PHSD Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths in Greater Sudbury

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting two more deaths in which COVID was the underlying cause - both in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit's death toll to 168 - it last reported a death on Monday.

It's also reporting 97 new cases since Monday - 88 in Greater Sudbury, five in the Sudbury District, and four in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 240 - two in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), the same as Monday - with 37 in hospital, one in an ICU.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 55 since Thursday - 44 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in Central and East Algoma, and five in the Elliot Lake area - though known "high risk active" cases are down to 141, including thirteen in hospital.

The health unit has seven "active" outbreaks at the moment: two at Algoma Manor, two at Extendicare Maple View, one at the Ontario Finnish Resthome, one at Sault Area Hospital, and another at Golden Birches in Blind River.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is 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.

Algoma-Manitoulin NDP MPP Mantha Tables Abuse Prevention Bill

A local New Democrat's once again trying to establish a special committee on abuse prevention.

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha's reintroduced "An Act to Proclaim Abuse Prevention Week and to Establish an Abuse Prevention Framework Advisory Committee" - dubbed "Loverin's Law", in memory of Charmaine Loverin, touted as "a tireless advocate for our youth, and for ensuring that they have the tools and supports available to stop the circle of abuse and violence that has affected so many in Ontario".

Aside from establishing the advisory committee, it would also proclaim the week beginning on the first Sunday in October each year as Abuse Prevention Week, with Ontario schools to teach an evidence-based curriculum focused on abuse prevention, as Mantha says the government doesn't currently provide education and prevention tools to help protect elementary school or secondary school-aged children from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.

Assault & Mischief Charges Laid Over Wawa Domestic Dispute

A Wawa resident's facing assault and mischief charges over a recent domestic dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to the incident on Hillcrest Avenue around 1:30 the morning of August 22nd, with investigation leading to the arrest of a Wawa 30-year-old on a charge of domestic mischief and two counts of spousal assault.

They've been released from custody, set to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice next month.

Assault & Mischief Charges Over Wawa Incident

Assault and mischief charges have been laid over an incident in Wawa late last week.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to the assault on Algoma Street around 6:30 Thursday night, leading to the arrest of a 56-year-old Wawa woman, who has been released from custody, set to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice next month.

Drug & Firearm Charges After Search Warrant Executed in Wawa

Drug and firearm charges have been laid after a search warrant was executed in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers - assisted by the Sault Ste. Marie OPP Crime Unit - executed the warrant at a Mackey Street residence around 11:30 last Thursday morning, locating stolen property related to several recent thefts, as well as weapons and a small quantity of drugs.

A 43-year-old Wawa man's been charged with possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, possession of a schedule I substance - methamphetamine, and four counts each of possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order, and careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device, or ammunition.

He's been remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

PHSD Reports 166th COVID-19 Death

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 166th linked to COVID - the 144th in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death on August 22nd.

It's also reporting 87 new cases since Friday - 78 in Greater Sudbury, six in the Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down to 200, with 33 in hospital, two in ICUs.

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

The health unit's holding "appointment only" vaccination clinics at its Chapleau office today and tomorrow: today's clinic is 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.

Assault & Other Charges for Young Chapleau Teen

A young Chapleau teen's facing assault and other charges over an incident last week.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were notified of an assault in progress on Broomhead Road around 3:30 last Tuesday afternoon - subsequent investigation led to the arrest of a Chapleau fourteen-year-old on charges of assault, assault with a weapon, and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

They've been released from custody, set to appear in Chapleau's Ontario Court of Justice next week.

2 Hornepayne Residents Charged Over Domestic Dispute

Two Hornepayne residents are facing charges after a domestic dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to the incident on Front Street around 7 o'clock Friday morning, with investigation revealing property was damaged and one individual was assaulted in a physical altercation, leading to the arrest of a 26-year-old on charges of aggravated spousal assault and fail to comply with a probation order, while a 29-year-old was charged with mischief - destroys or damages property and failure to comply with undertaking.

Both have been released from custody, set to appear in Hornepayne’s Ontario Court of Justice in October.

5 Candidates for White River's 2 Open Council Seats

Five people will compete for two seats on White River's Council.

The community only saw two candidates file before the nomination deadline - current councillors Dwijen Bharad and Rodney Swarek - with both acclaimed, but that left two seats unfilled, prompting a brief reopening of nominations last week.

Five candidates were certified: Heather Dean; Roger Drolet; Margaret McMillan; Robert Sedore; and Raymond St. Louis - they'll run for the two unfilled seats, to join Bharad and Swarek.

White River also has two candidates for mayor: Tara Anderson Hart and current councillor Mark Hubbard.

Municipal elections across Ontario will be held October 24th.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Some 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 93 cases since Wednesday - 79 in Greater Sudbury, six in the broader Sudbury District, and eight in the Manitoulin District - with known "active" cases up to 229, including 29 in hospital, one in an ICU.

The "active" cases include three in the northern Sudbury District - the same as Wednesday's update - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

Incoming Chapleau Mayor Excited After Acclamation

Chapleau's incoming mayor says he's "excited" after being acclaimed to the role.

Local businessman Ryan Bignucolo says he was motivated to run because he felt the community was "not moving forward" and was "losing things", with plans to address that as mayor.

