MMCC to Start Charging for Locker Rentals

Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre will soon start charging for lockers.

Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains the move stems from concerns about locker availability - something that has come up before, though he emphasizes he doesn't believe it comes out of intentionally malicious behaviour.

Alex Patterson Explains MMCC Lockers Situation

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

While lockers are currently free of charge - with no time limits on use - Patterson explains the plan approved by Council will see a monthly charge and users would sign up for a specific term.

Alex Patterson Explains MMCC Lockers Plan

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

When discussing the idea with Council last night, Patterson noted the plan includes a grace period - in fact, councillor and incoming mayor Melanie Pilon suggested extending it from a proposed two weeks to one month - though Patterson assured items removed from lockers wouldn't be disposed of immediately, historically they've been kept on hand for people to claim for some time after.

As Council just approved adding the locker rental to the Municipality's schedule of fees, Patterson notes it will take a few days to get details out about deadlines and how to sign up, but he is aiming to have the system implemented by the first or second week of the curling season, which is set to begin in about three weeks.

APH Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths, More Cases in North Algoma & Region

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

Algoma Public Health's giving no further details about the two latest deaths, which bring its death toll since the pandemic began to 69, 48 in 2022 alone.

This comes as the health unit's reporting 120 new cases since Thursday - 89 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, sixteen in Central and East Algoma, thirteen in the Elliot Lake area, and two in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - but known "high risk active" cases are down to 284, while hospitalizations have skyrocketed to 45, including five in ICUs.

Wawa Curling Registration Continues

Registration for Wawa's curlers is continuing tonight.

A second registration event's being held for Wawa's Men's, Ladies, and Mixed Curling Leagues tonight - from 6:30 pm to 8 pm in the Curling Lounge of the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Individuals interested in being a spare are encouraged to register, as well, with the Curling Club noting it's working to bring an instructor from Sault Ste. Marie - not Brad Jacobs - later this month.

Anyone looking for more information is encouraged to contact Tom Terris about the Mixed League, Danette Mathias for the Ladies League, Jim Hoffmann for the Men's League, or curling organizer Diane Spencer.

Wawa Public Library Continues Events for Ontario Public Library Week

The Wawa Public Library's continuing its celebration of Ontario Public Library Week.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the library's hosting an event for adults today.

Sue Jarrell on Wawa Public Library Adult Craft Event

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

In addition to today's event, the Wawa library's hosting a book and DVD sale supporting the Alzheimer Society, a week-long "Food for Fines" campaign, a week-long in-library scavenger hunt and a colouring contest, plus "Coffee and Culture" events Thursday evening and Friday afternoon, and an "Afternoon of Music" Saturday afternoon.

Wawa OPP Phone Line Down

The Superior East Ontario Provincial Police are warning the Wawa detachment's phone line - at 705-856-2233 - is currently not working, though it assures if you have an emergency, you can call 911 and police will be dispatched immediately.

For any non-emergency calls - including to speak with personnel at the detachment - call the O-P-P at 1-888-310-1122.

Wawa Council to Hold Final Meetings Before Election Day

Wawa Municipal Council's set to hold its final meetings before Election Day.

As voting ends next Monday, Council's set to hold a trio of meetings tonight: a Corporate Planning Committee meeting including a quarterly financial report and the addition of MMCC locker rental to the schedule of fees; a Committee of Adjustment meeting on a minor variance application; and a regular Council meeting, which includes a resolution to adopt the new locker rental fees and by-laws to establish a new Health and Safety Section in the Wawa Policy Manual and a provincial government-required policy on electronic monitoring.

There are also three "in-camera" items, all legal issues: one relating to marina divestiture; another about an application under the section of the Municipal Act relating to cancellation, reduction, or refunding of taxes; and the other about the ADSAB apportionment model.

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 New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 73 cases since Friday - 70 in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District, and another in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down to 295, with 55 in hospital, one in an ICU.

There are still three new "active" cases in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), the same as Friday.

