3 Former Wawa Council Candidates In Trouble for Not Filing Financial Statements

Three candidates in last fall's Wawa municipal election failed to file financial statements afterward.

The Municipality's posted statements for most of the candidates, but says Leah Isosaari, Robert Reeves, and Sue Smith - all of whom unsuccesfully ran to be councillors - were not compliant with that section of Ontario's Municipal Elections Act, which requires candidates to file the statements for their campaign by the last Friday in the March following the election.

Under the Act, those who fail to file statements would need to forfeit any office to which they were elected - not required in this case - and they're ineligible to be elected or appointed to any office to which the Act applies - such as mayor or Council - until the next regular election has taken place - that means they're unable to run in the 2026 municipal elections in any Ontario municipality, or any byelection before then - nor can they be appointed to fill a Council seat in Ontario - though that ban would be lifted after the 2026 municipal elections.

APH Reports 103rd COVID-19 Death, New Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 103rd since the pandemic began - it doesn't say where - it last reported a death two weeks ago.

The health unit's also reporting fourteen new cases over the last week, slightly down from the previous week - five in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four in Central and East Algoma, four in the Elliot Lake area, and another in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - with known "high risk active" cases up slightly, to 21 - while it shows three in hospital, it's also reporting four in ICUs.

Chapleau Council Awards Rec Centre Lighting Retrofit Contract, Talks Murals

Chapleau Town Council's approved plans for some work at the Recreation Centre.

In their meeting Monday night, Council approved a resolution to award the $77,887.28 contract for the Recreation Centre Lighting Retrofit project to Pro North Electric.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo explains the project, which he expects to begin soon.

Bignucolo notes Council also discussed murals in the community.

Mayor Bignucolo says the appropriate businesses will be contacted, with hopes to work with community partners on this - and he hopes it'll be addressed "sooner than later".

Council also approved plans for the annual Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Day - expected next month - and for the presentation of the draft 2023 Operating Budget next Monday, May 15th.

Dubreuilville Council Considering Animal Control, Noise & Property Standard By-Laws

Dubreuilville Town Council's considering a trio of by-laws.

While it gave first and second reading late last month, Dubreuilville Council's set to give third and final reading to by-laws on animal care and control, noise regulation, and property maintenance and occupancy standards - all three can be read in full on the Township's website.

Tonight's meeting begins at 7 pm.

Toronto Man Sentenced to Life, No Parole for 10 Years Over Death Near Wawa

A Toronto man will spend at least a decade behind bars for killing a Sudbury man just south of Wawa.

Houssein Hassan was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole for ten years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the May 2019 death of 32-year-old Devin Collin, whose remains were found along Highway 17 in Rabazo Township - south of the Michipicoten River Bridge - nearly a month later.

Now-28-year-old Hassan was originally charged with first-degree murder but the Crown accepted his guilty plea for the lesser charge.

A Mississauga man charged with accessory after the fact to murder pleaded guilty to that charge in October 2021, when he was 24, and was given a conditional sentence of two years less a day, which was to be served in the community

HSCDSB Warns Some Student Info Compromised by December Cyberattack

The local English Catholic school board's warning more information - including about students - was likely compromised by a cyberattack just ahead of Christmas.

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board had announced in January that the December 15th "cyber-incident" which caused an early start to the holidays saw the attackers steal "a significant number of files from a Board file server", warning at the time that employees employed in the last four tax years - 2019 to 2022 - were likely affected - with information such as social insurance numbers, date of birth information, compensation information, banking information, and garnishment information exposed - and it warned "some students and parents will likely be affected", but it would take time to go through the data to determine who was affected and "to what extent".

It now says further analysis of the data has led the board to inform certain students and more employees that their information was compromised - it is offering credit monitoring services to those individuals "as warranted and based on the type of information exposed".

HSCDSB says "delivering the notices was a major milestone in putting this difficult matter behind us", adding "we have learned from it and are continuing to strengthen our defences" and - while "security concerns themselves limit our ability to say more" - the board assures "our community...our efforts are multi-faceted, improve our defences against phishing attacks, and enhance our ability to detect intrusions should they occur", so they're "confident that we are better protected from the significant cyber security risks which face school boards across the province today".

Municipality of Wawa Reminds Anglers to Get Ice Huts, Residents Turn Off Water Bypasses

The Municipality of Wawa's reminding anglers to get their ice huts.

A notice from the municipality warns ice huts - and their contents - found along William Teddy Park and the Wawa Lake shoreline areas or municipal boulevards will be impounded by Monday, May 15th.

Owners would need to pay $75 to get the hut and its contents back, and - if not claimed by the following Friday, May 19th - the huts and contents will be put up for public sale.

The Municipality's also reminding residents with water by-passes to turn off the valves by Monday, May 15th.

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 eight since Friday - all in Greater Sudbury - though known "active" cases dropped to 50, with eleven in hospital, one in an ICU.

