Lawsuit Filed Over Fatal Hwy 17 Ambulance-Snowplow Collision

The family of a White River woman killed in a fatal ambulance-snowplow collision last winter is suing the ambulance driver and the ambulance service.

A $1-million lawsuit's been launched by the family of Connie Halverson, a 68-year-old who was travelling in the ambulance as a patient when it collided with a snowplow near the Dubreuilville turnoff on Highway 17 on February 20, 2022.

The suit alleges the collision was the result of negligence by the paramedic (who has been charged with careless driving causing death and careless driving causing bodily harm) and that Halverson was not properly secured, further alleging the Algoma District Services Administration Board (which oversees the paramedic service) is liable for the negligence of their employee and, as owner of the ambulance, is liable for the injuries suffered by Halverson (documents filed call them "horrific and catastrophic", noting a fatal skull fracture) and for other damages, alleging her husband "has changed since his wife’s death and is filled with deep sorrow, anguish, emptiness, grief and heartbreak", with similar claims of shock and trauma for her children, grandchildren, and siblings.

The claims have yet to be tested in court, and neither of the defendants have filed a statement of defence at this time.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, None for Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting eighteen since Friday - seventeen in Greater Sudbury and another in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down to 77, with eleven in hospital, one in an ICU.

No "active" cases have been listed for the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) for a week.

The health unit's holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office tomorrow.

Chapleau Council Holding In-Camera Meeting on Chapleau PUC

Chapleau Town Council's meeting this afternoon - but there won't be anything to see.

There's a single item on the agenda for today's special meeting: an "in-camera" item concerning Chapleau PUC - "in-camera" is not open to the public.

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

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha Responds to Ousting From ONDP Caucus

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha's vowing to continue serving the people of the region after he was removed from the Ontario NDP caucus amid a workplace misconduct investigation.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles announced his removal Saturday, saying only an independent third-party investigation was ongoing - Mantha did not comment initially, but has now issued a short statement saying "as a lifelong believer in safe workplaces, I have been and remain fully committed to participating in the independent process now underway", adding he's "continue to serve the people of Algoma-Manitoulin", but will not be commenting further.

Mantha's been the NDP MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin since 2011, most recently serving as deputy whip and critic for mining, natural resources, and the Ring of Fire until last Wednesday, when he was reduced to simply critic for mining.

His removal came amid reports he had not attended his regular legislative duties this year - not participating in debate or a vote in the Legislature since the Christmas break began in early December, even though it resumed sitting February 21st - with party staff saying only that he was on personal leave.­

Wawa Council Starting April With 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 a presentation from Community Living Algoma, as well as dicussion on an updated code of conduct for Council and committees, the MMCC Sports Field Track replacement, and the Wawa Electric Transit Vehicle Initiative.

That'll be followed up in tonight's regular Council meeting, which includes an integrity commissioner report, plus resolutions accepting a resignation from the Marina Advisory Committee and filling the vacancy, awarding the track replacement tender to J. Provost Contracting, and accepting the staff recommendation to amend the code of conduct - there's also an "in-camera" item for Council education or training, relating to Council Staff Relations Policy.

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.

Winners Crowned After Wawa Men's Curling Bonspiel

Wawa's curling season wrapped up this weekend, with the 73rd Men's Bonspiel.

The first time it's been held since 2019, the event saw fewer teams - sixteen, half local, half from out-of-town - but organizers say "the enthusiasm was great and the curlers were happy to once again participate".

Wawa's own Team Tom Fahrer won the "A" Event, followed by Dennis Lethbridge's team from Sault Ste. Marie, while Sault Ste. Marie's Marc Barrette led his team to victory in the "B" Event, followed by Tim Lavoie - also from the Sault - and Wawa's Tom Terris led his team to top the "C" Event, followed by Dennis Lethbridge out of the Sault.

Lavoie's team also picked up the Brookfield Sportsman Trophy, while Eric Mitrikas' team was named First Team to the Bench.

