Nominations Open for Chapleau Volunteer Awards

Chapleau wants to hear about volunteers in the community.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains nominations have opened for annual "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Award.

Last year's recipients were Graham Bertrand and the local Royal Canadian Legion Kitchen, who were formally presented with the awards in March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other delays.

Nomination forms for this year's awards can be found at the Civic Centre or the Municipal website, and must be submitted by 4 pm Friday, June 3rd - the awards are normally presented as part of Canada Day celebrations.

More Forest Fires Reported Across Northeastern Ontario, Including Chapleau Area

Several forest fires are burning in northeastern Ontario.

The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry says five new "wildland fires" were confirmed by late Wednesday afternoon, including a 0.4 hectare fire in the Sault Ste. Marie region, located in Goulais River, 400 metres south of Highway 552 and 0.1 and 0.4 hectare fires in the Sudbury region.

In total, fourteen fires were still burning as of the afternoon update, including a 60 hectare fire in the Chapleau region - 2.5 kilometres south of Highway 101 and six kilometres west of Foleyet - reported Tuesday and not yet under control, as well as a now-58.7 hectare fire being held in the Sault Ste. Marie region - north of Camp 7 Bay of Matinenda Lake - a 40-hectare fire along the beach in Garden River First Nation on the west side of Ojibway Park, and two more than 200 hectare fires in the Sudbury region.

PHSD Reports 3 COVID-19 Deaths, More Cases for APH, PHU & TBDHU

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 128th death in Greater Sudbury and the ninth and tenth in the broader Sudbury District - all cases where the illness was the underlying cause of death - bringing the health unit's death toll to 145.

The health unit's also reporting 106 new cases since Monday - 57 in Greater Sudbury, sixteen in the Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District - though the number of known "active" cases is down to 287 - thirteen in the Northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 54 in hospital, two in ICUs.

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

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 24 cases - fourteen in the Sault Ste. Marie area, seven 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 215 known "active" cases, 28 in hospital, five in ICUs.

The Porcupine Health Unit's added 22 - eight in the Timmins area, eight in the James and Hudson Bay region, and six in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area - leaving it with 33 "active", sixteen in hospital.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's added 108 since Monday, but reduced its overall count by five, due to data quality checks - figures show 79 more cases in the Thunder Bay area, seven in unspecified district communities, and seventeen in unspecified First Nation communities, leaving it with 307 "active", 40 in hospital, four in ICUs.

Chapleau Council Approves By-Law to Implement Municipal Accommodation Tax

Chapleau's moving forward with its "Municipal Accommodation Tax".

While implementation stalled after it was initially approved by Council over a year ago, Mayor Michael Levesque says Council's now approved the implementation by-law.

Levesque notes funds from the surcharge for hotels, bed and breakfasts, or AirBnB-style rentals would not go directly into the Township's general coffers.

Mayor Levesque notes that takes some pressure off the Township's budget by guaranteeing a different funding stream for tourism.

Levesque had previously expressed hope to implement the tax this fall.

Council also approved the 2022 Welcome Guide - and the proposed printer for it - so the annual document should be issued soon - Mayor Levesque particularly highlights the work of Economic Development Officer Charley Goheen.

Northeastern Ontario Sees Several New Forest Fires

Several forest fires were reported in the northeastern Ontario over the last day.

Ontario's Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry says six new "wildland fires" were confirmed by late Tuesday afternoon, including: a 100 hectare fire not yet under control in the Timmins region, about two kilometres southeast of Morin Village and half a kilometre from Barager's Lake; a 20 hectare fire in the Timmins region located in Duchabani Creek, 1.5 kilometres northwest of Cullen Lake; and four fires in the Sudbury region, including a 150 hectare blaze one kilometre southwest of Sharkey's Lake and one kilometre from Nepewassi Lake road and a 20 hectare blaze 600 metres north of Ashigami Road and 0.3 kilometres west of Ashigami Lake Road East.

