A local mine's staying closed a while longer.
Alamos Gold has extended the temporary suspension of operations at its Island Gold Mine, leaving it on "care and maintenance" until April 22nd, though the company adds it's continuing to closely monitor the situation and will "institute additional measures as appropriate".
It's not the only local gold mine that's closed, as Harte Gold has suspended all "non-essential work" at the Sugar Zone Mine in White River, keeping sixteen employees on to "ensure underground maintenance, mine safety, and environmental stewardship".
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.
More COVID-19 Cases Reported in Region
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Northeastern Ontario.
Algoma Public Health says it has confirmed its sixth case, a man in his 50s who contracted the virus through close contact with another case - he was tested on Saturday and is currently self-isolating.
The health unit doesn't say where he resides within the Algoma District.
Meanwhile Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three more cases, bringing its total to sixteen - the latest cases are a Greater Sudbury man in his 50s who has been hospitalized, a Sudbury District man in his 60s who is self-isolating, and a Greater Sudbury resident under the age of 19 who is self-isolating.
The health unit says the Sudbury District man had a history of international travel while the youth contracted the virus through close contact - the third new case has had no known contact with a case or travel history, indicating community spread of the coronavirus.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe says that shows that "we have been doing the right thing" by distancing from others as if anyone could be infected, reinforcing the need for "critical sacrifices" like staying home as much as possible and staying isolated when directed.
Wawa Council Moves Forward With Electronic Meetings
Wawa Municipal Council's moving forward with plans to keep meeting amid the COVID-19 pandemic - just not in person.
The Municipality's confirmed Corporate Planning Committee and regular Council meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, April 7th, to be held "electronically" - something approved during Council's first "electronic" meeting this past Monday.
Meeting agendas will still be posted ahead of time, with residents able to submit comments about items on the agenda to Clerk Cathy Cyr by email - ccyr@wawa.cc - by 4 o'clock on the afternoon of the meeting, which would be held at 6:30.
Proceedings would be livestreamed on the Municipality of Wawa's YouTube channel, and later posted on the municipal website.
Superior Children's Centre Staff to Tour Community
Staff from Wawa's Superior Children's Centre are getting out in the community in a unique way.
Organizers are planning for staff - including from the EarlyON Child and Family Centre and its other programs - to hold a small parade, driving in separate vehicles in a tour of the streets, waving and honking.
Residents are encouraged to stand in your driveway or wave from your window.
The tour starts at 10:30 this morning.
OPP Warn of COVID-19-Related Fraud
Ontario Provincial Police are warning of various frauds relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sault Ste. Marie OPP are flagging: private companies offering "fast" tests for sale; online ads offering cleaning products, hand sanitizers, and other items in high demand; email campaigns capitalizing on public fear; door-to-door people offering fake decontamination services; and fraudsters urging you to invest in hot new stocks related to the disease.
Police advise checking the Canadian Anti-Fraud website, and to beware of unauthorized or fraudulent charities requesting money for victims or research, adding the latest health information can be found through the Public Health Agency of Canada or the World Health Organization.
Wawa Food Bank Special Day Opening
The Wawa Community Food Bank's opening on a different day - today.
Highlighting a donation of perishable food from Harvest Algoma in Sault Ste. Marie, the local food bank is opening from 2 to 4 this afternoon, though clients are reminded they must enter one at a time, wash their hands, and keep two metres from each other and volunteers.
Clients can also leave contact information with Wawa and Area Victim Services volunteers, in the event the food bank moves to delivery service.
Ontario Declared Restricted Fire Zone
Ontario's under a fire ban until further notice.
As of today, the provincial government's designated Ontario's entire legislated fire region as a "Restricted Fire Zone", banning outdoor fires - that includes burning of grass, debris, or campfires even if using an outdoor fire grate, fire place, or fire pit.
It's intended to protect from the risk of preventable human-caused fires and "ensure the province's emergency response system remains strong during the COVID-19 outbreak".
The restriction will stay in place "until Ontario's ability to respond to emergencies is no longer impacted" by the outbreak.
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.