Wawa's own Denny Lambert is returning to Sault Ste. Marie hockey.
The Soo Thunderbirds Organization have announced the 50-year-old will serve as head coach and assistant general manager of the NOJHL team, joined by a mostly new staff behind the bench.
Lambert played over 500 games in the N-H-L, and was head coach of the OHL's Soo Greyhounds for three seasons, though he's most recently been a First Nations Police Officer with the Anishinabek Police Service.
SE OPP Lay Dozens of Speeding Charges over Canada Road Safety Week
Local police were kept busy over the recent "Canada Road Safety Week".
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say - from May 12th to 18th - officers were out on local roadways as part of the campaign, designed to increase public compliance with safe driving measures and to target behaviours that put motorists, passengers, and pedestrians at risk, particularly impaired, distracted, or aggressive driving and lack of seatbelt use.
During the campaign, local officers laid 80 speeding charges, three more for stunt driving, two for careless driving, and a charge of impaired by alcohol.
OPP remind drivers to practice safe driving habits, particularly as traffic increases during the summer months.
Fatal Collision Between White River and Marathon
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a fatal collision on Highway 17 between White River and Marathon.
Marathon OPP say they responded to the single vehicle collision about 70 kilometres east of the town - near Green Lakes - around 1 o'clock this morning, finding an eastbound Honda Civic had lost control after hitting the eastbound shoulder on a corner - the vehicle entered the eastbound ditch, flipping and landing on its roof.
All four people in the vehicle had to be extracted by emergency services, with a 35-year-old female passenger pronounced dead at the scene while the driver - a 31-year-old from Guelph - was taken to Marathon's hospital before being transported to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for treatment of major injuries, and two other passengers were taken to Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre for treatment of major injuries.
Their names are not being released, pending notification of next of kin.
The collision's closed the eastbound lane of Highway 17 for several hours, while the westbound lane is open to intermittent traffic, though drivers are warned to expect delays, use caution, and move slowly through that area.
Chatham-Kent Man Charged in Wawa Assault
Assault and drug charges have been laid after an incident in Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to an assault around 7:45 Friday night, leading to the arrest of a 25-year-old Chatham-Kent man, on charges of assault, possession of schedule I substance - methamphetamine - and three counts of failure to comply with release order.
He's been remanded into custody, pending a hearing.
Missing Person Found After 45 Hours in Bush Near White River
A missing person's been found in the White River area after nearly two days in the bush.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the 61-year-old - who is not identified - was reported missing around midnight Saturday morning, last seen around 1:30 Friday afternoon - their pickup truck was found about 11 kilometres east of Highway 631, on the 500 Road with a single set of footprints leading into the surrounding forest.
The OPP Northeast Region Canine Unit, Emergency Response Team, and OPP Aviation Services were all involved in the search, finding the missing person in good health shortly after 10 o'clock Sunday morning.
They were taken to hospital as a precaution, but have since been released.
Calgary Man Charged in Traffic Stop Near Wawa
A Calgary man's facing charges after being stopped near Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they received a traffic complaint about a vehicle on Highway 17 near Wawa shortly before noon on Friday - when the vehicle was stopped, investigation revealed the driver was breaching release conditions, leading his arrest.
The 34-year-old Calgary man's been charged with three counts of failure to comply with release order, but released with a future Wawa court date.
Ontario Schools Staying Closed Until Fall
Ontario schools will stay closed for the rest of the school year.
Saying "nothing is more important than protecting our kids in this province", Premier Doug Ford announced the move, saying it will give parents "certainty" - he assures the government is planning for the reopening of schools for the 2020-21 school year, as well as the gradual reopening of child care, and even the opening of summer day camps.
Private schools, licensed child care centres, and EarlyON programs will similarly stay closed.
This comes as the provincial government's extended all emergency orders until May 29th, though it has confirmed that some outdoor recreational amenities can reopen today, including outdoor sports facilities and multi-use fields, off-leash dog areas, and outdoor picnic sites, benches, and shelters in parks and recreational areas.
Outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment, fitness equipment, public pools, splash pads and similar outdoor water facilities must stay closed for now.
More COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in Region
More local cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the region over the Victoria Day weekend.
After reporting its 17th case late last week, Algoma Public Health reported three more cases on Saturday: a case attributed to international travel and two cases that - like the 17th - have no known exposure, evidence that there is local community spread.
It's unclear where the latest cases live, except that the cases of unknown exposure are in Sault Ste. Marie and area.
The health unit further warns community spread is still possible - and even likely - in all regions of Algoma, even north Algoma, where no cases have been reported so far.