There have not been any "active" cases listed for the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) in six weeks, though the health unit is holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office tomorrow.

Chapleau Council to Discuss Recreation Centre Lighting, Murals

Chapleau Town Council's set to meet tonight.

Included on tonight's agenda is a resolution to award the contract for the Recreation Centre Lighting Retrofit, as well as discussion about the annual Municipal Household Hazardous Waste day, murals, and the operating budget date.

There are also two "in-camera" items: one relating to Chapleau PUC, the other about the Integrity Commissioner.

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

PHSD Reports 214th COVID-19 Death

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 186th in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit's COVID-related death toll to 214 - it last reported a death Wednesday.

It's also reporting thirteen new cases since Wednesday - twelve in Greater Sudbury, the other in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 57, with eleven in hospital, two in ICUs.

The health unit is holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office Wednesday, May 10th.

Walk for Alzheimers Returns, Local Event Staying Virtual

Wawa residents are being encouraged to strap on their shoes and get walking to support the local Alzheimer Society.

First Link Coordinator Chris Rask explains the annual Walk for Alzheimers is back.

Noting you can select "Wawa and Area" for the online pledge form or simply use a paper form, Rask encourages people to "walk where you are, in your own way, in the month of May".

Rask emphasizes that funds raised locally support the local office - which covers Wawa, Michipicoten First Nation, Hawk Junction, Dubreuillville, and White River - noting there are a number of services offered.

Rask says that also includes a Resource Lending Library, as well as the weekly Minds in Motion program and care partners for people living with dementia.

The Walk for Alzheimers will be held May 28th, so pledges must be in by then - you can register at walkforalzheimers.ca or call the local office at 705-856-0000.

Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign Supporting WAVS Wrapping Up

Time is running out for the chance to get an extra smile with your coffee - and help support a local cause.

The annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign wraps up this weekend, after a week of selling "Smile Cookies" - in Wawa, they support Wawa and Area Victim Services, and Executive Director Beverly Boyd reminds the funds raised will help WAVS pay off a loan for a vehicle.

Boyd thanks everyone who has supported the fundraising campaign so far.

PHSD Reports 212th COVID-19 Death

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 185th in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit's COVID-related death toll to 212 - it last reported a death April 11th.

It's also reporting twelve new cases since Monday - eleven in Greater Sudbury, the other in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 52, with ten in hospital, one in an ICU.

The health unit is holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office next Wednesday, May 10th.

Wawa Council Agrees to Plans for 2 Fire-Related Reviews & Refresh of Municipal Strategic Plan

The Municipality of Wawa's moving forward with two fire service-related reports.

In their meeting last night, Wawa Municipal Council accepted a staff recommendation to award the Loomex Group with the contract for both a Fire Services Review and a Community Risk Assessment.

Noting they're required by legislation, Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin explains the two projects.

Sabourin notes the request for proposals expected the reports to be delivered by the end of October, though that could be adjusted, if needed, as it would still put the municipality ahead of the legislated deadline.

While the budget had one review happening this year and the other next year, Council agreed to combine them - Treasurer Manuela Batovanja noted a number of other communities have done so - with the total project now budgeted $49,000 this year, a slight savings compared to what was expected when it was two separate items.

Council also agreed to plans for a "refresh" on the Municipal Strategic Plan, which stemmed from the Municipal Transformation Report prepared by Municipal Government Wayfinders in 2021, during the previous Council term - this "refresh" was noted to be a chance for the current Council to review the plan and give their own "stamp of approval".

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting thirteen since Friday - twelve in Greater Sudbury, the other in the broader Sudbury District - though known "active" cases dropped to 49, with twelve 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 five weeks.

The health unit is holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office next week on Wednesday, May 10th.

Wawa Council to Discuss Refreshing Municipal Strategic Plan

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

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, though the agenda's slim, just including discussion on a 2023 "refresh" of the Municipal Strategic Plan.

That'll be followed by tonight's regular Council meeting, which includes a Cemetery Committee update and a resolution on updating the Oath of Office in reference to King Charles III.

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, Fewer Active

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting eight since Wednesday - all in Greater Sudbury - though known "active" cases dropped slightly, to 60, with twelve 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 five weeks.

The health unit is holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office next week on Wednesday, May 10th.

Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign Returns, Locally Supporting WAVS

As you pick up your morning coffee or a meal this week, you could get an extra smile to help support a local cause.

The annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign kicks off today, with proceeds from "Smile Cookie" sales at Tim Hortons Wawa supporting Wawa and Area Victim Services, and WAVS Executive Director Beverly Boyd notes funds raised help with the purchase of a van.

Boyd explains the van will assist the organization.

Boyd thanks everyone who's supported the campaign, including through the purchase of Smile Cookies last fall.

Kicking off today, the new Smile Cookie campaign continues to the end of the week.

Cart (0)