Impaired Driving Charges Over Single Vehicle Collision Between Wawa & SSM

Impaired driving charges have been laid over a single vehicle collision between Wawa and the Sault.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the collision on Highway 17 in Peever Township around 1:12 pm January 6th - investigation determined the driver was impaired by alcohol, leading to the arrest of a 46-year-old Sault Ste. Marie man on charges of operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs and operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).

He's been released from custody, scheduled to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice next month.

OPP Releases Festive RIDE Results (Updated with Superior East Figures)

Hundreds of impaired driving charges were laid over the holiday season in Ontario.

Ontario Provincial Police say their annual Festive RIDE campaign - which ran from November 18th to January 2nd - say 8370 RIDE events conducted across the province while officers responded to 3147 calls about suspected impaired drivers, leading to 655 drivers being charged with impaired driving and a further 236 suspensions issued to drivers whose roadside breath test registered in the "warn range", a Blood Alcohol Concentration between 0.05 and 0.08.

North East Region OPP say they conducted 1450 Festive RIDE checks, with 67 charges laid for impaired driving, blood alcohol level over 80, or refusal to give breath sample, while 13 "warn range" suspensions were issued.

The local Superior East detachment says they conducted 146 RIDE programs, charging four drivers with impaired operation and issuing one "warn" range suspension.

Superior East OPP thank those who acted as designated drivers or took other measures to ensure family and friends didn't get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol or drugs, reminding anyone who suspects an impaired driver should call 9-1-1 as it could save a life.

Deadline Arrives for Prospective Chapleau Councillors

The deadline's here in Chapleau's search for a new councillor.

Prompted by the resignation of deputy mayor Rick Smith in late October, Chapleau Town Council is accepting expressions of interest from those eligible to hold elected municipal office under Ontario's Municipal Elections Act - name and a brief bio of related experience must be emailed to cao@chapleau.ca by 4 o'clock this afternoon.

Wawa's also in the midst of accepting expressions of interest to fill a vacant councillor seat - after Pat Tait was promoted to mayor following Ron Rody's resignation from Council at the end of November - details for applying can be found on the municipality's website, with a deadline of 2 pm on January 19th.

Wawa Council to Hold 1st Back-to-Back Meetings of 2022, Public Must Watch Livestream

While the search continues for a new member, Wawa Municipal Council's set to hold a pair of meetings tonight.

First will be the Corporate Planning Committee, which will hear a delegation from a local resident on Council's decision for the Municipality to cut ties with the Economic Development Corporation of Wawa, shifting to an "internal model" for economic development and tourism.

The meeting also includes discussion about the 2022 schedule of fees, as well as draft policies on the right to disconnect from work and "COVID-19 workplace and vaccination".

The schedule of fees and the "right to disconnect from work" policy will both come up for approval in tonight's regular meeting, which also includes a resolution to adopt the Council vacancy appointment procedure discussed last month, as well as two "in-camera" items, both legal issues relating to the sale of land.

Starting at 6:30 pm tonight, the meetings will be held back-to-back, though the public cannot attend in person - instead, the meetings will be broadcast for the public on the Municipality's YouTube channel.

PHSD Reports 52nd COVID-19 Death, APH Sees More Cases in North Algoma and Rest of Region

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 52nd death related to the illness - the fifth in as many days and the fourth recorded in the Manitoulin District since the pandemic began.

The health unit's also added 342 cases in Greater Sudbury since Friday, plus fifteen in the Sudbury District, and thirteen in the Manitoulin District, though the number of "active" cases is down to 1004, including 24 in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

PHSD is holding "appointment only" vaccination clinics at its Chapleau office today and tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 32 cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in the Elliot Lake area, four in Central and East Algoma, and ten in North Algoma, which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations.

The health unit's showing 754 "active" cases, including thirteen in hospital, plus a "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma" also in hospital.

In the neighbouring region, the Marathon Family Health Team and the North of Superior Healthcare Group - which fall within the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's region - say they've confirmed ten new cases in the Marathon catchment area as of Friday, including three self-reported positive rapid tests.

APH Reports More COVID-19 Cases, More in Neighbouring Regions

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

Algoma Public Health's added 28 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, two in Central and East Algoma, and another in the Elliot Lake area, though the number "active" has declined slightly to 702, including eleven in hospital plus a "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma" also in hospital.

