Local Conservatives Pick Candidate for Next Federal Election

Local Conservatives have selected their candidate for the next federal election.

The Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing Conservative Riding Association says they've picked John Sagman, a professional engineer who's "worked in the mining and forestry resource sectors across Canada and has an extensive background working in partnership with Aboriginal communities", including "striving for ecological excellence in completing cold weather projects".

Sagman's only the second candidate nominated for the local riding, after New Democrat incumbent Carol Hughes was selected to run for her fifth term, back in February.

Chapleau Council Approves Accommodation Tax & Fire By-Law Update

A new tax will take effect in Chapleau next year.

Mayor Michael Levesque says Council's agreed to adopt a "Municipal Accommodation Tax".

Mayor Levesque notes the tax - which will take effect at the start of January 2022 - will apply for hotels, bed and breakfasts, or AirBnB-style rentals.

Chapleau Town Council's also approved a new fire by-law.

Mayor Levesque says Council decided to make some changes to the by-law prescribing times and precautions to be taken for setting a fire.

The by-law is now in effect.

North Algoma Sees 4th COVID-19 Cases, More Throughout Region

More COVID-19 cases are being reported across the region - including in North Algoma.

Algoma Public Health's confirmed three in the Sault Ste. Marie area and one in North Algoma, only the fourth case for this region and the first since mid-February.

The health unit doesn't clarify where the case is in North Algoma, which it defines as "Dubreuilville, Michipicoten First Nation, Missinabie Cree First Nation, Wawa, and White River".

This brings the health unit to 335 cases, 42 "active" - two in hospital - plus three cases of "non-residents temporarily in Algoma", one in hospital.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting seventeen cases in Greater Sudbury, six in the western part of the Sudbury District, and one in the Manitoulin District, bringing it to 1946, though the number "active" is down to 77 - it's also reporting eight more cases screened positive for variants of concern, bringing that total to 789.

The Porcupine Health Unit's reported fifteen in the Timmins area and one in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, bringing it to 631, with 140 "active", three in hospital.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed five cases in the Thunder Bay area and two in an unspecified "district communities", bringing the health unit to 3104, 54 "active" including six in hospital, one in an ICU.

APH, PHSD, Surrounding Regions Report More COVID-19 Cases

More COVID-19 cases are being reported across the region.

Algoma Public Health's confirmed two in the Sault Ste. Marie area and another in the Elliot Lake area, bringing it to 331, with 41 "active" - two in hospital - plus three cases of "non-residents temporarily in Algoma" - one in hospital - while five more cases screened positive for a variant of concern, bringing that total to 54.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three more cases in Greater Sudbury and another in the Sudbury District, bringing it to 1929, though the number "active" is down to 79 - it's also reporting seven more cases screened positive for variants of concern, bringing that total to 781.

The health unit's also started breaking down its "Sudbury District" figures into North, West, and East - it's currently showing only seven "active" across the district, all in the West.

The Porcupine Health Unit's reporting nine more cases in the Timmins area and one in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area - bringing it to 615, with 130 "active", three in hospital.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed just a single case in an unspecified "district community", bringing the health unit to 3097, 63 "active" including six in hospital.

It's also investigating an outbreak among Canadian Pacific staff who work on the railway east of the Schreiber and Terrace Bay area - it says two individuals have been confirmed with COVID-19 and are in isolation while the health unit works "in close collaboration" with company management, Algoma Public Health, and Public Health Sudbury and Districts to identify close contacts so they'll self-isolate while the company implements enhanced prevention measures to control the outbreak.

Chapleau Council Decides on CHS 100th Reunion Committee Requests

Chapleau Council's agreed to some support for the upcoming Chapleau High School 100th reunion - but not everything requested by the committee.

That committee made a trio of requests earlier this month - that they be able to use the Recreation Centre for the event, that Council help with liability insurance, and that Township staff help sell tickets - Council rejected the idea of the Township selling tickets, and Mayor Michael Levesque says they've also decided against covering the insurance.

Mayor Levesque says Council did somewhat agree to the last request.

The reunion is set to be held next year.

PHSD Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Eligibility to 55+

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is expanding eligibility for its COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

The health unit says - starting tomorrow - those 55 to 59 years old this year can book an appointment through the province's online booking system or by calling 1-800-708-2505.

This comes as the health unit's started booking appointments for licensed child care workers, as well.

Eligibility Expands for North Algoma COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

Eligibility's expanding for North Algoma's COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

Organizers say appointments are now being booked for those who are pregnant, as well as employees and students who work directly with children in licensed child care centres and licensed home day cares.

Appointments are already open to adults 60 and older, Indigenous adults and their household members, people with certain health conditions - and one essential caregiver - adult chronic home care recipients, all education workers who provide support for students with special education needs, health care workers, faith leaders, and staff and essential caregivers in long-term care or retirement homes and other congregate settings for seniors.

