Chapleau Moving Forward With Plans to Ban Single-Use Plastics

Chapleau's moving forward with plans to eliminate plastic bags in the community.

Mayor Michael Levesque says Council's passed a by-law covering single-use plastic bags and "certain other harmful single-use products and packaging materials".

Mayor Levesque emphasizes there are issues with single use plastic locally.

This comes just ahead of Chapleau's Fall Clean Up, with the landfill open to residents free of charge during regular hours next Tuesday, October 4th through Friday, October 7th - there are some restrictions on what is accepted.

While the federal Liberal government's announced plans to ban single use plastics - starting by banning the import and production by the end of the year, the sale by the end of next year, and export by the end of 2025 - dozens of plastic producers have turned to courts to overturn those plans.

Chapleau Hires New CAO/Clerk

Chapleau's hired a new top administrator.

Noting that past attempts had come close to this point - after the Township spent most of the last two years looking to fill the role - Mayor Michael Levesque says Chapleau Town Council confirmed the hire in their meeting this week.

In addition to being CAO/Clerk, Duguay's also been appointed Community Emergency Management Coordinator.

Wawa BIA Hosting Meet the Candidates Event in Municipal Election

Wawa voters have a chance to hear from and learn more about Council candidates tonight.

Wawa Business Improvement Area Chair Heidi McLaren explains the BIA's hosting a Meet the Candidates event, with all of the candidates for Wawa Municipal Council invited to attend to give the public a chance to know about those running.

McLaren notes attendees will have an opportunity to ask about items important to them.

There are nine candidates running for four seats: current councillors Cathy Cannon and Mitch Hatfield, as well as Angela Calaiezzi, Mary Harbocian, Jim Hoffmann, Leah Isosaari, Joseph Opato, Robert Reeves, and Sue Smith.

Current councillor Melanie Pilon's been acclaimed as mayor, succeeding the retiring Mayor Pat Tait.

This comes just shy of two weeks before electronic voting opens: residents can cast ballots by phone or online starting at 10 am Tuesday, October 11th - the day after Thanksgiving - until 8 pm Monday, October 24th, the province-wide municipal election date.

Tonight's Meet the Candidates event starts at 6:30 pm, at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 88 since Friday - 79 in Greater Sudbury, three in the Sudbury District, and six in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 232 - with one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), down from Friday's two - 26 cases are in hospital, down slightly from Friday.

The health unit's holding "appointment only" vaccination clinics at its Chapleau office tomorrow and Thursday, with the bivalent vaccine available - 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.

Municipality of Wawa Announces Tax Sales

The Municipality of Wawa's looking to sell some property to collect on some taxes.

Six properties across town have been put up for "tax sale", a process Treasurer Manuela Batovanja explains is a way for the municipality to get some of the money owed.

Batovanja notes the taxes owed can still be payed off - and the property removed from those up for tax sale - until the process ends.

Details about the properties involved - and how to submit a tender - are available on the municipal website, with tenders accepted until 3 pm on October 19th, when they will be opened.

Chapleau Set to Hire New CAO/Clerk

Chapleau Town Council's set to consider filling a major administrative role.

Included in tonight's regular meeting are by-laws authorizing an employment agreement with Denis Duguay, then appointing him as Chief Administrative Officer and Clerk - roles that have gone unfilled for most of this year, with current staff and an outside firm covering their duties.

There's also a resolution to appoint him Community Emergency Management Coordinator.

Also on the agenda is a by-law approving a rental agreement with the Chapleau Curling Club and another regarding single-use plastic bags and other single-use products and packaging materials.

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

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 63 since Wednesday - 54 in Greater Sudbury, three in the Sudbury District, and six in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 234 - still two in the northern Sudbury District (which includes includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 27 cases in hospital.

Chapleau Canoer Found Dead In Local Lake

A Chapleau canoer's been found dead after they were reported overdue.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the man went out on Ruth Lake - about fifteen kilometres south of Chapleau - last Saturday, September 17th, but was reported overdue around 8:30 pm that night, prompting a search that uncovered an overturned canoe on the lake.

With assistance from the OPP Emergency Response Team and the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit, a body was recovered from the lake around 11:30 am Monday, September 19th.

Authorities have confirmed the deceased is 74-year-old Doug Lynn of Chapleau.

Cause of death remains unknown at this time, with the investigation now under the direction of the Office of the Chief Coroner-Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

Wawa Council Approves Plans to Replace Marina Playground

Wawa Council's approved plans to replace the marina playground - with support from a private donor.

Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains the donor's providing funding to the Municipality for the purchase and installation.

Patterson notes plans are to put the new playground in a slightly different spot across and slightly down the road from the current playground, which will be removed.

Patterson also notes this could have further benefit for the Michipicoten River Village, or "Mission", where there is one other playground.

With Council approving in this week's meeting, the project now moves to a "request for quotations" process this fall so that installation can happen in spring.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 39 since Tuesday - 34 in the Sault Ste. Marie area and five in Central and East Algoma, while the count for the Elliot Lake area's been reduced by one - with known "high risk active" cases up to 132, including 16 in hospital, two in ICUs.

Smile Cookie Campaign Supporting WAVS Nearing End

Time is running out for the chance to get an extra smile with your coffee - and help support a local cause.

The annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign wraps up this weekend, after a week of selling "Smile Cookies" - in Wawa, they support Wawa and Area Victim Services, and WAVS Executive Director Beverly Boyd commends this campaign.

Boyd says plans are for funds raised by the Smile Cookies to start a new fundraising campaign for a van, to assist with supporting victims of crime and tragic circumstance.

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 56 since Wednesday - 53 in Greater Sudbury and three in the Sudbury District - pushing known "active" cases up to 223 - including two in the northern Sudbury District, down from the three reported Monday - with the number of cases in hospital is down from Monday's 40 to only 25.

The health unit's also reduced its COVID-related death toll by one - bringing it back down to 173, with Greater Sudbury's toll down to 151 - the health unit last reported a death - which was in Greater Sudbury - on Monday.

Wawa Adult Learning Centre Holding Open House

Wawa residents are invited to learn more about the local adult learning centre this afternoon.

Wawa Adult Learning Centre Office Manager Michelle Terris explains the organization's holding an open house.

Terris reminds the community-based learning centre's a non-profit charity funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development, offering literacy and basic skills to adults.

Terris also notes a new area for "more creative digital literacy skills", along with plans to get the Conservational French program running later this fall, as well as a new "Social Media for Small Business" course.

Offering "homemade sweet treats" and a giveaway, the open house runs from 2 pm to 6 pm this afternoon.

Take Back the Night in Wawa

Wawa residents march to "Take Back The Night" this evening.

Local women's shelter CHADWIC Home is inviting the community to march in solidarity with survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence in a continued effort to end it.

Participants are encouraged to meet at Lion's Beach by 6 this evening, then march to the Legion Hall, where there will be an evening of live music, speakers, and informational displays, as well as time and a safe, inclusive space for those who wish to speak and share - along with refreshments and door prizes - followed by a candle light vigil to honour the past years' victims of "femicide".

Those who are - or know someone who is - experiencing abuse can contact CHADWIC Home 24 hours a day, seven days a week for support, shelter, or referrals by calling 1-800-461-2242.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 70 since Thursday - 49 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, thirteen in Central and East Algoma, and eight in the Elliot Lake area - pushing known "high risk active" cases up to 122, with fifteen in hospital, one in an ICU.

The health unit's showing five outbreaks, all in Sault Ste. Marie, at Extendicare Maple View, Algoma Manor, and three areas of FJ Davey Home.

Wawa Council Receiving Delegations, Considering By-Laws

Wawa Municipal Council will hear from a couple local residents in meetings tonight.

First up is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, including a quarterly update on economic development and July and August monthly reports from department heads, as well as a delegation on gates on docks at the municipal marina, and another about bar sales and donations from the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre after Council discussed in their last meeting a staff recommendation to cease giving organizations a cut of the bar sales, an idea that had left Council split - Councillor Mitch Hatfield had noted the funds were helpful for the sports organizations to prep for larger events while Mayor Pat Tait and Councillor - and incoming mayor - Melanie Pilon both highlighted a wish to remain "fair" to all organizations, as the cut of bar sales is not offered to every organization.

That'll come back up in tonight's regular meeting, which includes a resolution to accept the staff recommendation - and recommendations on a mural on Broadway Avenue and regarding the marina playground - as well as by-laws to adopt a new municipal policy on waiver of municipal facility fees, extend the current refuse collection contract with J. Provost Contracting, and sell a laneway on Winston Road.

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 174th COVID-19 Death

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting the death in Greater Sudbury - the 152nd in the city, and the 174th for the health unit, which last reported a death last Wednesday.

It's also reporting 66 new cases since Friday - 59 in Greater Sudbury, one in the Sudbury District, and six in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down to 209, with 40 in hospital, one in an ICU.

The "active" cases include three in the northern Sudbury District - half the six reported Friday - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The health unit's showing thirteen "active" outbreaks: one in Espanola, the rest in Greater Sudbury.

Tim Hortons Wawa Kicks Off Smile Cookie Campaign Supporting WAVS

As you pick up your morning coffee or a meal this week, you could get an extra smile to help support a local cause.

The annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign kicks off today, with proceeds from "Smile Cookie" sales at Tim Hortons Wawa supporting Wawa and Area Victim Services, which WAVS Executive Director Beverly Boyd explains deals with victims of crime or tragic circumstance.

Boyd says plans are for funds raised by the Smile Cookies to start a new fundraising campaign.

Kicking off today, the Smile Cookie campaign continues to the end of the week.

Tim Hortons says Ryan DiTomasso's Dunnville store actually sold the most Smile Cookies last year, with 48,000 - particularly impressive as the community only has a population of 6000 - DiTomasso and his sister, Ashleigh McLeod, became owners of Wawa's Tim Hortons in July.

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 72 since Wednesday - 66 in Greater Sudbury, four in the Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 246, though the number in hospital is down to 34, one in an ICU.

The "active" cases include six in the northern Sudbury District - up from the four reported Wednesday - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

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

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 32 since Tuesday - 24 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four in Central and East Algoma, two in the Elliot Lake area, and two in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - with known "high risk active" cases up to 107 - 16 in hospital, two in ICUs.