A local mine's requiring masks for workers on site.
While Newmont Porcupine says Public Health Sudbury and Districts' requirement for face coverings does not apply to its sites - like the Borden property in Chapleau - the company's now issuing individual sealed hygiene masks to its workers, requiring employees and contractors working onsite or for Newmont Porcupine to carry the mask at all times, as mandatory personal protective equipment, though it will only need to be worn in the event of an emergency in which physical distancing can't be maintained.
PHSD Confirms 69th COVID-19 Case
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed another new case.
The health unit says its 69th case is a Greater Sudbury woman in her 30s, who's self-isolating after being tested Tuesday.
It's unknown how she was exposed, as she has no history of travel or contact with a known case.
This is the health unit's second case this week, and the agency's warning community spread "remains possible and is likely in Sudbury and districts", urging everyone to limit "non-essential in-person gatherings of any size" even with recently expanded social gathering limits, and to maintain physical distancing of at least two metres - or six feet - from anyone who isn't from the same household or ten-person social circle, as well as wear a face covering if distancing isn't possible - face coverings are currently required in all indoor public spaces.
Elsewhere in the region, Algoma Public Health has one "active" case - reported in the Sault Ste. Marie area last week - though it is waiting on results from 762 tests.
The Porcupine Health Unit also has one active case, its 70th, reported Wednesday.
There are no active cases in the neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
Provincial Funding to Help Improve Dubreuilville Internet
Efforts to improve internet access in Dubreuilville are getting a provincial boost.
The provincial government's announced Dubreuilville's CEDC will receive up to $35,086.50 to hire a consultant to develop a feasibility study for acquiring high-speed internet for the community.
It's part of $3.3-million in cost-share funding for 58 Rural Economic Development (RED) Program projects across the province.
Impaired Driving Charge for Blind River Man in Wawa
A Blind River man's facing an impaired driving charge after a disturbance outside a Wawa motel.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to the unspecified motel on Mission Road around 11:30 Tuesday night, but were told a pickup truck had just left the area - the vehicle was found a short time later, with officers establishing the driver had consumed alcoholic beverages prior to operating the truck.
The 29-year-old was arrested and taken to the local detachment for further testing, leading to a charge of "operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration 80 plus", as well as a 90-day Administrative Driver's Licence Suspension, though he's been released from custody with a future court date.
His vehicle has also been impounded for seven days.
Local School Boards Approve Revised School Calendar
The local school boards have confirmed a revised calendar for next school year.
Based on Ministry of Education advice, the Algoma District School Board (ADSB), Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB), Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon (CSCNO), and Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario (CSPGNO) have approved a new shared 194-day calendar.
Staff will return for the 2020-21 school year on Tuesday, September 1st, though they'll have three Professional Activity Days, with classes beginning the following Tuesday, the 8th.
PA Days will also fall on September 25th, February 5th, April 30th, and June 11th, while the Christmas break will run December 21st through January 1st, and March Break will be March 15th through 19th, with classes ending June 29th.
Two Arrested After Break-In At Wawa High School
A Wawa pair are facing multiple charges after a break-in at a Wawa school.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to a local high school around 5:20 Tuesday morning - upon arrival, police observed a broken window and door at the rear of the school, and could hear suspects inside the building - officers entered and arrested two people a short time later.
Charged are an 18-year-old and a 22-year-old with: break, enter a place - commit indictable offence; mischief under $5000; disguise with intent; and possession of a schedule I substance - opioid other than heroin.
The teen has also been charged with theft under $5000, possession of break-in instruments, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, while the older suspect's been charged with unauthorized possession of weapon, possession of over 30 grams of dried cannabis or equivalent in a public place, and possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling.
They've been released from custody, with a future Wawa court date.
Wawa Family Health Team Warns of Phone Outages Amid Upgrade
Contacting the Wawa Family Health Team may be a little difficult today.
The local organization says an upgrade to its phone system means there will be unavoidable phone outages from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm today.
That could lead inbound or outbound calls to be lost or dropped during this time.
New COVID-19 Case Reported in Region
The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting a new case of COVID-19.
