Chapleau Council Decides on Electronic Voting for Municipal Election

Chapleau residents will cast ballots differently this year.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains - while considering options for advance voting in Monday's meeting - Chapleau Town Council decided on a major change.

Levesque also tells JJAM FM News the move will allow for a couple options for voting.

Wawa changed to electronic voting for the 2018 municipal election, with Wawa Municipal Council confirming plans to continue with it for this year's election.

Nominations for municipal elections across Ontario open this coming Monday, May 2nd, with Election Day October 24th.

Chapleau's Search for New CAO Continues, May Be Nearing End

Chapleau could soon have a new top administrator.

Mayor Michael Levesque says recruitment efforts could be nearing an end.

While Chapleau recruited a CAO last fall, it was short lived, with search efforts relaunched in February.

APH Reports 51st COVID-19 Death, PHSD Reports New Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's giving no details about its 51st death linked to the illness, reported Monday, just days after it reported its 50th death.

The health unit also reported 87 new cases since Friday - 67 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, thirteen in the Elliot Lake area, six in Central and East Algoma, and another in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - though the number of known "active" cases fell to 291, including 23 in hospital, four in ICUs.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts added 198 cases since Friday - 175 in Greater Sudbury, thirteen in the Sudbury District, and ten in the Manitoulin District - leaving it with 422 "active" - thirteen in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - with 41 cases in hospital, two in ICUs.

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

A "walk-in" clinic's being held at APH's office in Wawa from 9:30 am to 4 pm today - it's the final clinic planned in Wawa, as North Algoma shifts to booking vaccination appointments rather than holding clinics: for Wawa, call the health unit's office; for Dubreuilville, call the Dubreuilville Medical Centre; for White River, call the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

Online Information Session Offered for Prospective Municipal Election Candidates

With nominations for the fall municipal election set to open next Monday, potential candidates are being offered a chance to learn more about their prospective roles.

Wawa Municipal Clerk Cathy Cyr explains the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is holding an online information session, urging anyone interested in running in the election to attend, as it will provide quite a bit of helpful information.

Cyr notes the information session's being held via Zoom at 6 pm tomorrow night - details can be found on the Municipality of Wawa's website.

Chapleau Council to Discuss Advance Voting & Canada Day in Meeting

Chapleau Town Council will continue preparations for the fall election and Canada Day celebrations in a meeting tonight.

The agenda for tonight's regular meeting includes a by-law to provide for advance votes ahead of Election Day, and resolutions to approve the Canada Day budget and purchase orders for the replacement of lights at the Fire Hall and a radiator for the Trackless vehicle.

There's also an "in-camera" item relating to CAO recruitment.

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

APH Reports 50th COVID-19 Death, PHSD Reports New Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's giving no details about its 50th death linked to the illness, reported Friday, a day after the health unit reported two other deaths.

The health unit also reported 46 new cases - 30 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, eight in Central and East Algoma, seven in the Elliot Lake area, and another in North Algoma - leaving it with 360 known "active" cases, 25 in hospital, one in an ICU.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts added 136 cases - 119 in Greater Sudbury, ten in the Sudbury district, and another seven in the Manitoulin district - leaving the health unit with 418 "active" - twelve in the northern Sudbury district - including 47 in hospital, two in ICUs.

Criminal Harassment Charge for Wawa Resident

A criminal harassment charge has been laid against a Wawa resident.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to a report of harassment on Birch Street the night of April 14th, with police locating and arresting the suspect the next day, laying a charge of criminal harassment - threatening conduct against the 34-year-old, who OPP are not naming, due to the domestic nature of the incident.

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

Weather Improves for Search of Missing Plane Near Wawa, Over 1 Week After Disappearance

Search efforts are continuing in the area more than a week after a small plane went missing on the way from southern Ontario to Marathon.

While poor weather has repeatedly hampered the search, the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Trenton is reporting today's improved weather is enabling search efforts involving multiple fixed and rotary wing aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Coast Guard, and the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association.

They're searching for a Piper Comanche aircraft carrying two men reported overdue last Thursday night.

The JRCC is urging anyone who saw the aircraft near Highway 17 between Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie that day to call 613-966-1178.

APH Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths, TBDHU & PHU Also Report Deaths

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting two, bringing its death toll to 49, a week after the health unit reported its 47th.

The health unit's also reporting 42 new cases - 31 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, one in Central and East Algoma, eight 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 373 known "active" cases, 33 in hospital, five in ICUs.

