Environment Canada Expects Major Storm Heading Into Holiday Weekend

Bad news for those looking to travel for the holidays.

Environment Canada's issued a special weather statement for Wawa, White River, Pukaskwa, Agawa, Lake Superior Park, Searchmont, Montreal River Harbour, Batchawana Bay, Chapleau, and Gogama, warning a "significant winter storm" is expected late this week, into the holiday weekend.

It's expecting snow to begin for areas near to lake Superior Thursday, reaching James Bay on Friday, with snow at times heavy and accompanied by "very strong" northerly winds Friday into Saturday, making blizzard conditions possible for areas near to the northern shores of Lake Superior and downwind of Lake Nipigon, while "a multi-day lake effect snow event" is expected into the weekend for locations east of Superior.

While the weather agency has "high confidence in a high impact winter storm", details on wind speeds or specific snowfall amounts "remain highly uncertain at this time".

Those planning to travel are warned to consider altering those plans "as travel conditions may become dangerous" and "extensive utility outages are possible" while "bitterly cold wind chill values" are expected Friday, into the weekend.

Environment Canada's also issued a snow squall watch for areas between Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie, warning 20 to 40 centimetres of snow's expected to arrive between this evening and Wednesday evening, with reduced visibility from heavy and blowing snow.

Winners Announced for Wawa's Festival of Lights

Winners have been named for Wawa's annual Festival of Lights.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White says the annual decoration contest was "a great success".

White's also happy to announce the winners.

55 Third Avenue came in third last year, while 56 Winston Road was 2021's number one.

White also commends everyone who participated or came out to watch Friday's Santa Claus Parade, saying "it was just amazing".

Wawa Public Library Silent Auction Considered Success

The Wawa Public Library's thanking the community for supporting a recent fundraiser.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell says the silent auction that wrapped up Saturday went quite well.

Jarrell highlights one particular item donated for the auction.

Jarrell also thanks everyone who participated by placing bids - including winners, who've been contacted - and a few other donors.

Jarrell says funds raised through the silent auction help the library to get "little extras".

Wawa Council Calls Special Meeting for Capital Budget

It turns out Wawa Municipal Council's meeting another time before the end of the year - tomorrow.

While last week's meetings - the first of the term - were scheduled to be the last of 2022, a special meeting's been called for 6:30 pm Tuesday night, with a single item on the agenda: the Capital Budget.

Open to the public, the meeting will be held in Council Chambers, and broadcast on the Municipality of Wawa's YouTube channel.

Rotary Club of Chapleau Preparing 25th Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby

Organizers are preparing for a special edition of Chapleau's ice fishing derby.

Organizer Luc Tessier explains the Rotary Club of Chapleau's readying the milestone Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby.

Tessier acknowledges there is one major change for the year.

Tessier assures there's a silver lining to it.

The Rotary Club of Chapleau's 25th annual Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby will be held Saturday, February 11th.

Wawa Looking for Board/Committee Members

The Municipality of Wawa's looking for volunteers to sit on a few boards or committees.

As committees of Council share the same term as Council, a new term is underway, requiring Council to fill those committees - that's prompted a call for volunteers: five for the Cemetery Committee; five for the Public Library Board; seven for the Heritage Committee; seven for the Age-Friendly Committee; seven for the Marina Committee; and six for the Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

Those interested should submit a letter of interest indicating why they wish to join the committee and/or skills and abilities they have to offer, by emailing slord@wawa.cc by 4 pm Tuesday, January 3rd - for more information, call Sue Lord by the end of the week at 705-856-2244, extension 221.

Chapleau MNRF Staff Thank Community for Supporting Food Drive

Chapleau staff of Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry are thanking the community for supporting their annual food drive.

Friday's event at the Chapleau Valu-Mart was able to raise 570 food items and over $700 in monetary donations, all donated to the Sacre Coeur Church.

Organizers particularly highlight the support of the Valu-Mart for hosting them and supporting the drive, as well as Rick Smith at Miss Muggins for his support, including donating food and beverages for the day.

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 46 since Wednesday - 40 in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 224 - 37 in hospital, three in ICUs - with thirteen "active" cases in the northern Sudbury District - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases, TBDHU Reports 2 Deaths

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting seventeen since Tuesday - eleven in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four in Central and East Algoma, and two in the Elliot Lake area - though known "high risk active" cases are down slightly, to 65, with ten in hospital, two in ICUs.

Meanwhile, more COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed in a neighbouring region.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting two, bringing its death toll to 130, though it is giving no further details.

It's also reporting 143 new cases over the last week, down from the previous week - it no longer reports "active" case counts, but shows seventeen in hospital.

Wawa's Santa Claus Parade Arrives as Festival of Lights Nears End

With Christmas a week away, Wawa residents are being encouraged to celebrate the holidays, as Santa's back in town.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains that - after two years of "stationary parades" - tonight's Santa Claus Parade is a return to tradition.

Once the parade arrives at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, there'll be some festivities, with Hot Chocolate with Mayor and Council.

