PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Reduces Death Toll

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 72 since Wednesday - 64 in Greater Sudbury, four in the Sudbury District, and four in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 280, with the number in hospital skyrocketing from 50 to 63, including two in ICUs.

The health unit's also reduced its COVID-related death toll, apparently removing the death reported Wednesday in Greater Sudbury - that brings the health unit's death toll back to 169.

PHSD Warns of West Nile After Greater Sudbury Crow Tests Positive

A local health unit's warning about the dangers of West Nile virus as a bird has tested positive in Greater Sudbury.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it has received confirmation an American Crow tested positive, but noted the virus hasn't been detected in mosquitoes in the region since 2018 and there have been no human cases in the region this year.

Still, the health unit emphasizes the bird testing positive "reminds us that although the overall risk of a person becoming infected is low, the virus is still present", urging precautions such as wearing Health Canada-approved insect repellent and light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing, ensuring there are no holes or tears in screen doors and windows of your home, and removing - or weekly changing - of standing water around your home.

Registration Deadline for CHADWIC Home Charity Golf Tournament

Time's running out for golfers to sign up for a golf tournament supporting Wawa's women's shelter.

As today's the registration deadline, CHADWIC Home Community Outreach Worker Pam Carruthers explains the best ball tournament for teams of three is supported by a few sponsors.

Carruthers reminds notes the charity tournament supports youth programs, violence prevention programming, and other services offered by CHADWIC Home, which supports not just Wawa but also Chapleau, Hornepayne, and many other communities in this part of the Algoma District.

Anyone wanting to register can contact CHADWIC Home at 705-856-2848 by the end of today - the tournament will be held Saturday, September 17th.

Wawa Fall Fair Arrives, But Different Venue Than Expected

Wawa is welcoming fall this weekend with the return of the fall fair.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains there will be a number of attractions to check out as part of the annual celebrations.

While plans were for the event to be held at the Goose Nest Market in downtown Wawa, organizers announced Thursday that "potential rain and wind on Saturday" has prompted the decision to move the fair to its former home of the Curling Rink at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, noting "while it's not the location that we would prefer, it is a safe option for inclement weather".

The Wawa Fall Fair runs from 11 am to 4 pm Saturday - details can be found through the Wawa Recreation Facebook or Instagram pages.

JJAM FM will be live-on-location for the fair from 11 am to 3 pm Saturday.

Wawa Holding Household Hazardous Waste Day

The Municipality of Wawa's inviting residents to bring in hazardous waste during a special collection event tomorrow.

Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Becca Weatherall explains a variety of items will be accepted.

More details about accepted and not accepted items is on the municipal website.

Wawa's Household Hazardous Waste Day runs from 9 am to 1 pm Saturday, at the Public Works Garage on Magpie Road.

APH Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting two deaths - bringing its COVID-related death toll to 63, 42 this year alone - it last reported a death a week ago.

The health unit's also reporting 24 cases since Tuesday - seventeen in the Sault Ste. Marie area, five in the Elliot Lake area, and two in Central and East Algoma - with known "high risk active" cases up to 105, including 22 in hospital, two in ICUs.

Wawa Fall Fair Changes Venue

Wawa's fall fair is shifting venues.

Citing "potential rain and wind on Saturday" - as well as "the lack of enough tents to cover every vendor, and the logistics of preparing for a change of location", organizers say the decision's been made to move the event from the planned location of the Goose Nest Market in downtown Wawa to the Curling Rink at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, adding "while it's not the location that we would prefer, it is a safe option for inclement weather".

The event was held in the Curling Rink for several years before moving to the Goose Nest Market amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

PHSD Reports 170th COVID-19 Death

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting a death in Greater Sudbury - the 148th in the city, and the 170th for the health unit, which last reported a death September 2nd - it's currently unknown whether COVID was the underlying cause of death or simply contributed to it.

The health unit's also reporting 37 new cases since Tuesday - 33 in Greater Sudbury, one in the Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 274, with the number in hospital skyrocketing from 39 to 50, including two in ICUs.

It's holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinics at its Chapleau office today, though it's for those at least six 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.

APH & PHSD Report New COVID-19 Cases, 1 in North Algoma, None in Northern Sudbury District

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 49 since Thursday - 35 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, nine in Central and East Algoma, four in the Elliot Lake area, and another in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - though known "high risk active" cases are down to 98, with 21 in hospital, two in ICUs.

The health unit has eight "active" outbreaks at the moment, all in Sault Ste. Marie: three at Extendicare Maple View, two at Sault Area Hospital, one at Algoma Manor, one at the Ontario Finnish Resthome, and another at FJ Davey Home.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 107 cases since Friday - 99 in Greater Sudbury, two in the Sudbury District, and six in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down to 256, including 39 in hospital, two in ICUs - it's now longer showing any "active" in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

It has 21 "active" outbreaks, one in Espanola, the others in Greater Sudbury.

The health unit's holding "appointment only" clinics at its Chapleau office today and tomorrow, though it notes they're only for those at least six 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.

Back to School for Local Students

It's back to school time, with students returning to classrooms for a new year.

