Stay up to date with what’s happening in your community.
The Wawa Public Library's reopening its doors today.
While the library has been doing curbside pickup, Assistant Librarian Suzie Jarrell explains people are allowed inside starting today, though there are restrictions, including a limit of five people at a time.
Jarrell adds two computers are accessible with time restrictions - you're asked to book ahead - and the library's online after-school program is continuing.
The library is running on reduced hours of 11 am to 4 pm Tuesday to Friday.
Algoma Public Health's reporting its fourth COVID-19-related death, though it's giving no further details.
The health unit has reported 199 cases since the pandemic began, with five currently "active", including one in hospital.
Meanwhile, cases are skyrocketing for Public Health Sudbury and Districts, which is reporting 31 in Greater Sudbury and one more in an unspecified Sudbury District community - five are outbreak-associated, one linked to close contact of a confirmed case, the rest are unknown at this time.
The health unit has closed several schools in Greater Sudbury as four are in the midst of an outbreak, while one Greater Sudbury retirement home's in an outbreak.
In total, it has reported 667 cases with 85 currently "active".
COVID-19 vaccination efforts are continuing at Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre.
Speaking with JJAM FM News Monday afternoon, CEO Kadean Ogilvie reminded the hospital started vaccinations at the end of January.
Ogilvie noted another shipment of the Moderna vaccine was expected to arrive yesterday - so second doses could be given to those who'd already received the first dose - though she added a shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was also expected to arrive at the same time.
Ogilvie does not expect any changes to service at the hospital amid the vaccination process - noting staff vaccinations are arranged so they shouldn't disrupt their schedule - further emphasizing that a lot of work is being done "in the background", with local health officials collaborating to move through the different phases of the province's vaccine distribution plan.
Wawa Municipal Council's set to meet for the first time this month.
Council's holding back-to-back meetings, starting with a Corporate Planning Committee meeting including discussion about municipal cannabis retail stores, and the potential extension of this year's ice season - both of which will be brought back up in the regular meeting held immediately after.
That meeting also includes two "in-camera" items, both legal issues: one relates to an offer to purchase property, the other to the Northeast Superior Regional Broadband Network agreement, with Council to vote after the in-camera discussion on a resolution to confirm its commitment to that project.
Aside from the in-camera portion, the meetings will be broadcast on the Municipality's YouTube channel, starting at 6:30 pm tonight.
COVID-19 cases are rising across the region.
Algoma Public Health's confirmed three more - all in the Elliot Lake area - one stemming from close contact with a known case, the others unknown at this time.
The health unit's seen 199 cases since the pandemic began, with six currently "active", two in hospital.
North Shore Health Network is reporting a staff member in Blind River has tested positive, with their exposure stemming from "outside of the work setting" - it's unclear if that means community exposure, other close contact with a case, or travel.
It's also unclear if the worker's one of the three cases reported by APH on Sunday - the health unit considers Blind River part of the Central and East Algoma area not the Elliot Lake area, suggesting it is a case not yet included in the region's figures.
Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported a total of thirty cases in Greater Sudbury over the weekend - thirteen on Sunday - bringing its total to 635, 53 still "active".
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit - which moved back into the "Grey-Lockdown" tier of the province's restrictions framework this morning - confirmed 56 new cases today, all in the Thunder Bay area - it has 376 "active", 29 of them in hospital, nine in an ICU.
COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise in the Thunder Bay District, as tougher restrictions take effect.
The provincial government announced on Friday it was activating an "emergency brake" for the region - and Simcoe-Muskoka - sending it into the "Grey-Lockdown" category of the province's tiered restrictions framework today, to disrupt transmission and contain community spread.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit reported 55 cases over the weekend - three in unspecified First Nation communities, the rest in the Thunder Bay area - leaving it with 343 "active", including 26 in hospital, nine in an ICU.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts confirmed seventeen cases over the weekend - all in Greater Sudbury - bringing its total to 622, 47 “active”.
The Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed its 339th case, noted to be in the Hearst and Hornepayne area - it has 29 "active", one in hospital.
The health unit has - on the other hand - implemented a "class order" to enforce self-isolation requirements for those who are a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, have new or worsening symptoms, have had symptoms in the last ten days, are a close contact with a possible case, or are responsible for someone who's a probable case.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed its 30th COVID-19 death - the third in as many days - as new cases jumped to a record 60.
