Algoma Public Health Reports 2nd COVID-19 Death

Algoma Public Health's confirmed the second COVID-19 death in the region - just a week after the first.

The local health unit is giving no further details about the death, but it does emphasize "this tragic loss highlights the seriousness of this virus", and "now more than ever, we ask every Algoma resident to do their part to protect our community, by staying home and avoiding close contact with others".

It reported the first COVID-19 death in the region the previous Monday.

APH has reported 150 cases since the pandemic began, eleven currently "active", including one in hospital.

PHSD Warns COVID-19 Variant Possibly Detected in Region

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning a more transmissible strain of COVID-19 may have been detected in the region.

The health unit says laboratory testing by Public Health Ontario's revealed a possible case of a more highly transmissible strain - or a "variant of concern" - with further sequencing of the sample underway to confirm that finding and identify the variant - results are expected in the next few days.

This comes as the health unit's reporting twelve new cases in Greater Sudbury, bringing it to 464, including 77 "active".

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe says the individual involved "is doing well and has a history of international travel which requires a fourteen-day quarantine period following return to Canada", giving time to identify the possible variant and ensure it doesn't spread, further emphasizing "quarantine and isolation practices are working".

Sutcliffe does - however - call it "alarming" to see the rate at which these new variants spread, urging everyone to do "everything in our power to slow the spread for as long as we can".

The news came shortly after Public Health Sudbury and Districts announced it's set to receive enough of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine over the next two weeks to immunize all residents of long-term care and high-risk retirement homes by February 5th, assuring the - while it's offered on a voluntary basis - the vaccine is a "safe and effective tool in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and protecting health of everyone, including our most vulnerable".

The health unit plans to work with "community partners" to complete the vaccinations on time.

PHSD, Porcupine, Thunder Bay Health Units Report More COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported seven more in Greater Sudbury on Sunday - bringing the health unit to 452, 67 currently "active" - while declaring new outbreaks at the Pius the 12th Catholic School and Finlandiakoti apartment building, both in Greater Sudbury.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit confirmed two cases in Timmins and another in the Hearst and Hornepayne area - bringing it to 221, 51 "active" - while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed eight more in the Thunder Bay area and two in unspecified "district communities", bringing its total to 868, 155 "active" including two in hospital, one in intensive care.

Algoma Public Health - which reported its 150th case Friday - currently has 20 "active".

OPP Investigating Snowmobile/Truck Collision Near Ranger Lake

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a fatal collision between a snowmobile and a pickup truck near Ranger Lake.

Sault Ste. Marie OPP say they responded to the collision on Highway 556 around 5:30 last night, with the 40-year-old snowmobiler from the Sault pronounced dead at the scene - their name's being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The OPP's Traffic Incident Management Enforcement team and Technical Collision Investigator are continuing to investigate, under the direction of the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

Chapleau Council Holding Regular Meeting Tonight

Chapleau Town Council has a busy night ahead, with another regular meeting.

Included on the agenda is discussion about the Monk Street speed limit, a lease agreement with Hydro One, the library board's 2021 operating budget, and "in-camera" discussion about CAO recruitment.

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 pm.

New COVID-19 Cases Reported Across Region

Many more COVID-19 cases have been reported in the region.

Algoma Public Health confirmed its 150th case late Friday, noted to be in the Sault Ste. Marie area and stemming from international travel - as of last count on Friday, the health unit had 20 "active" cases.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts confirmed 28 cases over the weekend - one in the Manitoulin District, the others in Greater Sudbury - bringing it to a total of 445, 63 "active".

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reported nineteen more cases linked to the outbreak at Extendicare Kapuskasing, four more in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, and two in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area - in total, it has seen 218 cases, 51 "active".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit confirmed 22 in the Thunder Bay area, five in unspecified First Nation communities, and four in unspecified "district communities", bringing its total to 863, 158 "active" including two in hospital, one in intensive care.

Meanwhile, the health unit's touting a "successful" campaign to vaccinate long-term care homes in the city, with 95 percent of residents getting a vaccine by the end of Friday.

PHSD & Porcupine Health Unit Report COVID-19 Deaths

A pair of COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed its seventh, a resident of the Amberwood Suites retirement home in Greater Sudbury - they're the fifth resident death associated with an outbreak at the home.

The health unit's also reporting seven new cases in Greater Sudbury, bringing the region to 417, though the number "active" is down slightly, to 70.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit - meanwhile - has confirmed its tenth COVID-19 death, noted to be linked to an "institutional outbreak" - it's only reporting one at this time, at Extendicare Kapuskasing.

In addition, the health unit's confirmed another case in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, and another in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area - this brings the health unit to 193 cases, 28 "active".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit - on the other hand - is reporting 14 more cases in the Thunder Bay area, plus four in unspecified First Nation communities, and three in unspecified "district communities" - three of the cases stem from the outbreak at Valard Construction's East-West Tie Project in Marathon.

