Alamos Gold Proceeding With Island Gold Shaft Expansion

Alamos Gold is moving forward with a major expansion of a local mine.
The Toronto-based miner says it's proceeding with a $500-million shaft expansion at its Island Gold Mine, prompted by a positive Phase III Expansion Study.
Its aim is to reach 2000 tonnes per day, with average annual gold production of 236,000 ounces starting upon completion of the shaft, in 2025, which would be a 72% increase from the mid-point of previously issued 2020 prouction guidance.
Under the plan, Island Gold would have a mine life of sixteen years, double the current eight-year Mineral Reserve life.
This comes as recent surface and underground exploration drilling further extended high-grade gold mineralization in all three areas of focus at Island Gold.

Local Projects Included in Northern Road Work for 2020, 2021

Work will be done on some local roadways over the next couple years.
The Ontario government's announced $625-million to "expand and improve highways, roads, and bridges across Northern Ontario", with projects including further four-laning of Highway 69 south of Sudbury and Highway 17 between Kenora and Manitoba.
This year's local projects include: bridge and culvert rehabilitation for the Sand River and Barrett River Bridges on Highway 17 south of Wawa, as well as the Alona Bay Culvert south of Montreal River; resurfacing and shoulder paving of 26.7 kilometres of Highway 17 west of Highway 519; culvert replacement and resurfacing of 32.9 kilometres of Highway 17 east of Highway 631; replacement of the Big Pine Lake Culvert on Highway 101 west of Chapleau; culvert replacement and rehabilitation along 48.6 kilometres of Highway 129 south of Highway 667 to the south junction of Highway 101; and bridge replacement, culvert replacement, and resurfacing on 10.9 kilometres of Highways 101 and 7172 west of Highway 144 heading east, east of Foleyet.
More work is planned next year, including the replacement or rehabilitation of the Sideburned, Nemegosenda, and Nebskawashi bridges.

COVID-19 Recoveries Reported in Neighbouring Regions

More recoveries have been reported in neighbouring regions.
The Porcupine Health Unit says one more case is considered "resolved" - leaving one active case in its region - while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting its latest case is now "resolved", leaving no active cases.
Algoma Public Health, however, says both cases reported in the Sault Ste. Marie area in the last week are still "active".
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has no active cases, and has not reported any since June 22nd.

Chapleau Council Approves Tender for LED Streetlights

Efforts are moving forward to revitalize Chapleau's downtown by lighting it up
Mayor Michael Levesque explains Council's approved a tender for new LED street lights, using funds meant for downtown revitalization.

Mayor Levesque says the switch should save "considerable money over the long-term" - estimating savings of about $700 a month - and he emphasizes the project is fully covered by the outside funding.

Few COVID-19 Cases Remain in Region

A few COVID-19 cases remain in the region.
Algoma Public Health's reporting two active cases, both in the Sault Ste. Marie area - the second was reported Friday night, someone who had close contact with a known case and has been self-isolating since they were tested Wednesday, with close contacts notified.
The health unit emphasizes community spread remains likely in all regions of Algoma, reminding residents to practice physical distancing - as any close contact could be a possible exposure - and warning masks or face coverings must be worn in all indoor public spaces.
The Porcupine Health Unit has two active cases - the last reported last Monday - while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has one, a man in his 60s in the Thunder Bay area, reported Saturday.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts currently has no active cases, but has warned of evidence of community spread from previous cases.

Wawa & Chapleau Reopen Playgrounds With Restrictions

Most of Wawa's parks are open once again.
As "Stage 3" of the province's reopening process allows playgrounds to reopen, the Municipality of Wawa says inspections have cleared the reopening of the Queen's Park, Rose's Beach Park, and Centennial Park playgrounds, but not the Marina Park playground, which will stay closed until further notice as it did not pass its annual safety inspection.
Staff also remind swing set construction's ongoing at Queen's Park and swing installation's planned for next week at Centennial Park.
The playgrounds aren't sanitized and users are reminded to practice physical distancing, good hand hygiene, and other recommendations of Algoma Public Health, with anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 asked not to use the playground equipment.
Chapleau's also reopened its playgrounds - the splash pad was already open - though signs have been posted with rules to follow.

Numerous Charges Announced for Windsor Duo Who Fled Police Near Wawa

Numerous charges have been announced for a Windsor duo who fled police following a traffic complaint near Wawa.
Updating an incident that started Tuesday morning - ending about 23 hours later, with the pair surrendering themselves to police - Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say a 23-year-old and a 29-year-old have both been charged with unauthorized possession of a weapon, theft under $5000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, possession of break-in instruments, and escape lawful custody.
The 28-year-old also faces four counts of failure to comply with release order while the 23-year-old has also been charged with dangerous operation, flight from peace officer, possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order, operate motor vehicle without insurance, fail to apply for permit on becoming owner, use plate not authorized for vehicle, race motor vehicle - excessive speed, and driving while under suspension.
Both have been remanded into custody, scheduled to appear in court

Face Coverings Required in Indoor Public Places in Algoma

Face coverings are now required for indoor public places across Algoma.
As of today, Algoma Public Health requires businesses and organizations to have a policy requiring the public to wear a face covering such as a non-medical mask in all enclosed public spaces, such as the indoor premises of businesses and organizations, or on public transit systems.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts implemented a similar requirement last week, with the Porcupine Health Unit to require the public and employees in its area to wear a non-medical mask or face covering when entering an indoor public space starting next Thursday.

