Wawa's Spring By Hand Festival Arrives

Wawa residents are getting a chance to see the works of many local artisans - and get pick up some Mother's Day gifts - at the By Hand Festival this weekend.

Coordinator Maria Reid emphasizes the event is first and foremost a craft show.

Reid says there will be several vendors - a mix of returning and new, all local, with a variety of different works for sale - encouraging everyone to come out to the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre between 10 am and 3 pm Saturday.

Admission is by silver collection, to help cover the event's costs.

Another well-loved local event's also happening in Wawa this weekend: the UCW of First United Church's Thrift Shop returned last night, but continues from 1 pm to 4 pm and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm today, 9 am to 4 pm tomorrow, and 9 am to 8 pm Monday, which will be "Bag Day" all day and evening.

OPP Investigating Fatal Single Vehicle Collision on Hwy 144

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a fatal single vehicle collision on Highway 144 south of Gogama.

South Porcupine OPP say a 50-year-old from Whitefish died as a result of the Tuesday morning collision north of Highway 560 in Chester Township.

While the highway reopened after thirteen hours, the investigation's continuing, with assistance from the OPP Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) unit.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Fewer Active

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting thirteen since Monday - nine in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, three in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down to 68, with thirteen in hospital, two in ICUs.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting six cases over the last week - just over half of the previous week's count - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts, but does show one currently in hospital.

MNRF Warns of Potential Flooding in Chapleau/Wawa District

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is warning of potential flooding in the region.

A Flood Watch has been issued for the Chapleau Wawa District area, warning residents to "keep a close watch on conditions and exercise caution around rivers and streams", as Ontario's northeast and northwest are expected to see mixed precipitation or snow, with Wawa expected to get 30 to 40 millimetres of rain by "end of week from Thursday to Monday" while Chapleau's expected to get the same amount "by end of week from Saturday to Monday".

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Calls for Government to Address Northern Physician Shortage

Newly-independent Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha is pushing the provincial government to address the Northern physician shortage.

Speaking during Question Period, Mantha pressed Health Minister Sylvia Jones about the issue, saying "rural and Northern communities are especially struggling to ensure residents have access to a physician and primary care", noting his office "is constantly hearing from individuals and families who are waiting 2, 3, 4, or more years to be matched with a family doctor".

Mantha also pointed to research from the Ontario College of Family Physicians - which found 2.2-million Ontarians are currently without a family doctor - and a pre-budget submission from the Ontario Medical Association - which warned the North's short 350 family doctors and specialists, which is up from the shortfall of 325 last year - with Mantha warning "physicians are trying their best to service their communities but without help from this government, they are burning out and are being left no choice but to close their practice".

APH Reports 102nd COVID-19 Death, New Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 102nd since the pandemic began - it last reported a death in its last update, last Tuesday.

It's also reporting twelve new cases over the last week, slightly down from the previous week - eleven in the Sault Ste. Marie area, and another in the Elliot Lake area - though known "high risk active" cases are down to sixteen, with five in hospital.

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Tables Petition to Increase OW & ODSP

Newly-independent Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha is pushing the provincial government to increase social assistance.

Mantha rose to read out and table a petition in the Legislature on Monday, calling for an increase to Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program.

The petition - which also cited an open letter signed by over 230 organizations calling for the move, and the former federal CERB rate of $2000 per month - was then signed by Mantha, who gave his wholehearted support before passing it to the page.

It's the first major move by Mantha in the Legislature since he was removed from the NDP caucus by leader Marit Stiles at the start of this month amid a third-party investigation into alleged workplace misconduct.

Mantha first sat as an independent - in his first 2023 appearance in the chamber - on April 6th, and announced on social media this weekend that he'd rehired his three-person team of staff - two of whom have worked for Mantha for most of his twelve year tenure as MPP - he's previously vowed he's committed to "continue to serve the people of Algoma-Manitoulin".

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.

Cart (0)