Wawa Resident Charged in Break and Enter

A Wawa resident's facing robbery charges after a break and enter last night.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident in progress around quarter after 5, with investigation leading to a 47-year-old man's arrest on charges of robbery with weapon, assault with a weapon, and break and enter a place with intent to commit indictable offence.
He's been remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

3 Wawa Residents Charged in Drug Bust

Three Wawa residents are facing drug possession or trafficking charges.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers joined the OPP's Northeast Region Community Street Crime Unit in executing a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a Churchill Avenue residence Tuesday night, finding about $1700 in cash and quantities of suspected methamphetamine, cocaine, and oxycodone with an estimated street value of about $3000.
Police also seized a handheld crossbow, an expandable baton, and a "conductive energy weapon".
A 36-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman both face charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking schedule I substances - cocaine and other drugs - as well as possession of a schedule I substance - an opioid other than heroin - possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling, and three counts of unauthorized possession of a weapon.
The man's also been charged with possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 and failure to comply with release order - he's been remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing, while the woman's been released with a future court date.
Also charged is a 26-year-old man with possession of a schedule I substance - other drugs - and two counts of fail to comply with recognizance - he's also been released, pending a future court date.

Argonaut Gold Acquiring Rival

Argonaut Gold's acquiring a rival gold miner.
Toronto-based Argonaut says it has entered into a definitive agreement for an at-market mergre to acquire all shares for Vancouver-based Alio Gold.
Under the deal, Alio shareholders will get two-thirds of an Argonaut common share per Alio common share, giving existing Alio shareholders about 24% of the combined company.
Argonaut says the move will create a "diversified intermediate producer" with four operations totalling over 235,000 gold equivalent ounces annually and assets in Canada, the U-S, and Mexico, though it is also touting "significant operating and jurisdictional synergies", a "robust growth pipeline" including the nearby Magino property, "improved capital markets scale", and "financial flexibility".

ADSB Urges Parents to Fill Out Access to Technology Survey

The Algoma District School Board's urging parents to fill out an "Access to Technology" survey this morning, as it finalizes plans for elearning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
This follows on the provincial government's decision to extend public school closures until at least May 4th, with additional resources to be made available through Phase 2 of its "Learn At Home" elearning platform.
The ADSB says it's finalizing its plans, but needs to know what means teachers can use to support learning for students, recognizing online learning poses challenges for some families - that's why it needs parents to fill out the survey on its website by noon today.
According to the provincial government, its second phase of learn at home will re-connect students with teachers and other school staff, re-establishing teacher-led learning, with five hours of work per week for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students, focusing on literacy and math; five hours per week for Grades 4 to 6, focusing on literacy, math, science, and social studies; ten hours a week for Grades 7 to 8, focusing on math, literacy, science, and social studies; and three hours of work per course per week for semestered Grade 9 to 12 students, or 1.5 hours for non-semestered students.
There's also a requirement for final report cards for all students, with laptops or devices to be distributed from schools, as needed.

Tentative Contract Deal Reached for AEFO

Some positive news: a tentative deal's been reached between the Ontario government and the union representing Franco-Ontarian teachers.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the tentative agreement with the Association of Franco-Ontarian Teachers and related groups will help "provid[e] stability for our students and staff", advancing student priorities like lower class sizes, enhanced special education supports, and the protection of full-day kindergarten.
Tentative deals have also been reached with the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario and Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association since schools were closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
This still leaves the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation without a contract deal, though it has suspended its sanctions indefinitely.

Ontario Parks and Playgrounds Ordered Closed

The Ontario government's parks and playgrounds closed.
Following advice from the province's Chief Medical Officer of Health, the government's issued an emergency order to immediately close all outdoor recreational amenities, including sports fields or courts, playgrounds, beaches, picnic areas, outdoor community gardens, and off-leash dog parks, though parks and trails can remain open for walkthrough access, so long as people maintain physical distancing of at least two metres.
The Municipality of Wawa's confirmed it is following the order as the Community Services and Tourism department prepares its spring plan to determine what upkeep may be done, partly dependent on emergency management tasks it may be assigned.
It's also continuing with digital aspects of the Waterfront Project - like signage design and the Goose Nest marketing plan - with plans for more physical work to be decided later.

Ontario School Closure Extended to May 4th

Ontario schools will stay closed until at least May.
The provincial government's extended the closure order to May 4th, with a second phase of "Learn at Home" to connect students with teachers and other school staff, including mental health workers.
It is also expected to re-establish teacher-led learning, with five hours of work per week for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students, focusing on literacy and math; five hours per week for Grades 4 to 6, focusing on literacy, math, science, and social studies; ten hours a week for Grades 7 to 8, focusing on math, literacy, science, and social studies; and three hours of work per course per week for semestered Grade 9 to 12 students, or 1.5 hours for non-semestered students.
There's also a requirement for final report cards for all students, with laptops or devices to be distributed from schools, as needed.
The ordered closure of licensed child care centres and private schools has only been extended to April 13th, as the emergency declaration only allows the closures to be extended by fourteen days at a time.

