Stay up to date with what’s happening in your community.
A drug trafficking charge has been laid after a suspicious person call in Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the call on Broadway Avenue around 12:08 last Tuesday afternoon, with investigation leading to the arrest of a Brunswick House First Nation 39-year-old on a charge of possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.
They've been released from custody, with an April date at Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice.
Local police are warning snowmobilers to keep safety in mind.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers from the Hornepayne detachment responded to a call about two overdue snowmobilers on Saunders Lake - about 40 kilometres north of White River - last Thursday, finding the riders whose snowmachines had been stuck in deep slush for several hours - officers assisted in removing the machines from the slush and getting the riders safely back to shore, with no injuries reported.
Emphasizing "no ice is safe ice", police are reminding snowmobilers to be "extra cautious" when riding on waterways at this time of the year, noting ice is still very thick - about 24 inches on Saunders Lake - but it can still be hazardous, as warm weather causes an accumulation of slush which can be covered by fresh snow, making it appear safe to travel.
Numerous charges have been laid after an unwanted person call near Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to a motel on Highway 17 south of Wawa around 10:09 last Monday night - subsequent investigation led to the arrest of a 24-year-old Sudbury man on charges of being intoxicated in a public place, fail to leave premises when directed, mischief over $5000, failure to comply with release order, and two counts of fail to comply with probation order.
He's been released from custody, with an April date at Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice.
A few COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held in the region this week.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is holding "appointment only" clinics at its Chapleau office tomorrow and on Thursday, while an "appointment only" clinic will be held at Algoma Public Health's office in Wawa tomorrow, and a "walk-in" clinic will be held at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre on Wednesday, from 10 am to 12:30 pm.
Chapleau Town Council will consider several by-laws in their first regular meeting of the month.
That includes by-laws on the Township's expense reimbursement policy and another updating the parking and traffic regulation by-law, while Council will also consider resolutions appointing a representative to the Missinaibi Forest Management Corporation, opening and recording bids for operating the specialized transit bus, and issuing a tender for backup power modifications to the Civic Centre and the Recreation Centre.
There's also an "in-camera" item, about a personal matter regarding the Fire Department.
The meeting will be held in Civic Centre Council Chambers at 6:30 tonight.
More COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed in the region.
Algoma Public Health reported its 39th death from the illness on Friday - a day after its 38th - though it gave no further details.
It also reported 58 new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, five in Central and East Algoma, one in the Elliot Lake area, and two in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations - leaving it with 387 known "active" cases, ten cases in hospital, four in ICUs.
Meanwhile, figures from Public Health Sudbury and Districts on Friday showed 118 deaths, seven more than its Wednesday report - an unspecified number due to a change in the way the province classifies COVID-19 deaths - with 86 where COVID was the "underlying cause", 27 where it "contributed", and five where it was unknown - six of the newly recorded cases were in Greater Sudbury, while one was in the Sudbury District.
The health unit also added 90 new cases in Greater Sudbury, sixteen in the Sudbury District, and fifteen in the Manitoulin District, leaving it with 400 "active" - including ten in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - while 60 cases are in hospital, two in ICUs.
Another death's been confirmed in a neighbouring region.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's giving no details about its 82nd death from the illness, which come just two days after its 81st was reported - it only reports figures on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
It's also reporting 74 new cases in the Thunder Bay area, plus twelve in unspecified First Nation communities and four in unspecified district communities, leaving it with 186 known "active" cases, 35 in hospital, nine in ICUs.
Algoma Public Health's added 25 cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, two in Central and East Algoma, and five in the Elliot Lake area, leaving it with 375 "active", with eight in hospital, four in ICUs.
The Porcupine Health Unit's added seventeen in the Timmins area, seventeen in the James and Hudson Bay region, four in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls, three in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area, and another out of the region, leaving it with 213 "active", nine in hospital, one in an ICU.
Local police are warning of an opioid found in seized drugs.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say a "non-fentanyl synthetic opioid" was detected in a pill seized from a crime scene last fall - though it appeared to be a legitimate Percocet pill with "TEC" pressed into one side and a solid line across the middle of the opposing side, a Health Canada laboratory analysis found it was instead composed of caffeine, benzodiasepine, and isotonitazene, which is said to be five to ten times stronger than fentanyl, and could lead to overdose for new or even experienced opioid users, potentially requiring multiple doses of naloxone to overcome its effects.
