2nd Wawa Council Candidate Files

The field of prospective Wawa councillors has doubled - just three weeks before nomination deadline.

Sue Smith has filed to become a councillor, making her only the second person to do so for the fall municipal election, after Leah Isosaari.

It's been slow for other positions, with no-one in the running for mayor - current Mayor Pat Tait has said he's not running - and only one school board trustee candidate, longtime English Public School Board trustee Russell Reid up for re-election.

Chapleau's even quieter, with a single candidate filing so far - local businessman Ryan Bignucolo running for mayor - while Dubreuilville has only seen three people file: current Mayor Beverly Nantel, current Councillor Hélène Perth, and longtime French Language Separate School Board trustee Roger Lemoyne have all filed for re-election.

Prospective candidates only have three weeks left to file: the deadline's 2 pm Friday, August 19th.

OPP Watching for Drivers to "Move Over" for Emergency Vehicles Over Civic Holiday Weekend

Ontario Provincial Police will be watching this long weekend for drivers who don't "move over" for emergency vehicles.

Given the increase of traffic for the Civic Holiday, Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle says officers will be enforcing the 2003 "Move Over" law.

Reminding penalties include fines from $490-$2000 and three demerit points, Nickle notes that the law's meant to protect emergency services, as - since 1989 - five OPP officers have died while performing their duties on the side of the road, either in their vehicles or outside of them.

Constable Nickle adds officers will still be watching for the "Big Four".

Nickle urges everyone to stay safe, reminding officers will not just patrol local roads, but trails and waterways, as well.

Submission Deadline for Wawa Library's Family Photo Scavenger Hunt

Time's running out for families to submit pictures for the Wawa Public Library's "Family Photo Scavenger Hunt".

Head Librarian and CEO Suzie Jarrell reminds the "summer reading fun" was a popular event last year.

While the scavenger hunt officially ended Wednesday, the deadline for entries is 4 o'clock this afternoon - prizes will be awarded on Wednesday, August 3rd.

PHSD Reports 155th COVID-19 Death, 13th in Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is giving few details about its 155th death, the 13th in the broader Sudbury District, and the 112th death in which COVID was the underlying cause.

It's also reporting 71 cases since Monday - 55 in Greater Sudbury, seven in the broader Sudbury District, and nine in the Manitoulin District - leaving it with 267 known "active" cases - up from Monday - including 54 in hospital, one in an ICU, both down from Monday.

One of the "active" cases is in the northern Sudbury District - down from the two reported Monday - it doesn't specify community, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

APH Warns of Rising COVID-19 Cases

Another local health unit's urging caution amid rising COVID-19 cases.

Echoing a recent warning from the neighbouring Public Health Sudbury and Districts, Algoma Public Health is reminding residents to continue taking "necessary precautions to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19" as it's observed an "increasing trend" in cases over the past two weeks, with early signals indicating a new wave in the region, as the weekly incidence of new high-risk cases has increased by 70%, from 55.9 per 100,000 the week of July 16th to 95.2 per 100,000 for the week of July 23rd.

In its latest update on Tuesday, the health unit reported 178 new cases since Thursday - 64 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, eight in Central and East Algoma, five in the Elliot Lake area, and one in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - leaving it with 121 known "high risk active" cases, twelve in hospital, four in ICUs - all up from Thursday's report.

Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. John Tuinema urges everyone to "remain committed to practicing the COVID-19 precautions that have helped keep us safe throughout the pandemic" in order to "put ourselves in the best position to reduce this trend and keep this wave as small as possible", recommending staying up-to-date on vaccinations, wearing a well-fitted mask in indoor or crowded spaces, physical distancing, keeping indoor spaces well ventilated, handwashing, screening for symptoms and staying him when ill and rapid or PCR testing, if eligible.

The health unit also warns that - while previous infection "may provide some degree of short-term immunity" but it "does decrease over time and a person's risk of severe illness may also increase with each re-infection".

