Tim Hortons Wawa Launching Smile Cookie Campaign for Wawa Adult Learning Centre

As you pick up your morning coffee or a meal this week, you could get an extra smile to help support a local cause.

The annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign kicks off today, with proceeds from "Smile Cookie" sales at Tim Hortons Wawa supporting the Wawa Adult Learning Centre.

Director Michelle Terris explains the organization's function is reflected in its name.

Terris says hopes are funds raised will allow access to creative and digital material, while providing space for learners to explore new skills - she even notes the centre's opening a new section to do this.

The Smile Cookie campaign continues to the end of the week.

Wawa Minor Hockey Holding Bottle Drive

Some Wawa hockey players will be out in the community tonight to raise funds for the local sport.

Wawa Minor Hockey Association spokesperson Ray McGregor explains players from each of the teams will be going door-to-door.

McGregor notes those who won't be home during the drive can leave their "returnables" on the curb for pickup.

The bottle drive runs from 6 to 9 pm tonight.

New COVID-19 Cases Reported Across Region

Several new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed across the region.

Algoma Public Health's reporting eight in the Sault Ste. Marie area - at least seven stemming from close contact with a known case - bringing the health unit to 444, with fifteen "active" plus one "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma".

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added four cases in Greater Sudbury and two in the eastern part of the Sudbury District - bringing the health unit to 2313, with 36 "active" - while fourteen more were confirmed or presumed to be a variant of concern, bringing that to 1103.

It's also warning of two potential high-risk public exposures: at Cora Breakfast and Lunch on Barry Downe Road in Greater Sudbury last Sunday and Monday - between 8 am and noon - and at Wacky Wings in Greater Sudbury the same days, between 4 and 11 pm - delivery drivers and patrons who waited in their lobbies are urged to monitor for symptoms, and self-isolate if any develop, though those who are not fully vaccinated should immediately self-isolate.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting another case in the Timmins area - bringing the health unit to 2187, with ten "active" - while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's added two in unspecified First Nation communities - both stemming from travel outside Northwestern Ontario - bringing the health unit to 3382, with fourteen "active", two in hospital, one in the ICU.

Wawa Fall Fair Returns With New Location

Wawa is welcoming fall this weekend with the return of the fall fair.

While last year's event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wawa's Director of Community Services and Tourism, Alex Patterson, explains the fair's back - but in a different location, to better accommodate all the festivities.

To further accommodate the fair, Broadway Avenue will be closed between Laurier Street and Ontario Street from 9 am to 5 pm tomorrow, with the fair running from 11 am to 4 pm, though the movie night runs from 7:30 pm to 11 pm.

Wawa Hosting Hazardous Waste Collection Event

The Municipality of Wawa's inviting residents to bring in hazardous waste during a special collection event tomorrow.

Infrastructure Services Director Dan Beach explains a variety of items will be accepted.

A full list of accepted and not accepted items is on the municipal website.

Wawa's Household Hazardous Waste Day runs from 9 am to 1 pm tomorrow, at the Public Works Garage on Magpie Road.

Advance Voting Opens in Federal Election

With ten days left before the federal election date, some Canadians are heading to the polls.

Elections Canada Field Liaison Officer Lori Sutinen explains four days of advance polls start today.

Sutinen notes there are other options to vote early, such as casting your ballot at an Elections Canada office - there's one in Wawa - or voting by mail, though applications to vote by mail must be submitted by Tuesday, September 14th.

Voters are advised to check their voter information card - or the Elections Canada website - to find out where your local advance poll is located.

Election Day is Monday, September 20th.

Wawa Adult Learning Centre Accepting Orders for Upcoming Tim Hortons Smile Cookies Campaign

As Tim Hortons prepares for its Smile Cookie campaign, the local beneficiary is looking to get a jump on the campaign.

While the annual campaign's set to kick off Monday, Wawa Adult Learning Centre Director Michelle Terris explains that the organization is offering to deliver boxes of the cookies next week.

Terris notes the order form - and delivery schedule - can be found on the centre's Facebook page, or you can contact the centre directly.

OFSC Increasing Trail Permit Price

Some unfortunate news for snowmobilers: trail permits will cost a little more this year.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs has announced the permit fee will increase by $5 for 2022 Seasonal and Classic Trail Permits: $195 for a seasonal permit before November 2nd, then $225 until December 1st, and $275 onward, while classic permits will be $155 until December 1st, and $185 after.