Of the new cases, 56 are in the Thunder Bay area, three in unspecified "district communities", and one in an unspecified First Nation community - it brings the health unit's total to 1557, with 349 "active" while hospitalizations have jumped to 22, five in an ICU.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - has confirmed its thirteenth COVID-19-related death, noted to be linked to an outbreak at Health Sciences North.
The health unit's also reporting three new cases in Greater Sudbury and two in unspecified Sudbury District communities - bringing its total to 605, 30 "active" - and it has declared outbreaks at two more Greater Sudbury schools and the Walford Sudbury retirement home.
The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting four new cases in the Hearst and Hornepayne area and four in the James and Hudson Bay region - bringing its total to 338, 28 "active" - while declaring an outbreak at Innes Transport in Moosonee and warning of "high-risk exposure" on two Ontario Northland buses: Wednesday's 11 a-m bus from Toronto to Sudbury and the 6 pm from Sudbury to Timmins.
Algoma Public Health - which confirmed its 196th case yesterday - currently has four "active" cases, two in hospital.
Chapleau's mayor is decrying a "complete surprise" increase in the cost for water services.
Mayor Michael Levesque says a new ten-year contract with the Ontario Clean Water Agency means a 28% increase.
Despite that, Mayor Levesque says the Township will "not necessarily" pass on those costs to residents - at least not initially.
Instead, Mayor Levesque says this will be addressed during budget discussions, expecting the increase will be covered by reserves while Council goes "line-by-line" to remove projected expenses from the Township's budget to keep costs down.
Levesque says this isn't a unique problem, as he understands "a lot of other municipalities who deal with OCWA" are facing a similar situation.
Chapleau's continuing recruitment efforts for a new top administrator.
Just weeks after announcing the Township was again putting out the call for applicants for the CAO position, Mayor Michael Levesque says some possible candidates are being considered.
The Township launched recruitment efforts back in October, with the previous CAO helping cover for some time, though Council has now hired a consultant firm to offer services covering the clerk and CAO roles.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed its second COVID-19 death in as many days, as cases continue to skyrocket.
The health unit isn't giving any details about its 29th COVID-19 death, though it does say it has confirmed 30 new cases in the Thunder Bay area, two more in unspecified First Nation communities, and one more in an unspecified "district" community.
It has reported 1497 cases since the pandemic began, with 315 currently "active", sixteen in hospital, five in an ICU.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting five new cases in Greater Sudbury and one more in an unspecified Sudbury District community - all stem from close contact with known cases.
This marks the 600th case for the health unit, which has 28 currently "active".
Algoma Public Health has confirmed its 196th case - located in the Elliot Lake area, stemming from close contact with a known case - leaving the health unit with four "active", two in hospital.
The Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed its 330th case - this time located in the Hearst and Hornepayne area - leaving it with 22 "active", one in hospital.
Lia (left) and Nick Veldt
Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is thanking a local couple for some major support.
The hospital foundation says Nick and Lia Veldt have donated $1000, in lieu of celebrations for Lia's 93rd birthday yesterday and the couple's 67th wedding anniversary, since such celebrations aren't possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Wawa student will serve as one of the Algoma District School Board's student trustees next school year.
The board says Annika Morrison - a Grade 11 student at Michipicoten High School - is one of three student trustees appointed for the 2021-2022 school year.
Morrison's touted as a school athlete who serves as a Summer Camp leader and a dance assistant, as well as a "dedicated student" who has been the recipient of "many school-based awards", a "strong advocate at the school, for herself and others", and a member of the MHS Spirit Council, who helps organize game days, spirit weeks, school contests, food drives, and fundraising events, while taking part in Student Senate events like the Senate Gala, Student Voice forum and Bon Soo Olympics.
Also appointed as student trustees are Shail Giroux of Korah Collegiate and Manook Wilson of Elliot Lake Secondary School, who is the next Indigenous Student Trustee, succeeding Chapleau High School student Amara Ruffo.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed its 28th COVID-19 death, as cases continue to skyrocket.
The health unit isn't giving any details about the latest death.
This comes as it has reported its highest daily case count since the pandemic began, with 41 in the Thunder Bay area, three more in unspecified First Nation communities, and two more in unspecified "district" communities.
