Wawa Municipal Council's approved the municipality's 2020 capital budget.
Presented to Council just over a month ago, the document outlines nearly $6.4-million in projects, though much of that total would be covered by outside funding, with only $314,000 coming from taxation and a further $1.3-million from reserves - the rest would be covered by another source, such as grants, donations, or - in the case of water and sewer projects - water and sewer user fees.
Many of the projects had already been approved to some extent, including the finishing of the Waterfront Project and work at Scenic High Falls Park, the replacement of the arena condenser, the purchase of a new fire pumper/tanker for the fire department, the Connecting Link project for Mission Road and Main Street, the landfill expansion, the LNG study, and the wrapup of the THM Study.
Other projects include a service delivery review, Broadway Avenue street furniture, arena truss painting - noted to be required this year - an air compressor for the fire department, a computer software upgrade, airport gas tank replacement, a sewer jet and vacuum trailer, and water main valve installation.
Also highlighted was school zone road work, noted to be dependent on government funding.
In addition to the new capital budget, Council has also approved the new schedule of fees for the year.
Plans were originally to present the operating budget in early April, though that's been delayed, as Council has cancelled all of its meetings - and all committee meetings - through April 20th.
The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for April 21st, and would be held in the banquet room of the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
More Local Closures Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
OWawa's Adult Learning Centre and Regional Employment Help Centre are now "by appointment only", while the Children's Aid Society office is closed with exceptions for those with appointments or reporting child protection concerns.
Superior East OPP are now restricting access to their Wawa detachment - suggesting calling 9-1-1 for emergencies or the direct line for the detachment on Pinewood Drive for non-emergencies.
Some local stores have closed or reduced hours, while restaurants that haven't closed are offering takeout only - those still open are encouraging payment by debit or credit card.
The Wawa Food Bank is still running as normal today, though clients must thoroughly wash their hands on arrival.
Local Closures Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Locally, Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre and Wawa Public Library are both closed, though the transit bus is still running and the municipal office is open, though people are encouraged to consider options other than going there, like calling instead.
The Chapleau Recreation Centre and Chapleau Public Library are also closed now, with the Public Works garage closed to the public - while services continue - and access to the Civic Centre is being restricted.
Chapleau's landfill remains open as normal, with the airport available for emergency services and refueling, and the handi-transit bus continuing with increased cleaning, as in Wawa.
John's Valu-Mart in Wawa is open, but limiting the number of customers allowed in the store at any time - it's also designating 9 am to 10 am Monday to Friday for seniors and those with disabilities, further asking customers to limit purchases of certain items and not buy in bulk, as supply trucks are still expected.
Subway Wawa is open for takeout only, while Tim Hortons Wawa is also open for takeout and drive-thru - both are encouraging payment by debit or credit rather than cash.
The North of 17 Restaurant's closed today, but will reopen tomorrow with limited hours and menu for takeout only, while the Embassy Restaurant and Wawa Goose Bar and Grill are both closed until further notice, and the Roxy Bowling Centre's closed for the day, to assess options.
Contact North and The Thrift Barn are also closed for the moment, while the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board and Algoma District Services Adminstration Board are limiting office visits to appointment only - clients for the Sudbury board are assured social assistance payments will continue and they will not need to submit monthly income statements, nor will they be denied benefits simply because they couldn't sign documents.
Wawa Council Holding Final Meetings Before Ceasing Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Despite closing the community centre and library, Wawa Municipal Council's still going ahead with a pair of meetings tonight.
First up is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, which includes department head monthly reports and the policy on accounts receivable write-offs, as well as Kresin Engineering's technical memo on implementing the addition of alum into the water.
That will be followed by a regular Council meeting, with items on the agenda including resolutions to accept the capital budget presented a month ago, approving a broadband collaboration agreement, and appointing a new member to the Cemetery Committee.
Council will also consider approving the 2020 schedule of fees, and will go in-camera for three legal issues - a Freedom of Information request, a Ministry of Labour-related item, and an offer to purchase tax sale properties - with a final resolution stemming from that, to approve the vesting of properties, writing off of taxes, and sale of the land.
Tonight's meetings - the last until at least mid to late April - will be held at 6:30 in Council Chambers.
Wawa Closing MMCC & Library to Mitigate COVID-19 Infections
Wawa's closing a couple major facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Ron Rody explains Council approved temporary closure plans during a meeting earlier this afternoon.
The library will also be waiving late fees during the closure.
