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Chapleau's continuing recruitment efforts for a new top administrator.
Mayor Michael Levesque says the call is again being put out for candidates.
The Township launched recruitment efforts back in October, with a consultant firm currently helping cover the clerk and CAO roles.
Chapleau Town Council is reaching out to the community as it considers implementing a new tax.
Mayor Michael Levesque says Council's debating whether it should adopt a "Municipal Accommodation Tax" - as allowed by provincial legislation - noting it could help with some initiatives.
However, Levesque says the Township's reaching out to those who'll be affected - like hotels - to outline details like how it'll work and how it would affect them, then get feedback before Council makes a decision.
COVID-19 cases are continuing to grow in the region, with another death reported.
A day after reporting five COVID-19 deaths, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed its 46th since the pandemic began, though it isn't giving any further details.
It's also reporting 28 more cases in the Thunder Bay area, plus three in unspecified First Nation communities and two in unspecified district communities, bringing its total to 2719, though the number "active" is down slightly to 283 with 28 in hospital, five in an ICU.
An update from the Marathon Family Health Team issued yesterday confirmed three more cases in that community, leaving it with eight active, seven linked to an outbreak from Chronic Care at Wilson Memorial General Hospital - six of those cases are in hospital, but all six are Chronic Care residents.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - is reporting 37 new cases in Greater Sudbury and four more in the Sudbury District, bringing its total to 1283, 316 currently "active".
It's also reporting ten more cases screened positive for a "variant of concern", bringing that total to 323.
The Porcupine Health Unit has confirmed its 347th case - a resident of the Timmins area - leaving the health unit with three "active".
Algoma Public Health currently has seventeen.
It's a tragic day in the region, as the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed five more COVID-19 deaths, making it the health unit's deadliest day of the pandemic.
The health unit isn't giving any further details about the deaths, which bring its death toll to 45.
This comes as the health unit's reporting 21 more cases in the Thunder Bay area and four in unspecified district communities, bringing it to 2686 total, though the number "active" is down to 286, 26 in hospital, five in an ICU.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - is reporting 28 new cases in Greater Sudbury and one more in the Manitoulin District, bringing its total to 1242, 285 currently "active".
It's also reporting 22 more cases screened positive for a variant of concern - bringing that total to 313 - plus two more cases with confirmed variants of concern identified, bringing that total to five.
The Porcupine Health Unit isn't reporting any new cases, though it is warning of potential "high-risk" exposure for those who took Air Canada flight AC 8289 from Toronto to Timmins Monday night.
It has two "active" cases while Algoma Public Health has eighteen.
The Chapleau arena's ice season is over.
While Chapleau Minor Hockey had requested Council extend the season until April 17th, Mayor Michael Levesque says the decision was made by outside forces.
As Levesque referenced, the entire Public Health Sudbury and Districts is in the "Grey-Lockdown" category of the province's tiered restrictions framework, which closes arenas, though the health unit had already issued a "Letter of Instruction" ordering them closed.
While Chapleau is under those tougher restrictions, neighbouring communities like Wawa and Timmins are not - Algoma Public Health and the Porcupine Health Unit are both in the "Yellow-Protect" category - but Mayor Levesque warns about travelling.
Acknowledging people may feel "penalized" because of the links to Sudbury, Mayor Levesque emphasizes "we have to live with that" and he hopes residents understand that, urging "the same patience" shown so far.
Health officials continue to warn against non-essential travel, especially outside of your home community, particularly when it involves a region of higher infection rates.
COVID-19 vaccination clinics are expanding across the region.
Algoma Public Health says - based on confirmed allocations to Algoma for the remainder of March - it is now expanding appointment bookings to include: "highest", "very high", "high", and "moderate" priority health care workers; staff and essential caregivers in long-term care, retirement homes, and other congregate settings for seniors; Indigenous adults and members of their household; adults 75 and older; adult chronic home care recipients; and faith leaders who provide end of life care, care of the deceased, home visits to unwell persons, and pastoral care in hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement homes, or other vulnerable settings.
Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it's setting sights on Phase 2 of vaccine rollout, which will see it offering vaccines to adults 75 to 79 years old, as well as individuals with certain health conditions and those who live in high-risk settings.
The health unit says it has immunized just over 12 percent of its population, with 21,388 people receiving their first dose by Monday, and 1822 fully vaccinated.
Wawa Municipal Council's set to get its first look at this year's operating budget.
A special Council meeting will be held tonight, with three items on the agenda: presentation of the 2021 Operating Budget; annual and summary reports about Wawa's Drinking Water System; and a verbal update on arena ice extension.
