PHSD Reports 200th COVID-19 Death

A local health unit's reached a grim COVID-19-related milestone.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 200th COVID-19 death - the ninth in the Manitoulin District - just shy of a year after the health unit's death toll reached 100 - it last reported a death on Friday.

The health unit's also reporting 38 new cases since Monday - 34 in Greater Sudbury, four in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 123, 25 in hospital, two in ICUs.

It's holding an appointment only vaccination clinic for those at least 12 years old 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.

Chapleau Resident Charged Over Break-In At Chapleau Business

A Chapleau resident's facing multiple charges over a break-in at a local business.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a reported break-and-enter at a Monk Street business around 6:30 Saturday morning, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 44-year-old on charges of: break, enter a place; theft over $5000; theft under $5000; trespassing at night; and two counts of failure to comply with release order.

They've been remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

Police say a second suspect in the incident remains outstanding.

White River Man Faces Assault, Mischief, Threats Charges Over 2 Incidents in Wawa

Assault and other charges have been laid against a White River man over two separate incidents in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were first called to an assault on Churchill Avenue around 8:30 pm the night of January 16th, but the suspect fled before officers arrived - police were also called about a "threats occurrence" involving the same individual early the morning of January 19th, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 33-year-old from White River on charges of assault with a weapon, mischief, and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

He's been released from custody, set to appear in court in March.

Wawa Council Directs Staff to Reopen MMCC Canteen

Wawa Municipal Council's pushing to reopen the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre's canteen.

In their Committee of the Whole meeting last night, Council was told that a "local member of our business community" who'd expressed interest in operating the canteen before the previous meeting has since withdrawn interest for this time, and - as there were no applications under the Request for Proposals released just before Christmas - that meant the canteen would not be operating, though Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson noted there were only four major events in the remaining ice season, and volunteer groups had expressed interest in running the canteen for three of them - he also recommended putting out an RFP for the following season later this year.

Councillor Jim Hoffmann noted a current staff member previous ran the concession before the COVID-19 pandemic and asked whether she could do so again, but was told it formerly ran at a loss and it's expected it would do so again if the municipality operated.

Deputy Mayor Mitch Hatfield - who was serving as chair of the meeting, in Mayor Melanie Pilon's absence - then pushed for the reopening of the canteen, anyway, backed by the three other councillors present - Patterson then outlined the required process, including advertising for the staff position and purchasing products to be sold at the canteen, saying the earliest the canteen could open that way would be the Family Day weekend, which starts February 17th.

There was brief discussion about the budget before it was confirmed this could be added into the as-yet-unpresented 2023 operating budget with Council's direction, with Patterson estimating it'd be about $8000 for the year - limited if going to an RFP in May - with Treasurer Manuela Batovanja noting costs include employee wages and benefits, electricity usage for the equipment, and inventory - including oils and condiments, in addition to the food proper - Hoffmann again asked about the current staffer who had operated the canteen, but was told - per policy - the position would still need to be filled through an open hiring process since it has been closed for multiple years.

In the end, the councillors directed staff to move forward with the process for reopening the canteen - to be confirmed in a resolution in the next Council meeting on February 7th - but confirmed the plans would only be for operating it for the remaining ice season, issuing an RFP for the next season.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases, 4 in North Algoma

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 58 since last Tuesday - 35 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, ten in Central and East Algoma, nine in the Elliot Lake area, and four in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - pushing known "high risk active" cases up slightly, to 62, with eight in hospital, four in ICUs.

The neighbouring Public Health Sudbury and District is holding an appointment only COVID-19 vaccination clinic for those at least twelve years old at its Chapleau office tomorrow - 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.

Michipicoten First Nation Election Candidates Set

Candidates are set for the upcoming Michipicoten First Nation elections.

Four people are in the running for chief: current Chief Pat Tangie; current councillor Sandra Donney Fraser; Trevor Chenier;and Chad Edgar.

There are 21 candidates for six councillor positions, including Chenier, Donney Fraser, and Edgar, as well as current councillors Irene Armstrong, Donald Humphries, Christine Lewis, Linda Peterson, and Evelyn Stone, plus Kenna DuFresne, Jim St. Germaine, Laura Panhuyzen, Janet Demary, Connie DeLuca, Jeannette Lapham, Mitchell Simon, Anais Tangie, Dan Beaupre, Denise Churchill, John-Paul Chalykoff, Daniel Perrault, and William P. Swanson, Sr.

The election will be held March 25th.

Wawa Council to Hold Back-to-Back Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council will consider management of water and wastewater tonight.

That's one of the topics of tonight's Committee of the Whole meeting, which includes a delegation presenting a draft water and wastewater management plan, plus an update on MMCC canteen operations, and discussion about: the 2023 schedule of fees; accessibility status; the purchase of a diesel engine for a landfill compactor; the marina advisory committee; and monthly reports from department heads.

That'll be followed by a regular Council meeting, which includes resolutions to approve the Water Rate Study and resulting Financial Plan and to appoint members of the Marina Advisory Committee, which is backed by a by-law.

There's also a single "in-camera" item: a legal issue relating to an offer to purchase property.

