loader and appointing a local representative to the board of Public Health Sudbury and Districts.
Council will also discuss proposed amendments to the Township's procurement by-law, and the treasurer will present Council with the 2019 finances and the draft 2020 operating budget.
Not included on the agenda: any item directly relating to the Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race, after the CRDC - which organized the event - announced last week that a second race was not expected to happen, as no agreement with the Township was reached by their January 31st deadline, though both race Chair Richard Bignucolo and Mayor Michael Levesque told JJAM FM News on Friday that they aren't entirely ruling out a potential deal, though the two sides appear far from one, with disagreements on multiple items, including liability and how the CRDC and Township interact - the Township prefers negotiations through their executive representative, the CAO, while the CRDC wants a committee formed with three Township staff - they prefer the Economic Development Officer, Recreation Director, and Assistant Airport Manager.
The event's received strong support on social media: an online petition with more than 2000 signatures calls for a municipal by-law making the drag races an "endorsed annual event to be held at the Chapleau municipal airport to be organized under the direct oversight of the CRDC".
Tonight's meeting is open to the public, starting at 6:30 in Civic Centre Council Chambers.

Wawa Council to Hold 1st Budget Meeting of 2020

Wawa Municipal Council will look at their budget this week.
A special Corporate Planning meeting has been called for Thursday, February 13th, with the presentation of the 2020 Capital Budget the sole purpose of the meeting.
The meeting is open for the public to attend, starting at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon.

ADSB Elementary Schools Closed Amid ETFO Strike

The Algoma District School Board's elementary schools are closed for the next few days for teachers' strikes.
All 83,000 members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario are walking off the job province-wide today, with a walkout by ETFO members with the ADSB to be held tomorrow - the local ETFO members last participated in a province-wide strike last Thursday and a local strike last Friday.
It's only the start of a week filled with strikes: the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation is holding a targeted strike Thursday, including all four local school boards - that will see the ADSB close all of its schools Thursday.
The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board won't be closing its schools, as the OSSTF only represents noon-hour aides with the board.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon is closing its local schools Thursday, amid a strike by the AEFO, which represents French-language teachers with public and Catholic boards.
Meanwhile, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association is "enhancing" its administrative job action today: now, members will only undertake their scheduled teaching and supervision duties, though parent-teacher interviews will still go forward as scheduled and they'll still participate in extra-curricular activities.

CSPGNO Ratifies Agreement With Union Representing Janitorial Staff

A local school board's confirmed an agreement with the union representing its janitorial staff.
The Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario says the three-year collective agreement with Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 895 has been ratified, covering September 1st, 2019, to August 31st, 2022 - the French public school board says it includes improved employment conditions and a salary increase.
While the board has reached an agreement with that union, the union representing Ontario's public and Catholic French-language teachers, the AEFO - which roughly translates to "Association of Franco-Ontarian Teachers" - is in the midst of a job action campaign, with plans for weekly one-day province-wide walkouts starting Thursday.
The board's local schools will also be affected by a targeted strike from the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation on Thursday, which will also affect all of the Algoma District School Board's schools and local French Catholic schools.

Chapleau's 23rd Pike Ice Fishing Derby Results

Lines are out of the water as Rotary Club of Chapleau's 23rd annual Pike Ice Fishing Derby is now in the books.
Attendance was high - with all 800 tickets for the derby sold only three weeks after they went on sale - while several pike were reeled in, including a 7.7 pound pike from Kevin Henry, which claimed the $10,000 first prize.
Rounding out the top three were a 6.33-pounder from Adam Gauthier - which won him a Honda A-T-V - and a 5.49-pounder from Luc Jacques , who claimed the $4000 third prize.
The entry prize of a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 Classic 4x4 went to Roger Roy, while Chris Roy of Wawa won $5000 for catching the tagged fish, and Roger Lapointe won $2080 through the 50/50 draw - the rest of the money goes to support the Chapleau Ski Hill.

