Winners Reel in Prizes From Wawa Ice Fishing Derby

Anglers have left the ice as the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby's wrapped up.

Derby Chair Scott Popert says the 31st annual event went well.

With nearly 100 fish caught over the weekend, Wawa's Wendy Leclair reeled in the largest of the derby - a 17.45-pound pike - to claim the $10,000 top prize for Wawa Lake, while a 13.49-pound pike from Roland Charbonneau of Noelville won the $10,000 top prize for Manitowik Lake, and a 10.61-pound pike from Ramsey Michalski of Pickford, Michigan claimed Hawk Lake's $10,000 top prize.

Rounding out the top six for Wawa Lake: Gilbert Gratton of Wawa (12.12 lb pike); Andre Brabant of Hanmer (11.45 lb pike); Asher Orton of Chapleau (8.6 lb lake trout); Kay Vallee of Sault Ste. Marie (7.07 lb lake trout); and Jazlyn Sewell of Sault Ste. Marie (6.1 lb lake trout).

Rounding out the top six for Manitowik Lake: Jake Mullen of Rosseau, Ontario (8.78 lb lake trout); Jason Dure of Wahnapitae (8.21 lb pike); G. Wayne Rhyno of Manitouwadge (7.63 lb pike); Chantal Bernard of Dubreuilville (5.97 lb pike); and Yvette Nault of Wawa (5.63 lb lake trout).

Rounding out the top six for Hawk Lake: Kathy Bain of Hawk Junction (10.49 lb pike); Troy Russell of Sutton, Ontario (8.51 lb pike); Thomas Michalski of Pickford, Michigan (7.7 lb pike); David Bouchard of Sault Ste. Marie (7.32 lb pike); and Paul Daigle of Chapleau (7.25 lb pike).

The 2nd place of each lake received $8000, 3rd place $7000, 4th place a Milwaukee Tool Package, 5th place a Fishing Kayak Package, and 6th place a Camping Package.

Other winners include Charbonneau's wife, Karen Jandrisevits - who won the $35,000 registration prize draw - and the five Early Bird prize winners of $1000 each: Pat Auger of New Liskeard, and Wawa residents Jason Crack, Victor Lucas, Jo-Anne Casavant, and Joel Dechamplain.

Final Draws Made in MVFA Annual Cash Draw

Wawa's firefighters are thanking the community for their support, after a very successful fundraising campaign.

The Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters Association Past President Kyle Ouellet says the annual cash draw went well.

Ouellet highlights last night's winners.

They join Wawa’s Michel Albert - who won the $1000 Early Bird Draw in December - and Brian Richard of Dundas, Ontario, who won the $1000 draw on Valentine’s Day.

PHSD Reports 205th COVID-19 Death, New Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting is 205th - the 178th in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death on Wednesday.

The health unit's also reporting 37 new cases since Wednesday - 29 in Greater Sudbury, five in the broader Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down to 188 - still three in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 51 cases in hospital, three in ICUs.

It's next holding an "appointment only" COVID vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office Thursday, March 9th.

Superior East OPP Issue Safety Reminders Amid Wawa Ice Fishing Derby

Local police are issuing a few safety reminders ahead of the Wawa derby.

As a warning for everyone who'll be out on the ice - fishing or not - Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Ashley Nickle emphasizes "no ice is safe ice".

Nickle also recommends fishing with a buddy or group and carrying rescue equipment - including ice picks, rope, a first aid kid, flashlight, waterproof matches, emergency blankets, and a fully charged phone - with more advice for snowmobilers.

Constable Nickle encourages everyone to watch out for others and respect their space - using "fisherman's etiquette" - and notes the Superior East OPP will be patrolling, backed up by the OPP's SAVE (Snowmobile, ATV, and Vessel Enforcement) Team out of North Bay.

MVFA Annual Cash Draw Nears An End

Time and tickets are running out for the Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association's annual cash draw.

Association past president Kyle Ouellet notes the initiative wraps up this weekend.

Ouellet reminds the draw supports the firefighters.

Firefighters will be selling tickets at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre during the derby, until they sell out or the final draws are made at 5 pm Sunday, during the derby's prize presentation.

Wawa's St. Augustine Holding Bake Sale for Grade 7&8 Trip

Some Wawa students are selling baked goods alongside derby registration.

St. Augustine French Immersion Catholic School Grade 6, 7, and 8 teacher Mike Fell explains the bake sale supports a big trip.

The bake sale will be held from 1 pm to 8 pm at the Community Centre - during derby registration - though another fundraiser for the trip is coming soon: a bottle drive will be held Tuesday night, from 5 pm to 8 pm.

Wawa Ice Fishing Derby Arrives

Anglers will be getting out on the ice this weekend, for the annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

Chair Scott Popert notes there are several prizes on the line.

Registration runs from 10 am to 10 pm today and 9 am to noon Saturday - unless tickets sell out - fishing runs from 8 am to 4 pm Saturday and 8 am to 1 pm Sunday.

A dance - featuring Soundcheck - will also be held Saturday night, starting at 9 pm.