White also suggests - after watching the parade - checking out participants in Wawa's annual Festival of Lights, since it wraps up this weekend.

The Santa Claus Parade starts at 6 pm tonight, with the Festival of Lights, running from 6 pm to 9 pm every night up to - and including - this Sunday, December 18th.

Wawa Public Library Wrapping Up Silent Auction Ahead of Christmas

The Wawa Public Library's set to wrap up a silent auction this weekend.

Noting the library's trying something new to raise money for "the little extras" they'd like to get, CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the library's trying something new, with a few items up for bid.

The items can be viewed and bids placed at the library until 2 pm Saturday.

Charges Laid After CMV Observed Failing to Stop for Stop Sign in Dubreuilville

Multiple charges have been laid after a commercial vehicle was spotted failing to stop for a stop sign in Dubreuilville.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police have tweeted that an officer on patrol stopped the commercial vehicle after observing it go through the stop sign, leading to a charge for that, as well as failing to complete inspection report and daily log.

Holiday Break Starts Early as HSCDSB Closes Schools Amid Cyberattack

The local English Catholic school board's starting its holiday break early - because of a cyberattack.

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board says it's currently recovering from a "cyber-incident" that first came to its attention this morning, prompting them to immediately take steps to secure the board's network and retain expert assistance, with the board now "in the process of investigating and understanding the full impact of this incident".

It is, however, affecting the communication systems in the board's schools - including telephones and PA systems - so the board sent students home for the remainder of the day, cancelling classes for the rest of the week "to ensure the health and safety of everyone" - as the Christmas break was set to start this weekend, that means classes won't be resuming until the new year, on Tuesday, January 3rd.

The board's website is also not operational because of the attack, so it will instead be communicating with employees and families through its school messanger platform and social media, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

It also acknowledges the "significant privacy concern", vowing to provide updates and share more information when available.

LDHCF 50/50 Concludes, Wish Campaign Still Underway

Wawa's hospital foundation is congratulating the winner of its first ever 50/50 draw.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Vice Chair Lorraine Pihelgas notes the campaign's concluded for now, with the draw made this morning.

Pihelgas notes tickets for the next 50/50 raffle will be available January 10th, with an early bird draw on January 30th and the proper draw in mid-February.

Noting the raffle supported the ongoing "One for the Dunn" campaign, Foundation Chair Susan Switzer reminds the "Wish" campaign - also supporting "One for the Dunn" - is still underway, and going "really well" so far.

Switzer emphasizes there's still time to donate, as the holiday mailout campaign ends January 7th.

Calgary Man Identified As Deceased in Collision South of Chapleau

A Calgary man's been confirmed as the deceased in a single-vehicle collision south of Chapleau earlier this month.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say 51-year-old Abdul Hashmi was pronounced dead at the scene, after his northbound SUV left Highway 129 near the intersection with Highway 667 - about 40 kilometres south of Chapleau - entering the southbound ditch late on the afternoon of December 4th.

He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

The investigation's ongoing, with assistance from the Northeast Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) team.

Impaired Driving Charges After Wawa Domestic Dispute

Impaired driving charges have been laid after a domestic dispute in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to the incident on Joliet Street late the night of December 6th, with investigation determining one of the involved parties had driven a vehicle while impaired by alcohol.

That led to charges of operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs and operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) against a 27-year-old from Wawa.

Police will not be releasing their name, due to the domestic nature of the incident.

They're set to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice next month.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 68 since Monday - 56 in Greater Sudbury, eleven in the broader Sudbury District, and another in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 219, including thirteen in the northern Sudbury District (Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), up from Monday's eleven.

It's holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today, 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 BIA Recommends Council Dissolve Organization

The Wawa BIA could be disbanding in the new year.

During last night's Committee of the Whole meeting, Wawa Municipal Council was apprised of a letter from the BIA, informing the municipality that its board had passed a resolution recommending dissolution of the Business Improvement Area due to a shrinking business community and especially volunteer base, which has made it difficult for the organization to form a board and meet quorum for its meetings.

CAO Maury O'Neill explained that the Municipal Act would require the Municipality to give BIA members - businesses along Broadway Avenue and much of Mission Road - 60 days notice if they're planning to disband it, allowing those members time to respond.

O'Neill also noted a review's underway for the BIA's assets - mainly the Christmas lights and BIA banners - but it's believed the organization has sufficient funds to wind up operations, so the current recommendation for next year's budget is not to levy funds for the BIA.

Asked who'd be responsible for the lights, banners, and planters without the BIA, O'Neill explained that would fall to the Municipality, which has already been covering much of that anyway, with contributions from the BIA, though she noted that's something Council would need to decide whether they want to continue.

Council appeared in favour of the dissolution, though no formal vote was taken.

This comes just shy of a decade after then-Mayor Linda Nowicki pushed to dissolve the BIA due to inactivity, though she withdrew that when the organization elected a new executive and pushed to continue operations.