The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed its 87th death - two days after reporting its 86th - while reporting 259 new cases - 160 in the Thunder Bay area, 89 in unspecified First Nation communities, and eight in unspecified district communities - leaving it with 304 "active", 34 in hospital, four in ICUs.

The Porcupine Health Unit's reporting its 52nd death - eleven days after its 51st - while reporting 31 new cases - ten in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, ten in the Timmins area, six in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area, four in the James and Hudson Bay region, and another in an unknown region - leaving the health unit with 304 "active", fourteen in hospital, two in ICUs.

OPP Report Deadly Easter Weekend, Spike in Road Deaths for 2022

Ontario Provincial Police are lamenting a spike in road deaths over the Easter weekend.

The OPP say four people lost their lives in two separate motor vehicle collisions - bringing the death toll on OPP-patrolled roads this year to 85, up nearly 60 percent from the 54 reported by this time last year - while a fifth person died in an ATV incident, the first off-road fatality this year.

Police were also watching for proper seatbelt use over the long weekend, laying 1386 charges across the province for drivers and passengers who failed to buckle up.

North East Region OPP say officers conducted 1330 traffic stops over the weekend, issuing 48 seatbelt-related charges.

Superior East OPP report three seatbelt-related charges - one for failing to ensure an infant was properly secured - while 27 charges were laid for speeding, two for driving on a closed highway, four for failing to surrender license, ownership, or insurance card, and six for things such as driving while suspended, driving with handheld communication device, disobey stop sign, and commercial motor vehicles breaching rules.

LDHCF Launches Seedlings for Support Campaign

A new campaign's sprouting with the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation.

To support the Wawa hospital's Meditech expansion, the foundation's launching "Seedlings for Support" today, with Vice-Chair Lorraine Pihelgas explaining it's a simple idea.

Foundation Chair Susan Switzer explains tickets will be sold for $6 each - or two for $10, three for $15, or four for $20 - and will be easy to get.

"Seedlings for Support" starts today, with tickets available until May 20th - hopes are for the seedlings to arrive in time for World Environment Day on June 5th.

This comes as the Foundation has wrapped up its Catch the Ace lottery, with Sault Ste. Marie's Marianne Senecal winning the weekly pot of $2184 and the progressive pot of $48,653, for a total of $50,837.

Wawa Council Adopts Land Acknowledgement Policy

Wawa Municipal Council's adopted a policy on the reading of "land acknowledgements" ahead of certain events.

Explaining land acknowledgements have become common across Ontario - stemming from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission - Clerk Cathy Cyr outlines the statement that will be given under the new policy.

Under the policy, the acknowledgement would be read at the start of Council's Corporate, regular, and special meetings - including the inaugural session of Council after the municipal election - as well as any other Council meeting as determined by Mayor or Council, and special events such as municipal dedication ceremonies and the opening of new facilities or infrastructure.

OSSTF Endorses Algoma-Manitoulin NDP MPP in Re-Election Bid

A local candidate's received a boost ahead of the provincial election campaign.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation has officially endorsed NDP incumbent Michael Mantha in his bid to remain Algoma-Manitoulin's MPP - and they've also endorsed NDP candidate Michele McCleave-Kennedy in her bid to represent Sault Ste. Marie.

Mantha - who's represented the riding since 2011 - is set to face off against Hornepayne Mayor Cheryl Fort - who's running for the Progressive Conservatives - and Manitoulin Health Centre CFO and VP of Corporate Services Tim Vine, who's running under the Liberal banner.

Weather Again Posing Problems in Search for Missing Plane Near Wawa

The winter weather's again posing problems in the search for a missing plane in the area.

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Trenton reported this morning that "poor weather in the region" delayed launching of its Sault Ste. Marie Air Task Force, though it did assure analysis of satellite imagery was continuing.

It's searching for a Piper Comanche aircraft carrying two men reported overdue last Thursday night, hours after taking off from southern Ontario for Marathon.

Wintry weather's continually to pose problems for the search, and - even when the weather's been favourable for air search - deep snow, forests, and hills have made for "challenging conditions".

The JRCC is urging anyone who saw the aircraft near Highway 17 between Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie last Thursday to call 613-966-1178.

Deep Snow & Terrain Making Challenging Conditions in Search for Missing Plane Near Wawa

Search efforts are continuing for a plane carrying two men believed to have disappeared in the area a week ago.