The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit's added 208 in the Thunder Bay area since Friday, plus 28 in district communities, and 32 in First Nation communities - leaving it with 308 "active", including ten in hospital - while the Porcupine Health Unit's added twenty in the Timmins area, seven in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, five in the James and Hudson Bay region, three in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area, plus three in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, leaving it with 839 "active", one outside its district.

PHSD Reports 51st COVID-19 Death, More Cases for APH

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported its 51st death related to the illness on Friday - a day after its 49th and 50th, and two days after its 47th - like nearly all of the deaths, it was recorded in Greater Sudbury.

The health unit also reported 187 new cases in Greater Sudbury, sixteen in the Sudbury District, and seventeen in the Manitoulin District, bringing it to 1257 known "active" cases, including 34 in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

Algoma Public Health added 106 cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area over te weekend, plus seventeen in Central and East Algoma, five in the Elliot Lake area, and eight in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations - leaving the health unit with 712 "active", including eleven in hospital plus a "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma" also in hospital.

While it doesn't report new cases over the weeend, the Porcupine Health Unit is warning of potential "high risk" exposure on the Polar Bear Express from Moosonee to Cochrane January 6th and an Air Creebec flight from Timmins to Peawanuck January 3rd.

Deadline Nearing for Public Input on Wawa's Draft 2022 Capital Budget

Time is running out to provide input on the Municipality of Wawa's proposed capital budget.

Presented to Council nearly a month ago, the draft document outlines projects not just for this year but the next four years - many "highly dependent" on outside funding - intended to align with the municipality's strategic plan and infrastructure needs.

In total, it proposes $160,785 from taxation, $885,125 from reserves, and $317,000 from grants to fund a total of $1,363,000 in new recommended projects, bringing the total for 2022's capital - with previous commitments - to $4,725,614, though there is a focus on maximizing outside funding while matching the asset management plan, regulatory requirements, and other needs.

CAO/Deputy Treasurer Maury O'Neill explains public input's being accepted until Friday, January 14th.

The presentation can be watched on the Municipality's YouTube channel or read on the Municipal website.

Plans are to present the municipality's operating budget next month, in hopes of approving the combined budget in early March.

Access to Superior East OPP Detachments Restricted

Access to the local OPP detachment's bring restricted amid the surge in COVID-19 cases across the province.

Citing the increased provincewide case count - and rise in hospitalizations and deaths - the OPP's restricting access to all of its facilities, including the Superior East detachments in Wawa, Chapleau, White River, and Hornepayne.

Under the restrictions, the public's asked to call and schedule appointments if they wish to attend a detachment in-person - that includes visits for criminal record or vulnerable sector checks, fingerprinting, and other administrative needs - those who do enter a detachment will need to wear proper personal protective equipment and maintain a physical distance of at least two meters from others once inside.

Despite the change, the OPP assures "frontline operations are not impacted".

APH Announces Special COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at MMCC

A special COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be held at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre later this month.

Algoma Public Health says workers in long-term care and retirement homes, congregate living settings, and the child care or education sectors - plus eligible residents 30 or older - can book appointments for January 19th, to receive Moderna's mRNA-based vaccine - appointments can be booked by calling 1-888-440-3730 or through the health unit's website.

All eligible workers who care for or work with vulnerable populations are "strongly encouraged" to get their third dose once eligible, to protect themselves and others.

PHSD Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths, More Cases for APH & Neighbouring Regions

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 49th and 50th deaths related to the illness - just a day after its 47th - both in Greater Sudbury.

The health unit's also reporting 118 new cases in Greater Sudbury, eight in the Sudbury District, and six in the Manitoulin District, bringing it to 1198 known "active" cases, including 29 in the northern Sudbury District - which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - though it is now showing the outbreak at Chapleau's Bignucolo Residence long-term care facility is over as of last Monday with no others declared in the community.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 47 cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, five in Central and East Algoma, five in the Elliot Lake area, and five in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations - leaving the health unit with 645 "active", including nine in hospital plus a "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma" also in hospital.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's added seventeen in the Timmins area, ten in the James and Hudson Bay region, five in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area, three in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, and two in the Hearst and Hornepayne area - leaving it with 853 "active", one outside its district - while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's added 148 in the Thunder Bay area, twelve in district communities, and another in an unspecified First Nation community, leaving it with 265 "active", including seven in hospital, one in an ICU.

LDHCF Wish Campaign Wrapping Up

The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's preparing to wrap up its annual holiday fundraising campaign.