This ends a three-year price freeze, though the OFSC says it's meant to help "keep pace with rising operating costs associated with Ontario's favourite winter pastime, all while ensuring snowmobiling remains affordable across the province", noting continued investments in trails, equipment, and infrastructure amid rising costs of goods and services and increased demand on the trail system.

APH & PHSD Report New COVID-19 Cases, APH Warns of Possible Exposure on 2 Flights

Several new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added six in Greater Sudbury and two in the eastern part of the Sudbury District, bringing the health unit to 2307, with 32 "active": two in the Manitoulin District, four in the eastern Sudbury District, the rest in Greater Sudbury.

The health unit's also reporting five more cases confirmed or presumed to be a variant of concern, bringing that to 1089.

Algoma Public Health - meanwhile - has added two cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area - one stemming from international travel - bringing the health unit to 436, with seven "active" plus one "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma".

It's also warning of potential exposure on a pair of flights on Monday: Delta 5458 from Detroit to Toronto, particularly rows 5-12; and Air Canada 8323 from Toronto to Sault Ste. Marie, particularly rows 10-17 - it urges flight crew and those who sat in those sections to contact their local health unit.

Back to School for Most Local Students

It's back to school time.

While the local French Catholic board got an early start yesterday, the other three local boards are starting classes today.

Tarmo Poldmaa - Principal of Wawa's Sir James Dunn Public School - explains things will work much the same as last year.

Poldmaa also asks parents to respect COVID guidelines, including mask requirements for students in Grades 1 and up when indoors - though kindergarteners are encouraged to wear one, too - and self-screening for symptoms before going to school.

With students heading to school again, Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Detective Constable Trevor Tremblay urges drivers to take it slow and watch for children, further reminding buses will be out on the roads again.

Tremblay also reminds students to wear helmets when biking and to look both ways and be "proactive" watching for traffic when walking or biking.

Some Local Students Return to School

It's back to school time - for some local students.

The local French Catholic board, the conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon, is starting classes for the year today - a day before the other three local boards.

Per provincial rules, students in Grades 1 and up must wear a mask indoors - except to consume food or drink - and everyone going to the school must self-screen for symptoms of COVID-19 everyday before going - the self-screen tool's on the province's website.

Provincial requirements also mean students in kindergarten through Grade 8 will remain in one cohort for the full day with a single teacher - unless specialized, like French teachers - though cohorts can interact outside with distancing encouraged or inside with distancing and masks, while extracurricular clubs and sports are allowed.

With students heading to school again, Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Detective Constable Trevor Tremblay urges drivers to be careful.

Noting school buses will be out on the roads again, Tremblay reminds drivers are required by law to stop if the bus' lights are flashing, even if the stop arm is not extended.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Case, PHSD Reports Several

Several new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the region.

Algoma Public Health's added one in the Sault Ste. Marie area - the health unit's 434th case - leaving the health unit with five "active" plus one more non-resident case temporarily in Algoma.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added eleven cases in Greater Sudbury, one in the eastern part of the Sudbury District, and another in the Manitoulin District, bringing the health unit to 2307.

Despite the new cases, the number "active" actually dropped, to 28: two are in the Manitoulin District, two in the eastern Sudbury District, the rest in Greater Sudbury.

The health unit's also reporting ten more cases confirmed or presumed to be a variant of concern, bringing that to 1084.

Dubreuilville Broadband Marks Sod-Turning, Starts Sign-Up for Internet Packages

Dubreuilville's community-owned internet service provider has launched local efforts, starting to sign-up future customers while celebrating the official sod-turning for the project.

Though construction's currently slated to begin September 20th, a celebratory event was held in late August to mark the sod-turning for Dubreuilville Broadband, and allow residents to sign up for residential or enterprise grade internet packages - the locally owned and operated company expects to offer speeds ten times the current offering in the community, promising "an affordable and competitive price".

It expects to be operational in the first quarter of next year.

Early Voting Options Available As Federal Election Day Nears, Poll Workers Wanted

With Canada's election date less than two weeks away, voters are being offered a few ways to cast their ballot.

