Deadline Nears for Wawa's Festival of Lights Decoration Contest

Wawa's being encouraged to decorate for the holiday season for the upcoming Festival of Lights.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains the Festival of Lights includes the annual decoration contest, with two categories: home and business storefront.

Stacey White Explains Festival of Lights Prizes
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Those looking to compete should call the Community Centre Pro Shop by noon Wednesday.

The Festival of Lights kicks off with a "Goose Nest Bundle Up! Market" Friday, with more markets planned through the weekend.

Thunder Bay and Sudbury Districts Confirm More COVID-19 Cases

Several new cases have been confirmed in the Thunder Bay area - including an unspecified "district community".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit reported nineteen cases over the weekend - bringing its total to 303 - including cases in unspecified district and First Nation communities - district communities include Marathon, which saw its first reported case last week.

The health unit's also confirmed its third COVID-related death: the Southbridge Roseview long-term care home - which is in the midst of an outbreak - says they were a resident of that facility.

This leaves the health unit with 94 "active" cases, including two in hospital.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed its 229th case - a Greater Sudbury resident exposed during travel - but also two more "resolved" cases.

Algoma Public Health currently has three "active", while the Porcupine Health Unit also has three, one outside its region.

Wawa's Ice Candle Celebration Day Returning for Second Year

A new Wawa tradition's returning after the holidays.

The Wawa Cemetery Committee's announced plans to hold a 2nd annual Ice Candle Celebration Day - to raise funds for cemetery beautification - with chair - and municipal councillor - Bill Chiasson noting the first event was well received.

Bill Chiasson on 1st Annual Ice Candle Celebration Day Response
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Chiasson says residents can order an "ice candle" to place at the Woodland Cemetery, or have a volunteer do it.

Orders must be placed by December 16th - using the form found in the mail or by contacting the Municipality - with the event to be held December 27th.

TBDHU Confirms 10 More COVID-19 Cases

More COVID-19 cases have been reported in the Thunder Bay area.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed ten more cases - one in an unspecified First Nation community, the rest in the Thunder Bay area - most stem from close contact with a known case, though two have unknown exposure.

This leaves that health unit with a total of 264 cases, 68 of which are "active" - two of them in hospital.

Algoma Public Health currently has three "active" cases, while Public Health Subdury and Districts has fourteen, and the Porcupine Health Unit three, one of them outside its region.

Chapleau Council Approves Tender for Upgrades to Wastewater Treatment Plant

Chapleau Council's approved a tender for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains the work stems from government regulations.

Mayor Michael Levesque on Need to Dechlorinate Wastewater
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Mayor Levesque notes the cost will be higher than expected.

Mayor Michael Levesque on Wastewater Dechlorination Contract
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Provincial regulations require the changes to be in place before the next season.

Wawa Council Holding Special Lunchtime Meeting

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a lunchtime special meeting.

There are four items on the agenda: resolutions approving the submission of funding applications for sidewalk repairs, and for electronic sign and marina washrooms; a resolution to write-off taxes and vest property at 135 Mills Drive; and a by-law to sell that municipal land to HWY 17 HOTEL INC.

The meeting's broadcast on the Muncipality's YouTube channel, at 12 noon.

1st Ever Wawa Rotary Online Auction Nearing End

Time is running out to place a bid in the Rotary Club of Wawa's first ever "Rotary Online Auction".

Launched Monday, the online auction is set to end tomorrow night - and Club President Liz Talian-Clarke encourages everyone to check out the items available and place a bid, noting funds raised support many community initiatives and programs.

Liz Talian-Clarke Explains Rotary Online Auction Cause
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Talian-Clarke reminds you can bid often or even set up automatic bids to a certain amount - and no credit card is needed, with the club instead taking cash or cheque - people simply need to register.

The Rotary Online Auction ends at 11 pm Saturday, with winners to be emailed so they can pick up items on Sunday.

Sudbury & Thunder Bay Districts Report More COVID-19 Cases

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

Figures on the Public Health Sudbury and Districts website shows a total of 228 cases - with 15 active - while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reported seven in the Thunder Bay area yesterday and today, bringing the health unit's total to 254, 67 of which are active, including two in hospital.

