Algoma Public Health's reporting two more cases of COVID-19.
The health unit is giving few details about the new cases, except that they stem from close contact with another known case and are self-isolating after they were tested Monday, adding this is considered evidence of community spread in southern Ontario.
They're the 36th and 37th cases reported in Algoma, and - like all but five cases reported by the health unit - they're in the Sault Ste. Marie area.
Combined with two more recoveries, the health unit's number of "active" cases is still three.
Both Public Health Sudbury and Districts and the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit also have three "active" cases, while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has none.
Historic Claim Settlement for Missanabie Cree First Nation
An historic claim settlement has been reached for Missanabie Cree First Nation.
Chief Jason Gauthier and Canada's Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Carolyn Bennett, have announced "a major step forward on the path of reconciliation and renewal", concluding the negotiated settlement to the First Nation's longstanding land claim under Treaty No. 9 - a move the federal government says addresses "a past wrong that dates back over 110 years".
Building upon the 2018 announcement that 39 square kilometres of land near the community of Missanabie has been set apart as "reserve land" for Missanabie Cree First Nation's use and benefit, the settlement provides the First Nation with about $150-million in financial compensation and the ability to add up to 3200 acres to the reserve's land base.
Wawa's Take Back The Night Takes Different Form
Wawa residents are being encouraged to show their opposition to violence against women, walking to "Take Back The Night".
CHADWIC Home frontline worker Dawn Charbonneau explains - due to the COVID-19 pandemic - the 22nd annual "Take Back the Night" march has taken a different form this year, becoming a self-guided walk along the boardwalk until Thursday night.
Charbonneau notes a few more items will be put up late tomorrow.
Charbonneau adds participants are asked to take pictures of their self-guided walk and to submit them by email to allison@chadwichome.com - a slideshow of the pictures will be displayed on CHADWIC Home's Facebook page at 9 o'clock Thursday night.
Neighbouring Health Unit Reports Another COVID-19 Case
A neighbouring health unit's reporting another COVID-19 case.
The Porcupine Health Unit says its 85th case is between 20 and 39 years old and is now self-isolating at home in Timmins - investigation's ongoing to determine how they were exposed.
This leaves the health unit with three "active" cases, though the other two are self-isolating outside of its region.
Algoma Public Health currently has three "active" cases - after reporting its 35th confirmed case last night - while Public Health Sudbury and Districts also has three "active", and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has none.
Smile Cookies Raise $2900 for Hamper Fund
Some cookies are adding an extra smile for a local organization.
While Tim Hortons says its week-long "Smile Cookie" campaign last month raised a record $10.56-million for 550 charities, hospitals, and community groups across Canada, Tim Hortons Wawa is touting $2900 brought in for the Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund.
Run by volunteers, the Hamper Fund is a registered charity which provides needy families everything needed for a Christmas dinner and a little more, including gifts for children.
Chapleau Fall Clean Up Now Underway
Chapleau's opening up its landfill site for local residents free of charge.
A notice on the Township's website notes - starting today - the municipal landfill site is accepting residential waste for free through Saturday, during regular hours.
It reminds materials must be sorted into steel, wood, building products, and other household waste - and that items like automotive batteries, tires, pressurized tanks, fridges and freezers, derelict vehicles, and construction, demolition, or renovation material will not be accepted.
The "Fall Clean Up" culminates with the Hazardous Waste Collection Event on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Township's reminding residents that the fall cleaning of the municipal cemeteries will happen on or after October 15th, disposing of all lot decorations in accordance with the Cemetery By-Law, so residents are reminded to remove structures, ornaments, candles, or other embellishments - obviously, headstones, monuments, and markers are excepted.
Wawa Council Holding Trio of Meetings
Wawa Council has a busy night ahead, holding a trio of meetings.
First up is a public meeting under the Planning Act - relating to a request for a temporary by-law amendment on a Pinewood Drive property - an item that will come back up in tonight's regular meeting.
Between the two will be a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, which will include discussion about the establishment of a Marina Advisory Committee, a request from the Friends of Vallee Park, and a "COVID update".
