PHSD Reports 164th COVID-19 Death, 8th in Manitoulin District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 164th linked to COVID - the 8th in the Manitoulin District - it last reported deaths on August 5th.

It's also reporting 61 new cases since Friday - 53 in Greater Sudbury, four in the Sudbury District, and four in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down to 174, with 28 in hospital, two in ICUs.

The "active" cases include five in the northern Sudbury District - up by one from Friday's update - the community isn't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

Meanwhile, the Porcupine Health Unit's added 25 cases since Friday - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts, but does show one in hospital.

Forest Fires Reported in Wawa & Chapleau Regions, 1 Out & Other Under Control

A couple forest fires were reported in the region in recent days.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's Aviation, Forest Fire, and Emergency Services says the one-hectare "Wawa 5" was confirmed Friday night, about two kilometres north of Mosambik Lake and eight kilometres southwest of Kabinakagami Lake - it has since been declared out.

"Chapleau 14" was reported Monday afternoon, about seventeen kilometres south of Biscotasi Lake and twenty kilometres west of Highway 144 - it's under control at a tenth of a hectare in size.

The fire hazard's moderate to high for much of the northeast.

Wawa Council Holding Back-to-Back August Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council is holding its sole meetings of August tonight.

The first is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, which includes a memo on refuse collection renewal, as well as a delegation on a review of apportionment for the Algoma District Services Administration Board - last year's "municipal transformation" report by firm Municipal Government Wayfinders recommended Wawa push for a change in how the apportionment's calculated, particularly how the model considers the power dam compensatory payment from the provincial government.

That'll be followed by a regular Council meeting, which includes by-laws to enter into an agreement with S. Burnett and Associates for the development of a Water and Wastewater Master Plan and to appoint a Joint Compliance Audit Committee under the Municipal Elections Act - the committee will cover Wawa, Chapleau, Dubreuilville, White River, and Hornepayne - and there's a single "in-camera" item, a legal issue relating to marina divestiture, as the municipality continues pursuing efforts to acquire the site from the federal government.

The meetings will be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm tonight, in Council Chambers - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Regina Driver Charged After Traffic Complaint Near White River

A Regina driver's facing multiple charges after a traffic complaint near White River.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they received the complaint about a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed near White River late the morning of August 6th, with East Algoma OPP locating the vehicle in Thessalon less than three hours later, leading to the arrest of a 28-year-old from Regina on charges of dangerous operation, flight from peace officer, and theft under $5000.

They've been released from custody, set to appear in Wawa court next month.

Dangerous Operation & Other Charges Laid After Wawa Traffic Stop

Dangerous operation and other charges have been laid after a traffic stop in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they stopped a vehicle on Mackey Street the afternoon of July 25th, with investigation revealing the driver's licence was suspended, leading to the arrest of the 24-year-old Wawa man on charges of: dangerous operation; flight from peace officer; fail to comply with probation order; driving while under suspension; and disobey stop sign - fail to stop.

He was remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

Impaired Driving, Weapon & Drug Charges After Chapleau Area Complaint

Impaired driving, weapon, and drug charges have been laid after a possible impaired driver complaint near Chapleau.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the call early the morning of August 8th warned of a possible impaired driver on Brunswick House First Nation, with officers later locating the vehicle, determining the driver was indeed impaired.

The 40-year-old from Chapleau's been charged with: operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs; unauthorized possession of weapon; dangerous operation; and four counts of possession a Schedule One substance, which is not specified.

He's been released from custody, set to appear in Chapleau court next month.

Charge After Theft From Wawa Business

A charge has been laid over theft from a Wawa business.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were notified about the theft from a business on Broadway Avenue early the night of August 6th, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 66-year-old Wawa man on a charge of theft under $5000.

He's been released from custody, set to appear in Wawa court next month.

LDHC Still Flagging Staff Shortage

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre is flagging issues with a staffing shortage.

Noting the whole province is experiencing "a sustained, system-wide pressure on emergency department staffing levels due to COVID-related absences, staff fatigue, and burnout" - with Emergency Department staffing pressures "being felt by hospitals across the country" - the hospital says it's currently experiencing a staffing shortage in its physician group, which lasted over the weekend into today.

Though it assures the local physicians - with support of locums - will work to keep the local Emergency Department open, it is asking you only visit the ED today if you have an emergency.

If you're unsure whether you have an emergency, it recommends seeking advice from a Registered Nurse by calling Health Connect Ontario at 8-1-1 (or by visiting ontario.ca/healthconnectontario ), which is available 24/7.

It also warns that patients who come to the hospital will be prioritized based on "medical needs", and may experience "longer wait times" today.

Any questions can be emailed to feedback@ldhc.com

Wawa Salmon Derby Pre-Fishing Contest Underway

Anglers are out on the water for the chance at some prizes for the upcoming Wawa Salmon Derby.

While the 40th annual derby isn't until this weekend - Friday, August 19th, through Sunday the 21st - the five-day "pre-fishing" contest is underway, running through Wednesday, August 17th.

It's open to anyone registered for the derby, with the chance to reel in a prize for the largest fish each day.

Days Left for Municipal Council Nominations

Time is running out for prospective councillors, mayors, or school board trustees.

As nominations for municipal elections across Ontario close this Friday, Wawa Clerk Cathy Cyr reminds it's a simple process: obtain the forms from the municipal office or website, fill them out, then bring them in - and pay the required fee.

Cyr notes there are a few basic requirements to run, using Wawa as an example.

The deadline is 2 pm Friday, with candidates to be certified after that.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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 80 cases since Wednesday - 67 in Greater Sudbury, nine in the broader Sudbury District, and four in the Manitoulin District - with known "active" cases up to 229, including 33 in hospital, three in ICUs.

