ADSB Trustees Confirm Balanced Budget

Algoma District School Board trustees have confirmed a balanced budget for the year.
In their meeting earlier this week, trustees approved a $164.8-million budget for 2020-21, which includes commitments to continue with its Support for Board Improvement Plan, technology-related professional development for teachers, increased technology for students - with system upgrades - supports for special education and mental health, and capital improvements to the learning environments in schools.
The board notes there may be "additional enhancements", as well, as it awaits additional special project funding announcements and September 2020 enrolment figures.

Dangerous Operation and Drug Charges After Chapleau Traffic Complaint

Dangerous operation and drug charges have been laid after a traffic complaint in Chapleau.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a complaint on Lorne Street around 8:45 Saturday night, finding the driver slouched over the steering wheel, sleeping.
While the driver did pass a roadside test, officers found them they possessed suspected methamphetamine pills, leading to charges of dangerous operation, possession of a schedule I substance - methamphetamine, and possession of a schedule I substance - opioid other than heroin.
The 38-year-old Chapleau resident's been released from custody with a future Chapleau court date.

OPP Still Watching for Violations After Canada Day

While Canada Day's now over, Ontario Provincial Police are reminding they're still watching roads, trails and waterways amid continued celebrations into the weekend.
Superior East OPP Constable Trevor Tremblay in particular reminds boaters not to get out on the water while impaired.

Constable Tremblay emphasizes the OPP "can't be everywhere, but we can be anywhere", and urges everyone to follow public health and safety guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly limits on social gatherings and physical distancing.

Pair of Ontario Residents Charged After Speeding Stop Near Wawa

A pair of Ontario residents are facing various charges after being stopped for speeding near Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers conducting speed enforcement on Highway 17 near Coldwater River stopped a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed around 7:30 Monday night - the driver provided a false name, but gave his real name after he was confronted about it.
Subsequent investigation revealed multiple driving suspensions, leading to the 30-year-old Thunder Bay man's arrest on charges of obstruct peace officer, driving while under suspension, speeding, drive vehicle with cannabis readily available, and two counts of operation while prohibited.
Police also arrested a passenger - a 32-year-old from Barrie - on a charge of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000.
Both were released, with future Wawa court dates.

Pair of Wawa Students Receive Scholarships

A pair of Wawa students are being honoured with special scholarships.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says sixteen students from its secondary schools in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie were awarded a "Bishop Alexander Carter Foundation Scholarship" valued at $1000, recognizing them for being an enlightened believer, effective communicator, thoughtful thinker, independent learner, collaborator, considerate person, and responsible citizen, or for obtaining the highest mark in Religious Teaching and illustrating themselves the most in school pastoral activities.
Recipients included Nicolas Lafreniere and Demily Thibodeau-Bello, both from Wawa's Ecole secondaire Saint-Joseph.
Lafreniere was also a recipient of the board's "Vision Scholarship", along with classmate Bianca Hryhorchuck, and two students from Chapleau's ESC Trillium, Annabelle Hazen and Yanick Lepage.

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.

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