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

More COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Greater Sudbury.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting two - one in which the illness was the underlying cause of death, the other in which the cause of death is unknown - bringing the health unit's death toll to 141 - it last reported deaths in its last update, on Monday.

It's also reporting 104 new cases since Monday - 87 in Greater Sudbury, seven in the Sudbury District, and ten in the Manitoulin District - leaving it with 374 known "active" cases - seventeen in the Northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 59 in hospital, three in ICUs.

Algoma Public Health's added 34 cases in the last day - 23 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, seventeen in the Elliot Lake area, seven in Central and East Algoma, and two in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - leaving it with 261 "active", 28 in hospital, four in ICUs.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases

More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.

Algoma Public Health's added 34 - 27 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in Central and East Algoma, and another in the Elliot Lake area - leaving it with 242 known "active" cases, 30 in hospital, three in ICUs.

The health unit's also declared COVID-19 outbreaks at Wawa's Women's Shelter, Extendicare Maple View in Sault Ste. Marie, FJ Davey Home in the Sault, Hillside Park Retirement Residence in Elliot Lake, and in the Acute Care unit at St. Joseph's General Hospital in Elliot Lake.

PHSD Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths, APH Reports 53rd

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 53rd, just days after reporting its 52nd, on Thursday.

The health unit's also reporting 68 new cases since Friday - 56 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in Central and East Algoma, five in the Elliot Lake area, 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 is down to 236, with 25 in hospital, one in an ICU.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting two deaths in Greater Sudbury - both where the illness was the underlying cause of death - bringing its death toll to 139 - it last reported a death last Wednesday.

The health unit's also reporting 121 new cases since Friday - 110 in Greater Sudbury, seven in the Sudbury District, and four in the Manitoulin District - though the number "active" is down to 398 - including nineteen in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 47 in hospital, two in ICUs.

Wawa Council Holding Back-to-Back Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's set to hold back-to-back meetings tonight.

First up is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting - including reports about firefighter certification and site plan control - followed by a regular meeting, which includes correspondence about updated standards of care for outdoor dogs and the expiry of pandemic-related provincial emergency orders, and by-laws to sell municipal land and adopt a discipline policy.

There's also three "in-camera" items, all legal issues: one relates to a property standards complaint, the others about offers to purchase property.

This will be the first set of meetings held since Council approved a Land Acknowledgement policy, with the statement to be read at the beginning of the first meeting, as the meetings will be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm tonight.

PHSD Reports Late Start to Influenza Season

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting a very late start to the influenza season.

The local health unit says laboratory testing's confirmed the season's first cases of influenza A in its service area, noting - while the season normally runs from November to April - this aligns with a sharp increase in cases across Canada in the last few weeks.

It's urging residents to protect themselves from respiratory disease by following some of the same behaviours encouraged amid the COVID-19 pandemic: staying home when ill; handwashing; masking; and getting vaccinated - the vaccine is offered free of charge for anyone six months or older, and is particularly recommended for people with medical conditions who are at risk of developing complications from influenza.

PHSD acknowledges that influenza symptoms are common for other respiratory illnesses - including COVID-19 - making it difficult to know which you may have, so it's best to stay home if sick, take a COVID-19 self-assessment and follow recommendations, including wearing a mask when in close contact with others.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Outbreak Declared for Wawa Women's Shelter

More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.

Algoma Public Health's added 34 - 27 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in Central and East Algoma, and another in the Elliot Lake area - leaving it with 242 known "active" cases, 30 in hospital, three in ICUs.

The health unit's also declared COVID-19 outbreaks at Wawa's Women's Shelter, Extendicare Maple View in Sault Ste. Marie, FJ Davey Home in the Sault, Hillside Park Retirement Residence in Elliot Lake, and in the Acute Care unit at St. Joseph's General Hospital in Elliot Lake.

Goulais River Man Dies After Vehicle Leaves Roadway

One person is dead after a pickup truck left the roadway in Goulais River Saturday morning.

Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police say investigation determined the truck was travelling westbound on Highway 552 when it failed to negotiate a curve, ending up in a deep ditch.

The driver - identified as 21-year-old Walker Gregoire of Goulais River - was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination will be held in Sault Ste. Marie.