The health unit's next holding vaccination clinics at its Chapleau office October 26th and 27th, by appointment only - 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.

Wawa Public Library Holding Dyslexia Awareness Event Amid Ontario Public Library Week

The Wawa Public Library's celebrating Ontario Public Library Week - with a special event focusing on dyslexia awareness.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains it's a chance for the library to show off something new.

Sue Jarrell on Wawa Public Library Dyslexia Awareness Event

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

In addition to today's event, the Wawa library's hosting a book and DVD sale supporting the Alzheimer Society, a week-long "Food for Fines" campaign, a week-long in-library scavenger hunt and a colouring contest, plus an adult craft event tomorrow afternoon, "Coffee and Culture" events Thursday evening and Friday afternoon, and an "Afternoon of Music" Saturday afternoon.

Chapleau Council Set to Hold Sole October Meeting

Chapleau Town Council has a fairly light agenda for the night.

Currently in the "restricted acts period" - as only one current councillor will be part of the incoming Council, all of which was acclaimed - Council's agenda for tonight includes resolutions to approve tax write-offs and the engine rebuild for a loader, along with several pieces of correspondence.

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

1 Week Left in Voting for Wawa Municipal Election

Voting continues in Wawa's municipal election.

With a week left in the voting period, Municipal Clerk Cathy Cyr reminds votes are being cast electronically in an effort to improve voter turnout - a move first made for the 2018 election.

Clerk Cathy Cyr on Reason for Electronic Voting in Wawa Election

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Cyr notes 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 voter information 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.

Registration Event for 2022-23 Wawa Curling Season

Good news for Wawa curlers: registration starts tonight.

Organizers are holding two events so teams and curlers can sign up for the Men's, Ladies, or Mixed Leagues, the first running from 6:30 pm to 8 pm tonight, the second from 6:30 pm to 8 pm Wednesday night - both will be held at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Individuals interested in being a spare are encouraged to register, as well, with the Curling Club noting it's working to bring an instructor from Sault Ste. Marie - not Brad Jacobs - later this month.

Anyone looking for more information is encouraged to contact Tom Terris about the Mixed League, Danette Mathias for the Ladies League, Jim Hoffmann for the Men's League, or curling organizer Diane Spencer.

Wawa Public Library Marking Ontario Public Libraries Week

Ontario is celebrating public libraries this week - and Wawa's library is marking the occasion.

Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains there are a number of initiatives happening all week for Ontario Public Libraries Week.

Sue Jarrell on WPL's Ontario Public Library Week Initiatives

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Jarrell notes there's also a "Library Letter Scavenger Hunt".

Sue Jarrell on WPL's Ontario Public Library Week Scavenger Hunt

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

There are also a number of events being held each day, including on dyslexia awareness tomorrow, an adult craft event Wednesday, "Coffee and Culture" Thursday evening and Friday afternoon, and an "Afternoon of Music" Saturday afternoon.

PHSD Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths, 3 New Cases in Northern Sudbury District

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

In its latest report, Public Health Sudbury and Districts shows two deaths in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit's death toll to 177, including 155 in the city.

It's also reporting 93 case since Wednesday - 80 in Greater Sudbury, eight in the broader Sudbury District, and five in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 331, with 50 in hospital, one in an ICU.

That includes three new "active" cases in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), a week after it last reported active cases in that region.

The health unit's next holding vaccination clinics at its Chapleau office October 26th and 27th, by appointment only - 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 New COVID-19 Cases, Including in North Algoma

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 Sets Date for Cemetery Cleanup

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 Arts & Crafts Fall Fair Returns

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.

Melanie Mallek on Return of Chapleau Arts & Crafts Fall Fair

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Mallek notes this year's event has a "farmer's market" theme.

Melanie Mallek on Theme of Chapleau Arts & Crafts Fall Fair

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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 Winter Parking By-Law Set to Take Effect

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.

Smile Cookies Raise Over $4000 for WAVS

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.

Beverly Boyd on Smile Cookie Support for WAVS

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

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.