Elections Canada Field Liaison Officer Lori Sutinen explains that includes mail-in.

Sutinen further notes you can vote at any Elections Canada office - there's one on Broadway Avenue in Wawa - while advance voting takes place this Friday, September 10th, through Monday the 13th.

She also has a message for those looking for temporary employment.

Election Day is September 20th.

Wawa Council Holding 3 Meetings, Reopens Doors to Public

Straight off the Labour Day long weekend, Wawa Municipal Council's set to hold a trio of meetings.

That includes a "Committee of Adjustment" meeting about a minor variance application, as well as a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, which includes a review of a draft noise by-law, a draft substance abuse policy, and a delegation regarding broadband.

That will come back up in tonight's regular meeting of Council, which includes a resolution to approve a Broadband Partnership, another resolution to accept the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, a by-law to sell property at 84 Broadway Avenue, and two "in-camera" items: a personnel issue about the recently presented Wawa Transformational Plan report, as well as a personnel issue relating to a federal statutory holiday.

They're the first meetings since Council agreed to reopen meeting room doors - with restrictions - though they'll also be broadcast on the Municipality's YouTube channel.

The meetings will be held back-to-back-to-back, starting at 6:30 tonight.

APH Reports 7th COVID-19 Death, PHSD & PHU Report New Cases

Another COVID-19 death has been confirmed in the region.

Algoma Public Health's giving no details about its seventh death linked to the illness, announced Monday - it last reported a COVID death in late May.

The health unit currently has ten "active" cases, including one in hospital.

This comes as a few new cases were confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added three in Greater Sudbury, one in the eastern part of the Sudbury District, and another in the Manitoulin District, bringing the health unit to 2294, though the number "active" actually dropped, to 28.

It also reported four more cases confirmed or presumed to be a variant of concern, bringing that to 1074.

The Porcupine Health Unit added three cases in the Timmins area, two in the James and Hudson Bay region, and two in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area - that brings it to 2186.

It last reported nineteen "active", but that was before the latest cases.

Foleyet Water Advisory Lifted

Foleyet's no longer under a drinking water advisory.

While the advisory was issued Wednesday - after a mechanical issue disrupted water supply - Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it has now been lifted, as tests have confirmed the water's safe for consumption.

It does note residents may notice chlorine odours or discoloured water, and suggests running cold water faucets or drinking fountains for five minutes or until the water runs clear, running water softeners through a regeneration cycle, draining and refilling hot water heaters, and removing and rinsing faucet screens to get rid of sediment.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, PHU Reports Cases & Possible Exposure

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added four in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit to 2289, though the number "active" dropped slightly, to 34 - while reporting a 1070th case confirmed or presumed to be a variant of concern.

The Porcupine Health Unit's added five in the James and Hudson Bay region, bringing the health unit to 2179, with 19 "active".

It's also warning of potential public exposure on an Air Creebec flight from Timmins to Kashechewan last Friday - anyone who was on the 9 am flight is urged to self-isolate immediately and contact their local health unit.

OPP Watching the Roads Over Labour Day Weekend

Ontario Provincial Police are hitting the roads for the long weekend.

Superior East OPP Detective Constable Trevor Tremblay says one focus will be impaired driving.

Officers will also be watching for the other "Big Four" - aggressive or distracted driving and lack of seatbelts - as the OPP reports 176 people have died in 166 fatal collisions on OPP-patrolled roads as of the end of August, with 47 involving excessive speed, 33 an inattentive driver, and 22 alcohol or drugs - a lack of seatbelt use also contributed to 29 deaths.

Constable Tremblay also notes penalties for "stunt driving" are getting tougher.

Tremblay reminds "stunt driving" is now 40 kilometres an hour over the limit on any roads with a limit of 70 or lower.

OPP will also be watching trails and lakes and rivers, as well.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, APH Reports Variant Cases

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting a couple new COVID-19 cases - both in Greater Sudbury, one travel-related - bringing the health unit total to 2285, though the number "active" has dropped to 35.

It's also reporting a case previously confirmed or presumed to be a variant of concern was not, lowered that total to 1070.

While Algoma Public Health isn't reporting any new cases, it is showing two more screened positive for a variant of concern, bringing that total to 116 - the health unit has fourteen "active" cases, two in hospital.