An update issued by the Marathon Family Health Team yesterday confirmed one new case in that community linked to that outbreak, though it has previously said workers who test positive being relocated "outside of the community".

In total, the health unit's seen 832 cases, 143 currently "active", two in hospital, one in the ICU.

Algoma Public Health currently has 28 "active".

Wawa Legion Receiving Federal Support Amid COVID-19

Wawa's Royal Canadian Legion is getting federal assistance amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Legion Branch 429's been awarded $10,000 in "support funding", and President Mary Anne Pearson says it's very important, given income has been drastically reduced due to various restrictions.

While Pearson says some costs may be down due to lack of use, she emphasizes that many expenses - like electricity, water, and insurance - continue, so these funds should help cover bills.

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes says she's "pleased" with the support, emphasizing "the important role that Legion Branches perform in our communities and the need to ensure they survive this unique event".

Chapleau Photo Challenge for 2021 Welcome Guide

Chapleau's looking for photos to include in this year's "Welcome Guide".

The Township's launched a Photo Challenge, touting a category of "anything Chapleau": community; people; wildlife; fishing; hunting; activities; winter; summer; landscape; flora; fauna; events; and monuments.

Submitted photos may be featured in the 2021 Welcome Guide.

To submit a photo, email cgoheen@chapleau.ca by March 22nd.

APH Reports 6 New COVID-19 Cases, PHSD 8 More

Algoma Public Health's reporting half a dozen new cases, four in the Sault Ste. Marie area, two from Central and East Algoma - all stem from close contact with a known case.

That brings the health unit to 149 cases, 30 "active".

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting eight more in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit to 410 cases, 73 "active" - while the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting two more in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, bringing the health unit to 191 cases, 30 "active".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is reporting 53 new cases in the Thunder Bay area, two in unspecified First Nations communities, and one in an unspecified "district community" - 43 of the cases are linked to an outbreak at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre, eight to the Thunder Bay District Jail outbreak, and one to the outbreak at Valard Construction's East-West Tie Project in Marathon.

An update issued by the Marathon Family Health Team yesterday showed 20 cases had been tied to that outbreak - and more may be confirmed over the coming days as testing continues - while Valard's implemented "Level 3" safety measures, including ongoing employee testing, additional infection control protocols, and a complete camp lockdown, with workers who test positive being relocated "outside of the community".

In total, the Thunder Bay health unit's seen 811 cases, 126 currently "active", two in hospital, one in the ICU.

Argonaut Gold Touts Key Step Toward Magino Gold Mine

Some positive news for a local mining project.

Argonaut Gold says it has filed the closure plan for its Magino project, expecting to commence site preparation - like tree removal and clearing - immediately, with construction scheduled to begin as soon as that's complete.

The Toronto-based miner's envisioning a two-year construction period, leading to gold production in the first half of 2023.

The project's feasibility study outlines a 10,000 tonne per day processing facility, average annual gold production of 150,000 ounces over the first five years, with a 17-year mine life.

This comes as Argonaut's reporting strong drill results for Magino, saying the South Zone strike length's identified as 1.5 kilometres, remaining open to the west and at depth, warranting follow-up drilling.

Meanwhile, CEO Pete Dougherty's calling 2020 a "spectacular year", noting record quarterly gold production at its operations in Nevada and Mexico, as well as the merger with Alio Gold, the conclusion of Schedule 2 amendment, and the execution of a financing plan for development of Magino, which he says will be the focus of Argonaut's cash flow, budgeting $180 to $190-million in expansionary costs for the mine.

It's expected to transition Argonaut from a "relatively high-cost junior produce with short mine life assets to an intermediate lower-cost producer with long life assets".

Harte Gold Touts Positive Feasibility Study for Sugar Zone Expansion

Harte Gold is reporting it's moving forward with an expansion of its Sugar Zone mine in White River.

The company says it has received positive results from a feasibility study for an expansion from 800 tonnes per day to 1200, which suggests it will be "low-cost" - $21-million in expansion capital - expecting to achieve the increased throughput in the first quarter of 2023, which would drive gold production to 102,000 ounces by that year, and deliver "sustainable" annual gold production of 98,700 ounces from 2023 to 2027.

Wawa Council Delays Next Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's delaying its next meetings.

Council's agreed to cancel the Corporate Planning Committee and regular Council meetings that were scheduled for February 2nd, meaning their next meetings are scheduled for February 16th.

Wawa Council Approves 2021 Capital Budget

Wawa Municipal Council's approved the Municipality's 2021 Capital Budget.

Presented in a special meeting just over a month ago, the budget approved this week outlines over $10-million in proposed projects - nearly $3.4-million approved by Council in previous years, $1.6-million in recommended "high priority" projects, and more than $5-million "subject to funding" - but also outlined some projects planned to happen through 2024.

Much of the project costs will be covered by grants or donations, followed by contributions from reserves, with a low amount expected to come directly from taxation, while items relating to the water system would at least partly draw on water and sewer fees.

