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With the Chapleau Derby in the books, anglers are preparing for the next big ice fishing derby: the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.
Organizers are also looking forward to the event, with Chair Scott Popert reminding there's some prizes on the line: a $35,000 registration prize and cash for the largest fish.
Popert also reminds there are still tickets available for the derby, which will be held March 3rd through 5th.
Lines are out of the water as Chapleau's 25th annual Pike Ice Fishing Derby is now in the books.
More than 700 anglers hit the ice for the one-day derby - with 28 qualifying fish caught - but the top prize of a 2023 Polaris Ranger 1000 Side-by-Side worth $30,000 went to a local.
The $15,000 second prize went to Willie Desrochers with a 4.96-pound pike brought in at the end of the day, which bumped the 4.85-pounder caught by Guy Paradis to third place, though that still earned him $10,000.
Time and tickets are running out for the Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association's annual cash draw.
A lucky supporter of the firefighters will be $1000 richer tomorrow, as the Valentine's Day draw is held Tuesday morning, though Past President Kyle Ouellet notes the same ticket could win even more.
Noting the draw supports the firefighters with training and equipment, Ouellet says support's been strong so far.
Remaining tickets will be collected this evening as sales halt - so none are missed for the draw - resuming after tomorrow's draw.
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region - including in the northern Sudbury District.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 51 new cases since Wednesday - 42 in Greater Sudbury, one in the Manitoulin District, and eight in the broader Sudbury District, all in the northern Sudbury District, which now has eight "active" - the communities aren't specified, but that region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.
In total, the health unit's known "active" cases are up to 180, 36 in hospital, two in ICUs.
With International Women's Day less than a month away, CHADWIC Home's turning to community to join in a planned event.
Noting the theme this year is "Embrace Equity", Pam Carruthers explains a "Cultural Diversity Event" is planned.
Carruthers emphasizes that the event relies on people signing up to participate.
Those interested in signing up for a booth are asked to contact CHADWIC Home by calling 705-856-2848 by Monday, so organizers can confirm plans for International Women's Day, which is March 8th.
Local police are issuing a few safety reminders ahead of the Chapleau derby.
Warning that "no ice is safe ice" - as it is always changing based on various conditions, with the shift from cold to mild and back creating "even more unpredictable" conditions - Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle has a general guideline for clear ice.
Nickle warns those figures should be doubled for white or snow-covered ice - as it's only half as strong - and urges against travelling on ice in the dark.
Constable Nickle also recommends anglers fish with a buddy or group and stay within the derby boundaries, taking some more safety precautions, including keeping your vehicle in top condition.
Nickle reminds everyone to fish sober and especially warns against drinking and driving.
Anglers are heading out on the ice in Chapleau this weekend, as the Rotary Club of Chapleau hosts the community's 25th annual Pike Ice Fishing Derby.
Noting there are still some tickets available, organizer Luc Tessier says registration's happening today.
Tessier notes the derby's switching from using tags to flags for anglers - similar to the Wawa derby - with information available during registration.
As for prizes, Tessier touts a few.
Rather than an in-person event, the prize ceremony will be livestreamed like last year.
Fishing on the Chapleau River - including Mulligan's Bay - runs from 7 am to 4 pm tomorrow, with JJAM FM broadcasting live updates from 11 am to 4 pm.
Wawa Municipal Council appears split on lowering the speed limit for residential streets.
In this week's Committee of the Whole meeting, Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall outlined a report on lowering the speed limit to 40 kilometers an hour for most roads in town, except Mission Road and Main Street where they're part of Highway 101 (as the provincial government set that limit at 50 kilometers an hour) or the Mission Road into Michipicoten River Village or Harbour Road.
Weatherall noted that the "Speed Spy" occasionally used to monitor traffic on roads found there actually was not a lot of speeding, but she acknowledged the "perception" of speeding, adding heavy equipment traffic was far outnumbered by personal vehicles - noting the muncipality's sought to vary routes for its heavy vehicles since complaints last year, but added the vehicles also have difficulty getting up to even 40 km/h due to conditions - with Councillor Mitch Hatfield confirming that the "School Zone" is already limited to 40 km/h.
Councillor Joseph Opato stated opposition to lowering the speed limit for other roads, saying those in the Government Road area wish it was a 50 km/h instead of 40 km/h, while Councillor Cathy Cannon also spoke out against lowering the limit - casting doubt on whether it'd be effective - and Mayor Melanie Pilon acknowledged concerns about speeding, saying "perception is reality" but also doubting the need to reduce the limit across the community, further suggesting there may be other options, like the possibility of the "Speed Spy" being used to help issue tickets, which she noted could bring in revenue.
No resolution was brought forward to confirm any change at this time.
A ban on feeding wildlife may be on the way for Wawa.
Speaking to Council during this week's Committee of the Whole meeting, Kevin Sabourin - who is Assistant Director of Protective Services, a role that includes by-law enforcement - explained a draft policy to prohibit the feeding of wildlife.
Asked how it would be enforced, Sabourin explained the policy would allow the OPP, conservation officers, and himself - as a by-law official - to do so, with plans to forward an approved by-law to the provincial government so tickets could be issued.