Local Regions (and Much of Ontario) Entering Stage 3 of Reopening

Public health restrictions are loosening for much of the province today.
Aside from Toronto and a few other parts of the south, most of Ontario is now in "Stage 3" of the province's reopening process, allowing most businesses and public spaces to open and raising indoor gathering limits to a maximum of 50 people - or 100 for outdoor gatherings - though physical distancing requirements remain in effect.
That includes community events or gatherings, concerts, live shows, festivals, sports and recreational fitness activities, fundraisers, fairs, festivals, open houses, and conferences.
Some things are still prohibited: amusement and water parks; buffet-style food services; dancing at restaurants and bars; overnight stays at camps for children; private karaoke rooms; prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports; saunas, steam rooms, bath houses, and oxygen bars; or table games at gaming establishments.
Locally, Wawa and Chapleau are reopening playgrounds but not their recreation centres - Wawa staff are working on plans to do so, but warn it likely won't happen in the next few weeks.

Chapleau Integrity Commissioner Finds Councillor Conflict of Interest

Chapleau's Integrity Commissioner has found a councillor violated conflict of interest rules - and will turn to a judge for a ruling.
The report presented to Council during Monday's meeting focuses on allegations Councillor Rick Smith contravened the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act by participating in Council decisions about last year's Drag Races.
The report finds he did declare a pecuniary interest when it was first discussed in January 2019, with a written declaration noting Smith could be a vendor at the event through his business holdings.
According to the report, Smith contacted the Integrity Commissioner in late May to confirm whether there'd be a conflict if his business acted as a vendor or if the local Order of Odd Fellows - of which he's a member - participated as a service group, with the commissioner advising Smith he had a direct and indirect pecuniary interest whether or not he became a vendor, so he was "prohibited from influencing the decision [of Council] before, during, or after the deliberations" and should declare the conflict, but he could otherwise become a vendor, which he did.
Despite that, the report says Smith ended up participating in two Council decisions regarding the Drag Race - in May and September 2019 - and even advised the public and Council he'd been told he didn't have a conflict, something refuted by the Integrity Commissioner in October.
It concludes there was a conflict of interest during the May vote but the Commissioner could not "action" that because it was outside of the six-week complaint period, though it does plan to apply to a Superior Court judge to determine whether Smith contravened the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act in the September vote, and - if so - any penalty to be imposed.
The report does emphasize that the Act doesn't prevent councillors from having businesses like food vending or from joining service clubs, though it does prohibit those with such pecuniary interests from influencing Council decisions.
JJAM FM News reached out to Smith for comment on the report, though he's declined.

Two in Custody After Fleeing Police Near Wawa

Two people are in custody after fleeing police in Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to a northbound traffic complaint on Highway 17 south of Wawa around 9 o'clock Tuesday morning - a black sedan was reported to be driving at a high rate of speed and passing unsafely, with police also informed the vehicle's occupants were suspects in a Thessalon-area gas theft.
Officers located the vehicle around 11:15 that morning on Highway 17 near Red Rock Lake in Lake Superior Provincial Park, but attempts to stop the vehicle with spike belts were unsuccessful.
A short time later, the driver requested gasoline from an off-duty OPP sergeant on Steephill Dam Road, north of Wawa - the sergeant advised on-duty officers and the roadway was contained, with the vehicle eventually located stuck with the two occupants trying to free it - they failed to do so and fled on foot into the surrounding wooded area, prompting a search assisted by the Northeast Region OPP Canine Unit and Emergency Response Team.
The two ended up surrendering themselves to police around 8 o'clock Wednesday morning.
Police say the pair face numerous charges, but a full list - and further details about the accused - will be released later.

26th Algoma COVID-19 Case Confirmed

Algoma Public Health's reporting another COVID-19 case.
The health unit is giving few details about its 26th confirmed case, except the person's been self-isolating since they were tested Monday and close contacts have been notified.
It's unknown how the person was exposed, considered evidence of ongoing community spread in Sault Ste. Marie and area and/or southern Ontario, though the health unit warns community spread's likely throughout Algoma and everyone should continue practicing physical distancing since any close contact could be a possible exposure.
This comes as the health unit's reporting its 25th case - confirmed last Thursday - is now "resolved", meaning this new case is the only active one for the health unit, though it is awaiting the results of 1450 tests.
Meanwhile, the Porcupine Health Unit has a single active case, reported July 9th - the 68th case for the health unit, which has seen eight deaths linked to COVID-19 - while the neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit also has a single "active" case - it has reported 92 so far, with one death.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has not reported a case since June 22nd, with all 67 of its reported cases considered "resolved", including 2 deaths.

Cocaine Trafficking Charge After Search Warrant Executed in Wawa

A Wawa man's facing a cocaine trafficking charge after a search warrant was executed at a local residence.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the North East Region Community Street Crime Unit executed the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act warrant around 8 o'clock last Thursday night, with the search finding an unspecified quantity of suspected cocaine and Canadian currency, at a total street value of about $3600.
That led to the arrest of a 36-year-old on charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking of a schedule I substance - cocaine - and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000.
He's been released with a future Wawa court date.

Calgary Man Arrested for Breaching Release Order With No Plates Near Wawa

Driving without licence plates near Wawa has led to the arrest of a Calgary man.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they stopped a northbound vehicle on Highway 17 in Rabazo Township around 2 o'clock last Wednesday afternoon, with investigation revealing the driver was breaching court-ordered release conditions by possessing a cell phone.
Charged with failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court - the 47-year-old has been released from custody with a future Wawa court date.

White River Resident Charged in Break-In

A White River resident's facing charges over a break-in at a Winnipeg Street residence.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident around 6 o'clock on the morning of July 6th, with investigation revealing someone entered the residence and took some clothing and electronics.
That led to the arrest of a 28-year-old woman on charges of break, enter dwelling house to commit indictable offence and theft under $5000 - she's been released from custody, scheduled to appear in Wawa court next month.

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