APH & PHSD Report New COVID-19 Cases

Dozens of new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.

Algoma Public Health's reporting six in the Sault Ste. Marie area - two stemming from international travel, the rest from close contact with a known case - bringing the health unit's total to 509, with 28 "active".

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 51 since Friday - one in the Sudbury District, the rest in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit to 2722 total, with 169 "active", the most in months.

162 of the "active" cases are in Greater Sudbury, four in the western part of the Sudbury District, two in the northern part - which includes Chapleau, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - and one in the Manitoulin District.

The health unit's also reporting 64 more confirmed or presumed to be variants of concern, bringing that count to 1419.

PHSD holds an appointment only vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office Wednesdays, while Algoma Public Health's holding a "pop-up clinic" - with no appointment necessary - at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre lounge on Thursday, from 11 am to 2 pm.

Wawa Santa Claus Parade Announced for December 17th

Santa is coming to Wawa - just ahead of Christmas.

The Municipality of Wawa's announced the 2021 Santa Claus Parade will follow in last year's footsteps, running as a "stationary" parade December 17th - businesses, schools, service groups, and everyone is welcome to put in a float by emailing mcoe@wawa.cc or calling 705-856-2244, extension 240 by December 10th.

Wawa EDC to Mostly Wrap Up Operations, But Won't Cease to Exist

Wawa's Economic Development Corporation will mostly wrap up operations in the coming months - but it won't cease to exist.

Wawa Municipal Council voted last month to cease core funding for the EDC as of May 1st, based on the Municipal Government Wayfinders "municipal transformation and service delivery review" report, which indicated the Municipality could realize annual savings by discontinuing the $160,000 in annual funding, instead creating a new combined Tourism and Economic Development position within the Municipality.

A statement from EDC Chair Liz Talian-Clarke says she's "very disappointed that funding of the current model" will end, she promises the board will "work with Council to help transition the community to a new way of providing programs and services designed to assist new entrepreneurs and existing businesses".

Speaking to JJAM FM News, Talian-Clarke confirmed the EDC will essentially wind up operations by the end of April, but the corporation itself will continue to exist for now with "a much smaller board", just in case there is a need to quickly restart it to resume its current function.

Talian-Clarke emphasizes a need to "work cooperatively" with the Municipality to ensure that function's "transferred over smoothly" and ensure it's "beneficial for the whole community".

While the initial report suggested the Municipality could set up an advisory committee to Council on tourism and economic development matters - possibly transitioning the EDC Board into that role - Talian-Clarke told JJAM FM News that's an aspect of the transition that still needs to be determined, noting Council only made its decision last Tuesday and the EDC Board only met Thursday, with a task force being developed, so meetings are still necessary for the transition to be "as seamless as possible".

Wawa Food Bank Cancels Feed the Need Event for 2nd Year

The Wawa Community Food Bank has again cancelled a major holiday season fundraiser.

Citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and current provincial guidelines, volunteers with the local food bank says they've made the "difficult decision" to cancel this year's "Feed the Need" event, which is traditionally in November - the organization does note hopes to hold an event in the spring.

One of the organization's largest fundraising events, last year's "Feed the Need" was also cancelled due to the pandemic.

This does, however, come just days before the end of the October-long "Northern Lights Ford Scares Hunger" campaign, which accepts non-perishable food and other donations for the food bank at the local dealership.

OPP Investigating Single Vehicle Collision West of White River

Ontario Provincial Police are continuing to investigate a single vehicle collision west of White River.

The Marathon and Manitouwadge detachments say the incident occurred around 1:20 Saturday afternoon, with officers finding a silver car on the westbound shoulder of Highway 17, about 30 kilometres west of White River, near White Lake Narrows Bridge - the vehicle had been travelling west when it left the roadway, coming into contact with a rock.

Officers found a male walking around on the roadway and another laying on the roadway, with both taken to hospital for further treatment - a 28-year-old from Pic Mobert was treated for minor injuries and released while a 27-year-old from Batchewana First Nation was airlifted in critical condition to Thunder Bay for further treatment.

The highway was closed for about 3.5 hours before reopening to one lane, and has since fully reopened.

APH & PHSD Report New COVID-19 Cases Over Weekend

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

Algoma Public Health added two late Friday and eleven more on Saturday - all in the Sault Ste. Marie area, mostly stemming from close contact with a known case - bringing the health unit's total to 499, with 20 "active".

It is currently showing two outbreaks in the region: at River View Public School in Sault Ste. Marie, which has been linked to multiple cases; and at Riverview YMCA Child Care in the Sault.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts added sixteen - all in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit to 2671 total, with 140 "active", the most in months.

The health unit also reported two more cases confirmed or presumed to be variants of concern, bringing that count to 1355.

While the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit didn't report any new cases, it is warning of potential public exposure on an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Timmins last Wednesday, October 20th, specifically for those who sat in rows 11 to 15.