Wawa Offers Interest and Penalty Free Relief on Payments

The Municipality of Wawa's offering some financial relief for taxpayers.
While the next property tax installment is due April 30th, interest and penalty charges will be waived until June 30th - though this will not apply to those with previous year tax arrears - anyone with pre-authorized payments can call to discuss options.
Interest and penalty charges for water and sewer billings that will be issued in early May - and due by May 29th - will also be waived until June 30th, though the Municipality will continue with three billings a year.
All interest will also be waived for accounts receivable until June 30th.
The Municipality notes payments can be made at the bank; using online or telephone banking; by mail; by credit card; by credit card over the phone; through temporary automatic withdrawals; or - as a temporary measure only - through e-transfer payments.

Harte Gold Closes Sugar Zone Mine

White River's gold mine is temporarily closed.
Harte Gold says it has suspended operations at the Sugar Zone Mine until further notice, with all "non-essential work" suspended - including exploration activities - though critical support staff remain to "ensure underground maintenance, mine safety, and environmental stewardship", with about sixteen employees - including mine rescue staff - to service the mine during this time.
Harte Gold's camp and kitchen are also closed, with employees on site to be housed in cabins detached from each other and administrative staff mandated to work from home.
Mining operations have been exempted from the province's closure order, considered "essential", though Alamos Gold similarly announced it was suspending operations at the local Island Gold Mine last week, placing it under "care and maintenance" for fourteen days, with "essential" employees to remain on site for security, water management, and environmental protection activities.
Wesdome Gold Mines is keeping its Eagle River underground operations going on a reduced workforce - with non-production activities scaled back - while mining of the Mishi Open Pit has been suspended, among other efforts to allow for physical distancing measures - it is also monitoring body temperatures and requesting health surveys for personnel wishing to enter the complex.

Ontario's Top Health Official Urges Everyone to "Do Their Part" to Fight COVID-19

Ontario's top medical official is urging everyone to "do more" to help stem the spread of COVID-19.
A statement from the Chief Medical Officer of Health emphasizes that "everyone has a role to play in reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 - there is no option for anyone to opt out", warning "the lives of many Ontarians, especially our community's most vulnerable citizens, is in your hands and will depend on your actions over the coming days and weeks".
To that end, Dr. David Williams "strongly recommends" staying home except to access health care services, shop for groceries, pickup medication at a pharmacy, walk pets when required, or to support vulnerable community members with those needs - and he wants Ontarians "to the fullest extent possible" to limit the number of these essential trips and make sure when out to adhere to physical distancing recommendations, keeping two metres from other people.
Noting the "greater risk of severe outcomes" for the elderly, Williams strongly recommends individuals over 70 years old self-isolate - only leaving home for "essential reasons" and when possible seeking help from services over the phone, internet, or through friends - and he recommends the same for those with compromised immune systems or underlying medical conditions.
Williams reminds the federal government requires travellers to immediately self-isolate for fourteen days once you return to Canada - not going out for work, groceries, or even on walks.
Finally, Williams emphasizes the importance of washing hands regularly with soap and water - or alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a lesser option - to practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette, and to avoid direct contact when greeting people.

5th Algoma Resident Tests Positive for COVID-19

Another Algoma resident's tested positive for COVID-19.
Algoma Public Health says its fifth case is a man in his 20s who returned to Algoma on March 18th, after a trip to Mexico - he developed symptoms on March 20th and was tested through his family health team March 23rd, though the health unit notes he's been in self-isolation since he returned to Algoma and close contacts have already been notified.
It is, however, flagging anyone who was in row 1 to 5 of Sunwing Airlines flight WG192 from Cancun, Mexico, to Kitchener and then to Sudbury on March 18th, saying they may be considered close contacts.

Wawa Council Approves Electronic Meetings Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Wawa Municipal Council is planning to keep meeting amid the COVID-19 pandemic - but not in person.
Meeting "electronically" last night, Council approved a change to its procedural by-law, allowing "electronic meetings" for emergencies, rather than the usual restriction of only two councillors attending electronically at one time.
Plans are for the next meeting to be held electronically on April 7th, so long as at least half of Council can attend, to meet quorum.
Council also confirmed the declaration of a state of emergency made Monday afternoon, intended to give the Municipality more flexibility for reassigning its workforce to maintain essential services and support local organizations, as well as to send a "strong message" for residents to strictly adhere to public health guidelines for physical distancing and self-isolation - particularly the need for those who've travelled out of country to self-isolate for fourteen days upon returning, per the federal Quarantine Act.
Chapleau Town Council's indefinitely postponed all of its meetings amid the current pandemic, having last met - in person - February 24th.

