Wawa Rotary Club Calls Online Auction "Great Success"

The Rotary Club of Wawa is thanking the community for supporting their first ever "Rotary Online Auction".

The Rotary Club says the online auction - held last week, in lieu of the usual Radio Auction, due to COVID-19 - was "a great success", raising "a significant amount of money for Rotary's community projects" - the website used to host the auction shows bids totalling $8762, about 88 percent of the $10,000 fundraising target given on the site.

In response, the Rotary Club's thanking bidders, as well as the businesses, individuals, and others who supported the auction with donations - including items up for bid - emphasizing profits from the auction "will be put to good use in the community, especially in the areas of health, literacy, and youth activities".

More COVID-19 Cases in Thunder Bay Area, Fewer in Sudbury & Porcupine

A dozen new cases have been confirmed in the Thunder Bay area, mostly stemming from close contact with a known case.

That brings the Thunder Bay District Health Unit to 320 reported cases, with 100 currently "active", three of them in hospital - one in the ICU.

Some good news: Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three more "resolved" cases - leaving it with only eight "active" - while the Porcupine Health Unit no longer has any "active" cases, though Algoma Public Health has three.

More COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in Thunder Bay Area

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

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reported 54 from Friday through today, mostly in the Thunder Bay area, including dozens at the Southbridge Roseview long-term care home, which is in the midst of an outbreak - it has seen two COVID-related deaths in recent days, bringing the region's death toll to four.

There were also a pair of cases in unspecified district communities - that could include Marathon, which saw its first reported case last week - with another in an unspecified First Nation community.

The health unit's seen a total of 308 case, 93 of which are "active", including two in hospital.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed its 230th case - travel-related, in Greater Sudbury - it has eleven "active" at this time.

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

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.

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.

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 Levesque notes the cost will be higher than expected.

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.

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 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.

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

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".

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 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.