Recipient Announcement Nears for Chapleau Volunteer Awards

Recipients will soon be announced for Chapleau's annual "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Awards.
Acknowledging this is much later than usual - as the awards are usually presented during Canada Day celebrations - Mayor Michael Levesque says Council has two candidates for the awards, but there will be further recognition.

Though he expects the recipients to be announced soon, Levesque couldn't give a firm date, as arrangements are still being worked out for the presentation, given current conditions.

Wawa Council Holding Back-to-Back Meetings Tonight

Wawa Council's holding back-to-back meetings tonight - and letting a few members of the public attend for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
First up is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, which will include two separate delegations on one issue: one delegation includes three speakers from Michipicoten First Nation while the other includes a representative of Superior Aggregates Corporation and another from Missanabie Cree First Nation, though the agenda notes written comments have also been received.
It'll also include discussion about a proposed reopening plan for the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, a revised Code of Conduct policy, and a revised policy on giving of notice.
Council will then hold a regular meeting, which includes a new asset management plan, a financial summary for the first half of the year, and agreements for the replacement of water main valves and the airport's AV gas fuel system.
There are also two "in-camera" items, both legal issues - one relates to staffing, the other about an offer to purchase property.
Though doors are open for some members of the public to attend, seats have already been "booked", but the meetings can still be viewed on the Muncipality's YouTube page - they start at 6:30 tonight.

Wawa's Smile Cookie Campaign Supporting Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund

As you pick up your morning coffee or a meal this week, you could get an extra smile to help support a local cause.
The annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign kicks off today, with proceeds from "Smile Cookie" sales at Tim Hortons Wawa supporting the Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund, which provides needy families everything needed for a Christmas dinner and a little more, including gifts for children.
The campaign continues to the end of the week.

More COVID-19 Cases Reported in Region

More cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed two more cases - one in Greater Sudbury, the other in an unspecified Sudbury District community - noting unknown exposure for both.
It's further warning of "a potential low-risk exposure" for anyone who visited "Kate's Kountry Kitchen" east of Markstay-Warren betwen noon and 9 pm September 4th or 5th.
The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting two cases in recent days: a Timmins man in his 40s and another individual in their 20s to 40s, who is in self-isolation in the James and Hudson Bay Region - the first for that area.
They are two of three active cases for the health unit, the other a Timmins man in his 20s who contracted the virus through international travel.
Algoma Public Health and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit have no active cases at this time.

Nationwide Virtual Terry Fox Run Approaches

The Terry Fox Run is rapidly approaching - although a little different than past years.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Terry Fox Foundation's opted for "virtual runs" coast-to-coast-to-coast, marking the 40th anniversary of Fox's Marathon of Hope this Sunday.
You can register at terryfox.org/run.

Chapleau Council Braces for Busy Meeting

Chapleau Council has a busy night ahead.
Included on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting is a by-law for a services agreement with Municipal Call2Recycle Canada, as well as resolutions: to consider nominations for the "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Awards; to consider a request for support for a new Seniors Living Facility on Pine Street; and to authorize a $71,525 purchase order for asphalt patching.
Council will also consider three "Committee of Adjustment" items - two for a lot application, one for a lot severance - and will consider a zoning by-law amendment relating to the latter property.
Tonight's meeting will be held electronically, with members of the public able to listen in by calling 1-800-974-5902, entering conference ID 5116623 - the meeting starts at 6:30.

Dubreuilville Looking to Fill Newly Vacant Council Seat

Dubreuilville's looking to fill a newly vacant Council seat.
Prompted by the resignation of Leandre Moore last month - as he's moved to the Sudbury area to be closer to his children - Council's decided against holding a new election, instead opting to request expressions of interest for potential replacements, who would serve the remaining two years of Council's term.
Qualified candidates are asked to submit an application form - available from the Township - and a resume by 2 pm on Monday, September 28th.
An interview process is planned to help Council determine the appointment.

