OMNRF Warns Chapleau Residents to Avoid Attracting Bears

Chapleau residents are being urged to take "necessary steps" to avoid attracting bears, after recent sightings in town.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says there have been "numerous" sightings in Chapleau "in the past several weeks" - though it notes a single bear can lead to multiple sightings - with many of the recent sightings involving items such as garbage and fruit trees, prompting a reminder for residents to remove attractants such as garbage, bird feeders, ripe fruit, and odours from barbecues.

The Ministry notes "natural foods for bears in this area are slowly developing but are not abundant", which leads bears to search for alternative food sources - often in communities - but they won't stay in an area if they can't gain access to non-natural foods like garbage.

Anyone who sees a bear can contact the province's Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 - police or 9-1-1 should only be called if it poses an immediate threat to public safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 61 since Tuesday - 50 in Greater Sudbury, nine in the broader Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 314, with 57 in hospital, one in an ICU.

There are no longer any "active" cases in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

The health unit is holding an "appointment only" vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today, for those at least twelve 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 Reports 67th COVID-19 Death, More Cases for PHSD

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

Algoma Public Health's giving no further details about its 67th death since the pandemic began - the 46th in 2022 alone - though it comes as the health unit's reporting 162 cases since Thursday - 115 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, 32 in the Elliot Lake area, thirteen in Central and East Algoma, and two in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - pushing known "high risk active" cases up to 269, with 27 in hospital.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 100 cases since Friday - 94 in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District, and four in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases have dropped from 331 to 278, with 42 in hospital.

There are no longer any "active" cases in the northern Sudbury District (which 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, for those at least twelve 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 Warns of Increase in Opioid-Related EMS Calls

Algoma Public Health's warning anyone using "street drugs" to take extra precautions amid an increase in opioid-related EMS calls.

Emphasizing "substance use and opioid poisoning does not discriminate", the health unit's urging anyone who uses drugs to carry naloxone and always have someone with them when they use, starting with a low dose and increasing slowly - never mixing substances, even alcohol - and calling 9-1-1 immediately if you suspect opioid poisoning.

The health unit also asks members of the community "continue their support for residents at risk of opioid poisonings and their loved ones".

PHSD Holding Chapleau COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

A couple COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held in Chapleau this week.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it's holding "appointment only" clinics at its Chapleau office tomorrow and Thursday, though it notes they're only for those at least twelve 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.

Impaired Driving & Drug Possession Charges After Chapleau Area Traffic Stop

Impaired driving and drug possession charges have been laid after a report of a possible impaired driver on Highway 129 near Chapleau.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the report late last Wednesday afternoon, with the vehicle located and subsequent investigation revealing the driver was impaired, leading to the arrest of a 35-year-old from Chapleau on charges of: operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs; failure or refusal to comply with demand; possession of a Schedule I substance - Methamphetamine; and possession of a Schedule I substance - other drugs.

They've been released from custody, scheduled to appear in Chapleau's Ontario Court of Justice in December.

Electronic Voting Opens in Wawa Municipal Election

Voting opens in Wawa's municipal election today.

The voting period runs from 10 o'clock this morning to 8 pm on the October 24th Election Day, and Municipal Clerk Cathy Cyr reminds voters should have received a Voter Instruction Letter on casting their ballot electronically.

Cyr says those who don't have a letter yet should contact the Municipality, to ensure they're on the electors list.

Cyr emphasizes that voting is only by phone or internet, though there are some options of assistance in-person, including at the Town Hall during regular hours - a schedule of other events can be found in the letter, or on the municipal website.

While current councillor Melanie Pilon has been acclaimed as mayor - with local school board trustees also acclaimed - voters are able to vote for up to four of the nine candidates running for the four remaining Council seats.

Interviews with each of the Wawa Council candidates can be found here.

Wawa Tourism Survey Nearing Close

Time is running out for Wawa residents and businesses to "have your say" in the community's new five-year tourism plan.

An online survey to assist with creation of the plan is set to close Friday - it asks participants to share views on "what makes Wawa a great place for visitors and tourists" by answering a few short questions.

A link can be found on the municipal website, though a paper copy or assistance is available at the Town Hall, Tourist Information Centre, and Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Wawa Public Library Launches Programming, New Equipment Coming

Straight off the Thanksgiving weekend, the Wawa Public Library's kicking off some programming.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains that includes a number of things oriented for youth.

Jarrell notes a "generous donation" has allowed the library to get an interactive "play table" - with games that'd interest children and adults - and she highlights another key donation.

Jarrell does remind that October is Ontario Public Library Month and Ontario Public Library Week is next week, with plans for a local celebration to be announced soon.

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

COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise in the region - including the northern Sudbury District.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 96 across its region since Wednesday - 81 in Greater Sudbury, ten in the Sudbury District, and five in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 331, with 44 in hospital, one in an ICU.

