A COVID-19 outbreak's been declared at a Sault Ste. Marie long-term care home, after three residents tested positive.
Algoma Public Health says the three residents of Extendicare Maple View have no symptoms, but were tested as part of surveillance testing of the facility - they're the only ones to test positive so far, and are currently in isolation to prevent further transmission.
All staff and residents have been tested, though the health unit's still waiting on the results for some of the tests, part of the 226 test results still pending for the area.
This brings the health unit's total number of cases so far to 16, though the others are considered "resolved".
The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting another new case - a Timmins male between the ages of 10 and 19, who has had contact with a known case - the 63rd case for the health unit, though 48 are considered "resolved" while it is still investigating 334 more cases.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting another recovery - meaning 50 of its 59 cases are considered "resolved", including 2 deaths - though it is still investigating 370 cases.
Superior East OPP Respond to 3 Local Incidents (Including Man with Samurai Sword on Golf Cart)
Local police have been kept busy in recent days.
The first incident happened shortly before 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, as Superior East Ontario Provincial Police responded to a complaint that someone was operating a golf cart on Pinewood Drive in Wawa - officers located the driver and found them to be in possession of several knives and a samurai sword, with further investigation revealing they did not have permission to use the golf cart.
The 27-year-old Wawa man's been charged with failure to comply with release order, take motor vehicle without consent, driving while under suspension, operate unsafe vehicle, drive motor vehicle - no permit, drive with seatbelt assembly modified, and drive without proper headlights.
He's been released from custody, with a future court date.
Around 10 o'clock that night, officers conducting traffic enforcement on Highway 129 in Chapleau Township stopped a northbound minivan travelling at a high rate of speed.
While speaking with the driver, the officers detected the odour of an alcoholic beverage on the driver's breath, with a subsequent breath sample registering "fail" on an Approved Screening Device, leading to their arrest.
The 22-year-old Sault Ste. Marie man's been charged with operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) and speeding 1 to 49 kilometres an hour over posted limit - he's been released from custody with a future court date.
Officers also responded to a domestic dispute in Hornepayne around 2 o'clock Thursday morning.
The incident led to the arrest of a 32-year-old Hornepayne resident on a charge of "fail to comply with conditions of undertaking given by officer in charge".
They've been released from custody, with a future court date.
Canada Post and Google Canada Honour 100th Anniversary of 1st Group of Seven Exhibition
Canada Post's marking the anniversary of an important Canadian art moment with a set of new stamps.
Today marks the hundredth anniversary of the first exhibition by the Group of Seven, as Franklin Carmichael, Lawren S. Harris, A.Y. Jackson, Frank H. Johnston, Arthur Lismer, J.E.H. MacDonald, and F.H. Varley showed off various works at what was then the Art Gallery of Toronto.
Though only five paintings were sold, more than 2000 people attended the 1920 show over its 20-day run, with positive reviews gaining the attention of galleries and collectors.
To mark the moment, Canada Post has selected one painting from each artist to make up their new stamp series, including Carmichael's 1928 work "In the Nickel Belt", and Johnston's 1920 painting "Fire-swept, Algoma".
Google Canada's also marking the anniversary, inviting Canadians to use Google Street View to virtually visit real-life locations that inspired paintings such as Carmichael's 1927 "North Shore, Lake Superior" and Harris' 1919 "Waterfall, Algoma Canyon, Algoma".
Algoma Public Health Calls All 13 COVID-19 Cases "Resolved"
Algoma Public Health's reporting its latest case is now "resolved", meaning all thirteen that it has reported are classified as "resolved", though the health unit is still waiting on results from over 150 tests.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has reported a total of 59 cases, with 49 considered "resolved" - including 2 deaths - though it's investigating over 330 other cases.
The Porcupine Health Unit's also reporting a decline in "active" cases - only 9 of the 61 it has confirmed - though it's still investigating over 640 other cases.
Wawa Reminds Anglers to Get Ice Huts, Drivers to Follow Overnight Parking By-Law
The Municipality of Wawa's reminding anglers to get their ice huts.
A notice from the municipality warns ice huts - and their contents - found along William Teddy Park and the Wawa Lake shoreline areas will be impounded by May 15th.
Owners would need to pay $75 to get the hut and its contents back, and - if not claimed by May 22nd - the huts and contents will be put up for public sale.
