LDHC Board Holding AGM Via Videoconference

A major meeting's coming up for Wawa's hospital.

The Lady Dunn Health Centre board of directors is holding its annual general meeting tonight, at 7 pm - like most meetings amid the pandemic, it is via videoconference.

For more information, call Hannah Garland at 705-856-2335, extension 3210.

The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's also preparing for its annual general meeting, to be held June 29th at 4:30 pm - anyone who wishes to attend that meeting is asked to email foundation@ldhc.com today.

PHSD & PHU Confirm New COVID-19 Cases

A few more COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting two new cases in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit to 2147, with 30 "active" - while three more screened positive for variants of concern, bringing that to 959.

The Porcupine Health Unit - on the other hand - is reporting two new cases in the James and Hudson Bay region and another in the Timmins area, bringing the health unit to 1972 - it last reported 143 "active", but that was before those cases were reported.

It's also reporting another case of the "Delta" variant first detected in India - it's the 30th case of the variant seen by the Porcupine Health Unit.

Harte Gold Reports Workplace COVID-19 Transmission at Sugar Zone Mine

Harte Gold has confirmed workplace transmission of COVID-19 at its Sugar Zone Mine in White River.

The company says it is currently managing three cases of COVID-19 among employees of the mine - two of which are asymptomatic - with the transmission occurring in the mill facilities - mill operations were temporarily suspended as impacted crews self-isolate, though Harte says "business continuity plans are in place and an incoming crew will start its rotation by the middle of this week" and the mill's expected to resume operations today, so all stockpiled ore will be processed by the end of the month.

Mining operations have not been impacted.

According to the company, contact tracing was completed in partnership with Algoma Public Health, to determine the potential for additional exposures - those potentially affected are self-isolating while protocols will remain in place for fourteen days, per Algoma Public Health recommendations, with regular monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms.

Algoma Public Health only reported one new case Tuesday - the fourth it has reported for North Algoma - leaving the health unit with four "active", one in hospital.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Case in North Algoma

Algoma Public Health's confirmed a new COVID-19 case: in North Algoma.

Stemming from close contact with another case, it's the 399th case for the health unit but only the fourth reported in North Algoma - the exact community isn't specified, but the region includes Dubreuilville, Michipicoten First Nation, Missinabie Cree First Nation, Wawa, and White River.

This leaves the health unit with four "active" cases, one in hospital.

For the first time in weeks, the Porcupine Health Unit isn't reporting any new cases.

The health unit is showing 59 more "resolved" cases, bringing the number "active" down to 143 - the lowest in some time - though it does note that shutdown-level restrictions remain in place for that region until Friday, at earliest.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit isn't reporting any new cases either - the second time in less than a week - though it is reporting a pair of recoveries - leaving it with only 12 "active", three in hospital, two in an ICU - while two more cases with variants of concern were identified, rising to 184.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts currently has 28 "active" cases.

PHSD Confirms New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit to 2145, though the number "active" is down slightly, to 28.

The health unit's also reporting seven more cases screened positive for variants of concern, bringing that total to 956.

Porcupine Health Unit Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths, More Cases for PHSD & TBDHU

Two more COVID-19 deaths are being reported in the region.

The Porcupine Health Unit is giving no details about the deaths - its 28th and 29th - which come just three weeks after its 27th COVID-related death.

The health unit's also reporting six new cases in the James and Hudson Bay region, four in the Timmins area, and two in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area - that brings it to 1969 total, but it's also reporting 108 more "resolved" cases, bringing the number "active" down to 202.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added six in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit to 2142, with the number "active" up to 29 - while four more screened positive for a variant of concern, raising that to 949.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed one in the Thunder Bay area and another in an unspecified district community - bringing it to 3331, though the number "active" is down to fourteen, its lowest level in eight months, but four are in hospital, two in an ICU - while four more cases with a variant of concern were identified, bringing that to 182.

Wawa Council Allowing Temporary Sidewalk Use for Businesses Amid Pandemic Restrictions

Wawa Municipal Council's approved a move meant to help businesses hit hard with COVID-19-related provincial restrictions.

