APH Reminds Parents to Update Children's Vaccinations

Algoma Public Health's urging parents to protect our school communities from vaccine preventable diseases.

The local health unit reminds children attending school need to meet immunization requirements under Ontario law, which requires youth under age 18 to have received three or four main vaccinations or a valid immunization exemption on files.

Among the vaccines required: diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and meningococcal disease.

The health unit will be sending more than 6000 letters to parents or guardians of children who may be missing those immunizations or have out-of-date records with APH, emphasizing "there is a risk of suspension from school...if students have not received all mandatory vaccines, do not have their immunization records up to date, or have a valid immunization exemption on file", adding "these vaccines are safe, effective, and publicly funded, which means there is no cost to students receiving these vaccines"

Wawa Library Encouraging Kids to Read Over Summer

Wawa's library is encouraging kids to join in some summer reading fun.

Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the TD Summer Reading Club has already launched, with various incentives for kids to read.

Jarrell also touts the Bingo Reading Summer Challenge, to encourage literacy among the family.

A Photo Scavenger Hunt will start next Friday - details will be released at noon on Thursday, July 13th - with other activities at the library through the weeks, including an Escape Room the weekend of August 19th.

Travel & Access Restrictions Lifted From Chapleau Area Forest Fire

Restrictions are loosening around a Chapleau area forest fire.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says travel, use, and access restrictions around the "Chapleau 3" fire - located two kilometres south of October Lake and 2.5 kilometres west of Vichaw Lake - were lifted as of 7 o'clock Wednesday morning.

The 3916 hectare blaze and the 1229 hectare "Chapleau 6" fire - located 2.5 kilometres west of Morin Lake and one kilometre east of Bolkow Lake - were reclassified as "being held" on Monday, though neither fire has grown in nearly four weeks.

Less positive news on the fire front for the northeast overall - as seven more were confirmed in the Cochrane sector, bringing the number "active" in the northeast up to 35 - while the northwest also saw an increase, to 55 - the fire hazard is moderate to high for most of the north.

The Restricted Fire Zone banning open air burning remains in place for the entire fire region of Ontario.

PHSD Plans COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic in Chapleau

A COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held in Chapleau next week.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it's holding the "appointment only" clinic at its Chapleau office next Wednesday, July 12th, offering the primary series for those six months to five years old, and primary series or booster doses for those over five - it's the only such clinic planned for Chapleau this month.

North Algoma instead uses appointments rather than clinics - in Wawa, call the local Algoma Public Health office; in Dubreuilville, the Dubreuilville Medical Centre; in White River, the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

Nominations Open for Chapleau's "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Award

Chapleau wants to hear about volunteers in the community.

The Township's inviting nominations for the "Buddy" Swanson Volunteer Recognition Award, which honours individuals who've made "an outstanding contribution to the community over a period of years" - it notes "consideration will be given to individuals who have served the community through a non-profit or service organization, made significant contributions to local programs or services, been a leader and innovator with community volunteers, have given of their time, knowledge and skills to achieve a goal for the community, or have contributed to the community in spite of barriers or personal circumstances".

Nomination forms - in English and French - can be found at the Civic Centre or on the Municipal website, and must be submitted by 4 pm on Friday, July 21st.

Heat Warning Continues for Chapleau Region

Caution is being urged amid a continued heat warning for the Chapleau region.

Environment Canada's warning a multi-day heat event continues for areas including Chapleau, Gogama, and Foleyet, with maximum temperatures of 29 to 31 Celsius - 35 to 40 with the humidex - further emphasizing that hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality while extreme heat affects everyone, though the risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and people working or exercising outdoors.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts warns continuous exposure to high levels of heat can lead to dehydration and illnesses like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, swelling of hands, feet, and ankles, heat rash, muscle cramps, and even death, recommending avoiding sun exposure, taking breaks from the heat, drinking plenty of cool liquids - particularly water - and wearing loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric.

The heat wave's expected to ease tonight.

UPDATE: The heat warning has been lifted as of 4:48 pm.

Heat Warnings Continue for Chapleau, Dubreuilville, White River Areas

Caution is being urged amid heat warnings in the region.

Environment Canada's warning a multi-day heat event continues in areas including Dubreuilville, White River, Chapleau, Gogama, and Foleyet, with maximum temperatures of 29 to 33 Celsius - humidex of 33 to 38 for Dubreuilville and White River, 36 to 40 for the Chapleau area.

It emphasizes hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and extreme heat affects everyone, though the risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and people working or exercising outdoors.

The heat wave's expected to ease for the Dubreuilville and White River area tonight, and for the Chapleau area tomorrow.

APH & PHSD Report New COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting seven over the last week - three in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three in Central and East Algoma, and one in the Elliot Lake area - pushing known "high risk active" cases up slightly, to eight, with two in hospital.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting four since Friday - all in Greater Sudbury - though known "active" cases stayed at twelve - the health unit now only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed three cases in hospital.

Heat Warning for Chapleau Region

Caution is being urged amid a heat warning for the Chapleau region.

Environment Canada's warning a multi-day heat event continues areas including Chapleau, Gogama, and Foleyet, with maximum temperatures of 29 to 33 Celsius - 36 to 40 with the humidex - and temperatures only dropping to 17 to 20 degrees, further emphasizing that hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality while extreme heat affects everyone, though the risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and people working or exercising outdoors.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts warns continuous exposure to high levels of heat can lead to dehydration and illnesses like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, swelling of hands, feet, and ankles, heat rash, muscle cramps, and even death, recommending avoiding sun exposure, taking breaks from the heat, drinking plenty of cool liquids - particularly water - and wearing loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric.