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

Wawa Council Candidates Make Their Pitch

All nine candidates for the five seats on Wawa Municipal Council were given the opportunity to answer the same questions in a conversation up to five minutes. Below are all nine, in alphabetical order (by surname).

Electronic voting (by phone or internet) is set to begin at 10 am Tuesday, October 11th, and concludes at 8 pm Monday, October 24th (which is the province-wide municipal election date).

Details on voting in Wawa’s municipal election can be found on the municipal website.

Charges Laid After Local Family Dispute

Charges have been laid after a local family dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a dispute on Michipicoten First Nation around 1:30 pm Sunday afternoon, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 24-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, charged with two counts of mischief and three of fail to comply with probation order.

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

Superior East OPP Joining in Operation Impact for Thanksgiving

Local police will be watching the roads over the Thanksgiving long weekend, joining a national campaign.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Ashley Nickle explains the detachment's participating in Operation Impact, which will mean a focus on road safety.

Constable Nickle notes that means a focus on "The Big Four" driving behaviours.

Nickle says the enforcement will see patrols on roads and trails - when officers aren't responding to calls for service - urging everyone to "share our roads safely" so everyone can have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

OPP are reporting 268 fatalities on OPP-patrolled roads headings into October, a 24 percent increase over the same time last year, with the majority of the deaths attributed to "motorists consciously making bad decisions behind the wheel and failing to take seriously their enormous responsibility to drive and share the road safely" - that includes 69 speed-related fatalities, 57 inattentive-related fatalities, 40 alcohol or drug-related fatalities, and 40 associated with a lack of seatbelt use.

APH Surpasses 10,000 COVID-19 Cases Reported, 4 More in North Algoma

Algoma Public Health's surpassed an unfortunate milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic: 10,000 cases.

The health unit's reporting 79 since Tuesday - 67 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, twelve in the Elliot Lake area, six in Central and East Algoma, and four in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - bringing the total number of cases reported since the pandemic began to 10,007.

It's also pushed known "high risk active" cases up to 229, with 22 in hospital, two in ICUs.

3 Local First Nations Taking Legal Action Over Ontario's Management of Forests & Environment

A trio of local First Nations are taking legal action, accusing the Ontario government of mismanaging forests and the environment.

A release from the three Ontario Treaty 9 First Nations - Chapleau Cree, Missanabie Cree, and Brunswick House - notes Treaty 9 "stretches across two-thirds of Ontario", and their action "aims to force Ontario to make meaningful changes now before harms are irreversible to the detriment of the boreal forest, all Treaty 9 First Nations, and all Ontarians".

They emphasize that the Supreme Court's made it clear the Crown "must act honourably when implementing its treaties with First Nations" but that honour "is not upheld when First Nations' concerns about environmental protection and forest management and the safety of the foods and waters on their territories are not addressed", specifically citing the widespread spraying of glyphosate herbicide as an issue, adding "the result [of extensive industrial and forestry activities authorized by Ontario without the full participation of the First Nations] has been rampant landscape fragmentation, degradation, and contamination of traditional territories over time."

The First Nations also warn "the pace of degradation has been increasing, resulting in decreasing forest cover and lower forest resilience", noting "these are known contributors to climate change".

PHSD & PHU Report New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 99 across its region since Monday - 82 in Greater Sudbury, fifteen in the Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 308, with 38 in hospital, one in an ICU.

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

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting 115 cases over the last two weeks - it didn't issue an update last week - it no longer breaks it down by region nor reports "active" case counts, but is reporting 26 in hospital.

Wawa Council Lifting Hold for Superior Aggregates, Approve Site Plan Agreement

Wawa Municipal Council's cleared a key roadblock for Superior Aggregates.

In meetings last night, Council heard a presentation from Robert Lehman of Lehman & Associates, who noted he wrote the community's first official plan four decades ago and also served as the municipality's planner for Superior Aggregates, which was seeking the removal of a "hold" for its wharf lands with a new site plan agreement - both requests were accepted in the regular meeting, along with a road use agreement.

Lehman assured conditions set when the hold was placed have now been met, but he'd also met with regulators to clarify what efforts would be necessary, with Superior Aggregates to be required to meet conditions set by any government agency with authority over the project, including obtaining a certificate of environmental compliance, along with noise monitors already required in the Ontario Municipal Board's decision on the project - he also recommended a committee including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to look at the impacts.

Councillor - and incoming mayor - Melanie Pilon thanked Lehman for his work on a "very complicated matter", while outgoing Mayor Pat Tait said he was in a "similar seat" - Council made no other comments or asked any other questions before passing the by-laws.

APH Reports COVID-19 Cases, 2 In North Algoma

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 106 since Thursday - 84 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, thirteen in Central and East Algoma, eight 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 190, including 22 in hospital, two in ICUs.

Impaired Driving Charges After Single Vehicle Collision on Wawa's Harbour Road

A Wawa driver's facing impaired driving charges after a collision on Harbour Road.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the single vehicle collision last Tuesday morning, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 20-year-old on charges of operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs and operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).

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

Cart (0)