APH & PHSD Report New COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's added 35 - 25 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, two in Central and East Algoma, two in the Elliot Lake area, and another in North Algoma - leaving it with 291 known "active" cases, 24 in hospital, five in ICUs.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts added 136 - 117 in Greater Sudbury, twelve in the Sudbury District, and seven in the Manitoulin District - leaving it with 468 "active" - including 22 in the northern Sudbury District - with 52 in hospital, four in ICUs.

VON Algoma Seeks Palliative Volunteer Visitors

Volunteers are being sought for palliative visiting in Wawa, with a special event being held today.

VON Algoma Hospice Volunteer Visiting and Bereavement Services Program Coordinator Julia Lewis explains volunteers would offer support in a few ways.

Lewis adds it can also include providing respite and bereavement support for families or caretakers, as needed.

Those interested can ask questions and even fill out an application during a recruitment information session being held from 12 noon to 6 pm today, at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Nominations Open for Municipal Elections Across Ontario

Election season's officially started for Ontario's municipalities.

As of today, nominations are being accepted for potential councillors, mayors, or school board trustees, with the same rules applying for elections across the province.

Noting a candidates' guide can be found on the municipal website, Wawa Clerk Cathy Cyr explains there are a few basic requirements to run.

Cyr notes there are some things that disqualify people from running, including if they're serving a sentence in a correctional institution, were convicted of "corrupt practices" per the Municipal Act, failed to file financial statements in the last municipal election, or if they currently hold certain government jobs, including municipal employees - they could take a leave of absence during their candidacy.

As for filing your nomination, Cyr explains it is simple: obtain the forms from the municipal office or website, fill them out, then bring them in.

Cyr notes there's a cost to file your nomination: $100 for prospective councillors or school board trustees and $200 for mayoral candidates.

Prospective candidates have until 2 pm on August 19th to file, with candidates to be certified August 22nd.

The municipal election date is October 22nd.

APH Reports 52nd COVID-19 Death, TBDHU Reports 88th, PHU Sees New Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's giving no further details about its 52nd death - it reported its 51st on Monday.

The health unit's also reporting 43 new cases - 30 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, nine in Central and East Algoma, three 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 293 known "active" cases, 25 in hospital, six in ICUs.

The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting its 88th death - a week after its 87th - while reporting 133 new cases - 97 in the Thunder Bay area, 22 in unspecified First Nation communities, and seven in unspecified district communities - leaving it with 256 "active", nineteen in hospital, four in ICUs.

Meanwhile, the Porcupine Health Unit's added 23 cases - seven in the Timmins area, seven in the James and Hudson Bay region, six in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, two in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area, and another out of the region - though the number of "active" cases is down to 63, including twelve in hospital, two in ICUs.

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha Reacts to 2022 Ontario Budget

Local MPP Michael Mantha's decrying the Ontario PC government's pre-election budget as a "disappointment" that "misses the mark" - but one that isn't unexpected.

While the document unveiled by Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy yesterday forecasts higher deficits than during the pandemic, as spending's set to increase, Mantha says the budget's numbers tell him a different story.

The Algoma-Manitoulin New Democrat emphasizes the North needs more doctors, nurses, and personal support workers - and "better investment" into infrastructure - accusing the PCs of disregarding those needs in favour of supporting its friends.

While the budget was unlikely to pass before the writ drops for the June 2nd election, the PCs have decided to suspend the Legislature until well after the election, a move Mantha decries for taking away the opportunity to scrutinize the document.

Mantha calls it "smoke and mirrors", further noting the PC government amended its own law that required the budget be tabled by the end of March, to allow for it to be presented this late.

As the election campaign is expected to begin next week, Mantha says this is now a battle of campaign platforms, touting the NDP's, which was released on Monday, including expanded dental coverage and pharmacare, and support for mental health.

Wawa By-Hand Festival Returns After 2.5 Years

After nearly two-and-a-half years, Wawa's By Hand Festival returns this weekend.

While Coordinator Maria Reid says the spring festival's usually smaller than the fall's, she expects "a really good variety" for tomorrow's event, the first held since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Reid says she knows people are looking forward to the event - as she's really missed it - with the biggest change that the event is now only one day, running from 11 am to 3 pm tomorrow at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Admission is by silver collection, to help cover the event's costs.

