Superior East OPP Advice Amid Snowmobile Safety Week

Ontario Provincial Police are warning of the dangers of speed, alcohol and drugs, and riding on ice amid "Snowmobile Safety Week".

Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle says the three are recurring causes or factors in snowmobile fatalities.

Nickle encourages snowmobilers to "make smart choices and use common sense to make sure that every ride is a safe ride".

Constable Nickle further recommends checking weather conditions before heading out, letting someone know where you'll be going and when you plan to return, carrying an emergency kit, wearing a helmet, and - if expecting to be on ice - carrying ice picks and wearing a floatation suit.

Deadline Nears for Prospective Wawa Councillors

Time's almost up in Wawa's search for a new councillor.

Launched last month - after councillor Pat Tait was promoted to mayor following Ron Rody's resignation from Council at the end of November - Wawa's search for candidates has seen the municipality accept expressions of interest to serve out the remaining ten months of the term.

Municipal Clerk Cathy Cyr says potential councillors must meet certain requirements under the Municipal Elections Act.

Cyr reminds applications can be found on the municipality's website, and submitted - along with a freedom of information form, photo, and explanation of why you're running - by email or by dropping off at the Municipal Office by 2 pm this Wednesday, January 19th.

Wawa Municipal Council plans to hold an interview process in a meeting next week to determine who they'll appoint.

Chapleau Council to Discuss Filling Vacant Seat in 1st Meeting of 2022

Chapleau Town Council may choose their appointee to fill a vacant Council seat as they hold their first meeting of the year.

Tonight's regular meeting agenda includes an item on the Council vacancy applications - the deadline was last Tuesday - with a subsequent resolution to "resolve to appoint the applicant selected by a council vote to fill the vacant council seat", which was left open when Deputy Mayor Rick Smith resigned at the end of October.

Council will also receive a delegation from the Township's Integrity Commissioner, and consider: providing the HandiTransit Service "in house" or putting out a request for proposal for operators; increasing Council's remuneration and travel expenses; and approving new fees for internment and flat markers at the cemetery - including Bereavement Authority of Ontario fees - while an unspecified "mayoral announcement" is also on the agenda.

The public can listen in on the meeting by calling 1-800-974-5902, entering conference ID 5116623 - it starts at 6:30 tonight.

COVID-19 Cases Reported Across the Region

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

Algoma Public Health's added 45 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in Central and East Algoma, four in the Elliot Lake area, and seven in North Algoma, which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation, and Missinabie Cree First Nation.

Despite that, known "active" cases are down slightly, to 593, with nine in hospital, plus a "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma", also in hospital.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 86 in Greater Sudbury, sixteen in the Sudbury District, and nine in the Manitoulin District, though the number of known "active" cases is down to 983, including 22 in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's added 70 in the Thunder Bay area, six in unspecified First Nation communities, and four in unspecified district communities, leaving it with 356 "active", though the number in hospital has jumped to seventeen, including two in ICUs.

The Porcupine Health Unit's added twelve in the James and Hudson Bay region, eight in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area, six in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, five in the Timmins area, one in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, and another outside its district - it has 880 "active", one outside its district.

Lady Dunn Health Centre "Ramping Down" Non-Urgent Activities Amid Omicron Concerns

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre "ramping down" non-urgent activities amid concerns about the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Noting previously announced visitation restrictions are still in effect, the hospital says the Wawa Family Health Team's moved to virtual visits when possible - including for initial inquiries - while the North Algoma Diabetes Education program and North Algoma Counseling Services are moving to primarily telephone and virtual options, chiropody and nursing foot care services are cancelled until further notice, and only acute referrals will be accepted at this time for physiotherapy.

While individuals are asked to avoid coming to the hospital unless requiring emergency care, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services remain open but reserved for emergency and urgent care needs - cancer care and renal clinic patients still have uninterrupted access - and the emergency department remains open.

Active screening is required for anyone who enters the hospital or Dubreuilville Medical Centre, which is moving to a combination of virtual and in-person visits while Missanabie residents will have access to the Nurse Practitioner in Dubreuilville through virtual options.

Assault & Other Charges Over Wawa Domestic Dispute

Assault and other charges have been laid over a domestic dispute in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident on Winston Road around 1:32 Saturday afternoon, with the suspect located on Monday, arrested on charges of spousal assault, fail to comply with probation order, and nine counts of failure to comply with undertaking.

The 27-year-old from Wawa's been released from custody, set to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice in February.

Deadline for Input on Wawa's Draft 2022 Capital Budget

Only hours are left 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, asset management plan, infrastructure needs, regulatory requirements, and other needs.

Noting plans are to present the operating budget next month - in hopes of approving the combined budget in early March - CAO/Deputy Treasurer Maury O'Neill welcomes public input on the capital plans.

Early Bird Registration Deadline Arrives for Wawa Ice Fishing Derby

Time's almost up for early birds to register for Wawa's annual ice fishing derby.

Addressing concerns about COVID-19 restrictions, Chairperson Scott Popert assures the derby is still on the schedule.

Noting there are five early bird prizes - each $1000 cash - Popert emphasizes the early bird deadline's almost here, but there are a few ways to register in time.

Popert reminds registrations that are mailed in need to be postmarked by the 15th to qualify for the early bird.

The 30th annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby will be held March 4th through 6th.

Wawa Traffic Stop Leads to Suspended Driving & Drug Possession Charges

A Wawa traffic stop's resulted in suspended driving and drug possession charges for a local man.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they stopped a vehicle on Mackey Street around 12:51 on the morning of Thursday, January 13th, with investigation revealing the driver's licence was suspended.

