Walk for Alzheimers Nears, Will Mark End of Local Virtual Campaign

Time's running out to strap on your shoes and get walking in support of the local Alzheimer Society.

The annual Walk for Alzheimers is set to be held this Sunday, May 28th, though Wawa-based First Link Coordinator Chris Rask reminds the local event is done virtually, encouraging people to "walk where you are, in your own way, in the month of May".

Rask notes you can select "Wawa and Area" for the online pledge form at walkforalzheimers.ca or simply use a paper form, emphasizing funds raised locally support the local office, which covers Wawa, Michipicoten First Nation, Hawk Junction, Dubreuillville, and White River.

For those wishing to attend a physical event, there will be one in Sault Ste. Marie this Sunday.

Chapleau Council Seeking Lower Tax Increase After Reviewing 2023 Budget

Chapleau Town Council's looking for ways to reduce this year's budget.

While the draft 2023 operating budget was presented to Council earlier this week, Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says Council's asked managers to review their budget while the Township does "mapping to see what an increase would look like".

Bignucolo notes inflation is a major part of the problem.

Mayor Bignucolo expects this to be "front and center" in the next Council meeting.

Chapleau Launches Search for New CAO

Chapleau's once again looking for a new top administrator.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says Council's approved a motion to advertise for a new Chief Administrative Officer.

Outgoing CAO Denis Duguay was hired in late September after a nearly eight month search for someone to fill the role, though the Township had spent much of the preceding two years searching, with Duguay's predecessor serving roughly three months, from October 2021 until the end of January 2022, after a search that was started in October 2020.

Canada Road Safety Week Ending, Safe Boating Week Arriving Amid Victoria Day Weekend

As the long weekend arrives, Ontario Provincial Police are warning they'll be watching to ensure people are being safe and following the rules.

Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle notes the long weekend coincides with the final days of Canada Road Safety Week, an annual awareness campaign aimed at saving lives and reducing injuries by getting people to comply with safe driving measures.

Nickle notes the long weekend also marks the start of Safe Boating Week - tomorrow to next Friday - so officers will be out patrolling to enforce boating laws and promote marine safety, as OPP investigate "many needless marine deaths" each year.

Constable Nickle warns impaired boating is also a major factor - both alcohol and drug - as well as driver inattention or weather, urging boaters to ensure they have all the equipment required by law - and that everything's "in good working order".

Ontario Power Generation also urges caution around hydroelectric stations and dams, as water levels can change quickly and sometimes without warning.

Ecole St Joseph Franco Chess Tournament Returns

Young chess masters are gathering in Wawa today.

Wawa's École Saint-Joseph is hosting its seventh Franco Chess Tournament, bringing players from French schools across the region, dividing them into four categories: grades three and four; five and six; seven and eight; and secondary school.

The first since 2019 - due to the COVID-19 pandemic - teacher/organizer René-Guy Nobert says it's expected to be bigger than ever.

Nobert notes the tournament's mainly about bragging rights, though there will be medals for first, second, and third in each category and there's a team competition, too.

Doors will be open during the tournament, if members of the public want to see the event.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting eight since Monday - six in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, the other in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases stayed at 55, with five in hospital, one in an ICU.

The health unit's holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office next Wednesday, May 24th.

No 2023 LDHCF Nine & Dine Golf Tourney, 2024 Event Planned

Golfers won't be hitting the greens in support of Wawa's hospital this year - but are expected to do so next summer.

Acknowledging inquiries about their Nine and Dine Golf Tournament, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation says it will not be holding the event this year, but have confirmed plans for the fundraiser to return on June 22, 2024, though the Foundation's also planning "smaller events throughout the early summer and fall", noting funds raised through its online 50/50 raffle "stay in Wawa and help to purchase much needed equipment as well as support health services throughout our community and surrounding area".

Last year's first annual LDHC Foundation Nine and Dine Charity Golf Tournament raised a total of $5150 for the purchase of equipment supporting the Wawa hospital's MediTech ONE Expansion Project.

