PHU Reports 63rd COVID-19 Death, APH & TBDHU Report New Cases

Another COVID-19 death's been reported in a neighbouring region.

The Porcupine Health Unit's giving no further details about its 63rd death linked to the illness - the 32nd this year - which comes just over a week after the health unit reported its 62nd.

The health unit's also reporting 24 new cases since Wednesday, though it no longer reports known "active" case counts - it is showing thirteen in hospital, however.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's added 48 cases since Wednesday - 45 in the Thunder Bay area, three in unspecified district communities - though the number of "active" cases is down to 228, including 40 in hospital, four in ICUs.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added fifteen cases in the last day - eight 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 147 "active", nineteen in hospital, four in ICUs.

LDHCF Seedlings for Support Campaign Extended

The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is offering a little more time to join in a fundraising campaign supporting the Wawa hospital.

While the "Seedlings for Support" campaign was originally set to wrap up today, Foundation Intern Thea Desgagne says it's been extended.

Desgagne reminds seedlings can be ordered through Eventbrite - the posting can be found through the Foundation's Facebook page - or by calling her at 705-856-2335, extension 3147.

The "drive-by pickup" of the seedlings will be June 5th at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

OPP Announce Reward for Information in 1990 Manitouwadge Murder

Ontario Provincial Police are offering a substantial reward in an effort to solve the murder of a Manitouwadge girl three decades ago.

The OPP's Criminal Investigation Branch says it wants to provide the family of Catherine Elizabeth Gowan - and the community - with resolution, after the 15-year-old was found dead in her Manitouwadge residence on July 8th, 1990 - foul play was not initially suspected, but a homicide investigation was launched based on "further information received by police at various times during the intervening years".

A $50,000 reward's being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of her murderer or murderers - anyone with information is urged to call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Canada Road Safety Week Wrapping Up Over Long Weekend

As the long weekend arrives, Ontario Provincial Police are warning they'll be watching to ensure people are being safe and following the rules.

Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle notes the long weekend coincides with the final days of Canada Road Safety Week, which aims to educate the public about the importance of safe driving behaviours, increase public compliance with safe driving habits, enhance traffic safety, and reduce the number of injuries and deaths on roads.

Nickle notes the campaign focuses on the "Big Four" leading causes of traffic deaths.

Constable Nickle particularly notes "a lot of" distracted or inattentive driving, urging everyone focus on proper driving for the safety of themselves, passengers, and other road users.

Local OPP are also expected to be out on local trails over the weekend, and tomorrow marks the start of Safe Boating Awareness Week, prompting a reminder from the OPP to emphasize "no one is completely safe on the water if they are not wearing a lifejacket or personal floatation device" - they also warn about weather and hazardous waterways, with Ontario Power Generation also urging caution around hydroelectric stations and dams, as water levels can change quickly and sometimes without warning.

Ontario Election Advance Polls Set to Open Locally

Early voting options are expanding this weekend, as Ontario Election Day is less than two weeks away.

Though advance polls have already opened in some communities, more will open tomorrow - including at Wawa's satellite office at 3 Maple Street, Chapleau's Municipal Office, Manitouwadge's Recreation Centre, and Hornepayne's Legion Hall - while advance polls will open next Wednesday, May 25th, at Dubreuilville's Municipal Complex and Social Centre and White River's Mountain View Complex.

As there are more than a dozen places in the riding to vote in advance, Jo Langham - manager of media and public engagement for Elections Ontario - has a simple recommendation on finding the place to go.

Langham notes there's a helpful change for advance polls this election.

Langham also reminds there's still time to apply on the website to vote by mail - though the deadline's May 27th, she does recommend applying as early as possible, to ensure you receive and send off your ballot in time to reach Elections Ontario by 6 pm on the June 2nd Election Day.

Wawa Council Considering Options to Address Maple St Snow-Clearing Truck Concerns

Wawa Municipal Council's considering options to address concerns about snow-clearing trucks on Maple Street.