In addition to those cases, the health unit's also monitoring three cases connected to an outbreak at the Extendicare Maple View long-term care home in Sault Ste. Marie.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says five of its 64 reported cases are still "active", while six of the 65 cases reported by the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit remain "active".
More Businesses Reopening Across Ontario
More Ontario businesses can start reopening today.
As announced by the provincial government late last week, retail services not in shopping malls - that have separate street-front entrances - can now open with measures enabling physical distancing, while seasonal businesses and recreational activities for individual or single competitors can start, animal services - like pet care and regular veterinary appointments - can resume, and indoor and outdoor household services - including housekeepers, cooks, cleaning, and maintenance - can restart if they can follow public health guidelines.
Golf courses were allowed to open over the weekend - with some restrictions - while marinas, boat clubs, and public boat launches could open for recreational use, and private parks and campgrounds could start preparations for the season, including allowing access for trailers and RVs for those with a full season contract.
Businesses that board animals - like stables - could also let boarders visit, care for, or ride their animal.
The province also lifted its Restricted Fire Zone - allowing open air burning - though the Municipality of Wawa reminds open air burning permits are still needed.
The Municipality's also warning boaters to only go out with those in their immediate household - limited to no more than five people - and to maintain physical distancing of at least two metres, stay in your vehicle while waiting to use the boat launch, and not enter the marina if exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.
Washroom facilities and the fish cleaning station remain closed at this time.
Chapleau Mayor Addresses Concerns About Cottagers
Chapleau's mayor is urging cottagers not to come to their seasonal property at this time - but warning there's nothing he can do to stop them.
Mayor Michael Levesque notes concerns have been raised about cottagers - particularly from southern Ontario - coming to the area.
Levesque adds that he spoke with the OPP, who've informed him their directive is not to prevent people from travelling to other communities, but to educate them about public health guidelines - and he's urging residents to be understanding.
Mayor Levesque emphasizes it's best not to "make a mountain out of a mole hill".
SIU Determines No Charges Over Wawa Crash After White River Gas Theft
Local police have been cleared of wrongdoing over a Wawa incident connected to a White River gas theft in November.
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit had invoked its mandate in the November 25th incident, which saw a U-Haul suspected in the initial incident left abandoned after colliding with a snowbank along Highway 17 between White River and Wawa, and later saw a snowmobile driven by the suspects crash into a vehicle on Broadway Avenue in Wawa, leaving a 29-year-old man with serious injury.
SIU Director Joseph Martino has determined there's no basis for proceeding with charges against an OPP officer, closing the SIU file.
The SIU's mandate is to investigate interactions with police that result in serious injury, death, or allegations of sexual assault.
Wawa Council Approves Operating Budget & Related By-Laws
Wawa Municipal Council's confirmed this year's operating budget.
In their meeting Tuesday night, Council approved the $13.2-million budget presented last month, which was noted to be a 5.5% decrease from last year's budget, as it expects substantially lower revenues especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than $150,000 set aside to address that.
During the meeting, Council also agreed to recommendations to cancel this year's Canada Day fireworks and festivities and to keep the Tourist Information Centre closed for the year - over health and safety concerns - but provide portable washrooms that would be cleaned daily, with garbage pickup, as well.
Council was assured that the Waterfront Project is still moving forward this summer, while a request has been made of higher levels of government to extend funding for liquefied natural gas projects, given current issues from the pandemic.
Finally, Council agreed to provide support for the new seniors housing project, potentially waiving or covering building permit costs and providing $200,000 to ADSAB - as it faces a nearly $1-million difference between expected cost and the amount from the lowest bidder - with the funds to come from the money previously provided by the NWMO, and CAO/Treasurer Maury O'Neill to negotiate the support agreement with ADSAB.
Major Drug Bust In Speeding Stop South of Wawa
Local police have seized over a kilogram of suspected cocaine after stopping a vehicle for speeding south of Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say a northbound SUV was stopped about 10 kilometres south of Wawa around 12:15 Tuesday afternoon, and - while speaking with the occupants - officers detected the odour of cannabis, leading to a search which uncovered about 1.3 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 178 grams of suspected fentanyl.
When the four occupants were informed they were being arrested, two fled into the surrounding woods, but were eventually found with assistance from the OPP Northeast Region Canine Unit, OPP Emergency Response Team, and Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Canine Unit.