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases, 1 in North Algoma

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 78 new cases since Thursday - 64 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, eight in Central and East Algoma, five in the Elliot Lake area, and one in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - leaving it with 121 known "high risk active" cases, twelve in hospital, four in ICUs - all up from Thursday's report.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, 2 Still Active in Northern Sudbury District

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region - with a few still active in the northern Sudbury District.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 88 since Friday - 56 in Greater Sudbury, ten in the broader Sudbury District, and 22 in the Manitoulin District - with known "active" cases dropping to 252, including 69 in hospital, two in ICUs - both up from Friday.

The "active" cases include two in the northern Sudbury District - the same as Friday - the community isn't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

An "appointment only" vaccination clinic's being held at its Chapleau office today.

PHSD Urges Caution Amid Rising COVID-19 Cases

A local health unit's urging caution amid skyrocketing COVID-19 cases.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reminding to take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of catching and spreading the illness, as "increasing trends signal" a potential increase from the "moderate" risk level the region's seen for the last two weeks up to "high risk".

In its latest update on Friday, the health unit reported 110 new cases since Wednesday - 76 in Greater Sudbury, eight in the broader Sudbury District, and 26 in the Manitoulin District - with known "active" cases jumping from 253 to 298 - two in the northern Sudbury District (Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - including 63 in hospital, one in an ICU.

PHSD says it averaged 62 new cases a day last week - up from only 14 a day in late June - while the number of "active" cases is the highest it's been since May 11th - further warning that's a gross underestimate of actual cases, given restrictions on testing - and hospitals are also reporting increasing case numbers.

The health unit warns it's seeing both new cases and re-infections, emphasizing that past infection "may provide some degree of short-term immunity" but that "does decrease over time and a person's risk of severe illness may also increase with each re-infection", with up-to-date vaccination the "best form of continued COVID-19 protection", along with other layers such as well-fitted masks in indoor or crowded places, physical distancing, handwashing, screening for symptoms and testing when possible, and staying home when ill.

Chapleau Mayor Flags Rising Costs After Council Approves Road Sand & Salt Contracts

Chapleau Town Council's approved more expensive contracts relating to roads in the winter.

In their recent meeting, Council approved a more than $27,600 contract for hauling and mixing of winter sand and a more than $19,500 contract for road salt - but Mayor Michael Levesque notes the cost is much higher than past years.

Levesque also noted "accelerating" costs posing issues for planned paving of Monk Street, with plans for a "double sheet" there, given the "wear and tear" from heavy truck traffic.

Council also discussed a tender for storm and sanitary sewers, but Levesque says only a single bid was received and it was incomplete, so another call for tenders will be issued, in hopes the project could still be done by the fall.

Longtime ADSB Trustee Seeking Re-Election

A long-time school board trustee's looking to stay in the role.

Wawa's Russell Reid has filed nomination papers to represent North Algoma and Chapleau on the Algoma District School Board, which he's done since 1994 - he's the only candidate in the running at this time, and only the second person to file for Wawa's municipal election, after Leah Isosaari, who's running for councillor.

Prospective candidates have less than four weeks to file: the deadline's 2 pm August 19th.

TBDHU Reports 100th COVID-19 Death, APH & PHU Report Rising Cases

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

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's giving no details about its 100th COVID-related death - reported in its latest weekly update, a week after it reported its 99th - the health unit is also reporting 142 new cases over the last week, leaving it with 105 known "active" cases, 23 in hospital, one in an ICU.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 31 cases since Tuesday - 24 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, five in Central and East Algoma, and two in the Elliot Lake area - with "high risk active" cases jumping to 102, including seven in hospital, three in ICUs.

The Porcupine Health Unit's added 42 - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts, but does show two in hospital, one in an ICU.

LDHC Memorial Butterfly Release Returns

Wawa's hospital is set to honour those who've passed with a special celebration.

