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Wawa's Goose Nest Market is springing to life for the season - and highlighting some younger entrepreneurs.
Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains the Young Maker Market coming tomorrow.
Seven local vendors will be there from 10 am to 1 pm at the Goose Nests, while the Children's Aid Society of Algoma will host a barbecue at the event from 11 am to 1 pm.
Chapleau's asking residents to conserve water over the next week.
The Township says scheduled maintenance at the Chapleau Water Treatment Plant - which will take place from June 3rd to 10th - along with the "hot, dry climatic conditions" have prompted the Ontario Clean Water Agency - which operates the Chapleau facility - to ask residents to conserve their water usage and not conduct seasonal items like lawn watering or vehicle washing.
Mayor Ryan Bignucolo assures it's a precaution.
The Splash Pad - which only opened for the season on Tuesday - will also be closed over the week, to aid in the conservation measures.
Anyone with questions is encouraged to call the Civic Centre at 705-864-1330.
Preparations are continuing for the return of Chapleau's drag races this summer.
Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says progress is being made on the deal for the event.
While the drag race is set to be held July 14th through 16th, Bignucolo says "there's great contractors in town...willing to give a hand to make this happen" in time.
In addition to an update on the drag race, Council also heard this week about ongoing preparations for Canada Day celebrations, with Mayor Bignucolo saying it looks to be "a great success, like the winter carnival".
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting eight since Monday - seven in Greater Sudbury, another in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 31, with ten in hospital, one in an ICU.
The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting twelve cases over the last week - just over half the previous week - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts, but does show two in hospital.
Wawa residents are being challenged to join in ParticipACTION's "Community Challenge" this month.
Wawa Family Health Team dietician Justine Glover explains the challenge, which kicks off today.
Glover notes there will be a variety of events held over the month - including Pride-related events, like the Colour Run - plus dance parties, youth soccer and softball, adult softball, yoga, and adult bootcamp and dance classes - sign up and track physical activity with the ParticipACTION app or website.
A pamphlet was sent out in the mail with a schedule and more details, though you can also call the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre pro shop for information.
Chapleau's asking residents to conserve water in the coming week.
Due to scheduled maintenance at the Chapleau Water Treatment Plant - which will take place from June 3rd to 10th - along with the "hot, dry climatic conditions", the Ontario Clean Water Agency - which operates the Chapleau facility - is asking residents to conserve water use and not conduct seasonal items like lawn watering or vehicle washing.
The Splash Pad - which only opened for the season on Tuesday - will also be closed during that time, to aid in the conservation measures.
Anyone with questions is encouraged to call the Civic Centre at 705-864-1330.
An argument escalated to a criminal charge for a Wawa resident.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to a neighbour dispute on Poplar Street shortly before midnight Tuesday night, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 53-year-old on a count of mischief under $5000.
They've been released from custody, set to appear in court in July.
White River's continuing to watch a pair of forest fires burning on either side of the community.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry still shows both blazes as "not under control", with "Wawa 2" - or the "Crocker Lake Fire", as it's located south of Highway 17 and Crocker Lake, about 5.5 kilometres west of White River - as 105-hectares in size, the same size it has been since Monday, while "Wawa 3" - or the "Depew Fire", which is located within the Kakakiwibik Esker north of Highway 17, about 9 kilometres from White River - is about 5770 hectares in size.
Though the Township of White River's emphasized there's no threat to the community from the fires, the Township of Hornepayne has noted smoke from the larger fire - which is about 45 to 50 kilometres from that community - and Mayor Cheryl Fort has stated it's preparing for an "emergency situation".
While many communities had implemented fire bans due to the hot and dry conditions, though the MNRF has announced a Restricted Fire Zone for much of the province - including all of the North and parts of southern Ontario - which took effect at midnight.
Under the RFZ, all burning permits are suspended as no open air burning - including campfires - is permitted, though portable gas or propane stoves may be used for cooking and warmth - extreme caution is advised.
Environment Canada's issued a special air quality statement for the White River and Dubreuilville areas, though Algoma Public Health's warning both communities and Wawa to be careful, as smoke can be harmful to everyone's health, even at low concentrations, though people with lung or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and those who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects, which range from sore and watery eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, mild coughing, or headache to more serious symptoms like shortness of breath, severe wheezing or coughing, chest pain, or heart palpatations - anyone who experiences those severe symptoms should seek prompt medical care.
A Hornepayne resident's facing an assault charge over a domestic dispute.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to an incident shortly after 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, with a 37-year-old from Hornepayne arrested and charged with a count of spousal assult.
They've been released from custody, set to appear in court in Hearst next month.
Several charges have been laid after an assault in Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to an altercation involving a vehicle on Churchill Avenue shortly after 10 o'clock Sunday night, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 32-year-old from Timmins on charges of assault with a weapon, mischief under $5000, operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs, operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), dangerous operation causing bodily harm, and failure to stop after accident.
He's been released from custody, set to appear in court in July.
Assault and mischief charges have been laid after a domestic dispute in Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to the dispute on Hillcrest Avenue shortly after 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, resulting in the arrest of a 47-year-old Wawa resident on charges of spousal assault and mischief under $5000.
They've been released from custody, but are set to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice in July.
Local MP Carol Hughes is calling for fair bargaining for First Nations policing.
Following on past calls for greater funding for Indigenous police services, the Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing New Democrat raised the issue in the House of Commons earlier this week.
Hughes notes the police services she highlighted have not accepted the imposed contract as it "does not respond to the dire needs that they are experiencing within First Nation communities", emphasizing "the Crown has a legal obligation to ensure First Nation policing is an essential service, negotiated based on identified needs, and funded at a standard comparable to non-Indigenous communities", adding "let's not repeat the mistake of our colonial past - let's ensure these Indigenous police services immediately have the resources and specialized training they require to better protect their communities".