Superior East OPP Lay Several Charges Over Labour Day Long Weekend

Local police were kept busy over the Labour Day long weekend.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers were out patrolling highways, trails, and waterways, focusing on the "Big Four" - impaired, aggressive, and inattentive driving, as well as lack of seatbelt use - laying 117 speeding charges and 15 more for other Highway Traffic Act violations, three Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act charges, a hazardous moving violation charge, and a Liquor Licence Act charge.
Police encourage road users to avoid risks and comply with all traffic laws.

Note: this story has been updated to correct the number of speeding charges laid. Superior East OPP initially reported 17, though a correction issued later reported 117.

Highway 17 Temporarily Closed as OPP Respond to Train Car Fire West of White River

Highway 17 was closed in the White River area early this morning, as emergency services responded to a reported train derailment and fire west of White River.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the highway was closed as a precaution around 3:15 this morning while the situation was assessed, with Superior East and Marathon OPP officers quickly discovering that a train car carrying wood products was on fire, though the train was still on the rails.
Railway crews were able to relocate the majority of the unaffected cars, while the White River Fire Department and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry fire crews helped extinguish the fire.
No injuries have been reported.

Superior East OPP Respond to 2 White River Altercations

Two out-of-towners are facing charges after separate altercations in White River.
The first incident occurred outside a White River business around 11 o'clock Monday morning: Superior East Ontario Provincial Police observed two people engaged in a verbal dispute and separated them before arresting a 22-year-old from Hamilton on a charge of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
Police also responded to an altercation on Elgin Street around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon - both people involved declined assault chargess, though one, a 27-year-old from Thunder Bay, was found to be breaching court-ordered release conditions, resulting in two charges of fail to comply with probation order.
Both have been released from custody with future Wawa court dates.

Chapleau Preparing to Close Splash Pad

Another sign of fall: Chapleau's preparing to close its splash pad for the season.
The Township says the pad will be closed for winter as of next Monday, September 14th.
It's been open with restrictions since mid-June, as the provincial government allowed water recreational facilities to reopen under "Stage 2" of the province's COVID-19 recovery plan.

Superior East OPP Urge Driver Safety Amid Return to School

Local police are issuing a few safety reminders as kids return to school.
Noting this return to school comes after a roughly six month hiatus, Superior East OPP Constable Trevor Tremblay emphasizes an important point for drivers.

Constable Tremblay reminds there will also be many young students walking to school - especially on Churchill, Magpie, and toward Sir James Dunn - and that means another thing drivers haven't seen in months.

Drivers are also encouraged to watch for crossing guards and give bicyclists lots of room, with cyclists reminded to wear their helmets.

Wawa Reopening Municipal Offices and Restarting Transit

After months closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wawa's reopening its municipal offices - and restarting transit.
As of today, the municipal offices to the public during usual hours, though visitors need to wear masks, sanitize their hands, and sign-in at the front lobby for contact tracing purposes, while those who are sick or aren't feeling well are asked to stay home.
The Wawa Public Library's also open under similar conditions.
Transit service is running again from 8:45 am to 2:45 pm weekdays, though with reduced seating capacity - again, users are asked to wear a mask and wash hands prior to getting on the bus, and to refrain from using it if sick.
Any monthly pass that was still valid after March 24th is extended to September 30th, while a 10-day pass valid after March 24th is extended until the end of the year.

OPP Investigating Fatal ATV Collision North of Sault Ste. Marie

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a fatal ATV collision north of the Sault.
Sault Ste. Marie OPP say they responded to the collision on Havilland Shores Road in Goulais Township around 8 o'clock Saturday night, with the driver of the ATV pronounced dead at the scene.
He's been identified as 33-year-old Jesse Miezlaiskis of Goulais River.
The OPP Technical Collision Investigation team is investigating.

Superior East OPP Remind Drivers to Stay Safe Over Labour Day Weekend

Ontario Provincial Police are hitting the roads for the long weekend.
Superior East OPP Constable Trevor Tremblay reminds drivers to be careful about distracted driving.

