22nd COVID-19 Case Reported in Algoma

For the first time in more than two weeks, a new COVID-19 case has been confirmed in Algoma.
Algoma Public Health is giving few details about its 22nd case, except that they were tested on Monday and are now self-isolating, with close contacts of the case aready notified.
The way they were exposed is unknown, considered evidence of ongoing community spread in Sault Ste. Marie and area, though the health unit 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.
This is the sole active case for the health unit, though - as of 5 o'clock last night - it was waiting on results from 652 tests.

Update on 22nd Algoma COVID-19 Case

For the first time since the start of the month, Ontario active COVID-19 cases include one in Algoma.
Algoma Public Health has confirmed its 22nd - and only active case - the first new case reported by the health unit in more than two weeks, though it notes the way the person was exposed is unknown, considered evidence of ongoing community spread in Sault Ste. Marie and area.
It further warns the health unit warns community spread is still possible in all regions of Algoma, even north Algoma, where no cases have been reported so far.

PHSD Reports Tick Tests Positive for Lyme Disease Bacteria

Sudbury's health unit is warning to beware ticks.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts notes a blacklegged tick "found locally" has tested positive for the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease - the first to test positive in the health unit's service area this year.
It recommends measures to protect yourself, including: avoiding walking in tall grass; clearing debris and overgrown vegetation, grass, bushes, and trees from yards; keeping wood piles or bird feeders away from homes; and wearing long-sleeved, light-coloured clothes with closed-toe shoes, as well as Health Canada-approved insect repellants.
Signs of Lyme disease include a red bull's eye-shaped rash around the bite area, as well as symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, stiff neck, and swollen glands.

Chapleau Council to Vote on 2020 Budget

Chapleau Town Council's set to vote on this year's budget.
The vote's one of the items on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting, which includes related by-laws, as well as resolutions: approving the purchase of a lawn tractor; awarding the tender for a rubber tire loader; authorizing an engineering services agreement for the Water Treatment Plant High Lift Pump Header Replacement Project; awarding the contract for removing scrap metal from the landfill; and authorizing the release of tender documents for reconstruction of Pine Street between Monk and Lisgar Street.
As for the proposed budget, Mayor Michael Levesque says it includes a 2.5% levy increase, emphasizing COVID-19's had a major effect - including on licences and permits - though the major change to operations relates to restrictions from the pandemic.

Council also agreed to a CAO recommendation to keep the museum/tourist information centre closed for the season, though that could be revisited later.
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.

Wawa Water Advisory Lifted After 5.5 Years

Wawa's drinking water advisory has officially lifted - 5.5 years after it was put in place.
A notice from the Municipality confirms the advisory issued in November 2014 has now been lifted, after drinking water samples collected quarterly in 2018 and 2019 - as well as 2020 - showed the formerly high levels of trihalomethanes had dropped low enough to meet Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards.
THMs are a result of organic material (dissolved carbon) reacting with chemicals (like chlorine) used to treat the water.
Since the advisory was issued, the Municipality has undertaken multiple projects to address the issue, most recently - in April - Council approved a plan to use an aluminum sulphate coagulant during treatment.
Kresin Engineering recommended that it only be used on a seasonal basis - during the warmer months, when THM levels are usually higher - monitoring the results to confirm long-term effectiveness.
The Municipality's studies found the coagulant would substantially reduce the THM level - and even reduce the amount of aluminum in the water - though at an expected cost of $15,000 a year.

Wawa Council Has Busy Night With Back-to-Back Electronic Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's in back-to-back electronic meetings tonight.
First up is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, set to start with an "in-camera" item - a legal issue about KPMG audit findings - which will be discussed in open session immediately after.
The meeting will also include discussions about the School Zone Resurface Project, the Marina agreement and operational changes, the Fire Department's breathing air compressor system, a Legion request for flagpole installation, and the BIA budget - the organization announced last week it was reducing its levy request by 83% this year.
All of those topics will come back up in resolutions in the regular meeting to be held after the committee meeting, along with by-laws relating to the Connecting Link project and a recently-discussed proposal for the Municipality to provide assistance for the planned Wawa Senior Housing Project.
The meetings will be livestreamed on the Municipality's YouTube page, starting at 6:30 tonight.

ATV Fire Extinguished Near Wawa Airport

An ATV fire near the Wawa airport was quickly extinguished Monday afternoon.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police have tweeted they - and the Wawa Volunteer Fire Department - responded to the ATV fire near the airport Monday afternoon, though the vehicle and surrounding vegetation were extinguished quickly.
Police report no injuries were sustained by anyone, though the ATV was "completely consumed".

Chapleau Man Arrested For Breaching Release Conditions

A Chapleau man's facing a pair of charges after a reported violation of court-ordered release conditions.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they received the report around noon on Sunday, with an officer locating the individual a short time later, arresting them on charges of failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court and drive motor vehicle - no licence.
The 25-year-old's been released from custody, scheduled to appear in Chapleau court in August.

Update on Regional COVID-19 Figures

Algoma Public Health has not reported a new case in more than two weeks - with all 21 reported cases considered "resolved" with no deaths - though it is still awaiting results from 430 tests.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts also says all 64 of its reported cases are "resolved" - including two deaths - with the health unit last reporting a new case May 14th, though it is currently investigating 770 other cases.
The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit has not reported a new case in nearly a month, with only one of its 65 reported cases still considered "active", though it is investigating 307 other cases.
It has reported seven COVID-19-related deaths.
To the northwest, the neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed its 85th case - along with a new outbreak at Pioneer Ridge Long-Term Care Home in Thunder Bay - though only four of its cases are considered "active", with one death.