In total, eleven fires were still burning as of the afternoon update, including a now-27.7 hectare fire in the Sault Ste. Marie region, north of Camp 7 Bay of Matinenda Lake, a 40-hectare fire along the beach in Garden River First Nation on the west side of Ojibway Park, and smaller fires near Highways 670 and 552.

APH Reports 54th COVID-19 Death, New Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 54th, just over a week after reporting its 53rd - this is the 33rd reported in 2022.

The health unit's also reporting 25 new cases - 22 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, one in Central and East Algoma, one 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 208, with 34 in hospital, six in ICUs.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - is holding "appointment only" vaccination clinics at its Chapleau office today and tomorrow.

Chapleau Nears Possible Hiring of New CAO

Chapleau appears to be nearing an announcement about 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 and search efforts were relaunched in February.

PHSD Reports 142nd COVID-19 Death, APH Reports New Cases

Another COVID-19 death's been reported in Greater Sudbury.

Figures reported by Public Health Sudbury and Districts show the health unit's 142nd death linked to the illness - in this case, it was the underlying cause of death - and the 127th in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death last Wednesday.

It's also reporting 106 new cases since Friday - 90 in Greater Sudbury, ten in the Sudbury District, and six in the Manitoulin District - leaving it with 307 known "active" cases - twelve in the Northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 55 in hospital, three in ICUs.

The health unit's holding "appointment only" clinics at its Chapleau office Wednesday and Thursday.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 46 cases since Friday - 23 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, twelve in the Elliot Lake area, seven in Central and East Algoma, and four in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - leaving it with 209 "active", 23 in hospital, two in ICUs.

Sault Ste. Marie Area Sees New Forest Fires

A few forest fires were reported in the Sault Ste. Marie area in recent days.

Ontario's Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry says "Sault Ste. Marie 3" - a 2.8-hectare fire next to Basswood Lake - was confirmed Sunday afternoon while "Sault Ste. Marie 4" - a three-hectare fire located north of Camp 7 Bay of Matinenda Lake - was confirmed Monday afternoon.

Wawa Activists Show Support for Ukraine

A group of Wawa residents turned out Monday to show support for Ukraine amid the devastating invasion by Russia.

Answering a call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to demonstrate on May 9th - when Russia was marking "Victory Day", the anniversary of the defeat of the Nazis in the Second World War - the small group of local demonstrators waved the Ukraine flag and shouted slogans in front of the Wawa post office - Mary Harbocian explains the reason.

Dawn Charbonneau acknowledged it was a small group, but it was important to show support.

Charbonneau and Jana Strouhal - who is originally from the Czech Republic - have a message amid the invasion, which is now in its eleventh week.

SE OPP Lay Spousal Assault Charges Over White River Domestic Dispute

Multiple charges have been laid over a domestic dispute at a White River business.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers were called to the business on Highway 17 around 11:52 the night of April 30th, though the suspect fled the scene prior to their arrival - the 22-year-old from Pic Mobert First Nation was located on May 2nd, and arrested on two counts of spousal assault and two of failure to comply with undertaking.

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

Mischief & Intoxication Charges After Hornepayne Domestic Dispute

Multiple charges have been laid over a Hornepayne domestic dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to the incident on Front Street around 12:25 the morning of May 7th, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 30-year-old from Hearst on four counts of domestic mischief and another of being intoxicated in a public place.

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

Drug Possession Charges For Brampton Resident After Drugs Found at Dubreuilville Business

A Brampton resident's facing drug possession charges after drugs were found at a Dubreuilville business.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to the reported discovery at a Goudreau Road business around 5:06 Saturday evening, leading to the arrest of a 46-year-old from Brampton on two counts of possession of a schedule I substance, one for heroin, the other for methamphetamine.

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

PHSD Announces Chapleau COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it's holding "appointment only" clinics at its Chapleau office Wednesday and Thursday.