Bignucolo adds the Township needs to ensure it's getting its "fair share" of fuel taxes, and sees other priorities.

In addition to economic development items, Bignucolo says there's "something about bringing a community together".

Bignucolo will be joined on Council by current councillor Lisi Bernier, her husband Paul Bernier, Cathy Ansara, and Alex Lambruschini - he calls them "a great group of people" with a common interest of seeing Chapleau prosper.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases, PHU Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 48 cases since Tuesday - 37 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, seven in Central and East Algoma, and four in the Elliot Lake area - with known "high risk active" cases up to 153, including thirteen in hospital, one in an ICU.

The health unit has seven "active" outbreaks at the moment: at Algoma Manor, Extendicare Maple View, Ontario Finnish Resthome, and Sault Area Hospital, and at Golden Birches in Blind River.

Meanwhile, the Porcupine Health Unit's reporting two more COVID-19 deaths - bringing its total to 73, 42 this year - it last reported a death August 17th.

The health unit's also reporting 27 new cases since Wednesday - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts, but does show seventeen in hospital.

AMK MP Hughes Opposes Proposed New Electoral Boundaries

A proposed redrawing of federal electoral districts is facing pushback from Northern MPs.

The proposed redistribution - put forward by an independent commission - would see Ontario gain a seat, for a total of 122, but would see substantial changes to many current boundaries - the most significant being the reduction of Northern Ontario's ridings from the current ten to only nine.

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing NDP MP Carol Hughes says she - and all Northern MPs - are "surprised and very disappointed", warning this would be harmful to the region.

Though Hughes agrees some changes to riding borders may be reasonable, she says this goes farther than expected, drawing comparisons with the areas that are gaining ridings under this proposal, like Brampton and London.

Aside from lamenting the disappearance of the "Algoma" name from any ridings, Hughes also highlights potential economic problems - noting the North will lose over $1-million from the Canada Summer Jobs program, given how it works - but says Northern MPs will be pushing back and ensuring their voices are heard, making submissions to hearings on the proposed changes - though she has issues with those hearings, too.

The local MP also flags the timing of the hearings, as they're taking place amid Ontario's municipal election period, which means mayors or councils who might want to take part may not be able to do so.

Details of the proposal can be found at redistribution2022.ca

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Seeks Changes to Northern Health Travel Grant

Local MPP Mike Mantha's pushing for changes to Ontario's Northern Health Travel Grant.

The Algoma-Manitoulin MPP's re-introduced a bill which would establish an advisory committee bringing together Northern health care providers to make recommendations to the Minister of Health on improving access to health care in the region through reimbursement of travel costs.

Pointing to high gas prices for the North, Mantha says "people in the North are not getting the same access to health care because of the high cost of travel" and not raising the rates "is putting a massive burden on Northern Ontarians who are already struggling with inflation and price gouging".

This comes after Mushkegowuk-James Bay New Democrat Guy Bourgouin called on the government to update the grant to keep up with the rising cost of gas and accommodation, warning that - given the rate of inflation - the grant isn't covering the cost of gas, let alone the cost of a hotel room.

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 75 since Monday - 61 in Greater Sudbury, ten in the broader Sudbury District, and four in the Manitoulin District - with known "active" cases up to 187, including 26 in hospital.

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

Chapleau Council Honours Local Volunteers

Chapleau Town Council's honoured some longstanding volunteers in the community.

While the recipients of Chapleau's annual "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Award were honoured on Canada Day, plaques were presented to the recipients during this week's Council meeting - Mayor Michael Levesque notes there were two recipients.

In addition, Mayor Levesque says a few other volunteers were honoured this week.

Levesque emphasizes the importance of recognizing these volunteers.

Mayor Levesque congratulates and thanks all the honourees.

Outgoing Chapleau Mayor Congratulates Incoming Council

Chapleau's outgoing mayor is congratulating the community's newly acclaimed Council.

As only one candidate, Ryan Bignucolo, filed for a mayoral bid, and only four for the four seats on Council - current councillor Lisi Bernier, her husband Paul Bernier, and Catherine Ansara and Alex Lambruschini - all five have been acclaimed.

Current Mayor Michael Levesque wishes them well.

The current Council term's set to end in mid-November, when the new mayor and Council will be sworn-in.

Chapleau Council Approves 2022 Budget

Chapleau Town Council's approved this year's budget.

In a recent special finance meeting, Council confirmed various by-laws implementing the budget, which Mayor Michael Levesque acknowledges comes later than usual.

The 3% increase relates to the tax levy itself, not a 3% increase to bills - the effect on bills is determined by tax ratios and property assessment changes.

White River Reopens Nominations for 2 Council Seats

Prospective White River councillors are getting another chance to put their name forward.

The community only saw two candidates file before last Friday's nomination deadline - current councillors Dwijen Bharad and Rodney Swarek - with both acclaimed - but there are four seats on White River Council, so the Township's reopening nominations for the two remaining seats from 9 am to 2 pm today.

If more than two candidates file, then those two seats would be put to an election, along with the role of mayor, as two people filed their nomination for that: Tara Anderson Hart and current councillor Mark Hubbard.

Municipal elections across Ontario will be held October 24th.