The Lady Dunn Health Centre's Palliative Care Program is holding its annual Memorial Butterfly Release this afternoon, and Wawa Family Health Team Geriatric Program Coordinator Jolene Binda explains the purpose of the event

Binda notes the event has been well received in the past.

The live butterflies will be sold at the event, which starts at 1:30 pm and ends at 3 pm, in the Lady Dunn Health Centre's Long Term Care Garden.

Chapleau Council Holding July Meeting

Chapleau Town Council will consider a by-law for off-road vehicles in a meeting tonight.

Delayed from its original July 11th date, tonight's regular meeting includes the much-discussed by-law, as well as purchase orders for hauling and mixing of winter sand and provision of road salt, a scope change for Monk Street paving, and the contract for GIS modernization.

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

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Including in Northern Sudbury District

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region - including in the northern Sudbury District.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 127 since Monday - 105 in Greater Sudbury, fifteen in the broader Sudbury District, and seven in the Manitoulin District - with known "active" cases skyrocketing to 253, including 41 in hospital, one in an ICU.

The "active" cases include three in the northern Sudbury District - up from the two reported on Monday - the community isn't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

Meanwhile, the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's added 32 cases since Monday - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts, but does show four in hospital, one in an ICU.

Sault Ste. Marie Brick Store Closing, But Owner Assures Wawa Store Staying Open

Sault Ste. Marie's Brick store is closing - but its owner assures Wawa's store is "business as usual".

Owner Larry Horychun has confirmed to JJAM FM News that the furniture store is planning to close its doors.

It's expected to start clearance sales this Friday - its answering machine says the store's closed today and tomorrow to prepare for a blowout sale - before fully closing by the end of September.

It originally opened in the Market Mall in the early 2000s, moved to a standalone location on White Oak Drive for a few years, but moved back to the Market Mall - SaultOnline is reporting the store couldn't reach a new lease agreement with the mall.

Horychun also owns Wawa's The Brick store, but says plans are "business as usual" here, emphasizing he's still committed to the furniture store, as well as his M&M Express store that opened late last year, and the cell phone business, both of which are located adjacent to the Brick location, in a building that's also its warehouse.

Wawa Public Library Launching Family Photo Scavenger Hunt

The Wawa Public Library's encouraging families to take some photos in a special scavenger hunt.

CEO and Head Librarian Suzie Jarrell explains the "summer reading fun" organized by the library includes the popular event from last year.

Jarrell notes the library's Bingo Reading Summer Challenge is also underway - for children and for adults - while a Story Walk has been set up around the Town Hall building, the TD Summer Reading Club is underway, and in-house programming is also happening at the local library.

The Wawa Public Library's Family Photo Scavenger Hunt launches today, and continues to next Wednesday, July 27th, though participants will have until 4 pm on Friday, July 29th, to submit their entries.

Small Forest Fire Reported in Chapleau Region

A new forest fire's been reported in the Chapleau region.

Ontario's Aviation, Forest Fire, and Emergency Services says four new "wildland fires" were reported by late Tuesday afternoon, including "Chapleau 10", which was not yet under control at a tenth of a hectare in size, about four kilometres southwest of Rush Lake.

Fires were also reported in the Hearst, North Bay, and Timmins regions, though all were smaller than a hectare in size.

The fire hazard for the Northeast is mainly high to extreme - including in areas south of Wawa and near Timmins - though most of the Wawa sector is a low to moderate hazard.

APH Reports 60th COVID-19 Death, More Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's giving no further details about its 60th COVID-related death - the 39th this year - reported three weeks after its last COVID death.

The health unit's also reporting 54 cases since Thursday - 35 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, ten in Central and East Algoma, and nine in the Elliot Lake area - leaving it with 87 known "high risk active" cases, with six in hospital, two in ICUs.

While Public Health Sudbury and Districts won't be updating figures until late this afternoon, the health unit's holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today - North Algoma's already moved to booking appointments instead of holding clinics.

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