Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association Annual Cash Draw Returns

Wawa's firefighters are reminding an annual campaign is back - with a few weeks before an upcoming draw.

Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association Past President Kyle Ouellet explains tickets are now available for the annual cash draw, which offers a few possible prizes.

Kyle Ouellet on Prizes From MVFA Cash Draw
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Oullet notes it supports local fire services.

Kyle Ouellet Explains Purpose of MVFA Cash Draw
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Ouellet reminds tickets are available in the community - particularly through firefighters - with the $1000 "Early Bird" draw to be held December 10th, and the remaining draws on Valentine's Day and at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Rising Number in Northern Sudbury District

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

In its latest report, Public Health Sudbury and Districts shows 43 more - 26 in Greater Sudbury, ten in the broader Sudbury District, and seven in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 158 - 21 in hospital - with sixteen in the northern Sudbury District, up from Wednesday's twelve (the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

Wawa's Dr. Anjali Oberai Named Ontario Family Physician of the Year

A Wawa doctor's been named the Ontario Family Physician of the Year.

Dr. Anjali Oberai's rather humble about receiving the Ontario College of Family Physicians's Reg L. Perkins Award, but says she is grateful.

Dr. Oberai Responds to Ontario Family Physician of the Year
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Dr. Oberai has a familiar story about her time in Wawa.

Dr. Anjali Oberai on Her Time in Wawa
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

In addition to duties as a family physician locally, Dr. Oberai also has a couple roles with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, including associate professor.

Dr. Anjali Oberai Explains Role With NOSM
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Superior East OPP Closing Downtown Wawa Detachment

Wawa's downtown police station is closing.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police are vacating the detachment - which they've used since Wawa disbanded the Wawa Police Service and fully switched to OPP-based policing in February 2011, as it is the former Wawa Police station - this afternoon, though Constable Ashley Nickle assures that won't negatively impact service.

Cst. Nickle on Impact of Downtown Wawa Detachment Closure
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Constable Nickle notes there were still be multiple options to contact the OPP after today.

Cst. Nickle on Contacting OPP After Downtown Station Closes
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

APH Reports New But Declining COVID-19 Cases

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 twelve cases - with eleven more in the Sault Ste. Marie area, one more in Central and East Algoma, and another in North Algoma, while Elliot Lake's case count has been reduced by one - though known "high risk active" cases are down to 83, the lowest in months, with 18 in hospital, three in ICUs.

The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting its 124 COVID-related death, along with 137 new cases - it no longer reports "active" case counts, but does show 31 in hospital, three in ICUs - and it's also reporting 80 new lab-confirmed cases of influenza.

Chapleau's Olde Fashioned Christmas Arrives

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.

Jim Apsey on Olde Fashioned Christmas & Santa Claus Parade
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

Shine the Light on Woman Abuse Campaign Continues As 16 Days of Action Begin

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.

Bonnie Ross Explains Purpose of Shine the Light Campaign
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

Wawa Rotary Online Auction Nearing End

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.

Bill Devries on Causes Supported by Wawa Rotary Club
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Devries notes the Rotary Club also has a charity, that has supported various medical-related needs.

Bill Devries on Wawa Rotary Club Charity
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

Application Deadline fo Wawa Christmas Hampers

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.

Richard Watson Explains Items in Christmas Hampers
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

Richard Watson on Intended Christmas Hamper Recipients
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Slight Decline in Northern Sudbury District

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.

APH Reports 80th COVID-19 Death, Plus New Case in North Algoma

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.

LDHC Foundation Launches Holiday Wish Campaign

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.

LDCHF Chair Susan Switzer Explains Wish Campaign
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Vice-Chair Lorraine Pihelgas notes donors will be publicly recognized.

LDHCF Vice Chair Lorraine Pihelgas on Donor Recognition
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Active Count Jumps for Northern Sudbury District

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 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.

Cst. Nickle on Impact of OPP Closing Downtown Wawa Office
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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

Cst. Nickle on Contacting OPP After Downtown Office Closes
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

Bill Devries on Wawa Rotary Online Auction's Role as Fundraiser
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

Richard Watson on Intended Recipients for Christmas Hampers
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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.

Stacey White on Registering for 2022 Festival of Lights
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

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