Stay up to date with what’s happening in your community.
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.
Algoma Public Health's added 28 since Thursday - eighteen in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six 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 49 known "active" cases, six in hospital, one in an ICU.
Algoma Public Health's warning anyone using "street drugs" to take extra precautions, amid an increase in opioid-related EMS calls.
The health unit emphasizes "substance use and opioid poisoning does not discriminate", urging anyone who uses drugs to carry naloxone and always have someone with them when they use, starting with a low dose and increasing slowly - never mixing substances, even alcohol - and calling 911 immediately if you suspect opioid poisoning.
Vandals have struck Chapleau's waterfront.
Mayor Michael Levesque sarcastically thanks those defaced several plaques at the far end of the waterfront's promenade, near the boat launch.
Levesque notes it's unclear what measures will need to be taken to fix the vandalism, as it's unknown whether it was permanent marker used - or something else - and whether the material used for the placards could be properly cleaned.
Chapleau's arena is temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains the situation.
This comes as the Township's looking for a new management figure in the department, a move Mayor Levesque attributes to increased workload for the current director.
Mayor Levesque explains recruitment efforts are underway.
Mayor Levesque expects an update on that situation after the interview process.
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is giving few details about its 154th death, the 135th in Greater Sudbury, and the 111th in which COVID was the underlying cause of death.
It's also reporting 86 cases since last Wednesday - 78 in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District, and six in the Manitoulin District - leaving it with 92 known "active" cases, eighteen in hospital, one in an ICU.
It's no longer showing any "active" in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.
Wawa's library is encouraging kids to join in some summer reading fun.
New Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Suzie Jarrell notes a new event's being tried locally: a "Story Walk", now set up.
Jarrell also reminds the Bingo Reading Summer Challenge is now underway.
Items to do include checking out a movie, reading certain types of books, or participating in programming at the library, which is open for in-house programming this summer.
A popular walkway in the region has reopened.
Thunder Bay-Superior North MP - and Indigenous Services Minister - Patty Hajdu has officially announced the completion of a $540,000 improvement to the Hattie Cove Wetland Walkway in Pukaskwa National Park, replacing the boardwalk with a "new, more sustainable structure": a pre-fabricated floating walkway able to move up and down with the changing water levels
The walkway officially reopened last month, re-connecting the park's popular Suspension Bridge Trail and Coastal Hiking Trail.
Wawa's Tim Hortons has cut its hours.
In a social media post, the restaurant says its new temporary hours of operation are 4 am to 5 pm as of today - it's continuing to offer drive-thru service only, though customers could also order through the Tim Hortons app or website and pickup at the door.
This comes just ahead of the annual Tim Hortons Camp Day - which raises funds for Tim Hortons Foundation Camps - though fundraising's already begun, with Camp Day bracelets and socks being sold.
Time is running out for anglers hoping to win a special prize with the Wawa Salmon Derby.
Noting the "Early Bird" deadline is almost here, Derby Chair Brad Buck reminds the annual event is making some changes, bringing back some things suspended for the pandemic era derbies.
Buck reminds entries for the derby will still be accepted after next Monday's Early Bird deadline - they just won't qualify for that prize - with the 40th annual event to be held August 19th to 21st.
Chapleau's annual "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Award will be presented this Canada Day.
While a first attempt failed to garner any nominations, a second try brought in eleven nominees - including eight "longstanding" volunteers - and Mayor Michael Levesque says a few were honoured on Canada Day.
Mayor Levesque notes all of the nominees receive an appreciation award from Chapleau Town Council, though the recipients of the "Buddy" Swanson Award received a special trophy made by a local artist.
Wawa will be full of music next weekend, as the Wawa Music Festival returns after two years away.
Treasurer and Co-Chair Mary Harbocian notes you can get tickets early, if you'd like.
The festival arrives this Friday, July 8th, and Saturday, July 9th, with a full schedule - and other information - on the festival's Facebook page.
Wawa's library is encouraging kids to join in some summer reading fun.
New Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Suzie Jarrell explains the TD Summer Reading Club has already launched.
