Wawa Student Recognized for Reliability, Perseverance & Smile

A Wawa student's being honoured for her reliability, smile, and perseverance while facing challenges.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says Ecole secondaire Saint Joseph Grade 12 student Delaney Schumacher is "highly appreciated by her peers and school staff", displaying "excellent time-management skills and maximizes her participation in school as well as community activities".

It further notes she's "always in a good mood" and has demonstrated "exemplary behaviour", actively participating in school activities and showing her leadership qualities and team spirit as a member of the school's basketball, volleyball, and soccer teams, as well as competing at the OFSAA provincial cross-country running competition and accumulating over 250 hours of volunteer community service, supporting organizations such as the Wawa Rotary Club, Wawa Figure Skating Club, and the Wawa Minor Hockey Association, even receiving the latter's Volunteer of the Year award in 2022, while qualifying for the provincial figure skating championships for the past four years, getting her invited to participate in this year's provincial figure skating development camp.

Remote James Bay Coast Community Evacuated Amid Forest Fire

A remote First Nation on the James Bay coast has been evacuated amid a fast-spreading forest fire.

Fort Albany First Nation declared a state of emergency Wednesday, after a small wildfire that started around noon grew in size, less than two kilometres from the isolated community of about 700 people.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says water bombers and helicopters are fighting the 300-hectare fire, noting it rapidly increased in "intensity" and is not under control.

It's one of several fires burning in the northeast - including a nearly 12,000 hectare blaze northeast of Lake Abitibi and a trio of fires north of Massey - though there is some good news locally, as travel and access restrictions imposed near the "Wawa 3" fire east of White River have now been lifted - that fire, located south of Trent Lake and Round Lake, and five kilometres northwest of Duffy Lake, has been held at 6678 hectares in size for nearly two weeks.

Such restrictions remain around the "Chapleau 3" fire - two kilometres south of October Lake and 2.5 kilometres west of Vichaw Lake - as it remains listed as "not under control", though it has not grown above 3916 hectares in ten days, while "Chapleau 6" - located 2.5 kilometres west of Morin Lake and one kilometre east of Bolkow Lake - is still not under control, but has not grown beyond 1229 hectares in size in just as long.

The fire hazard is extreme for much of the north, with some areas of high hazard, and the Restricted Fire Zone suspending fire permits and banning open air burning remains in place for the entire fire region of Ontario.

APH & PHSD Confirm New COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting two over the last week - one in the Elliot Lake area, the other in Central and East Algoma - though known "high risk active" dropped to four, all in hospital, one in an ICU.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting four since Monday - three in Greater Sudbury, another in the western Sudbury District - with known "active" cases up slightly, to eleven, including three in hospital.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit shows a jump of 38 cases over the last week - up from the previous week - leaving it with one in hospital.

Another Arrest in April 2022 Manitoulin Island Fatal Shooting

Another arrest's been revealed in an April 2022 fatal shooting on Manitoulin Island - months after the arrest was made.

Manitoulin OPP say a 38-year-old from North York was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder in mid-March and remains in custody, though he was set to appear in court last week.

He's the sixth person arrested in connection to the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Brandan Brooks of Toronto in M'Chigeeng First Nation - the others are also from the Toronto area, and face charges including first degree murder, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, possession of a schedule I substance - cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, public mischief, and other firearm-related charges.

PHSD Warns of Increased Overdoses, "Carfentanil Crystals"

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning of an increase in overdoses in its region.

The health unit says the Community Drug Strategy's received reports of an increase in "suspected drug poisonings" and unexpected reactions from the use of substances in Sudbury and districts, and - while it can't confirm the substances involved - calls this an "important reminder" that street drugs could be cut or mixed with substances such as benzos, xylazine, fentanyl, or carfentanil, and more toxic substances may be circulating locally.

It particularly flags increased reports of "carfentanil crystals" that appear to be causing increased disorientation, sedation, and overdose.

PHSD recommends avoiding using drugs when you're alone - but not using it at the same time as an accompanying friend - to avoid mixing drugs or alcohol, to carry a naloxone kit, and - in the case of a suspected overdose - call 911.

2 Dead, Another in Hospital After Shooting on Manitoulin Island

Two people are dead and another in hospital after a shooting on Manitoulin Island.

Ontario Provincial Police say Wikwemikong Tribal Police, UCCM Anishnaabe Police, and Manitoulin OPP responded to a shooting in Wikwemikong Unceded Territory shortly after 11 o'clock Sunday night, finding three people had sustained gunshot wounds and the suspect had fled the scene - two of those wounded have died as a result of those injuries, while the other remains in hospital.

A shelter-in-place order was initiated, but lifted shortly after 7 o'clock Monday morning.

Three people have been arrested: a 19-year-old from Toronto facing two counts of first-degree murder, two charges of trafficking in a schedule I substance, and another of possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5000 while a 54-year-old and a 33-year-old from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory have been charged with two counts of accessory after the fact to murder, two counts of trafficking in a schedule I substance, and a charge of possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Investigators believe this was an isolated incident and there are no longer concerns for public safety, though OPP are appealing to "anyone who may have observed suspicious activity related to this case" to call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Wawa Council to Talk Financial Statements, Draft Policies

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

That includes a Committee of Adjustment meeting to address an application for a minor variance, as well as a Committee of the Whole meeting, which will first go "in camera" for discussion about KPMG audit findings before a public presentation from KPMG on the 2022 Consolidated and Trust Funds Financial Statements - those will also come back up in the regular meeting.

