Santa Coming to Wawa in Changed Parade

Santa Claus is coming to Wawa.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains the annual Santa Claus Parade will be held next week, but it's going to be "quite a bit different" due to COVID-19.

Noting this year's theme is "2020: The Good, The Bad, and Everything In Between", White reminds today's the deadline to enter a float - simply contact the Community Centre Pro Shop at 705-856-2244, ext. 240 or email mcoe@wawa.cc.

Wawa's 2020 Santa Claus Parade will be held next Friday, December 18th, from 6 to 7:30 pm.

Wawa Man Charged After Breaching Conditions Report

A Wawa man's facing a charge after reports he was violating court-ordered release conditions.

Superior East OPP say officers responded to the report late Wednesday morning, finding the individual a couple hours later - the 24-year-old was arrested on a charge of fail to comply with undertaking.

He's bee released from custody, with a January court date.

Newmont Porcupine Addresses New COVID-19 Case

Newmont Porcupine's assuring quick action's been taken after a worker in Timmins tested positive.

The mining company says the employee - identified December 4th - is in self-isolation and hasn't been on-site since December 2nd, while deep cleaning and sanitizing - including disinfectant fogging - was conducted for affected work areas, with additional cleaning at the receiving area of the Dome Warehouse.

It assures all individuals listed through contact tracing had been contacted by the Porcupine Health Unit, emphasizing this doesn't affect operations at its sites.

Manitouwadge Closes Recreation Centre Amid COVID-19

Manitouwadge has shut down its recreation centre, amid a continued rise in COVID-19 cases in that area.

Manitouwadge Health last Wednesday confirmed the first positive test result in that town, though the Marathon Family Health Team's reported ten cases in that town, including two at Holy Saviour Catholic School and more at the Barrick Hemlo, Williams Mine, where an outbreak's been declared.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit reported ten more cases yesterday - all but one at a Thunder Bay long-term care home - leaving it with 114 "active", including three in hospital, one in the ICU.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed its 239th case - its 214th in Greater Sudbury - leaving it with nine "active".

Algoma Public Health still has one "active", while the Porcupine Health Unit has eight.

ADSB Acclaims Long-Time Chair, Keeps Vice Chair

The longtime chair of the Algoma District School Board is staying in the job.

Sault Ste. Marie Ward One trustee Jennifer Sarlo - who's been chair since 2011 - was acclaimed to the role in the board's inaugural meeting last night, while Central Algoma trustee Brent Rankin's staying on as Vice Chair, a role he's held since this time last year.

Wawa's own Russell Reid - the trustee for North Algoma and Chapleau - was appointed as a director to the Ontario Public School Boards' Association Board of Directors, as well as a voting delegate in the association's annual general meeting, while Sarlo will serve as an alternate director and voting delegate.

Local Organizations Thank Community for Recent Support

A pair of charitable organizations in Wawa have received major support in recent days.

The Bargain Shop Wawa wrapped up its annual toy drive last weekend with a "Fill the Sleigh Day" featuring local emergency services, with the campaign raising a total of $20,455 in donations for the Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund, which President Richard Watson says provides several items to spread some seasonal joy.

The Hamper Fund also received a $1000 donation from Square Three Wireless and Tbaytel, while local firefighters - and staff from St. Joseph French Immersion - will hold a food drive for the Hamper Fund this Sunday, December 13th, from 10 am to 1 pm, driving around town to collect non-perishable food items.

Meanwhile, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's thanking everyone who donated to their Wish Campaign during last week's "Giving Tuesday", with intern Angele Guy noting the donations far surpassed the foundation's goal.

Guy reminds the Foundation's "Wish Upon A Star" campaign ends the first week of 2021, with donations accepted via mail or online.

Top Board Members Confirmed for Local French Catholic School Board

The local French Catholic school board's confirmed its top board members - including a local name.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says trustees have re-elected Andre Bidal as President, a role the Greater Sudbury trustee's held the role for the last seven years.

He'll be joined by Sault Ste. Marie trustee Suzanne Salituri as Vice-President - she replaces Dubreuilville and Hornepayne trustee Roger Lemoyne, who has been VP for the last two years.

Bidal and Salituri will serve in the roles until next December.

Two Charged After Disturbance Call in Wawa

Two Wawa residents are facing charges after a disturbance call last night.

Superior East OPP say officers attended two separate locations in Wawa, arresting two people - a 29-year-old and a 31-year-old - on charges of mischief - destroy or damage property.

The 29-year-old has also been charged with dangerous operation and two counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

Both were released, with a January court date.