A recently-passed resolution allows local businesses to use - for free - a portion of municipal property - including sidewalks - for outdoor patios for the sale of items, so long as they apply and follow certain restrictions, including for the amount of space taken up and distance from fire hydrants.

The Municipality's also offering to loan - at no cost - a single picnic table to each restaurant along Broadway Avenue or Mission Road, not including vending carts, wagons, or refreshment stands.

COVID-19 Cases Added Across Region

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

Algoma Public Health's confirmed a single case in the Sault Ste. Marie area - the health unit's 398th, leaving it with four "active", one in hospital plus a "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma", also in hospital.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added six cases in Greater Sudbury and two in the Sudbury District, bringing the health unit to 2136, with 25 "active".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's seen just a single new case in an unspecified First Nation community, bringing the health unit to 3329, with 23 "active", four in hospital, two in an ICU.

The Porcupine Health Unit - on the other hand - is reporting eighteen in the James and Hudson Bay region, and another in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area - that brings it to 1957.

It last reported 287 "active", before the latest cases.

LDHC Board Holding Videoconference Meeting Ahead of AGM

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre board of directors is meeting tonight - just ahead of another big meeting.

While tonight's the monthly meeting, the annual general meeting will be held Wednesday night - both meetings will be held by videoconference, starting at 7 pm.

For more information - and to attend the AGM - call Hannah Garland today at 705-856-2335, extension 3210.

Chapleau Readies COVID-Safe Fishing Tournament for Canada Day

Chapleau's encouraging anglers to get out on the water around Canada Day - in a special COVID-safe fishing tournament.

As part of its virtual Canada Day festivities, the Township of Chapleau's holding a ten-day virtual fishing tournament starting this Friday, June 25th, though it is encouraging participants to sign up early through the Angler's Atlas website and the MyCatch app, like the Ontario Ice Fishing Challenge in February.

Mayor Michael Levesque encourages anglers to sign up.

Details about the tournament - and Chapleau's Canada Day celebrations - can be found on Facebook, at Chapleau Canada Day 2021.

New COVID-19 Cases Reported Across Region

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added two in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit to 2128, though the number "active" has dropped to 19.

The Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed sixteen in the James and Hudson Bay region, four in the Timmins area, and another in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area - that brings it to 1938, with 281 "active".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit isn't reporting any new cases, though it is reporting a new recovery - leaving it with 29 "active" - while the number in hospital is up to five, with two in an ICU.

Algoma Public Health currently has three "active" cases - one in hospital - plus a "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma", also in hospital.

APH Reports COVID-19 Vaccination Milestone

Algoma Public Health's reporting key milestones in COVID-19 vaccination.

The health unit says over 75% of adults 18 and older in Algoma have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while over 40% of 12 to 17-year-olds have had at least one shot.

Chapleau Hazardous Waste Collection Event

The Township of Chapleau's encouraging residents to bring in their hazardous waste for a special collection tomorrow.

Mayor Michael Levesque notes the Municipal Hazardous Waste collection event covers a number of items.

There are some things that won't be accepted, such as commercial, industrial, or institutional waste, old electronics, tires, radioactive materials, or any form of explosives.

The Hazardous Waste collection event runs from 9 am to 2 pm Saturday, at Chapleau's Recreation Centre Parking Lot.

TBDHU Reports 64th COVID-19 Death, PHSD Records 3 New Cases

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

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's giving no details about its 64th COVID-related death, which comes nearly a month after its 63rd.

It's also reporting one new case in the Thunder Bay area - the health unit's 3329th, leaving it with 31 "active", four in hospital, two in an ICU - while a 178th case with a variant of concern was identified.

Public Health and Districts has added one case in Greater Sudbury and two in the Sudbury District, bringing the health unit to 2126, with 20 "active": eight in Greater Sudbury, five in the northern part of the Sudbury District, and seven in the western part of the district.

The health unit's also reporting two more cases screened positive for a variant of concern, bringing that total to 940.

The Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed ten more cases in the James and Hudson Bay region, two in the Timmins area, two in Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls, and two in Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland - that brings it to 1917 total, though the number "active" has dropped to 271, the lowest since the start of the month.