Mayor Rody adds the transit bus will run as normal - with increased cleaning - and the municipal office will remain open, though people are encouraged to explore other options rather than physically going to the office, such as calling or using the municipal website.
The mayor assures residents this is meant for public health and safety.
Council's also cancelling or postponing its own - and any committee - meetings after tomorrow night, as it expects to tackle important items in the next meeting, while "non-essential" travel by Council or staff is suspended indefinitely.
Local Police Respond to 3 Domestic Disputes Over Weekend
Three locals are facing charges after police were called to domestic disputes over the weekend.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a dispute in Chapleau around 11 o'clock Friday night, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 26-year-old Chapleau resident on a charge of spousal assault.
Officers also responded to a domestic dispute in Wawa on Saturday, leading to a spousal assault charge for a 28-year-old Wawa resident, while another dispute on Sunday led to the arrest of a 34-year-old Wawa resident on a charge of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
The accused have all been released with future court dates - their names are not being released, in order to protect the identity of the victims.
Local Events Cancelled Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is affecting local events.
Wawa's Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 has cancelled its St. Patrick's Day celebration, though it is offering do-it-yourself sandwich kits - featuring bread, corned beef, and swiss cheese - at the Legion Hall from 2 to 4:30 today.
Mission Motors is postponing its March 25th Customer Appreciation Luncheon and Baked Goods Sale - no new date is set - while local churches are suspending services, with Wawa Baptist Church also pausing its weekly and monthly activities until early April, when it will reassess the situation.
Chapleau Health Services - including Chapleau General Hospital, Turning Point, Cedar Grove Apartments, and Bignucolo Residence - is not permitting visitors at this time, while Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre has suspended "non-essential" visits, only allowing people visiting patients or long-term care residents who are very ill or requiring end-of-life care, or the guardian of a minor who who meets those conditions - screening will be done.
Wawa Council Holding Meeting on COVID-19 Response
Wawa Municipal Council will discuss the municipal response to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in a special meeting early this afternoon.
There are only two items on the agenda: a "COVID-19 update" and a resolution regarding the cancellation of Council and committee meetings - the resolution has not been publicly posted at this time, but it is not expected to effect tomorrow's planned Corporate Planning Committee or regular Council meetings.
Chapleau Town Council cancelled its regular/open forum meeting last week and next week's regular/finance meeting, scheduling its next regular meeting for March 30th.
The Wawa Council special meeting is scheduled for 12:15 this afternoon.
Impaired Driving Charge After Single Vehicle Collision in Wawa
A Wawa resident's facing an impaired driving charge after a collision in town.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a single vehicle collision on Churchill Avenue around 2:55 Sunday morning, with officers detecting "the odour of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the driver's breath" - a subsequent breath sample registered "fail" on an approved screening device, leading to the 22-year-old's arrest and transport back to the Wawa detachment for further testing.
The 22-year-old's been charged with "operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)".
While they've been released from custody - with a Wawa court date early next month - they've been issued a 90-day Administrative Driver's Licence Suspension and their vehicle's being impounded for seven days.
Wawa Students Help Stock Local Lakes
Some Wawa students were put to work recently, helping stock some local lakes.
For the seventh consecutive year, students in the grade 9 and 10 physical education classes at Wawa's École secondaire Saint-Joseph worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, releasing 700 small lake trout into Wawa Lake and 300 small speckled trout into Rod and Gun Lake.
The students helped determine the specific place for the restocking, then used augers and ice picks to make three holes 100 metres from each other, large enough to release the trout.
Local Hospitals Highlight Important Warnings
Chapleau Health Services says visitors are not permitted until further notice, while anyone experiencing new cough or cold symptoms and fever after travelling to an impacted area - or contact with someone who has - is advised to self-isolate for fourteen days and monitor symptoms, though medical attention's advised if you experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or a continuous fever above 38 degrees Celsius.
Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre is allowing visitors, but says "active screening" is in place: all out-patients and visitors must enter through the main entrance for active screening at registration, and anyone who is unwell is urged not to visit Long-Term Care residents or patients, while screening will also be done in pre-appointment reminder calls.
It also advises anyone who attended the recent PDAC conference to monitor symptoms for fourteen days, and self-isolate if any develop, calling health care professionals or Algoma Public Health to arrange for testing.
ESJ Wawa Gr. 7/8 Class Thanks Community for Supporting Trip
A group of Wawa students are thanking the community for their support.
