APH Reports 56th COVID-19 Case

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 56th case, which stems from close contact with a known case - it leaves the health unit with thirteen "active" cases, all in the Sault Ste. Marie area.

Meanwhile, the neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reported three more cases in the Thunder Bay area - it has seen 132 total, fifteen of which are currently "active".

Public Health Sudbury and Districts still has 48 "active" cases - all reported in Greater Sudbury in the last week - while the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit has four.

Newmont Porcupine's confirmed a member of its Hoyle Pond Mine team tested positive for COVID-19 late Sunday, adding the employee was last on-site Thursday and is now in self-isolation, while all employees have been notified and the company's collaborating with public health authorities for contact tracing.

It says deep cleaning and sanitizing's underway in response, but emphasizes this doesn't affect operations at the Borden mine in Chapleau, or the Hollinger Open Pit and Dome Processing site in Timmins.

Chapleau Pentecostal Church Thanks Community for Haiti Support

Chapleau Pentecostal Church is thanking the community for helping support children in Haiti, through their recent online auction and take-out chili night.

Pastor Dot Guertin says both were quite well received, particularly the auction.

Pastor Dot Guertin on Chapleau Pentecostal's Haiti Auction Result

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Guertin notes the auction and chili night raised $6917 for the Haiti ministry, but other donations for the cause push that total to $7362.40, which she says is "getting close to normal", but "amazing" given current conditions.

She also thanks all volunteers who helped out, including some local high school students, one of whom translated the auction item descriptions into French.

Impaired Driving Charges After Wawa Traffic Complaint

Impaired driving charges have been laid after a traffic complaint in Wawa.

Superior East OPP say they were received the complaint around 11:50 pm last Tuesday, told a person was observed operating a pickup truck erratically before parking it on the front lawn of a residence.

Officers arrived shortly after and determined the driver had operated the vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol, leading to charges of operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs and operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).

The 30-year-old from Echo Bay has been released from custody with a future court date, though they've also been issued a 90-day Administrative Driver's Licence Suspension.

Several COVID-19 Cases Reported in Algoma, Sudbury, Surrounding Area

Several more COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.

Algoma Public Health's reporting eight more cases, all in the Sault Ste. Marie area - all but one stem from close contact with a known case, with unknown exposure for the other case.

This brings the health unit's total reported cases to 55, twelve of which are currently "active" - all in the Sault area.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has also confirmed eight more cases in Greater Sudbury - on top of the twenty reported Friday and five on Saturday - six stem from close contact with confirmed cases, the other two are still under investigation.

That brings the health unit's total reported cases to 175, 48 of which have been reported in the last week - those 48 are the health unit's only "active" cases.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe notes the daily case counts are at an "all-time high...not a trend we want to continue", urging everyone to "critically assess daily actions and decisions and to take deliberate steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19", further warning "otherwise, we risk seeing widespread community transmission and outbreaks, putting our health and education systems, our vulnerable populations, and our businesses at risk".

Sutcliffe notes investigations to date show no single incident driving the health unit's surge in cases, with transmission occurring among household contacts and through social interactions outside of households, seeing an increase in infections among young people, similar to other parts of the province.

Meanwhile, the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting its 101st case - this time in Timmins, stemming from contact with a known case - leaving it with four "active" cases.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting another four cases - on top of the eight reported over the weekend - all of them are in the Thunder Bay area and stem from close contact with a known case, bringing the health unit's total to 129, twelve currently "active".

PHSD Confirms 25 More COVID-19 Cases

Numerous COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Sudbury over the weekend.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts confirmed a total of twenty cases in Greater Sudbury Friday night, with five more on Saturday - five of the cases stem from close contact with a confirmed case, one is outbreak-related, the rest are unknown or under investigation.

Noting close contacts of cases have been identified in household settings, at a Chelmsford McDonald's, and at Cambrian College - with an outbreak at a Sudbury high school - the health unit's urging everyone to stay home when feeling ill and get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

The health unit has reported a total of 167 cases, 42 of which are currently "active" - all in Greater Sudbury.

Meanwhile, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed eight new cases, all in the Thunder Bay area - one is travel-related, six from close contact with a known case, the other still under investigation - that brings the health unit's total to 125, eight of which are "active".

The Porcupine Health Unit's reported its 100th case - this time in Timmins - leaving it with three active.

Algoma Public Health still has four active cases, having last confirmed a case on Wednesday.

Chapleau Seeking New Library Board Member

The Township of Chapleau's looking for a new member of the library board.

A notice on the Township's website invites residents and ratepayers to volunteer, noting it's "an opportunity to learn about and work with Committee issues", requiring volunteers to devote at least two hours a month to the position.

Those interested are asked to submit a letter of intent by noon next Monday, November 16th - full details on how to apply are on the Township's website.

Chapleau Council Holding 1st November 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 to replace a fire engine pump and the airport garage furnace, as well as appointments to the Fire Department Auxiliary, and three vacancies on the Chapleau Public Utilities Corporation's Board of Directors.

