Superior East OPP Set to Close Downtown Wawa Detachment

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police are set to vacate their downtown Wawa detachment at the end of the week.

While access to the downtown detachment has been restricted for the last couple years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the OPP have now announced they'll close the office at 4 pm Friday - though Constable Ashley Nickle assures that won't negatively impact service.

Constable Nickle notes there will still be multiple options to contact the OPP after that.

Nickle also notes non-urgent matters can also be called in "after hours" at 1-888-310-1122 - with "minor crimes" able to be reported through the OPP's online reporting system on its website - but stresses calling 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

The OPP have used the downtown office since the Municipality of Wawa disbanded the Wawa Police Service and fully switched the OPP-based policing in February 2011, as the site is the former Wawa Police station.

This comes nearly five months after Wawa Municipal Council approved a resolution cancelling the OPP "satellite office" within the Town Hall building at 40 Broadway Avenue by the end of this year - at the time, it stated plans were to hire an engineer to review the building's condition and consider redesign options, potentially bringing GIS staff and municipal servers back to the site, while pressing OPP headquarters and other provincial authorities to make a new local detachment a "high priority".

Return Date Confirmed for Wawa's Indoor Walking Program

Wawa's indoor walking program will return next week.

While the late afternoon program put on by the Wawa Family Health Team was supposed to start today, it was cancelled for the week amid the pending CUPE strike, as it's hosted at Michipicoten High School.

Organizers have now confirmed plans are to start the program next Monday, November 28th, running 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Monday to Thursday each week.

Bidding Open for Wawa Rotary Online Auction

Bidding has opened in the Rotary Club of Wawa's online auction.

Auction Committee Chair Bill Devries explains the event - which kicked off Sunday - is one of the club's largest fundraisers.

Devries reminds you simply need to sign up at the website - auctria.com/auction/wawarotaryonlineauction, a link is available at jjamfm.live - it doesn't require payment information, as that will be addressed if you win when the auction closes.

The Rotary Online Auction runs until 10 pm November 26th.

Application Deadline Nears for Wawa Christmas Hampers

Time's running out to apply for a Wawa tradition supporting those in need: the Christmas Hampers.

Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund President Richard Watson explains the hampers - which provide items for a Christmas dinner, gifts for kids, and more - are meant for those in need.

Encouraging anyone who may need some help to file, Watson notes applications can be found at the Town Hall, the Thrift Barn, and the Wawa Food Bank, but must be submitted at the Town Hall - the deadline is Friday.

Registration Open for Wawa's Festival of Lights

Wawa households are being encouraged to light up the community for the holidays.

The annual Festival of Lights is set to return early next month, and Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White notes there's a couple ways to register for the contest.

White notes the registration deadline's noon on November 30th, with voting in the Festival of Lights running December 2nd through 18th.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, But Fewer Active in Region

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region - but counts are declining.

In its latest report, Public Health Sudbury and Districts reports 22 new cases - twenty in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District - though known "active" cases have dropped to 141 - the lowest in weeks - with 28 in hospital, one in an ICU.

The number of cases in the northern Sudbury District is down slightly, to two - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The health unit's holding vaccination clinics at its Chapleau office Wednesday and Thursday, 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.

Local School Boards to Switch to Remote Learning Amid CUPE Strike, Split on Timing

Local school boards are split on how to respond to a potential return to picket lines by thousands of Ontario education workers.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees has issued notice of plans for the 55,000 education workers it represents - education assistants, early childhood educators, librarians, custodians, and administrative staff - to go on strike Monday, November 21st, the second strike by the workers this month.

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board's announced the strike would mean the closure of its schools - as it could not "ensure the health, safety, and wellness of...students and staff with over 30% of...employees not present" - that means students will start remote learning on Monday, though it'll update parents and guardians through direct messages, its website, or social media.

The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon plans to continue in-person classes on Monday before starting "remote virtual asynchronous learning" on Tuesday, then "synchronous virtual learning" Wednesday, though teachers will communicate to students and parents through their respective portals.

The Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord du l'Ontario plans to keep its schools open on Monday and Tuesday, but - if the strike continues beyond that - would move to virtual learning on Wednesday, using the prior two days to ensure students have what's needed to learn from home - it also promises updates through social media and its website.

The Algoma District School Board also plans to keep schools open Monday and Tuesday but would change to "asynchronous learning" Wednesday and "remote synchronous learning" Thursday, asking those who need a device or hot spot to complete a request form by Tuesday and assuring "special arrangements will be made for eligible students with high special education needs" - it also notes its schools in Elliot Lake and Blind River won't be impacted by the strike so they'll remain open.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Adjusts Figures

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region - but the number "active" is declining.

Algoma Public Health's reporting an overall rise of ten cases, as the number reported in the Sault Ste. Marie area is up by eleven and the number seen in Central and East Algoma is up by three, while the figure for the Elliot Lake area has been reduced by four - though known "high risk active" cases are down to 98, the lowest in months, with 21 in hospital, three in ICUs.

The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting 150 new cases - it no longer reports "active" case counts, but does show 45 in hospital, two in ICUs - and it's also reporting 114 new lab-confirmed cases of influenza.

