Superior East OPP Issue Safety Warning Amid Wawa Ice Fishing Derby

Local police are issuing a few safety reminders ahead of the Wawa derby.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Ashley Nickle notes past derby weekends have seen excessive speeds on roads within town, and that could be particularly problematic due to another issue.

Nickle notes OPP will be watching for the three major causes of snowmobile fatalities - speed, alcohol, and ice - issuing a particular warning about impaired riding.

Nickle also reminds that open holes in the ice are a major cause of deaths by "immersion", warning snowmobilers to go slow, take your time, and watch for open fishing holes and other hazards - she also advises snowmobilers to wear appropriate, layered clothing for the weather conditions, use proper safety equipment, and bring an emergency kit.

30th Annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby Arrives

Anglers will be getting out on the ice this weekend, for the soldout 30th annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

After a year without a derby - due to the COVID-19 pandemic - Chair Scott Popert notes there's been a slight change for this year.

Popert reminds there are also five "Early Bird" prizes of $1000 - for those who got their ticket by January 15th - and the $30,000 registration prize draw, which includes every ticket, even if the holder didn't fish.

While registration kicked off last night, it runs from 10 am to 10 pm today and 8 am to 12 noon Saturday - fishing runs from 8 am to 4 pm Saturday and 8 am to 1 pm Sunday.

JJAM FM will be broadcasting live updates from 11 am to 3 pm Saturday and 10 am to 2 pm Sunday.

The Wawa Goose Seniors Club is holding a bake sale at the arena starting at 11 am today.

Wawa's warning anglers against fishing at a certain part of Wawa Lake.

The Municipality's reminding that ice fishing is not permitted between the points at which Gold Street and Ontario Street terminate at Wawa Lake - due to the location of the municipal water intake - noting a distance of 1000 feet from the shoreline is a prohibited area.

Tickets Almost Gone As 2021-22 MVFA Annual Cash Draw Nears End

Time and tickets are running out for the Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association's annual cash draw.

The final three $1000 draws - and the $10,000 grand prize draw - will be made this Sunday, and association President Kyle Ouellet reminds the fundraiser supports the local firefighters.

At last estimate, there were fewer than 300 tickets left, though they were expected to sell quickly.

The final draws will be made at 5 o'clock Sunday, during the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby's prize presentation.

APH Reports 34th COVID-19 Death, PHSD Reports 109th

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

Algoma Public Health's giving no details about its 34th, which comes just two days after it last reported deaths linked to the illness.

It's also reporting 51 new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, ten in Central and East Algoma, two in the Elliot Lake area, and another in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations - leaving it with 620 known "active" cases - plus three "non-resident cases temporarily in Algoma" - with twelve cases in hospital.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its reported its 109th death from the illness - it last reported a death Monday - with figures showing it was the 99th in Greater Sudbury.

The health unit also added 110 new cases in Greater Sudbury, twelve in the Sudbury District, and 25 in the Manitoulin District, leaving it with 509 "active" - including four in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - while 67 cases are in hospital, seven in ICUs.

PHSD's holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today.

An "appointment only" clinic's also being held for individuals twelve or older in White River today, through the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

Registration to Start Early for 30th Annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby

Preparations are ramping up for the upcoming Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

While the 30th annual derby will be held this weekend, Chair Scott Popert says registration will begin this afternoon.

Popert notes those that have tickets for the soldout derby but won't be fishing don't need to show up to register if they don't want to, as their ticket will still be in the draw for the $30,000 registration prize, and - if they got the ticket by January 15th - the five early bird draws for $1000.

Kevin Fellinger Named New Superior East OPP Commander

New Superior East OPP Detachment Commander, Staff Sergeant Kevin Fellinger

Local Ontario Provincial Police have a new boss - but a familiar face in the region.

Kevin Fellinger's been promoted to Staff Sergeant and Commander of the Superior East Detachment, which covers Wawa, Chapleau, Dubreuilville, White River, Hornepayne, and the surrounding region.

Noted to have developed "positive working relationships with community leaders and stakeholders across the Superior East Detachment area", Fellinger has spent his entire life living, working and volunteering in Superior East, starting his OPP career in White River in 2008, transferring to Wawa three years later, was promoted to Sergeant in 2017, and worked as platoon supervisor for two years before becoming Administrative Sergeant.

He's been serving as acting Detachment Commander since September.

Chapleau Council Planning to Reduce Parking Times in Downtown Core

Chapleau Town Council's looking to free up parking spots in the downtown core - by getting vehicles out of them more often.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains Council's looking at shortening the time vehicles can park in the area.

Levesque says Council's also hoping for action from those businesses.

The by-law governing parking still needs to be rewritten to reflect Council's intention, then passed in a subsequent meeting.

Chapleau's 2021 Buddy Swanson Volunteer Recognition Awards Presented

Eight months late, Chapleau's 2021 "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Awards were presented Monday night.

Mayor Michael Levesque apologizes for the delay, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and another issue.

Mayor Levesque congratulates the two recipients.

Levesque notes someone else was recognized, as well.

The mayor commends all those recognized.

APH Reports 64 New COVID-19 Cases

Algoma Public Health's reporting more COVID-19 cases.

The health unit's added 53 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in Central and East Algoma, four in the Elliot Lake area, and another in North Algoma, which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations.

That leaves it with 615 known "active" cases - plus two "non-resident cases temporarily in Algoma" - with twelve cases in hospital, down from the day before.

An "appointment only" vaccination clinic will be held in White River tomorrow, for individuals twelve or older - through the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic - while Public Health Sudbury and Districts is holding an "appointment only" clinic at its Chapleau office tomorrow.