It has reported 1464 since the pandemic began, with 304 currently "active", sixteen in hospital, six in an ICU.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported eleven cases last night - all in Greater Sudbury - leaving it with 27 "active", while Algoma Public Health has three "active" - two in hospital - and the Porcupine Health Unit has 25 "active", one in hospital.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning of stricter self-isolation and school screening requirements.
The health unit notes Ontario's Ministry of Health implemented the changes "in response to the need for enhanced protection against the new more transmissible COVID-19 variants of concern", requiring all household contacts of individuals who've had even one symptom of COVID-19 to self-isolate until the individual receives a negative test result or an alternate diagnosis from a health care professional - if they don't seek COVID-19 testing, all household contacts must isolate for fourteen days from their last contact with the symptomatic individual.
The province's self-assessment and school and child care screener have been updated to reflect the change, as well as a requirement that anyone who has a new or worsening symptom of COVID-19 - even just one symptom - to stay home and self-isolate until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result, receive an alternative diagnosis by a health care professional, or it's been ten days since the symptom started and they're feeling better.
This comes as the health unit's reported eleven new cases - all in Greater Sudbury - a turn around from the zero cases reported Monday, bringing the health unit's total since the pandemic began to 594, 27 currently "active".
The Wawa Public Library is looking at reopening next month.
According to the library, plans are to reopen next Tuesday, March 2nd, so long as COVID-related numbers stay low - that will be reconsidered if there is a surge in North Algoma.
While it isn't fully open, the library has been doing curbside pickup.
Wawa's Municipal Office - meanwhile - has already opened to visitors, with some restrictions.
Chapleau's recreation centre has reopened.
The Township of Chapleau's updated its notice about municipal services amid the COVID-19 pandemic, showing the AW Moore arena reopened for user groups last Thursday, though ice rentals must be pre-booked and user groups must follow COVID-19 guidelines.
It notes outdoor recreational amenities are still closed for the season, while the Chapleau Public Library's only available for curbside pickup, and municipal transit services are limited to a single rider at a time.
The municipal office, economic development and tourism, building and by-law services, and public works are all closed to the public, though staff can be reached by phone or email.
COVID-19 hospitalizations have skyrocketed for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, which is reporting 14 in hospital, four in the ICU.
The health unit confirmed 34 new cases in the Thunder Bay area today - with two more in unspecified First Nation communities - bringing its total to 1377, including 257 "active".
Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts confirmed two cases in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit to 583, 24 "active" - while the Porcupine Health Unit's reporting five in the James and Hudson Bay region, bringing the health unit to 329, 26 "active", one in hospital.
Algoma Public Health currently has four "active", two in hospital.
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating after a missing snowmobiler was found over the weekend.
Sault Ste. Marie OPP say the snowmobiler was reported missing between Searchmont and Halfway Haven on Friday, with the missing man found safe early Saturday afternoon, after a search by OPP Aviation Services, the OPP Emergency Response Team, Sault Search and Rescue, and the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobiling Club-Sault Trailblazers.
A pair of Wawa brothers were recognized in Parliament recently, as local MP Carol Hughes touted efforts by Northerners to "raise spirits and bring a smile to others".
Noting Northerners have taken to social media to share talents, stories, and ways to help others through the winter amid the pandemic, the Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP highlighted various community-minded projects to help others get outdoors and enjoy the season, including Myles and Spencer Jennings, who've cleared and maintained a skating path and small hockey rink on Wawa Lake.
Hughes also highlighted concerts from Manitoulin Island musicians, improvements to an Espanola snowshoe trail, and a photo scavenger hunt on Kapuskasing hiking trails.
More COVID-19 cases have been reported across the region.
Algoma Public Health confirmed its 195th case on Saturday, located in the Central and East Algoma area - the health unit has seven "active" cases, two in hospital.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts confirmed five more over the weekend - all in Greater Sudbury - leaving it with 26 "active".
The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit reported ten more cases over the weekend - all in the James and Hudson Bay area - leaving it with 22 "active", one in hospital.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit confirmed 61 more cases over the weekend - seven in unspecified First Nation communities, the rest in the Thunder Bay area - bringing it to 1341, 229 "active" including twelve in hospital, three in the ICU.