JJAM FM will be broadcasting live updates from 11 am to 3 pm Saturday and 10 am to 2 pm Sunday.

PHSD Reports 204th COVID-19 Death, New Cases (Including in Northern Sudbury District)

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting is 204th - the 177th in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death on Friday.

The health unit's also reporting 52 new cases since Monday - 44 in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, and five in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 197 - three in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), up slightly from Monday - with 53 cases in hospital, three in ICUs.

It's next holding an "appointment only" COVID vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office next Thursday, March 9th.

Meanwhile, the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting nine cases over the last week - down from the previous week - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts, and has not updated its hospitalization figures.

Chapleau Students Honoured for Participating in Speaking Competition

Some Chapleau students are being highlighted for participating in a recent public speaking competition.

Highlighting teachers Miss Charron and Mister Lambruschini for their work organizing - along with the local Royal Canadian Legion - Chapleau Public School Principal Nicole Schuurmann commends the ten brave students who spoke in the event.

Schuurmann also thanks the three judges, including Mayor Ryan Bignucolo, who says he quite enjoyed the event, particularly noting the variety of topics discussed.

Schuurmann echoes Mayor Bignucolo's optimism.

Bignucolo adds a couple plaques were also presented.

Mayor Bignucolo says he plans to put it up in the office.

The two students who won are heading to regional competition in Sault Ste. Marie this weekend, and - from there - could end up on the way to the provincial competition.

Public Info Session for Wawa's Water & Wastewater Master Plan

Wawa residents are being encouraged to learn more about a key plan being developed for the municipality.

A special information session will be held tonight for the Municipality of Wawa's Water and Wastewater Master Plan.

Rebecca Weatherall - Assistant Director of Infrastructure Services - recently explained to JJAM FM's Town Talk that the plan aims to ensure current and future water and wastewater infrastructure needs are met, looking at the system's capacity and the community's ability to grow.

Meant to present results and recommendations from work completed to date - and obtain feedback - the final public information centre will be held at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre Lounge tonight, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, with a presentation beginning at 6:45 pm.

APH Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths, New Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting two in which COVID was the underlying cause of death, bringing the health unit's death toll to 95 - it also reported two deaths in its last update, a week ago.

It's also reporting 64 new cases over the last week, up from the previous week - 38 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, sixteen in the Elliot Lake area, and ten in Central and East Algoma - pushing known "high risk active" cases up slightly, to 79, with seven in hospital, two in ICUs.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Including Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting fifty since Friday - forty in Greater Sudbury, five in the broader Sudbury District, and five in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 192 - including two in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 62 in hospital, two in ICUs.

The health unit is holding an "appointment only" COVID vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today, for those as young as six months.

Wawa Ice Fishing Derby Nears, Pre-Fishing Ban Set to Begin

With the annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby nearly here, organizers are reminding participants to stay off the lakes ahead of the event.

Derby Chair Scott Popert reminds rules prohibit fishing on the Wawa, Hawk, and Manitowik Lakes in the days leading up to the derby.

Popert notes there are still tickets remaining, and touts prizes for the top six fish on each of the three derby lakes or the $35,000 registration prize.

Registration for the derby runs from 10 am to 10 pm Friday, with fishing on Saturday and Sunday.

Chapleau Council Approves Return of Drag Races, Some Issues to Resolve

Drag races will be returning to Chapleau this summer.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says Chapleau Town Council gave the go-ahead for the CRDC-run event in their recent meeting.

Bignucolo notes there are still some things to be worked out.

Mayor Bignucolo is quite positive about this move.

While a first edition of the "Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race" was held in 2019, the Township and CRDC were unable to reach a new agreement for a second edition before pandemic restrictions hit in early 2020, and it hasn't been held since.

Wawa & Chapleau Remind of Pending Property Tax Bill Deadline

Local municipalities are reminding of a nearing deadline: the first property tax bill of the year.

Both the Municipality of Wawa and Township of Chapleau are reminding the first instalment is due tomorrow, with late payments subject to late payment charges - in Chapleau's case, that's a 1.25% penalty, with an additional 1.25% per month per instalment on overdue accounts.

PHSD Again Reports 203rd COVID-19 Death, New Case in Northern Sudbury District

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 more than a week ago.

The health unit's also reporting 51 new cases since Wednesday - 45 in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 198 - one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 51 cases in hospital, one in an ICU.

An "appointment only" COVID vaccination clinic will be held at its Chapleau office tomorrow, for those as young as six months.

Chapleau Council Approves Proposal for Municipal Facility Feasibility Studies & Bridge Inspection Contract

Chapleau Town Council's approved plans for a study of municipal facilities.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo explains Council received a delegation from industrial building construction firm Toromont and its subsidiary, Cimco, and approved a proposal for feasibility studies.

The funding comes from the Community Buildings Retrofit Initiative through the Green Municipal Fund, which is a program of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, with funding from the federal government.

Mayor Bignucolo also says Council's approved a contract for an engineering firm to inspect all four of the Township's bridges.

By law, the inspections must be done every two years.

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