There's also two "in-camera" items, one relating to "a proposed or pending acquisition of land by the municipality or local board related to the Township's industrial building", and another about "labour relations or employee negotiations".

Aside from the "in-camera" portion, the public can listen in on tonight's meeting by calling 1-800-974-5902, entering conference I-D 5116623 - the meeting starts at 6:30.

PHSD Confirms 9 New COVID-19 Cases in Greater Sudbury

Several more COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Sudbury.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting nine new cases in Greater Sudbury - seven stemming from close contact with a confirmed case, the other two from unknown exposure.

All nine are self-isolating after they were tested Wednesday.

It brings the health unit's total confirmed cases to 142, eighteen of which are "active".

Algoma Public Health still has four "active" cases - all in the Sault Ste. Marie area - while the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit has two - one outside its region, one in the Hearst and Hornepayne area - and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has none.

Wawa's Legion Reminds of Annual Church Service Ahead of Remembrance Day

As Remembrance Day approaches, members of Wawa's Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 will mark the day with a special ceremony.

Larry Harvey reminds Legionnaires that the annual church service is Sunday.

Larry Harvey on 2020 Remembrance Day Church Service

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

Due to COVID-19, Wawa's Remembrance Day parade and ceremonies have been cancelled, though Legion members, the Ladies Auxiliary, and a few invited guests will privately lay wreaths at the cenotaph - residents are instead asked to stay home and try to watch a national ceremony instead.

Poppies are available throughout the community.

Northern Lights Ford Scares Hunger Delivers Big for Wawa Food Bank

The Wawa Community Food Bank's thanking the local Ford dealership and the community for their support, through the recent "Northern Lights Ford Scares Hunger" campaign.

Danette Mathias says Northern Lights Ford was "over-the-top happy" with the campaign's results.

Danette Mathias on NL Ford Scares Hunger 2020 Result

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Mathias further thanks the community for helping "put a mask on hunger" during this "very difficult time", highlighting John's Valu-Mart and JJAM FM for supporting the campaign, local schools for participating, and the Wawa Family Health Team, the Lady Dunn Health Centre, and Algoma Public Health, for donating personal hygiene products.

Dyanne Smart from the Wawa Community Food Bank says she was astounded by the generosity.

Dyanne Smart on Reaction to NL Ford Scares Hunger 2020 Result

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Smart also thanks the community and local businesses for supporting the food bank throughout the year, noting a recent sizable donation from the local Bargain Shop.

Algoma Public Health Confirms 47th COVID-19 Case

Algoma's confirmed another new case.

Algoma Public Health says its 47th case stems from international travel - like all but five of the health unit's cases, it's located in the Sault Ste. Marie area.

This comes after the health unit issued a special advisory warning against travelling to Michigan's Chippewa County - even for "essential" reasons - suggesting those who go there for work or school seek virtual options, or otherwise take all precautions to reduce possible exposure - such as avoiding crowded areas and non-essential activities, plus physical distancing, and wearing a face mask at all times - and to wash or sanitize hands frequently.

APH currently has four "active" cases, all in the Sault area.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts still has nine - all in Greater Sudbury - while the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit has four - two outside its region, two in the Hearst and Hornepayne area - and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has none.

ADSB Announces Transition Day

Algoma District School Board students will stay home for a special "transition day" later this month.

The English public school board says elementary and secondary students will stay home Monday, November 16th, provided with work the previous Friday and able to have "touch base time" with teachers via Microsoft Teams - for elementary students, that would be 1:30 to 2 and for secondary students, it'll be 11 to 11:30 with their morning teacher and 2 to 2:30 with their afternoon teacher.

According to the board, the move comes as teachers reorganize elementary classrooms to integrate virtual learners and to transition high school students to "a new quadmester" - this mid-term transition was requested by the Ministry of Education, and is expected to be the final restructuring of classes this school year, as the board notes reorganizing by shuffling students and staff "jeopardizes everyone's health, safety, and well-being".

It adds that this move - which blends virtual and physical students into one class - will alleviate the teacher shortage the board's been experiencing, though it is reaching out to parents of students with special needs to discuss options and supports

This also comes as progress reports near for elementary students.

Wawa Council Backs Curling Season

Wawa curlers will have a season - though details are still being worked out.

During their meeting this week, Wawa Municipal Council received a report from Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson, which outlined possibilities for the curling rink, and - given low registration numbers stemming from various COVID-19-related factors - that included not installing the ice this season, though Patterson says that isn't what Council wanted.

Alex Patterson Explains WMC Curling Ice Decision

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

One of the other options discussed by Council - if the ice wasn't installed - was using the area for pickleball - as space has been requested for the activity - though Patterson emphasizes it wasn't an "either/or" situation, and staff will keep working to find space.

Alex Patterson Addresses COVID-19-Related Space Challenge

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Patterson says staff will work with the local curling clubs to confirm plans for installing the ice - potentially for November 23rd - with programming on the ice expected to include the usual seniors' curling and adult leagues, as well as occasional youth curling and possibly a "family curl", with Patterson emphasizing staff will work with the clubs to "try and get as much use as possible in that space".

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.