PHSD Again Confirms 3 More COVID-19 Cases in Sudbury

Another trio of COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Sudbury.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says one of the cases stems from close contact with a confirmed case, though the other two stem from unknown exposure - all three are self-isolating in Greater Sudbury since testing - two were tested Monday, the other on Monday.

This brings the health unit's total of confirmed cases to 133, nine of which are "active" - all of those in Greater Sudbury.

Algoma Public Health still has three "active" cases - all in the Sault Ste. Marie area - while the Porcupine Health Unit has six - two outside its region, four in the Hearst and Hornepayne area - and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has one, in the Thunder Bay area.

PHSD Reports 3 New COVID-19 Cases in Greater Sudbury

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Sudbury.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three new cases in self-isolation, all in Greater Sudbury and all stemming from close contact with a confirmed case - two were tested Sunday, the other on Monday.

This brings the health unit's total of confirmed cases to 130, six of which are "active" - all of those in Greater Sudbury.

Algoma Public Health currently has three "active" cases - all in the Sault Ste. Marie area - while the Porcupine Health Unit has six - two outside of its region, four in the Hearst and Hornepayne area - and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has only one, which is in the Thunder Bay area.

Chapleau Man Wins Over $250k in Sault Area Hospital Foundation Draw

A Chapleau man's the winner of a big prize from the Sault Area Hospital Foundation.

The foundation says Fern Portelance won the $253,575 jackpot from Friday's electronic 50/50 draw, which raised funds to purchase medical equipment at the Sault Ste. Marie hospital.

APH Confirms 2 New COVID-19 Cases

Algoma Public Health's reporting a pair of new COVID-19 cases.

The local health unit says its 45th case stems from international travel, while its 46th is due to close contact with a previously known case - both are self-isolating after they were tested yesterday.

This leaves the health unit with three "active" cases, all in the Sault Ste. Marie area, where all but five of the region's cases have been located.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts still has four "active" cases - all in Greater Sudbury - while the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit has six - two outside of its region, four in the Hearst and Hornepayne area - and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has only one, which is in the Thunder Bay area.

APH & PHSD Confirm More COVID-19 Cases

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.

Algoma Public Health's confirmed its 44th case, once again in the Sault Ste. Marie area - it's unknown how they were exposed, evidence of community spread in the Sault area.

Combined with another recovery, this leaves the health unit with two "active" cases, both in the Sault area.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - has confirmed its 127th case, a Greater Sudbury resident who was exposed through close contact with a previously confirmed case - the health unit's also reporting more recoveries, leaving it with four "active" cases, all in Greater Sudbury.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit still has eight "active" cases - two outside of its region, the rest in the Hearst and Hornepayne area - while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has three "active" cases, both in the Thunder Bay area.

APH Corrects COVID-19 Exposure Warning

Algoma Public Health is correcting a warning about possible COVID-19 exposure.

While the health unit initially warned about travel on an Ontario Northland bus on October 26th, it now says that should have been October 25th - the buses were: the 11 am from Toronto to Spragge, between rows one and five; the 5:30 pm from Sudbury to Spragge, rows one to five; and the shuttle from Spragge to Elliot Lake, rows one to six.

The health unit emphasizes this is a warning of potential exposure only, and there is no new confirmed case in the region, though anyone who travelled on the buses should monitor for symptoms and self-isolate then call their health unit if experiencing any.

Ontario Liberals Nominate Candidate for Algoma-Manitoulin

Local members of the Ontario Liberals are getting a head start on the 2022 election.

The Ontario Liberal Party says Manitoulin Health Centre CFO and VP of Corporate Services Tim Vine has been nominated as the candidate for Algoma-Manitoulin, with Ontario Liberal leader Steven Del Duca praising him as "incredibly passionate when it comes to helping his community".

Vine says he's "humbled" to accept the nomination, vowing to put his "experience and passion for service within the community to work" ahead of the election.

The Liberals are the first to officially nominate their candidate for Algoma-Manitoulin, which has been represented by New Democrat Michael Mantha since 2011, when Mantha defeated longtime Liberal MPP Mike Brown.

Deceased Identified in Thursday's Collision South of Wawa

A woman from Capreol has been identified as the deceased in Thursday's single vehicle collision just south of Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the collision on Highway 17 about ten kilometres south of town around 1:30 Thursday afternoon.

The vehicle's passenger was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, later succumbing to them - she's been identified as 77-year-old Florences Dines.

The driver was treated in hospital for what police describe as "non-life-threatening injuries".

The OPP Traffic Incident Management Enforcement - or TIME - Team is still investigating.

Chapleau's "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Award Recipients Announced

Chapleau's recognized a number of volunteers for their contributions to the community.

Mayor Michael Levesque says there were two recipients of "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Awards, the first being a long-time volunteer.

Mayor Levesque says the other recipient is quite unique.

Mayor Levesque notes "certificates of appreciation" were given out to recognize local health care providers.

There were a few more certificates, too.

Mayor Levesque congratulates all the recipients.

PHSD Confirms New COVID-19 Case

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed its 126th case, a Greater Sudbury resident whose cause of exposure is unknown - that leaves the health unit with six "active" cases, all in Greater Sudbury.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reported a total of three more cases, for a total of 99 - it has eight active, two are outside of its region while the others are in the Hearst and Hornepayne area.