The Municipality's also reminding that the seasonal overnight parking by-law is still in force until May 15th, banning parking on municipal streets or boulevards between 1 and 8 - it plans to use that time to conduct spring sweeping.
PHSD Reports Outbreak at 4th Sudbury Long-Term Care Home
Over the weekend, Public Health Sudbury and Districts confirmed an outbreak at a fourth Sudbury long-term care home, St. Gabriel Villa, after an employee of the home tested positive.
The health unit's 59th case, the employee's a Greater Sudbury woman in her 50s - it's unknown how she was exposed to the coronavirus, as she has no history of travel or contact with a known case.
She tested positive amid ongoing targeted surveillance of long-term care homes.
The health unit - which covers the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts - says 49 cases are "resolved" with two deaths, though it is still investigating over 450 more cases.
The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reported its 61st case - a Timmins area girl between the ages of 10 and 19 - though it notes only eleven cases are still "active", with 46 considered "resolved" and four deaths - it is still investigating over 560 more cases.
Algoma Public Health's reported a total of 13 cases - twelve considered "resolved" - while it's waiting on results from over 260 tests.
Wawa Resident Charged With Assault at Convenience Store
A Wawa resident's facing an assault charge after an incident at a local convenience store.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to a reported assault at a store around 6:20 Friday night, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 30-year-old on a charge of assault.
They're scheduled to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice on a later date.
Chapleau Issues A Pair of Warnings for Citizens
The Township of Chapleau's issuing a couple warnings for citizens.
With the spring melt underway, the Township's reminding everyone who left their ice huts at the Lorne Street boat launch area to remove the huts by Thursday or the huts will be disposed of at the landfill, at the owner's expense - the Township further reminds the boat launch area is not a storage area for ice huts and asks people not to leave them there.
Meanwhile, the Township's reminding residents of guidelines for bear proof containers going up until the fall: only household waste in "normal size" refuse bags is permitted and no refuse can be left outside the container.
Small white bags, animal excrement, cardboard, grass clippings, building products, wood, metal, paint, automotive batteries, fireplace ashes, fluorescent bulbs, and broken glass are all prohibited while medical appliances must be in an appropriate "puncture proof" container.
The containers will be unlocked from 9 am to 2:30 pm Monday to Friday, though the Township reminds curbside pickup's continuing otherwise.
Alamos Gold Eyeing Restart of Operations
A local mine's looking at reopening soon.
In its first quarterly report, Alamos Gold confirmed plans to "start ramping up operations" at its Island Gold Mine "in a safe manner" early this month, though no exact date is given.
Before suspending operations on March 24th, Island Gold produced 38,800 ounces of gold over the first quarter of the year, with record underground mining rates of 1240 tonnes per day, a fourteen percent improvement over the first quarter of last year.
Given the shutdown of Island Gold - and its Mulatos Mine in Mexico - Alamos has dropped its 2020 guidance, with new targets to be issued later.
It's not the only local mine to temporarily close, as Harte Gold's Sugar Zone Mine in White River also shut down, while Wesdome Gold Mines reduced operations at its Eagle River complex.
PHSD Reports 2nd COVID-19 Death
Locally, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its second COVID-19 death, a woman in her 80s who tested positive on April 21st, as part of the outbreak declared at the St. Joseph's Villa long-term care home in Sudbury.
The health unit - which covers the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts - has reported a total of 58 cases.
White River Youth Charged With Sexual Assault
A White River youth is facing sexual assault charges.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they received a report late Sunday afternoon of a sexual assault in White River, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 14-year-old on charges of sexual interference and sexual assault on a person under 16 years of age.
The accused cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
They are scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
Chapleau Council Moving Forward on Service Delivery Reviews
Chapleau Town Council's moving forward with a pair of service delivery reviews.
In this week's meeting, Council discussed requests for proposals for the reviews, which Mayor Michael Levesque says include one focused on municipal energy consumption.
Mayor Levesque notes the other review will look at the municipal airport and its operations, to find "greater efficiency".
He says plans are for the reviews to be conducted over the summer, leading to recommendations that Council will consider as "budgetary measures".
Chapleau Mayor Emphasizes Physical Distancing Despite Spring Weather
Amid the more spring-like weather, Chapleau's mayor is urging residents to remember public health measures meant to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Mayor Michael Levesque says he's concerned people may forget amid the warmer weather.
