PHSD Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths, New Cases for APH

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting two more COVID-19 deaths.

Both were in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit's COVID death toll to 103, 93 in the city - it last reported a death linked to the illness Monday.

It's also reporting 57 cases in Greater Sudbury since Monday, ten in the Sudbury District, and nine in the Manitoulin District, leaving it with 415 known "active" cases, including twelve in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The health unit's holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 66 cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four in Central and East Algoma, one in the Elliot Lake area, and two in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation and Missinabie Cree First Nation - leaving it with 625 "active" - plus one "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma" - sixteen cases are in hospital.

Wawa Receives Modernization Funding for Trio of Projects

The Municipality of Wawa's touting funding for a trio of projects.

A release from the municipality confirms up to $316,231 in funding under the Ontario Municipal Modernization Fund to "help strengthen the delivery of municipal programs and services" - the projects include the implementation of a new electronic record-keeping system, the purchase of new audio and visual equipment for Council Chambers to help with live-streaming of meetings, and the hiring of a consultant to completed a ten-year Water Financial Plan, Water and Sewer Rate Study, and Master Plan.

The municipality previously received $96,000 under the fund, for the service delivery review that resulted in the Municipal Transformation Study and new Wawa Strategic Plan.

Chapleau Council Passes Revised Remuneration By-Law

Chapleau Town Council's linking their compensation to that of its unionized employees.

Mayor Michael Levesque says Council - after twice putting off a decision on remuneration - has approved a new by-law.

Mayor Levesque notes that a decision on Council expenses was split off from the remuneration decision, with a separate by-law still being worked on.

Wawa Council Reviews Proposed 2022 Operating Budget

Wawa Municipal Council's had its first look at this year's operating budget.

Two months after getting their first look at the draft capital budget, Council similarly reviewed the proposed multi-year operating budget - both documents outline plans not just for 2022, but 2023-2025, though officials emphasize there will be yearly reviews and updates with revisions based on "economic conditions".

The budget's intended to maintain services - or return to pre-pandemic levels, in some cases - though a decrease in operational grants is expected - for example, the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund continues to decrease - while rising cost of living, a shortage of contractors and supplies, increasing employee costs, and rising levies from external boards like ADSAB posed challenges for budgeting.

In the end, a 2.75% levy increase is proposed for 2022 - which would bring in about $137,000 more - while $100,000 of an expected 2021 surplus would be used.

CAO Maury O'Neill outlined the expected impact for the average homeowner with average water and wastewater usage.

The presentation can be viewed on the Municipality's YouTube channel, and is available on the municipal website.

Public input is being accepted until March 4th - comments can be emailed to mbatovanja@wawa.cc or mailed to the Treasurer at Municipality of Wawa, 40 Broadway Ave., PO Box 500, Wawa, ON, P0S 1K0.

Plans are for the combined operating and capital budgets to go to a vote March 15th.

Wawa Man Charged With Driving Snowmobile Dangerously

Several charges have been laid against a Wawa man after police stopped a snowmachine in town.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Poice say officers conducting general patrol in Wawa around 2:58 Monday afternoon observed a "motorized snow vehicle" travelling in what they describe as a "dangerous manner" - the snowmobile was stopped on Third Avenue, with subsequent investigation leading to charges of dangerous operation, flight from peace officer, fail to comply with probation order, and three counts of operation while prohibited.

The 27-year-old's been remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

APH Reports Dozens of New COVID-19 Cases

Algoma Public Health's reporting dozens of new COVID-19 cases.

That includes 36 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, two in Central and East Algoma, two in the Elliot Lake area, and four in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation and Missinabie Cree First Nation - though the number of known "active" cases has dipped to 583 - plus one "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma" - with sixteen cases in hospital, down one from the day before.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinic at the Chapleau and District Family Health Team today - and at the health unit's Chapleau office tomorrow - while a "no appointment necessary" clinic's being held at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre between 10 am and 1 pm today.

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting two COVID-19 deaths.

Bringing the health unit's COVID death toll to 101, they're the 91st death in Greater Sudbury and the seventh in the Manitoulin District - the health unit last reported a death linked to the illness on Friday.

It's also reporting 132 cases in Greater Sudbury, 27 in the Manitoulin District, and eighteen in the Sudbury District, leaving it with 501 known "active" cases, including eleven in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 32 cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, one in Central and East Algoma, one in the Elliot Lake area, and six in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation and Missinabie Cree First Nation - leaving it with 592 "active" cases - plus one "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma" - with seventeen cases in hospital.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is holding "appointment only" vaccination clinics at the Chapleau and District Family Health Team tomorrow and at the health unit's Chapleau office Thursday, while a "no appointment necessary" clinic will be held at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre between 10 am and 1 pm tomorrow.