OPP emphasize that potent opiates have been found mixed in with many other kinds of street drugs, warning there is no way to know what you're getting and the consequences could be lethal, and noting take-home naloxone kits and training are available free of charge and without a prescription, while anyone who sees an apparent overdose should call 9-1-1 immediately.
While the Ontario government's preparing to lift its COVID-19 mask mandate for most settings, a local health unit's strongly recommending you keep wearing one.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts Medical Officer of Health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe say "despite recent promising trends in local COVID-19 metrics, the Omicron variant...is still circulating widely and the risk of infection and risk to our health care system has not passed", so she's "strongly recommending" people continue wearing masks in indoor crowded spaces, "especially if they have higher personal health risks or if their close circle includes those who are vulnerable to severe infection", emphasizing "the pandemic is not over" and the health unit's region still has higher COVID-19 rates than the rest of the province.
Ontario's masking mandate is set to lift March 21st, except for public transit, health care settings, long-term care homes, and congregate care settings - remaining measures are set to lift April 27th.
Dubreuilville's reeling in its annual winter derby this weekend.
The 5th Annual Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Derby will be held from 8 am to 4 pm tomorrow, with prizes including the $5000 registration skill prize.
There'll also be $7000 for the top fish, so long as 200 participants register - there is a maximum of 250 - with tickets still for sale.
Organizers are warning those planning to drive up on the Magpie Road not to use a trailer - as the road's very narrow and there are no parking spots available - some issues have also been noted with trails in the area, due to the large amount of soft snow and ice base.
Local police are reminding to beware of fraud.
As March is Fraud Prevention Month, Ontario Provincial Police are warning about a variety of frauds and scams, with Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle noting there's been "quite an increase" in reported frauds in this region.
Nickle says most local reports saw technology as a key part.
Nickle also warns there is a demographic factor.
Nickle advises against signing a contract without an expert's opinion, using a complex password that can't be easily guessed, not opening email attachments or clicking links from people you don't know, staying "extra cautious" when buying or selling online, never giving personal information over the phone unless it's someone you called, contact your bank if you notice any suspicious activity on your account or credit card, and report any fraud to the OPP or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Algoma Public Health's reporting its 38th COVID-19 death.
The health unit's giving no further details about the death, which comes just a day after it reported two other deaths.
It's also reporting 41 new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in Central and East Algoma, three in the Elliot Lake area, and two in North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations - leaving it with 398 known "active" cases - plus one "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma" - with nine cases in hospital, four in ICUs - a jump from the previous day.
Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 118 cases in Greater Sudbury plus fifteen in the Sudbury District and five in the Manitoulin District, leaving 400 "active" - including seven in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - while 63 cases are in hospital, three in ICUs.
The health unit's holding an "appointment only" clinic at its Chapleau office today.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is resuming its routine immunization services.
While the health unit's paused many of those services over the last two years - amid the COVID-19 pandemic - it's now ramping the service back up in a phased manner, starting by prioritizing overdue children and adults, including through its school vaccination program.
It estimates roughly 20,000 youth in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts are overdue for routine childhood immunizations.
Ontario's mask mandate will be lifted for most indoor settings - including schools, restaurants, and stores - later this month.
Citing "continued improvement in trends", Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore has announced the government will remove the masking requirement for most settings on March 21st, though it will remain for public transit, health care settings, long-term care homes, and congregate care settings.
While the requirement will lift, Moore emphasizes that "we must remain kind, considerate, and respectful toward those who continue wearing a mask", adding "we must also expect indicators, such as cases and hospitalizations, to increase slightly as Ontarians increasingly interact with one another", though "thanks to our high vaccination rates and natural immunity, as well as the arrival of antivirals, Ontario has the tools necessary to manage the impact of the virus" - Moore also acknowledges "this does not signal that COVID-19 has disappeared or that the pandemic is over", just "that we have come to a place where we know what we need to do to manage this virus and to keep each other safe", so "we need to remain vigilant, we need to stay home when sick, and most importantly, we need to get vaccinated and boosted".
Remaining mask requirements and emergency orders are scheduled to expire April 27th.
Some Wawa students will be out in the community tonight with a bottle drive supporting their year end activities.
St. Augustine French Immersion's collecting milk jugs, beer bottles, liquor bottles, beer cans, cooler cans, and spirit containers, raising funds to support Grade 6/7/8 year-end activities.
