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Time is running out for nominations for Chapleau's annual "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Award.
Mayor Michael Levesque encourages residents to nominate others.
Nomination forms are available at the Civic Centre and on the township's website - they'll be accepted until 4 o'clock this afternoon, with Mayor Levesque noting hopes are to present the award as part of Canada Day celebrations.
Time is running out for gardeners to join in a fundraising campaign supporting the Wawa hospital, as the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's "Seedlings for Support" wraps up tomorrow.
Vice Chair Lorraine Pihelgas calls this the "first step" in a new goal.
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.
The "drive-by pickup" of the seedlings will be Sunday, June 5th, at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
The Foundation also reminds registration's opened for its "Nine and Dine Charity Golf Tournament", to be held Saturday, June 25th - register at the Michipicoten Golf Club Pro Shop.
Ontario has returned the PC government for a second term, giving Doug Ford a stronger majority than before.
Unofficial results from Elections Ontario show Ford's Progressive Conservatives claimed a total of 83 seats - up from the 76 they won in 2018 and the 67 they had heading into this election - with Ford's entire cabinet re-elected.
The NDP are again forming the official opposition, though with a reduced seat count of 31, down from 2018's 40 or the 38 they had heading into the election - while Andrea Horwath did keep the Hamilton seat she's represented since 2004, she announced in an emotional speech to supporters that she'll be stepping down as leader as it's time for her to "pass the torch" - she's led the party through four elections, since 2009.
While the Liberals gained a seat - for a total of 8, still below the threshold for official party status - leader Steven Del Duca failed to reclaim the Toronto riding he used to representing - with the PC incumbent handily holding onto that seat - prompting Del Duca to announce he's stepping down as leader, a role he's only held since 2020, chosen just days before the first COVID-19 lockdown in the province.
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner was re-elected in Guelph, but was unable to increase the party's seat count beyond that, while the New Blue and Ontario parties failed to win in any ridings, even those they'd held heading into the election.
Much of the North stuck with incumbents - with a few key changes.
In Sault Ste. Marie, Ross Romano of the PCs was re-elected for his second term - greatly widening his margin over NDP candidate Michele McCleave-Kennedy - with Kenora-Rainy River incumbent - and fellow cabinet minister - Greg Rickford also re-elected, along with Nipissing's Vic Fedeli, while Parry Sound-Muskoka remained blue - electing Graydon Smith - though the PC Northern caucus is growing, with two ridings going from orange to blue: Kevin Holland won in Kenora-Rainy River while Timmins Mayor George Pirie claimed Timmins, defeating New Democrat Gilles Bisson, who's represented the area since 1990.
For the NDP, Nickel Belt's France Gelinas won her fifth term while Michael Mantha (Algoma-Manitoulin) and John Vanthof (Timiskaming-Cochrane) won their fourth, Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong) and Guy Bourgoin (Mushkegowuk-James Bay) were re-elected in their ridings - which were created in 2018 - Sudbury's Jamie West held onto his seat, and Liberal stronghold Thunder Bay-Superior North went orange, electing New Democrat Lise Vaugeois in a tight race - the riding's been represented by Liberal Michael Gravelle since it was created in 1999 (he represented the Port Arthur riding from 1995-99, when it became part of Thunder Bay-Superior North), but the former cabinet minister did not run for re-election, amid a recurrence of cancer.
Algoma Public Health's reporting more COVID-19 cases.
The health unit's added four in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three in Central and East Algoma, and another in the Elliot Lake area - but reduced North Algoma's case count by one - leaving the health unit with 65 known "active" cases, seven in hospital, one in an ICU.
It's showing only two "active" outbreaks, both in the Sault: in Extendicare Maple View's Ranger Lake unit and in the Ontario Finnish Resthome's Unit B.
New Democrat Michael Mantha will represent the Algoma-Manitoulin riding for a fourth consecutive term.
Unofficial results from Elections Ontario show Mantha with approximately 46% of votes cast in the riding - below the roughly 58% he saw in 2018 - and he says he's "humbled, excited, over the top" with the result.
Mantha concedes the NDP will need to look at what did and did not work in the campaign.
As for the new term, Mantha says his priorities will be what he heard on doorsteps.
Progressive Conservative Cheryl Fort was the closest to Mantha - receiving about 35% of ballots cast, an increase from the PCs' roughly 25% in 2018 - a turnout she's touting.
