2 People Charged After Drug Bust in Chapleau

Two people are facing charges after a drug bust in Chapleau.

Nishnawbe Aski Police say their Drug Enforcement Unit and the Ontario Provincial Police executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant last Wednesday, seizing a large quantity of drugs suspected to be methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and buprenorphine, as well as Canadian currency.

A 42-year-old from Chapleau and a 43-year-old from Fox Lake First Nation are each charged with seven counts of possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking and another count of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 - they were subsequently remanded into custody, set to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Timmins.

Chapleau Drag Races Cancelled for 2023

Chapleau's Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race is staying off the track this year.

While preparations had been ramping up for the second annual event to be held July 14th to 16th - online ticket sales started last Thursday - the drag race committee and Luskville Speedway have announced it's cancelled just a month before it was to be held, promising all purchased tickets will be refunded and the event is scheduled to return next year, from August 16th to 18th, 2024.

They're citing the "devastatingly strong" wildfire season in Northern Ontario - which is expected to remain that way until the end of summer - which means the event's intended venue, the Chapleau airport, must instead be available and service uninterrupted since it's a central location for fire protection and a source of fire-retardant foam.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo expresses understanding disappointment with the news.

Bignucolo expresses optimism for next year, noting - as the Committee also does - that airstrip repairs and concrete pad preparation are planned for when the airport has more availability, and encouraging people to look forward to the 2024 races as he does.

Chapleau Student Recognized for Commitment to Studies & School Life

A Chapleau student's being honoured for commitment to her studies and school life.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium Grade 12 student Evangéline Barsalou "stands out as a determined and dedicated student...highly motivated and consistently invested a great deal of effort into maintaining her high academic performance while remaining humble about her achievements and successes", including showing "excellent leadership and interpersonal skills", taking part in volleyball and e-learning - which she has "mastered to perfection" - and recently took part in the Rotary Club's "Rediscovering Citizenship" initiative in Ottawa.

Barsalou's set to pursue studies in social sciences at the University of Toronto next year.

APH & PHSD Report New COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting sixteen new cases over the last week, a jump from the previous week - nine in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in the Elliot Lake area, and one in Central and East Algoma - doubling known "high risk active" to ten, with two in hospital, one in an ICU.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported no new cases since Friday, with known "active" cases dropping from 44 to sixteen, including seven in hospital, one in an ICU.

Highway 101 Remains Closed Between Wawa & Chapleau Due to Washout

Highway 101 remains closed between Wawa and Chapleau due to a washout.

511 announced the closure shortly before 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon - initially saying 101's closed in both directions from the Highway 651 turnoff to Hawk Junction to Highway 129 at Chapleau due to "maintenance operations", then "emergency roadwork" - though Superior East OPP say it's because of a washout at Highbrush Lake, adding it's "expected to be an extended closure, lasting a few days, as crews work to repair the damage".

Pictures of the problem show the road heavily damaged on one side of the road, with cracks extending across.

Highway 101 Closure Due to Washout

Highway 101's closed between Wawa and Chapleau due to a washout.

While 511 only says 101's closed in both directions from the Highway 651 turnoff to Hawk Junction to Highway 129 at Chapleau due to "emergency roadwork", Superior East OPP explain it's because of a washout at Highbrush Lake, adding it's "expected to be an extended closure, lasting a few days, as crews work to repair the damage".

Pictures of the problem show the road heavily damaged on one side of the road, with cracks extending across.

Charges Laid Over Break-In & Other Incident in Wawa

Charges have been laid over a pair of incidents in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were notified of a break-and-enter to a Third Avenue residence late Friday morning, leading to the arrest of a 67-year-old Wawa resident on a charge of break, enter a dwelling house.

He was released from custody with a July court date, but - shortly before 6 Saturday night - officers on general patrol on Broadway Avenue observed him breaching release conditions, leading to his arrest on charges of obstruct peace officer and failure to comply with release order.

The accused has been remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

Cool, Wet Weather Tempers Forest Fires, White River Area Fire & Chapleau Fires Not Under Control

The cool, wet weather helped temper forest fire activity in the Northeast.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's reporting there were no new fires reported Monday, but there were still 28 "active", including the "Wawa 2" - or "Crocker Lake" - fire under control west of White River at 105 hectares in size, the "Wawa 3" - or "Depew" - fire east of White River now being held at 6678.1 hectares in size, and three fires in the Chapleau district, all considered "not yet under control": "Chapleau 3" southeast of town at 3916.9 hectares in size; "Chapleau 6" northwest of town at 1229 hectares in size; and "Chapleau 4" far to the northeast is 4 hectares in size.

There are still implementation orders restricting travel in the area of "Wawa 3" and "Chapleau 3", the latter including parts of the Dore Road - or Foleyet Timber Road - as well as the Jerome and Mallard roads, north of the Sultan Industrial Road.

The fire hazard is low locally, with some medium, high, even extreme hazard further north, while Northwestern Ontario - which had 40 "active" fires as of late Monday, with six fires reported that day - was predominantly high to extreme hazard, with moderate to the east.

A Restricted Fire Zone remains in place for the entire fire region of Ontario, banning open air burning and suspending burning permits.