The "active" cases include four in the northern Sudbury District - the same amount reported in Wednesday's update - the community isn't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

LDHC Flags Physician Shortage Issue, Assures ER Still Open

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre is flagging issues with a staffing shortage.

Noting the whole province is experiencing "a sustained, system-wide pressure on emergency department staffing levels due to COVID-related absences, staff fatigue, and burnout" - with Emergency Department staffing pressures "being felt by hospitals across the country" - the hospital says it's experiencing a staffing shortage in its physician group August 13th through 15th.

Though it assures the local physicians - with support of locums - will work to keep the local Emergency Department open, it is asking over those days that you only visit the E-D if you have any emergency.

If you're unsure whether you have an emergency, it recommends seeking advice from a Registered Nurse by calling Health Connect Ontario at 8-1-1 (or by visiting ontario.ca/healthconnectontario), which is available 24/7.

It also warns that patients who come to the hospital will be prioritized based on "medical needs", and may experience "longer wait times" August 13th through 15th.

Any questions can be emailed to feedback@ldhc.com

3 People Charged With Forcible Confinement After Wawa Wellness Check

Three people are facing multiple charges after a well-being check in Wawa found an individual in distress.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers conducted the check at a Churchill Avenue residence the night of July 18th, with police finding the individual in distress, leading to the the arrest of a 41-year-old Dubreuilville man, a 39-year-old Wawa man, and a 60-year-old Wawa woman - all three are charged with forcible confinement and extortion, with the men also charged with assault and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, while the woman's been charged with obstruct peace officer.

The two men were remanded into custody pending bail hearings, while the woman was released from custody, scheduled to appear in Wawa court in a month.

Pre-Fishing Contest Set to Begin for Wawa Salmon Derby

Anglers will start hitting the water this weekend for the chance at some prizes for the upcoming Wawa Salmon Derby.

While the 40th annual derby isn't for another week - next Friday, August 19th, through Sunday the 21st - the five-day "pre-fishing" contest starts tomorrow, running through Wednesday, August 17th.

It's open to anyone registered for the derby, with the chance to reel in a prize for the largest fish each day.

Municipal Election Nomination Deadline Nears

Time is running out for prospective councillors, mayors, or school board trustees.

Nominations for municipal elections across Ontario are open until 2 pm next Friday, August 19th, and Wawa Clerk Cathy Cyr notes it's a simple process: obtain the forms from the municipal office or website, fill them out, then bring them in - and pay the required fee.

Cyr reminds there are a few basic requirements to run, using Wawa as an example.

While it was quiet for most of the nomination period, candidates have been filing in recent weeks: in Wawa, there are seven candidates for four Council seats (current councillors Cathy Cannon and Mitch Hatfield, as well as Mary Harbocian, Jim Hoffman, Leah Isosaari, Robert Reeves, and Sue Smith), with current councillor Melanie Pilon running for mayor and longtime English Public School Board trustee Russell Reid seeking re-election; in Chapleau, only one candidate has filed, Ryan Bignucolo for mayor; in Dubreuilville, there are five Council candidates (current councillors Gerard Lévesque, Luc Lévesque, and Hélène Perth, plus Julila Hemphill and Krystel Lévesque), with mayor Beverly Nantel and longtime French Language Separate School Board trustee Roger Lemoyne both up for re-election; and White River is reporting no candidates so far.

Candidates are considered "unofficial" until certification, which happens after next Friday's nomination deadline.

More Wawa & Dubreuilville Council Candidates As Deadline Nears

A couple local election races are continuing to heat up - just over a week before the nomination deadline.

In Wawa, Jim Hoffman's become the seventh candidate for four seats on Council, after current councillors Cathy Cannon and Mitch Hatfield, as well as Mary Harbocian, Leah Isosaari, Robert Reeves, and Sue Smith.

It remains fairly quiet for other Wawa races, with councillor Melanie Pilon currently the only candidate for mayor while longtime English Public School Board trustee Russell Reid is running for re-election uncontested.

Meanwhile, Dubreuilville has a fifth candidate for councillor: Gerard Lévesque, who was appointed to fill a mid-term vacancy in fall 2020 - he joins fellow councillors Luc Lévesque and Hélène Perth, as well as new candidates Krystel Lévesque and Julila Hemphill.

Like Wawa, Dubreuilville's other races are fairly quiet, with incumbent mayor Beverly Nantel and longtime French Language Separate School Board trustee Roger Lemoyne both uncontested in their re-election bids.

Chapleau's website still shows only a single candidate to file, Ryan Bignucolo in his third bid for mayor, while White River's reported no candidates so far.

Candidates are considered "unofficial" until certification, which happens after the nomination deadline, which is Friday, August 19th, at 2 pm.

PHSD Reports 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 79 cases since Monday - 67 in Greater Sudbury, ten in the broader Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - with known "active" cases up to 194, including 35 in hospital, three in ICUs.

The "active" cases include four in the northern Sudbury District - a jump from the one case reported in that area in recent updates - the community isn't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The health unit is holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today, though it's intended for those up to five years old - 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.

Forest Fire Reported in Chapleau Region, Already Out

A new forest fire's been reported in the Chapleau region - though it's already out.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's Aviation, Forest Fire, and Emergency Services says a single new "wildland fire" was reported by late Tuesday afternoon: "Chapleau 12", which was a tenth of a hectare in size on the east side of an island on Kilpatrick Lake, though the fire has since been declared "out".

The fire hazard for the Northeast is moderate north of Timmins and Highway 101, and low south of that line.

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