PHSD Reports 203rd COVID-19 Death, New Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting is 203rd - the 176th in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death a week ago.

The health unit's also reporting 37 new cases since Monday - 32 in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 173 - six in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 42 cases in the region in hospital, two in ICUs.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting 24 new cases over the last week, the same as the previous week.

Chapleau's Taste of the North Winter Carnival Continues

Festivities are ramping up for Chapleau's "Taste of the North" Winter Carnival.

Leisure and Cultural Services Director Rejean Raymond reminds two key Carnival traditions return tonight.

Raymond notes there's also another session of the Bath Bomb Experience tonight - tickets are available at the Civic Centre - and reminds everyone to pick up their Carnival keychains, also available at the Civic Centre, for $7.

A full schedule of this weekend's events is available on the municipal website, chapleau.ca, or through the carnival's Facebook page.

Registration Deadline Nears for Wawa Triple Curling Funspiel

Time's running out for curlers to sign up for the upcoming Wawa Triple Curling Funspiel.

While the event's scheduled for February 25th, the registration deadline - with payment - is this Saturday, February 18th.

For details, contact Andy Stevens by calling 705-856-2884 or 705-975-3441, or Jim Hoffmann at 705-852-1274.

Wawa Residents Encouraged to Get Creative for Carnival-Related Competitions

Wawa residents are being encouraged to get creative ahead of the annual winter carnival.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains a couple "pre-carnival" competitions are planned.

White says there's also a Creative Art Competition this year.

White notes that entries for both competitions must be brought to the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre by Friday - it's open 10 am to 4 pm.

Touting an Enchanted Forest theme, the Wawa Winter Carnival arrives Friday - carnival badges will be available at the MMCC over the weekend, with a copy of the event schedule available through Wawa Recreation on social media.

Wawa Council Getting 1st Look at 2023 Operating Budget

Wawa Municipal Council's set to get its first look at this year's operating budget.

A special Council meeting will be held tonight, with a single item on the agenda: presentation of the 2023 Operating Budget.

Council already approved this year's Capital Budget last month - it outlines projects not just for this year but through 2026, with a total of $1.6-million in new recommended projects for this year, for more than $5-million in total projects when combined with previous commitments.

The meeting will be held in Council chambers - and broadcast on the Municipality of Wawa's YouTube channel - starting at 6:30 pm tonight.

APH Seeking Nominations for Public Health Champions

Algoma Public Health's putting out the call for "Public Health Champions".

The health unit says it's accepting nominations for local citizens and organizations in Algoma for the 2022 Public Health Champion Award, looking for those who: have made a difference by working with local government to make positive changes in the community; bring together community partners to work together to improve the overall health of the population in Algoma; or empower groups within the community and help build equal opportunities for priority populations to attain their full health potential.

Details on nominations can be found on the APH website.

Chapleau's Taste of the North Winter Carnival Returns

Festivities are getting underway today for Chapleau's "Taste of the North" Winter Carnival.

Leisure and Culture Services Director Rejean Raymond explains a few things are happening today.

Raymond reminds things ramp up Thursday night - including the annual torch light parade and the carnival bonfire - and reminds Carnival keychains are available for $7.

A full schedule of events is available on the municipal website, chapleau.ca, or through the carnival's Facebook page.

APH Reports 91st COVID-19 Death, New Cases

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 91 - it last reported a death a week ago.

It's also reporting 67 new cases over the last week, down from the previous week - 46 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, fifteen in Central and East Algoma, and six in the Elliot Lake area - though known "high risk active" cases are down to 83, fifteen in hospital, one in an ICU.

Winner Drawn for MVFA Cash Draw's $1000 Valentine's Day Draw

Wawa's firefighters are congratulating the latest winner through an annual fundraising campaign.

Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters Association Past President Kyle Ouellet says the annual cash draw's second $1000 draw was held this morning.

Supporting training and equipment purchases for the local firefighters, the annual cash draw's final draws will be made March 5th, at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Fewer for Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 39 since Friday - 33 in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, and five in the Manitoulin District - though the number of known "active" cases is down to 161, with 37 in hospital, three in ICUs.

After seeing a spike in cases Friday, the northern Sudbury District saw a slight decline, down to six "active" - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

Chapleau Council Holding In-Camera Meeting

Chapleau Town Council's holding another special meeting today - but it won't be open to the public.

Set to include a delegation from KPMG - while Councillors Lisi and Paul Bernier will be absent - 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.

APH Urges Everyone Share Valentines, Not STIs

Algoma Public Health's urging everyone to "share Valentines, not STIs".

As this week marks "Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week" in Canada, the local health unit says it's "promoting knowledge, conversation, and resources to improve community health", emphasizing the importance of sexual health "as a key part of our overall well-being, including our abilities to develop healthy relationships and express who we are".

Acknowledging "it may be uncomfortable to talk about sexually transmitted infections", Infectious Diseases Manager Jonathon Bouma says they're "more common that people think, including here in the Algoma District", with chlamyida "the most common reportable bacterial STI in Algoma" at a rate of 226 cases per 100,000 people last year, though cases of gonorrhea have increased over the past two years to a rate of 75 per 100,000 people last year - nearly five times higher than in 2020 - and cases of infectious syphilis hit a 10-year high last year at a rate of 13 per 100,000 people, nearly five times higher than in 2020.

APH warns that many STIs have few or no noticeable symptoms, suggesting routine testing at least once a year as "a great way to check in on our health".

Special Meeting Called for Wawa's Operating Budget Presentation

Wawa Municipal Council will get its first look at this year's operating budget later this week.

A special Council meeting's been called for Wednesday, March 23rd, with one item on the agenda: presentation of the 2023 Operating Budget.

Council approved this year's Capital Budget last month - it outlines projects not just for this year but through 2026, with a total of $1.6-million in new recommended projects for this year, for more than $5-million in total projects, when combined with previous commitments.

The meeting will be held in Council chambers - and broadcast on the Municipality of Wawa's YouTube channel - starting at 6:30 pm that night.

Wawa Ice Fishing Derby Nears

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.

Max Bertrand Wins Chapleau's 25th Pike Ice Fishing Derby

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.

Valentine's Day Draw Near for MVFA Cash Draw

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.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, 8 for Northern Sudbury District

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.

Registration Deadline Nears for International Women's Day Cultural Diversity Event in Wawa

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.

Superior East OPP Issue Safety Reminders for Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby

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.

Rotary Club of Chapleau Presents Chapleau's 25th Pike Ice Fishing Derby

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.