Two more cases have been reported by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit - both travel-related cases in the Thunder Bay area - bringing its total to 117, with four currently "active".

Algoma Public Health still has two "active" cases, both in the Sault Ste. Marie area.

Wawa Legion Warns of Major Change for Remembrance Day

As Remembrance Day approaches, members of the Wawa's Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 are reminding this year will be quite different.

Larry Harvey explains next week's ceremony won't be the usual public event.

Harvey further reminds that poppy campaign letters are now in the mail, urging anyone who wants to order a wreath to get that order in quickly, and he reminds the annual church service will be held at St. Monica's Catholic Church this Sunday, followed by the annual wreath-laying service in Hawk Junction.

Poppies are available throughout the community.

Spousal Assault Charges in Chapleau and White River Domestic Disputes

Spousal assault charges have been laid in domestic disputes in Chapleau and White River.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the first incident happened on Aberdeen Street in Chapleau shortly after 6 Saturday evening, leading to the arrest of a 24-year-old from Springwater, Ontario, on a charge of spousal assault.

About five-and-a-half hours later, Superior East OPP responded to a domestic dispute in White River, leading to the arrest of a 28-year-old White River resident, also on a charge of spousal assault.

Both have been released from custody, with future court dates.

One Person Dead After Collision South of Wawa

One person is dead after a single vehicle collision just south of Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the collision on Highway 17 about ten kilometres south of town around 1:30 yesterday afternoon - a passenger was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, later succumbing to them, while the driver sustained what are described as "non-life-threatening injuries".

The OPP Traffic Incident Management Enforcement - or TIME - Team processed the scene, with the investigation still ongoing.

Northern Lights Ford Scares Hunger Set to Wrap Up

With Halloween almost here, a campaign to "scare hunger" is in its final day.

All month, Northern Lights Ford has been collecting donations to support the Wawa Community Food Bank through the "Northern Lights Ford Scares Hunger" campaign - and Danette Mathias notes it's supported by other parts of the community.

Emphasizing "together, let's put a mask on hunger", Mathias reminds donors to wear a mask when dropping off donations, leaving them at the door of the dealership before 5 tonight - someone will take your information to put you in the draw for a $25 gift card.

Chapleau Council Considering Birch St. Handicap Parking Options

Chapleau Council is considering options for new handicap parking downtown.

Mayor Michael Levesque says the idea was discussed in this week's meeting.

Mayor Levesque says Council discussed two parking spots: the original proposed locations were near post office and the pharmacy, but other options are being explored, with hopes to have handicap parking on both sides of the street.

Wawa & Chapleau Mayors Urge Caution While Trick-or-Treating

Local mayors are urging caution while trick-or-treating this weekend.

Emphasizing those who feel ill shouldn't be going out, Wawa Mayor Ron Rody has some tips for kids.

Rody suggests homes participating in Halloween have lights on, while those not participating consider turning off lights or putting up a sign, such as those on local health unit websites - and he notes the Wawa Volunteer Fire Department will be out, so children will feel safe on the streets.

Chapleau Mayor Michael Levesque offers some ideas for those handing out candy.

Levesque urges trick-or-treaters to be understanding with those not handing out candy, and to simply move on to the next house.

Health authorities have also recommended wearing a face covering - not just a costume mask - and standing outside while handing out candy - instead of a treat bucket or bowl - possibly using tongs or a similar tool, like a hockey stick.

APH Announces New Medical Officer of Health & CEO

Algoma Public Health's hired a new top executive - promoting a key official.

The health unit's Board of Health has announced the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Loo as Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer for the Algoma District as of January 1st, 2021.

Algoma's Associate Medical Officer of Health since August 2017, Loo is a specialist physician in public health and preventive medicine who is also an assistant professor with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine's public health and preventive medicine residency program, and an adjunct lecturer at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.

Loo replaces Dr. Marlene Spruyt, who's retiring at the end of the year after four years heading the health unit.

ADSB Trustees Approve 2020-21 Capital Projects

Trustees with the Algoma District School Board have approved more than a dozen capital projects - though no local projects.

In their meeting this week, the school board approved fourteen capital projects recommended for 2020-21 by the Operations and Budget Committee, amounting to about $17.7-million - the projects include work on the board's Education Centre and Algoma Education Connection/Late school.

Deadline Nears for Prospective Wawa Marina Advisory Committee Members

Time's almost up for prospective members for a new committee focused on Wawa's marina.

While Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson says an informal committee's existed for some time, he's recommended formalizing it as part of efforts to gain full ownership of the marina.

Patterson says the Municipality's looking for five people who use the marina, hoping for diversity of experience, including types of boat they have and how long they've used the facility.

Anyone interested is asked to submit an expression of interest by emailing slord@wawa.cc by noon tomorrow.

Chapleau Council Approves Rezoning By-Law Amid Lot Separation Plans

The process is continuing for some zoning changes to Chapleau's "Beaudry Estate".

During their meeting earlier this week, Chapleau Council approved a by-law to rezone lands at 30 Planer Road, which Mayor Michael Levesque says is another needed step, following several discussions of a proposed "lot severance" under the Committee of Adjustment.

The mayor emphasizes the move to split the property into five simply recognizes existing use.