A 28-year-old from Ajax, a 28-year-old from Whitby, a 20-year-old from Scarborough, and a 23-year-old of no fixed address have all been charged with possession of schedule I substances - cocaine and other drugs - for the purpose of trafficking, while the two 28-year-olds have also been charged with resisting peace officer, and the Ajax resident's further charged with obstruct peace officer.
All four have been remanded into custody, pending a hearing.
Tillsonburg Man Charged in Highway 17 Collision Near Wawa
A southwestern Ontario man is facing charges after a collision on Highway 17, near Pinewood Drive in Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the collision around 2:30 Tuesday afternoon, further noting a northbound sedan was observed driving aggressively before striking the rear of a northbound pickup truck - the sedan's driver then fled the scene on foot, but was located by officers shortly after.
Both drivers were taken to hospital and treated for "non-life-threatening injuries".
The sedan driver, a 64-year-old Tillsonburg man, was charged with dangerous operation causing bodily harm and fail to stop at accident resulting in bodily harm, though he's been released from custody with a future Wawa court date.
Chapleau Seeking New Public Works Boss
Chapleau Town Council's looking for a new public works boss.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains the search has been prompted by the filling of another key role in town.
The mayor won't give an exact timeline for replacing Martel, noting Leisure and Cultural Services Director Rejean Raymond is filling in for now.
Chapleau Council Approves 2020 Budget
Chapleau Town Council's approved this year's budget.
Just weeks after approving this year's capital plans, Council during their Monday meeting approved the operating budget, which includes a 2.5 percent levy increase.
Emphasizing that COVID-19 has had a major effect on this year's budget - including on licences and permits - Mayor Michael Levesque says the major change to operations relates to restrictions from the pandemic.
Mayor Levesque adds Council's agreed to a CAO recommendation to keep the museum/tourist information centre closed for the season, though he notes that could be revisited later.
Wawa Council Set to Confirm Budget in Back-to-Back Electronic Meetings
Wawa Municipal Council's set to confirm this year's operating budget in back-to-back electronic meetings tonight.
First up is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, set to include discussion about a delay of the LNG project, financial impacts of COVID-19, Community Services and Tourism projects, an update on the seniors housing project, and the 2020 municipal budget presented last month.
That will be followed by a regular meeting including budget-related by-laws, as well as an agreement to hire a new engineering consulting services firm, Pinchin Limited for three years with an option to extend to five, though there's another by-law to keep Kresin Engineering for water and sewer-related engineering for one to two years, as "now is not the time to change".
There are also four "in-camera" items that will be closed to the public.
Aside from that portion, the meetings will be livestreamed on the Municipality's YouTube page, starting at 6:30 tonight.
Red Pine Exploration Relaunching Activities at Wawa Gold Project
Red Pine Exploration's relaunching some activities at its local Wawa Gold Project.
The Toronto-based company says it's relaunching field activities and drilling at the property just southeast of Wawa, after it suspended its 2020 drilling program in March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It emphasizes strict health protocols are in place, allowing geologists to re-open the camp and resume field operations, with the drilling program set to relaunch within the next two weeks.
About 3000 of 16,000 metres in this year's drilling program were already completed before operations were suspended - the focus is on the down-plunge and downdip extensions of the Surluga Deposit, further designed to expand gold mineralization in the Hornblende Shear Zone and test the Jubilee Shear Zone extension south of the Surluga Deposit.
Chapleau Council to Discuss Budget in Electronic Meeting
Chapleau Town Council's set to consider plans for this year's budget as they meet electronically tonight.
Included on the agenda for the special meeting are resolutions to: "provide direction to staff with respect to the 2020 budget levy increase"; establish a hiring committee for a new Public Works Superintendent; consider a CAO recommendation for the Museum/Tourist Information Centre; and allocate funds for surface reconstruction of Pine Street.
Council will also consider a roughly $9500 scope change for risk management assessment and additional geotechnical investigation on the Dufferin Street right of way, providing direction to staff on timing of the Dufferin Street and Elgin/Ash Street reconstruction projects.
Members of the public can attend tonight's meeting by calling 1-800-974-5902 and entering conference ID 5116623 - the meeting begins at 6:30 tonight.
Porcupine Health Unit Confirms 5th COVID-19 Death
The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed its fifth COVID-19 related death.
According to the health unit, the latest death is a man in his 70s who was admitted to Timmins and District Hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 on April 26th - it confirms that his death was related to "an institutional outbreak".
Meanwhile, the health unit's declaring an outbreak at an Iroquois Falls long-term care home - where a woman in her 90s has tested positive - bringing the Porcupine Health Unit's total number of confirmed cases to 64, though only 11 are considered "active".