A Chapleau man's facing multiple charges after an early-morning break-in.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers were called to a break-and-enter on Ash Street in Chapleau around 3:30 this morning, finding a person attempting to break into an abandoned weapon - police say the man ran toward the officers "wielding an object in his hand", prompting "several warnings to stop" before police used a conductive energy weapon on the man.
The 52-year-old's been charged with two counts of assault peace officer with a weapon and one count each of break, enter a place with intent to commit indictable offence and possession of break-in instruments.
He's been released from custody, set to appear in Chapleau court at a later date.
Chapleau Student Appointed ADSB Indigenous Student Trustee
A Chapleau student will serve as one of the Algoma District School Board's student trustees next school year.
The board says its new Indigenous Student Trustee is Amara Ruffo, who will be entering Grade 12 at Chapleau High School.
Ruffo's noted to be from Chapleau Cree First Nation and the Marten Clan, and is vice chair of the board's Northern Indigenous Youth Council, though she'll become chair for the coming school year.
She's also involved in the Mushkegowuk Youth Council, and led various initiatives in the school and broader community.
Also appointed as student trustees are Emily Hewgill of Superior Heights Collegiate and Vocational School in Sault Ste. Marie and Evan Tyler of Elliot Lake Secondary School.
Chapleau Pentecostal Church's Summer Haiti Event Cancelled
Some disappointing news for Chapleau: the local Pentecostal Church's cancelled this year's yard sale, car wash, and barbecue for Haiti.
Organizers say that money gifts can instead be donated to the church for Haiti, or given to your father as a Father's Day gift, and direct anyone with further questions to contact Sheila Lee at 705-951-1075.
Chapleau Council Appoints New Health Unit Representative
Chapleau Town Council's appointed a new representative at the local health unit.
After multiple attempts to fill the role, Mayor Michael Levesque explains Council confirmed the appointment Monday night.
Principal of Our Lady of Fatima Elementary School - and a former Council candidate - Tessier will serve the remainder of a term linked to Council's, meaning she'll serve about two years before her appointment will need to be re-confirmed.
Chapleau's previous representative, Rita Pilon, retired in December, after eighteen years in the role.
Chapleau Peace Park Cleanup Coming This Weekend
A Chapleau park is getting ready for the season.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains - despite current conditions - the annual Peace Park Cleanup will happen this weekend.
Noting about a dozen volunteers are expected, Mayor Levesque says the size of the park should allow for physical distancing measures during the cleanup.
Nominations Open for Chapleau's "Buddy Swanson" Volunteer Awards
Nominations are open for Chapleau's annual "Buddy Swanson" volunteer awards.
Mayor Michael Levesque encourages the community to participate.
Mayor Levesque says residents can submit as many names as they feel are appropriate, noting the deadline is 4 pm on June 19th.
The submission form and details can be found on the Township's website.
Details for the award presentation will be announced later.
Heat Warning Issued for Chapleau & Gogama Areas
Caution is being urged as a heat warning's been issued for the Chapleau and Gogama areas.
Environment Canada says daytime temperatures today and tomorrow will near 30 degrees - with humidex values in the mid- to upper-30s - considered the first "heat event" of the season, expected to ease as a slow moving cold front brings rain on Thursday.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts warn the heat can lead to heat stroke, heat exhaustion, fainting, heat rash, heat cramps, and more issues, with older adults, young children, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, alcohol or drug users, the homeless, and those working or exercising in the heat most at risk.
To deal with the heat, the health unit recommends wearing loose-fitting light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric, drinking plenty of liquids, seeking shade, and taking breaks from the heat.
Wawa Resident Charged in Chapleau Domestic Dispute
A Wawa resident's been charged with spousal assault over a domestic dispute in Chapleau.
Superior East OPP say they responded to the incident shortly before 11 o'clock Friday morning, leading to the arrest of a 30-year-old from Wawa on a charge of spousal assault, though they've been released from custody with a future Chapleau court date.
Missing Marathon Man Found Dead
A missing Marathon man has been found dead.
Marathon OPP have confirmed they found Eric Pelletier dead shortly after 5 o'clock Monday night, though they are not releasing any further details.
21-year-old Pelletier was reported missing early Sunday morning, last seen Thursday, in Marathon.
Wawa Man Charged With Uttering Threats
A Wawa man's facing a threats charge after an incident in town.