The 28-year-old from Wawa was charged with driving while under suspension and possession of a Schedule I substance, but was released from custody with a Wawa court date next month.

Wawa Council Stands By Decision to Cease Funding EDC

Wawa Municipal Council's standing by its decision to cut ties with the Economic Development Corporation of Wawa, and move to an "internal model" to address economic development and tourism.

In their Corporate Planning Committee meeting Tuesday night, Council heard from local resident - and EDC member - Mary Harbocian, who decried the decision to cease funding the arm's length organization, saying it recognized the importance of the local economy, business owners, and creative community in attracting residents to Wawa and touting various EDC programs or initiatives as beneficial to the community - asking Council why the disbandment is "so important to" Council and what actual savings will result, as well as the Municipality's new plan for economic development and tourism, and how it will be accomplished.

Mayor Pat Tait reiterated Council's commitment to the decision - which is included in the Municipality's new strategic plan - saying "change is probably hard on everybody, but it's probably not a bad thing" and this move is "a good, good thing" that "is going to be able to have basically the same thing...but in a different way", adding Council is working to address most of the items Harbocian highlighted in her delegation.

While Harbocian emphasized Wawa "needs help desperately and shutting down a viable, successful entity to hand it over to a person who already has a full-time job presents obvious problems", Mayor Tait reiterated that the Municipality plans to create a new position responsible for economic development and tourism, later saying EDC employees would be able to apply for roles with the Municipality, though only by stating that anybody has a chance to apply for jobs that come open.

Porcupine Health Unit Reports 32nd COVID-19 Death

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

The Porcupine Health Unit's giving no details about its 32nd death linked to the illness, which comes about five-and-a-half months after its 31st.

The health unit's also reporting fifteen new cases in the Timmins area, eight in the James and Hudson Bay region, six in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area, two in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, and two in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, leaving the health unit with 861 "active", one outside its district.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's added 87 in the Thunder Bay area, twelve in unspecified First Nation communities, and seven in unspecified district communities - while removing one from its case count, due to data quality checks - leaving it with 365 "active", including thirteen in hospital, two in ICUs.

APH Reports 21st COVID-19 Death, More Cases for PHSD

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

Algoma Public Health's providing no details about its 21st death related to the illness, which comes just shy of two weeks after its 20th.

The health unit's also reporting 56 new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, nine in Central and East Algoma, four in the Elliot Lake area, and six in North Algoma, which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation, and Missinabie Cree First Nation.

Despite that, known "active" cases are down slightly, to 636, with only eight in hospital, plus a "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma" also in hospital.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 128 new cases in Greater Sudbury, seven in the Manitoulin District, and six in the Sudbury District, leaving it with 993 known "active" cases, including 23 in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

Assault Charge Over White River Domestic Dispute

An assault charge has been laid over a White River domestic dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident on Winnipeg Street around 7:50 last Thursday night, with a suspect arrested the following day.

The 22-year-old from White River's charged with spousal assault and two counts of fail to comply with probation order.

They're scheduled to appear in Wawa court next month.

PHSD Reports 5 COVID-19 Deaths, APH Sees New Cases

Five more COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed in Greater Sudbury.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is giving no more details about the deaths, which bring the health unit's death toll since the pandemic began to 58, eleven of those reported over the last week alone.

The health unit's also reporting 130 new cases in Greater Sudbury, eleven in the Sudbury District, and five in the Manitoulin District, though the number of known "active" cases is down to 980, including 25 in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

It is holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today.

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

Despite that, known "active" cases have dropped to 637, with ten in hospital, plus a "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma" also in hospital.

HSCDSB Names New Superintendent of Education

A Sault Ste. Marie principal's been promoted to a management role with the local English Catholic school board.

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board says Fil Lettieri has been named as its new Superintendent of Education, set to start February 7th.

Lettieri started as a teacher with the board in 2007, and became a principal in 2013, most recently for St. Basil Catholic Elementary School - he's also President of the local Catholic Principals Council of Ontario.

This comes just over a month after the HSCDSB announced current Superintendent of Education Danny Viotto’s being promoted to Director of Education, starting February 22nd

OPP Remind Anglers to Lock Up Ice Fishing Huts

Ontario Provincial Police are asking for public help as they continue investigating multiple break-and-enters to fishing huts in Chapleau.

Superior East OPP say there's been a recent rise in such incidents in the Chapleau area, with multiple huts damaged and items stolen including expensive tools and fishing equipment.

Police are reminding anglers to secure their huts and remove all valuables if left unattended, and - if you discover a break-in - contact police immediately and do not enter the property as it may disturb valuable evidence.

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

Wawa Resident Charged in Chapleau Domestic Dispute

A Wawa resident's facing assault and other charges over a domestic dispute in Chapleau.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident on Martel Road around 4:45 pm December 30th, leading to the arrest of a 24-year-old from Wawa on charges of spousal assault, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm to spouse, and fail to comply with probation order.

They've been released from custody, with a future Chapleau court date.

Several Charges Laid After Wawa Domestic Dispute

Several charges have been laid against a Wawa resident after a domestic dispute in town.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to the incident on Winston road around 10:42 Friday night, leading to the arrest of a 28-year-old from Wawa on charges of spousal assault, mischief under $5000, theft under $5000, and four counts each of failure to comply with release order and fail to comply with probation order.

They've been remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

Charges Laid After Wawa Family Dispute

A Wawa family dispute's led to charges for a local woman.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident on Third Avenue around 6:15 the night of January 2nd, with officers determining one of the individuals was breaching her court-ordered conditions - that led to the arrest of the 33-year-old on a charge of failure to comply with release order, as well as resist peace officer.

She was remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

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