Stay up to date with what’s happening in your community.
Chapleau's once again without a top administrator.
Refusing to say what happened with the person hired in October, Mayor Michael Levesque has confirmed to JJAM FM News that the Township is looking for a new Chief Administrative Officer.
As for the interim, Levesque could not say whether the Township will be re-hiring an outside firm that had helped cover the role when it was seeking a CAO last year.
Levesque says a proper search for a new CAO is "still in the works".
Chapleau will soon have a new councillor: Jason Rioux.
While questions about conflicts of interest had delayed the decision two weeks ago, Mayor Michael Levesque says that was resolved for last night’s meeting.
As for another councillor who previously declared a conflict, Mayor Levesque says they were allowed to vote.
With that cleared up, Council voted between four candidates - Paul Bernier, Alex Lambruschini, Matthew Weche, and Jason Rioux - with Rioux chosen to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of the term, which ends in mid-November.
Mayor Levesque says hopes are to have Rioux sworn-in quickly - noting there's a special meeting next Monday - though a date has yet to be confirmed.
Wawa Municipal Council welcomes a new councillor amid a pair of meetings tonight.
Melanie Pilon is set to take a seat declared vacant after councillor Pat Tait was appointed mayor in December, following the resignation of Mayor Ron Rody - Pilon was picked from five candidates in a meeting last week, after three rounds of voting by council members, and will serve for the remainder of Council's term, which ends in mid-November.
That will start tonight's Corporate Planning Committee meeting, which will include a "Situation Table" delegation, an update on the grader, a report on this year's upcoming municipal election, and discussion about vacancies on committees and boards, as well as the MMCC's reopening.
That'll be followed by a regular Council meeting, including a resolution to accept the 2021 statement of remuneration, as well as several "in-camera" items: two legal issues about a request to purchase property; a legal issue about a request for extension to a site plan agreement or temporary Zoning By-Law amendment; a personal matter relating to harassment; a personnel issue relating to the CAO contract; and a legal issue about taxation.
The meetings will be held back-to-back, broadcast on the Municipality's YouTube channel starting at 6:30 tonight.
The owner of White River's gold mine is changing hands.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has approved the sale of Harte Gold to a numbered company that is a wholly-owned - but indirect - subsidiary of Australian miner Silver Lake Resources Limited, after a short "sale and investment solicitation process" ended with a brief auction between two bidders.
That deal includes $74.5-million US in credit, covering most of Harte's liabilities, including the amount Harte owes Silver Lake for past loans.
Toronto-based Harte filed for creditor protection in early December, amid a continued cash crunch, though it has continued operations at the Sugar Zone Mine in White River, which entered commercial production in 2019.
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.
Algoma Public Health's added 27 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four in Central and East Algoma, and another in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation, and the Missinabie Cree First Nation - leaving the health unit with 568 known "active" cases - plus two "non-resident cases temporarily in Algoma" - with nineteen cases in hospital, plus one "non-resident" case in hospital.
Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 180 in Greater Sudbury since Friday, plus nine in the Sudbury District and twelve in the Manitoulin District, leaving the health unit with 579 known "active" cases, including seven in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.
PHSD also notes it's holding "appointment only" vaccination clinics at the Foleyet Nursing Station today and at the health unit's Chapleau office tomorrow.
Anglers are being encouraged to get out on the ice with a special COVID-safe ice fishing tournament, spanning the month.
The Ontario Ice Fishing Challenge starts today, encouraging anglers to fish locally and help their community compete to be crowned the "Ice Fishing Capital" of Ontario.
Participants simply need to register through the Angler's Atlas website and the MyCatch app, pay the entry fee, then go out on the ice and log their catch with the app.
There will be local leaderboards - with prizes on the line - while participating communities compete to be Ice Fishing Capital, based on "collective catch" - Wawa claimed the title last year, with Moonbeam placing second and Chapleau third.
They're competing again this year, with Wawa's run sponsored by the Wawa Motor Inn and Chapleau's by the Township of Chapleau
The Ontario Ice Fishing Challenge runs to February 28th.
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in a neighbouring region.
The Porcupine Health Unit's reporting its 38th death linked to the illness - just days after its last - while adding 83 new cases, fifteen over the last day, including eleven in the James and Hudson Bay region and three in the Timmins area - the health unit currently has 386 "active", one outside its district.
Meanwhile, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's added 154 in the Thunder Bay area since Friday, plus eight in unspecified district communities and six in unspecified First Nation communities - leaving it with 310 "active", 46 in hospital, seven in ICUs.
Algoma Public Health's added 37 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four in Central and East Algoma, and six in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation, and Missinabie Cree First Nation - leaving it with 585 known "active" cases - plus three "non-resident cases temporarily in Algoma" - with fourteen cases in hospital, plus one non-resident case.