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Presses on Conservation Officer/Forest Firefighter Pay

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha's pushing the provincial government to address staffing issues for Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Speaking in Question Period, the independent MPP pressed Minister Graydon Smith over concerns raised by conservation officers and wildland forest firefighters about staff leaving their positions in search of better pay, with Mantha noting he previously raised those concerns with Minister Smith last fall.

Calling on Smith to immediately address the wage concerns, Mantha says government "low wage policies" are having an effect on Northern communities, noting there are only four fire crews set to operate in the Chapleau area this season - down from ten last season - emphasizing it's "vital" Ontario's Aviation, Forest Fire, and Emergency Service is "adequately staffed to respond quickly to forest fires".

Wawa Council Holding Trio of Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a trio of meetings tonight.

That includes a Committee of the Whole meeting, including reports on the Community Safety Zone, roll-off bin purchase for the Landfill expansion, funding for Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre modernization, and Sportsfield Track replacement.

That'll be followed by tonight's regular Council meeting, which includes a by-law to enter into an agreement with J. Provost Contracting for the track replacement, and by-laws for an agreement with The Loomex Group for a Community Risk Assessment and Fire Service Review and with Kresin Engineering to provide professional engineering services to the Municipality.

A Committee of Adjustment meeting will also be held, to address an application for a minor variance.

The meetings will be held back-to-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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting nine since Friday - eight in Greater Sudbury, the other in the broader Sudbury District - though known "active" cases dropped to 55, with five in hospital, one in an ICU.

There have not been any "active" cases reported in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) in seven weeks, though the health unit is holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office next week, on Wednesday, May 24th.

Chapleau Reminds Dog Owners to Scoop the Poop

Chapleau's reminding dog owners to clean up after their pets.

The Township reminds its by-law to control dogs prohibits owners from leaving their dog's excrement on or in a public place or private property, requiring it be removed immediately and without delay in a sanitary manner - or face a fine of $55.

It further warns evening patrols will enforce the regulation, reminding owners to have a sanitary excrement bag while walking their dog.

Ecole Saint-Joseph Franco Chess Tournament Returning After 3 Years Without

Young chess masters will be gathering in Wawa later this week.

Wawa's École Saint-Joseph is preparing for its seventh annual Franco chess tournament, and - while this is the first since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic - teacher/organizer René-Guy Nobert says it will be a mix of past participants and new from local schools and across the northeast.

The chess players will be divided into four categories: grades three and four; five and six; seven and eight; and secondary school.

The tournament will be held Thursday, May 18th.

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 eleven since Wednesday - ten in Greater Sudbury, the other in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dropped slightly, to 66, with nine in hospital, two in ICUs - the same as Wednesday.

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

The health unit is holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office next week, on Wednesday, May 24th.

Wawa's Legion Golf Tournament Returning Soon

A sign of the coming summer season is approaching: Wawa's annual Legion Golf Tournament.

Organizer Larry Harvey of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 outlines the basic details of the event.

Harvey says there will be prizes, and emphasizes the tournament supports the local Legion.

Anyone wanting to register is asked to contact Harvey by June 7th, so arrangements can be made for the tournament on June 10th.

Wawa's Goose Nest Markets Return With Event for Mother's Day

Wawa's Goose Nest Markets are returning just in time for Mother's Day.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains the first market of the year will be held tomorrow.

While she notes many vendors with a variety of items, White notes they're trying something new, as well.

White emphasizes this is just the start of the season, with a Garage Sale Goose Nest Market May 27th, Youth Entrepreneurs Market June 3rd, Indigenous Day Market June 17th, and a Canada Day Market on July 1st - and she encourages vendors or those interested in running a special event as part of Canada Day celebrations to register now, by going to the Goose Nest Market Facebook page.

Tomorrow's "Mother's Day Goose Nest Market" runs from 11 am to 2 pm.

PHSD & PHU Report New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 22 since Monday - twenty in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District - pushing known "active" cases up to 67, with nine in hospital, two in ICUs.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting sixteen cases over the last week - nearly double the previous week's count - it's reporting one currently in hospital.

Cart (0)