Wawa's COVID-19 assessment centre is visiting Hawk Junction today.
The assessment centre's set up at the Hawk Junction Community Centre from 10 am to 2 pm, open to those who have any symptom of COVID-19, are concerned they have been exposed, or are at risk of exposure through their employment.
To book an appointment, call 705-987-3270.
No New COVID-19 Cases in Algoma
No new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the region this weekend.
Figures from Algoma Public Health show all 24 cases it has reported are "resolved", though it is still awaiting results from over 800 tests.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts still shows three active cases out of the 67 cases it has reported so far, including 2 deaths.
The Porcupine Health Unit still has two "active" cases in Timmins, both reported the previous weekend - it has reported 67 total cases, with eight deaths.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is down to three active cases, with only one in hospital, leaving 86 recoveries and one death.
Algoma Public Health Reports All COVID-19 Cases as "Resolved"
There are no longer any "active" cases being monitored in Algoma.
Figures from Algoma Public Health show all 24 cases it has reported are now considered "resolved", though it is still awaiting results from 814 tests.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts still shows three active cases, all reported in the last week - it has reported a total of 67 cases so far, including 2 deaths.
The Porcupine Health Unit has two "active" cases in Timmins, both reported over the weekend - it has reported 67 total cases, with eight deaths.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is still reporting five active cases - including three in hospital - with 84 recoveries and one death.
Local Students Honoured With Scholarships
Some local students are being honoured with special scholarships.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says two students from each of its secondary schools are awarded with "Vision Scholarships" valued at $500, for reflecting the board vision of "thriving French-language Catholic students, proud and ready to take place in their society".
Local recipients are Bianca Hryhorchuck and Nicolas Lafreniere from Ecole secondaire Saint-Joseph in Wawa, as well as Annabelle Hazen and Yanick Lepage of Chapleau's ESC Trillium.
Wawa Urges Virtual Canada Day Celebrations As Fireworks Cancelled
The Municipality of Wawa's encouraging residents to enjoy virtual Canada Day events next week.
A notice from the Municipality warns that local fireworks have been cancelled "in the interest of public safety", amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to reduce large gatherings.
It does note the federal government's arranged virtual celebrations, however.
Chapleau has similarly cancelled Canada Day festivities, directing residents to virtual events.
Pukaskwa National Park Offering Limited Camping Services
Camping is back at a local national park.
Starting today, Pukaskwa National Park is offering limited camping services at Hattie Cove Campground, though with a reduced number of campsites and comfort station washrooms.
That number will increase July 15th, when the park will also start allowing backcountry hiking, paddling, and camping, as well as limited oTENTik bookings.
Visitors are warned to expect delays in services, while the Visitor Centre and park store will remain closed, and events, group, and interpretation activities are still suspended, though firewood will be available.
OPP to Watch Roads, Trails, and Waterways Over Canada Day Week
Ontario Provincial Police will be watching the roads, trails and waterways amid Canada Day celebrations over the next week.
Noting there is more of a "Canada Day week" since the holiday falls on a Wednesday this year, Superior East OPP Constable Trevor Tremblay warns officers will be out on local roads over the next week.
Emphasizing the OPP "can't be everywhere, but we can be anywhere", Constable Tremblay adds officers will also be out on trails and waterways, reminding that drug and alcohol-impaired driving rules apply for boaters.
Tremblay also urges everyone to follow public health and safety guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly noting limits on social gatherings.
Wawa Library Reopening for Curbside Pickup
The Wawa Public Library's preparing to reopen - with some big restrictions.
While the library is staying closed to the public, it will offer curbside pickup starting Tuesday, June 30th.
Patrons will be able to request items by phone, email, or through the library's website - the library will call when the item's available, and patrons then need only call before leaving or once there for pickup.
It'll be available between 11 am and 4 pm, Tuesday to Friday, except for the upcoming Canada Day Wednesday.
Chapleau's library has also opened for curbside pickup only, with similar rules.
Federal and Provincial Funding Announced for Wawa's School Zone Project
Wawa's getting federal and provincial support to reconstruct the town's "School Zone".
Municipal Council's approved a funding agreement for the project, just hours after the federal government's announced it will kick in $2,729,798 with a further $1,516,403 from the province and $796,343 more from either the Municipality or other sources.
The stated scope of the project is reconstruction of nine roads - Magpie Road, Churchill Avenue, Boyer Street, Spruce Street, Arnott Avenue, Ross Street, Darwin Street, Parkhill Street, and Grace Street - with repair and replacement of curbs, sidewalks, ramps, and gutters, as well as the addition of pedestrian crossings and bike lanes - moves meant to "improve safety and reliability, support better traffic flow, and facilitate active transportation".
The funding was announced this morning, along with support for projects in eleven other Northern communities, including more than $1.5-million for rehabilitation of Lyndale Road and Black's Trail in White River, and more than $4.5-million for refurbishment of the Hornepayne Airport Runway and Terminal.
Wawa Council Holding Lunchtime Meeting on School Zone and Land Sale
Wawa Municipal Council's holding a special lunchtime meeting to discuss a pair of items.
Included on the agenda for today's special meeting is a by-law for a provincial funding agreement, which would support the "School Zone Project".
