10 Digit Dialing Becoming Mandatory for 807 Area

Northwestern Ontario will need to get used to dialing ten digits for calls.

Starting next Wednesday, May 31st, ten-digit dialling will become mandatory for all local calls in the part of Northern Ontario served by the 807 area code, which includes White River and areas further west - ten-digit local calls were already introduced April 1st, but seven-digit calling has been allowed since, though it will no longer be possible after May 31st.

The move happened for the 705 region in 2011, to pave the way for a new area code to be added.

Wawa Landfill Nearing Debut of Changes, Including New Roll-Off Bins

Wawa's moving forward with some changes to its landfill.

Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Becca Weatherall explains new "roll-off" bins are planned, which would work similarly to other landfills, like the one in Sault Ste. Marie.

Weatherall notes that will involve separating different types of waste into different bins - the scrap metal bin's already "quite popular" at the landfill - but believes the change in operations should be an improvement.

Weatherall says a "soft opening" is expected "once the weather gets a little better" and the first new cell of the landfill expansion is dug - there's no exact date yet, but she assures the public will be informed once it's set.

Walk for Alzheimers Arrives, Marking End of Local Campaign

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

As this Sunday is the annual IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimers, First Link Coordinator Chris Rask reminds it's being held virtually, with participants urged to "walk where you are, in your own way".

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.

Pledges must be in by Sunday - you can register at walkforalzheimers.ca or call the local office at 705-856-0000.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Still 1 Active in Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting six since Tuesday - five in Greater Sudbury, another in the broader Sudbury District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 21, with four in hospital, one in an ICU.

One of the active cases is in the northern Sudbury District - it doesn't say where, but the area includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting 22 cases over the last week - the same as the previous week - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts, and shows none in hospital.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting sixteen cases over the last week - less than half of the previous week - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts but does show six in hospital, half of what was reported a week ago.

APH Reports 104th COVID-19 Death, New Cases for PHSD

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 104th since the pandemic began - it doesn't say where - it last reported a death two weeks ago.

The health unit's also reporting eighteen new cases over the last week, just over half of the previous week - six in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in Central and East Algoma, and six in the Elliot Lake area - though known "high risk active" cases dropped to 32, with five in hospital, two in ICUs.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three cases since Friday - two in Greater Sudbury, the other in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dropped to eighteen, with four in hospital.

One of the active cases is in the northern Sudbury District - it doesn't say where, but the area includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The health unit is holding an "appointment only" COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today.

Local Municipalities Remind Residents Burning Permits Required

With the spring weather turning to summer, Wawa residents are being reminded to get a burning permit.

The Municipality of Wawa notes a permit's required for all open air burning between April 1st and October 31st - applications are available through the Municipal Office or municipal website, though an on-site inspection's required before the permit's issued.

The Township of Chapleau also requires fire permits for the same period, which can be obtained for $23 at the Township Office or by e-transfer to payment@chapleau.ca - further details can be found on the Township's website.

Safe Boating Week Continues After Victoria Day Weekend

While the long weekend has passed, Ontario Provincial Police are reminding boaters to be careful out on the water.

Safe Boating Week is still underway, and Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle urges boaters to take precautions, as the OPP investigate "many needless marine deaths" each year, including through capsizing boats or people falling overboard, as well as other factors.

Noting most boating deaths investigated by the OPP involve vessels under six metres long, Nickle reminds certain equipment is required when heading out.

Constable Nickle also reminds boaters to check that equipment's in good working order - as mechanical breakdowns account for "a large number of calls for assistance" to the OPP - and emphasizes that "the only life jacket that can save you is the one you are wearing".

Chapleau's Spring Pitch-In Week Arrives

It's "Pitch-In Week" in Chapleau.

This week, the Township's Public Works Department will only be picking up yard waste - like grass clippings, leaves, shrubs, hedges, branches, and small trees - so long as they're properly bagged and set out on the curbside - "woody" material must also be cut into four-foot lengths and bundled with twine.

The Township recommends raking debris from the shoulder of the roadway, trimming grass, hedges, and trees that are overgrowing the sidewalk, sweeping off the pavement and sidewalk, and cleaning up all unwanted rubbish, debris, or trash that's accumulated on your property.

A map for the different days is available on the Township's website, with every citizen encouraged to "pitch-in".

Residents can also use the landfill free of charge this week - during regular hours - though there are some restrictions on what's accepted, with the Township noting it'll be holding a collection event for certain hazardous waste on June 17th.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, 1 Active in Northern Sudbury District After Weeks Without

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting two since Wednesday - both in Greater Sudbury - though known "active" cases dropped to 32, with six in hospital.

One of the active cases is in the northern Sudbury District - it doesn't say where, but the area includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

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

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".

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