Progress on Wawa 3 Forest Fire, Now Being Held

Progress has been made on a major forest fire in the region.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is showing "Wawa 3" - also known as the "Depew Fire", east of White River - is now "being held" at 6678.1 hectares in size - it hasn't grown in a week - though an implementation order issued over a week ago remains in place, restricting travel around the blaze, which was initially reported May 27th.

The Ministry recently removed the sprinkler system set up near White River, as the threat lessened.

Further east, however, the "Chapleau 3" fire east of Chapleau continues to grow, surpassing 3900 hectares and still considered "not under control".

There are three other fires in the Chapleau district: a three-tenths of a hectare blaze south of Highway 101 and west of 129; a four-hectare fire northeast of town; and a 1229 hectare fire north of Highway 101, west of town.

Given the shift in weather, the fire hazard is mostly low to medium for the region, though there are areas of high hazard along the north shore of Lake Huron and north of Timmins.

Former Superior East OPP Commander Named Nipissing West Commander

The former commander of the local OPP detachment has a new job further south.

The Ontario Provincial Police say Inspector Megan Moriarity has been appointed the Nipissing West Detachment Commander - she's been with the OPP since 1993, starting in various southern communities before being promoted to Staff Sergeant and Detachment Commander for the Superior East Detachment - which includes Wawa, White River, Chapleau, and Hornepayne - in 2015.

She served as acting Detachment Commander for the James Bay and Manitoulin Detachments in 2018 and 2019 until she was promoted to Inspector and moved to officially head the Manitoulin Detachment in April 2019, staying in the role until now.

Chapleau Council to Consider Contract for Sewer Work in Meeting

Chapleau Town Council's set to meet tonight.

Included on tonight's agenda is a by-law authorizing a contract with J. Provost Contracting for the Richards and Demers storm sewer and Elgin Street sanitary sewer replacement, as well as resolutions to waive expenses for Maison Boreal to construct a multi-residential project and approving scope changes for: the sanitary and storm sewer system project; the 2022 landfill closure and post-closure liabilities; and portable generator connection upgrades, plus discussion about the upcoming Drag Races, the Buddy Swanson Volunteer Award, and an Integrity Commissioner report.

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

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

Wawa Hosting Open House on Community Safety Zones Around Schools

Wawa residents are being encouraged to learn about plans to declare areas around local schools as "Community Safety Zones".

A special open house is being held today, following on a recent report to Council - Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall outlined the idea, which would see the zones established around the Churchill school zone, Sir James Dunn, and Ecole l'Escalade.

Weatherall says it's meant to address concerns about speeding in those areas.

The open house runs from 2 pm to 4 pm this afternoon at the downstairs boardroom at 40 Broadway Avenue, the Municipal Office building - a survey can also be filled out, with paper copies available at the Municipal Office.

Chapleau Pentecostal Church Preparing for Fundraiser for Haiti Mission

Chapleau Pentecostal Church is encouraging everyone to help support children in Haiti, as the church prepares for an annual fundraising event.

The annual car wash, yard sale, and barbecue for the Haiti Mission will be held this weekend, and Pastor Dan Lee explains there is still a chance to join in.

Lee emphasizes funds raised support the Haiti mission, which includes a school, church, and cafeteria, "feeding, teaching, and instructing children" - anyone interested in getting a table can call the church at 705-864-0828.

The event runs from 8 am to 3 pm Saturday, though the barbecue starts at 10 am.

Wawa Council Holding Special Meeting on Strategic Plan

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a special Saturday morning meeting to discuss the Municipality's strategic plan.

The special Council meeting has two items on the agenda: a presentation from Municipal Government Wayfinders on the Wawa Strategic Plan update; and a resolution to approve the purchase of marina playground equipment.

It will be held 9:30 am tomorrow morning, in Council Chambers.

Anishinabek Nation Declares State of Emergency Over Police Funding

The Anishinabek Nation's declared a state of emergency over funding for policing in its communities.

Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe says Chiefs-in-Assembly unanimously approved the declaration to "highlight the urgency and seriousness of the policing crisis", emphasizing "it is essential for Canada to acknowledge and address the systemic barriers and discriminatory practices that hinder the safety and well-being of our citizens", demanding "equitable resources and support for our policing services to ensure the security and justice our communities need and deserve".

The federal NDP - including Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes - have been pressing on funding for First Nations policing, after the funding agreement for the Anishinabek Police Service, United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin Anishnaabe Police - as well as Treaty Three Police - expired at the end of March, with the Indigenous groups accusing the federal government of refusing "meaningful negotiations" for "more equitable agreements" rather than the take-it-or-leave-it contracts presented by the government.

In addition to the emergency declaration, the Anishinabek Nation's mandating support efforts aimed at restoring resources for safe and equitable policing across Anishinabek territory, advocation for the Essential Police Service Designation through legislation, preparation of a litigation action plan if significant progress is not made by August, and a status update for the Fall Grand Council Assembly.

Maintenance Complete at Chapleau Water Treatment Plant

Maintenance at Chapleau's water treatment plant is complete.

The Township says the maintenance - which, along with "hot, dry climatic conditions", had prompted a request to conserve water over the last week - was successfully completed, though the Township is still asking residents "consciously consider water conservation in...water activities", noting those continued dry conditions.

Despite that, the Splash Pad - which was only open a few days before closing to aid in the conservation measures - has reopened.

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