Wawa Declares State of Emergency

The Municipality of Wawa's declared a state of emergency amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Made earlier this afternoon, the declaration follows similar moves made by the Ontario government - which is extending its state of emergency by two weeks - and several Northern communities - including White River and Manitouwadge - intended to give the Municipality more flexibility for reassigning its workforce to maintain essential services and support local organizations, though it's also seen as a way to send a strong message for residents to strictly adhere to public health guidelines for physical distancing and self-isolation - particularly the need for those who've travelled out of country to self-isolate for fourteen days upon returning, per the federal Quarantine Act.
This comes as Wawa Municipal Council's set to hold a special meeting "for the purpose of permitting electronic meetings of Council during [the] COVID-19 pandemic".
The meeting will be held electronically - residents can email comments about agenda matters to Clerk Cathy Cyr by 4:30 today, so they can be provided to Council and noted in the public record as public information, and the public can join tonight's conference call - but only on mute - with a recording of the meeting to be posted on the municipal website.
The meeting begins at 6 o'clock tonight.
Chapleau Town Council has cancelled a meeting scheduled for tonight - an update on the Township's website says all Council meetings are postponed until further notice, while many offices are closed to the public, though staff can be contacted by phone or email.
The last meeting of Chapleau Council was February 24th.

Chapleau Resident Charged As Suspected Crystal Meth Seized

A Chapleau resident's facing a meth possession charge.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say members of the OPP Northeast Region Community Street Crime Unit executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances search warrant at a Chapleau residence late Friday afternoon, with officers seizing a quantity of suspected crystal methamphetamine, valued around $1000.
Charged is a 41-year-old Chapleau man, who has been released from custody with a future court date in Chapleau.

Wawa Council to Hold Special Meeting for Electronic Meetings Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Wawa Municipal Council will meet electronically tonight.
A notice from the Municipality says a special meeting is being held "for the purpose of permitting electronic meetings of Council during [the] COVID-19 pandemic", but the meeting will not be open to the public physically - instead, residents can email comments about agenda matters to Clerk Cathy Cyr by 4:30 today - so they can be provided to Council and noted in the public record as public information
The public can join tonight's conference call - but only on mute - with a recording of the meeting to be posted on the municipal website.
The meeting begins at 6 o'clock tonight.
Chapleau Town Council had originally scheduled a meeting for tonight, but that has been cancelled - an update on the Township's website says all Council meetings are postponed until further notice, while many offices are closed to the public, though staff can be contacted by phone or email.
The last meeting of Chapleau Council was February 24th - all meetings since have been cancelled.

Chapleau Sets Up COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Chapleau now has a dedicated COVID-19 assessment centre.
While the Township of Chapleau emphasizes there are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the community - or local surrounding areas - it says it's "taking every possible measure" to identify early cases and prevent community spread, using the currently closed Chapleau Recreation Centre's Community Hall now hosting an assessment centre - but it will be by appointment only.
Those who believe they may have the virus can call Public Health Sudbury and Districts at 1-866-522-9200 to be screened, but only if you have: fever above 38 degrees Celsius - over 100 Fahrenheit - new or worsened cough, or new or worsened shortness of breath and in the last fourteen days have either travelled outside of Canada, had close interactions with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, or had close interactions with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 and who has recently travelled to an impacted area.
The Township emphasizes not to go to the emergency department for screening, but to call the number - the emergency department is for emergencies only.
Residents are also urged to play their role in keeping the community safe by staying home and practicing physical distancing of at least two metres or six feet.
The Lady Dunn Health Centre is Wawa's assessment centre, though residents are similarly urged to call Algoma Public Health to be screened, and not to go to the emergency department except for an emergency.

More Northeastern Ontario COVID-19 Cases

More cases of COVID-19 are being reported in northeastern Ontario.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it has confirmed two more cases - a man in his 20s and a man in his 30s, both close contacts of confirmed cases elsewhere in Ontario.
This brings the total for the health unit's region to six.
The Porcupine Health Unit's also reporting two new cases - bringing its total to six, as well - a Timmins woman in her 40s who's linked to international travel and a Cochrane woman in her 50s, who's linked to both international travel and to contact with another case the health unit's investigating - she is noted to be their first case outside of Timmins.
Algoma Public Health's still confirmed only one case, though it says 118 of the 224 tests it's aware of are still pending.
Ontario reported 170 new cases this morning - bringing the total to 858 - while the provincial death toll has risen to 13.

RYAM Lumber Shutting Down Chapleau Sawmill

Chapleau's sawmill is shutting down temporarily.
Rayonier Advanced Materials says it is curtailing production at seven Canadian locations, reducing or ceasing operations at all of its softwood sawmills in Ontario and Quebec - including the RYAM Lumber mill in Chapleau - with a full halt of production at its newsprint plant in Kapuskasing.
It's scheduled to last at least two weeks, but the company adds that may be extended "depending on market conditions", adding existing orders will be filled from current inventory and reduced production at the Kapuskasing sawmill.
Mill operations had been exempted from the provincial government's closure order, considered "essential".

Travellers Returning to Canada Must Self-Isolate

Stricter quarantine rules are now in force for travellers returning to Canada.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu says all travellers returning to Canada must go into self-isolation for fourteen days, though there are exceptions for "essential workers".
Returning travellers are also forbidden from self-isolating in a place where they may come into contact with vulnerable people - like the elderly or those with underlying medical conditions - with the Public Health Agency of Canada to make alternate arrangements.
While the government's continually urged travellers to enter a two-week self-isolation once returning to Canada, this order will make it illegal to disobey, on penalty of fines or arrest.

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