PHSD Warns of Rising Syphilis Rates

Syphilis is on the rise across Canada - and in the region.

Noting data from the Public Health Agency of Canada shows infectious syphilis cases rising across the country, Public Health Sudbury and Districts notes it's seeing "a concerning increase" in its service area, with 23 already reported this year - there were only 31 confirmed over the entirety of 2023.

In response, the health unit's encouraging awareness, practising safer sex, and following up with your health care provider and getting tested if you are at risk, as syphilis can lead to severe consequences if left untreated.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases in Greater Sudbury

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting seventeen since Friday - all in Greater Sudbury - with known "active" cases down to 74, with nine in hospital.

There have not been any "active" cases listed for the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) in four weeks.

Impaired Driving Charges After Single Vehicle Collision in Manitouwadge

Impaired driving charges have been laid after a single vehicle collision in Manitouwadge.

Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the collision early Thursday morning, with investigation determining the driver was impaired by alcohol, leading to their arrest and transportation to the local detachment for further testing - the 28-year-old from Manitouwadge has since been charged with: operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs; and operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).

They're set to appear in court in August.

LP Building Solutions Buying Wawa OSB, Will Become Trim & Siding Mill

Wawa's mill is changing hands once again - and changing its function.

Nashville-based LP Building Solutions has announced a definitive agreement with Forex Inc. for LP to acquire the assets owned by Wawa OSB Inc., which is a subsidiary of Forex - that includes the manufacturing facility just outside Wawa, which LP plans to convert into an LP SmartSide Trim and Siding Mill, expected to add about 400-million square feet of capacity, which would make it LP's largest single-line siding mill.

According to LP, the conversion "will bring more than 150 sustainable jobs to the region", and it touts the site as "an ideal location for SmartSide production due to its access to an ample and sustainable aspen wood basket and efficient logistics options".

The facility was built as an OSB plant in the mid-1990s but shut down in 2007, then sold in 2013 and converted to a pellet mill which idled in 2017.

Wawa OSB had started ramping up plans to convert the former pellet mill back to an oriented strandboard mill last year, with the provincial government last April announcing a conditional grant of $15-million over four years to leverage over $170-million and creating "hundreds of new jobs" and bring the forest sector "back in a big way" to Wawa, and the company claimed last summer the plant should have 140 direct jobs, producing 530,000 cubic metres of OSB at full capacity, aiming to open this summer or fall, but the unprecedented peak in OSB and lumber prices in 2021 and early 2022 sharply declined in the latter half of 2022, and Forex & Wawa OSB filed for creditor protection more than two months ago.

Wawa Fire Department Reminds Ashes Don't Go in Garbage Can

The Wawa Fire Department's reminding residents "ashes don't go in your garbage can".

Following a recent incident believed to stem from someone leaving ashes in their garbage - which was then collected - the Wawa Fire Department's warning that ashes that look cool may still have hot embers and could still catch fire, urging everyone make sure to store ashes at least ten feet from any building, keeping them in a metal container until cooled after a few days - after that, it's best to recycle them and add them to compost or soil, spread around a garden bed as pest control, or spread on the driveway to add traction in winter.

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting fifteen since Wednesday - fourteen in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 85, with 22 in hospital, two in ICUs.

There have not been any "active" cases listed for the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) in four weeks.

Chapleau Council to Discuss Prohibiting Feeding Pigeons & More

Chapleau Town Council's set to meet tonight.

Included on tonight's agenda is a by-law to prohibit the feeding and attracting of pigeons, a resolution to appoint Antoinette Blunt of Ironside Consulting Services as Integrity Commissioner, and discussion about derelict vehicles in town and the museum and train.

There are also two "in-camera" items relating to Chapleau PUC.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm tonight, in Civic Centre Council Chambers.

WAVS Taking Pre-Orders Ahead of Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign

As Tim Hortons prepares for its Smile Cookie campaign, the local beneficiary is looking to get a jump on it.

Though the cookies won't arrive until next Monday, May 1st, Wawa and Area Victim Services Executive Director Beverly Boyd says those eager to get several can order ahead.

Boyd adds that's not limited to Wawa residents.

Boyd notes the upcoming local Smile Cookie campaign will support WAVS in paying off a recently purchased van, which was also the objective of the last local campaign, back in September.