To book an appointment, call Wawa's central appointment line at 705-914-0464, the Dubreuilville Medical Centre, or White River's Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

This comes as Public Health Sudbury and Districts has also expanded eligibility for their vaccine clinics to include licensed child care workers - it accepts bookings by phone at 1-800-708-2505, or those 60 and older can book through the province's booking website.

PHSD Reports 27th COVID-19 Death, More Cases for APH

Another COVID-19 death's been reported in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says only that its 27th COVID-related death happened in Greater Sudbury - it's the health unit's second death in as many days.

This comes as the health unit's reporting one more case in the Sudbury District, but it's also revising down the number of cases reported in Greater Sudbury - that's led the health unit to actually report a decrease of six cases, bringing its total down to 1921, with 81 currently "active".

Despite that, it is reporting nine more cases screened positive for variants of concern, bringing that total to 774.

It's also showing sixteen fewer cases were outbreak-associated, with six more of close contact with a confirmed case, and four more with no epidemiological link.

Algoma Public Health's reporting four new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, bringing it to 328, with 38 "active" - two in hospital - plus three cases of "non-residents temporarily in Algoma" - one in hospital - while two more cases screened positive for a variant of concern, bringing that total to 49.

APH Reminds Social Gatherings Prohibited Under Stay at Home Order

Algoma Public Health is reminding indoor and outdoor gatherings are prohibited during the province's stay-at-home order.

Noting the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is "actively investigating" planned gatherings, the health unit notes officers issued provincial offence notices to three people over a gathering involving eight people on April 18th, adding anyone who is found attending an organized gathering could be fined up to $1000, with a minimum fine of $10,000 for anyone found organizing a gathering during the ongoing lockdown.

It further warns of ongoing risk of contracting COVID-19 in communities, particularly as variants of concern continue to spread, with the B.1.1.7 strain - first identified in the UK - already reported in Algoma.

While people are getting immunized, the health unit reminds "the majority of our communities are not yet fully immunized", so everyone must continue avoiding close contact with those outside our households, even if vaccinated.

PHSD Urges Those Eligible to Book COVID-19 Vaccination

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is urging everyone who can to book their COVID-19 vaccination.

The health unit notes those who are - or turn - 60 or older this year can now book appointments on the provincial booking website or by phone, at 1-800-708-2505.

Appointments can also be booked at that phone number if you're pregnant, have a "highest-risk" or "high-risk" health condition or are an essential caregiver to such an individual, residents, essential caregivers, and staff of high-risk congregate living settings, adults 18 or older in Gogama, Sultan, Shining Tree, and Westree, or anyone previously eligible, including health care workers, Indigenous adults 18 or older, adult recipients of chronic home care, faith leaders, and staff, residents, and essential caregivers of retirement or long-term care homes or congregate care settings.

Starting tomorrow, licensed child care workers will also be able to book an appointment.

Eligibility's a little stricter for North Algoma - which falls under Algoma Public Health - with clinics open to: those 65 and older; health care workers; faith leaders; adult chronic home care recipients; Indigenous adults and their household members; education workers who provide support to students with special education needs; staff and caregivers in long-term care, retirement homes, and other congregate care settings; and organ transplant recipients and those waitlisted for a transplant, certain stem cell transplant recipients, people with certain neurological diseases in which respiratory function may be compromised, those with hematological malignancy diagnosed less than a year ago, those with certain kidney disease, and essential caregivers for those categories.

North Algoma's clinics are set to include those 60 to 64 starting May 5th.

To book an appointment, call Wawa's central appointment line at 705-914-0464, the Dubreuilville Medical Centre, or White River's Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

PHSD Reports 26th COVID-19 Death, APH Sees More Cases

Another COVID-19 death's been reported in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says only that its 26th COVID-related death happened in Greater Sudbury - no other details will be provided.

This comes as the health unit's tallied eleven cases in Greater Sudbury - bringing it to 1927, with 96 "active" - while 64 more screened positive for variants of concern, bringing that total to 765.

It's also corrected some figures: nine cases previously reported in the Sudbury District have been reattributed to Greater Sudbury.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's reporting its four - all in the Sault Ste. Marie area - bringing its total to 324, with 38 "active" - two in hospital - plus four cases of "non-residents temporarily in Algoma", one in hospital.

It's also reporting another case screened positive for a variant of concern, bringing that total to 47.

APH & PHSD Report More COVID-19 Cases

More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 320th - like most, it's in the Sault Ste. Marie area - leaving it with 35 "active" - two in hospital - plus four cases of "non-residents temporarily in Algoma".

It's also reporting eight more cases screened positive for a variant of concern, bringing that total to 46.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has tallied six more cases in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit to 1916, though "active" cases have dropped to 89.

It's also reporting eighteen more cases screened positive for variants of concern, bringing that total to 701.

COVID-19 Cases Rise for Local Health Units

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

Algoma Public Health's confirmed three in the Sault Ste. Marie area, bringing the health unit to 319, with 49 active - including two in hospital - plus four cases of "non-residents temporarily in Algoma".

Public Health Sudbury and Districts added nineteen in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit to 1910 - with 102 "active".