Another highly-anticipated event is also happening in Wawa this weekend: the U-C-W of First United Church's Thrift Shop returned last night, but continues from 1 to 4 pm and 5:30 to 8:30 pm today, 9 am to 4 pm tomorrow, and 9 am to 8 pm Monday, which will be "Bag Day" all day and evening.

Wawa EDC Winding Down, Municipality Finalizing Takeover of Economic Development

Wawa's Economic Development Corporation is set to go dormant as the month ends.

Wawa Municipal Council voted in September to cease core funding for the EDC as of May 1st, based on the Municipal Government Wayfinders "municipal transformation and service delivery review" report, which indicated the Municipality could realize annual savings by discontinuing the $160,000 in annual funding, instead creating a new combined Tourism and Economic Development position within the Municipality.

With that date near, Municipal CAO Maury O'Neill explains she's been acting as Economic Development Officer "for some time".

O'Neill adds efforts are underway to implement the report's recommendations over the next six months, using existing staff and some newly hired staff - mainly on a project-by-project basis, as needed - but also with a new advisory committee on economic development and tourism.

A by-law accepted by Council earlier this month states the committee will have seven voting members - to include members of the tourism sector, local small business and industry, among others - with their term running parallel to Council's term.

As for the EDC, now former Chair Liz Talian-Clarke - whose last board meeting was Wednesday - explains it will continue as a corporate entity with a reduced board of only three directors for at least a year or two.

Talian-Clarke notes the EDC will have some funds to subsist during this time, though it will be closing its office.

Talian-Clarke does commend Economic Development Director Shah Mohamed, noting there were over 20 projects "on the go" last year - despite the COVID-19 pandemic - and he was working on a ten-year plan that has now been scrapped, given the transition.

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

More COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Greater Sudbury.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting two in which the illness was the underlying cause of death, bringing the health unit's COVID-related death toll to 137, 122 in the city - it last reported deaths a week ago.

It's also added 156 new cases since Monday - 123 in Greater Sudbury, 26 in the Sudbury District, and seven in the Manitoulin District - leaving it with 475 known "active" cases - twenty in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 55 cases in hospital, four in ICUs.

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

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 40 cases in the last day - 32 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four in Central and East Algoma, two in the Elliot Lake area, and two in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nation) - leaving it with 284 "active", 30 in hospital, eight in ICUs.

North Algoma's now moved away from holding clinics to instead having people book appointments: for Wawa, call the local Algoma Public Health office; for Dubreuilville, call the Dubreuilville Medical Centre; for White River, call the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

Chapleau Council Considering Ban on Plastic Bags

Chapleau Council's looking to eliminate plastic bags in the community.

Mayor Michael Levesque says the move was decided in Monday's Council meeting.

Mayor Levesque emphasizes there are issues with single use plastic locally.

While the federal Liberal government's announced plans to ban single use plastics, Levesque suggests Chapleau's measures won't be the "turtle move" of other levels of government.

The mayor also notes that Council's considering options to encourage participation in the upcoming provincial Day of Action on Litter, coming May 10th, just two weeks before Chapleau's "Clean Up Week" is to be held - further discussions on that are expected in the next Council meeting.

Chapleau Set to Return to Public In-Person Canada Day Celebrations

Chapleau will return to public Canada Day celebrations this year.

While the COVID-19 pandemic prevented such plans over the last couple years, Mayor Michael Levesque says Council's approved plans to return to an in-person event.

Chapleau Council's also approved a few purchase orders, to replace lighting at the Fire Hall and to repair the Trackless vehicle.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases

More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.

Algoma Public Health's added 29 new cases - 23 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in the Elliot Lake area, and one in Central and East Algoma, while the count for North Algoma's actually been reduced by one.

That leaves the health unit with 319 known "active" cases, 30 in hospital, eight in ICUs.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is preparing for an "appointment only" vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office tomorrow.

North Algoma's now moved away from holding clinics to instead having people book appointments: for Wawa, call the local Algoma Public Health office; for Dubreuilville, call the Dubreuilville Medical Centre; for White River, call the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

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