Michipicoten First Nation Election Nears

Ballots will be cast this weekend for the Michipicoten First Nation elections.

Two people are in the running for chief - current Chief Pat Tangie and Chad Edgar - with nineteen up for six councillor positions, including Edgar, as well as current councillors Irene Armstrong, Sandra Donney Fraser, Christine Lewis, Linda Peterson, and Evelyn Stone, plus Dan Beaupre, John-Paul Chalykoff, Trevor Chenier, Denise Churchill, Janet Demary, Kenna DuFresne, Jeannette Lapham, Connie O'Leary, Laura Panhuyzen, Daniel Perrault, Mitchell Simon, Jim St. Germain, and Anais Tangie.

The election will be held Saturday, March 25th, from 9 am to 8 pm at the band hall.

Local School Boards Confirm (Mostly) Shared 2023-24 Calendar

Local school boards have confirmed their calendar for next school year.

A joint release from the Algoma District School Board, Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon, and Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario outlines the 194-day calendar.

Much of it is the same, as all four boards start classes Wednesday, September 6th, while the last day for classes will be June 28th, 2024 - exams for secondary students will run January 26th to February 1st and June 24th to 28th.

The Christmas break will run Monday, December 25th through Friday, January 5th, while March Break will be Monday, March 11th through Friday the 15th for the ADSB - the other boards will start on Friday, March 8th -

There's also some differences for Professional Activity Days: as ADSB staff only return September 5th rather than the 1st like the other boards, there's an ADSB only PA Day on October 27th - the four boards otherwise share PA Days on September 5th and 29th, November 10th, February 2nd, April 19th, and June 10th.

Wawa Ladies Curling Bonspiel Returns After Pandemic Cancellations

Wawa's curling rink will be busy this weekend with the return of the annual Ladies Curling Bonspiel.

The first since 2019 - even touting the same "Fantastic Force" theme that was planned for the cancelled 2020 event - organizer Amanda Huff is positive about the return of the tournament.

Huff is happy to see more events at the arena over the weekend, suggesting it can mean more people coming out for all of it.

As for the bonspiel, Huff notes there will be quite a few teams.

The costume parade begins at 7 pm tonight, with the bonspiel running all weekend.

Wawa Council to Consider Approving 2023 Budget During Back-to-Back Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's holding back-to-back meetings tonight.

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which includes discussion on the 2023 capital and operating budgets, fuel price concern, and monthly reports from department heads, as well as two "in-camera" items, both personnel issues about staffing.

That'll be followed up in tonight's regular Council meeting, which includes resolutions appointing members for the Wawa Municipal Fire Advisory Committee and approving the Five-Year Tourism Plan, as well as by-laws to adopt a policy on temporary outdoor patios, and taking measures to adopt the 2023 operating budget, which was first presented to Council a month ago - it proposes a 3.8% levy increase, which is expected to mean a roughly 3.6% rise for residential taxes - combined with increasing water and wastewater rates, it's expected to mean $12.98 more per month or $156 more over the year for the average household.

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.

Chapleau Council Hearing From OCWA on 2023 Budget

Chapleau Town Council's meeting this afternoon.

The fairly light agenda for the special meeting includes a delegation from the Ontario Clean Water Agency as Council considers a resolution on OCWA's 2023 budget.

There's also an "in-camera" item relating to "personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees", concerning ouncillor training.

The meeting starts at 4 pm this afternoon, in Civic Centre Council Chambers.

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 29 since Wednesday - 26 in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 134 - still one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 34 in hospital, three in ICUs.

The health unit's holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office this Thursday, though it will only be for those at least 12 years old.

OPP Remind Drivers to Stop for School Buses After March Break

With the March Break over, 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 - Ontario Provincial Police 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.

Winter Storm Warnings for Wawa/Dubreuilville/White River/Chapleau Areas

Keep your shovel ready - winter isn't over quite yet.

While spring officially arrives Monday, Environment Canada's issued a winter storm warning for much of the region - from Wawa north through Dubreuilville, White River, and Pukaskwa Park, south through Agawa and Lake Superior Park, and east through Chapleau and Gogama - expecting 30 to 50 centimetres of snow tonight into Saturday - that's in addition to some snow expected today, ahead of the "main event".

It'll be combined with "gusty" winds, which could reduce visibility to near zero, making dangerous travel conditions, with the agency believing "significant travel delays and road closures are likely".

The snow's expected to be a bit lighter further south, with a weather advisory for Searchmont, Montreal River Harbour, and Batchawana Bay, expecting just 10 to 15 centimetres.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Still 1 for Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 27 since Monday - 22 in Greater Sudbury, five in the broader Sudbury District - though known "active" cases fell slightly, to 136 - still one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 41 in hospital, two in ICUs.

Winter Storm Watch Issued for Much of Region

Winter doesn't seem to be over quite yet.

Environment Canada's issued a winter storm watch for much of the region - from Wawa north through Dubreuilville, White River, and Pukaskwa Park, south through Agawa and Lake Superior Park, and east through Chapleau and Gogama - expecting 25 to 50 centimetres of snow with gusty winds resulting in blowing snow late Thursday into Saturday.

A similar winter storm watch has been issued for Searchmont, Montreal River Harbour, and Batchawana Bay, expecting just 15 to 25 centimetres Thursday night into Saturday, with blowing snow that may reduce visibility.

APH Reports 98th COVID-19 Death, New Cases in North Algoma

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 - that brings the health unit's death toll to 98 - it last reported two deaths in its previous update, a week ago.

It's also reporting 61 new cases over the last week, down from the previous week - 36 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, fifteen in the Elliot Lake area, eight in Central and East Algoma, and two in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - though known "high risk active" cases are down to 83, with four in hospital, one in an ICU.

No Charges Expected After Commercial Vehicle Fire South of Wawa

No charges will be laid after a vehicle fire shut down Highway 17 near Wawa Monday night.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Ashley Nickle explains the incident involved a tractor-trailer just south of Wawa.

While the highway was closed for a few hours, Nickle assures that was mainly a precaution and people remained safe.

Constable Nickle says no further investigation's required, so the case is closed with no charges.

Joel Bernard Wins 6th Annual Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Derby

Organizers of Dubreuilville's annual winter derby are thanking supporters.

The 6th Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Derby was held Saturday, with Joel Bernard claiming first place with an 11.17 pound pike, followed by Eric Casey with a 10.7 pounder, then Derek Massey with a 9.52 pounder, Patrice Bernard with an 8.47 pound fish, and Dave Marshall with an eight pound pike.

The $1000 Early Bird Prize went to Samantha Fawcett, while Lise Noël claimed the member prize, and the five registration prizes of $1000 each went to Austin Hemphill, Yvan Cyr, Denis Lortie, Austin Éric Hemphill, and Christian Nic Désormeaux.

The Dubreuilville Magpie Rod and Gun Club thanks Alamos Gold for sponsoring the Early Bird prize, Columbia Forest Products for road maintenance, Diane Dechamplain for the derby signs, Typer's Live Bait for patrolling, pictures, and videos, all committee members, and all 151 participants.

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 22 since Friday - thirteen in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, and six in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases fell to 138 - still one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 42 in hospital, three in ICUs.

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.

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