Michipicoten & Other Local First Nation Reject Ontario Plan to Manage Caribou Herd

A pair of local First Nations are rejecting Ontario's plan to manage a threatened caribou herd.

Michipicoten First Nation and Biigtigong Nishnaabeg have issued a joint release calling on the provincial government to withdraw a controversial effort to contract-out development of a plan for the management of the last caribou in the Lake Superior Caribou Range, the southernmost extent of woodland caribou in Canada.

They say "at a time when recognition of First Nations' importance in ecological stewardship is being increasingly recognized around the world...Ontario is going in the opposite direction", snubbing the First Nations' expertise and conservation ethics in the effort to contract out development of the management plan - even though the First Nations already have a strategy to restore caribou to their traditional lands around Lake Superior, as the population's dwindled over the last several decades so that roughly 60 now inhabit only two offshore islands in the lake, a problem they blame on "the province's indifference to their fate, which enabled significant habitat disruptions leading to an ecological cascade of detrimental impacts", pointing to "forestry, access development, and other intrusions that clear the forest" destroying the caribou's preferred habitat or replacing it with that the preferred habitat for moose, noting caribou are also "caught in the cross-fire" as wolves and other predators prey on growing numbers of moose.

The First Nations are calling on the provincial government to withdraw the request for bids for consultants, and instead work with the First Nations to save the caribou herd.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Holding Vaccination Clinics in Chapleau

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 62 since Friday - 52 in Greater Sudbury, seven in the broader Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 170 - 25 in hospital, one in an ICU - with eleven in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), up from Friday's eight.

The health unit's holding "appointment only" COVID-19 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.

Wawa Council Holding 1st Meetings of New Term

The new Wawa Municipal Council's set to hold their first proper meetings.

Tonight will start with the newly rebranded Committee of the Whole - the former Corporate Planning Committee - which will include delegations about the Wawa Tourism Study (from Bannakin Travel and Tourism) and the Water and Wastewater Rate Study and Wawa Long-Term Financial Plan (both from Watson & Associates Economists), as well as discussion on next year's meeting schedule, the schedule for the deputy mayor role over the term, a review of committees of Council and Council member appointments, a memo on the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre's canteen, and dissolution of the Wawa Business Improvement Area.

That isn't on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting, which includes resolutions affirming next year's meeting schedule, addressing predator control, and appointing board and committee members and a deputy mayor, along with yearly by-laws, and four "in-camera" items, all legal issues: two about offers to purchase property; one regarding a property standards complaint; and another about staffing.

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 Holding COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Chapleau

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 Wednesday 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.

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Holding Local Constituency Clinics

Algoma-Manitoulin's NDP MPP is meeting with local constituents over the next couple days.

Michael Mantha's holding constituency clinics in the region, stopping at the Chapleau Town Office from 9 am to 10 am Tuesday, the Wawa Municipal Office from 1 pm to 2 pm Tyesday, and the White River Township Office from 3 pm to 4 pm.

Mantha will also visit Dubreuilville's Town Office from 4 pm to 5 pm Wednesday, after stops in Manitouwadge and Hornepayne.

The meetings are by appointment only - anyone who wishes to meet with Mantha's should call 1-800-831-1899.

Early Bird Draw Winner for MVFA Annual Cash Draw

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that a Wawa woman named Michelle Albert won the draw, but the winner was Wawa man Michel Albert. Apologies for the confusion, a corrected version is below.

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Wawa's firefighters are congratulating a Wawa man for claiming the first draw in an annual fundraising campaign.

Michel Albert won Saturday night's $1000 "Early Bird" draw in the Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters Association annual cash draw, though Past President Kyle Ouellet notes it's not the only prize the ticket could win.

Noting ticket sales have raised about $13,000 so far, Ouellet reminds they support the firefighters.

Tickets are available throughout the community, including through firefighters.

The next $1000 draw will be held on Valentine's Day, with the final draws on March 5th, at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

Order Deadline for Wawa's 4th Annual Ice Candle Celebration Day

Time is running out for those hoping to participate in Wawa's fourth annual Ice Candle Celebration Day.

As today is the deadline to order ice candles, Heather Rainville reminds the event's meant to honour loved ones.

Rainville notes volunteers are also welcome, and can contact the Municipality.

Participants can place an ice candle for $8, or a volunteer will do so for $10 - order forms were mailed out, but can also be found on the municipal website or at the Municipal Office, though they must be submitted by the end of the day.

The event will be held at Woodland Cemetery on Monday, December 26th.

Chapleau Council to Hold Sole December Meeting

Chapleau Town Council's set to hold its sole meeting of the month.

While Councillor Paul Bernier has an excused absence, tonight's agenda is packed, including by-laws appointing a deputy mayor and setting the 2023 refuse collection, water, and sewage service rates, as well as resolutions appointing two councillors to Chapleau Hydro's board, setting the 2023 schedule of fees, and delaying the municipality's ban of single-use bags from the start of 2023 to the end of the year.

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

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 57 since Wednesday - 44 in Greater Sudbury, nine in the broader Sudbury District, and four in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 152 - 20 in hospital, one in an ICU - with eight in the northern Sudbury District, double Wednesday's four - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

APH & TBDHU Report New COVID-19 Deaths, New Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting two in which COVID contributed to but was not the underlying cause of death, bringing the health unit's death toll since the pandemic began to 84, 63 in 2022 alone - it does not report where the deaths occurred.

