Stay up to date with what’s happening in your community.
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.
Algoma Public Health's reporting 95 cases since Tuesday - 62 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, nineteen in Central and East Algoma, ten in the Elliot Lake area, and four 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 362, with 30 in hospital, three in ICUs.
Chapleau's planning to clean up its cemeteries later this month.
The Township's warning residents that the fall cleaning of the municipal cemeteries will happen on or after Friday, October 24th, with all lot decorations to be removed in accordance with the Cemetery By-Law.
That includes all structures, ornaments, candles, and other embellishments, but not headstones, monuments, and markers are excepted.
Chapleau artisans are showing off their work today and tomorrow.
Chapleau Arts and Crafts Fall Fair Committee President Melanie Mallek says organizers are happy to be back for another year.
Mallek notes this year's event has a "farmer's market" theme.
Held at the Chapleau Moore Arena Recreation Centre, the Arts and Crafts Fall Fair runs from 4 to 9 tonight, and 11 am to 3 pm Saturday.
Wawa residents are reminded the town's winter parking by-law is set to take force.
Though the snow hasn't arrived yet, the by-law - intended to help with snow clearing efforts - applies from October 15th to May 15th, prohibiting parking on any street between 1 am and 8 am - and the Municipality reminds it's also illegal to park on any boulevard.
The Municipality warns any vehicle, trailer, or vessel found breaking the rules will be removed, with the owner fined and charged for the removal cost and daily storage fees, which will need to be paid in full before the item's released.
Chapleau residents have a little longer, as the town's winter parking by-law takes effect November 1st.
Some cookies are adding an extra smile for a local organization.
Wawa and Area Victim Services Executive Director Beverly Boyd is thanking the community for supporting the organization, raising $4216.45 through Tim Hortons Wawa's recent Smile Cookie campaign - far exceeding the organization's expectations.
Boyd notes plans are to put these funds into an upcoming fundraising campaign for a van - to assist with supporting victims of crime and tragic circumstance - noting WAVS is working on a fundraising plan and "novel ways" to raise money for the cause.
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.
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.
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.
Flu shot season has arrived.
Algoma Public Health says influenza vaccination is now being offered, through participating pharmacies, primary healthcare providers, and public health community clinics - appointments are now available in Wawa by calling 705-856-7208.
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".
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