In their Corporate Planning Committee meeting last night, Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall outlined a few potential options for addressing complaints about the trucks on the residential street, which normally does not allow heavy vehicles, though municipal vehicles are exempt for snow-clearing operations.

Options raised included: a by-law amendment requiring municipal vehicles to drive a maximum of 40 kilometres an hour on such streets, instead of 50; lowering the posted limit there for all vehicles; changing the route the municipal vehicles take to the snow dump to avoid Maple Street; and limiting access to that snow dump, now that the Municipality's acquired that property.

Weatherall highlighted positives and negatives for each option - lowering the posted limit would be expensive while changing the route could increase fuel costs, reduce productivity, and would simply shift the problem to another area - and suggested a hybrid move: limiting the municipal vehicle speed and restricting access to the snow dump, forcing snow-clearing contractors to go elsewhere.

Councillor Mitch Hatfield initially suggested a parallel route but backed off the idea over questions about how many residences would be effected, while Councillor Melanie Pilon stated she believes 50 is too fast for some residential roads, anyway, and Councillor Cathy Cannon stated the issue relates to safety so it's better to change the route to keep the trucks off residential roadways as trucks will speed - Mayor Pat Tait added he was "not a fan" of limiting snow dump use for contractors as it could simply move the problem elsewhere and it'd be better to work with the contractors, further suggesting the use of the School Zone traffic study to help justify speed limiting, though CAO Maury O'Neill noted that study does not include Maple Street and any useful study of the issue would need to take place in the winter.

O'Neill also noted the OPP had watched the area on a couple occasions and caught no speeding, but - per Tait's request - could have the "Speed Spy" used to study traffic, though - again - it would be best to do so in the winter.

Tait emphasized a need to "try something" and "be proactive", with Councillors Pilon and Bill Chiasson both acknowledging that it is a tough decision that will cause inconvenience for someone.

In the end, Council agreed to bring this up in the next meeting - scheduled for June 7th - where they are expected to confirm the lower speed limit for the Municipality's vehicles and order a traffic study for the road during the fall/winter, while considering the other options.

Chapleau-Region Fire Reported

A few more forest fires are burning in the region.

Ontario's Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry says "Chapleau 7" - confirmed yesterday afternoon - is not yet under control, burning at 0.3 hectares in size, located about two kilometres north of Vincent Lake and two kilometres south of Grip Lake.

It's also noting a fire being held at 0.2 hectares in size in Elliot Lake, west of Nordic Lake, with the Elliot Lake Fire Department involved in the response.

As of the afternoon update, there were thirteen fires active in the Northeast, including "Timmins 1" - reported over a week ago - last mapped at 1445 hectares in size, with sixteen FireRanger crews dedicated to fighting that blaze, which has led to some restrictions in that area, including the closure of a section of Highway 560, though the evacuation of Shining Tree has now ended.

APH Reports 55th COVID-19 Death, PHSD Reports 146th &147th

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting one in Greater Sudbury and another in the Sudbury District - both in which COVID-19 was the underlying cause of death - bringing the health unit's death toll to 147, just a week after it last reported deaths.

It's also reporting 64 new cases - 41 in Greater Sudbury, seventeen in the Sudbury District, and six in the Manitoulin District - bringing it up to 212 known "active" cases - four in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 33 cases in hospital.

Meanwhile Algoma Public Health's reporting its 55th COVID-related death, just over a week after its 54th - this is the 34th reported in 2022.

The health unit's also reporting nine new cases: four in the Sault Ste. Marie area; three in the Elliot Lake area; and two in Central and East Algoma.

While the number of "active" cases is down by eleven, to 146, the number in hospital is up by one, to 22, with three in ICUs, the same as the previous day's report.

CMV Charges for Unsafe Vehicle Linked to Cattle Truck Rollover Near Wawa

Numerous charges laid over an unsafe commercial motor vehicle in the Wawa area Sunday are linked to a cattle truck rollover south of town the day before.

While Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say no charges are being laid over the early Saturday morning rollover - which closed the highway for several hours - Constable Ashley Nickle explains that the vehicle was the subject of an unsafe vehicle complaint early Sunday evening.