Mayor Melanie Pilon also requested a period of public comment, with Sabourin promising to put it out for consultation.
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting is 202nd - the 175th in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death January 30th.
The health unit's also reporting 49 new cases since Monday - 40 in Greater Sudbury, five in the broader Sudbury District, and four in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 164, 38 in hospital, two in ICUs.
There are currently no "active" cases listed for the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).
Wawa Municipal Council's written off the last of a loan to the local golf club.
Under terms of a multi-year loan agreement with the club, Council earlier this week agreed to write off an amount equivalent to capital equipment purchases made by the club, covering the remainder of the loan.
Prior to the vote, Councillor Mitch Hatfield sought to clarify whether the municipality owns the golf course, and was told that the municipality does - and has declared it a "municipal capital facility" - but leases it back with the club assuming responsibility and liability - Councillor Joseph Opato pressed further about any cost to the municipality, and was told that some department staff offers some minor support but it amounts to a "minimal" cost to the municipality.
Mayor Melanie Pilon reiterated opposition to the agreement - saying her conscience doesn't agree at all - but stated she'd agree since this is "the last one" - she did call for a recorded vote and was the sole Council member to vote against the write-down, saying she knew that was how it would go but "didn't want [her] name in there".
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Algoma Public Health's reporting one in which COVID contributed but was not the underlying cause of death, bringing the health unit's death toll to 90 - it last reported a death last week.
It's also reporting 96 new cases over the last week, about the same as the previous week - 80 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, twelve in Central and East Algoma, and four in the Elliot Lake area - raising known "high risk active" cases slightly, to 112, with twenty in hospital, two in ICUs.
Wawa Municipal Council's holding back-to-back meetings tonight.
First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which includes discussion on 40 kilometer an hour speed limits on residential streets, the drinking water system operation plan, a write-down of the Michipicoten Golf Club's loan, a draft policy prohibiting feeding of wildlife, a fire advisory committee, a funding application, and two requests for fee waivers.
That'll be followed by a regular Council meeting, which includes resolutions approving the write-down of the golf club loan, vesting a property, and approving Council travel for 2023 conferences, as well as by-laws adopting the 2023 schedule of fees and amending the by-law for the Age-Friendly Committee.
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.
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting an overall increase of 37 cases since Friday - with 39 more in Greater Sudbury and two in the Manitoulin District, while the broader Sudbury District's count was reduced by four - with known "active" cases down to 144, including 37 in hospital, two in ICUs.
For the first time in more than a week, there are no longer any "active" cases listed for the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).
With International Women's Day a month away, CHADWIC Home's turning to the community for support of a planned event.
Noting the theme this year is "Embrace Equity", Pam Carruthers explains a "Cultural Diversity Event" is being planned.
Carruthers emphasizes that the event relies on participants, however.
Those interested in signing up for a booth are asked to contact CHADWIC Home at 705-856-2848 by Monday, February 13th, so organizers can confirm plans for International Women's Day, which is March 8th.
Organizers are ramping up preparations for a special edition of Chapleau's ice fishing derby, just ahead of the event.
Organizer Luc Tessier reminds the Rotary Club of Chapleau's celebrating an important milestone for the Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby: 25 years.
Tessier notes there are some changes in the prizes this year.
Touting over $75,000 in prizes - including a 2023 Polaris Ranger 1000 Side-By-Side for first place - Tessier notes there are still tickets available for the derby, which will be held this Saturday, February 11th.
JJAM FM will be broadcasting live derby updates with shoutouts from 11 am to 4 pm.
Chapleau Town Council's holding a special meeting today - but it won't be open to the public.
A single "in-camera" item is on the agenda, relating to "advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose concerning Chapleau Public Utility".
The meeting will be held at 4:30 pm this afternoon.
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 39 since Wednesday - 32 in Greater Sudbury, six in the broader Sudbury District, and another in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 160 - that still includes two in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).
Across the health unit's region, there are still 36 cases in hospital, four in ICUs.
The Municipality of Wawa's touting meetings attended by the mayor at a recent conference.
Mayor Melanie Pilon - and CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill - attended the recent Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference in Toronto, and a municipal release notes Pilon - supported by other members of the Superior East Mayor's Group - presented a briefing to Health Minister and Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones on the need for local physician support and additional funding for locums, and Pilon also joined Dubreuilville Mayor Beverly Nantel and White River Councillor Dwijen Bharad in a dicussion with the Associate Minister of Housing about possible solutions to the regional housing shortage.
It also quotes Mayor Pilon as "looking forward" to attending the upcoming Ontario Good Roads Conference, with plans to advocate for a full-time Drive Test Centre in the region, along with increased infrastructure funding.
Chapleau's thanking a local miner for a new vehicle for the fire department.
The Township says it accepted the donation of a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado crew cab from Newmont Gold - owner of the local Borden Gold Mine - intended to help the fire department respond to emergency calls "efficiently", along with transporting rescue equipment and tools.
It also touts "the championing of Mayor [Ryan] Bignucolo and council's dedication and enthusiasm".