Algoma Public Health currently has three "active" cases - one in hospital - plus a "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma", also in hospital.

Chapleau Council Sets Tax Levy Increase for 2021 Budget

Chapleau Town Council's set this year's tax increase - but the budget's still pending.

Mayor Michael Levesque says Council's agreed to a 2.5% levy increase - the same as last year - commending the Township's treasurer and CAO for efforts to keep that down, given rising costs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Levesque also notes some other key cost increases that had to be addressed.

In addition to setting the levy increase, Council approved a more than $110,000 purchase order for asphalt patching to be done by Miller Group, which Mayor Levesque hopes will be done early this summer, covering potholes.

Council also awarded a tender for the removal of scrap metal - except aluminum - from the landfill site - something done every few years, based on the amount of scrap metal that accumulates - and accepted recommendations from the Ontario Clean Water Agency for capital expenditures, though Mayor Levesque says the Township "doesn't necessary cover everything" recommended, and will determine in their budgeting what can be done, given the costs.

Chapleau High School Graduate Honoured for Commitment to Francophone Culture

A Chapleau student's being honoured for her commitment to Francophone culture.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says École secondaire catholique Trillium Grade 12 student Emilyn Levesque "stands out for her hard work in organizing activities" for the students, as president of the school's Students' Parliament and leading projects like the creation of murals in the washrooms.

An ambassador for the FESFO for two years - and a member of the board for Chapleau's Centre culturel Louis-Hémon - Levesque's set to go to College Boreal this September, to pursue her dream of being a carpenter.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Porcupine Also

A few more COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added two in Greater Sudbury and another in the Sudbury District, bringing it to 2123, with 20 "active": ten in Greater Sudbury, five in the northern part of the Sudbury District, and five in the western part of the Sudbury District.

The health unit's also reporting a 938th case has screened positive for a variant of concern.

The Porcupine Health Unit - meanwhile - has confirmed eight new cases in the James and Hudson Bay region, bringing the health unit to 1889 total - it last reported 337 "active", but that was before these cases.

Wawa Council Holding Back-to-Back-to-Back Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council has a busy night ahead, with trio of meetings.

That includes a public meeting under the Planning Act - to address a temporary zoning by-law amendment for a "Wawa Motor Inn Seasonal RV Campground" - and a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, which includes an update on COVID-19, discussion of tourism planning, and a report on a long-term financial plan.

That plan will come back up in tonight's final meeting, a regular meeting of Council, which also includes a resolution to write off taxes, vest property, and declare surplus land, a resolution to approve temporary use of municipally-owned land for a sidewalk patio in the Michipicoten River Village, and an Integrity Commissioner report.

There are also three "in camera" items, all legal issues: one about marina operation; another about employee health benefits; and the other about purchase and sale of property - Council will return after the "in camera" portion to approve a resolution about employee health benefits.

Aside from the "in-camera" portion, tonight's meetings will be broadcast on the Municipality's YouTube channel starting at 6:30.

Wawa Public Library Launches Summer Reading Club

Wawa's library is encouraging kids to read over the summer.

The Wawa Public Library notes the TD Summer Reading Club kicks off today - offering activities and more through July and August - and Assistant Librarian Suzie Jarrell says there's a special offer today.

Jarrell notes more information can be found through the Wawa Public Library Facebook page or website - wawa.olsn.ca - or by calling the library.

While the library hasn't fully reopened - and can't until the second stage of the province's reopening plan - it is offering curbside pickup at this time.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, APH Reports More Variant of Concern Cases

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting a pair of new cases - both in the Sudbury District - bringing it to 2120, with 18 "active": nine are in Greater Sudbury, five in the northern part of the Sudbury District, and four in the western part of the Sudbury District.

The health unit's also reporting a 937th case to screen positive for a variant of concern.

Algoma Public Health isn't reporting any new cases, but the number to screen positive for a variant of concern has jumped to 110.

The health unit currently has four "active" cases plus a non-resident case temporarily in Algoma, with one case in hospital plus two non-resident cases in hospital.