Few details are being given about the health unit's 70th - and only active - case, except that the individual's in isolation at Timmins and District Hospital and the health unit's investigation is ongoing.
It notes the new case is "an important reminder that we need to remain vigilant" as COVID-19's still circulating, urging the wearing of face coverings inside public spaces - now required in the health unit's region, as in Algoma and the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts - and even outdoors, if physical distancing's a challenge.
This is one of three "active" cases in the area - Algoma Public Health still has one active, reported last week, and Public Health Sudbury and Districts has one reported Monday, a Greater Sudbury resident 19 or younger whose exposure is travel-related.
The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit has no active cases at this time.
Chapleau Cree First Nation Pow Wow Cancelled
Another major cancellation's been announced in the area: Chapleau Cree First Nation's Annual Traditional Pow Wow.
While this year's event is cancelled, Chapleau Cree has set a date for next year: August 14th and 15th.
Anyone with questions about the cancellation is directed to Cultural Coordinator Cheryl Dupuis.
Another COVID-19 Recovery Reported in Algoma
A few COVID-19 cases remain in the region, as another recovery's been reported.
Algoma Public Health's reporting that 26 of its 27 reported cases are now considered "resolved", leaving only one "active" case, one of two reported last week - the health unit's still waiting on results from 981 tests, however.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has one active case - its 68th, a Greater Sudbury resident 19 or younger whose exposure was travel-related.
There are no active cases in the neighbouring Porcupine or Thunder Bay District health units.
New COVID-19 Case Reported in Greater Sudbury
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed its first new case in nearly a month.
The health unit says its 68th case is a Greater Sudbury resident 19 or younger, whose exposure was travel-related - they're self-isolating after being tested Sunday.
It's the first case for the health unit since June 22nd, and the agency's warning community spread "remains possible and is likely in Sudbury and districts", urging everyone to limit "non-essential in-person gatherings of any size" even with recently expanded social gathering limits.
It further urges everyone to stay at least two metres - or six feet - from anyone who isn't from the same household or ten-person social circle, and to wear a face covering if distancing isn't possible - face coverings are currently required in all indoor public spaces.
Algoma Public Health currently has two "active" cases of COVID-19, both reported in the Sault Ste. Marie area last week.
There are no active cases in the neighbouring Porcupine or Thunder Bay District health units.
White River Forest Products Donates to LDHCF
Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is getting a boost from White River's sawmill.
The Foundation is thanking White River Forest Products for a $1000 donation to the Foundation's current campaign, which is aimed at raising $125,000 to purchase a new washer/sterilizer and disinfector for the Medical Device Reprocessing Department.
This comes just days after the Foundation announced separate $2500 donations from the Beaver Motel and MacIntyre Trucking.
Wesdome Still Expects to Meet 2020 Production Guidance
Despite health and safety protocols from COVID-19, Wesdome Gold Mines says it's confident it'll hit its full year guidance.
Figures from the Toronto-based miner show more than 42,000 tonnes of ore were milled over the second quarter of the year, bringing the year-to-date amount over 98,000 tonnes - a 65 percent increase over the same period last year, despite a substantial drop in how much was milled from Eagle River during that period.
Gold production was also up, topping 25,000 ounces for the quarter, a twelve percent rise - despite a substantial drop in production from the Mishi Open Pit - with year-to-date production over 50,000 ounces, a 21 percent rise from the same period last year.
That's expected to allow the miner to meet its goal of 90,000-100,000 ounces for the year, especially as it has now resumed operations at its Kiena complex in Quebec.
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.
New Chapleau Firefighter Appointed to Auxiliary
A new appointment's been approved for Chapleau's Auxiliary Fire Department.
In their meeting last week, Chapleau Town Council approved the appointment of Walter Walgren, filling a vacancy within the local auxiliary.
The Chapleau Volunteer Fire Department had put out a call for applications in June.
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.
Chapleau Approves Sewage Lagoon Dechlorination Plans
Chapleau's taking efforts to cut chlorine out of its used water.
Mayor Michael Levesque says Council's approved plans for work at the sewage lagoon, prompted by higher government rules.
Mayor Levesque says chlorine is used from May to October, so he expects the work to be done after that period - the Township has until next May to meet the guidelines.
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.