Wawa Public Library Continuing to Celebrate Ontario Public Libraries Week

Although Ontario Public Libraries Week is over, the Wawa Public Library's still celebrating the occasion.

Assistant Librarian Suzie Jarrell says that includes the "Food for Fines" initiative.

Jarrell reminds that initiative - and the library's bag book sale - continues to October 29th, when the draw will be made for a contest encouraging residents to take a picture with their library card.

PHSD Reports Dozens of COVID-19 Cases, TBDHU Reports Some

Dozens of new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added forty in Greater Sudbury and two more in unspecified Sudbury Districts, bringing its total to 2655 with 133 "active": 127 in Greater Sudbury; three in the western part of the Sudbury District; two in the northern part of the district; and one in the Manitoulin District.

The health unit's also reporting 32 more cases confirmed or presumed to be variants of concern, bringing that count to 1353.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's added five cases in unspecified First Nation communities and another in an unspecified "district community", bringing its total to 3405, with eight "active".

Meanwhile, an outbreak's been declared for a Sault Ste. Marie school.

The Algoma District School Board says Algoma Public Health has declared the outbreak at River View Public School, noting Ministry of Education guidance says an outbreak is declared in a school once it's determined that two individuals tested positive within a fourteen day period and at least one "could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school setting" and "there are characteristics that link the two cases".

This comes just days after the board confirmed "an individual associated with" the school had tested positive, but neither the ADSB or APH say how many cases have now been linked to the outbreak.

Local Communities See Declining OMPF Rates From Provincial Government

Local communities will receive a little less from the provincial government next year.

The Ontario government's unveiled next year's Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund rates, noting a total of $500-million will be spread among 389 municipalities.

That includes a total of $1,593,500 for the Municipality of Wawa - down $53,500 from the 2021 allocation - amounting to about $978 per household, a $31 drop from this year.

The Township of Chapleau's set to receive $1,353,200 - down $26,200 - with the per household rate dropping from this year's $1181 to $1162.

After seeing a boost last year, the Township of Dubreuilville's set for a $23,800 drop to only $331,800 - the equivalent of $1018 per household, down $40 from this year - while the Township of White River's reporting the smallest drop, down $8000 to $475,700, the equivalent of $1021 per household, a $15 drop.

Ontario Public Libraries Week Ending, But Wawa Public Library Continuing Initiatives

Ontario Public Libraries Week is wrapping up - but the Wawa Public Library's planning to continue its celebration.

The local library's been marking the week with a few initiatives, which Assistant Librarian Suzie Jarrell says includes a "bag book sale".

Jarrell notes the library's also selling some audiobooks and used DVDs and Blu-Rays.

All of the library's initiatives have been extended to October 29th, when the draw will be held for a contest encouraging residents to take a picture with their library card.

Also extended to the end of the month is the Food for Fines campaign, which offers coupons off fines to those who bring in a non-perishable food donation for the Wawa Food Bank.

Wawa Council Votes to Cut Ties to EDC, Plans to Switch to Internal Model

Wawa Municipal Council's cutting ties with the Economic Development Corporation of Wawa.

In their meeting last night, Council voted to cancel the protocol agreement with the EDC and issue notice that the municipality will cease providing core funding to the EDC as of May 1st, though they also voted to signal intent to renew the lease for the EDC's office - which is set to expire at the end of this year - allowing them to stay until the end of 2022.

During the meeting, Mayor Ron Rody noted that the core funding question had been discussed within "in-camera" Council meetings "for some time", with CAO/Treasurer Maury O'Neill explaining the "municipal transformation and service delivery review" produced by outside firm Municipal Government Wayfinders had recommended Council shift to an "internal model" for economic development and tourism - similar to other communities - and she stated the report found multiple benefits.

O'Neill noted the firm had found an "apparent lack of communication" between the Municipality and EDC was affecting operations, but that would be addressed through the new model, with further advantages.

O'Neill explained the plan would be to hire a staff member who would cover economic development and tourism - noting plans to hire a new tourism manager had been put on hold amid the pandemic - emphasizing that the Municipality should work with the EDC Board and its chair to make a smooth transition.

As the EDC is a separate legal entity that merely receives funding from the Municipality, its board could decide to continue functioning or to cease operations - it had indicated when a similar motion came up in 2012 that it would likely wind up operations if funding was cut - though O'Neill noted the consultants did recommend the EDC Board transition into an advisory committee to Council on economic development and tourism matters - it's unclear if that will be happening, however.

APH Reports 8th COVID-19 Death, 2 More Cases, PHSD Also Reports Several Cases

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

Citing "respect for the family", Algoma Public Health's giving no details about the eighth death linked to the illness in its area, simply saying this "highlights the seriousness of this virus", asking "every Algoma resident to continue doing their part to protect our community members, including getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19".

The health unit is reporting two new cases - one in an unspecified North Algoma community, the other in the Sault Ste. Marie area - bringing the health unit's total to 485, with six "active".

