Wawa's Wild Goose Chase Launches In Lieu of Winter Carnival

A Wawa tradition's launching in a different manner this year.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, organizers of the Wawa Winter Carnival have opted not to hold the usual festivities - but Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White says an alternate is happening instead.

Stacey White Outlines Wawa Winter Carnival Replacement
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

White says the more "self-guided" activities include stargazing, board games or puzzles with family, and some historical or cultural items, though there is also a special scavenger hunt and a "Made By Me" contest, both of which have additional prizes.

The Wawa Wild Goose Chase runs from today to Sunday, February 21st, giving residents more than a week to complete activities.

Chapleau Seeking Modernization Funding

Chapleau Council's seeking support to further modernize operations.

Mayor Michael Levesque says Council this week discussed applying to the province's Municipal Modernization Program.

Mayor Michael Levesque on Municipal Modernization Funding
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

It will be up to the provincial government whether the expression of interest will result in funding, and how much.

Ontario Ice Fishing Challenge Set to Begin

Just in time for Family Day, anglers are being encouraged to get out on the ice with a special COVID-safe ice fishing tournament, spanning nearly a month.

While local ice fishing derbies have been cancelled this year because of the pandemic, the Ontario Ice Fishing Challenge starts tomorrow, encouraging anglers to fish locally and help their community compete to be crowned the "Ice Fishing Capital" of Ontario.

Participants simply need to register through the Angler's Atlas website and the MyCatch app - there's a fee of $20 - with a rules meeting happening on Facebook at 7 o'clock tonight.

Once the challenge launches at 6 o'clock Saturday morning, anglers can go out on the ice and log their catch with the app, with local leaderboards while participating communities compete to be Ice Fishing Capital, based on "collective catch" - anglers will also be up for prizes.

Several communities are participating, with sponsors: Wawa Motor Inn for Wawa, the Chapleau Rotary Club for Chapleau, and the Township of Dubreuilville for Dubreuilville.

The Ontario Ice Fishing Challenge runs from February 13th to March 7th.

PHSD Meets COVID-19 Vaccination Goal

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is touting an important milestone in fighting COVID-19.

The health unit says it has successfully immunized all consenting residents of long-term care and high-risk retirement homes in its region - as well as residents and staff of Elders' lodges - with a total of 1729 individuals getting their first dose of Moderna's vaccine.

It adds residents of the Wikwemikong Nursing Home - the first people in the region to get the vaccine - have now received their second dose, with second doses for all other residents to be scheduled over the coming weeks, in accordance with requirements.

This comes as the health unit's reporting five new cases in Greater Sudbury - the health unit's reported 546 cases since the pandemic began, though it only has 27 considered "active" at this time.

Highway 17 Finally Opens Between Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie

Highway 17's finally reopened between Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie.

Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police note the highway reopened from Batchewana to Wawa this morning - it was closed Saturday, due to a fatal collision involving three tractor trailers and two passenger vehicles near Batchewana Bay, though poor weather conditions noted at that time kept the highway closed, over safety concerns.

OPP are still investigating the collision.

Chapleau Renews CAO Recruitment Efforts

Chapleau's renewing recruitment efforts for a new top administrator.

Following "in-camera" discussions about recruitment of a Chief Administrative Officer during this week's Chapleau Council meeting, Mayor Michael Levesque says the Township's again casting out the call for applicants.

Mayor Michael Levesque Explains Renewed CAO Recruitment Effort
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

The Township launched recruitment efforts back in October, and Mayor Levesque had told JJAM FM News last month that a hiring announcement could be nearing, though he now says that didn't work out.

Mayor Michael Levesque on Recent CAO Candidate Status
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

In the interim, Mayor Levesque says Council's hired a consultant firm to offer services covering the clerk and CAO roles - a move approved in this week's meeting.

New COVID-19 Cases Reported in SSM & Greater Sudbury

More COVID-19 cases are being reported in a pair of northern cities.

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 187th case - like most of the region's cases, it's located in the Sault Ste. Marie area.

This leaves the health unit with 21 "active" cases, two in hospital.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed its 541st case, which - like most of that region's cases - is located in Greater Sudbury.

The health unit has 35 "active" cases at this time.

Outbreak Appears Underway at Valard's White River Camp

A COVID-19 outbreak appears to be underway in White River.

A statement from the Township of White River says it has received confirmation from Valard that there is an outbreak at its work camp in that community, confirming Pic Mobert First Nation's report that there were two positive cases at the camp, and warning that a third employee has since tested positive - the company says those cases and their close contacts have or will soon be moved into quarantine outside of White River, with those who'd been in contact with them tested and instructed to self-isolate.