Algoma Public Health has reported a total of 60 - three of which are active - while three of the 106 cases reported by the Porcupine Health Unit are active, including one outside its region.

Chapleau Council Approves 2 Accessible Parking Spots Downtown

Chapleau Council's approved a pair of new accessible parking spots downtown.

Mayor Michael Levesque says Council's approved the proposed locations.

Mayor Michael Levesque on Council Accessible Parking Decision
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Mayor Levesque says signs will go up for the spots soon, with lines to be painted when they can, likely after the snow's gone.

Wawa Council Announces Special Friday Meeting

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a special meeting at the end of the week.

The Municipality says there are four items on the agenda, resolutions approving the submission of funding applications for sidewalk repairs and electronic sign and marina washrooms, as well as a resolution to write-off taxes and vest property at 135 Mills Drive, with a subsequent by-law to sell that municipal land to HWY 17 HOTEL INC.

The meeting will be broadcast on the Muncipality's YouTube channel, at 12 noon Friday.

Chapleau Looking to Recruit More Doctors

Chapleau's looking into ways to bring more doctors to town.

While the issue was brought up last month, Town Council received a presentation from Chapleau Health Services in this week's meeting, with Mayor Michael Levesque explaining the focus is on recruiting at least two doctors.

Mayor Michael Levesque Explains Chapleau Physician Situation
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Levesque says the presentation was meant to apprise Council of the situation, and ongoing efforts.

Mayor Michael Levesque on Physician Recruitment Efforts
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Mayor Levesque acknowledges some issues bringing doctors to the North - and keeping them - suggesting efforts will also seek to address that problem while being "realistic" about the difficulty getting people to stay.

Algoma, Sudbury, Thunder Bay Districts All Report COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health is reporting two new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, both stemming from international travel - that brings its total since the pandemic began to 60, three of which are currently "active".

A case has also been confirmed in Marathon.

While the Thunder Bay District Health Unit will only say a recent case was confirmed in an unspecified "district community" - which could include Marathon - a statement from the Marathon Family Health Team confirms the first positive case in that community - it's unclear how they were exposed, though the health unit's conducting contact tracing.

This comes as the health unit's reported its second COVID-19 death - CBC News reports the deceased was a patient at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

The health unit currently has 82 "active" cases.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - has declared outbreaks at the Extendicare Falconbridge and Extendicare York long-term care homes in Greater Sudbury - it says two workers tested positive, one from each facility.

The health unit's actually showing five new cases - four in Greater Sudbury and one in an unspecified Sudbury District community - though it's unclear how any were exposed.

That leaves it with fourteen "active" cases.

Both Public Health Sudbury and Districts and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit are in the yellow "protect" category of Ontario's tiered restrictions framework, while Algoma's in the green "prevent" category, the lowest level.

Chapleau Council Commends Response to Drinking Water Advisory

Chapleau Council's commending the recent response to equipment failure that led to a drinking water advisory in the town last week.

Noting "a number of organizations and individuals" were involved, Mayor Michael Levesque highlights their "efforts, diligence, and commitment".

Mayor Michael Levesque on Drinking Water Advisory Response
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Levesque also thanks Chapleau Valu-Mart for being quick to respond - placing a special order for bottled water, to meet increased demand - and commends Township staff - public works, civic centre, and firefighters - for their work and coordination of the response.

As for the cause, Mayor Levesque explains it was equipment failure at the Water Treatment Plant.

Mayor Michael Levesque Explains Drinking Water Advisory Cause
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Mayor Levesque says a public statement was issued less than an hour after the problem was reported to the Township office, and the problem's now fixed.

The advisory was lifted Saturday.

More Cases Confirmed in Thunder Bay District

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed fourteen more COVID-19 cases, one in an unspecified "district community", the others in the Thunder Bay area - it's unclear how two were exposed, while the others stem from close contact with a known case.

This comes as the health unit's warning of low risk exposure at a Bath and Body Works in Thunder Bay, and revising its travel recommendations, urging residents "avoid all non-essential travel outside of Northwestern Ontario", and - if they do go - stay home and avoid interacting with those outside your household for fourteen days upon returning - especially from high-risk areas - monitor for symptoms, and - if any develop - self-isolate and get tested.

