Wawa Council Takes Step Toward BIA Dissolution

Wawa Municipal Council's taken a first step toward disbanding the Wawa BIA.

Following discussions last month - after the BIA's board passed a resolution recommending the Business Improvement Area be dissolved 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 - Council last night gave only first reading to a by-law that would dissolve the BIA.

It's an unusual move for Council, as - for the last several years - it has opted to give by-laws first, second, and third reading at the same time to quickly pass them, though CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill explained this would introduce it to the floor and give opportunity for public comment before the second reading, which could see more Council debate, then the third reading - if passed - would confirm the by-law, dissolving the BIA.

$21m In Federal and Provincial Funding for Huron Central Railway

The Huron Central Railway's getting federal and provincial support for infrastructure.

Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra's announced up to $10.5-million under the National Trade Corridors Fund, with Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano announcing a matching contribution from the Ontario government, while the Huron Central Railway will put in the same amount.

The funds are meant for the rehabilitation of key rail infrastructure to improve the usable life of the track, as well as support the railway in "sustaining operations as a viable freight service between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury", which the federal government says will "increase the fluidity and reliability of rail service for northern Ontario while reducing the travel time of railcare traffic", with spinoff benefits such as "increasing carload volumes in commodity sectors, relieving ongoing supply chain congestion, and improving the reliability of rail service in Northern Ontario".

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 27 since Thursday - eighteen in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in the Elliot Lake area, two in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations), and one in Central and East Algoma - though "high risk active" cases are down slightly, to 61, with sixteen in hospital, one in an ICU.

The neighbouring Public Health Sudbury and District is holding an appointment only COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office Thursday - 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.

PHSD Reports 197th COVID-19 Death, New Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting is 197th - the 171st in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death a week ago.

The health unit's also reporting 21 new cases since Friday - sixteen in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 133 - 26 in hospital, three in ICUs - with three cases still "active" in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), down slightly from Friday's four.

PHSD's holding an appointment vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office Thursday - 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 to Consider 2023 Capital Budget, Dissolving BIA, Future of MMCC Canteen

Wawa Municipal Council will consider approving the 2023 capital budget and dissolving the BIA in back-to-back meetings tonight.

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting including a presentation by Charlie Todesco on predator control, a follow-up on last month's discussion about the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre canteen, a memo on the dissolution of the Wawa BIA (Business Improvement Area), a report on the capital budget presented last month, and a memo on appointments to committees and boards.

That'll be followed by a regular Council meeting, which includes a resolution to accept the draft capital budget presented ahead of the holidays - it outlined over $5-million in proposed projects, including $1.6-million in newly recommended "high priority" projects - along with a resolution to appoint a member for the Algoma Public Health board, and by-laws re-establishing several municipal committees (Heritage, Cemetery, Age-Friendly, Public Library Board, and Economic Development and Tourism).

There's also a single "in-camera" item: a legal issue relating to marina divestiture.

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 Announces Chapleau COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

A COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held in Chapleau later this week.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it's holding the "appointment only" clinic at its Chapleau office Thursday, offering a first or second dose for those six months to five years old, or first, second, and booster doses for those over five - 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.

Assault & Mischief Charges After Dubreuilville Domestic Dispute

Charges have been laid after a Dubreuilville domestic dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to a reported dispute early last Monday morning, with investigation leading to the arrest of a Dubreuilville 51-year-old on charges of spousal assault with a weapon and domestic mischief.

Their identity is being withheld due to the domestic nature of the incident, to protect the victim's identity.

They've been released from custody, set to appear in court in Wawa next month.

Superior East OPP Report A Few Charges Over Festive RIDE Campaign

A few charges were laid locally over the holiday season.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police tell JJAM FM News that officers with the detachment conducted 211 RIDE events or checks during the annual Festive RIDE campaign - which ran from November 17th to January 2nd - with three drivers charged with a total of five impaired-related offences while a single "Warn Range" suspension was issued.