With January wrapping up, the local Alzheimer Society is continuing the call for people to learn more about dementia.
Noting January's Alzheimer Awareness Month, First Link Coordinator Chris Rask emphasizes it's important for people to know support offered by the Alzheimer Society locally.
Rask notes it's easy for those diagnosed with dementia to access support, able to be referred by health care providers, family members, even themselves, contacting Rask at the North Algoma office in Wawa, at 705-856-0000.
More COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the region over the weekend.
Algoma Public Health's added 89 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, ten in Central and East Algoma, and two in the Elliot Lake area, leaving it with 582 known "active" cases - plus two "non-resident cases temporarily in Algoma" - with fourteen cases in hospital, plus one non-resident case.
The health unit did report a case in North Algoma on Friday, but then reduced the region's count by one on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts added 166 in Greater Sudbury, nine in the Sudbury District, and 21 in the Manitoulin District, leaving it with 713 known "active" cases, including eight in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.
Chapleau Town Council may choose their appointee to fill a vacant Council seat.
Tonight's meeting agenda includes an item on appointing a new councillor, after a decision was delayed earlier this month - Mayor Michael Levesque explained there were four candidates, but one posed a question about conflict of interest.
Council's also set to receive delegations from engineering firm AECOM - on Riverside Drive pumping station electrical issues - and from GreenFirst Forest Products - which bought the local mill - plus by-laws on: remuneration and expenses for councillors and board members; maintenance, management, regulation, and control of cemeteries; regulation and control of animals; and regulation of smoking in public places.
There's also an "in-camera" item about "labour relations or employee negotiations related to the recruitment of a Chief Administrative Officer and interim measures" - just a few months after the town hired a new CAO.
The meeting's being held electronically, with the public able to listen by calling 1-800-974-5902, entering conference ID 5116623 - it starts at 6:30 tonight.
Organizers are preparing for Chapleau's 24th annual derby - by launching a couple contests while taking registration online.
While tickets are sold out for the Rotary Club of Chapleau's Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby, Jocelynne Bernier explains COVID-19 restrictions have forced organizers to "get creative", leading to virtual registration for the roughly 800 entrants.
Bernier adds a couple competitions have been launched, to help celebrate 25 years of the derby next year.
Both contests run until Friday, February 11th, the day before the 24th annual Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby.
To enter the contests or for virtual registration, simply email chapleauderbyregistration@hotmail.com
Algoma Public Health's reporting two more deaths linked to COVID-19.
While the health unit isn't giving any further details about the deaths - which bring its death toll since the pandemic began to 26 - they come just two days after it reported its last death linked to the illness.
It's also reporting 29 new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, eight in Central and East Algoma, three in the Elliot Lake area, and one in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation, and Missinabie Cree First Nation - though the health unit's number of known "active" cases is down to 595, including eighteen in hospital - also down - plus one "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma", also in hospital.
The Porcupine Health Unit's also reporting another death linked to the illness - its third this week and the 37th since the pandemic began - while adding eighteen cases in the Timmins area, eight in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, six in the James and Hudson Bay region, four in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, and two in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area - that leaves it with 450 known "active" cases, one outside its district.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's added 203 in the Thunder Bay area, sixteen in unspecified distrit communities, and eight in unspecified First Nation communities, leaving it with 341 known "active" cases, 53 in hospital, eight in ICUs.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three more COVID-19 deaths - and hundreds of new cases.
The health unit's giving no details about the latest deaths except that they were in Greater Sudbury - they bring the health unit's death toll since the pandemic began to 80.
It's also reporting 184 new cases in Greater Sudbury since Monday, plus sixteen in the Sudbury District, and fifteen in the Manitoulin District, though the number of known "active" cases dropped to 718, including nine in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.
PHSD is holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinics at the Chapleau and District Family Health Team today.
Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 49 cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, ten in Central and East Algoma, one in the Elliot Lake area, and another in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation, and Missinabie Cree First Nation - leaving the health unit with 607 known "active" cases, including 21 in hospital, plus one "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma", also in hospital.
Multiple charges have been laid over a Foleyet domestic dispute.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident on Second Avenue late last night, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 21-year-old Foleyet resident on charges of mischief and spousal assault.
They've been released from custody, set to appear in Chapleau's Ontario Court of Justice in March.
Algoma Public Health's reporting another death linked to COVID-19.
The health unit's 24th, it comes just three days after the health unit reported its 23rd and a week after its 22nd.
