LDHC Tightening COVID-19 Restrictions Amid Variant Concerns

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre's tightening COVID-19 restrictions amid concerns about the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

In line with stricter provincial rules, the hospital's announced - starting tomorrow - it is implementing enhanced surveillance testing for all staff and anyone entering the home - regardless of vaccination status - while requiring vaccination for general visitors and caregivers, implementing new visitor limits, suspending overnight absences for social purposes and large holiday group activities, and requiring full vaccination for resident or patient day absences.

Wawa Council to Look at Proposed 2022 Capital Budget

Wawa Municipal Council's meeting tonight to look at the proposed 2022 capital budget - a day earlier than last year.

A special meeting's been called for 7 tonight, though the presentation of the capital budget is the only item on the agenda.

The meeting is open to the public - proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required, along with other restrictions - though it'll also be broadcast through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Timmins Driver Charged With Impaired Driving & Drug Possession in Chapleau

A Timmins driver's facing impaired driving and drug possession charges after an impaired driver complaint in Chapleau.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to the complaint on Fox Lake Road around 3 o'clock last Friday afternoon, with further investigation revealing the driver was impaired.

The 34-year-old's been charged with operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs as well as possession of a schedule I substance, though she's been released from custody with a January court date in Chapleau.

Chapleau Boil Water Advisory Continues

Chapleau's expecting an update on its boil water advisory tomorrow afternoon.

While an "adverse" test result yesterday prompted the advisory, the Township says it has now submitted two sets of water samples for laboratory testing - two clear consecutive tests taken at least 24 hours apart must be obtained for the advisory to be lifted - with notification of results expected around 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

In the meantime, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning against using water from the municipal system for human consumption unless it's brought to a roiling boil for at least a minute prior to use, though the Township's distributing potable water to residents who bring their own container to the Water Treatment Plant from 9 am to 7 pm today, with plans to do the same tomorrow.

Wawa & Chapleau Seek Prospective Councillors to Fill Vacant Seats

Wawa and Chapleau have each launched search efforts for a new councillor.

In Chapleau, the search is prompted by the resignation of deputy mayor Rick Smith in late October, with Chapleau Town Council deciding to accept expressions of interest - those eligible to hold elected municipal office under Ontario's Municipal Elections Act can send in their name and a brief bio of related experience by emailing cao@chapleau.ca by 4 pm on January 11th.

In Wawa, the search stems from the resignation of Mayor Ron Rody at the end of November - while Council appointed Councillor Pat Tait to serve out the remainder of the term as mayor, it still leaves a vacant seat on Council, who elected to make a call for expressions of interest - that application process is now open until 2 pm on January 19th, with Council to interview and then select an appointee from the candidates in a special meeting on January 25th.

An application form can be found on the municipal website, along with details for applying.

PHSD Confirms 46th COVID-19 Death, APH Reports Cases & Extends Restrictions to All of Algoma

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

Aside from listing it in Greater Sudbury - like all other COVID deaths for the health unit - Public Health Sudbury and Districts is giving no details about its 46th death related to the illness, which comes just a day after it reported its 44th and 45th.

The health unit is reporting 25 new cases in Greater Sudbury, five in the Sudbury District, and ten in the Manitoulin District, bringing its total to 4442.

Despite that, the number "active" actually dropped to 290: five are in the eastern part of the Sudbury District; 29 in the western part of the district; 83 in the Manitoulin District; and the remaining 173 in Greater Sudbury.

The health unit notes it's holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health added twenty cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area and two in Central and East Algoma, bringing it to 1552 total, though the number "active" is also down, to 260, but the number in hospital is up to eight.

Citing the threat of Omicron and ongoing high transmission, APH has announced mandatory measures it recently implemented for Sault Ste. Marie have been extended for all of Algoma, including limiting social gatherings and organized public events to ten people indoors and 25 outdoors, as well as strengthened masking and physical distancing requirements for businesses and organizations.

John's Your Independent Grocer Raising Support for Wawa Food Bank

Wawa's grocery store is hoping to make the season brighter for the local food bank.

John's Your Independent Grocer owner John Michaelcewicz explains the local store's accepting donations at checkout as part of the national Loblaw Holiday Food Drive.

Dyanne Smart of the Wawa Community Food Bank says this support means so much for the organization, noting increased demand in recent months.

Smart says rising costs effect the food bank, too.

Starting today, the campaign continues through next Wednesday, December 22nd.

Boil Water Advisory Issued for Chapleau

A boil water advisory's been issued for the Township of Chapleau.

The Township says it was informed Wednesday afternoon that Public Health Sudbury and Districts had issued the advisory after a single test result from weekly testing for one test location did not pass.

System flushing took place in the vicinity of that location, with the water sampled again and sent for testing, though two clear test results taken 24 hours apart must be obtained for the advisory to be lifted - a second sample will be taken today.