Council approved this year's Capital Budget nearly two months ago - it outlines over $10-million in proposed projects, including 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 includes some projects planned to happen through 2024.
The meeting will be broadcast on the Municipality of Wawa's YouTube channel, starting at 6:30 tonight.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed 29 more cases - two in unspecified district communities, the rest in the Thunder Bay area - bringing its total to 2661, though the number "active" has fallen to 305, 31 in hospital, seven in an ICU.
Though the health unit doesn't specify which communities are reporting cases, an update issued today by the Marathon Family Health Team says there are two new cases in that community - both tied to an outbreak in the North of Superior Healthcare Group's Chronic Care - that leaves the community with nine "active" cases, five in hospital, though those five were already in hospital, as Chronic Care residents.
The family health team has also reported one COVID-19-related death - its first - coinciding with the 40th such death reported by the health unit.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - is reporting 21 new cases in Greater Sudbury and two more in unspecified Sudbury District communities, bringing its total to 1213, 269 currently "active".
It's also reporting 30 more cases screened positive for a variant of concern, bringing that total to 291.
Some good news, however: the health unit's reporting 21,388 people have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with 1822 fully vaccinated.
Algoma Public Health - meanwhile - is reporting two new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area - both stemming from close contact with a known case - bringing the health unit's total to 224, 21 "active", one in hospital.
The Porcupine Health Unit has two "active" cases at this time.
COVID-19 cases are rising across the region - with another COVID-19 death.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed its 40th death, but it isn't giving any further details.
This comes as the health unit's reporting nine more cases in the Thunder Bay area - the first time reporting single digits since February 9th - bringing the health unit's total to 2632, with 325 currently "active", 35 in hospital, twelve in an ICU.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has recorded 26 more - one in the Manitoulin District, the rest in Greater Sudbury - bringing its total to 1190, with 265 "active".
It's also reporting fifteen more cases screened positive for a variant of concern, bringing that total to 261.
This comes as the health unit's declared outbreaks at Extendicare Falconbridge, a Greater Sudbury apartment building, and another Greater Sudbury school, while warning of potential high-risk exposure at a Greater Sudbury hair salon.
Algoma Public Health's confirmed its 222nd case, noted to be a resident of the Sault Ste. Marie area exposed by close contact with a known case.
The health unit has 24 "active" cases - one in hospital - plus another case of a "non-resident temporarily in Algoma".
The Porcupine Health Unit currently has two "active" cases.
Dozens of First Nation communities are getting provincial and federal support to improve access to clean water, wastewater, and storm water infrastructure improvements.
The Canada and Ontario governments are putting a total of $5.8-million toward projects in 37 communities, including Brunswick House First Nation, which is receiving $2,231,213 from the federal government and $545,308 from the province - it's putting in $198,429, using the funds for supervisory control and data acquisition upgrades for mono drinking water systems.
Michipicoten First Nation's election is now in the books - with a mix of returning and new councillors chosen, and a chief returning with overwhelming support.
According to a statement of votes, incumbent Chief Patricia - or Pat - Tangie was re-elected with 200 votes, five times the next highest candidate.
287 valid ballots were cast for chief, with seven more rejected.
Six councillors were chosen: Linda Peterson with 162 votes; Irene Armstrong with 136; Evelyn Stone with 135; Donnie Humphries with 105; Christine Lewis with 104; and Sandra Donney-Fraser with 96.
Armstrong, Humphries, Peterson, and Stone were all Councillors heading into the election.
291 valid ballots were cast for councillor, with three more rejected ballots.
COVID-19 cases are rising in the region.
Algoma Public Health confirmed two cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area Friday night, bringing the health unit's total to 221, with 23 currently "active" - one in hospital - plus one case of a "non-resident temporarily in Algoma".
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed a total of 64 cases over the weekend - 61 in Greater Sudbury, two in unspecified Sudbury District communities, and one in an unspecified Manitoulin District community - bringing it to 1164 total, 268 "active".
It's also reporting 38 more cases screened positive for a variant of concern - bringing that total to 246 - though there's some good news: 20,048 people in the PHSD region have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with 1690 fully vaccinated.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit reported 58 cases over the weekend - 48 in the Thunder Bay area, eight more in unspecified "district communities", and two in First Nation communities - bringing its total to 2623, though the number of "active" cases has fallen to 362, with 35 in hospital, twelve in an ICU.
Some good news for the Porcupine Health Unit, which currently has three "active" cases: it moved from the "Orange-Restrict" category of the province's tiered restrictions framework to the lower "Yellow-Protect" as of midnight this morning.
