MMCC Ice Closed for Condenser Replacement

Wawa's hockey and curling ice is closed for the next few days, for a major equipment replacement at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains staff are replacing the condenser, a critical component of the ice plant.

While Patterson notes colder weather would have been helpful, he says there are some measures that can be taken to avoid problems.

Patterson reminds the rest of the community centre - like the gym - remains open, and the installation's expected to be finished by March 5th - just in time for this weekend's Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

MVFA Annual Cash Draw Nears End

Time's running out to get tickets ahead of a few big draws supporting Wawa's firefighters.
The Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association annual cash draw is set to wind up this weekend, with the final three $1000 draws and the $10,000 grand prize draw to be held Sunday, at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.
Captain Craig Spooner emphasizes purchasing a ticket supports a few causes.

Tickets are available in some local stores and from firefighters.

Chapleau Athletes Honoured for Recent Tournament Performance

Some Chapleau athletes are being recognized for strong results at the recent North Shore Secondary School Championship in Marathon.
Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon is honouring the boys junior and senior basketball teams - and the girls' junior volleyball team - from Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium in Chapleau, noting the three teams "displayed fine form" during the recent championship, with the boys junior basketball team even winning the banner.

Wawa Legion Celebrates Accessibility for All With New Lift

Wawa's Legion Hall is celebrating its new lift today.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 is hosting an open house to mark the official opening of the "Lift for the Legion", which President Mary Anne Pearson says is intended to help those with mobility issues access the facility.

Pearson notes volunteer operators will be available at scheduled events - such as tonight's open house - otherwise those who need the lift are encouraged to call the Legion ahead of time.
The open house runs from 7 pm to 9 pm tonight.

Local School Boards Confirm Shared 2020-21 School Year Calendar

The local school boards have confirmed their calendar for next school year.
A joint release from the Algoma District School Board, Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon, and Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario outlines the 194-day calendar, which is the same for all four boards.
Staff will return for the 2020-21 school year on Tuesday, September 1st, though that will be a Professional Activity Day, with classes beginning Wednesday, September 2nd.
The last day of classes will be June 29th.
Aside from September 1st, PA Days will also fall on September 25th, October 23rd, November 20th, February 5th, April 30th, and June 11th, while the Christmas break will run December 21st through January 1st, and March Break will be March 15th through 19th.

Chapleau OPP Officer Promoted to Sergeant

A Chapleau police officer's been promoted.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police officer Clay Lane was recently presented with a new warrant card and badge, confirming his promotion from constable to sergeant.
Lane was with the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service for nine years before joining the OPP in 2016.

Chapleau Council Considering "Respect Zone" Policy

Chapleau Town Council's looking at a implementing a "Respect Zone" (or “R-Zone”) policy for the community.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains Council discussed the idea in Monday's Council meeting, prompted by "a number of incidents of intimidation, harassment, and inappropriate behaviour" toward town employees - including by people "under the influence".

Mayor Levesque says the policy will be partly based on one in Timmins, outlining the response to an incident involving what is deemed to be inappropriate behaviour against a town employee.

Mayor Levesque adds that he hopes the policy will also include attacks via social media.

While the full procedure hasn't been finalized, Levesque expects staff would "initially" handle the process as "an operations matter", though he believes Council would be apprised, especially if "it's serious enough" - and he notes the policy would advise town employees to call police if they feel threatened, particularly if they're alone.
The mayor adds that this policy is "kind of part and parcel" with the recently approved formal complaints policy, that outlines how the public can file a complaint about township staff or the work they do.
The proposed "R-Zone" policy's expected to come up for approval March 9th.

Wawa Resident Faces Assault & Criminal Harassment Charges After Domestic Dispute

A Wawa resident's facing assault, criminal harassment, and other charges after a domestic dispute early this week.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a reported domestic dispute in Wawa around 4:35 Monday after, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 47-year-old on charges of criminal harassment - repeatedly follow, unlawfully in a dwelling house, fail to comply with probation order, and two counts of assault - spousal.
The accused is not identified, in order to protect the victim's identity, nor is their gender given, per OPP policy.
They've been released from custody, with a Wawa court date in early April.
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.