In the meantime, the health unit's warning residents who take their water from the municipal system should not use it human consumption such as brushing teeth, washing uncooked fruits and vegetables, cooking, drinking, or making juice, infant formula, or ice unless the water's brought to a roiling boil for at least a minute prior to use - it can be used for laundry and bathing, but not for small children who could swallow the water.

The Township's distributing potable water to residents who bring their own container to the Water Treatment Plant until 9 pm Wednesday night and 9 am to 7 pm Thursday.

This is the second water advisory for the Township in recent months, after equipment failure at the plant caused an advisory from October 26th to 29th.

PHSD Urges COVID-19 Vaccination Amid Concerns About Omicron Variant

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is urging everyone get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the highly infectious Omicron variant rapidly becomes the dominant form of the coronavirus.

While PHSD hasn't detected Omicron - cases have been reported in a Thunder Bay household with ties to South Africa while two suspected cases have been reported in Blind River, though they're still awaiting lab testing - the health unit notes the region's already in the midst of a large surge of cases due to the Delta variant, with the "startling spread" in the province meaning "we have to do all we can to prevent severe disease and protect the health care system capacity".

It emphasizes that includes getting fully vaccinated - including a booster dose, if eligible - but also follow all public health measures, including the tighter restrictions it has implemented amid the case surge, limiting the sizes of social gatherings and requiring proof of vaccination, masking, and physical distancing in more situations.

PHSD Reports 44th & 45th COVID-19 Deaths, APH Reports New Cases

Two more COVID-19 deaths have been been reported in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts isn't giving any details about its 44th and 45th deaths related to the illness - this comes less than a week after it reported its 43rd.

The health unit's also reported nineteen new cases in Greater Sudbury and eleven in the eastern and western parts of the Sudbury District, but reduced the Manitoulin District's count by two - bringing the health unit's total to 4402, though the number "active" is down to 311: five in the eastern part of the Sudbury District; 24 in the western Sudbury District; 109 in the Manitoulin District; and the remaining 173 in Greater Sudbury.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 29 cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area and three in Central and East Algoma, bringing it to 1529 total, with 271 "active" including six in hospital.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today, with another tomorrow.

Wawa Council Appoints Pat Tait Mayor, Agrees to Call for Interest to Fill Vacant Seat

Wawa has a new mayor - and is now looking for a new councillor.

Following the resignation of Mayor Ron Rody - who stepped down at the end of November - Wawa Municipal Council decided last night not to call a by-election, but rather to appoint a current councillor to the role - Pat Tait was nominated by Councillor Mitch Hatfield, seconded by Councillor Cathy Cannon, with no other nominations before the appointment was confirmed by a vote.

Tait - a former AOD welder who'd also worked at Weyerhaeuser, Wesdome, and Rentech - has been on Council since April 2018, but acknowledged the shoes he's stepping into.

Council also discussed how to select their deputy mayor, deciding upon the recommended rotation: Councillor Bill Chiasson will serve in the role now until March 15th; then Councillor Hatfield until June 15th; then Councillor Cannon until September 15th; and their-yet-to-be-appointed colleague will serve in the role the remainder of their term, which ends next November.

Clerk Cathy Cyr told Council there are two options for filling that vacant seat: calling a byelection, which she recommended against as it's less than a year from the next municipal election; or appointing someone, which could be done based on the next runner-up in the 2018 election, by picking a member of the public, or by putting out a call for expressions of interest, which is what Cyr recommended along with a prepared application form - Council agreed, with plans to open that call today, accepting applications until January 13th.

Similar to the process followed in 2018 - which led to Tait's appointment - Council would then interview the candidates in a January 25th meeting, and pick the appointee in a vote by Council during that meeting - Cannon noted some misgivings about the way the 2018 meeting was held, but was assured this time it would be entirely open, outside of candidates being sequestered when another is answering Council's questions.

Chapleau Council to Seek Applications to Fill Vacant Seat

Chapleau Town Council will seek expressions of interest to fill a vacant seat.

Prompted by the resignation of Deputy Mayor Rick Smith in October, Mayor Michael Levesque says Council's decided to appoint someone to serve out the remainder of the term - rather than call a by-election less than a year before next fall's election.

As Smith was Council's representative on the Sustainable Forest and Public Utilities Commission boards, his resignation left those roles vacant, too, though Mayor Levesque says Council's decided to hold off on filling them.

Levesque does encourage people to express interest.

Exact details of the process have not yet been announced.

Wawa Council to Fill Vacant Mayoral Seat With Councillor, Then Decide How to Fill That Vacancy

Wawa Municipal Council will look to fill the mayor's seat in a special meeting tonight.

