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Chapleau's celebrating Christmas a little early.
Chapleau Firefighter's Association President Jim Apsey explains the Olde Fashioned Christmas and Santa Claus Parade are a long-running tradition put on by the association, to get people out having fun and into the festive spirit.
Apsey welcomes anyone who wants to join in the parade, asking they meet by Our Lady of Fatima school around 5:30 tonight, so the parade can head downtown at 6, followed by a tree lighting ceremony and Santa downtown.
Wawa remains wrapped in purple as a campaign in solidarity with abused women reaches an important period.
CHADWIC Home Program Supervisor Bonnie Ross explains the purple - which represents "courage, survival and honour", symbolizing the fight to end woman abuse - shows support for the "Shine the Light on Woman Abuse" campaign, which has a few goals.
Thanking everyone who's shown support, Ross reminds today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marking the start of the 16 Days of Action on Violence Against Women, which end on December 10th, which is Human Rights Day.
Time is running out to place a bid in the Rotary Club of Wawa's largest annual fundraiser.
Wawa Rotary Online Auction Committee Chair Bill Devries explains the auction - which has been underway since Sunday - helps the local club support a number of different causes.
Devries notes the Rotary Club also has a charity, that has supported various medical-related needs.
Devries also highlights the pending return of a program that tests the hearing and vision of young school children, so they can be referred to a specialist, if needed.
Bidding for the auction closes at 10 o'clock Saturday night - a link to the online auction can be found on JJAM FM's website, jjamfm.live - with the winning bidders to then be contacted with details on getting their items.
Time is running out for those looking for help from a Wawa tradition: the Christmas Hampers.
Christmas Hamper Fund President Richard Watson explains the hampers offer a few items to brighten the season.
Watson reminds it's meant to help those in need, encouraging anyone who may need support to apply - or if you know someone who might, let the committee know.
Applications can be found at the Town Hall or the Thrift Barn, but must be submitted at the Town Hall by the end of the day today - recipients will be contacted, with the hampers to be distributed in mid-December.
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 32 in Greater Sudbury, four in the broader Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District, though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 143, with 25 in hospital, one in an ICU.
The number of "active" cases in the northern Sudbury District is also down slightly, to twelve - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.
The health unit's holding a vaccination clinic for those at least twelve or older at its Chapleau office today - 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 reporting its 80th - the 59th this year alone - but is giving few details except that COVID contributed to but was not the underlying cause of death - the health unit last reported a death last Tuesday.
The health unit's also reporting 51 new cases since Thursday - 44 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in Central and East Algoma, and another in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - though known "high risk active" cases are down slightly, to 97, with hospitalizations down to 20, including three in ICUs.
With the holiday season here, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's asking residents to help grant a wish from the local hospital.
The Foundation's launched its annual Wish Campaign in partnership with Alamos Gold - who's donated $5000 - and Foundation Chair Susan Switzer explains the initiative.
Vice-Chair Lorraine Pihelgas notes donors will be publicly recognized.
The Wish Campaign supports the Foundation's "One for the Dunn" initiative supporting the hospital's MediTech expansion, which has a goal of raising $140,000.
The Foundation also reminds next Tuesday, November 29th, is "Giving Tuesday" - they've partnered with Northern Lights Ford for that - encouraging other businesses to join in and help the Foundation raise $15,000 in 24 hours - and they note the 50/50 Campaign's also underway, with the big draw to be made December 15th.
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region - with a jump in the northern Sudbury District.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 54 new cases - 38 in Greater Sudbury, fourteen in the broader Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 146, with 26 in hospital, two in ICUs.
The number of "active" cases in the northern Sudbury District has skyrocketed from the two reported Friday to thirteen - 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 tomorrow and Thursday, the latter for those at least twelve or older - 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.
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".
Time's running out to get tickets for the Wawa Legion's annual seniors Christmas dinner.
As the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 in Wawa is set to hold the dinner this Sunday, November 27th, today is the deadline to pay to attend - if interested, contact the Legion office at 705-856-7203.
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 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.
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.
Bridge work will close a local road later this week.
The Sultan Road's set to close at the Wakami Bridge near Sultan Wednesday and Thursday, so a new bridge can be installed.
Digital communication boards will be set up to warn of the closure.
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.
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 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.
The return of Wawa's indoor walking program has been delayed.
While the late afternoon program put on by the Wawa Family Health Team was set to start the season at Michipicoten High School on Monday, that's now been called off due to the pending strike by Canadian Union of Public Employees education workers.
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.
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.