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Trenton says nine aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Coast Guard, OPP, and Canada's National Civil Air Search and Rescue Association are searching for a Piper Comanche aircraft reported overdue last Thursday evening, hours after taking off from the southern community of Delhi, heading for Marathon.

While wintry weather has posed problems for the search, the JRCC reported favourable weather for air search on Wednesday, though it later noted deep snow, forests, and hills make for "challenging conditions".

It's also urging anyone who saw the aircraft near Highway 17 between Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie last Thursday to call 613-966-1178.

PHSD Reports 4 COVID-19 Deaths, APH Sees New Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting four - two in which the illness was the underlying cause of death, two in which it contributed to but was not the underlying cause of death - bringing its death toll to 135.

It's unclear where the deaths occurred: figures show two more deaths in Greater Sudbury and three more in the Sudbury District, though a previous death had not been attributed to a region and so it's unclear where it occurred and where the new deaths occurred.

The health unit's also reporting 104 new cases - 87 in Greater Sudbury, twelve in the Sudbury District, and five in the Manitoulin District - leaving it with 412 known "active" cases, 41 in hospital, two in ICUs.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 57 cases - 50 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, one in Central and East Algoma, three in the Elliot Lake area, and three in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - leaving it with 375 "active", thirty in hospital, six in ICUs.

Improved Weather Helping Search for Missing Plane Near Wawa

The improved weather is expected to help the search for a missing plane in the area.

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Trenton is reporting that search efforts continue for a Piper Comanche aircraft carrying two men reported overdue Thursday evening - hours after taking off from the southern community of Delhi, heading for Marathon - with nine aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Coast Guard, OPP, and Canada's National Civil Air Search and Rescue Association.

An Air Task Force was been established at the Sault Ste. Marie airport yesterday, while a CP140 Aurora Long Range Patrol aircraft with advanced sensors and cameras was added, to aid in the search efforts.

While the wintry weather has posed problems over the weekend and even yesterday, it notes the weather is currently favourable for air search.

That may not stay true for too long, as Environment Canada's issued a winter weather travel advisory for the region for this afternoon and overnight, warning five to ten centimetres of snow may arrive by the morning, with peak snowfall rates of one to three centimetres an hour, causing reduced visibility due to the heavy snow, which is expected to turn to rain by the morning.

JRCC Establishes Task Force in SSM to Search for Missing Plane Near Wawa

Efforts are shifting in the search for a small plane believed to have disappeared in the Wawa area.

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Trenton says an Air Task Force has been established at the Sault Ste. Marie airport to concentrate search-and-rescue resources in the search for a Piper Comanche reported overdue Thursday evening, hours after taking off from the southern community of Delhi, heading for Marathon.

Search efforts - which also include the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Coast Guard, OPP, and Canada's National Civil Air Search and Rescue Association - added a CP140 Aurora Long Range Patrol aircraft late Tuesday, with the JRCC noting the aircraft's equipped with advanced sensors and cameras to aid in the search efforts.

While authorities have not identified those in the plane, reports suggest they're two men from southern Ontario, one who recently purchased the plane, while the other - who was meant to serve as co-pilot - had recently earned his pilot's license.

Searchers ask anyone who saw an aircraft flying along Highway 17 between Wawa and the Sault around 6 o'clock Thursday night to contact Search Headquarters at 613-966-1178.

APH & PHSD Report COVID-19 Cases Over Easter, But Declining Active

More COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the region over the Easter weekend.

Algoma Public Health's added 192 since Thursday - 157 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, 21 in Central and East Algoma, and fourteen in the Elliot Lake area - though the number of known "active" cases declined to 397, with 29 in hospital, five in ICUs.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts added 292 cases - 261 in Greater Sudbury, fourteen in the Sudbury District, and seventeen in the Manitoulin District - though the number "active" is down to 389 - including four in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - with 25 cases in hospital, three in ICUs.

Both health units note some recent figures may not be included in their update, due to technical issues with the provincial data reporting system.

Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund Gives Away Pizzas

Straight off the Easter weekend, several Wawa residents were treated to a special treat: some free pizza.

Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund President Richard Watson explains the organization was able to hand out the food due to connections made by the registered charity.

In total, 1728 pizzas were handed out, and Watson notes "a lot" of the public made donations, helping to offset the cost.

Watson emphasizes the Hamper Fund is run by volunteers, particularly thanking those who helped with handing out the pizzas, as well as the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre for letting them use the property.