The company's protocols include in-house testing - which it says identified the first two cases - then isolating those who test positive, though the Township emphasizes it's "now more important than ever to be diligent and ensure that everyone is following the guidelines" from health authorities, not leaving home except for essential reasons.

It's not the first outbreak linked to one of Valard's work camps for the East-West Tie Project, as the Thunder Bay District Health Unit declared an outbreak at Valard's Marathon camp in mid-January - with several cases linked to it - though that was declared "over" late last week, just days before Algoma Public Health reported the first two cases in North Algoma, the first two from Valard's White River camp.

Algoma Public Health has not reported a third case in North Algoma, though it is reporting one more in the Elliot Lake area and another in Central and East Algoma, bringing its total to 186, 30 "active" including two in hospital.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting its 295th case - it's in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, stemming from close contact with a known case - leaving it with 42 "active", while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed six in the Thunder Bay area, bringing the health unit to 1070, 103 "active" including three in hospital, one in the ICU.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has 41 "active" cases - all in Greater Sudbury - while the Porcupine Health Unit has 53 "active", one in hospital.

APH Confirms More COVID-19 Cases

Algoma Public Health's reporting two more COVID-19 cases in the Elliot Lake area and another in the Central and East Algoma area, bringing the health unit to 184 total, 28 "active" including two in hospital.

It confirmed the first two reported cases in North Algoma over the weekend - while the health unit by policy doesn't specify the communities beyond the region, a statement from Pic Mobert First Nation claims two positive cases were recorded at the Valard Camp in White River.

Valard's East-West Tie project camp in Marathon was linked to several cases in the last month, though that outbreak was declared "over" late last week.

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre has acknowledged the two North Algoma cases, saying only that Algoma Public Health's "done the necessary contact tracing and notification of close contacts".

Deceased Identified in Fatal Hwy 17 Collision

More details are emerging about a fatal collision in Batchewana Bay.

While they initially reported a fatal collision involving a tractor trailer and a motor vehicle, Sault Ste. Marie OPP now say Saturday's collision on Highway 17 near Batchewana Bay involved three tractor trailers and two passenger vehicles.

The driver of one of the vehicles was pronounced dead at the scene - she's since been identified as 42-year-old Kathleen Willison of Batchewana Bay.

No other injuries have been reported.

An OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigator's continuing to look into the collision, though police note visibility was poor at the time - poor weather conditions have kept the highway closed between Wawa and the Sault most of the weekend and it remains closed for that reason at this time.

Chapleau Council Set to Hold 1st February Meeting

Chapleau Town Council has a busy night ahead.

Included on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting is a by-law to appoint an interim Clerk and Chief Administrative Officer, with an "in-camera" item later in the meeting addressing "labour relations or employee negotiations related to the recruitment of a" CAO - Mayor Michael Levesque told JJAM FM News last month that the Township could be announcing a new hire soon.

Also on the agenda is an update about the Fire Department, discussion about "Municipal Accommodation Tax" and drone regulations, and another "in-camera" item relating to the Dufferin Street Project.

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 pm.

PHSD Confirms 10th COVID-19 Death & 2nd Case of UK Variant

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed its tenth COVID-19 death, a resident of the Amberwood Suites retirement home in Greater Sudbury, where seven residents have died from the illness.

The health unit - meanwhile - is reporting three more cases in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit to 535, 47 "active" - while confirming a second case of the more highly transmissible COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 - which was first detected in the UK - though it is still awaiting sequencing results on two other possible cases of the variant.

PHSD has also declared outbreaks at two more Greater Sudbury long-term care homes, as well as part of Health Sciences North's Ramsey Lake Health Centre in the city.

OPP Investigating Fatal Collision in Batchewana Bay

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a fatal collision in Batchewana Bay.

Sault Ste. Marie OPP say the collision involving a tractor trailer and a motor vehicle occurred Saturday, with the smaller vehicle's driver pronounced dead at the scene - their name is being withheld, pending notification of next of kin.

No further details have been given.

Highway 17 was closed between Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie for much of the weekend - and still is - due to the collision and poor weather conditions from snow and wind.

1st COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in North Algoma

COVID-19 cases are rising across the region - including locally.

Algoma Public Health reported six over the weekend: one in the Sault Ste. Marie area; two in the Central and East Algoma area; one in the Elliot Lake area; and two in North Algoma - those are the first cases reported in North Algoma since the pandemic began.

The health unit doesn't identify which community has reported the case - simply giving the region - though it defines North Algoma as Dubreuilville, Michipicoten First Nation, Missinabie Cree First Nation, Wawa, and White River.