The Committee of the Whole meeting also includes discussion about draft policies on citizen complaints and succession planning, monthly reports from department heads, Annual Volunteer Award and Recognition, an RFP for software, and an application to the NOHFC for the Michipicoten Golf Club.

Tonight's regular Council meeting will include a resolution to support flying the Pride Flag in June, staff recommendations on Michipicoten Golf Club infrastructure work and an application to the NOHFC to support it, and four "in camera" items, all legal issues, relating to: an application under the section of the Municipal Act relating to cancellation, reduction, or refunding of taxes; a citizen complaint; a "land issue"; and "performance appraisal".

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.

Chapleau Sewer Work Underway

Sewer work is underway in Chapleau.

A notice from J. Provost Contracting - posted by the Township of Chapleau - says the work includes sanitary sewer replacement on Elgin Street from Ash to Elm - which will shut down Elgin or restrict traffic, controlled by flag people - with storm sewer replacement happening between Richard and Demers Street - local traffic will be controlled by flag people, where needed.

Approved by Chapleau Town Council last week, the work's expected to continue to July 28th.

Multiple Charges After Manitouwadge Disturbance

Multiple criminal charges have been laid after a disturbance in Manitouwadge.

OPP say officers were called to the incident near Deer and Otter Avenue late Friday afternoon, but while interacting with an individual who was subject of the complaint, that individual damaged an OPP patrol vehicle, resisted arrest, and threatened bodily harm against an officer.

The 44-year-old from Manitouwadge was charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, resist peace officer, causing a disturbance, and mischief over $5000 - he was held for a bail hearing but has since been released.

Temporary CAO Starting in Chapleau

A temporary top administrator's starting work in Chapleau.

The Township's announced Lynne Duguay has been recruited as interim CAO, noting "she brings with her 25 years of municipal experience".

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says Council approved plans for the fill-in Chief Administrative Officer last week, with a contract signed soon after.

Among Duguay's duties will be helping Mayor Bignucolo and Chapleau Town Council recruit a new CAO.

The Township launched the search last month, to replace the outgoing Denis Duguay, who was hired in late September after a nearly eight month search for someone to fill the role - 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.

Over Halfway Through ParticipACTION Community Challenge, Family Color Run Nears

Wawa residents are being challenged to get active over the last half of the month, as ParticipAction's annual "Community Challenge" nears an end.

Wawa Family Health Team dietician Justine Glover explains the challenge, which runs all month.

Glover encourages community members to log "move minutes" through the ParticipAction app or website, noting there are a variety of events being held to help encourage physical activity.

That includes the upcoming Family Colour Run, which organizer Pauline Dawson explains.

The Family Colour Run runs from 11 am to 2 pm Sunday, June 25th, at the Wawa Beachfront.

The ParticipAction Community Challenge ends the following Friday, June 30th - as of Sunday afternoon, Wawa was the 8th most active community in Ontario, but isn't in the Top 20 for Canada.

HSCDSB Approves 2023-24 Budget

The local English Catholic school board's approved its budget for the new year.

Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board trustees okayed the $88,814,304 budget, including: funding for three Northern teaching vice principals, which could include schools in Wawa, White River, and Hornepayne; as well as $20,000 for the board's Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics program; plus continued incremental spending of $70,000 to $100,000 on cybersecurity, after the attack just before Christmas last year.

It also drops virtual learning it was offering through Holy Trinity Virtual Academy after enrolment dropped to only 20 students, down from about 500.

The board expects overall enrolment for the coming year to be relatively flat, only forecasting six more students next October compared to the last.

HSCDSB Adds Superintendent of Education for Math Achievement

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board's announced a new Superintendent of Education, to focus on mathematics achievement.

Franca Spadafora - currently principal for Our Lady of Lourdes in Sault Ste Marie - will step into the new role at the end of July, as the board's received one-year funding from the Ministry of Education for such a position, focusing on informing, monitoring, and providing timely reporting of progress toward student math achievement and improvement targets.

Chapleau Council Approves Sewer Work, Holds Off on Multi-Residential Decision

Sewer work is going ahead in Chapleau.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says Chapleau Town Council's approved a contract for the Richards and Demers storm sewer and Elgin Street sanitary sewer replacement.

Mayor Bignucolo says Council held off on a decision about a request from Maison Boreal to waive expenses to construct a multi-residential project.

Bignucolo expects that item to come back up in the next Council meeting, to be held June 26th.

Highway 101 Remains Closed From Chapleau to Missinabie

Highway 101's expected to remain closed between Chapleau and Missinabie for a few more days.

101's been closed between Highway 651 - the Missinabie turnoff - and Highway 129 - at Chapleau - since Tuesday afternoon, with Ontario's Ministry of Transportation saying work is underway to repair a culvert damaged by a washout at Highbrush Lake - a temporary culvert's being put in to "expedite the reopening of the highway", though "the estimated timeline for completion of the work is Sunday, June 18th, pending weather and site conditions".

Chapleau Holding Municipal Hazardous Waste Day

The Township of Chapleau's encouraging residents to bring in their hazardous waste for a special collection tomorrow.

Economic Development Officer Charley Goheen explains the Municipal Hazardous Waste collection event is an annual chance for residents to get rid of hazardous material so it won't end up in the landfill, noting a variety of items are accepted.

The event runs from 9 am to 2 pm Saturday, June 17th, in the parking lot of the Chapleau Recreation Centre.

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