The bottle drive runs from 5 pm to 8 pm tonight.
Algoma Public Health's reporting two more COVID-19 deaths.
It's giving no further details about the deaths, which bring the health unit's death toll from the illness to 37 - it last reported a death on Friday.
The health unit's also reporting 61 new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, plus two each for Central and East Algoma, the Elliot Lake area, and North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations - leaving it with 392 known "active" cases - plus one "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma" - with eight cases in hospital.
A "walk-in" COVID-19 vaccination clinic's being held at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre from 4 pm to 7 pm today, while Public Health Sudbury and Districts is holding an "appointment only" clinic at its Chapleau office tomorrow.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 111th COVID-19 death.
It's giving few details, though figures show it's the 101st in Greater Sudbury - the health unit last reported a death on Friday.
PHSD's also added 136 cases in Greater Sudbury since Friday, plus sixteen in the Sudbury District, and nine in the Manitoulin District, though the number of known "active" cases is down to 381 - including seven in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - while 56 cases are in hospital, three in ICUs, both down from Friday.
The health unit's holding "appointment only" vaccination clinics at its Chapleau office today and Thursday.
Algoma Public Health - meanwhile - has added 106 cases since Friday - 83 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, eleven in Central and East Algoma, five in the Elliot Lake area, and seven in North Algoma, which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations - leaving it with 372 known "active" cases - plus a "non-resident case temporarily in Algoma" - with eight cases in hospital, two in ICUs.
A "walk-in" vaccination clinic will be held at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre tomorrow, from 4 to 7 pm
Sault College has launched a new four-year Nursing degree program.
The Ontario government's announced the "new pathway for nursing education" in the form of a standalone Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through Sault College, with Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano saying it's the latest such move, intended "to give our future nurses the ability to study and stay in their home communities to help meet local human health resource needs", driven by the "Home to Stay" mantra.
The first cohort of students will start the program in September, with Sault College to also launch a new Registered Practical Nurse to BScN bridging program next January.
Wawa’s Gilles Begin with Wawa Lake’s largest fish
Gilles Begin of Wawa shows off prize-winning fish
Anglers have left the ice as the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby's wrapped up for a 30th year.
Derby Chair Scott Popert says there was a lot of support for the derby, which sold out on Valentine's Day, weeks ahead of time.
Popert notes organizers will likely start work on next year’s derby after a short break, but advises anglers to watch for upcoming polls to help with planning, such as whether to continue with cash prizes or return to the item-based prizes.
With dozens of fish caught over the weekend, Wawa's Gilles Begin reeled in the largest of the derby - a 14.53-pound pike - to claim the $10,000 top prize for Wawa Lake, while a 7.87-pound pike from Kraig Coulter of Sault Ste. Marie topped the Hawk Lake results, earning him $10,000, as well.
Rounding out the top six for Wawa Lake: Kendra Roy of Wawa (11.81 lb pike); Cooper Moore of Wawa (10.14 lb lake trout); Rayanne Roberge of Wawa (9.51 lb lake trout); Joe Luoma of Sudbury (7.9 lb lake trout); and Tyrel Spooner of Sault Ste. Marie (7.44 lb lake trout).
Rounding out the top six for Hawk Lake: Ben Stubbington of Sault Ste. Marie (7.15 lb pike); Brent Snyder of Moran, Michigan (5.77 lb pike); Mike Guizetti of Echo Bay (5.43 lb lake trout); Lise Noel of Wawa (5.01 lb pike); and Erica Vanbuskirk of Chapleau (4.57 lb lake trout).
The 2nd place of each lake received $8000, 3rd place $7000, 4th place $3000, 5th place $2000, and 6th place $1000.
Other winners include Natalie Yeung of Timmins - who won the $30,000 registration prize draw - and the five Early Bird prize winners of $1000 each: William Matschke of Eganville, Carol-Anne Robinson of Wawa, Jessy DeChamplain of Dubreuilville, John Cannon of Wawa, and Jean-Paul St. Louis of Sault Ste. Marie.
Dubreuilville's almost set to reel in its annual winter derby.
The 5th Annual Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Derby will be held this Saturday, March 12th, with prizes including the $5000 registration skill prize.
There'll also be $7000 for the top fish, so long as 200 participants register - there is a maximum of 250.
Registrations are still being accepted.