It has also declared an outbreak for a section of Health Sciences North's Ramsey Lake Health Centre.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit has confirmed fifteen cases in the Timmins area and five in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, bringing its total to 580 - 113 are currently "active", two in hospital.

It's also warning of possible exposure on Air Canada flight AC8284 from Timmins to Toronto late on the morning of April 18th, specifically rows 9 to 13.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is reporting ten new cases in the Thunder Bay area, bringing the health unit to 3070 - with 69 currently "active", seven in hospital - while eleven more cases with variants of concern were identified.

COVID-19 Cases Reported by APH & PHSD, Neighbouring Regions

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

Algoma Public Health's confirmed three in the Sault Ste. Marie area, bringing the health unit to 316, with 46 active - including two in hospital - plus four cases of "non-residents temporarily in Algoma".

It's also reporting four more cases screened positive for a variant of concern, bringing that total to 38.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts added twelve cases in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit to 1891 - though the number "active" declined to 93, the first time below 100 since early March.

It's also reporting six more cases screened positive for a variant of concern - bringing that total to 683 - while a sixth case of a variant of concern was identified.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit reported four new cases of COVID-19 in the Timmins area, bringing it to 560, 98 currently "active" including two in hospital.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit confirmed eight in the Thunder Bay area, oe in an unspecified district community, and another in an unspecified First Nation community, bringing it to 3060, 67 "active", nine in hospital, two in an ICU.

Local School Boards Confirm Shared 2021-22 Calendar

Local school boards have confirmed a revised calendar for next school year.

The Algoma District School Board, Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon, and Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario have approved a new 194-day calendar for 2021-22, with some slight differences between boards.

For example, Nouvelon, will see staff return September 1st, while the other boards will have staff in on the 2nd, though Nouvelon will have PA Days on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, while the other boards will have them on the 2nd, 7th, and 8th - that also means Nouvelon will start classes a day earlier, on September 8th, while the other three start on the 9th.

All four will have Christmas break from December 20th to 31st, with March Break running March 14th to 18th - though Nouvelon will have a board holiday the preceeding Friday, March 11th - and all four boards will have PA Days September 24th, February 4th, 2022, May 20th, and June 10th, with classes ending June 30th, 2022.

Chapleau Council Holding Final April Meeting

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

Included on the agenda is a by-law prescribing times for setting fires and precautions to be taken - discussed last meeting, but put off amid Council questions - as well as a resolution relating to requests made by the Chapleau High School 100th Reunion Committee.

Council will also consider: a proposed Municipal Accommodation Tax; a minor variance application; a request to provide use of the municipal transit bus free of charge for access to COVID-19 vaccine clinics; and a request from Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium regarding a school bursary.

There's also a single "in-camera" item, relating to CAO recruitment.

Aside from that, 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.

APH & PHSD Report More COVID-19 Cases, More in Neighbouring Regions

COVID-19 cases are rising across the region.

Algoma Public Health's confirmed three in the Sault Ste. Marie area, bringing the health unit to 313, 44 active - including two in hospital - plus one case of a "non-resident temporarily in Algoma".

It's also reporting two more cases screened positive for a variant of concern, bringing that total to 34.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting eleven in Greater Sudbury - plus another case previously unattributed has been added to Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit's total to 1879, though the number "active" declined to 139.

It's also reporting eleven more cases screened positive for a variant of concern, bringing that total to 677.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting twelve new cases in the Timmins area and three in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, bringing its total to 556, 98 currently "active".

It's also warning of possible exposure related to the online grocery service at the Walmart Supercentre in Timmins April 5th to 7th, 9th, 10th, or 13th to 15th.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed ten more cases in the Thunder Bay area, bringing it to 3050, with 61 "active", eight in hospital, two in an ICU.

CSCNO Announces New Ecole Saint-Joseph Wawa Principal & VP

The local French Catholic school board's announced a slate of new principals and vice-principals - including some promotions in Wawa.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says Michel Lavergne's been promoted to principal of Wawa's Ecole Saint-Joseph, starting next school year - Lavergne's been vice-principal since 2017, and previously served as principal at Dubreuilville's Ecole Saint-Joseph.

Succeeding Lavergne as vice-principal is Stephanie McGregor, currently a teacher at the Wawa school.

Natural Gas Supply Agreement Announced for Local Project

A key supply agreement's been reached for a natural gas project in the region.

Lakeshore Natural Gas has announced a letter of intent for a long-term gas supply agreement with Certarus Limited which would see Certarus transport, store, and supply compressed natural gas for the proposed North Shore Gas project.

The project's a $55-million proposal for an "innovative mobile energy distribution solution" to offer natural gas to up to 13,000 residents and businesses in Manitouwadge, Marathon, Schreiber, Terrace Bay, and Wawa, with Lakeshore Natural Gas a local distribution company set up by the five communities for that purpose.

If successful in receiving all needed regulatory approvals this year, the full rollout of the project is expected to take place from 2022 to 2024.

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