Health and safety concerns stemming from the pandemic have prompted the cancellation of numerous events planned for this summer - including Wawa's Northern Nationals Drag Race - with Chapleau Council agreeing during Monday's meeting to cancel this year's Canada Day activities, though the federal government says it's planning a virtual program.
Outbreak Declared at 3rd Sudbury Long-Term Care Home
A COVID-19 outbreak's been declared at a third Sudbury long-term care facility.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it has confirmed an outbreak at Extendicare York, after a staff member tested positive.
To date, the health unit's reported three outbreaks at long-term care facilities - all in Sudbury - with four residents or patients testing positive, along with six staff.
The health unit - which covers the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts - has reported a total of 58 cases, though it's still investigating over 500 others.
This comes as the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reported its fourth COVID-19 related death, a man in his 80s who was identified through the investigation into an outbreak at Timmins and District Hospital.
It has confirmed a total of 59 cases, though more than 560 are still being investigated.
Algoma Public Health reported its 13th case over the weekend, though eleven are considered "resolved" - it's still awaiting results from more than 360 tests.
Pair of Dubreuilville Residents Charged Over 2 Local Thefts
Two Dubreuilville residents are facing theft charges over a pair of incidents in the area.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the Dubreuilville area thefts happened between April 17th and 19th, with investigation leading to the arrests of a 20-year-old man and a 30-year-old man on Tuesday - both are charged with theft under $5000, while the younger man's also charged with mischief under $5000.
They've been released from custody, scheduled to appear in court in June.
Chapleau Council Agrees on 2020 Capital Projects
Chapleau Town Council's agreed on this year's capital projects.
During this week's electronic meeting, Council discussed and agreed on a draft 2020 capital budget, which Mayor Michael Levesque says balances current conditions amid the COVID-19 pandemic with other considerations.
Mayor Levesque notes other road work is planned, too.
Mayor Levesque says plans are to confirm the 2020 operating budget by the end of May, with the capital budget a key part of the larger budget.
Chapleau Area Union Locals Challenge Others to Donate to Food Banks
Chapleau area unions are being challenged to support local food banks.
CUPE Locals 887 and 4108 - which represent unionized staff at the Chapleau Recreation and Public Works Departments and at the Chapleau hospital - say they've generously donated to Chapleau Food Banks, recognizing the importance of the service at this time.
The union locals are also challenging other unions to do the same, donating to local food banks during this challenging time, to help support the community.
PHSD Confirms 58th COVID-19 Case
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting another case of COVID-19 - one that may stem from community spread in Greater Sudbury.
The health unit - which covers the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts - says its 58th case is a Greater Sudbury woman in her 20s, with no known history of travel or contact with another known case.
She was tested on Saturday and is now self-isolating.
ETFO Ratifies Central Terms of New 3 Year Agreement
Some positive news: Ontario's elementary teachers have ratified key parts of a new three-year contract.
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario have approved the central agreements of the deal reached over a month ago, which is retroactive to the start of this school year, continuing into 2022.
It includes one percent salary increases each year, with four percent increases to benefits each year, as well as a two-year, $89-million "Support for Students" fund that will create over 430 teacher positions to address areas like special education, English-language learning, and mental health initiatives - and the contract guarantees for its duration the one-teacher, one early childhood educator model for full-day kindergarten with no changes to elementary class sizes.
They're the second major teachers' union to ratify the central terms of a deal, after the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association three weeks ago.
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation and the Association of Franco-Ontarian Teachers have also reached tentative deals, though they've yet to be ratified.
More COVID-19 Cases Confirmed at Sudbury Long-Term Care Home
Several more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at Sudbury's Pioneer Manor.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says testing at the long-term care home has uncovered six more cases - four staff and two residents - bringing its total to seven, after a man in his 70s tested positive, prompting an outbreak to be declared at the facility.
The health unit notes its the second Greater Sudbury long-term care home to declare an outbreak - after St. Joseph's Villa, where a resident and a staff member have tested positive - and these latest cases bring the health unit's total to 57 cases, though it's still investigating 460 other cases.
The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reported its 59th case - a man in his 70s who was identified through an investigation into an outbreak at Timmins and District Hospital - though more than 500 more cases are still being investigated.
Algoma Public Health reported its 13th case over the weekend, but it's still awaiting results from more than 300 tests.