That health unit - which entered the yellow "protect" category of Ontario's tiered restrictions framework yesterday - has reported 247 cases, 82 of which are currently "active".

Public Health Sudbury and Districts - which is also in the yellow "protect" category - currently has ten "active" cases, while Algoma Public Health has only one and the Porcupine Health Unit has three, one outside its region.

Sudbury & Thunder Bay See More COVID-19 Cases

More cases have been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 219th case - a Greater Sudbury resident whose exposure is still under investigation - that leaves the health unit with eleven "active" cases.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed fifteen more cases in the Thunder Bay area - all stemming from close contact with a known case - bringing its total to 233, 78 of which are "active".

That region joined the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts - among others - in the yellow "protect" category of Ontario's tiered restriction framework this morning.

Algoma Public Health - which last reported its 58th case a week ago - only has one "active", while the Porcupine Health Unit has four active, one outside its region.

Chapleau Council Holding Regular Meeting

Chapleau Council's set to discuss physician recruitment and upgrades to the waste water treatment plant in a regular meeting tonight.

Included on the agenda is a presentation from Chapleau Health Services about physician recruitment, along with resolutions to: award the tender for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Dechlorination and Chlorination upgrades; approve locations for accessible parking downtown; and approve the 2021 schedule of fees.

Council will also consider a "Committee of Adjustment" item - a minor variance application on Lansdowne Street South - and will receive an update on the drinking water advisory, which was lifted Saturday.

There's also a single "in-camera" item, relating to negotiations for operation and maintenance of the water and waste water facilities.

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

PHSD Records 212th COVID-19 Case

More cases have been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 212th case, which is located in Greater Sudbury and stems from close contact with a previously confirmed case - combined with three more "resolved" cases, that leaves the health unit with 22 "active".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting another seven cases in the Thunder Bay area - one stemming from travel, the others from close contact with a known case - bringing its total to 207, 65 of which are "active".

Algoma Public Health's reporting two more recoveries - leaving it with only one "active" case - while the Porcupine Health Unit has four "active", one outside its region.

More COVID-19 Cases Reported in Sudbury, Timmins & Thunder Bay

More cases were confirmed in the region over the weekend.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported two more late Friday - bringing its total to 214 - though it also recorded nine more "resolved" cases over the weekend, bringing its "active" cases down to thirteen.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed its 106th case - like the 105th, located in Timmins - leaving it with four "active".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit reported eleven more cases in the Thunder Bay area - eight from close contact with a known case, the others are unknown - that brings its total to 218, 69 of which are "active", with a facility-wide outbreak declared at a Thunder Bay long-term care home.

As of this morning, that region has now joined the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts - among others - in the yellow "protect" category of Ontario's tiered restriction framework.

Algoma Public Health currently has one "active" case out of the 58 it has reported.

Rotary Club of Wawa Launches Online Auction

Rotary Club of Wawa is taking its annual Radio Auction online amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Club President Liz Talian-Clarke explains the club is holding its first ever Rotary Online Auction after cancelling the spring event due to the pandemic - after a number of items had already been donated.

Liz Talian-Clarke Explains Rotary Online Auction Origin
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Talian-Clarke notes it's quite simple: just go to the site and sign up.

Liz Talian-Clarke Rotary Explains Online Auction Process
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Talian-Clarke adds you can bid often or even set up automatic bids to a certain amount, expressing hope that the change to a multi-day event will help raise more money.

The Rotary Online Auction starts today, continuing until 11 pm Saturday.

Chapleau Drinking Water Advisory Lifted

Some good news for Chapleau residents: the town's drinking water advisory is over.

Issued Wednesday night - after the distribution system lost pressure because of equipment failure at the Water Treatment Plant - the advisory was lifted Saturday, with Public Health Sudbury and Districts Health Protection Division Manager Burgess Hawkins explaining "the bacteriological quality of the water supply has been tested with no adverse results being reported".

He adds "residents in the affected areas may notice chlorine odours and discoloured water", recommending those who do run cold water faucets for five minutes or until the water runs clear, run water softeners through a regeneration cycle, drain and refill water heaters, and remove and rinse faucet screens.

The Township is reminding citizens should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours, adding that emergency preparedness information is available at its website or the Civic Centre.