It's also warning of potential public exposure for flight crew and those who sat in rows 3-9 of Air Canada flight AC 8317 from Toronto to the Sault on Monday, October 18th.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 24 cases in Greater Sudbury and another in the Manitoulin District, bringing the health unit to 2604 total, with 92 "active".

It's also reporting eleven more confirmed or presumed to be variants of concern, bringing that count to 1299.

The health unit holds an appointment only vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office every Wednesday.

Wawa Council to Consider Cutting Ties With EDC

Wawa Municipal Council will consider cutting ties with the Economic Development Corporation of Wawa tonight.

The agenda for tonight's regular meeting includes a resolution to issue notice that the municipality will cease to provide core funding to the EDC as of May 1st - six months notice is required - as well as a by-law to cancel the protocol agreement with the EDC.

Despite those items, Council will also consider renewing the EDC's lease for their office - which is set to expire at the end of this year - allowing the organization to stay in the space until the end of 2022.

Council previously considered ceasing funding for the EDC in 2012, but the motion was defeated, with most objections at the time focusing on a need to determine the best "model" for economic development before deciding whether to cut funding to the EDC.

Those items will be addressed in tonight's regular meeting - which also includes an "in-camera" item, a legal issue involving a land matter - though a Corporate Planning Committee meeting will be held first, including discussion about the Wayfinders Strategic Plan and a request for municipal representation for a Wawa Arts Council.

The meetings will be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 tonight, broadcast through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

PHSD Confirms Dozens of New COVID-19 Cases Over Weekend

Several COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 37 since Friday - one in the Sudbury District, the rest in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit to 2579 total, with 72 "active": 68 in Greater Sudbury; three in the western part of the Sudbury District; and one in the northern part of the district, which includes Chapleau, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nation communities.

It also reported 26 more confirmed or presumed to be variants of concern, bringing that count to 1288.

The health unit holds an appointment only vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office every Wednesday.

Wawa Curling Starts Two-Night Registration Event

Good news for Wawa curlers: registration starts tonight.

Organizers are holding two events so teams and curlers can sign up for the Men's, Ladies, or Mixed Leagues, the first running from 6:30 to 8 o'clock tonight, the second from 6:30 to 8 tomorrow night - both will be held in the curling lounge of the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, though everyone's reminded to wear a mask and follow COVID-19 measures.

Those looking to sign up need to provide proof of full vaccination.

Anyone looking for more information is encouraged to contact Tom Terris about the Mixed League, Danette Mathias for the Ladies League, Jim Hoffmann for the Men's League, or curling organizer Diane Spencer.

APH & PHSD Report New COVID-19 Cases, PHU Warns of Exposure on Air Canada Flight

Several COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the region over the weekend.

Algoma Public Health added two in the Sault Ste. Marie area, bringing the health unit's tally to 483, with eight "active", including one in hospital.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts added eight in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit to 2542 total, though the number "active" has dropped to 65.

It also reported three more confirmed or presumed to be variants of concern, bringing that count to 1262.

The Porcupine Health Unit - meanwhile - is warning of potential exposure on an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Timmins at 9:10 pm October 11th.

Chapleau Council to Consider Hiring/Appointing New CAO in Meeting

Chapleau Town Council's poised to end its search for a new top administrator - a year after efforts began.

The agenda for tonight's Council meeting includes by-laws hiring and appointing a new Chief Administrative Officer and Clerk - the search has been underway since last October, with an outside firm hired to help cover the role in the interim.

Council will also consider: hiring a design firm to create a new municipal website; approving the 2022 schedule of fees; appointing new members to the Fire Auxiliary; and approving an agreement to evaluate "thermal energy solutions".

Two purchase orders are on the agenda, too: nearly $53,000 for asphalt patching and nearly $14,000 for roof repairs to multiple municipal buildings.

The meeting will be held electronically starting at 6:30 tonight, with the public able to listen in by calling 1-800-974-5902, entering conference ID 5116623

Wawa Library Marks Ontario Public Library Week

Ontario is celebrating public libraries this week - and Wawa's library is marking the occasion.

Assistant Librarian Suzie Jarrell explains the Wawa Public Library is celebrating Ontario Public Library Week.

Jarrell notes the Library's holding a contest for members.

In addition to the contest, the Wawa library's hosting a book sale and a "Food for Fines" campaign - giving triple coupons to pay off fines, in exchange for non-perishable food donations for the Wawa Food Bank.

While Ontario Public Library Week is only this week, all of the local initiatives will continue until October 29th.

Chapleau Planning Cemetery Clean-Up

Chapleau's planning to clean up its cemeteries later this week.

The Township's warning residents that the fall cleaning of the municipal cemeteries will happen on or after this Friday, October 22nd, with all lot decorations to be removed in accordance with the Cemetery By-Law.

That includes all structures, ornaments, candles, and other embellishments, but not headstones, monuments, and markers are excepted.

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