Charges laid included careless driving, insecure load, have object obstructing view, improperly drive commercial motor vehicle with a minor defect in it or in drawn vehicle, and two counts of drive commercial motor vehicle with major defect in it or in drawn vehicle - all relating to the vehicle's condition - as well as charges relating to failure to keep inspection reports or daily logs, insecure load, and a count of animal cruelty.

Constable Nickle explains that multiple cows died in the rollover and an estimated 40 to 50 escaped.

Constable Nickle notes the truck and trailer were deemed unsafe and seized.

The driver - a 30-year-old from Grey County in southern Ontario - was released from custody with a June date in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice.

Driver Faces Numerous Charges Over Unsafe Commercial Vehicle

Numerous charges have been laid after a traffic complaint in the Wawa area.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they received a complaint about a commercial motor vehicle that appeared unsafe for the road spotted on Highway 101 east of Wawa Sunday evening, with officers locating and stopping the vehicle for an inspection, leading to charges of: cruelty to animals; insecure load; fail to carry daily logs or operator's records for previous fourteen days; fail to carry inspection schedule; fail to carry complete daily inspection report; fail to carry daily log; driver fail to surrender licence; have object obstructing view; operate vehicle - fail to display inspection sticker or proof; two counts of drive commercial motor vehicle with a major defect in it or in drawn vehicle; one count of improperly drive commercial motor vehicle with a minor defect in it or in drawn vehicle; and a charge of careless driving.

The vehicle was deemed unsafe for the road, with the tractor and trailer towed and licence plates seized.

The 30-year-old driver from Dundalk in southern Ontario's Grey County was released from custody with a June date in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice.

Wawa Council Approves Zoning Amendments for New Multi-Residential Building

Wawa Municipal Council's approved zoning by-law amendments meant to allow for a new multi-residential building on Broadway Avenue.

Council heard a request to rezone property at 25 Broadway Avenue from general commercial to multi-residential - while drastically reducing many of the usually required offsets from the property line - amid a proposal for a seven-unit residential building, though it was noted that an effort will be made to address a sewer line issue raised by a local resident, while Algoma Public Health made the only other comment submitted to the Municipality, stating no objection.

Chief Building Official Kevin Sabourin also spoke in favour, noting the property's current underutilization.

While the building would be located at the intersection of Broadway, Wawa, and Mackey - on the southern side of Wawa Street - parking would actually be located further south, at 39 Broadway, on a property currently being revamped across from the Municipal Offices.

APH Reports New COVID-19, But Declining "Active" Cases

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Algoma.

Algoma Public Health's added thirteen - nine in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three in Central and East Algoma, and another in the Elliot Lake area - though the number of known "active" cases is down to 157 - the lowest in some time - but the number in hospital is up to 21, with three in ICUs.

It's showing nine active outbreaks in the region - at Elliot Lake's St. Joseph's General Hospital, and the rest in the Sault, including multiple parts of FJ Davey Home and Extendicare Maple View in the Sault, plus the Ontario Finnish Resthome, Great Northern Retirement Home, and Sault Area Hospital.

Zoning By-Law Amendments & More on Docket for 3 Wawa Council Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's set to consider zoning by-law amendments and more in a trio of meetings tonight.

That includes a meeting under the Planning Act to consider the proposed zoning by-law amendments for "Basic Building Supply" at 25 Broadway Avenue.

There'll also be a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, including a presentation from Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall on Maple Street snow removal, and a few department director reports.

Finally, there will be a regular Council meeting, which includes a resolution to award the tender for a tandem truck and by-laws implementing the zoning by-law amendment, designating the entire Municipality of Wawa as a "site plan control area", implementing a memorandum of understanding to provide asset management coordinator services to Dubreuilville, White River, and Hornepayne, and selling municipal land known as 22 White Drive.

It also includes two "in-camera" items: one relates to a request for permission to build a driveway, the other about an offer to purchase property.

The meetings will be held back-to-back-to-back, starting at 6:30 tonight.