COVID-19 cases are rising in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed 40 cases in Greater Sudbury and another in an unspecified Sudbury District community, bringing the health unit to 1100 total, 261 "active".
It's also reporting eleven more cases "screened positive for variants of concern", bringing that total to 208.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting 31 new cases in the Thunder Bay area, five more in unspecified "district communities", and another two in First Nation communities - sixteen stem from household contact and ten from "other close contact".
Despite the rise, the number of "active" cases has fallen to 399, though the number hospitalized has climbed to 44, with fifteen in an ICU.
The Porcupine Health Unit - meanwhile - is reporting a case in the Hearst and Hornepayne area and another in the Timmins area - it has reported 346 total, with three currently "active".
Algoma Public Health - which last reported two cases Wednesday night - has 21 "active" - one in hospital - plus two more cases of "non-residents temporarily in Algoma".
Wawa Municipal Council will get its first look at this year's operating budget next week.
A special Council meeting's been called for Tuesday, March 23rd, with three items on the agenda: presentation of the 2021 Operating Budget; annual and summary reports about the Wawa Drinking Water System; and a verbal update on arena ice extension.
Council approved this year's Capital Budget nearly two months ago - it outlines over $10-million in proposed projects, including 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 includes some projects planned to happen through 2024.
The meeting will be broadcast on the Municipality of Wawa's YouTube channel, starting at 6:30 that night.
Wawa's Northern Nationals Drag Race is staying off the track for another year.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson describes it as more of a postponement than a cancellation, pointing to issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Patterson assures - however - that it "isn't a complete lost cause".
The 2020 drag race was also called off due to the pandemic, though Patterson expresses hope for a return next year.
Council was apprised of the decision earlier this week, as they approved plans to end curling season early - so the curling rink can be used for COVID-19 vaccination clinics - while extending arena ice until April 1st.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting 37 new cases in the Thunder Bay area and another three in unspecified "district communities" - fifteen stem from household contact and seventeen from "other close contact".
Despite the rise, the number of "active" cases has fallen to 406, with 39 in hospital, twelve in an ICU.
The Porcupine Health Unit isn't reporting any new cases, though it is warning of possible exposure on a pair of Air Canada flights on Monday, March 15th: AC0144 from Calgary to Toronto - rows 14 to 18 - and AC8289 from Toronto to Timmins - rows 8 to 12 - with those who were seated in those rows urged to self-isolate and contact their local health unit.
Wawa is the "Ice Fishing Capital of Ontario".
The community topped the recent Ontario Ice Fishing Challenge with 37,754 points, far ahead of second-place Moonbeam's 22,143 and third-place Chapleau's 21,599 - Kapuskasing and Dubreuilville round out the top five.
Despite claiming the title with "collective catch", Wawa didn't land the top fish: the longest fish was an 113 cm Northern Pike caught by Jacques Bernard of Kapuskasing; White River's Darryl Godin caught the longest trout, at 102.9 cm; Matheson's Jeremy Van De Kraats reeled in a 77.5 cm walleye; and Moonbeam's Jakob Beauvais caught a 40.6 cm Yellow Perch.
Wawa's Kathleen Johnson did top Total Fish Caught, with 557 points.
Algoma Power's warning of a ransomware attack against its billing contractor.
FortisOntario - which owns Algoma Power - says it was made aware earlier this week of "a possible ransomware attack on a third-party contractor that prints bills and provides certain electronic billing services for customers of Canadian Niagara Power, Eastern Ontario Power, Algoma Power, and Cornwall Electric".
It adds it isn't aware of any personal information of customers being "inappropriately accessed", though it assures all that could be accessed would be customer names, addresses, electrical consumption, and other information on bills or used for electronic billing services - and no additional customer information like banking information was accessed.
The company further notes it has "engaged an internal team to investigate", and is working with the contractor to assess the situation.
More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.
Algoma Public Health's confirmed one in the Sault Ste. Marie area, and another in the Central and East Algoma area - that brings the health unit to 219 reported, with 21 currently active - one in hospital - plus three cases of "non-Algoma residents who are temporarily in Algoma".
Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - has confirmed 25 more cases in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit's total to 1059 - though the number "active" declined slightly, to 242.
A pair of Wawa schools are closed once again due to frozen pipes.
More than a week after reopening from a multi-day closure caused by frozen pipes, Wawa's Saint Joseph French Immersion and Ecole Saint-Joseph are closed because of frozen pipes, sending students to remote learning for the day.
As Friday is already scheduled to be a PD Day, the schools aren't expected to reopen until Monday, March 22nd.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon notes Ecole Saint-Joseph's daycare is not affected by the problem, and will remain open.