Possible Hope Amid Impasse on 2nd Chapleau Drag Race

There could still be hope for Chapleau's Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race - but organizers and the Township appear to be at an impasse.
While he had previously stated that "at this point, the drag races aren't going to happen" - as no agreement was signed with the Township of Chapleau by the January 31st deadline - Drag Race Chair Richard Bignucolo - vice president of the CRDC, which organized the drag race - says the event could still happen, with the "right" agreement.

Mayor Michael Levesque isn't rejecting the possibility of a deal, either, emphasizing the Township and Council are open to the event.

As for the issues holding up the agreement, Bignucolo points to a few items.

Mayor Levesque - however - says the liability clause would only see the CRDC held liable, part of a standard facility use agreement, outlining the Township's stance in a statement to JJAM FM.

While Bignucolo takes issue with the way negotiations were conducted - saying he wanted to sit down at the table with the Township but was told to talk through lawyers - Mayor Levesque raises concerns with the CRDC's requests.

Bignucolo expresses frustration at the lack of a deal, pointing to support for the event.

Bignucolo also points to work done by drag race volunteers to help at the airport, paving a portion of the runway, which he says cost over $61,000 - something that was necessary for the first event to happen.
Mayor Levesque emphasizes the Township "has not left the negotiating table", with new proposed terms being drafted, to be presented to the CRDC early next week.

SE OPP Issue Safety Reminders Ahead of Chapleau Ice Fishing Derby

Local police are issuing a few safety reminders ahead of the Chapleau derby.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Trevor Tremblay urges snowmobilers to "take it slow", emphasizing speed is the number one cause of snowmobile fatalities - and warning conditions on the ice can be a problem.

Tremblay also recommends watching for open water.
Anglers are also warned to secure your ice hut - and to avoid keeping any valuables inside when you're not there - as Constable Tremblay notes reports of thefts from ice huts in recent weeks, mainly in Chapleau.

Finally, Constable Tremblay urges people not to drink and drive - cars or snowmachines - and reminds it's illegal to drink out on the ice.

Chapleau Rotary Club Reels In 23rd Pike Ice Fishing Derby

Chapleau's reeling in anglers this weekend, with the Rotary Club of Chapleau's 23rd annual Pike Ice Fishing Derby.
Sold out only three weeks after tickets went on sale, the annual event will see anglers out on the Chapleau River, and Derby Committee Chair Jocelynne Bernier touts several major prizes.

Bernier adds there is also the entry prize of a 2019 Dodge RAM, the "tagged fish" worth $5000 if caught during the derby - or a free entry in the derby if caught after this year's derby, but before the next - and there's a 50/50 raffle, with proceeds from that draw to help the local ski hill.
Registration runs from 2 pm to 10 pm this afternoon, with a dinner from 5 pm to 8 pm by the Chapleau High School, to support their school trip.
Fishing runs from 7 am to 4 pm tomorrow, with JJAM FM live on location from 11 am to 4 pm.

Wawa Legion's Lift Now Operational

Wawa's Legion Hall is now more accessible, as its long-awaited lift is operational.
While an official opening will be held later, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 President Mary Anne Pearson says the equipment is now installed and available for use.

Pearson says volunteer operators will be available at scheduled events, otherwise those who may need to use the lift are encouraged to call the Legion ahead of time, to make it easier to accommodate those using the lift.
The Legion branch president also thanks the community for its support, donating to help with the project and "graciously" tolerating construction in recent months.

Wawa Rotary Club Hosting Youth Exchange Conference

Students from Canada, the U-S, and other parts of the world are gathering in Wawa for the weekend, as the local Rotary Club hosts the "Great White North" Youth Exchange Conference.
Rotary Youth Exchange Committee member Liz Talian-Clarke - co-chair of the event - explains the event is for "outbound" and "inbound" students in the Rotary Youth Exchange program, with a special treat for those who will be heading out later this year.

Talian-Clarke notes there will also be courses to prepare the students, winter activities, and some speakers.
Fellow Rotary Youth Exchange Committee member and event co-chair Rob Clarke explains students are coming from several places.

Organizers thank those who are "home hosting" the students or Rotarians.