It's also reporting 55 new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area; eleven in Central and East Algoma; and seven in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation, and Missinabie Cree First Nation - while reducing the number reported for the Elliot Lake area by one, leaving the health unit with 589 known "active", including twenty in hospital - up from the previous day - plus one "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma", also in hospital.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - reminds it's holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinic at the Chapleau and District Family Health Team tomorrow.
Wawa will soon have a new councillor: Melanie Pilon.
Wawa Municipal Council voted in a special meeting last night to appoint Pilon, filling a seat declared vacant in December, after councillor Pat Tait was promoted to mayor following Mayor Ron Rody's resignation at the end of November
Council had heard from all five candidates vying for the role - Pilon, Angela Calaiezzi, Mary Harbocian, Matthew Morrison, and Micheal Reid - with each highlighting their ties to the community and their past experience, some saying what they see as the major issues facing the community and Council, or even outlining plans for the community - economic development and housing, in particular, were mentioned multiple times throughout the presentations.
During her presentation, Pilon noted she's currently an Senior Consultant on Indigenous Relations for Bell Canada, with over fifteen years working experience in economic development - including as EDO for the Township of Dubreuilville - and is currently chair of the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation - where she was once a youth intern - as well as vice president of the Regional Employment Help Centre, with experience volunteering with Wawa and Area Victim Services.
The presentations were followed by a Council vote, but - as no candidate received a majority - those who did not receive any votes - Calaiezzi and Harbocian - were eliminated from contention, then Morrison, Pilon, and Reid were given another opportunity to speak to Council, Pilon using that time to point out what she "brings to the table" includes a diverse voice, as an Indigenous female and a "young person".
None of the three received a majority in the subsequent vote, with Reid eliminated when lots were drawn between the two with the fewest votes.
A final round of voting was held directly after, with Pilon chosen - despite a brief moment of confusion when Clerk Cathy Cyr declared Morrison the winner, then corrected herself - with a resolution passed confirming the decision.
Pilon's appointment will be confirmed with a by-law in the February 1st Council meeting, in which Pilon will be sworn into the role, serving the remainder of the Council term, which is up in mid-November.
Following the final vote and confirming resolution, Mayor Tait again commended all the candidates for putting their names forward - noting they each have "unique qualities and experiences" - and encouraged each to run in this fall's municipal election.
Voting Results:
Round 1:
-Matthew Morrison: 2
-Melanie Pilon: 1
-Micheal Reid: 1
-Angela Calaiezzi: 0 (Eliminated)
-Mary Harbocian: 0 (Eliminated)
Round 2:
-Matthew Morrison: 2
-Melanie Pilon: 1
-Micheal Reid: 1 (Eliminated after name drawn by lot)
Round 3:
-Melanie Pilon: 3 (Declared winner)
-Matthew Morrison: 1 (Eliminated)
A Wawa man's been arrested over vandalism to a Mission Road business.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers were notified of the act of vandalism around 11:06 Friday morning, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 23-year-old on a charge of mischief.
He's been released from custody, set to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice in March.
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 11:34 Saturday morning, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 39-year-old White River resident on a charge of spousal assault.
They've been released from custody, set to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice in March.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting several more COVID-19 deaths.
The health unit's now showing 77 deaths linked to the illness - up by fourteen from Friday's update, though it notes eight of those occurred between December 13th and January 16th, reported after a re-examination of cause of death data from last month and this month.
It's also reporting 243 new cases in Greater Sudbury since Friday, plus 22 in the Manitoulin District and twelve in the Sudbury District, though the number of known "active" cases dropped by more than 200, to 769, including nine in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.
PHSD is holding "appointment only" vaccination clinics at the Chapleau and District Family Health Team today and Thursday.
Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 39 new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area and four in Central and East Algoma, leaving the health unit with 589 known "active" cases, including seventeen in hospital, plus one "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma", also in hospital.
Wawa Municipal Council's set to decide who will fill a vacant seat for the remainder of their term.
Five people are vying for to become a councillor: Angela Calaiezzi; Mary Harbocian; former councillor Matthew Morrison; Melanie Pilon; and Micheal Reid.
While the municipal website also has a photo of each candidate, along with their submitted letter of interest for the position, Municipal Clerk Cathy Cyr explains a meeting tonight will give the candidates a chance to make their case to Council in person.
After that, Council will publicly vote on the candidates, to determine their appointee.
If no candidate gets the backing of a majority of Council, the candidate with the fewest votes would be dropped from contention, continuing until there are two candidates left - as there are four sitting members of Council, it is possible it could deadlock at that point, in which case the appointee would be determined by lot or pulling a name from a hat, per the Municipal Election Act.
While the candidates and Council will be in Council Chambers, doors will not be open to the public, with the meeting instead broadcast live on the Municipality's YouTube channel - it starts at 6:30 pm.