Also on the agenda is an "in-camera" item, a legal issue about a sale of land, with a subsequent by-law to authorize the sale of municipal land.
The teleconference-based meeting starts at noon, and - except for the "in-camera" portion - is livestreamed on the Municipality's YouTube page.
Algoma Public Health Reports New COVID-19 Recovery
Locally, Algoma Public Health's reporting another "resolved" case, leaving only one active case at this time.
The health unit's reported a total of 24 cases, though it hasn't recently updated the number of tests whose results are still pending.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts still has three active cases at this time, all reported in the last week - it has reported a total of 67 cases so far, including 2 deaths.
The Porcupine Health Unit has two "active" cases in Timmins, both reported over the weekend - it has reported 67 total cases, with eight deaths.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit has five active cases - including three in hospital - with 84 recoveries and one death.
LDHC COVID-19 Assessment Centre to Visit Hawk Junction
Wawa's COVID-19 assessment centre will visit Hawk Junction next week.
The Lady Dunn Health Centre says the COVID-19 assessment centre will be set up at the Hawk Junction Community Centre Monday, June 29th, from 10 am to 2 pm, open to those who have any symptom of COVID-19, are concerned they have been exposed, or are at risk of exposure through their employment.
To book an appointment ahead of time, call 705-856-2244, extension 244 or 246, or - on Monday - call 705-987-3270.
Emergency Work Planned to Address Chapleau Sanitary Break
Work is planned to address a "sanitary break" on King Street in Chapleau.
Mayor Michael Levesque says the break between Ash and Elm was an "unexpected occurrence", but emergency work is planned.
Mayor Levesque says the work is "from manhole to manhole", noting he believes it's the original pipe that needs to be replaced - he hopes the pipe will be replaced and that area repaved, with the start of work depending on weather.
Chapleau Council Awards Service Delivery Review Contracts
Chapleau Town Council's moving forward with a pair of service delivery reviews.
In their meeting Monday night, Council awarded contracts for the reviews, with Mayor Michael Levesque explaining that a southern Ontario company will look into municipal energy consumption, expected to take six weeks.
Mayor Levesque notes the other review will look at the municipal airport.
Both reviews will result in reports for Council, who will decide how to move forward on the recommendations.
Chapleau Merges Public Works and Leisure/Culture Director Roles
Chapleau has a new - but familiar - public works boss.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains the superintendent role has been filled just over a month after the search began.
Mayor Levesque calls Raymond "a good addition" to the Township's staff, congratulating him for the expanded role.
Chapleau's Leisure and Cultural Services Director since last summer, Raymond has been filling in as Public Works Superintendent since the role was vacated.
LDHC COVID-19 Assessment Centre in Michipicoten First Nation
Wawa's COVID-19 assessment centre is visiting Michipicoten First Nation right now.
The Lady Dunn Health Centre has set up the COVID-19 assessment centre at the MFN health clinic, open to those who have any symptom of COVID-19, are concerned they have been exposed, are at risk of exposure through their employment, or are an MFN staff member working on reserve.
To book an appointment, call 705-987-3270.
It's open from 3 to 7 today.
Lost Pair of Hikers Found Safe Near Agawa Bay
Two hikers are safe after getting lost in Lake Superior Provincial Park.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the pair started hiking from the Frater Road on Sunday, but after several hours realized they were lost - they were able to get a weak cell phone signal and place a call to police around 9:20 that night.
The Northeast Region OPP Emergency Response Team responded, finding the pair near Agawa Bay around 4 o'clock this morning - they were returned to their vehicle in good health.
Wawa Calls Special Meeting on School Zone and Sale of Land
Wawa Municipal Council will hold a special meeting later this week, to discuss a pair of items.
Included on the agenda is a by-law for a provincial funding agreement, which would support the "School Zone Project".
Also on the agenda is an "in-camera" item, a legal issue about a sale of land.
The teleconference-based meeting will be held Thursday at noon, and - except for the "in-camera" portion - will be livestreamed on the Municipality's YouTube page.
More COVID-19 Cases Reported in the Region
Another case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Greater Sudbury.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says its 67th case is a man in his 60s who is self-isolating after he was tested Friday - it's unknown how he was exposed, as he has no history of travel or contact with a known case.
This comes just days after the health unit reports two other Greater Sudbury cases, its first new cases since May 14th.
These three are the health unit's only active cases.
Meanwhile, the neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reported its 90th case - a woman in her 20s in the Thunder Bay area, who had close contact with a confirmed case - leaving six active cases, three of whom are in hospital.
The Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed its 67th case, a woman in her 70s who was tested in Timmins on Sunday and is currently in self-isolation at home.
She's the second case reported in that region after more than a month without any new cases - they're the only active cases at this time.
Algoma Public Health also has two active cases, both reported in the last ten days, though it warns the cases are from "unknown exposure", evidence of community spread in the Sault Ste. Marie, central, and east Algoma areas - it's also considered "likely" in other parts of Algoma, including the North, where no cases have been confirmed so far.
Chapleau Man Arrested After Neighbour Dispute
A Chapleau man's facing multiple charges after a dispute in town.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to a neighbour dispute on Mill Road around 11:05 Saturday morning, leading to the arrest of a 61-year-old on charges of assault, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, and theft under $5000.
He's been released from custody, with a future Chapleau court date.