Wawa Man Charged Over Historic Sexual Assault in Wawa

A Wawa man's facing charges over a reported historic sexual assault in town.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they received the report in September, with the Superior East Crime Unit involved in the investigation - that led to an arrest on Tuesday, a 54-year-old Wawa man on charges of sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and forcible confinement.
Few details have been given about the incident, though Superior East OPP have confirmed to JJAM FM News that it occurred in "the mid-90s", and police ask anyone with information about the incident to call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.
The accused has been released from custody, with a Wawa court date in early March.

ADSB Elementary Schools Closed for ETFO Strikes

Most of Ontario's public elementary schools are closed today, amid a province-wide strike by the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario.
All 83,000 of ETFO's members are striking, as part of escalated rotating strikes that will also lead to a four-day weekend for local public elementary students, as ETFO members with the Algoma District School Board are also striking tomorrow.
The ADSB's confirmed the strikes are closing all its elementary schools, 7/8 programs in secondary schools, and Adult and Basic Literacy Skills programs, with scheduled School Council or school-based meetings, activities, and sports cancelled, though community use of schools is allowed to continue as normal.
Local ETFO members will also strike on back-to-back days next week, with another province-wide strike on Tuesday, February 12th, and a local walkout on Wednesday the 12th.
ETFO says this comes after a deal was "within reach" in recent talks, but they fell apart when the government "abruptly changes its position at the eleventh hour", tabling what ETFO calls "impossible options they...could not accept" - particularly for special education funding.
While Education Minister Stephen Lecce's said the union was focused on substantial increases to benefits and wages, ETFO President Sam Hammond says salary was not addressed in the recent talks and he refutes Lecce's claim government negotiators signed a letter committing to maintain the current Kindergarten model.

Warning Amid Record High Water Levels on Lake Superior

Record highs for the upper Great Lakes are prompting a warning for shoreline property owners.
The International Lake Superior Board of Control says water levels in Superior are 38 centimetres above average and one centimetre above the record high for the beginning of February, set in 1986 - and that's despite a six centimetre decline over January, which was one centimetre less than the normal January decline.
The board warns the high water levels mean a "significantly increased risk of shoreline erosion, lakeshore flooding, and coastal damages" into the spring - and it warns anyone who may be affected "to prepare for potentially severe coastal impacts, especially during periods of strong winds and high waves".
Similar problems are also noted for Lake Michigan-Huron, which saw its water level rise rather than decline over January.

2nd Chapleau Drag Race Not Expected

It appears Chapleau's Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race won't race into town again.
Organizers with the event have confirmed that "at this point, the drag races aren't going to happen", noting no agreement has been signed with the Township despite passing the January 31st deadline.
This comes despite what organizers called a very successful first year: after the event, Chair Richard Bignucolo - vice president of the CRDC, which organized the drag race - stated it went well with "beautiful" weather and "a couple hundred" cars participating.

At the time, Bignucolo stated organizers were hoping to continue the drag races in future years, and had been "writing notes and taking comments" to help improve the event.
The inaugural event had met resistance from Council over various concerns - including about the possible impact on air ambulance service - though an agreement was reached four-and-a-half months before the August event date, including $7000 in "in-kind" support from the Township.
That contribution was discussed by Council again in September: Mayor Michael Levesque said at the time that there had been a "cost overrun" and Council needed to determine what should have been included in that contribution and what costs should be passed on to the CRDC.

ETFO Announces More Local Strikes

More local strikes are planned by Ontario's elementary teachers union.
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario has announced plans for a province-wide strike next Tuesday, February 11th, followed by a strike by ETFO members with the Algoma District School Board on Wednesday the 12th, part of ongoing rotating strikes.
This comes as ETFO's preparing for a province-wide strike tomorrow, to be followed by a strike by members with the ADSB on Friday.
The ADSB confirms the strikes will close its elementary schools, all 7/8 programs in secondary schools, and Adult and Basic Literacy Skills programs, with scheduled School Council or school-based meetings, activities, and sports cancelled, though community use of schools is allowed to continue as normal.