Chapleau Council Preparing to Vote on 2020 Budget

Chapleau Town Council's set to vote on this year's budget.
After generally agreeing on a 2.5% levy increase last month, a Township notice says Council intends to adopt the budget in a meeting this Wednesday.
After last month's meeting, Mayor Michael Levesque noted that COVID-19 had a major effect on the budget - including on licences and permits - though the major change to operations relates to restrictions from the pandemic.

Council also agreed to a CAO recommendation to keep the museum/tourist information centre closed for the season, though that could be revisited later.

Superior East OPP Investigating After Lock Cut on Gate of Private Property

Local police are investigating a mischief complaint after a lock was cut off a gate to private property long used to illegally dump waste.
A Twitter post from Superior East OPP Constable Trevor Tremblay says the gate was installed this spring on a road near Firesand Creek - just off Highway 101 - because of years of people illegally dumping yard waste and other materials on the property, but the lock was recently cut off the gate, prompting the mischief call.
Tremblay reminds the municipal landfill accepts brush and yard waste free of charge, warning the illegal dumping creates a pattern that escalates to include mattresses, shingles, and appliances, adding "trail cams are very affordable".

Wawa Council Approves Arena Truss Recoating Plan

Wawa Municipal Council's approved plans to repaint the arena's roof trusses.
In a special lunchtime meeting today, Council approved a staff recommendation to award the job to Ottawa-based Hastings Painting Corporation - one of the few to submit a proposal - with Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson noting the work could begin as early as Monday, with "substantial completion" expected before August 1st.
Patterson had previously told Council that the work was recommended following a structural inspection of the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, specifically the arena.

Wawa Council Considering Arena Truss Recoating Recommendation

Wawa Municipal Council is holding a lunchtime meeting today to consider a single topic: arena truss recoating.
Included on the agenda is a staff report on the topic, as well as a resolution to accept a staff recommendation to award the job to Ottawa-based Hastings Painting Corporation, with a by-law confirming that.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains the recoating was recommended in a structural inspection of the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, and specifically the arena.

Patterson notes the trusses are starting to show how long it's been since they were last painted.

While it's still unclear when the arena or community centre will be able to reopen, Patterson says the hope is - if the project moves forward - that the work will be done "relatively quick", before the facility reopens.
The meeting is being held electronically at noon, livestreamed on the Municipality's YouTube page.

Superior East OPP Charge 2 Stunt Drivers in 13 Hours

Superior East OPP have been kept busy with fast drivers, laying stunt driving charges twice over only thirteen hours.
The first incident occurred around 12:30 Tuesday afternoon on Highway 519 near Dubreuilville, where an eastbound vehicle registered a speed of 144 kilometres an hour in a posted 80 kilometre an hour zone - the driver, a 41-year-old from Dubreuilville, was stopped and charged with "race a motor vehicle - excessive speed" and "operate a motor vehicle without insurance".
The second incident occurred around 2:40 Wednesday morning, when an officer observed a vehicle travelling at 153 kilometres an hour in a posted 90 kilometre an hour zone on Highway 17 near Wawa - that driver, a 31-year-old from Quebec, was charged with "race a motor vehicle - excessive speed".
Both drivers have had their driver's licences suspended and the vehicle impounded for seven days, while the drivers are scheduled to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice next month.

Wawa Council Calls Special Meeting on Arena Truss Recoating

Wawa Municipal Council has called a special meeting for the end of the week, to consider a single topic: arena truss repainting.
Included on the agenda is a staff report on recoating arena trusses, as well as a resolution to accept a staff recommendation to award the job to Hastings Painting Corporation, with a by-law to confirm that.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson's previously warned Council that the truss work must be done this year.
The meeting will be held Friday at noon, and - like other recent meetings - will be held electronically, livestreamed on the Municipality's YouTube page.

Wawa EDC & BIA Launch Local ShopHERE Program

Wawa residents are being encouraged to "shop here", as two local organizations are hoping to get local businesses online.
The Economic Development Corporation of Wawa and the Wawa Business Improvement Association have announced a collaboration with Google's ShopHERE program, to help local businesses and artists develop an online store at no cost, including helping with digital skills training needed to participate in the "digital economy".
A release from the two local groups says the program is now available to small businesses in Wawa, with local businesses - and artists - able to apply online, though the EDC can provide further information.

Pukaskwa National Park Reopening For Limited Use

A local national park is reopening for limited use late this week.
Starting Friday, June 5th, Pukaskwa National Park will begin offering limited visitor access and basic services, allowing visitors to access: the parking area near the visitor centre; the front country day-use trails; the day-use areas; and the front country day-use washrooms and composting toilets in the parking lot and the beginning of the Beach Trail.
Overnight parking and camping are still prohibited, while group activities and public events are still suspended, and the Coastal Hiking Trail - including the hike to the White River Suspension bridge - remains closed until further notice.

This comes as Ontario’s opening up backcountry camping at Ontario Parks - with the allowed day-use activities expanding - though campsites are limited to no more than five people unless they stay in the same household, and buildings and facilities (except for some washroom facilities) remain closed.
Recreational camping is also being allowed on Crown land, though visitors are reminded to adhere to normal rules and public health advice such as physical distancing.

Nearly All Local COVID-19 Cases Considered "Resolved"

Algoma Public Health's reporting all 21 of its reported cases are considered "resolved", though it is still awaiting results from 534 tests.
It last confirmed a case more than a week ago.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has already reported all 64 of its confirmed cases are considered "resolved" - including 2 deaths - though it's still investigating 702 cases.
Its last reported case was more than two weeks ago.
The Porcupine Health Unit says only 1 of its 65 reported cases is still "active", with no new cases since May 10th, though it's still investigating 141 other cases.
It has reported seven deaths linked to COVID-19.

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