Superior East OPP Offer Advice for March Break

Local police are offering a few safety tips as kids are out of school for the March Break.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Ashley Nickle urges parents to talk with their kids about staying safe.

Constable Nickle also emphasizes ice and water safety - staying away unless supervised - and caution while out playing.

Constable Nickle has a warning for drivers, too.

Constable Nickle also advises those travelling not to post about your trip on social media until you're back, as it otherwise advertises that your home is empty.

Michipicoten First Nation Hires Former Wawa Clerk as New Executive Officer

Michipicoten First Nation has a new Executive Officer.

Cathy Cyr - who's a member of Batchewana First Nation - is starting in the role today, with Michipicoten First Nation touting her "wealth of experience and knowledge" from her former roles as Municipal Clerk, Community Emergency Management Coordinator, and Acting CAO for the Municipality of Wawa - she retired from the Municipality in mid-December.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Including 1 in Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 34 since Wednesday - 31 in Greater Sudbury, two in the Manitoulin District, and one in the Sudbury District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 175 - including one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 37 in hospital, three in ICUs.

Charges Laid After Disturbance at Wawa Derby Dance

A Wawa man's facing charges after a disturbance over the weekend.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to an incident on Chris Simon Drive shortly before 11 o'clock Saturday night (Superior East OPP have confirmed to JJAM FM News that the incident occurred at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby dance, at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre), arresting one person for public intoxication, though - once transported to the local detachment - they instigated an altercation with officers.

The 33-year-old's been charged with two counts of assault a peace officer and one of being intoxicated in a public place, but was released from custody with a court date next month.

Wawa Council Expresses Concern About Proposed New Federal Riding Boundaries

Wawa Municipal Council is expressing concern about a planned redrawing of Northern Ontario's federal electoral districts.

In their meeting earlier this week, Mayor Melanie Pilon brought up the final report tabled by the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Ontario last month - which would see the province gain a seat but major changes to many current boundaries - as she notes concerns about the loss of a voice for this region.

Councillors expressed similar concerns during this week's meeting, and raised questions about whether provincial riding boundaries would follow suit.

While Mayor Pilon concedes there are commonalities with other communities within the riding - including Sault Ste. Marie - she emphasizes concerns the large urban centre of the city would "swing" votes, and note concerns that the new ridings would see the local Northeast Superior Mayors Group communities further split - as the Chapleau area's annexed into the new "Kapuskasing-Timmins-Mushkegowuk" riding - though she notes that has yet to be discussed by the group.

The proposed redrawing's in the "Objections from MPs" phase until May - Northern MPs including Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing New Democrat Carol Hughes have voiced opposition to the new riding boundaries - though Pilon's resigned to the proposal becoming reality.

6th Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Derby Arrives

Dubreuilville's reeling in its annual winter derby this weekend.

The 6th Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Derby will be held tomorrow, and Dubreuilville Magpie Rod and Gun Club Vice President Roger Gamache reminds there are a number of prizes, including some for club members.

Gamache reminds tickets are $120 - simply etransfer dmwd2015@hotmail.com.

Fishing runs from 8 am to 4 pm tomorrow.

Superior East OPP Safety Advice for Local Derbies

Local police are issuing a few safety reminders as anglers hit the ice this weekend.

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".

Urging snowmobilers to slow down, Nickle also recommends fishing with a buddy or group, wearing an inflatable vest or floater suit, and carrying rescue equipment, including ice picks, rope, a first aid kid, flashlight, waterproof matches, emergency blankets, and a fully charged phone.

Superior East OPP Offers Advice Ahead of March Break

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police have some important tips for the upcoming March Break.

Constable Ashley Nickle advises those travelling to be careful.

Constable Nickle also urges parents to talk with their kids about staying safe - including when playing outdoors - and reminds drivers to slow down and keep an eye out for kids, especially around parks, playgrounds, and crosswalks.

Hawk Junction Family Fishing Derby Arrives

Families are being encouraged to get out on Hawk Lake this weekend, for the return of a longtime tradition.

Hawk Junction Local Services Board member Enos Evans explains the Family Fishing Derby is coming back.

Evans notes there'll some prizes.

Registration runs from 6 pm to 8 pm tonight and 7 am to 11 am tomorrow morning - at the Hawk Junction Community Hall - with fishing from 8 am to 3:30 pm tomorrow, final weigh-in at 4 pm.

Wawa Library Hosting Seed Swap

Gardeners are being encouraged to talk and swap seeds in Wawa this weekend.

Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the library's teamed up with the Wawa Family Health Team and the Wawa Area Food Strategy for a "Seed Swap".

Jarrell notes there'll also be some support for newer gardeners, including to help save seeds for future years.

While she says they're open to flower seeds, Jarrell says the focus will be food, suggesting it can help tackle shortages and make people more self-sustaining, and even encourages those without seeds to come out.

The Seed Swap runs from 12 noon to 2 pm Saturday afternoon, at the Wawa Public Library.

Charges Laid After Domestic Dispute in Hornepayne

Multiple charges have been laid after a domestic dispute in Hornepayne.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to Front Street early the morning of March 1st, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 31-year-old from Hearst on charges of harassing communications, criminal harassment - repeatedly communicate, and breach of recognizance.

The accused - who will not be identified due to the domestic nature of the incident, to protect the victim - was released from custody with a future court date.

