Chapleau's library is reopening - with some big restrictions.
While the physical location remains closed, the library's now offering curbside pickup and drop off, Monday to Friday from noon to 4 pm.
Patrons will be limited to four books, requesting them by phone, email, or through the Chapleau website, where the catalogue can also be viewed - once the library is able to fulfill the request, it will call to arrange for pickup.
Meanwhile, the Township's warning it isn't reopening its splash pad quite yet.
Though water recreational facilities are allowed to reopen now under "Stage 2" of the province's COVID-19 recovery plan, the Township of Chapleau says it's still reviewing guidelines and awaiting clarification of required safety precautions to open the splash pad, though further updates will be provided.
It reminds playground structures remain closed with no indication when they can reopen.
Similarly, the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board says its child care centres aren't reopening yet, as they need more time to make needed changes and preparations.
Wawa Missing Person Call Leads to Charges for Greenstone Resident
A missing person call in Wawa has led to the arrest of a Greenstone resident.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a missing person call around 10 o'clock Saturday morning, with reports the person may be in the Wawa or Dubreuilville area.
Officers located a vehicle matching a description given shortly before 1:30 that afternoon, prompting a traffic stop that revealed the missing person inside the vehicle, along with a 31-year-old from Greenstone who is on conditions not to communicate with the missing person.
The Greenstone resident's been charged with fail to comply with recognizance and released from custody with a future Wawa court date.
Porcupine Health Unit Reports 8th COVID-19 Death
Another COVID-19-related death has been confirmed in the region.
The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit is reporting its eighth death related to the illness, a woman in her 90s who was admitted to Timmins and District Hospital after testing positive on April 20th - her case was related to an outbreak at the hospital, which was declared "over" on May 11th.
No further information is being provided at this time.
It was the sole remaining active case for the health unit, which has reported 65 cases since the pandemic began - the most in northeastern Ontario, and second in the North, after the Thunder Bay Health Unit's 87 - while its eight deaths is the highest for all of the North.
Deadline Nearing for Buddy Swanson Volunteer Awards
Time's running out to nominate someone for Chapleau's annual volunteer awards.
Mayor Michael Levesque encourages the community to participate ahead of the Friday deadline.
The submission form and details can be found on the Township's website.
While the award won't be presented at Canada Day ceremonies this year - as they've been cancelled - Mayor Levesque notes a local resident has suggested the town celebrate by covering the town with flags.
Update on Algoma's 23rd COVID-19 Case
A pair of recently-reported cases remain active in Algoma.
While they were the first reported in to weeks - after more than a week of no active cases - Algoma Public Health says the two cases of "unknown" exposure are evidence of community spread in the Sault Ste. Marie and central Algoma areas.
The most recent case - the health unit's 23rd, reported Friday - is a staff member at the Algoma Manor Nursing Home in Thessalon, prompting it to implement "suspect outbreak" measures, until it gets results from surveillance testing - during this time, residents are being monitored for symptoms and any that are symptomatic are immediately tested, while staff wear masks at all times.
As of Sunday morning, the health unit was still awaiting results from 926 tests.
Chapleau Replacing Arena Condenser
Chapleau's replacing a major piece of equipment for its arena.
Mayor Michael Levesque says there have been issues with the the equipment.
Mayor Levesque says the work will be done this summer.
23rd COVID-19 Case Reported in Algoma
Another case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Algoma. Like with its 22nd case - reported late Wednesday - Algoma Public Health is providing few details about their 23rd case, except that they were tested Tuesday and are now self-isolating, with close contacts 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 leaves the health unit with two active cases, though results from 824 tests are still pending.
Local French Catholic Schools to Hold Virtual Graduation Ceremonies
Local French Catholic schools will celebrate graduating students later this month.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon's announced virtual graduating ceremonies will be held for ten of its secondary schools over the next two weeks, including for Wawa's Ecole secondaire Saint-Joseph and Chapleau's Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium.
Both local schools will have their online ceremony on June 24th, at 7 pm.
Progress for Local Mining Properties
A local mining project is moving closure to fruition. Argonaut Gold's reporting the conclusion of Schedule 2 amendment by the Canadian government, a key authorization and permitting milestone for the Magino Gold project.
President and CEO Pete Dougherty notes this makes the project "much more attractive to joint-venture partners and project financing lenders", while the Toronto-based company expects project approvals and development financing options in line to make a decision on advancing the project during the second half of the year.
Dougherty adds ongoing deep drilling exploration has consistently hit high-grade intercepts which are not included in Magino's current mineral reserve or resource estimates.
This comes as an exploration company's expanding its holdings in the region, as Manitou Gold says it's entered into a purchase agreement to buy the Shihan property in Rennie Township, which is continuguous with its Goudreau Project.
The purchase makes the consolidated land package about 340 square kilometres.
Chapleau Council Approves 2020 Budget
Chapleau Town Council's approved this year's budget. In a regular meeting Wednesday night, Council confirmed various by-laws implementing the budget, which Mayor Michael Levesque says includes a 2.5% levy increase - though he notes it could have been worse, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council also approved the purchase of a new lawn tractor and tenders for a new rubber tire loader and to remove scrap metal from the landfill, which is expected to garner some funds for the Township.
Black Lives Matter Event Planned for Wawa
Protesters will be setting up outside of Wawa's Municipal Office, to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Mary Harbocian explains an event's planned for this afternoon, with attendees to display signs and hear from speakers, acknowledging concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Harbocian adds - while she'd appreciate backing from the municipality and other local government figures - it's more about showing support for the international movement.
The event's set to begin at 3 o'clock.
Wawa Catholic Church Preparing to Reopen
Wawa's Catholic church is looking at reopening later this month.
A letter from St. Monica's Parish notes churches in the local diocese have been granted permission to open their doors on the June 20th/21st weekend, after the provincial government revealed that places of worship could reopen tomorrow - with some restrictions.
The church notes procedures are being developed to meet those restrictions - which include limiting attendees to 30% of the building's capacity - in hopes to open the church to parishioners by the June 20th weekend, emphasizing COVID-19 "is still around even if we have not been directly affected in Wawa".
Foleyet Water Advisory After Power Outage
Foleyet's under a drinking water advisory after a power outage in the community.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the outage caused a loss in water pressure in the Town of Foleyet, and even once the water supply's re-established, residents shouldn't use the water for human consumption - like drinking, cooking, washing fruits and vegetables, or brushing teeth - until testing confirms it's safe.
It further warns boiling the water may not make it safe for drinking, instead recommending water from another source, like bottled water.
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".