The regular meeting will include a resolution to return to virtual Council meetings - tonight is only the second time since the COVID-19 pandemic began that members of the public will be allowed to attend in person - as well as a resolution to support an unspecified project and the use of municipal land to access a work camp.
There are also four "in-camera" items, two personnel issues - one about staffing, the other about labour or contract negotiations - as well as two legal issues - one relates to IT security, the other about an offer to purchase property.
Though doors are open for the public to attend, there's only a limited amount of seats and they must be booked by 4 o'clock today by contacting Clerk Cathy Cyr.
The meetings can still be viewed on the Muncipality's YouTube page, starting at 6:30 tonight.
APH Reports 35th COVID-19 Case
Algoma Public Health's reporting another case of COVID-19.
The health unit is giving few details about its 35th case, except that it stems from close contact with another known case and international travel.
According to the health unit's website, this is the 30th case reported in the Sault Ste. Marie area, and APH says this is evidence of community spread in northern Michigan, warning anyone who's ill - even with mild symptoms - must stay home and self-isolate.
It further warns everyone not to have close contact with anyone outside of the immediate household of people you live with, and to avoid non-essential travel if possible, adding all returning international travellers must stay home for fourteen days.
There's some good news, as the health unit's showing two more recoveries, leaving it with three "active" cases, all in the Sault area.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts still has three "active" and the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit also has three - though two are self-isolating outside of its region - while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit now shows no "active" cases.
PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Recoveries
Some recoveries have been reported in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is now showing only three "active" cases out of the 108 it has reported, while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit now shows no "active" cases out of the 107 it has reported.
Algoma Public Health still has four active cases - including its 34th case, reported on Friday - while the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit has three out of its 84 reported cases still "active", though two of those are self-isolating outside of its region.
Chapleau Council to Hold 1st October Meeting
Chapleau Council's set to hold its first meeting of the month.
Included on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting are purchase orders for King Street Sanitary Repair and emergency replacement of lab equipment used to test daily water samples, as well as two "Committee of Adjustment" items - one for a lot severance at the Beaudry Estate, the other for a lot addition at 168 Martel Road.
There's also an "in-camera" item, "concerning labour relations or employee negotiations related to the recruitment of a Chief Administrative Officer".
Tonight's meeting will be held electronically, with members of the public able to listen in by calling 1-800-974-5902, entering conference I-D 5116623 - the meeting starts at 6:30.
Changes Noted for North Algoma COVID-19 Assessment Centre
Some changes have been announced for the North Algoma COVID-19 Assessment Centre.
The Lady Dunn Health Centre reminds anyone who thinks they need a test should first call 705-914-1114 and you'll be given an appointment, if you meet current testing guidelines.
Wawa's assessment centre has moved to the receiving entrance of the hospital - signs will help guide you - open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 8:30 am to 8 pm Tuesday and Thursday.
Starting this week, Dubreuilville's medical centre is also being used as a satellite site, from 1:30 to 3:30 Monday and Wednesday afternoons.
Northern Lights Ford Looking to "Scare Hunger"
A Wawa car dealership is looking to "scare hunger" this month.
Northern Lights Ford is holding its annual campaign to support the Wawa Food Bank, and Danette Mathias says "we're in it together", so everyone's encouraged to help "put a mask on hunger" by donating non-perishable food items.
Mathias notes there is another way to donate, as Northern Lights Ford will collect donations at John's Valu-Mart this Saturday and on Saturday, October 24th, from 10 to 1 each day - and Mathias adds local schools and some local organizations are also raising support, as in past years.
APH Reports 34th COVID-19 Case
Algoma Public Health's reporting another case of COVID-19.
The health unit is giving few details about its 34th case, except that it's unknown how they contracted the coronavirus - considered evidence of ongoing community spread in the Sault Ste. Marie area and southern Ontario - with a further warning that anyone who travelled in rows four to eight of Air Canada flight 8317 on September 22nd should contact their local public health unit.
This leaves Algoma with four "active" cases, all in the Sault area.