FONOM Board Holding Monthly Meeting in Wawa

A group of Northeastern Ontario municipal leaders are in Wawa today.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities is holding its monthly board meeting in town, expected to discuss "Catch n Release" meetings, the impacts of the "More Homes Built Faster Act", school board election funding, and FONOM's upcoming conference in Parry Sound.

They also note plans for the board to meet with Mayor Melanie Pilon and CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill "to listen about the activities of this part of Northeastern Ontario", as President Danny Whalen says "it's important for the board to experience and then appreciate how vast the FONOM boundary is, so when communities speak to their challenges, like health care, FONOM will have a better understanding when we try to help".

FONOM represents about 110 cities, towns, and municipalities across the Northeast.

Superior East OPP Remind Drivers to Stop for School Buses

Local police are reminding drivers to stop for school buses.

While Ontario school buses added flashing overhead amber lights last September - to make it easier for drivers to recognize when the bus is preparing to stop - OPP say many communities are still seeing vehicles not stopping, putting children's lives in danger.

Superior East OPP reminds drivers - including those in commercial vehicles or on snowmobiles, ATVs, or bicycles - are required by law to stop when they encounter a school bus stopped with red lights flashing - it doesn't matter if the stop arm's out - and you cannot proceed until the lights stop flashing and the bus moves.

Failure to follow the rules can result in fines of $490 to $2000 plus six demerit points, or - even worse - possibly injuring a child.

Anyone who sees a vehicle fail to stop for a school bus can call 9-1-1 or the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122.

FONOM Board to Visit Wawa

A group of Northern Ontario municipal leaders are coming to Wawa.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities says its monthly board meeting will be held in Wawa tomorrow, further noting plans for the board to meet with Mayor Melanie Pilon and CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill "to listen about the activities of this part of Northeastern Ontario".

FONOM represents about 110 cities, towns, and municipalities across the Northeast.

PHSD Reports 207th COVID-19 Death, No Longer Any Cases in Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting is 207th - the 180th in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death on Monday.

The health unit's also reporting 34 new cases since Monday - 28 in Greater Sudbury and six in the broader Sudbury District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 171, with 37 in hospital, five in ICUs.

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

Meanwhile, the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting nine cases over the last week - the same as the previous week - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts, but does report three in hospital.

OPP Investigating Death in White River

Police are investigating a death in White River.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to an individual in distress at a White River business around 9:30am February 28th, with the individual taken to hospital, where they were pronounced dead on March 2nd.

The Superior East and Sault Ste. Marie OPP Crime Units are investigating under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

They emphasize there is no threat to public safety, but ask anyone with information about this incident to call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.

MHS Students Hitting the Ice Against Teachers From MHS, SJD & St. Augustine

Wawa will see a bit of a "grudge match" on the ice this afternoon, with a charity hockey game.

Michipicoten High School students will be facing off against staff from MHS, Sir James Dunn Public School, and St. Augustine French Immersion in a game raising support for food banks in Wawa and White River - admission will be by donation, either silver collection or non-perishable food item.

Concession booths will also be set up to further raise support, with door prizes for those attending.

Doors will open at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre at 1 pm, with the game beginning at 1:30 pm.

Wawa Council Approves Dissolution of BIA

Wawa Municipal Council's moving forward on plans to disband the B-I-A.

Having given it first reading in January, Wawa Municipal Council gave second and third reading to a by-law that would dissolve the Wawa Business Improvement Area - at the recommendation of its board - told by CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill that the Municipality had reached out to all members of the organization to inform them, but only one response was received, which did voice opposition, though O'Neill reminded that the BIA executive had passed a resolution calling for its dissolution, citing "continued lack of participation by...business members at meetings and little interest over the past decade to sit on the board of management".

Councillor Mitch Hatfield did note the irony of approving this move the same night that Council heard a presentation - from Bannikin Travel and Tourism on the Five Year Tourism Plan - which urged the Municipality to work with business, with O'Neill suggesting upcoming talks on refreshing the strategic plan would serve as an opportunity to look at options for that.

The BIA was formed in the 1980s to carry out infrastructure improvements and promote local shopping within the designated area - eventually expanded to cover all of Broadway Avenue, and Mission Road up to and including the Wawa Motor Inn - with each business assessed an annual levy to give it a budget for operations and projects.

Municipal staff had recommended against collecting a levy this year, and told Council that the BIA's remaining funds and other assets like the Christmas lights and BIA banners would transfer to the Municipality if the BIA's dissolved.

This comes just shy of a decade after then-Mayor Linda Nowicki pushed to dissolve the BIA due to inactivity, though she withdrew that when the organization elected a new executive and pushed to continue operations.

Wawa Banning Feeding Wildlife

Wawa's banning feeding wildlife.

A month after it was initially proposed, Wawa Municipal Council's approved a by-law to prohibit the practice, as explained to JJAM FM News by Kevin Sabourin, who is Assistant Director of Protective Services, a role that includes by-law enforcement.

While Mayor Melanie Pilon requested a period of public input after last month's presentation, Sabourin stated last night no public comments were received - Pilon suggested that raises questions as to whether the by-law's needed though Sabourin suggested it means people were fine with it and Councillors Cathy Cannon and Joseph Opato both spoke in favour of the by-law.

Speaking to JJAM FM News, Sabourin did note there have been some problems with wildlife of late.

Sabourin previously told Council that the OPP, conservation officers, and Sabourin - as a by-law official - would be able to enforce the by-law, with plans to forward the approved by-law to the provincial government so tickets could be issued.

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