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 Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Still Quiet in Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 39 since Friday - 34 in Greater Sudbury, four in the broader Sudbury District, and another in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 109, with 22 in hospital.

There have been no "active" cases listed for the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) in a week.

The health unit's holding an appointment only vaccination clinic for those at least 12 years old 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.

Charge Laid Over Threats That Forced Wawa Schools Lockdown

A Wawa man's been charged over threats that forced local schools to lockdown on Friday.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Ashley Nickle says they responded to threats reported by a third party around 1:20 pm Friday afternoon.

Constable Nickle says all of the schools were locked down as precaution, as the man's location was unclear when the threats were reported.

A 30-year-old Wawa man's been charged with a single count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, but was released from custody, with a March court date.

PHSD Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths As New Highly Transmissible Variant Detected

A highly transmissible COVID-19 variant's been detected in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the new Omicron subvariant, XBB - including XBB.1.5 - has been found in its service area, noting it may be the most transmissible variant detected to date and projections for this week are that it will make up over 20% of all strains detected in Ontario.

In response, the health unit's urging everyone continue practicing personal protective measures, particularly staying up-to-date with vaccinations, getting the bivalent booster when eligible - it will hold an “appointment only” vaccination clinic for those at least twelve years old at its Chapleau office this Thursday.

This comes as Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting two COVID-19 deaths in Greater Sudbury - one in which it was the underlying cause, another in which it contributed but was not the underlying cause - bringing its death toll to 199 - 173 in the city - it last reported a death Wednesday.

The health unit's also reporting 28 new cases since Wednesday - 25 in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District, and one in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases stayed at 112 - nineteen in hospital, one in an ICU.

There are no longer any "active" cases listed for the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Death, Still No Cases in Northern Sudbury District

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 ten days ago, though it later removed one of the deaths reported in Greater Sudbury.

The health unit's also reporting 25 new cases since Monday - 21 in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 112 - 22 in hospital, three in ICUs.

There are no longer any "active" listed for the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

Mischief Charge Over White River Domestic Dispute

A mischief charge has been laid after a White River domestic dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to a reported dispute on Ontario Street Sunday morning, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 72-year-old from White River on a charge of 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.

Drug Trafficking & Firearm Charges in Marathon

Two Marathon residents are facing firearm and drug-related charges.

Marathon OPP say officers executed a search warrant at a Marathon residence Tuesday night, seizing an unspecified amount of suspected illicit substances such as cocaine, crystal meth, oxycodone, suboxone, and psilocybin, along with drug trafficking-associated items and Canadian currency.

Arrested are a 34-year-old and a 36-year-old, each facing eleven charges including: possession of weapon for dangerous purpose; careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device, or ammunition; and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

They've been remanded into custody.

PHSD Warns of Increased Overdoses in Greater Sudbury

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning of an increase in overdoses in its region.

The health unit says it has received reports of "an increase in overdoses from the use of substances" in the City of Greater Sudbury, adding that - while it can't confirm the substance that caused the overdoses - it's an "important reminder" that street drugs could be cut or mixed with substances such as benzos, fentanyl, or carfentanil, and more toxic substances may be circulating locally.

PHSD recommends avoiding using drugs when you're alone - but not using it at the same time as an accompanying friend - to avoid mixing drugs or alcohol, to carry a naloxone kit, and - in the case of a suspected overdose - call 9-1-1.

APH Reports 87th COVID-19 Death, New Cases in North Algoma

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

Algoma Public Health's giving few details about its 87th COVID death - except that it was the underlying cause - the health unit last reported a death nearly a month ago.

It's also reporting 33 new cases since Thursday (but shows 35 more in the regional breakdown as two reported Thursday were previously unattributed) - 28 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three in Central and East Algoma, two in the Elliot Lake area, and two 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 62, with twelve in hospital, two in ICUs.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, No Longer Any Active in Northern Sudbury District

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region - but not locally.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 41 since Friday - one in the Manitoulin District, the rest in Greater Sudbury - with known "active" cases down to 121, with 22 in hospital.

The health unit's no longer showing any "active" cases in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

Chapleau Council to Hold 1st 2023 Meeting

Chapleau Town Council's set to hold its first meeting of 2023.

Included on tonight's agenda is a delegation from Chapleau Public Utility manager Jason Rioux, by-laws to set an interim tax levy and adopt an Emergency Management Program and Response Plan, and resolutions to: permit cannabis retail stores; appoint a board member for Public Health Sudbury and Districts; approve the 2023 schedule of fees; and authorize purchase orders for LED streetlights and a telescopic loading chute for the trackless.

There are also three "in-camera" items about identifiable individuals such as municipal or local board employees.

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

PHSD Reminds Parents to Keep Kids Up-to-Date on Immunizations

A local health unit's reminding parents to keep their kids up to date on immunizations for preventable diseases.

Acknowledging the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted regular programming - such as student immunizations - Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it will be sending out reminder letters to all secondary school students lacking up-to-date immunization regards, to remind Ontario's Immunization of School Pupils Act requires students under age 18 to have up-to-date records to attend school in person.

The health unit notes there are about 4200 students in secondary schools across its service area - which includes Chapleau - emphasizing a lack of vaccine protection can lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases, like the meningitis outbreak seen in Toronto last summer.

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