A total off four meetings are set to be held back-to-back, including a special meeting including resolutions to accept the resignation of Mayor Ron Rody - who announced his departure last month - as well as approve a process for selecting someone to serve out the remaining less than a year of the term, then the actual selection, followed by a resolution to approve a process to fill a vacant councillor seat, suggesting Council will choose a new mayor from the current councillors, then fill that seat from the public in some way - they would have 60 days after declaring the seat vacant to appoint someone or call a by-election less than a year before next fall's election, same with the current requirements faced for addressing the vacant mayoral seat.

Also being held tonight: a Committee of Adjustment meeting relating to an application for consent; a Corporate Planning Committee meeting including a report on predator control and a request for sidewalk snow removal for St. Augustine French Immersion; and a regular meeting that includes resolutions to again authorize discharge of firearms for predator control and declare plots on Brock Avenue as surplus land.

The meetings start at 6:30 tonight - they're open to the public but proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required, they'll also be broadcast through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

PHSD & APH Report New COVID-19 Cases, But Active Cases Don't Rise

COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 99 since Friday - 52 in Greater Sudbury, nine in Sudbury District, and 38 in the Manitoulin District - bringing its total to 4474.

Despite that, the number "active" actually dropped to 331: three are in the eastern part of the Sudbury District; eighteen in the western Sudbury District; 120 in the Manitoulin District; and the remaining 190 in Greater Sudbury.

The health unit note it's holding "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinics at its Chapleau office tomorrow and Thursday.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health added nineteen cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area and three in Central and East Algoma, bringing it to 1495 total, though the number "active" stayed at 263, with five in hospital.

It's also warning of low-risk exposure at New American in the Sault last Friday, December 10th, between 3 and 7 pm.

APH & TBDHU Report New COVID-19 Cases

COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise across the region.

Algoma Public Health's added 31 in the Sault Ste. Marie area plus three in Central and East Algoma, bringing it to 1473 total, with 268 "active", including five in hospital.

It's also warning of two possible "low risk" exposures: at O'Sullivan Funeral Home in the Sault between 11 a-m and 3 p-m last Thursday, December 9th, and between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm Friday, December 10th, as well as the 5 pm showing of Clifford the Big Red Dog at the Galaxy Cinemas in Station Mall on December 7th.

Meanwhile, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit added 22 cases in the Thunder Bay area - but added another already resolved case to the cumulative count due to data quality checks - bringing the health unit's total to 3774, with 71 "active" including two in hospital.

Food Drive for Wawa Christmas Hampers A Success

Wawa's firefighters are thanking the community for supporting a tradition helping the needy in the community.

Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin says Sunday's food drive supporting the annual Christmas Hampers went "exceptionally well".

In addition to the Wawa Mustangs Hockey Team and staff at St. Augustine French Immersion Catholic School, Sabourin thanks the generosity of the citizens of Wawa for "wonderful donations" during the food and toy drives supporting the hampers, which will be distributed to needy families later this week.

APH & PHSD Report New Cases Over Weekend

COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise across the region.

Over the weekend, Algoma Public Health added 52 in the Sault Ste. Marie area plus three in Central and East Algoma, bringing it to 1439 total, with 263 "active", including five in hospital.

It's also warning of two possible "low risk" exposures: at the New American in the Sault between 11 am and 6 pm December 3rd and at Wacky Wings in the Sault between 10:30 am and 6 pm last Thursday, December 9th.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts added 22 cases in Greater Sudbury, four in the broader Sudbury District, and four in the Manitoulin District, bringing it to 4275 total, including 379 "active".

Wawa Red Apple Toy Drive for Christmas Hampers Far Exceeds Goal

An effort to support children this holiday season far surpassed its goal this weekend.

Wawa's Red Apple Store wrapped up its Toy Drive with a "Fill a Sleigh Day" on Saturday, and manager Josee McCoy thanks the community for its support, meeting its goal.

Wawa Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin says local emergency services were happy to contribute to the "Fill a Sleigh Day", calling it a great success.

Including an anonymous donation, $8555.25 in donations were raised during Saturday's event, for a total of $12,032 over the campaign - the donations go to the Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund.

Chapleau Council to Discuss Filling Vacancy & Setting 2022 Fees

Chapleau Town Council has a busy night ahead - including discussions about how to fill a vacant seat and setting fees for the new year.

In addition to determining how to fill the vacancy left when Deputy Mayor Rick Smith resigned in October - Council must decide whether to appoint someone to the seat or declare a by-election less than a year before the October municipal election - tonight's regular meeting agenda includes by-laws setting the 2022 rates for refuse collection, water, and sewage services, as well as implementation of the Municipal Accommodation Tax.

The meeting will be held in Civic Centre Council Chambers, with the public able to attend - following COVID-19 measures such as masking and physical distancing - starting at 6:30 pm.

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