Meanwhile, the Porcupine Health Unit's reporting its 84th case, though it says the individual's self-isolating out of the health unit's region - like its last reported case - leaving it with four "active" cases, half outside its region.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit - meanwhile - is showing a new recovery, leaving it with two "active", while Public Health Sudbury and Districts has six.
Assault & Threat Charges Over Chapleau Domestic Dispute
Assault and threat charges have been laid after a Chapleau domestic dispute.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the dispute Tuesday afternoon, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 35-year-old Chapleau resident on a charge of spousal assault and two counts each of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court.
They've been released from custody, with a future court date.
Porcupine Health Unit Reports New COVID-19 Case - Outside of Region
A neighbouring health unit's reporting another COVID-19 case - but not in its region.
The Porcupine Health Unit says its 84th case is self-isolating out of the health unit's region, like the last reported case, leaving the health unit with four active cases, half of which are outside its region.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit - meanwhile - is showing a new recovery, leaving only 2 of its 107 reported cases still "active", while Algoma Public Health has three "active" cases and Public Health Sudbury and Districts has six.
Arson & More Charges Laid After Vehicle Fire Near White River
A Quebec man's facing arson and other charges after a vehicle fire north of White River.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police responded to the fire on the 500 Road north of White River early Sunday morning, observing a box-style commercial motor vehicle completely consumed by fire - the truck and contents had an estimated value of $300,000.
The next day, police received a call about a theft and vandalism to heavy machinery in the same area, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 33-year-old from Alma, Quebec, on charges of arson - damage to property, mischief over $5000, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, and four counts of fail to comply with probation order.
He's been remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.
Trespassing and Uttering Threats Charges in Wawa Domestic Dispute
Trespassing and uttering threats charges have been laid after a Wawa domestic dispute.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to the incident early Saturday morning, with subsequent investigation leading to the arresting of a 29-year-old Wawa resident on charges of trespassing at night and utter threats to damage or injure animal.
They've been released from custody with a future court date.
Arrest After White River Disturbance
An arrest has been made after a disturbance in White River.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to a Superior Street address Sunday morning, finding a White River resident breaching court-ordered conditions - that led to arrest of the 34-year-old on two counts of fail to comply with probation order, though they've been released with a future court date.
Reopening Efforts Underway for Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre
Reopening efforts have begun at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains the facility's in the process of a "slow, phased-in" reopening - as approved by Council - starting with youth recreation programming, which traditionally makes up "the bulk" of the facility's evening programming and has been set as the top priority by Council.
That will be followed by the addition of seniors' recreation programming - which usually happens during the day - also to be phased-in over two weeks, followed by the third phase - which adds in adult recreation - also to happen over two weeks, though Patterson notes there's a level of uncertainty surrounding the later phases.
The fourth and final phase of the plan would allow "private and commercial rentals" - expected toward the end of November - though Patterson says "alternatives" are being explored, noting how the annual Fall Fair "essentially transformed" into last weekend's Goose Nest Market event.
As part of the reopening, staff have started ice-making in the rink - after receiving a key part earlier this week - with the ice expected to be ready just after Thanksgiving.
APH Confirms 33rd COVID-19 Case
Algoma Public Health's reporting another case of COVID-19.
The health unit is giving few details about its 33rd case, except that it's unknown how they contracted the coronavirus - considered evidence of ongoing community spread - though they're self-isolating with close contacts notified.
Figures on the health unit's website suggest the individual's in the Sault Ste. Marie area, the 28th case in that part of the region - this leaves Algoma with three "active" cases, all in the Sault area.
APH is reminding residents to practice physical distancing - as any close contact could be a possible exposure - further emphasizing that masks or face coverings must be worn in all indoor public spaces in Algoma - as well as other settings where physical distancing can't be maintained - and to follow size limits for social gatherings.
The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit's also confirmed a new case, its 107th, which is located in the Thunder Bay area - this leaves that health unit with three "active" cases, as well.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts still has six active cases out of the 108 it has reported, while the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit has three out of 83 still active.