Club President Jim Hoffmann and Secretary-Treasurer Andy Stevens are thanked for organizing the event, along with the "generous" sponsors, all participants, and Pat Harron "and her crew" for the dinner.

Maamwesying NSCHS Hosting Local Cancer Screening Clinics

A couple special cancer screening clinics are being offered in the region this month.

Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services is offering the clinics for Indigenous individuals in the Wawa and Chapleau areas, hosting them in Wawa and Chapleau.

Calling it an opportunity to catch up screening after COVID-19 pandemic-related issues, Dr. Anjali Oberai - a consulting physician with Maamwesying - explains the clinics offer a few options.

Oberai emphasizes there are a few reasons to get screened.

Integrated Care Manager Irene Armstrong emphasizes that Maamwesying's clinics are open to "all Indigenous individuals and their families in the Chapleau and Wawa area", encouraging people to call them at 1-833-564-2726 - the Wawa clinic will be held this Thursday, April 6th, with another in Chapleau April 24th.

PHSD Hosting COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic in Chapleau

A COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held in Chapleau later this week.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it's holding the "appointment only" clinic at its Chapleau office Wednesday, offering the primary series for those under five years old, and primary series or booster doses for those over five - book through the provincial system or call the health unit.

North Algoma's moved to appointments rather than clinics - in Wawa, call the local Algoma Public Health office; in Dubreuilville, the Dubreuilville Medical Centre; in White River, the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

Chapleau Considering Work at Train Museum

Work is being considered for Chapleau's train museum.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says there are some problems at the local landmark, including for the train itself.

Bignucolo notes a few other things to be addressed.

Some outside funding has been secured already, with plans to apply for other funding sources for the work.

PHSD Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting two: one in Greater Sudbury, another in the Manitoulin District, bringing its COVID-related death toll to 210 - it last reported a death a week ago.

The health unit's also reporting 26 new cases since Wednesday - 23 in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases have dropped to 90, with twelve in hospital.

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

Chapleau Child Care Centre Seeking Board Members

Chapleau Child Care Centre's looking for new board members.

Executive Director Ginger Forget explains the centre's been having difficulty filling the oversight board.

Noting the board holds nine regular meetings a year - usually only about an hour long - with special meetings as needed, Forget outlines the other responsibilities of board members.

Forget suggests a few qualifications they'd like for potential board members.

Anyone interested in joining the Chapleau Child Care Centre board can call Forget at 705-864-1886, email gingerf@bellnet.ca, or simply stop in the centre at 28 Golf Course Road.

Chapleau Starts Planning for Canada Day Celebrations

Chapleau's starting to plan for Canada Day.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says the annual celebrations were discussed in the recent Chapleau Town Council meeting.

Bignucolo notes it'll be a busy start to the summer, with the drag races set to be held two weeks later, from July 14th to 16th.

Wawa Mixed Curling Wraps Season

Wawa mixed curling's wrapped up its season with Tom Terris' team finishing the second round atop the standings with seven wins, followed by Joe McCoy's with six, then Chris Buckell, Dave Hall, and Tom Fahrer's teams with five each, Peter Stoycheff's with two, and Brandon Smit and Anya Switzer's teams with one each.

Team Terris had come in second in the first round - from November to mid-January - while Team Fahrer led that round.

Wawa's curling season wraps this weekend, with the 73rd Men's Bonspiel.

Chapleau Council Moving Forward With Front-End Loader & Elgin St Sewer Replacement

Chapleau Council's moving forward with a few projects.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says Town Council's authorized a purchase order for a new front-end loader refuse truck.

Bignucolo also notes Council's approved the re-issuing of tender documents for the Elgin Street sanitary sewer line replacement.

Mayor Bignucolo says Council's also looking into ways to address nuisance pigeons in the community.