APH & PHSD Report New COVID-19 Cases, But Fewer Active

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

Algoma Public Health's added 50 cases since Friday - 35 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, seven in Central and East Algoma, seven 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 162 - the lowest in some time - with seventeen in hospital, two in ICUs.

It's showing nine active outbreaks in the region - in multiple parts of FJ Davey Home and Extendicare Maple View in the Sault, and at the Ontario Finnish Resthome, Great Northern Retirement Home, Sault Area Hospital, and Elliot Lake's St. Joseph's General Hospital - while an outbreak at Wawa's Women's Shelter was declared over last week.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts added 85 cases since Friday - 51 in Greater Sudbury, 29 in the Sudbury District, and five in the Manitoulin District - though the number "active" is down to 198 - including six in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 33 cases in hospital.

It's also showing nine active outbreaks - two in Espanola, the others in Greater Sudbury.

White River-Area Forest Fire Reported, Large Timmins Region Fire Continues

Another forest fire's burning in the region.

Ontario's Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry says "Wawa 2" - confirmed Monday afternoon - is under control at a tenth of a hectare in size, located about three-tenths of a kilometre east of White River.

As of the Monday afternoon update, there were sixteen fires active in the Northeast, including "Timmins 1" - reported a week ago - last mapped at 1467 hectares in size, about two kilometres southeast of Morin Village and half a kilometre north of Barager's Lake - that fire prompted an evacuation order for Shining Tree, as well as the closure of a section of Highway 560 and other restrictions in that area.

Chapleau-Area Forest Fire Reported, Large Timmins Region Fire Continues

Another forest fire's burning in the Chapleau region.

Ontario's Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry says "Chapleau 5" - reported over the weekend - is under control at one hectare in size, located about ten kilometres east of the junction of Highways 101 and 129.

As of the Sunday afternoon update, there were 23 fires active in the Northeast, including "Timmins 1" - reported last Tuesday afternoon - last mapped at 1467 hectares in size, about two kilometres southeast of Morin Village and half a kilometre north of Barager's Lake - that fire prompted an evacuation order for Shining Tree, as well as road closures and restrictions in that area.

Early Voting Options Available for Ontario Provincial Election

Though Election Day's two-and-a-half weeks away, Ontarians can already start casting their ballots.

Jo Langham - manager of media and public engagement for Elections Ontario - explains the elections agency has made it easier to vote by mail.

Langham urges anyone interested in voting by mail to apply as early as possible, to ensure you receive and send off your ballot in time to reach Elections Ontario by 6 pm on the June 2nd Election Day.

Advance polls are also set to open in some communities this coming weekend: Chapleau's Municipal Office and Manitouwadge's Recreation Centre will host them from May 21st to 28th; while Hornepayne's Legion Hall will have them from May 21st to 25th.

Dubreuilville's Municipal Complex and Social Centre - and White River's Mountain View Complex - will host advance polls from May 25th to 28th.

While Wawa does not have an advance poll location, ballots could be cast at the Wawa returning office, at 3 Maple Street, until 6 pm on June 1st.

LDHCF's Seedlings for Support Campaign Extended

Gardeners are being given a little more time to join in a fundraising campaign supporting the Wawa hospital.

While the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's "Seedlings for Support" campaign was originally set to wrap up this Friday, the order deadline's been extended to June 4th, the day before seedlings will be available for pickup.

Foundation Chair Susan Switzer explains tickets are easy to get.

Switzer notes the less "tech-savvy" can call the Foundation for more information, at 705-856-2335, extension 3147.

Funds raised support the hospital's Medi-Tech expansion.

Cattle Truck Rollover South of Wawa Leaves Many Cattle at Large

Drivers are being warned to take caution while heading between Wawa and the Sault, after an early Saturday morning collision left several cows on the loose near Old Woman Bay.

The cattle truck rollover - initially reported around 3:26 Saturday morning - closed the highway for several hours, and even after the road reopened, it was estimated 40 to 50 cows were still at large, with Superior East Ontario Provincial Police warning they could "interfere" with traffic in the area, urging drivers to slow down, especially during "dark hours".

Cart (0)