North Algoma - on the other hand - has shifted to booking appointments for vaccination rather than holding clinics: in Wawa, call the local Algoma Public Health office; in Dubreuilville, the Dubreuilville Medical Centre; in White River, the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

APH & PHSD Report New COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's added 32 cases - nineteen in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations), four in the Elliot Lake area, and three in Central and East Algoma - though the number of known "active" cases is down to 244, with 30 in hospital, three in ICUs.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts added 104 - 91 in Greater Sudbury, five in the Sudbury District, eight in the Manitoulin District - leaving it with 371 "active" - including fourteen in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 36 in hospital, four in ICUs.

LDHCF Seedling for Support Passes Halfway Point

Time's running out in a fundraising campaign supporting the Wawa hospital.

In support of the Lady Dunn Health Centre's Meditech expansion, the hospital foundation launched "Seedlings for Support", with Vice-Chair Lorraine Pihelgas explaining it's a simple idea.

Tickets are available until May 20th, with the foundation hoping the seedlings will arrive in time for World Environment Day, on June 5th.

Chapleau Council to Consider Implementing Accommodation Tax

Chapleau Town Council could move forward with its Municipal Accommodation Tax as it meets tonight.

The agenda for tonight's regular meeting includes a by-law to establish the tax, which has been in a form of "limbo" since it was initially approved by Council more than a year ago - Mayor Michael Levesque explains the by-law is necessary for implementation.

If implemented, the tax would be a four percent surcharge for hotels, bed and breakfasts, or AirBnB-style rentals, with plans for the funds to go toward tourism-related items, including tourism-related infrastructure.

Council's also set to further discuss plans for local transit, the 2022 Welcome Guide, and nominations for the 2022 "Buddy Swanson" Volunteer Recognition Awards, normally handed out as part of Canada Day celebrations.

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

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

PHU & TBDHU Report COVID-19 Deaths, APH Adds New Cases

More COVID-19 deaths have been reported in neighbouring regions.

The Porcupine Health Unit's reporting two - just a day after it last reported a death - bringing its death toll related to the illness to 59, 28 of which were reported this year alone.

It's also reporting ten new cases - five in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area, three in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, one in the Timmins area, and another currently out of its region - leaving the health unit with 24 known "active" cases, 17 in hospital, two in ICUs.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting its 90th death - four days after reporting its 89th - while adding 146 cases - 125 in the Thunder Bay area, eleven in unspecified First Nation communities, and ten in unspecified district communities - leaving it with 330 "active", 61 in hospital, five in ICUs.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 25 cases - eighteen in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four in the Elliot Lake area, two in Central and East Algoma, and another in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - leaving it with 258 "active", 32 in hospital, three in ICUs.

Vulnerable Persons Registry Offers Support Amid Emergencies

As Emergency Preparedness Week winds down, local residents are being reminded of one measure meant to help the vulnerable in the community: the Vulnerable Persons Registry.

Amanda Sheppard, the coordinator of the registry for the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre - which offers the service for communities across Algoma and the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts, including Wawa and Chapleau - explains the registry is meant to help in an emergency.

Sheppard says people could be included on the registry for a number of reasons.

To learn more about the registry, go online to soovpr.com or call Amanda Sheppard at 1-866-353-0697.

Wawa Fire Chief Warns of Wrinkle From New Certification Requirement

New rules regarding firefighters could pose some problems for Wawa's volunteer fire department.

Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin informed Wawa Municipal Council in this week's meetings that the Ontario Fire Marshal's now requiring all firefighters certified based on a minimum standard - while he noted that standard may be met already for current firefighters, he's warned of some concerns regarding future recruits.

Sabourin says the ability to train in-house would be the easiest - and cheaper - option, as it would be difficult to get a local course set up for only a few new recruits, though he's still awaiting the guidance from the Ontario Fire Marshal and Ontario Fire College.

Despite the warning, he notes the regulations do give firefighters a few years to be certified - with his speaking to Council just a warning of a future logistical wrinkle - and assures firefighting will still happen.