APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases, PHSD Holding Vaccination Clinic

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

Algoma Public Health's added 30 since Thursday - 25 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three in Central and East Algoma, and two in the Elliot Lake area - leaving the health unit with 47 "high risk active" cases, five in hospital, one in an ICU.

There is one "active" outbreak, at Sault Area Hospital's 2A unit, declared Monday.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today.

North Algoma's shifted to booking appointments 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.

Wawa Student Honoured By Local French Catholic School Board

A Wawa student's being honoured for her perseverance, discipline, and artistic passion.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says Ecole secondaire Saint Joseph Grade 12 student Tianna Morden "stands out for her perseverance and academic success", overcoming "several challenges while maintaining an exceptional academic performance" over the four years of high school.

Morden appreciates the recognition.

Morden is set to graduate soon, and has some plans for her future.

Morden was also recognized as a talented dancer - part of Defined Movement Dance - something she's been doing since the age of three, including several competitions, calling it "a lot of fun" and "a very nice atmosphere and experience".

Chapleau Council Approves Temporary Use By-Law for RV Campground

Chapleau Town Council's cleared the way for a new RV (and camper) campground in the community.

In their meeting Monday night, Council approved a temporary use by-law covering property at 8, 20, and 32 Pine Street East - the former Chapleau Public School property, near the Civic Centre - which Mayor Michael Levesque notes will allow for several vehicles to park, though certain restrictions are still being confirmed.

The temporary use by-law will apply for three years.

French Catholic School Board Welcoming Students to Kindergarten Early

The local French Catholic school board's looking to introduce new students to their schools.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says it's holding its annual Welcome to Kindergarten event at Wawa's Ecole St-Joseph at 1:30 this afternoon, with similar events at Dubreuilville's Ecole Saint-Joseph on June 21st and Chapleau's Ecole Sacre-Coeur on June 22nd.

It's meant to promote a smooth transition to Kindergarten - including several activities for children and parents - with parents to also receive important information about speech development, social and daycare services, the gentle beginnings schedule, and school transportation.

(Story edited to reflect that Ecole Sacre-Coeur’s event will be held June 22nd, not June 24th.

Nomination Deadline Extended for Chapleau Volunteer Award

Chapleau Town Council's renewed calls for nominations for the annual "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Award.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains the extension stems from a lack of nominees.

Mayor Levesque hopes this extension will solve the problem.

Nomination forms are available at the Civic Centre and on the township's website, accepted until June 24th - plans are to present recipients with the award - or at least a certificate - as part of Canada Day celebrations.

Chapleau Council Updates Pool, ATV & Traffic/Parking By-Laws

Chapleau Town Council's made changes to a few by-laws.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains that - following discussion in the previous meeting - Council agreed Monday night to update the pool by-law.

While the update's now in effect, Levesque assures that those who already have an above-ground pool installed under the previous rules are "grandfathered in".

Mayor Levesque also says there's been an update to local ATV or Off-Road Vehicle rules.

Both by-law updates took effect on approval last night, along with an update to the traffic and parking by-law, meant to further tackle parking needs and keep parked vehicles from corners and intersections.

Superior East OPP Warn Drivers Beware of Moose After Cruisers Collide With Moose

Local police are warning drivers to beware moose after OPP cruisers were involved in two moose collisions in the last month.

Superior East OPP say the collisions happened on Highway 101 between Wawa and Chapleau, with both cruisers travelling below highway speeds, though they further note the detachment's responded to a total of 32 moose collisions so far this year, twelve in the last two weeks alone.

They warn peak times for moose collisions are spring - when animals seek road salt and try to escape biting insects - or fall, during mating season, with moose most active during just before sunset and just after sunrise, when light levels are low.

Given the size of a moose, police warn a collision can do serious damage and potentially cause fatal injuries for those in the vehicle, urging drivers to slow down and stay alert - using high beams when possible - and - if you are involved in a moose collision - pull off the road and turn on your hazards, then call police immediately.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Plans Vaccination Clinic

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 22 since Friday - eighteen in Greater Sudbury, two in the Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - though the number of known "active" cases is down to 64 - one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) with 32 in hospital, one in an ICU.

It's showing two "active" outbreaks, both at Health Sciences North in Greater Sudbury.

The health unit's holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office tomorrow - North Algoma's shifted to booking appointments 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.

Chapleau Council to Discuss Physician Recruitment Plus Traffic & Pool By-Laws

Chapleau Town Council will consider traffic and pool regulations and discuss physician recruitment in a meeting tonight.

The agenda includes updates to the parking and traffic and pool regulation by-laws, as well as a request from Services de sante de Chapleau Health Services on physician recruitment, a draft Canada Day schedule, an item on off-road vehicles, and amendments to the Municipal Alcohol Policy.

Council will also consider a temporary use by-law for RV and camper parking for up to three years at 8, 20, and 32 Pine Street East.

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

PHSD Launches COVID-19 Risk Index

A local health unit's launched a new tool to help residents make more informed decisions about their health.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has unveiled a new colour-coded "COVID-19 Risk Index", which would use seven indicators - including hospital admissions and active outbreaks - to determine public risk of contracting the virus while out on the community.

It has four levels - green for low, yellow for moderate, orange for high, and red for very high - with weekly updates on Wednesday, using "the most current and relevant data".