With a little time left in the "Wish campaign", Foundation Chair Susan Switzer explains there are two ways to support it.

Vice-Chair Lorraine Pihelgas emphasizes that donations stay in the community, supporting the purchase of equipment the hospital has identified as its greatest need - in this case its "Meditech expansion".

Though the Wish Campaign ends tomorrow, the Foundation reminds donations are accepted any time of year.

Wawa Teen Turns in $1000 Found at Bank ATM, Just in Time for Christmas

Local police are praising a young Wawa resident for a good deed.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say a teen found $1000 at a bank ATM just before Christmas, but - instead of keeping it - immediately told her family, who called police.

The money was brought back to the bank and returned to its owner in time for Christmas.

OPP Investigating Break-Ins to Chapleau Ice Fishing Huts

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating multiple break-and-enters to fishing huts in Chapleau.

Superior East OPP say officers responded on Tuesday to a report of a break-in to a fishing hut on the Chapleau River - believed to have happened the previous night - and - once they arrived - it was discovered that other huts had also been broken into.

Investigators are currently attempting to contact hut owners to confirm the number of huts that were broken into and any items taken, though they do note that a propane heater, fishing rods, tools including an axe, chairs, and camping equipment were taken, prompting a warning not to leave anything in an ice hut that you aren't willing to lose.

This is not the first time break-ins have been reported at ice fishing huts in the region, with similar incidents in past years.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP or Crime Stoppers.

PHSD Reports 48th COVID-19 Death, More Cases for APH

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 48th death related to the illness - nearly three weeks after its 47th - the second death reported in the Manitoulin District.

The health unit's also reporting 61 new cases in Greater Sudbury, sixteen in the Sudbury District, and ten in the Manitoulin District, though the number of known "active" cases is actually down slightly, to 1183, including 29 in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - that's up slightly from the previous day.

PHSD notes an "appointment only" vaccination clinic is being held at the Chapleau Family Health Team today.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 47 cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, five in Central and East Algoma, and four in the Elliot Lake area, leaving it with 616 "active", including four in hospital plus a "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma" also in hospital.

CSC Nouvelon Moves Annual Open Houses Online

The local French Catholic school board's moving its annual open houses for grade eight students online.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon is planning a series of virtual open houses, including at Chapleau's Ecole Secondaire Catholique Trillium on January 20th.

Though they will be held virtually, the open houses are still meant to give students a tour of their future school, get to know their teachers, meet high school students recognized for their leadership, and become familiar with programs and activities offered by the school.

Chapleau's Ecole Sacre-Coeur Raises Food Items for Community

Students at a Chapleau school banded together to support families in need over the last month.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says students from École Sacré-Cœur collected 692 non-perishable food items over December, calling it a "great success" that "demonstrates the significant impact of the school within the community of Chapleau".

APH & PHSD Report Rising COVID-19 Cases

COVID-19 cases are rising in the region.

Algoma Public Health's added 58 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, five in the Elliot Lake area, and another in Central and East Algoma, bringing its total to 2345, with 611 currently "active", including four in hospital plus a non-resident case temporarily in Algoma also in hospital.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 558 cases since the year began - 503 in Greater Sudbury, 45 in the Sudbury District, and ten in the Manitoulin District - bringing its total to 6281, with a record 1184 currently "active", including 20 in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

PHSD's holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today, with another "appointment only" clinic at the Chapleau Family Health Team office tomorrow.

Superior East OPP Warn No Ice Is Safe Over Silver Falls Skating Rink

Local police are warning "no ice is safe" after a skating rink was discovered on Silver Falls.

In a tweet with pictures of the site, Superior East Ontario Provincial Police emphasizes ice is particularly unsafe in areas where water moves quickly - like rapids and falls - and water levels can change without warning, making the ice unstable and unpredictable.

Wawa Closes MMCC, Council Meetings to Public Amid COVID-19 Concerns

Wawa's implementing some new measures amid concerns about the Omicron variant provincewide.

In addition to closing the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre through January 26th - as required by the provincial government - the Municipality of Wawa is suspending public in-person attendance of committee and Council meetings until at least January 26th, though it will still livestream those meetings through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

The municipal offices will remain open - with visitors required to wear a mask and wash their hands - while Wawa Transit will continue to operate, though with increased steps taken to clean and sanitize the bus - those who are sick are reminded to refrain from using the bus, however.