Chapleau's Search for New CAO Continues

Chapleau's search for a new top administrator continues.

Mayor Michael Levesque says Chapleau Town Council's moved forward in its efforts to find a new Chief Administrative Officer.

Levesque notes the consultant was also involved in the previous search for a CAO.

Alberta Driver Facing Prohibited Driving Charge in Wawa

An Alberta driver's facing prohibited driving charges after reports of a suspicious vehicle in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the report of a suspicious vehicle on Magpie Road around 8:09 am Saturday morning, with subsequent investigation revealing the driver was prohibited from operating a motor vehicle, leading to the arrest of the 36-year-old from Blairmore, Alberta, on charges of operation while prohibited and operation while prohibited - legal restriction from any other act of Parliament or provincial law, both contrary to the Criminal Code.

They've been released from custody, with an April date at Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice.

Assault & Other Charges Over Michipicoten FN Family Dispute

Assault, uttering threats, and mischief charges have been laid over a local family dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident on Michipicoten First Nation around 10:07 pm Thursday night, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 23-year-old Wawa woman on charges of assault, uttering threats to damage property, and mischief.

She's been remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

Wawa Teen Charged With Arson Over MHS Fire

A Wawa teen's been charged with arson after a fire at a local school.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a "suspicious fire" at an unspecified school on Magpie Road around 2:40 pm Friday afternoon, arriving after firefighters extinguished it - the Wawa Fire Department did respond to a small fire at Michipicoten High School, and the Algoma District School Board's confirmed there was a fire in a student washroom.

Subsequent investigation's led to the arrest of a 15-year-old from Wawa on a charge of arson - damage to property.

The youth - who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act - was released from custody, set to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice next month.

Wawa Council Holding Pair of Meetings Tonight

Wawa Municipal Council's set to start the month with a pair of meetings.

First up is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, which includes delegations from the Wawa Business Improvement Area (its budget is an item in tonight’s regular meeting) and the Rural Development Network, a request from Wawa Minor Hockey for extension of arena ice season, and a request from the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby for waiver of facility fees.

That'll be followed by a regular meeting, including an update to the municipality's COVID-19 safety plan and a by-law repealing the municipality's property tax vacancy rebate program.

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

APH & PHSD Report New COVID-19 Deaths

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting two, giving no further details - they come just two days after the health unit last reported a death linked to the illness, with these two bringing its death toll to 33.

It's also reporting 30 new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, seven in Central and East Algoma, two in the Elliot Lake area, and six in North Algoma, which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations.

That leaves it with 598 known "active" cases - plus two "non-resident cases temporarily in Algoma" - with sixteen cases in hospital.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed its 108th COVID death - the 98th in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death on Friday.

It's also reporting 166 cases in Greater Sudbury since Friday, plus eleven in the Sudbury District and six in the Manitoulin District, leaving it with 517 "active" - including five in the Northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - while 71 cases are in hospital, six in ICUs.

The health unit's holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic its Chapleau office Thursday.

An "appointment only" clinic will also be held in White River Thursday, for individuals twelve or older, through the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

Pair of COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Happening in Region This Week

A couple COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held in the region this week.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is holding an "appointment only" clinic at its Chapleau office on Thursday, whereas an "appointment only" clinic will also be held for individuals twelve or older in White River - through the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic - on Thursday.

APH, PHU & TBDHU Report New COVID-19 Cases

Algoma Public Health's added 25 cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, another in the Elliot Lake area, and three in North Algoma, which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations.

That leaves it with 610 known "active" cases - plus two "non-resident cases temporarily in Algoma" - with fifteen cases in hospital.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's added 102 cases in the Thunder Bay area since Friday, plus six in unspecified district communities, and seven in unspecified First Nation communities, though the number "active" is down to 242, with 49 in hospital, eight in ICUs.

Meanwhile, the Porcupine Health Unit's added 94 cases since Friday, including nineteen today - eleven in the James and Hudson Bay region, four in the Timmins area, two in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, and two in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area - leaving it with 345 "active", nine in hospital, one in intensive care.

Early Bird Deadline for Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Derby

Time's almost up for early birds to register for a local ice fishing derby.

With the 5th Annual Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Derby now less than two weeks away, today is the deadline to register in order to qualify for the $1000 early bird prize.

Other prizes for the derby include the $5000 registration skill prize, and $7000 for the top fish, so long as 200 participants register - there is a maximum of 250.

The derby will be held March 12th.

Chapleau Council to Present Buddy Swanson Volunteer Awards, Discuss Local Issues

Nearly eight months late, Chapleau Town Council will present the 2021 "Buddy Swanson" volunteer awards tonight.

The presentation - normally held as part of Canada Day celebrations - is included in the agenda for tonight's Council meeting, along with resolutions regarding parking in the downtown core, issuing a tender for backup power modifications at the Civic and Recreation centres, and appointing a representative to the Missinaibi Forest Management Corporation.

There's also an "in-camera" item, regarding recruitment of a CAO.

The meeting will be held in Civic Centre Council Chambers at 6:30 tonight.

2022 Ontario Ice Fishing Challenge Ending

A special COVID-safe ice fishing tournament's coming to a close.

The month-long Ontario Ice Fishing Challenge has anglers fish for local prizes and to see their community crowned "Ice Fishing Capital" of Ontario.

While Wawa won last year's competition, it was in third place as of Sunday afternoon - with 6585 points - while Chapleau - which was third last year - was second with 7583 points, and Dubreuilville was atop the standings with 8935.

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.

The Ontario Ice Fishing Challenge ends at noon today.