As of its launch on Friday, it showed the overall risk as "moderate", given the seven-day positivity rate and number of COVID cases in hospital and ICUs, though factors such as new cases, outbreaks, and deaths are considered low.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added twenty cases - fifteen in Greater Sudbury, three in the Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - though the number of known "active" cases is down to 75, with 36 in hospital, two in ICUs.

It's showing one "active" case in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

APH Reports 58th COVID-19 Death, More Cases for PHU & TBDHU

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

Algoma Public Health's giving no details about its 58th death linked to the illness - the 37th this year - which comes just over a week after it last reported a death.

It reported fifteen cases since Tuesday - nine in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three 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 42 "high risk active" cases, four in hospital.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's added 59 cases since Wednesday, but reduced the count by one due to data cleanup - figures show an increase of 35 in the Thunder Bay area, 21 in unspecified First Nation communities, and two in unspecified district communities - leaving it with 143 known "active" cases, 25 in hospital, four in ICUs.

The Porcupine Health Unit's added seven since Wednesday, but no longer breaks that down by region or reports "active" case counts, though it does show six in hospital.

Wawa's Legion Golf Tournament Arrives

Golfers will hit the greens this weekend, in support of Wawa's Legion.

Noting this is one of the organization's biggest fundraisers - particularly important after the pandemic prevented many events over the last couple years - Larry Harvey of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 says the tournament supports building projects at the aging Legion Hall.

Harvey notes participants are also treated to a steak dinner, with a hole-in-one prize of $2500, on Hole 7.

The Legion is set to celebrate the recent exterior "face lift" with a ribbon cutting next Saturday, June 18th, at 2 pm.

REHC Launching Mining Trades Training Program

A Wawa-based organization's looking to tackle a local skilled labour shortage for mines in the region.

North Algoma Employment Help Centre Executive Director Russell Reid explains the Centre - in partnership with Confederation College - is receiving funding from Ontario's Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development for a new training project.

Project Manager Kendra Perry explains the purpose of the program.

Perry explains the program is designed to get people ready for a mining job.

Perry notes they've also partnered with some of the local mines to match those who've completed the training with a new employer.

Plans are to start with the Mining Readiness portion around the middle of summer, with the training ending by the end of February, though Reid hopes this program - in some form - will be able to continue beyond that, given the current demand in skilled labour for mines, with a mining boom increasing that demand.

For more information, contact the North Algoma Employment Help Centre in Wawa, at 705-856-1648.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, No Longer Any Active in Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 31 since Monday - 27 in Greater Sudbury, two in the Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - leaving it with 84 known "active" cases, 33 in hospital, two 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.

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

North Algoma's shifted to booking appointments 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.

Local Tourism Business Receiving FedNor Support

Some local tourism businesses are getting some federal support.

The Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario - FedNor - has announced over $8.75-million to create and maintain nearly 600 jobs in the North.

Locally, that includes:

-Hawk Air's receiving a non-repayable contribution of $28,671 to purchase four 22-stroke boat motors, fuel tanks, and propellers to replace existing two-stroke motors

-Errington's Wilderness Islands is receiving $100,000 to modernize facilities and equipment, including new windows, an air purification system, expanded docks, a second gender-neutral washroom in the main lodge, assistive devices in its buildings and boats, and solar panels

-Moose Horn Lodge is receiving $80,000 to construct a heated snowmobile enclosure to extend its operating season to be the only lodge operating in the Chapleau area in winter

-Garson's Fly-In Outposts is receiving $36,000 to upgrade its outpost camps and docks in the Hornepayne and White River areas, paving the way for new cabin windows and doors, insulation, LED lighting, energy and efficient appliances, with upgrades to its water and septic systems and the extension of its docks

-P-K Resort's receiving $66,316 to install a solar panel

-White Lake Lodge is receiving $77,850 to improve the cabin's with eco-friendly and energy efficient heat pumps, proper drainage lines, new windows, and vinyl siding, new flooring, and upgraded washroom fixtures, to help it become a year-round operation.

Destination Northern Ontario's also receiving $243,000 for a pan-Northern accommodations sector recovery and development initiative, while the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is getting $305,555 for new equipment.

Superior East OPP Warn About Moose After Cruisers Involved in 2 Collisions

Local police are warning drivers to beware moose after Ontario Provincial Police cruisers were involved in two moose collisions in the last month.

In a Facebook post, Superior East OPP showcase photos of damage done to the cruisers in the collisions, noted to have happened on Highway 101 between Wawa and Chapleau.

They further note data shows most collisions with moose happen between May and July - or in October - usually occurring in the dark, when the weather is clear.

Superior East OPP urge drivers to slow down and stay alert to reduce the risk of hitting a moose, and - if you are involved in a moose collision - call police immediately.

Missing Kayaker Found Dead North of Garden River First Nation

A missing kayaker's been found dead north of Garden River First Nation.

Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police say they responded around 10:30 Sunday night to the report of an overdue person who'd gone kayaking on Driving Lake, with the subsequent search involving the North East Canine Unit, Emergency Response Team, an Aviation Services Helicopter, Batchewana First Nation and Sault Ste. Marie Police, Sault Search and Rescue, and the OPP's Underwater Search and Rescue Team, who found the deceased man's remains around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon.

The kayaker's been identified as 23-year-old Kyle Buswa-Virta.

The investigation's now under the direction of the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, with a post-mortem examination to take place in Sault Ste. Marie at a later date.

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