Work's resumed at White River's gold mine.
Harte Gold says all mine activities have commenced at its Sugar Zone Mine, with Harte Gold "ahead on all key mining metrics" - as backfill, waste, and ore development are meeting or exceeding expectations, longhole blasting and ore haulage rates are improving daily, and a significant stockpile's been built-up - supporting planned mill start-up early next month.
The Toronto-based mining company is reiterating its production guidance of 20,000 to 24,000 ounces this year and 60,000 to 65,000 next year, noting a 1200 tonne per day feasibility study is underway, with near-mine exploration planned to start in August.
Several Active COVID-19 Cases Remain in Region
Several cases of COVID-19 remain active in the region - especially in Sudbury.
While figures from Public Health Sudbury and Districts shows one newly resolved case, there are still nine active in Greater Sudbury after the health unit reported several cases in recent days, many 19 or younger whose exposure has been linked to travel or contact with someone exposed during travel.
The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit still has two active cases in the Thunder Bay area, while the Porcupine Health Unit has a single active case in isolation at Timmins and District Hospital.
Algoma Public Health has no active cases, though it is waiting on the results of nearly 500 tests.
Several New COVID-19 Cases Reported in Region
Several new cases of COVID-19 are being reported in the region - especially in Sudbury.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts confirmed eight new cases late Monday; seven Greater Sudbury residents 19 or younger and a Greater Sudbury man in his 30s.
One of the younger cases is noted to have travel-related exposure, while the other seven had contact with a travel-related case.
This leaves the health unit with ten active cases - all in Greater Sudbury - including two others 19 or younger that are linked to travel and two employees of Extendicare Falconbridge, which has prompted the declaration of an outbreak at the long-term care facility.
The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit - meanwhile - has confirmed its 95th case - a woman in her 50s in the Thunder Bay area, whose exposure is unknown - leaving it with two active cases in the Thunder Bay area.
The Porcupine Health Unit has a single active case, as well - the health unit's 70th, noted to be in isolation at Timmins and District Hospital.
Algoma Public Health has no active cases, though it is waiting on the results of more than 500 tests.
Man Faces Impaired Driving and Other Charges After Failing to Stop for Chapleau RIDE Check
A southwestern Ontario man's facing multiple charges after failing to stop for a RIDE check in Chapleau.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were conducting the RIDE spot check with the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service at the intersection of Monk Street and Pine Street around 11:05 Friday night when a vehicle was observed swerving into the oncoming lane as it was approaching them, but failed to stop as directed - officers followed the vehicle to a motel, where the driver and passenger fled on foot inside, though the driver was arrested after a short foot chase and struggle.
The 27-year-old from St. Clair Township has been charged with operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), resist peace officer, and drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available.
He's been released with a future Chapleau court date, though he's also been issued a 90-day Administrative Driver's Licence Suspension and his vehicle's been impounded for seven days.
No Injuries After Tractor-Trailer Fire Near Montreal River
No injuries have been reported after a tractor trailer caught fire near Montreal River.
Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police and the Batchewana Fire Department responded to the fire in the southbound lanes of Highway 17 in Slater Township around 4:30 Saturday afternoon - police say the transport was loaded with wood, which became engulfed by the fire.
The driver, however, was not injured.
It's unclear whether police are still investigating or any charges are being considered.
PHSD Declares Long-Term Care Home Outbreak
An outbreak's been declared at a Sudbury long-term care home.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says its 71st case, a Greater Sudbury woman in her 50s who tested positive on Saturday, is an employee of Extendicare Falconbridge, prompting the outbreak declaration for the facility - she was tested as part of routine surveillance testing of long-term care staff across the province.
The health unit further notes its 69th case, a Greater Sudbury woman in her 30s who tested positive on Thursday, was also an employee of the facility.
They're two of four active cases in Greater Sudbury, as two residents 19 or younger have tested positive in the last week.
The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit confirmed its 94th - and only active case - late Friday, a woman in her 30s in the Thunder Bay area while the Porcupine Health Unit has a single active case - its 70th - noted to be in isolation at Timmins and District Hospital.
Algoma Public Health's has no "active" cases at this time, though it is waiting on the results of more than 1000 tests.
More COVID-19 Cases Reported in Region
More cases of COVID-19 are being reported in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts confirmed two new cases over the weekend; a Greater Sudbury resident 19 or younger on Friday and a Greater Sudbury woman in her 50s on Saturday.
The first case was exposed through contact with a travel-related case - the health unit had reported a travel-related case in a Greater Sudbury resident 19 or younger last Monday - while the other case had close contact with a case of unknown exposure - the health unit reported a Greater Sudbury woman in her 30s with unknown exposure last Thursday.
All four cases are considered "active" at this time.
The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit confirmed its 94th - and only active case - late Friday, a woman in her 30s in the Thunder Bay area - her exposure is unknown.
The Porcupine Health Unit has a single active case, as well - the health unit's 70th was announced last week, noted to be in isolation at Timmins and District Hospital.
Some good news: Algoma Public Health's showing all 27 of its cases are now considered "resolved" - including two cases reported more than a week ago - though it is waiting on the results of nearly 900 tests.
Newmont Porcupine Requiring Masks for Workers
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.