Superior East OPP say they received a threats complaint on Magpie Road on Friday, with investigation leading to the arrest of the 33-year-old on a charge of "uttering threats - damage property".
He's been released from custody, with a future Wawa court date.
More Local COVID-19 Recoveries Reported
Locally, Algoma Public Health's reporting another "resolved" case - that means only 4 of its 21 reported cases are considered "active", though it is still awaiting results from more than 350 tests.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - is reporting all 64 of its reported cases are considered "resolved" - including 2 deaths - and it has not confirmed a new case in several days, though it's still investigating over 200 other cases.
The Porcupine Health Unit says only 2 of its 65 reported cases are still "active" with no new cases in more than two weeks, though it's still investigating nearly 150 other cases - it has reported seven deaths linked to COVID-19.
APH Confirms 21st COVID-19 Case and Porcupine Health Unit Reports 7th Death
Algoma Public Health reported a new case over the weekend.
Few details have been revealed about the health unit's 21st case, except that it's unknown how the person was exposed to COVID-19, evidence that there is local community spread.
Figures on the health unit's website show the case is in the Sault Ste. Marie area, where the site says there is evidence of community spread, though it does warn community spread is still possible - and even likely - in all regions of Algoma, even north Algoma, where no cases have been reported so far.
Including this latest case, Algoma Public Health has five active, with 16 considered "resolved" and no deaths, though it is waiting on results from 379 tests.
Meanwhile, the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed its seventh COVID-19 related death, a woman in her 70s who was admitted to hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 on April 21st - the case is also noted to be related to the outbreak declared at Timmins and District Hospital on May 11th.
There is some good news from the health unit, which says it has had no new cases in the last fourteen days, with only 3 of its 65 confirmed positive cases still considered "active".
It is still investigating 168 other cases.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts similarly has not reported a new case in several days, with only 3 of 64 cases considered "active", though it's still investigating 213 others.
Chapleau Council Holding Another Electronic Meeting
Chapleau Town Council's holding another electronic meeting tonight.
Included on the agenda for the meeting is a delegation from Newmont Porcupine, as well as a resolution to appoint a representative to the local health unit, Public Health Sudbury and Districts.
Council will also discuss Peace Park clean-up and planting, negotiations with RYAM, medical services retention and recruitment, and the Buddy Swanson volunteer awards.
Members of the public can listen in on tonight's meeting by calling 1-800-974-5902, entering conference ID 5116623 - the meeting starts at 6:30.
OPP Search for Missing Marathon Man
Ontario Provincial Police are searching for a missing Marathon man.
Marathon OPP say Eric Pelletier was last seen on Thursday, in Marathon, but was reported missing early Sunday morning - anyone with properties in the Marathon area is urged to check them and report anything that seems odd or out-of-place.
21-year-old Pelletier is described as a caucasian male, 5'10" tall, with slim build, brown hair, and a scar on his left eyebrow.
Anyone who has seen him or who knows of his whereabouts is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers.
Wawa's Connecting Link Project Set to Begin
Work's set to begin for long-awaited road work in Wawa.
The Municipality of Wawa says the so-called "Connecting Link" project is set to begin Wednesday, reconstructing Mission Road from Chris Simon Drive, down Main Street to Gladstone.
J. Provost Contracting will be doing the work, which includes repaving and resurfacing, making Mission Road into two lanes of opposing traffic with a middle turning lane and bicycle lanes on each side, replacing curbs and gutters, and adding new pedestrian crosswalks.
Residents are warned work will take place between 7 am and 8 pm and may result in slower traffic speeds and delays, as well as noise, dust, and building vibrations.
Chapleau Clean-Up Week Arrives
It's "Clean-Up Week" in Chapleau.
Over the week, the Township's Public Works Department will only be picking up yard waste - like grass clippings, leaves, and plants - so long as they're properly bagged and set out on the curbside.
The Township recommends raking debris from the shoulder of the roadway, trimming grass, hedges, and trees that are overgrowing the sidewalk, sweeping off the pavement and sidewalk, and cleaning up all unwanted rubbish, debris, or trash that's accumulated on your property.
Residents can also use the landfill free of charge this week - during regular hours - though there are some restrictions on what's accepted.
Denny Lambert Named Soo Thunderbirds Head Coach and AGM
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.