The heat wave's expected to continue for the area tomorrow, cooling Thursday.

Celebration of Life for Russell Reid

A celebration of life is being held for a prominent Wawa figure who passed away last week.

64-year-old Russell Reid died "after a brief battle with cancer" on June 26th - he was known for 30 years as the "face" of the Regional Employment Help Centre and was heavily involved in the Wawa community for decades as a member of various boards and organizations - he also served as trustee for North Algoma and Chapleau with the Algoma District School Board since 1994, including two years as chair and five years as vice chair.

The celebration of his life will be held at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre from 3 pm to 5 pm this afternoon - memorial donations can be made to the Rotary Club of Wawa, of which Reid was a member since 1999.

Chapleau Area Forest Fires Now Being Held

Progress has been made on a couple forest fires in the region.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is showing the 3916 hectare "Chapleau 3" fire - located two kilometres south of October Lake and 2.5 kilometres west of Vichaw Lake - and the 1229 hectare "Chapleau 6" fire - located 2.5 kilometres west of Morin Lake and one kilometre east of Bolkow Lake - are now considered "being held" - neither fire has grown in about three weeks.

Despite the progress, access and travel restrictions remain in place in the area of "Chapleau 3".

This comes just days after another fire in the region - "Wawa 3", or the "Depew Fire", east of White River - was classified as "under control" at 6678 hectares in size.

While there has been progress on forest fires in recent weeks, the Restricted Fire Zone banning open air burning remains in place for the entire fire region of Ontario.

Superior East OPP Safety Reminders Amid Start of Summer

School's out for the summer, and local police are reminding everyone to be careful and watchful for kids.

Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle urges parents to talk with their kids about staying safe.

Constable Nickle reminds kids playing near roads to wear bright clothing and watch for and give lots of room for vehicles - as they may not stop for you - though drivers are warned more kids will be outside, so drive slower and pay attention, as being distracted for even a second can have devastating consequences.

Nickle wishes everyone a fun - but safe - summer.

Wawa & Chapleau Students Receive Special Scholarships

Some local students are being honoured with special scholarships.

The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says two students from each of its secondary schools have been awarded "Vision Scholarships" valued at $500, for reflecting the board vision of "thriving French-language Catholic students, proud and ready to take place in their society".

Local recipients are Marguerite Bouffard and Madrix Bouchard from Ecole secondaire Saint-Joseph in Wawa and Marianne Fournier and Lilianne Levesque from Chapleau's Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium.

ParticipACTION Community Challenge Ending

Wawa residents are being urged to record their physical activity by the end of the day, as ParticipACTION's annual "Community Challenge" ends at midnight.

Wawa Family Health Team dietician Justine Glover explains the initiative - which has been running all month - is meant to strengthen communities through physical activity and sport, even offering a prize.

Glover encourages community members to log "move minutes" through the ParticipAction app or website by 11:59 pm - as of Thursday, Wawa was only eighth in Ontario, and isn't in the Top 20 for Canada.

Local Canada Day Celebrations Planned

Big celebrations are planned for Canada Day in local communities.

For Wawa, Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains that includes the Goose Nest Market and Street Fair.

White notes there will be various things for kids, with Climb'n Fun back, but a little different.

In addition, White highlights music from Wawa Music Festival artists, as well as the 2nd annual Canada Day Bike Decorating Contest and Parade, which will be bigger than the first year.

Details of events can be found through "Wawa Recreation" on Facebook, but - due to the Restricted Fire Zone that bans open air burning - Wawa's fireworks are being postponed for another time.

As for Chapleau, Assistant Leisure and Cultural Services Director Carole Ouellette notes there are some new activities, focused at the waterfront.

Ouellette also highlights the duck race, as well as the kids bike parade and decorating contest - which starts at 12:30 at Cedar Grove, going to the pavilion for the opening ceremonies - and something special in the evening.

Ouellette assures plans are still to have fireworks at dusk, to end the night.

A link to the "Canada Day Celebration" Facebook page can be found through the Township of Chapleau Facebook page, though a schedule was also mailed out.

OPP Emphasizes Safety Equipment Use Amid Canada Day Long Weekend

Ontario Provincial Police will be watching the roads, trails and waterways today and over the weekend.

Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle says this weekend will see a focus on safety equipment - including seatbelts.

Constable Nickle also has a reminder for bicycles and ATVs.

Nickle further reminds boaters to wear a life jacket or personal floatation device.

The OPP says - over the last five years - hundreds of people of all ages have died in OPP-investigated traffic or marine incidents in which failure to wear safety equipment was the primary cause or a contributing factor in their death, with: 279 killed in collisions where they didn't wear seatbelts; 114 killed in marine incidents without a lifejacket; 54 killed in off-road incidents without a helmet; and nineteen killed in motorcycle incidents without a helmet.

Constable Nickle also notes officers will be watching for the other "Big Four" factors in fatal collisions: impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving, as well as lack of seatbelts.

PHSD & PHU Report New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three since Monday - one in Greater Sudbury, two in the Manitoulin District - with known "active" cases stable at twelve, 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.

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