Fort was followed by Liberal Tim Vine, who finished with just shy of 9% - slightly above the party's 2018 result - and Vine does express disappointment.
After Vine was New Blue candidate Ron Koski with more than 5%, Green Party candidate Maria Legault with just over 3%, and Ontario Party candidate Frederick Weening, who received less than 1.5%.
It's Election Day in Ontario.
Voters are heading to the polls in the 43rd Ontario General Election, with Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford seeking a second term as premier with a PC majority, while NDP Leader Andrea Horwath's hoping to transition from Opposition Leader to the first NDP government since 1995, and Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca - a former cabinet minister chosen to head the party in 2020 - is hoping for a substantial rebound from the party's devastating performance in 2018, eyeing a return to government.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has loomed over the election - with health and long-term care both major issues for all parties - affordability has been a major focus, with Ford accusing other parties of wanting to raise taxes and make things more expensive, while the other parties dispute the claim and suggest Ford will make substantial cuts to services.
Locally, New Democrat Michael Mantha is seeking a fourth term representing Algoma-Manitoulin, opposed by PC candidate - and current Hornepayne Mayor - Cheryl Fort, Liberal candidate - and Manitoulin hospital executive - Tim Vine, New Blue Party candidate Ron Koski, Green Party candidate Maria Legault, and Ontario Party candidate Frederick Weening.
Jo Langham - Elections Ontario manager of media and public engagement - reminds voters who are not on the voter's list can still be added today.
Langham also reminds voters to bring ID.
Polls are open from 9 am to 9 pm today, locally located at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, Chapleau's Municipal Office, Dubreuilville's Municipal Complex and Social Centre, and White River's Mountain View Complex - check your voter's card or the Elections Ontario website to confirm where to go.
Below are interviews with four of the six candidates for the local Algoma-Manitoulin riding:
Efforts were made to reach out to the other two candidates, Maria Legault (Green Party) and Frederick Weening (Ontario Party), but they did not respond and so arrangements could not be made for interviews.
A mischief charge has been laid over damage to a Chapleau business.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the reported damage to a Pine Street business Monday morning, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 22-year-old from Chapleau on a charge of mischief.
They've been released from custody, set to appear in Chapleau's Ontario Court of Justice in July.
A Wawa man's been charged in connection to a break-and-enter back in March.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were notified about a break-and-enter to a business on Tremblay Road on March 24th - with several items reported stolen - with their investigation leading to the arrest of a 26-year-old from Wawa on May 19th.
Charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, the man's been released from custody with a July date in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice.
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Algoma Public Health's giving no details about its 57th death linked to the illness - the 36th this year - it last reported a death on Monday.
The health unit's also added eleven cases - nine in the Sault Ste. Marie area, one in Central and East Algoma, and another in the Elliot Lake area - leaving it with 64 known "active" cases, with five in hospital, one in an ICU.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 26 cases since Monday - nineteen in Greater Sudbury, six in the Sudbury District, and another in the Manitoulin District - leaving it with 99 "active" - one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 22 in hospital, five in ICUs.
A local health unit's warning to beware ticks as it's confirmed a human case of Lyme disease.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says laboratory results confirmed an adult from the Manitoulin District contracted the disease - which can cause serious complications to the heart, joints, and nervous system - noting blacklegged ticks infected with the bacteria have been found in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts in past years, and are commonly found in rural areas along the north shores of Lakes Erie, Ontario, and Superior, as well as the St. Lawrence River, and the Rainy River area of northwestern Ontario.
It recommends measures to protect yourself from ticks, including: avoiding walking in tall grass; clearing debris and overgrown vegetation, grass, bushes, and trees from yards; keeping wood piles or bird feeders away from homes; and wearing long-sleeved, light-coloured clothes with closed-toe shoes, as well as Health Canada-approved insect repellants.
Signs of Lyme disease include a red bull's eye-shaped rash around the bite area, as well as symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, stiff neck, and swollen glands.
Chapleau residents will cast ballots differently this year.
While Chapleau Town Council had decided more than a month ago to switch to electronic voting for this year's municipal election, the decision was confirmed this week, with Council provided additional information on how the process will work.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains local voters will receive information ahead of the voting period.
Chapleau's following the lead of Wawa, which switched to electronic voting starting in 2018.
Nominations are now open for municipal elections across Ontario - closing August 19th - with Election Day October 24th.
A few more COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.