PHSD Urges Accommodating Masking Amid Flu Season

A local health unit's urging employers and others to allow masking.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts' Medical Officer of Health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe says - in line with advice from Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health - she's "shared strong recommendations with directors of education, post-secondary institution heads, licensed and private child care centre operators, municipal CAOs, chambers of commerce, and business owners and operators to reinforce and support masking in all indoor public settings for which they have responsibility and to get back to basics during a difficult fall respiratory illness season".

This follows on a recent call by Sutcliffe for people to strengthen personal protective measures such as masking, getting COVID-19 booster and flu vaccines, and staying away from others if unwell.

Wawa's Fall By Hand Festival Arrives

Wawa residents are getting a chance to see the works of many local artisans - and get an early start on Christmas shopping - with the By Hand Festival this weekend.

Coordinator Maria Reid says the event's a great opportunity to showcase local works.

Reid notes there will be 25 vendors this time, including "a lot of the old faithful" as well as new exhibitors.

Due to "circumstances" - including cost - the fall By Hand will follow the spring event by being one day only, running from 10 am to 3 pm tomorrow at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre - admission is by silver collection, to help cover the event's costs.

5th Annual Lori Johnson Memorial Women's Hockey Tournament Arrives

Residents of the Wawa area are being invited to watch some exciting hockey this weekend.

The 5th annual Lori Johnson Memorial Women's Hockey Tournament is set to hit the ice, with six teams from Wawa, Chapleau, Dubreuilville, and even Sault Ste. Marie facing off.

Attendance is free, though there will be a cost to attend the "Beach Bash" Saturday night.

The first game of the tournament will start at 7 pm tonight, with the tournament continuing until the championship game Sunday at 1 pm - the dance starts at 9 pm Saturday night.

OPP Kick Off Festive RIDE Campaign

Ontario Provincial Police are getting into the holiday spirit, with their annual Festive RIDE campaign now underway.

Superior East OPP Community Safety Officer Constable Ashley Nickle explains the annual campaign aims to take impaired drivers off the road through "RIDE" checks.

Nickle emphasizes impaired driving is one of the major causes of fatalities on the road.

Nickle reminds "we all have a role to play in keeping roads safe", with advice for drivers.

Constable Nickle notes penalties for impaired driving include immediate licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, and expensive fines - even worse if convicted - and there is "zero tolerance" for young, novice, or commercial drivers, meaning zero alcohol in their blood while driving.

Wawa Rotary Online Auction Set to Return

The Rotary Club of Wawa is taking its largest annual fundraiser online once again.

Wawa Rotary Online Auction Committee Chair Bill Devries explains the event is supported by donated items or cash from businesses and other organizations.

Devries notes the Rotary Club supports a number of different causes.

Devries reminds you simply need to sign up at the website - auctria.com/auction/wawarotaryonlineauction, a link is available at jjamfm.live - it doesn't require payment information, as that will be addressed if you win when the auction closes.

The Rotary Online Auction starts Sunday, November 20th, continuing until 10 pm the following Saturday, November 26th.

HSCDSB Trustees Choose New Chair & Vice Chair

Trustees have chosen a change in leadership for the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board - but with some familiar faces.

After two years as vice chair, Sault Ste. Marie trustee Gary Trembinski was acclaimed as chair in the board's inaugural meeting yesterday, while fellow Sault trustee John Caputo was elected vice chair, a role he held in 2016 before serving two years as chair.

Caputo's been a trustee with the board since its inception in 1998, while Trembinski's now in his third term.

PHSD Reports 3 COVID-19 Deaths in Greater Sudbury, New Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit's COVID-related death toll to 195 - 169 in the city alone - it last reported a death on Monday.

It's also reporting 40 new cases since Monday - 31 in Greater Sudbury, seven in the broader Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - but known "active" cases are down to slightly, to 166, with the number in hospital down to 24, one in an ICU.

The number of cases in the northern Sudbury District is up from one on Monday to three - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting fifteen cases over the last week - it no longer breaks that down by region or reports "active" case counts, but does show three in hospital, just half of those in the last update.

CSC Nouvelon Re-Elects President & Vice-President for 2nd Year

The local French catholic school board's sticking with its top board members.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says trustees have re-elected Sault Ste. Marie trustee Suzanne Salituri as President and Greater Sudbury trustee Louise Essiembre as Vice-President - the two have held those roles for the last year.

The board elects its leadership annually, at this time of year.

ADSB Sticks With Longtime Chair, Chooses New Vice Chair

The longtime chair of the Algoma District School Board is staying in the job.

Sault Ste. Marie Ward One trustee Jennifer Sarlo - who's been chair the last eleven years - was acclaimed to the role in the board's inaugural meeting last night, though she'll be joined by a new vice chair: First Nation trustee Elaine Johnston, a member of the board the last eight years and current chair of the Indigenous Trustee Council of the Ontario Public School Board Association - she's also a former Chief of Serpent River First Nation, former Chair of the Nogdawindamin Board, and vice chair of the North Shore Tribal Council.

The English public school board also welcomed four new trustees, with several more returning, including North Algoma and Chapleau trustee Russell Reid.

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