Dr. Tarmo Poldmaa - Principal of Wawa's Sir James Dunn Public School - explains students should be ready for the return to class.

Poldmaa says staff are looking forward to "a normal opening" and a normal year after more than two years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, noting pandemic-related restrictions - like masking requirements - have been lifted.

Chapleau Elementary and Second School Vice Principal Lisi Bernier says elementary students start in class today.

Bernier also notes the breakfast club will return in the future, but that isn't available today, as secondary students will be in the cafeteria.

Bernier says secondary students will then find their first period class, with a normal schedule the rest of the week.

Superior East OPP Safety Reminders for Back to School Season

Local police are issuing a few safety reminders as kids return to school.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Ashley Nickle urges parents and students to talk to each other about being safe going to and from school.

Constable Nickle also urges drivers to follow the rules of the road, especially through residential areas and school zones.

That increased traffic also includes school buses, and Constable Nickle reminds drivers to follow rules near buses.

Constable Nickle notes a first time offence can still mean a fine of $400 to $2000, and any school bus driver or witness can report a vehicle that failed to stop.

Wawa Minor Hockey Holding Bottle Drive

Some Wawa hockey players will be out in the community tonight to raise funds for the local sport.

Wawa Minor Hockey Association President Zach White explains a bottle drive's coming up.

White says players will go door-to-door - including to Hawk Junction and the Mission - but people can also leave bottles, cans, or milk jugs at the curb for pickup, emphasizing all the support - five, ten, or even twenty-five cents at a time - helps in offsetting costs.

The bottle drive runs from 5 pm to 8 pm tonight.

Wawa Council Holding Back-to-Back Meetings

Straight off the Labour Day long weekend, Wawa Municipal Council is holding a pair of meetings tonight.

The first is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, which includes memos on refuse collection renewal, bar sales and donations at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, a mural at 96 Broadway Avenue, the marina playground, and waiving the policy on arena ice, as well as a report on a revised waiver of facility fees policy and discussion on Council remuneration.

That'll be followed by a regular Council meeting, which includes resolutions to waive the arena ice policy and to extend the refuse collection contract with J. Provost Contracting.

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.

PHSD Reports 169th COVID-19 Death

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting a death in Greater Sudbury in which COVID contributed but was not the underlying cause, bringing the health unit's death toll to 169 - it last reported a death on Wednesday.

It's also reporting 85 new cases since Wednesday - 77 in Greater Sudbury, seven in the Sudbury District, and one in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 275 - still two in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 23 in hospital, two in ICUs.

APH Reports 61st 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 61st COVID-related death - the 40th this year - it last reported a death in mid-July.

The health unit's also reporting 26 cases since Tuesday - 21 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, two in Central and East Algoma, and three in the Elliot Lake area - though known "high risk active" cases are down to 127 while the number in hospital is up to 22 with one in an ICU.

OPP Watching Roads/Trails/Waterways Over Labour Day Weekend

Ontario Provincial Police are hitting the roads for the long weekend.

As increased traffic's expected - especially as it's the final long weekend of the summer - Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle says officers will be focusing on the "Big Four" driving offences over the Labour Day weekend.

Constable Nickle notes the goal is to educate the public on the importance of safe driving behaviours and increase public compliance - in order to enhance traffic safety, reducing injuries and deaths - with a message for everyone heading out.

Meanwhile, Ontario Power Generation's reminding boaters and swimmers to "stay clear, stay safe" this long weekend.

OPG's warning that - while you may feel you understand the risks - conditions for riverbeds below dams can change quickly and without warning, emphasizing it's important to obey warning signs, fencing, and safety booms when approaching hydroelectric facilities.

Over $2000 Raised As PC Children's Charity Barbecue Returns After 2 Years Away

JJAM FM and John's Your Independent Grocer in Wawa are inviting everyone to start the long weekend with a barbecue - and help a great cause.

Emphasizing it's a good social event that really helps out kids, Cassidy Michalcewicz of John's Your Independent Grocer explains the PC Children's Charity Barbecue raises funds for the namesake charity, which is focused on ensuring kids don't go hungry.

As the barbecue's been cancelled the last two years due to the pandemic, Michalcewicz reminds it's simple: offering hamburgers, hot dogs, and sausages plus a drink and a bag of chips for a small fee - and she reminds there's a raffle to win the barbecue and propane tank.

The barbecue runs from 11 am to 2 pm at John's Your Independent Grocer in Wawa.

UPDATE: Organizers say $2010 was raised through the barbecue, and congratulate Sylvie Hince for winning the barbecue and propane tank.

CHADWIC Home Announces Return of Annual Golf Tournament

Organizers are calling on golfers to prepare for the annual CHADWIC Home Charity Golf Tournament.

Community Outreach Worker Pam Carruthers explains the event's meant as a fun fundraiser raising awareness about the services CHADWIC Home offers.

Carruthers notes the tournament's for mixed teams of three, with a few prizes on the line.

Anyone wanting to register can contact CHADWIC Home at 705-856-2848 by next Friday, September 9th, with the tournament to be held Saturday, September 17th.

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