With the capital budget now approved, plans are to move onto the draft operating budget - the capital budget presentation suggested that would be presented in mid-February, for approval in mid-March.

New WVFD Captain Appointed

A longtime Wawa firefighter's been promoted.

In their meeting this week, Wawa Municipal Council formally approved the appointment of Colin Black as a captain of the Wawa Volunteer Fire Department, filling a vacancy caused by a recent retirement.

A member of the fire department for twelve years, Black's one of three captains.

All Local Health Units Reporting More COVID-19 Cases

Cases are rising across the region.

Algoma Public Health's confirmed its 143rd case, saying only that it's in the Central and East Algoma area and that it's unknown at this time how the individual was exposed.

The health unit - which reported its first COVID-19 death Monday - currently has 25 "active" cases.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting seven new cases in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit to 402, 65 "active" - it has also declared an outbreak at the St. David School in Greater Sudbury, linked to three cases.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting two more linked to the outbreak at Extendicare Kapuskasing, bringing the health unit to 189 cases, 29 "active".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting two cases in the Thunder Bay area - one linked to the Thunder Bay District Jail outbreak - and another three in unspecified "district communities", including two linked to an outbreak at Valard Construction's East-West Tie Project in Marathon.

The health unit - however - is reporting an "adjustment" to confirmed cases as it now says five recent positive tests in the Thunder Bay area and one in a district community were "indeterminate due to an issue at the lab that analyzed the tests".

It's now showing a total of 755 cases, 73 currently "active", including two in hospital, one in the ICU.

OPP Investigating 2 Break-Ins at Chapleau Business

Local police are asking for public help solving a pair of break-ins at a Chapleau address.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to the Birch Street business twice this year - first on January 1st, and again around 2:30 am on January 8th.

The first break-in's believed to have happened sometime between December 26th and January 1st, with a number of tools taken - including drill bits, socket sets, and a green 8" Woods power ice auger - a total estimated value of $2000.

It's unknown if anything was stolen during the second incident.

Anyone who was in the area at the time or has any information about the incidents is urged to call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.

PHSD Confirms 6th COVID-19 Death, 4th at Greater Sudbury Retirement Home

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting another COVID-19-related death at a retirement home in the midst of an outbreak.

The health unit says the death - its sixth since the pandemic began - is linked to the outbreak at the Amberwood Suites retirement home in Greater Sudbury, where three other residents have died in the last five days.

It's giving no other details.

Figures released late yesterday show the health unit has reported 395 cases, 62 currently "active".

Cases are also skyrocketing in a couple neighbouring regions.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting thirteen more in the Thunder Bay area - five linked to the outbreak at the Thunder Bay District Jail and two to the outbreak at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre - with eleven more in unspecified "district communities", all linked to the outbreak at Valard Construction's East-West Tie Project in Marathon.

That brings the health unit to 756 cases, 92 "active" including three in hospital, one in the I-C-U.

Meanwhile, the Porcupine Health Unit's reporting ten new cases linked to an outbreak at Extendicare Kapuskasing, and seven in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, all stemming from close contact with a known case.

These bring the health unit to 187 cases, 31 currently "active".

Algoma Public Health - which reported its first COVID-19 death yesterday - currently has 28 "active" cases.

Wawa Council Holding 1st Back-to-Back Meetings of 2021

Wawa Municipal Council will consider approving the 2021 capital budget - and several other items - in back-to-back meetings tonight.

First up is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting including discussions of signage and insurance for predator control, the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre Reopening Plan, and the Municipal COVID-19 Safety Plan.

That'll be followed by a regular Council meeting, which includes a resolution to accept the draft capital budget presented a month ago - it outlined over $10-million in proposed projects: nearly $3.4-million in projects Council approved in previous years; $1.6-million in recommended "high priority" projects; and more than $5-million that's "subject to funding".

That presentation can be viewed on the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Also on the agenda are resolutions cancelling the February 2nd Corporate and regular Council meetings and appointing a new captain for the Wawa Volunteer Fire Department.

Tonight's meetings will be broadcast on the municipal YouTube channel, starting at 6:30.

Wesdome Sets Higher 2021 Guidance After Meeting Low End of 2020's Guidance

Gold production's expected to rise at a local mine, after it hit the lower end of its guidance.

Wesdome Gold Mines says production from its Eagle River Complex hit 20,006 ounces during the fourth quarter of 2020, putting full year production at 90,278 ounces - the low end of its unadjusted 2020 guidance.

Drilling into the figures, the Eagle River mine produced 87,560 ounces over 2020 - down one percent from 2019 - while Mishi's production was down twelve percent - to 2718 ounces - leaving total production down two percent from 2019's.

For 2021, Wesdome's setting its sights higher, with a 92,000 to 105,000 ounce guidance at Eagle River, with a further 15,000 to 25,000 expected from the Kiena complex in Quebec, if there's a positive restart decision.