Jarrell notes activities planned include the Bingo Reading Summer Challenge now underway - open to kids and adults - and a Photo Scavenger Hunt coming later this month, adding that the library's open for in-house programming this summer, welcoming people to come in to learn more.
No investigation is planned after a person was fatally struck by a train near Pic Mobert First Nation.
Marathon OPP say a 36-year-old Pic Mobert resident died after they were struck on the railroad tracks near Pic Mobert around 9 pm last Tuesday, June 28th.
Foul play is not suspected and a coroner's investigation has not been requested.
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.
Algoma Public Health added eighteen in its last update - twelve in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four 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) - leaving it with 51 known "active" cases, six in hospital, two in ICUs.
Further expansion's planned for a local mine.
Alamos Gold says its Phase 3+ Expansion Study for the Island Gold Mine "outlines a larger, more profitable, and valuable operation than outlined in the Phase III Expansion Study released in 2020", which would bring the operation to 2400 tonnes per day - which would make it one of the largest producing mines in the country - with average annual gold production of 287,000 ounces starting in 2026, upon completion of the shaft - a 22% increase from the previous study and a 121% increase from the mid-point of 2022 production guidance of 130,000 ounces.
The study notes "consistent cost structure" with the previous study - with "productivity gains and economies of scale offsetting inflation" - while proposing "larger, longer-life operation supported by significantly increased Mineral Reserve and Resource", extending the mine life by four years from that study, which would take it to 2039.
According to Alamos, it is "well positioned" to fund the expansion, expecting "significant free cash flow growth" in 2025 and beyond, as production ramps up at the mine.
Chapleau's museum is opening this weekend.
While the season was delayed as the Township sought student staff, the Township now says the Museum and Tourist Information Centre will open Saturday, operating 9 am to 5 pm daily through August 30th.
Vandalism continues to plague Wawa's Lion's beach house.
A post of the "Wawa Recreation" Facebook page explains both washrooms at the beach house were closed as of yesterday, after they were "smashed up again - only a few days after reopening on Monday", after they were closed Friday by vandalism that saw dispensers smashed in the men's room with no replacements currently available.
Plans are to clean up both washrooms and reopen them for tomorrow's Canada Day celebrations - but not until then, as they "don't want to have the place get damaged the day before hosting a large event".
While comments have suggested cameras, the post notes there are four around the beach house but not inside the washrooms, though footage from those cameras has been provided to the OPP, which has also agreed to patrol the area more frequently.
The Municipality emphasizes - as they are not able to be there 24/7 - they "simply cannot keep up with the amount of damage being done on a regular basis", urging anyone with information about the incidents call the police.
Vandalism has been a problem for the beach house before, including last summer and in summer 2016.
Some local students are being honoured with special scholarships.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says two students from each of its secondary schools have been awarded "Vision Scholarships" valued at $500, for reflecting the board vision of "thriving French-language Catholic students, proud and ready to take place in their society".
Local recipients are Indiana-Lou Impératori & Mathieu Lafrenière from Ecole secondaire Saint-Joseph in Wawa and Alicia Fournier & Kaleb Boucher from Chapleau's Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium.
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is giving few details about its 153rd death - the 134th in Greater Sudbury and the 110th in which COVID was the underlying cause of death.
It's also reporting 35 cases since Monday - 33 in Greater Sudbury and two in the broader Sudbury District - leaving it with 89 known "active" cases - one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with fifteen cases in hospital, one in an ICU.
The health unit's holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today - book through the provincial system or call the health unit.
North Algoma's moved to appointments rather than 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.
A Chapleau student's being honoured for academic excellence and leadership in school activities.
Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium Grade 12 student Alicia Fournier is "a dedicated and reliable student who demonstrates exceptional perseverance in her studies and academic success", praising her as "motivated and enterprising" with "excellent work ethics" and "a great sense of initiative".
Fournier appreciates the recognition.
Fournier says her involvement in school activities was just something she always liked.
Now graduating, Fournier is heading to the University of Ottawa to study electrical engineering and physics, noting she's not sure where she'll go from there but she finds it "really interesting" and it does offer a wide array of options for her future.