More COVID-19 Cases in Thunder Bay & Marathon

More cases have been confirmed in Marathon and other parts of the Thunder Bay district.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed two more cases in the Thunder Bay area while the Marathon Family Health Team's confirmed three recently reported cases are in that town, bringing the community's total to ten.

It notes an outbreak has been declared at the Barrick Hemlo, Williams Mine, with employees and contractors who worked Day Shift from November 21st to 25th and/or Night Shift from November 26th to 29th asked on Saturday to go home and self-isolate, as they're considered "high risk contacts".

The health team's also reported a second case at the Holy Saviour School, which has - in turn - moved to distance learning due to the rise in positive cases in Marathon, while students, staff, and other members of that school community are urged to watch for symptoms.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reported 376 cases, with 110 currently active, including three in hospital, one in an I-C-U.

This comes as the Thunder Bay District's seen restrictions tightened, having moved into the orange "restrict" category of the province's tiered restrictions framework today.

Algoma Public Health only has one "active" case, while Public Health Sudbury and Districts has five, and the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit has eight.

OPP Investigating Break-Ins to Seasonal Residences Near White River

Police are appealing to the public for help solving a break-in to seasonal residences in the White River area.

Superior East OPP say officers responded on November 27th to a break-and-enter at a seasonal residence on Fungus Lake Road in Dahl Township, though further investigation revealed five cottages had been broken into and "rummaged through", believed to have happened between November 13th and 27th.

Investigators have no suspects at this time, and ask anyone with information to call police or Crime Stoppers.

LDHCF Wish Campaign Underway

With the holiday season here, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's asking residents to help grant a wish from the local hospital.

Foundation Intern Angele Guy explains the annual "Wish Upon A Star" campaign is now underway, supporting an important equipment purchase.

Guy notes there is a slight change to the campaign due to COVID-19: rather than honouring donors with a star on a tree in the hospital lobby, the stars will be sent to the donors to put on their tree.

Similarly, Vice Chair Susan Switzer reminds people should not go to the hospital to donate, but use one of the other options.

The Wish Campaign ends the first week of 2021, though Switzer reminds the Foundation will accept donations any time of year.

COVID-19 Outbreak at Marathon-Area Mine, Geraldton Long-Term Care Home

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

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit reported sixteen more of the weekend - eleven in the Thunder Bay area, five in unspecified "district communities" - most stemming from close contact with a known case, though some are unknown at this time.

There is some indication as to which communities saw cases, as the Marathon Family Health Team has confirmed two more cases in that town - its 6th and 7th - with the Superior North Catholic District School Board a student at Marathon's Holy Saviour Catholic School tested positive - the health unit last week declared an outbreak at the Barrick Hemlo, Williams Mine outside Marathon.

Meanwhile, an outbreak's been declared at a long-term care home in Geraldton, as a staff member tested positive.

Restrictions have tightened in the Thunder Bay District, as it moved into the orange "restrict" category of the province's tiered restrictions framework today.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has only confirmed one more case, in an unspecified Manitoulin District community - it's the health unit's 234 case, leaving it with seven "active".

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit confirmed two more cases in Timmins, bringing the health unit's total to 116, eight "active".

Algoma Public Health - which has only reported 61 cases - only has one "active".

COVID-19 Outbreak Under Investigation At Marathon Mine, More Cases in Sudbury & Timmins

An outbreak's been declared at a mine just outside Marathon.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit says it's investigating the outbreak associated with the Barrick Hemlo, Williams Mine after three individuals associated with a specific work area at the mine tested positive in recent days - it notes the mine's undertaken "many measures" to reduce the spread of the virus at the mine site, while the health unit's assessing whether other workers were exposed and looking into contacts outside of the mine.

The Marathon Family Health Team's reported a total of five cases in that town since November 24th, but hasn't given more information about them.

This comes as the health unit's reported fourteen more cases in the Thunder Bay area - all but two at a long-term care home in the city - with one more in an unspecified "district community".

The health unit's reported a total of 358 cases, with 111 currently "active", including five in hospital - one in the ICU - though it has also reported five COVID-19-related deaths.

In turn, the province has announced restrictions are increasing for the Thunder Bay District, moving to the orange "restrict" category of the province's tiered restrictions framework Monday.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has declared an outbreak at Algonquin Daycare in Greater Sudbury, after a second person tested positive - they're linked to a previously-reported case at the daycare, as both are part of its preschool room.

They're the health unit's 233rd case, leaving it with eight "active".

Meanwhile, the Porcupine Health Unit's reporting one case in the Timmins area, and five in the James and Hudson Bay region - bringing its total to 114, seven of which are "active".