Constable Tremblay adds officers will also be watching for the other "Big Four", including lack of seatbelts and aggressive driving.

Noting the Superior East detachment "nearly doubled" its year-to-date impaired driving charges between July 15th and August 15th, Tremblay reminds drivers not to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs, adding they can be charged for impaired driving while using "anything with a motor", including a lawn tractor or e-bike.
OPP will also be watching trails and lakes and rivers.

APH Reports 29th COVID-19 Case

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 29th case of COVID-19.
The health unit's giving few details, though F-J Davey Home in Sault Ste. Marie's confirmed the positive test stems from staff surveillance, and it has put the home into a "presumptive outbreak" at this time.
It's the health unit's second case in less than a week, though the other - a staff member at the Sault's Ontario Finnish Resthome - is now considered "resolved".
Public Health Sudbury and Districts still shows one "active" case, while the Porcupine and Thunder Bay District health units show none.

Vehicle Stolen From Thessalon Recovered Near Chapleau

A stolen vehicle's been recovered west of Chapleau.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they received information around 3:20 Monday afternoon about a vehicle that had been reported stolen from Thessalon earlier that day
The vehicle was located on Highway 101 about 20 kilometres west of Chapleau, with the lone occupant surrendering to police without incident.
The 34-year-old Ingersoll woman's facing multiple charges: possession of property obtained by crime over and under $5000; mischief - destroy or damage property; possession of break-in instruments; failure to comply with undertaking; possession of a schedule I substance - heroin; possession of a schedule I substance - methamphetamine; deface plate; and two counts of breach of recognizance.
She's been remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

Wawa Removing Lion's Beach Dock Early Amid Repeated Vandalism

Wawa's removing the Lion's Beach dock early, amid "constant vandalism over the past month".
The Municipality of Wawa says the dock is being removed for the season today - weeks ahead of the normal time - with a release explaining "staff made the difficult decision based on the issues encountered over the past month", having replaced several pins and re-bolted sections of the dock throughout August - it further emphasizes that "each incidence of missing hardware created an unsafe condition that opens the Municipality to further liability should any user be injured".
It notes staff are investigating a "hardware upgrade to ensure this does not happen" next summer, though nothing is specified.
This comes just weeks after the Municipality was forced to close the washrooms at Lion's Beach due to repeated vandalism - they were later reopened, but the Municipal release says that vandalism "has become a near-daily occurrence" and "staff are unable to keep pace with the amount of issues at the park".
While vandalism had caused the beach house to close in August 2016, no major problems had been reported since, until this summer.

Algoma Public Health Reports 28th COVID-19 Case After 1 Month of No Cases

After more than a month without an active case, Algoma Public Health's confirmed its 28th case of COVID-19.
APH says the person's self-isolating after they were tested on Thursday, and that their exposure is "unknown", considered evidence of community spread in Sault Ste. Marie and area, where all but five of Algoma's cases have been reported.
It also points to the Ontario Finnish Resthome Association, which says COVID-19 has been confirmed in a staff member of their MKK building, adding the MKK team's "working closely" with the health unit to take "heightened preventive actions", though they emphasize the risk of exposure to residents and staff is "low" and no outbreak has been declared at this time.
The health unit's notified close contacts while residents of the facility are monitored for symptoms - with symptomatic residents tested immediately - and staff are tested regularly.
APH further emphasizes all Algoma residents must continue practicing physical distancing - as any close contact could be a possible exposure - while masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces, though they should also be worn wherever physical distancing can't be maintained.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit still have one "active" case each, while the Porcupine Health Unit has none, after their ninth COVID-19-related death over the weekend.

Hamilton Man Charged in Wawa Theft of Gas

Charges have been laid against a Hamilton man in a theft of gas in Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to the incident on Pinewood Drive around 6 o'clock Sunday morning, finding the vehicle in White River about an hour later.
A 26-year-old from Hamilton was arrested on charges of theft under $5000 an driving while under suspension, but released from custody with a future Wawa court date.