Wawa Emergency Services Hitting Ice for Charity Hockey Game

Members of Wawa's emergency services will be hitting the ice this weekend in a hockey game supporting an important local cause.

Local firefighter Sam Rowe explains the Emergency Services Hockey Game features a combination of all of Wawa's emergency services.

Rowe notes that it serves a dual purpose.

While there is no cost to attend, Rowe says donations will be accepted - and he notes there'll be raffles for some items donated by local businesses and organizations.

Wawa's Emergency Services Charity hockey game begins at 7 pm Saturday night, at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Still 2 Active in Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 44 since Monday - 38 in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District, and four in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 149 - with 36 in hospital, four in I-C-Us - with two still "active" in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

The health unit's reporting the community's COVID-19 risk level is "moderate" while overall influenza activity for the region is "sporadic".

Meanwhile, the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting 25 new cases over the last week - down from the previous week - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts, but does show three in hospital, just over half of the previous report.

Chapleau Council to Consider Zoning Amendment for Residential Units

Chapleau Council will consider a zoning by-law amendment for a multi-residential building later this month.

The Township of Chapleau's issued notice that a public meeting will be held under the Planning Act on February 21st, to receive input on proposed site-specific amendments for the proposal for five residential dwelling units with reduced parking requirements at 49 Monk Street.

Tuesday, February 21st - the day after the Family Day holiday - is the date of the next Council meeting, which would be held at 6:30 pm that night.

APH Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths, Nearly Doubles Active Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting two - one in which it was the underlying cause, another in which it contributed but was not the underlying cause - but gives no further details.

This brings the health unit's death toll to 89 - it last reported a death two weeks ago.

It's also reporting 95 new cases over the last week - 80 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, twelve in Central and East Algoma, and three in the Elliot Lake area - nearly doubling known "high risk active" cases to 111, with fourteen in hospital, five in ICUs.

PHSD Reports 201st COVID-19 Death, New Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting is 201st - the 174th in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death last Wednesday.

The health unit's also reporting 41 new cases since Friday - 36 in Greater Sudbury, five in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 130 - 22 in hospital, one in an ICU - with two cases still "active" in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

Michipicoten Golf Club Holding Annual General Meeting

The Michipicoten Golf Club's set to hold its annual general meeting tonight.

It's urging all members and shareholders to attend, as the president and treasurer will present reports and there will be nominations for new directors, noting more are needed to fill vacant seats.

The meeting will be held at 6 pm, at the Michipicoten Memorial Centre’s Banquet Room.

25th Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby Nears

Organizers are ramping up preparations for a special edition of Chapleau's ice fishing derby, a couple weeks before the event.

Organizer Luc Tessier explains the Rotary Club of Chapleau's preparing to celebrate a milestone for the Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby.

Tessier touts over $75,000 in prizes, including a Polaris Ranger 1000 Side-By-Side for first place.

The Rotary Club of Chapleau presents the 25th annual Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby February 11th.

Chapleau Council Meeting Tonight

Chapleau Town Council's set to meet tonight.

Included on the agenda is a delegation from the Chapleau Regional Development Committee, resolutions for appointments to the Chapleau Hydro Board of Directors and the Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury and Districts, and five "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 Reports New COVID-19 Cases, 2 Active in Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 29 since Wednesday - 23 in Greater Sudbury, four in the broader Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 127, with 34 in hospital, two in ICUs.

For the first time in nearly two weeks, the "active" cases include two in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

Chapleau Seeking Volunteer for PHSD Board, Local Committees

Time's running out for Chapleau residents interested in sitting on the local public health board.

The Township of Chapleau's seeking residents or ratepayers interested in being part of Public Health Sudbury and Districts, asking they submit a letter of intent outlining interests and experience, by emailing cao@chapleau.ca by noon Monday, January 30th.

It's also looking for volunteers for a few other local committees - the Economic Development Committee, Leisure and Cultural Services, Protection to Persons and Property and Property Standards, and Public Works - Maintenance and Operations - though those interested in volunteering for those have until noon on March 30th to apply.

Wawa Seniors Goose Club Set to Launch Monthly Lunch & Learn

Wawa seniors are being offered a chance to have a bite to eat and learn at the same time.

Wendy Todesco - a member of the Wawa Goose Club executive - explains the local seniors centre is launching a monthly "Lunch and Learn" this week.

Todesco notes the first topic - tackled next Wednesday, February 1st - will be seniors nutrition, featuring dietician Justine Glover and her intern as guest speakers.

Tickets must be purchased in advance, at the Wawa Goose Club, by Monday, January 30th.

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.