Algoma Public Health - on the other hand - is showing two more "recoveries", leaving only one of the 61 cases it has reported still "active".

Toy Drive for Wawa Christmas Hampers Concluding With Fill The Sleigh Day

A campaign supporting a Wawa tradition to help the needy is set to wrap up this weekend.

The Bargain Shop Wawa's annual toy drive is set to culminate with a "Fill the Sleigh Day" featuring local emergency services, as explained by Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin.

The campaign supports the Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund, which Fund President Richard Watson says provides several items to spread some seasonal joy.

Watson notes a booth will be set up at this weekend's Goose Nest "Bundle Up" Markets to accept more donations and provide application forms, which must be submitted soon.

The "Fill The Sleigh Day" runs from 11 to 2 Saturday.

The firefighters - and staff from St. Joseph French Immersion - will also hold a food drive for the Hamper Fund December 13th.

Festive Events Arrive in Wawa

Wawa will be looking very festive this weekend.

Wawa's Festival of Lights is set to kick off tonight, and Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White reminds there is an incentive for participants.

Participants are reminded to turn on their lights from 6 to 9 every night until December 19th - maps of contestants are available, so residents can tour the town and vote for the best.

E-D-C Program Coordinator Isabeau Allard says another decoration event ties in with that, dubbed "Behind Glass Galleries".

Allard also notes the Festival of Lights kicks off with another festive event: the Goose Nest "Bundle Up" Markets at Wawa's Goose Nest, across from Lion's Beach.

The markets run from 5 to 7 tonight, 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 tomorrow, and 1 to 3 Sunday.

Another festive event is planned for this weekend: the Superior Children's Centre is holding its annual Community Christmas - with the Wawa Volunteer Fire Department - from 1 to 4 Sunday afternoon, in the parking lot of Ecole St. Joseph - families are asked to remain in your vehicle as Santa and Mrs. Claus greet you from their sleigh, though canned food donations will be accepted for the Wawa Community Food Bank.

COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in Marathon & Manitouwadge

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Marathon - and another nearby community.

Less than a week after reporting its first case, the Marathon Family Health Team says two more cases were confirmed in that town earlier this week, leaving it with three "active".

Meanwhile, Sante Manitouwadge Health says it has been notified of the first positive test result in Manitouwadge.

While the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has reported a few cases in "district communities" in recent days, it doesn't specify which communities.

So far, Algoma Public Health has not reported any cases in North Algoma.

Algoma Confirms 61st COVID-19 Case, More in Sudbury, Timmins & Thunder Bay

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 61st case - the first in a week - a Sault Ste. Marie area resident who was exposed by international travel.

That leaves the health unit with three "active" cases.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting two more in Greater Sudbury - one stemming from close contact with a confirmed case - though two more "resolved" cases leaves the health unit with nine "active".

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed its 107th case - a Timmins region resident - the health unit's only "active" case.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed ten more cases in the Thunder Bay area and one in an unspecified "district community" - that case stems from travel, while most of the others are from close contact with a known case, though two are unknown.

It has also declared an outbreak at another Thunder Bay long-term care home, The Walford Thunder Bay.

The health unit has reported 331 cases, 99 of which are "active" - three of them in hospital, including one in the ICU.

Deadline for Wawa's Festival of Lights Decoration Contest

Time's running out to sign up for a holiday season decoration contest in Wawa.

Noting there are prizes for the contest, Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White reminds there are categories for the Festival of Lights.

Those looking to compete must sign up by noon today - the link can be found on the Wawa Recreation Facebook page or by calling the Community Centre Pro Shop - with the early deadline to allow for a map of participants to be ready for this Friday's kick off, which coincides with the first "Goose Nest Bundle Up! Markets".

Wawa Christmas Hamper Deadline Nears

Time is running out for a Wawa tradition: the Christmas Hampers.

Providing needy families with ingredients for a Christmas meal of turkey or ham, presents for kids, and more, the hampers go out in about two weeks, but the deadline is nearing for applications.

Though he says availability of the forms has been "hampered" by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Christmas Hamper Fund President Richard Watson says there are a few ways to get the form.

Watson urges applications to be submitted as soon as possible, further noting the pandemic's likely changing the way hampers are distributed, shifting to delivering the hampers to recipients, rather than have one spot for pickup.

He also notes the organization often gets many donations for kids eight or younger, but there's a "shortfall" for older kids or those with special needs.

The Bargain Shop in Wawa's currently holding its Toy Drive supporting the Hamper Fund - which culminates in a "Fill The Sleigh Day" event with local emergency services this Saturday - while the Wawa Volunteer Firefighters and staff from St. Joseph French Immersion will hold a food drive December 13th.

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