A Wawa resident's facing an assault charge after an incident over the weekend.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to an assault on Tamarack Avenue shortly before 2 o'clock Sunday morning, leading to the arrest of a 19-year-old on a charge of assault.
He's been released from custody, set to appear in court in July.
A major forest fire in the White River area continues to grow.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's showing “Wawa 3” - located within the Kakakiwibik Esker north of Highway 17 - is now about 5770 hectares in size and still not under control.
In an update this morning, the Township of White River says "Tuesday was a good day despite the heat and wind", as "Wawa 2" - or the "Crocker Lake Fire", which is located south of Highway 17 and Crocker Lake, about 5.5 kilometres west of White River - has not advanced - it's still shown at 105 hectares in size - while "Wawa 3" - or the "Depew Fire" - continues to move north and away from White River, with the update emphasizing there's no threat to the community and the MNRF "continues to bring in more crews and equipment".
Driving in the area may be hindered by on-and-off closures or visibility issues due to the smoke, which has prompted Environment Canada to issue a special air quality statement for the White River and Dubreuilville areas, warning "high levels of air pollution have developed" from the smoke and - while smoke can be harmful to everyone's health, even at low concentrations - people with lung or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and those who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects.
The Townships of White River and Chapleau have both banned outdoor fires due to the hot, dry conditions and fire hazard, which remains "extreme" for most of the northeast.
Time's running out for those interested in running an event for Wawa's Canada Day festivities.
Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains there will be a Goose Nest Market, Street Fair, and Fireworks to celebrate the day, but - in addition to still accepting vendors for the market - they're encouraging more activities.
White recommends checking out the Wawa Recreation Facebook page for more details and a form to fill out, which must be submitted by the end of the day - you can also email her at swhite@wawa.cc for information.
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.
Algoma Public Health's reporting fifteen new cases over the last week, down slightly from the previous week - nine in the Sault Ste. Marie area, five in the Elliot Lake area, and one in Central and East Algoma - though known "high risk active" cases dropped to sixteen, with four in hospital, one in an ICU.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting nine cases since Friday - eight in Greater Sudbury, the other in the Manitoulin District - with known "active" cases up slightly, to 25, including four in hospital, one in an ICU.
White River's continuing to watch a pair of forest fires burning on either side of the community.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry still shows both blazes as "not under control", with "Wawa 2" - or the "Crocker Lake Fire", as it's located south of Highway 17 and Crocker's Lake, about 5.5 kilometres west of White River - as 105-hectares in size, while "Wawa 3" - or the "Depew Fire", which is located within the Kakakiwibik Esker north of Highway 17 - is about 4800 hectares in size.
While the Township of White River's emphasized there's no threat to the community from the fires, Highway 631 is closed between White River and Hornepayne, with a reduced speed zone along part of Highway 17 near the Depew River, due to smoke, which has also prompted Environment Canada to issue a special air quality statement for the White River and Dubreuilville areas, warning "high levels of air pollution have developed" from the smoke and - while smoke can be harmful to everyone's health, even at low concentrations - people with lung or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and those who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects.
White River has suspended all burning permits and open burning within municipal boundaries, due to "extremely dry conditions and lack of rainfall in the forecast", which has helped fuel the fires.
Further east, the "Chapleau 1" fire reported Monday - about six kilometres east of Chapleau and less than a kilometre south of Gallagher Lake - is now listed as "under control" at 2.3 hectares in size.
The Township of Chapleau has, however, banned outdoor fires in the community due to "current hot dry conditions and extreme fire hazard".
Chapleau's splash pad is open for the season.
The Township says the local attraction - located at the waterfront - opened Tuesday.
A major forest fire in the White River area continues to grow.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's showing "Wawa 3" - located within the Kakakiwibik Esker north of Highway 17 - is now about 4800 hectares in size and is still not under control.
In an update this morning, the Township of White River emphasized there's no threat to the community from that blaze - which has been dubbed the "Depew Fire" - nor from the 105-hectare fire known as "Wawa 2" or the "Crocker Lake Fire" - as it's located south of Highway 17 and Crocker's Lake, about 5.5 kilometres west of White River - though Highway 631 has once again closed between White River and Hornepayne, with the Township saying the MNRF requested that since the fire and smoke encroaching on the highway and water bombers may interfere with travel - it's unclear how long it'll remain closed, as it was closed from late Monday afternoon until about 11 o'clock this morning, closing again around 2 o'clock this afternoon.
The Township's also reported a reduced speed zone along part of Highway 17 near the Depew River, due to smoke.
White River's suspended all burning permits and open burning within municipal boundaries - due to "extremely dry conditions and lack of rainfall in the forecast", which has helped fuel the fires on either side of the community - while Environment Canada's issued a special air quality statement for the White River and Dubreuilville areas, warning "high levels of air pollution have developed" from the smoke and - while smoke can be harmful to everyone's health, even at low concentrations - people with lung or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and those who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects.
Some better news further east, as the "Chapleau 1" fire reported yesterday - about six kilometres east of Chapleau and less than a kilometre south of Gallagher Lake - is listed as "being held" at 2.3 hectares in size.
The Township of Chapleau has, however, banned outdoor fires in the community due to "current hot dry conditions and extreme fire hazard".
A major meeting's coming up for Wawa's hospital foundation.
The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's set to hold its annual general meeting on June 13th, in order to go over financial and other annual reports.
As the meeting will be held via Zoom, anyone who wants to attend the meeting is asked to email foundation@ldhc.com by Friday, June 9th.