In total, the health unit's reported 181 cases, 25 are still "active" including two in hospital.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - reported seven cases over the weekend - bringing it to 532, 49 "active" - while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit reported 30 in the Thunder Bay area and one in an unspecified "district community", bringing its total to 1060 - 112 are still "active", including three in hospital, two of them in the ICU.

There is some good news: the health unit's declared an end to the outbreak at the Southbridge Roseview long-term care home, where 23 residents died from the virus.

2 Charged in Connection to Pair of Chapleau Overdose Deaths

Two people are facing charges after a pair of suspected overdose deaths in Chapleau.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the first person - a 35-year-old - was found unresponsive - later pronounced dead - after police were called to a residence the morning of January 30th, while the second person - a 55-year-old - was found dead when officers performed a well-being check the evening of February 2nd.

Both deaths are suspected to be opiate overdoses.

On Thursday, February 4th, the OPP Northeast Region Community Street Crime Unit and the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service executed warrants at two residences on Brunswick House First Nation, finding unspecified quantities of suspected opiates, amphetamines, and "other evidence of drug trafficking".

Police also arrested a 29-year-old and a 38-year-old - both from Brunswick House First Nation - charging them with trafficking a "Schedule I" substance and possession of a "Schedule I" substance, opioid other than heroin.

Both have been released with a future court date while the Sault Ste. Marie OPP Crime Unit's investigating, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch.

Key New Equipment Purchased for Lady Dunn Health Centre

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's thanking the community for helping purchase a new piece of equipment for the local hospital.

Foundation Intern Angele Guy says the recent "Wish Upon A Star" campaign pushed the foundation passed the needed amount for its latest goal.

LDHCF Intern Angele Guy on New Equipment Purchase
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Guy explains the new equipment is quite helpful.

LDHCF Intern Angele Guy Highlights Importance of New Equipment
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Guy says the Foundation will consult the hospital administration to determine the next equipment purchase goal, though fundraising's already underway through the popular "Catch the Ace" campaign, with a spring mail-out campaign expected to launch next month.

PHSD Confirms 1 Case of COVID-19 Variant, 3 Other Possible Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three in Greater Sudbury - one appears to be outbreak-related, the others are unknown at this time - bringing its total to 525, though the number "active" is down to 56.

It has - on the other hand - confirmed at least one case of the more highly transmissible COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 - first detected in the UK - while reporting three other possible cases of the variant, two completing quarantine after international travel, the other a contact of a known case of a "variant of concern" in another public health unit - sequencing is underway to confirm whether those three have the variant.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe says this is a "reminder that we are all vulnerable and we are not somehow specially protected", noting - while the variant is "much more infectious" - it spreads "in the same way as regular COVID-19", but it is important to "ramp up our prevention measures and truly limit or even avoid our contact with people outside of our own household".

Meanwhile, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed ten more COVID-19 cases in the Thunder Bay area and two in unspecified "district communities", bringing it up to 1029, 118 "active" including two in hospital.

Some good news: the health unit's also declared the outbreak at Valard Construction's East-West Tie Project camp in Marathon "over".

Algoma Public Health currently has 19 "active" cases - two in hospital - while the Porcupine Health Unit has 76 "active".

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha's Critic Roles Shuffled

Local MPP Michael Mantha's taking on a new role.

Already the NDP's Northern Development critic, Mantha's been handed the tourism portfolio, as well, though the mines part of his old job has been handed over to Thunder Bay-Atikokan's Judith Monteith-Farrell, who's already Natural Resources and Forestry critic.

This comes just days after Mantha was confirmed as the NDP candidate for Algoma-Manitoulin in the next provincial election, and as he's been shuffled from NDP caucus chair to party deputy whip.

A few other Northern New Democrats are seeing a change in roles, as Sudbury's Jamie West is now critic for Northern Infrastructure, Transportation, and Roads, and Timmins MPP Gilles Bisson is Community Safety and Correctional Services critic.

Wawa Public Library Raises National Flag Day Contest

The Wawa Public Library's challenging local kids to celebrate Canada's flag - for the chance at a prize.

Assistant librarian Suzie Jarrell explains the library's marking National Flag Day - February 15th - with a picture colouring contest, geared at kids up to age twelve.

Suzie Jarrell Explains WPL National Flag Day Contest
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Jarrell notes the colouring page and quiz can be found through the library's website - wawa.olsn.ca - or through its Facebook page, with participants urged to simply take a picture of the coloured page and email it to the library for a chance at a prize.

Entries will be accepted until February 17th.

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