It's also reporting thirteen new cases since Tuesday - seven in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three in Central and East Algoma, two in the Elliot Lake area, 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 63, with eight in hospital, two in ICUs.

The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting its 128th COVID-19 death, though it's giving no further details.

The health unit's also reporting 165 new COVID-19 cases over the last week, an increase from the previous week - it no longer reports "active" case counts, but shows 20 in hospital, two in ICUs.

MVFA Cash Draw's Early Bird $1000 Approaches

Time is running out for early birds to get a ticket for the Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association's annual cash draw.

The "Early Bird" draw will be made Saturday night, though President Kyle Ouellet reminds it's not the only prize a ticket can win.

Ouellet reminds proceeds from the draw help with training and equipment for the local firefighters.

Wawa's Community Christmas Returns This Weekend

Wawa's getting a little taste of Christmas this weekend.

Pauline Dawson of the Superior Children's Centre notes the Community Christmas is a long-running tradition.

Dawson explains there'll be a lot for children to do.

Dawson adds there's also face painting, snacks, draws with entries for every child, and special guests: Santa and Mrs. Claus with some elves.

Children must be accompanied by an adult to attend the Community Christmas, which runs from 1 pm to 4 pm Sunday afternoon, at Wawa's Legion Hall.

Shine the Light on Woman Abuse Campaign Ending

A local campaign in solidarity with abused women is set to wrap up for the year.

The "Shine the Light on Woman Abuse" campaign was launched last month, seeing Wawa decorated in purple to raise awareness of violence against women, show solidarity and support for abused women, and raise the profile of local agencies that can help abused women.

CHADWIC Home Program Supervisor Bonnie Ross explains purple has a special meaning.

The "Shine the Light on Woman Abuse" campaign ends tomorrow, which is Human Rights Day, the final day in the 16 Days of Action on Violence Against Women.

Float Registration Deadline for Wawa's Santa Claus Parade

As Santa Claus nears Wawa, organizers of the local Santa Claus Parade are reminding time's almost up to enter a float.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains that - after two years of "stationary parades" - this year will see a return to tradition.

Floats must be registered by tomorrow - either by emailing mcoe@wawa.cc, or calling 705-856-2244, extension 240 - with Wawa's Santa Claus Parade to be held next Friday, December 16th, at 6 pm.

White also reminds the Festival of Lights is underway - participants will be turning on their lights every night through Sunday, December 18th.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Death, More Cases

Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting a death in Greater Sudbury in which COVID was the underlying cause of death, bringing the health unit's death toll up to 193, including 167 in the city.

The health unit's also reporting 47 new cases since Monday - 35 in Greater Sudbury, eight in the broader Sudbury District, and four in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 124 - 23 in hospital - with four "active" cases in the northern Sudbury District, double Monday's two - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting fourteen new cases over the last week - it no longer breaks that down by region or reports "active" case counts, but does show eleven in hospital, down from the fifteen reported a week ago.

Wawa & Chapleau Receiving Transit Funding Through Safe Restart Agreement

A couple local municipalities are getting support for transit.

Premier Doug Ford's announced up to $505-million for 107 municipalities across the province through Phase 4 of the federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement, to help municipal transit systems address costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic between the start of February this year and the end of the year - the funds could be used to cover revenue losses, operating expenses, or provincial transit priority projects like fare and service integration and On-Demand transit.

Locally, Wawa's been allocated up to $5000 while Chapleau's allocated up to $7176 - Elliot Lake's set to get over $100,000, Sault Ste. Marie over $813,000, Timmins more than $233,000, Greater Sudbury over $1.2-million, and Thunder Bay more than $871,000.

Chapleau Piano Academy Receiving Recognition & Support From Hydro One

A Chapleau music instruction business is getting some support from Hydro One.

The power utility and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business have announced 28 recipients of the Hydro One Indigenous Entrepreneurship Grant, supporting a wide range of Indigenous-owned businesses across the province in "achiev[ing] business goals and energiz[ing] life in their communities".

While most have been awarded a $2500 grant - and membership in the CCAB - eight have been awarded a $7500 grant, including Kassey's Chapleau Piano Academy in Chapleau.

The Academy is set to present its Virtual Christmas Piano Recital on Thursday, December 22nd, streamed on YouTube at 7 pm that night.

Chapleau Holding Open House on Taste of the North Winter Carnival

Chapleau's starting preparations for the return of its annual winter carnival.

After two years cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Township of Chapleau says an open house to plan the Taste of the North Winter Carnival will be held tonight, encouraging residents to "help us make it a success", emphasizing "your voice matters".

The open house will be held at 7:00 pm tonight, in Council Chambers.

Bull Moose Shot & Abandoned Near Gogama

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's asking for public help identifying who shot and abandoned a bull moose near Gogama.

The Ministry says conservation officers were alerted on November 11th of a dead moose south of Highway 560 near Westree, noting the moose had been shot and abandoned a few days earlier on Lampman Road in Lampman Township, off the Amyot Road south of Highway 560.

Anyone with information about this incident can call the ministry's tips line at 1-877-847-7667 or Crime Stoppers.

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 36 since Thursday - 27 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in Central and East Algoma, two in the Elliot Lake area, 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 dropped to 63, with eleven in hospital, one in an ICU.