Local French Schools to Remain Open as AEFO Strike Called Off

Local French-language schools will stay open tomorrow, as a one-day strike has been cancelled.
The AEFO says it has called off its provincial walkout - not because it's "bowing down to the demands of the government and the school boards" - but because of safety concerns for members on the picket line, due to heavy snowfall forecast for many regions of Ontario.
It adds negotiations will continue Friday, with an update expected after the bargaining session.
Both the Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario and the Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon have confirmed this means their schools will stay open tomorrow.
Their local schools will also remain open on Friday, as the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation holds a strike targeting both boards in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts, but not locally or in the rest of the Algoma district.

Chapleau Council Approves Revised Procurement Policy

Chapleau Town Council's approved revisions to the Township's policy on procurement of goods and services.
In their meeting Monday night, Council passed a by-law confirming the revised policy, which Mayor Michael Levesque says clarifies the use of "single source" contracts.

Mayor Levesque adds the policy also includes tendering regulations and procedures - and he says there's been an update to purchase orders.

Having been passed Monday, the new policy is now in effect.

Wawa Legion Lift Operational Again

The lift at Wawa's Legion Hall is operational once again.
Issues had prompted the lift to be taken out of operation over the Carnival or Family Day long weekend, but a notice from Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 confirms it is back in operation, with a lift operator to be on hand for an open house planned to celebrate the lift.
That open house will be held Friday night, from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Longtime Wawa Police Officer Promoted to Sergeant

A longtime Wawa police officer's been promoted.
Amanda Huff of the Superior East Ontario Provincial Police was recently presented a new warrant card and badge, confirming her promotion from constable to sergeant.

Huff's policed Wawa for 23 years, first as a constable with the Township of Michipicoten Police Service - which became the Wawa Police Service - and as a constable with the Superior East OPP since the municipal police service was disbanded and members were absorbed into the OPP in 2011.
Huff's also a member of the North East Region Provincial Liaison Team, which recently received the Jim Potts Award for assisting with evacuations of the Kashechewan and Pikangikum First Nations communities between April and July 2019.

Local French Schools to Close Later This Week For AEFO Strike

Local French-language schools will be closed Thursday, for a one-day strike.
The AEFO - which represents teachers with Ontario's French-language public and Catholic school boards - has announced plans for a province-wide strike on Thursday, February 27th.
Both the Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario and the Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon have confirmed schools will be closed during that period, though Nouvelon notes daycare and before-and-after school programs will operate normally.
While the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation has announced a targeted strike on Friday will include the local French school boards and their head offices, local schools are not included and will not be closing that day.

Chapleau Holding Meeting With Slim Agenda

Chapleau Town Council's set to look at the Township's procurement policy in a meeting tonight.
It's a fairly slim agenda, with the main item a by-law adopting a policy on procurement of goods and services for the Township, though there are also a few correspondence items and a "Respect Zone" - or "R-Zone" - policy, for discussion.
Tonight's meeting is open to the public, starting at 6:30 pm in Civic Centre Council Chambers.

All Local Schools Open As OECTA Suspends Planned Strikes

All local schools are open today, after Friday's strike by all four of Ontario's major teachers' unions.
While the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association had planned to start rotating strikes today - starting with the local Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board - the union's called off the strikes, as the mediator has called both sides back for contract talks starting today.
The local English Catholic school board emphasizes that means its schools are open as normal today.
Meanwhile, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation has announced a targeted strike this Friday - while the local French school boards and their head offices are included, their local schools are not, and the local schools are not expected to close.

Wawa Ice Fishing Derby Approaches

As the month nears an end, anglers are being reminded there's still time to get tickets for Wawa's 29th Annual Ice Fishing Derby.
With the derby less than two weeks away, Chair Scott Popert notes there are some tickets left.

Popert adds the derby could still use some other support.

Popert encourages anyone interested in volunteering to contact him.
The 29th annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby will be held March 6th through 8th.