St. Joseph French Immersion Catholic School Grade 7 and 8 teacher Adam Carricato says the students are "overwhelmed by the continued generosity and support of the community", particularly during the bake sale and the bottle drive, both held in the last week.
Carricato highlights volunteer support seen throughout the fundraising campaign.
The student trip is scheduled for June.
Hawk Junction Annual Family Fishing Derby Arrives
Families are being encourage to get out on the ice and enjoy themselves this weekend, with the Hawk Junction Annual Family Fishing Derby.
Offering trophies for first, second, and third place in the adult and youth categories, the derby will be held on Hawk Lake tomorrow, from 8 am to 3:30 pm, with the last weigh-in at 4 pm.
Registration will be held at the Hawk Junction Community Hall tonight from 5 pm to 8 pm and tomorrow morning from 7 am to 11 am.
Local Hospitals Implement Measures Amid COVID-19 Outbreak
Chapleau Health Services says visitors are not permitted until further notice, while anyone experiencing new cough or cold symptoms and fever after travelling to an impacted area - or contact with someone who has - is advised to self-isolate for fourteen days and monitor symptoms, though medical attention's advised if you experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or a continuous fever above 38 degrees Celsius.
Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre says enhanced screening measures are in place.
Chapleau Resident Charged With Not Complying With Release Order
A Chapleau resident's facing a charge of breaching their release order over a domestic dispute.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to a Chapleau domestic dispute on Sunday, with investigation leading to the arrest of the 40-year-old on a charge of "failure to comply with release order", though they've been released with a future court date in Chapleau.
The accused is not identified, to protect the victim's identity.
Sudbury Case of COVID-19 Reported
Northern Ontario has its first case of the novel coronavirus.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed that a man in his 50s presented himself to the emergency department of Sudbury's Health Sciences North on Saturday, with symptoms including cough and shortness of breath - officials emphasize the hospital took all necessary precautions, and the man's now been sent home for self-isolation.
While the case is still being investigated, officials note the man had attended the Prospecters and Developers Association of Canada convention in Toronto on March 2nd and 3rd - the local health unit's in contact with its Toronto counterpart to further investigate any contacts he had there, to determine how he was infected.
The man drove back to Sudbury in his personal vehicle, and ended up going to work for two days before he went to hospital - the health unit says it is or has contacted his "very few" personal contacts, but they're focusing on warning other attendees of the P-DAC conference, saying if they have symptoms of COVID-19 to self-isolate and immediately consult their health care provider.
High-profile attendees include Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford.
Federal Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan recently announced he was entering self-isolation as he awaits test results amid a "persistent head cold for a few days", though O'Regan doesn't believe that he was in contact with anyone infected with COVID-19.
Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Calls for More Work Amid International Women's Day
Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes marked International Women's Day by reminding of work left to be done "to ensure women are full and equal partners in society".
Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, the local New Democrat noted many gains have been made, but there is still more to be done.
Hughes also called for the implementation of all calls for justice from the inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, as well as further efforts to address the specific challenges faced by women of colour, members of the LGBTQI2S+ community, and the disability community.
Wawa's St. Joseph French Immersion Gr. 7/8 Student Fundraising Bottle Drive
Some Wawa students will be out in the community tonight to raise funds for a big trip.
St. Joseph French Immersion Catholic School Grade 7 and 8 teacher Adam Carricato explains students will be holding a bottle drive.
Carricato says funds raised will help cover the roughly $19,000 cost to take the thirteen students on a trip to Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa in June.
Carricato encourages people to leave bottles at the end of their driveway - or on their doorstep - though students will be knocking on doors otherwise - and he says you can call the school if you're missed.
The bottle drive runs from 5 pm to 8 pm tonight.
Locals Are Big Winners of MVFA Cash Draw
Wawa's firefighters are thanking the community for their support, after a very successful fundraising campaign.
The Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters Association's Annual Cash Draw sold out Saturday night, and firefighter Rob Sanderson calls that "awesome".
The big winner was Penny Grenier of Wawa - who claimed the $10,000 grand prize - while Sara Ouellette, Carol Hall, and Terrie Sanderson each won $1000.
Wawa Resident Faces Criminal Harassment Charges
Criminal harassment charges have been laid against a Wawa resident.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they received a complaint February 29th, with officers observing the accused the following night, leading to the 51-year-old's arrest on two counts of criminal harassment.
They've been released from custody, pending a court date in Wawa - their identity is being withheld, to protect the victims' identity.