Wawa Council to Receive Delayed Operating Budget Presentation Tonight

Wawa Municipal Council's set to get its first look at this year's operating budget.

Presentation of the multi-year operating budget is included in tonight's agenda, after last week's special meeting for the purpose was cancelled.

Council first saw the Capital Budget in December, with plans to approve them together - both documents are multi-year, outlining plans not just for this year but the next four years, though Treasurer Manuela Batovanja notes there is flexibility for future years.

Aside from the presentation, Council will consider appointing various councillors to several different boards or committees - including the North Algoma Medical Recruitment and Retention Committee and the Wawa Police Services Board - and to enter into an agreement for telephone and internet voting for this fall's municipal election.

The meeting will be broadcast on the Municipality of Wawa's YouTube channel, starting at 6:30 pm tonight.

Dangerous Operation Charge for Dubreuilville Driver Over Wawa-Area Incident

A Dubreuilville driver's facing a dangerous driving charge after a complaint near Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the traffic complaint about a vehicle on Highway 17 around 3:37 this morning, with officers determining the driver intentionally made contact with another vehicle, though no injuries were reported in the incident.

Charged with dangerous operation under the Criminal Code, the 40-year-old from Dubreuilville was released from custody, scheduled to appear at Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice in April.

Police say the incident was "domestic in nature", and will not be identifying the accused.

Isabelle Blais Wins MVFA Cash Draw's $1000 Valentine's Day Draw

Wawa's firefighters are congratulating a Wawa woman for winning $1000 through an annual fundraising campaign.

Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters Association President Kyle Ouellet says the annual cash draw's second draw was held this morning.

Ouellet warns that tickets are running out, however.

Supporting training and equipment purchases for the local firefighters, the annual cash draw's final three $1000 draws and the $10,000 grand prize draw will be made March 6th, at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

APH Reports Several New COVID-19 Cases, More for PHU & TBDHU

Algoma Public Health's added fourteen cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six 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 it with 590 known "active" cases, twelve in hospital.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's added 123 in the Thunder Bay area, 36 in unspecified First Nation communities, and ten in unspecified district communities, leaving it with 337 "active", including 47 in hospital, ten in ICUs.

The Porcupine Health Unit's added 117 - nineteen over the last day, including eleven in the Timmins area, four in the James and Hudson Bay region, three in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, and another in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area - leaving it with 452 "active" but only eight in hospital.

Successful 24th Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby Ends

Lines are out of the water as Chapleau's 24th annual Pike Ice Fishing Derby is now in the books.

Back after a year away - due to the COVID-19 pandemic - the derby saw several fish reeled in, including a 30.75-inch, 7.96 pound pike which earned Keith Boyer of Red Lake the $10,000 first prize, followed by a 7.66-pounder from Michael Velanoff of Terrace Bay - which won him a Honda ATV - and a 6.6-pounder from Ashley Keech, who claimed the $4000 third prize.

There was also excitement for the derby's registration prize, announced by Jocelynne Bernier.

As for the logo contest for next year's 25th annual derby, the winner was Mr. Turcotte and his fiance, with four youth entries also honoured.

The photo contest, however, has been extended to March 12th, allowing pictures from this year's derby - multiple entries are allowed, emailed to chapleauderbyregistration@hotmail.com - with an online vote to determine the winner of the $300 first prize, $200 second prize, and $100 third prize.

PHSD Reports 4 COVID-19 Deaths, 111 Cases for APH

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed four more COVID-19 deaths in its region.

Like most of the health unit's deaths linked to the illness, two were in Greater Sudbury, though the other two occurred in the larger Sudbury District - this brings the health unit's COVID death toll to 99.

It's also reported 169 cases in Greater Sudbury, fourteen in the Manitoulin District, and twelve in the Sudbury District, leaving it with 617 known "active" cases, including nine in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

Algoma Public Health reported 111 cases over the weekend - 89 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, fourteen in Central and East Algoma, five in the Elliot Lake area, three in North Algoma, which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation and Missinabie Cree First Nation - leaving it with 648 "active" cases - twelve in hospital - plus one "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma".

Chapleau Council to Appoint New Clerk & Consider Council Remuneration

Chapleau Town Council will consider appointing a new clerk and confirming their own compensation in a meeting tonight.