Local Schools Closed Amid Province-Wide Strike By All Major Teachers' Unions

All local schools are closed today, as all four of Ontario's teachers' unions hold a one-day strike.
Including 200,000 teachers and education workers in nearly 5000 schools across 72 school boards, this strike is the first time since 1997 that members of all of Ontario's major education unions have held a political demonstration on the same day.
While classes are set to resume on Monday for most local schools, it'll be a four-day weekend for students with the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board, as the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association launches rotating strikes next week, starting with the local English Catholic board on Monday.
OECTA returned to mediated talks with the provincial government earlier this week.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce has decried the various strikes - claiming the unions are only looking for increased compensation and benefits - though the unions say they're fighting unreasonable demands for cuts to education by the Progressive Conservative government.

Public Info Session for Wawa's Connecting Link Projects and Water Meters

The Municipality of Wawa's inviting residents to a public information session to learn more about a major project and the proposed implementation of water meter-based billing.
Infrastructure Services Director Cory Stainthorpe explains it's a chance to learn more about the water meters and the "Connecting Link" project.

As for the Connecting Link, the Municipality's planning to repave and resurface Mission Road and Main Street, making Mission two lanes of opposing traffic and a middle turning lane, along with bicycle lanes and a couple controlled pedestrian crossings - and Stainthorpe says the project's moving forward.

This follows on a December info session held on the two topics - at the time, CAO/Treasurer Maury O'Neill noted residents could get some helpful information about the water meters, the billing proposal, and how it'll affect them.

The public information session will be held at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre from 3 pm to 7 pm, with presentations at 3:30 pm and 6 pm.

Wawa Seeking Input on Proposed Capital Budget

The Municipality of Wawa's looking for public input on the proposed capital budget.
Presented to Council last Thursday, the draft document outlines nearly $6.4-million in projects - many already approved to some extent - though much of that would be covered by outside funding, with only $314,000 to come from taxation and a further $1.3-million from reserves - the rest would be covered by another source, which includes grants, donations, or - in the case of water and sewer projects - water and sewer user fees.
The presentation's available on the municipal website or at Town Hall, with comments accepted via email to Maury O'Neill or mail by March 2nd.
Plans are to gather input, then bring it up for Council approval March 4th, then move on to the operating budget April 7th.

Wawa Council Reviews Efforts to Lower THM Levels

Wawa Municipal Council reviewed efforts to address a years-long water advisory during last night's Corporate Planning meeting.
A presentation by Kresin Engineering outlined the process since Algoma Public Health issued the advisory in November 2014, over levels of trihalomethanes (THMs) that exceeded Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards.
The presentation noted tests were conducted to identify the source of the THMs, which are a result of organic material, dissolved carbon, reacting with chlorine used to treat the water.
Though the tests found "very good quality" water from Wawa Lake, it was noted the raw water had colour, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and total dissolved solids exceeding standards, while the membrane filters don't remove DOC, though no issues were detected with the filters.
Tests found THMs formed rapidly in the chlorine contact chamber - with the rate of formation slowing after - though Council was told switching to chlorine gas wouldn't give a different result, and - while Councillor Bill Chiasson also noted the biggest issue is in the Michipicoten River Village - he was told that's because there's more time to form THMs.
While rust was detected in the interior of the Mission water tower, it was noted that's since been re-lined - and a mixer was installed to "keep the water fresh" and combat freezing - while changes were recommended to optimize the treatment operations, with a THM study last year finding that an aluminum sulphate coagulant was able to substantially reduce the THM level - and even reduced the amount of aluminum found in the water.
Council was told the operational changes brought THM levels around 80 micrograms per litre - below the 100 microgram limit set by standards, though still high - though using the coagulant would bring that down further.
Kresin recommended an alum dosage of 15 milligrams per litre, but on a seasonal basis - during the warmer months, when THM levels are usually higher - monitoring the results to confirm long-term effectiveness, though it would require a modification of current permits.
No decision was made during the meeting - with questions raised about the costs of the coagulant - though a full staff report and recommendation is expected at a later date.