Wawa's Spring By Hand Festival Approaching

As spring properly arrives, a seasonal tradition's nearing for Wawa.

Coordinator Maria Reid says the Spring By Hand Festival coming next weekend will have a lot to offer.

Seen as an opportunity to do some Mother's Day shopping, the By Hand is "first and foremost a craft show" for locals, and admission's simply by silver collection, to help cover the event's costs.

The event will be held Saturday, April 29th, from 10 am to 3 pm at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Wawa Public Library Launching New Seniors Program Due to Grant

The Wawa Public Library's celebrating support for seniors programming.

Talking to JJAM FM's Town Talk, CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explained the federal government's providing a grant supporting senior-based, senior-led programs, including a "New Horizons Knitting Connection" launched earlier this month.

Jarrell notes this summer will also see "New Horizons Intergenerational Buddy Reading".

Jarrell adds a "Shut-In Outreach Program" is also planned, and the grant's supporting a few other helpful changes in the library, such as a new coffee cart and more comfortable chairs.

Final Day for Donations to UCW First United Church in Wawa Thrift Shop

Preparations are underway for a popular Wawa event: the UCW of First United Church's Thrift Shop.

It's set to be held next Thursday, April 27th, from 5 pm to 8:30 pm, Friday, April 28th from 1 pm to 4 pm and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Saturday, April 29th from 9 am to 4 pm, and "Bag Day" Monday, May 1st, from 9 am to 8 pm.

While the multi-day event isn't set to happen for another week, today is the last day donations are accepted, though organizers ask for no electronics or large furniture.

AOD Open House Happening Today

A special event's being held today for Wawa residents, particularly former Algoma Ore Division workers.

Noting this year marks 25 years since the local operations shut down, organizer Andy Stevens explains today's AOD open house is an opportunity to socialize.

Stevens notes the event also includes information for those retirees but also about the historic impact on this community.

Free of charge, the AOD Open House runs from 1 pm to 4 pm this afternoon at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre - Wawa Transit service to the event is also free.

Wawa Council Holding 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 about changes to the oath of office due to the new King, Charles III, plus a draft policy on citizen complaints, the first quarter financial report, and a report on the Municipality's engineer of record.

That'll be followed by tonight's regular Council meeting, which includes resolutions supporting the Wawa Public Library's plan for drag storytime in June, authorizing plans to submit a funding application for the Inclusive Community Grants program, accepting a staff recommendation to discontinue "bands of assessment" for a graduated tax rate in the commercial class - starting next year - and a staff recommendation to pursue an accessible electric van and charging infrastructure to replace the existing Wawa Transit gas-powered minibus.

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.

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting eighteen since Wednesday - fourteen in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 66, with eighteen in hospital, four in ICUs.

There have not been any "active" cases listed for the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) in three weeks.

AOD Open House Coming

Wawa residents - particularly former Algoma Ore Division workers - are being encouraged to "save the date" for the upcoming "AOD Open House".

Organizer Andy Stevens explains the whole community is invited to the event next week, marking a major anniversary.

Stevens says it's an opportunity to socialize - maybe reminisce about the days when AOD was open - and to educate people about its historic impact on this community.

The AOD Open House will be held Tuesday, April 18th, from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre - transit service to the event will be free, simply contact Wawa Transit as normal.

Wawa Fire Department Holding Open House for Potential Recruits

The Wawa Fire Department's encouraging residents to "meet the team" as it looks to recruit new members.

Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin explains an open house is being held tonight.

Sabourin explains a few new recruits are needed.

Sabourin outlines the main requirements for potential firefighters.

Anyone who can't make tonight's open house can contact Chief Sabourin - the open house runs from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm this evening, at the fire hall.

PHSD & APH Report New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting four since Tuesday - one in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District, and another in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 64, with fifteen in hospital, four in ICUs.

Algoma Public Health's reporting 25 new cases over the last week, down from the previous week, but shows slightly more in total - thirteen in Central and East Algoma, eleven in the Sault Ste. Marie area, and three in the Elliot Lake area - though known "high risk active" cases are down to 30, with eleven in hospital, one in an ICU.

The Porcupine Health Unit's reporting thirteen cases over the last week - the same as the previous two - though there is some improvement: it no longer shows any in hospital.

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