Wawa Men's Curling Bonspiel Returns After Pandemic Cancellations

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

President Jim Hoffmann explains several curlers will take to the ice in the 73rd annual event - the first since 2019.

Hoffmann says "nobody will go home empty-handed" with prizes not just for the top teams, but also many door prizes - and he thanks the many sponsors who make that possible.

Games begin at 7 pm tonight with play continuing Saturday, wrapping up with the championship game at 2 pm Sunday afternoon - everyone is welcome to watch over the weekend.

Wawa's Curling Season Ending, With Men's & Ladies' Leagues Over

Wawa's curling season is coming to a close, after the men's and ladies league playoffs concluded last night.

In the Men's League, Team Tom Terris may have ended the regular season atop the standings, followed by Tom Fahrer's team, but Fahrer's team claimed victory in the playoffs - mirroring last year's results - with Team Eric Mitrikas the playoff runnerup.

It was a similar story for the Ladies League, Barb Leschishin's team finished atop the standings for the regular season, followed by Denise Bussineau's, though Bussineau's team claimed victory in the playoffs, with Wendy Bonitzke's team the runnerup.

The Mixed League wraps up games tonight - they do not have playoffs like the other leagues - with the local curling season concluding this weekend, with the 73rd annual Wawa Men's Curling Bonspiel - the Ladies' Bonspiel was held last weekend.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting is nineteen since Monday - eleven in Greater Sudbury, seven in the broader Sudbury District, and another in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases stayed at 95, with fifteen in hospital - half of what was reported on Monday.

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

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting thirteen cases over the last week - up from the previous week - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts, but does show three currently in hospital, the same as the last several weeks.

AMK MP Hughes Reacts to 2023 Federal Budget

Local MP Carol Hughes is giving a mixed review for the Liberal government's new budget.

The Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing New Democrat is taking credit for many measures in the budget tabled Tuesday.

Among the pieces Hughes touts as NDP priorities brought in after Liberal resistance are the 27% reduction in interchange fees Visa and Mastercard charge small businesses, and the continued rollout of a national dental care plan for families earning less than $90-thousand - it rolled out last year for those under the age of 12, but will expand this year to cover up to age 18 plus seniors and those with disabilities.

Hughes attributes much of the gains to the Liberal/NDP supply-and-confidence agreement, and dismisses questions about whether tensions between the two parties means an election call nears.

While Hughes says the Liberal budget doesn't go as far as the NDP would like, she says the Conservatives would not have offered these supports and raises concerns a Tory government might dismantle them, if elected, so she doesn't see a reason to reject the budget.

Among those other priorities Hughes looks to push on is the opioid crisis - noting there was some support in the budget, but more is needed - as well as a promised pharmacare program, drinking water for Indigenous communities, and a 10% increase in GIS, though she also lauds funding for made-by-Indigenous housing and vague plans for a Red Dress Alert similar to Amber Alerts, but for Indigenous women rather than children.

ADSB Forecasts Growing Student Body for 2023-24

Algoma District School Board is expecting more students next school year.

Board projections expect 6743 students for Junior Kindergarten through Grade 8 - which would mean 296 classes requiring 296 full-time equivalent teaching staff - that's up from projected enrolment for this past September, by 119 students, six classes, and six full-time equivalent teaching staff.

As for secondary students, the board's expecting 3536 - a rise of 55 compared to last September, mainly in Grade 9, even after the board predicted last March that it would be welcoming its largest Grade 9 class in fifteen years - that means 284 full-time equivalent teachers, up by six.

Superintendent of Education Joe Maurice noted there'll also be a need for continued investment in Indigenous studies and language courses, as well as continued support for multilingual learners - with more coming in - and ongoing special education needs, too.

APH Reports COVID-19 Cases, Including in North Algoma

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 42 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, thirteen in Central and East Algoma, eleven in the Elliot Lake area, and one in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - though known "high risk active" are down to 85, with seven in hospital, three in ICUs.