North East Region OPP (which includes Superior East) saw 68 drivers charged with a total of 113 impaired-related offences - plus 22 "Warn Range" suspensions and a "Zero Tolerance" suspension - while OPP across the province charged 812 drivers with a total of 1258 impaired driving offences and issued 208 "Warn Range" suspensions and 21 "Zero Tolerance" suspensions.

Chapleau Looking for Volunteer Committee/Board Members

The Township of Chapleau's looking for volunteers to sit on a few 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: seven for the Economic Development Committee; five for Leisure and Cultural Services; five for Protection to Persons and Property, and Property Standards; and six for Public Works - Maintenance and Operations.

Those interested should submit a letter of intent outlining interests and experience, by emailing cao@chapleau.ca by noon on March 30th.

Nouvelon Holding Open Houses at Local French Catholic Schools

Grade 8 students and their parents will get a preview of what's in store for next school year, as the local French Catholic schools hold open houses this week.

After using virtual open houses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon is holding physical events again, including at Wawa's Ecole secondaire Saint-Joseph Wednesday and Chapleau's Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium Thursday - both start at 6:30 in the evening.

The board's also holding a Kindergarten registration event next week, for parents of children born in 2019 who'll be attending school in September.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Removes More From Overall Case Count

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 31 since Wednesday, but it's unclear where as the health unit's also removed 33 cases from its count because they were "re-positives" rather than "re-infections".

Known "active" cases are up slightly, to 153 - 26 in hospital, four in ICUs - with four "active" in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), slightly down from the previous report.

Input Deadline for 2023 Wawa Capital Budget

Time's almost up for those who want their say on the Municipality of Wawa's proposed capital budget.

Presented to Council just ahead of Christmas, the draft 2023 Capital Budget outlines projects not just for this year but through 2026, with a total of $1,626,000 in new recommended projects for a total of $5,019,716, when combined with previous commitments.

Many are "highly dependent" on outside funding, but all are intended to align with the municipal strategic plan, regulatory requirements, and infrastructure needs.

The presentation can be viewed on the Municipality's YouTube channel or the Municipality's website, with public input accepted until the end of today - plans are for the document to come up for Council approval on Tuesday.

Early Bird Registration Deadline Nears for Wawa Ice Fishing Derby

Time is running out for early bird anglers hoping to win a special prize with the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

Chair Scott Popert explains there's a few prizes on the line if you register soon.

Popert reminds there's also a $35,000 registration prize, and prizes for the largest fish from each of the derby lakes, which is back up to three - Wawa, Hawk, and Manitowik - after only including two last year.

The annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby will be held March 3rd through 5th.

Wawa Council Holding Special Saturday Morning Meeting

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a special meeting this weekend to plan economic development and tourism strategy.

The Municipality says the meeting will be held at 9 am Saturday, with a single item on the agenda: Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee Strategy Planning.

It is open to the public for the public to attend in Council Chambers - it'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

LDHC Foundation Wrapping Up Holiday Wish Campaign

The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's wrapping up its annual holiday fundraising campaign.

As their "Wish" campaign ends, Foundation Chair Susan Switzer reminds funds raised through it support the "One for the Dunn" campaign, which she calls "a huge project".

Though the annual mailout ends tomorrow, the Foundation reminds donations are accepted any time of year - in fact, it's set to launch its quarterly 50/50 campaign on Tuesday, with an early bird draw January 30th and the big draw in mid-February.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases, TBDHU Reports Death

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting sixteen since Tuesday - eleven in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three in Central and East Algoma, and two in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - pushing "high risk active" cases up slightly, to 68, with nineteen in hospital, one in an ICU.

Meanwhile, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting its 132nd COVID-related death, along with 179 new cases over the last week - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts but does show 35 in hospital, one in an ICU.

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting fifteen since Tuesday - ten in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 145 - 28 in hospital, three in ICUs - with the number "active" in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) rising to five.

Timmins Teen Charged With Assault in Wawa

A Timmins teen's facing an assault charge after a Boxing Day incident in Wawa.

Superior East OPP say they responded to a physical altercation on Broadway Avenue around 10:30 the night of December 26th, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 14-year-old on a charge of assault.

Their identity can't be released, under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

They've been released from custody, set to appear in court in Wawa next month.

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