Algoma Public Health's reporting three in the Sault Ste. Marie area and two in Central and East Algoma, leaving the health unit with 59 known "active" cases, seven in hospital, one in an ICU.
It's showing only two "active" outbreaks, both in Sault Ste. Marie: in Extendicare Maple View's Ranger Lake unit and in the Ontario Finnish Resthome's Unit B.
Chapleau Town Council's considering changes for a couple by-laws.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains there was discussion about an update to the pool by-law in Monday's meeting.
As Council only received the information shortly before the meeting, the item was tabled for a future meeting.
While Councillor Jason Rioux raised a potential update to the ATV by-law, Mayor Levesque says that's still being looked at.
Levesque expects the by-law revisions to come back up in the next Council meeting, scheduled for June 13th.
Wawa residents are being challenged to join in Participaction's "Community Better Challenge" this month.
Noting Wawa came in fourth in Ontario and 24th in Canada in last year's challenge, Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains it's meant to encourage fitness and physical activity, starting today and running all month.
White notes that includes a Family Color Run along the waterfront from 10 am to noon Saturday, put on by the Superior Children's Centre and EarlyON Centre - coinciding with the Youth Makers Market at the Goose Nests on Saturday - with a calendar of the challenge-related events heading to residents' mailboxes, though more information will be available on the Wawa Recreation Facebook and Instagram pages.
To participate in the challenge, sign up and track physical activity with the Participaction app or website - for help, simply contact the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
Time is running out to cast a ballot in the Ontario election ahead of Election Day.
While advance polls have closed, special ballots can still be cast locally through Elections Ontario's satellite office at 3 Maple Street in Wawa, though only until 6 pm today.
Election Day is tomorrow, with polls to be open from 9 am to 9 pm, locally located at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, Chapleau's Municipal Office, Dubreuilville's Municipal Complex and Social Centre, and White River's Mountain View Complex.
It’s time to remove your studded tires.
Ontario Provincial Police are reminding provincial law only allows studded winter tires from September 1st to May 31st, meaning they must be swapped off today, at latest.
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Algoma Public Health's giving no details about its 56th death linked to the illness - the 35th this year - it last reported a death on May 18th.
The health unit's also added seventeen cases since Friday - twelve in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three in Central and East Algoma, and two in the Elliot Lake area - though the number of known "active" cases is down to 58, with twelve in hospital, two in ICUs.
It's showing three "active" outbreaks, all in Sault Ste. Marie: at Extendicare Maple View, the Ontario Finnish Resthome, and Transition Home.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 33 cases since Friday - 28 in Greater Sudbury, three in the Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - though the number "active" is down to 94, with 32 in hospital, five in ICUs.
It's no longer showing any "active" cases in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.
The health unit's showing five "active" outbreaks: two in Espanola, three in Greater Sudbury.
Another stolen vehicle's been recovered in the Marathon area.
Marathon OPP say they were tipped off about another stolen vehicle making its way into their jurisdiction from the Toronto area, with officers finding the vehicle stopped at a business on Highway 17, leading to the arrest of the suspect without incident - the 31-year-old from North York was charged with possession of stolen property over $5000, and held in custody with a court date next week.
They say the accused was known to a 25-year-old from Etobicoke who was arrested the day before, after Marathon officers used a spikebelt to stop another vehicle taken from a Greater Toronto Area business.
Police ask anyone with information call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.
Dozens of speeding charges were laid by local police over the recent Canada Road Safety Week.
Superior East OPP say 66 speeding charges were laid as part of the initiative - which ended on Victoria Day - with four other seatbelt-related charges, and charges for careless and distracted driving.
Ontario Provincial Police say 8020 speeding charges were laid province-wide, with 138 for stunt driving or racing, while 632 were laid for no seatbelt, 216 for impaired driving, 177 for distracted driving, and 151 for careless driving.
The OPP also responded to 935 collisions across Ontario - three fatal - over the one-week initiative, with the police service noting the majority of the collisions were "preventable".
Chapleau Town Council will discuss preparations for the fall municipal election as they end the month with a meeting.
The agenda for tonight's regular meeting includes a resolution to approve plans for e-voting in the municipal election, and discussion about accessibility for the election and the "restricted acts" - or "lame duck" - rules for Council, as well as a by-law to amend the current pool regulation by-law and discussion on an ATV by-law revision.
The meeting will be held in Civic Centre Council Chambers at 6:30 pm tonight.