The agenda for tonight's regular meeting includes by-laws to appoint a new clerk and to establish remuneration rates for Council - something that's been put off over the last couple meetings - as well as a resolution to post tender documents for the township's specialized transit bus.

There are also three "in-camera" items, all relating to unspecified labour relations or employee negotiations.

The meeting starts at 6:30 tonight.

APH, TBDHU & PHU Report New COVID-19 Deaths

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

Algoma Public Health's giving no further details about its 28th death linked to the illness, which comes just a week after its 27th.

It's also reporting 53 new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, nine in Central and East Algoma, one in the Elliot Lake area, and three in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation, and Missinabie Cree First Nation - leaving it with 617 known "active" cases - plus two "non-resident cases temporarily in Algoma" - 21 in hospital.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting two more COVID-19 deaths - which come nine days after its last death, bringing the health unit's death toll to 77 - as well as 136 new cases in the Thunder Bay area since Wednesday, plus 37 in unspecified First Nation communities and ten in unspecified district communities, leaving it with 359 "active", including 50 in hospital, ten in ICUs.

The Porcupine Health Unit's reporting its 43rd COVID death - three days after its 42nd - while reporting 21 new cases in the Timmins area, eighteen in the James and Hudson Bay region, four in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, four in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, and another in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area, leaving it with 421 "active", 25 in hospital.

24th Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby Arrives

Anglers will be heading out on the ice in Chapleau this weekend, as the Rotary Club of Chapleau hosts the 24th annual Pike Ice Fishing Derby.

Sold out shortly after tickets went on sale, the annual event will see anglers out on the Chapleau River, and Jocelynne Bernier notes there have been some changes, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the cancellation of last year's event.

While that means the prize presentations will instead be livestreamed through Facebook, Bernier says there haven't been any major changes to the prizes.

Bernier also reminds today is the last day to submit entries for the 25th derby logo and photo competitions, by emailing chapleauderbyregistration@hotmail.com

Virtual registration has been underway for weeks, though in-person registration is also happening from 2 to 10 pm today - fishing runs from 7 am to 4 pm tomorrow, with JJAM FM broadcasting live updates from 11 am to 4 pm.

Northern Ontario NDP MPPs Urge COVID-19 Rapid Tests for Rural Communities

Northern Ontario's New Democrats are urging the Progressive Conservative government to expand plans to distribute free rapid antigen tests to small northern communities.

A letter signed by the MPPs - including Algoma-Manitoulin's Michael Mantha - warns the plan to distribute the COVID-19 tests through pharmacy and grocery stores leaves out many rural communities - some of which are hours away from such stores - and urges the government ensure the test kits are also available at nursing stations, general stores with an LCBO site, and Northern community health centres, to improve access for rural residents, emphasizing cases "continue to pop up across the province regardless of the size of the community", so it's "imperative" rapid tests be distributed "in an equitable manner".

Nearly 2400 distribution locations have been announced, mainly in southern Ontario, though there are seventeen in Sault Ste. Marie, twenty in Sudbury, and seven in Timmins, but nothing more local than that.

MVFA Valentine's Day Draw Nears

Time's almost up to get a ticket ahead of a big draw.

The Valentine's Day draw in the Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association annual cash draw will see a lucky ticket holder win $1000 Monday morning, though Association President Kyle Ouellet.

While tickets are available in some local stores and from firefighters, Ouellet warns they're running out - less than 1000 of the 6000 printed are still available - and reminds they'll be pulled Sunday so they can be included in the Monday morning draw.

The winning ticket will still be entered in the three remaining $1000 draws and the $10,000 grand prize draw, all to be held at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby on March 6th.

PHSD Confirms 3 COVID-19 Deaths, More Cases for APH

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three more deaths linked to the illness - the fifth and sixth in the Manitoulin District and the 88th in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit's death toll since the pandemic began to 95.

It's also reporting 134 new cases in Greater Sudbury since Monday, plus 22 in the Manitoulin District and eleven in the Sudbury District, leaving it with 613 known "active" cases, including twelve in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The health unit is holding is holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 46 cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in Central and East Algoma, two in the Elliot Lake area, and one in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation, and the Missinabie Cree First Nation - leaving it with 555 known "active" cases - plus two "non-resident cases temporarily in Algoma" - with 21 cases in hospital.

Several Charges After White River Domestic Dispute

A White River resident's facing numerous charges - including assault - over a domestic dispute in the town.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident on Winnipeg Street around 11:50 Friday morning, arresting a 30-year-old on two counts of assault, four of mischief, and one each of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, forcible confinement, public mischief, and failure to comply with release order.

They've been released from custody, with a March date in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice.