Annual Wawa Music Festival Underway

The annual Wawa Music Festival's underway.

While a variety of local and non-local musicians will be performing a wide variety of genres at the Lakeview, Legion, and Lion's Beach over the weekend, Festival Chair Matthew Morrison and Vice Chair Dawn Charbonneau also more family-oriented community event tomorrow.

Full details on the schedule can be found on the festival's Facebook page or at wawamusicfestival.ca, while weekend passes are available at the Legion, Lakeview, and Thrift Barn - day passes will also be available at the venues.

Read further coverage about the annual Wawa Music Festival.

Wawa Music Festival Arrives

Wawa will be full of music this weekend, as the annual Wawa Music Festival arrives.

Festival Chair Matthew Morrison and Vice Chair Dawn Charbonneau note many artists and bands will be performing today and tomorrow, with a variety of musical styles.

Charbonneau says the festival starts with a special opening ceremony at 3 this afternoon.

Charbonneau notes the dedication of the stage recognizes the inspiration for the festival, her late brother, with a banner to be set up at the stage in his honour.

In addition to music through the weekend, tomorrow will see an "Arts on the Lake" community event - not requiring wristbands - along with the Goose Nest Artisan Market - full details on the schedule can be found on the festival's Facebook page or at wawamusicfestival.ca

Weekend passes are currently available at the Legion, Lakeview, and Thrift Barn, though day passes will also be available at the venues.

Volunteers are also wanted - contact Christine Rask via Facebook or email chrisrask@shaw.ca

Charges Laid Over Collision That Killed Wawa Firefighter Last November

Charges have been laid a fatal collision that killed a Wawa firefighter last November.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the "serious" two-vehicle collision on Highway 17 - near the intersection with Highway 519, about 40 kilometres north of Wawa - saw a northbound pickup truck collide with a southbound commercial vehicle, with one person pronounced dead at the scene: 33-year-old Christian "Chris" Casavant, a member of the Wawa Volunteer Fire Department who also worked at Alamos Gold, where he was involved in mine rescue.

The investigation's led to the arrest of a 23-year-old Edmonton man, Gagandeep Singh, on charges of: careless driving causing death; fail to remain; five counts of fail to maintain daily log; six of fail to record malfunction code information; six of fail to ensure ELD in good working order, properly calibrated and maintained; two of enter inaccurate information in record; two of exceed 13 hours driving time without 8 hours off; another of drive after 14 hours on duty without 8 hours off; and three of drive after 16 hours since last break without 8 hours off.

Edmonton-based Anttal Transportation's also facing 12 counts of permit person to drive commercial motor vehicle not in accordance with the regulations.

Both the man and the company are set to appear in court in October.

In addition, a 30-year-old from Edmonton's also been charged with obstruct peace officer, set to appear in court next month.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Death, Dating Back to January

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 190th in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit's COVID-related death toll to 218 - though it notes the death actually occurred in January, but it has since been reclassified as due to COVID-19 - the health unit last also recorded a death earlier this week.

It's also reporting one new case in Greater Sudbury, though known "active" cases stayed flat at nine, with two in hospital.

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

Mischief Charges Over Hornepayne Domestic Dispute

Mischief charges have been laid over a Hornepayne domestic dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident around 2 o'clock Friday morning, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 33-year-old from Hornepayne on two counts of domestic mischief.

The accused - who will not be identified due to the domestic nature of the incident, to protect the victim - was released from custody with an August court date.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting eight over the last week - six in the Elliot Lake area, one in Central and East Algoma, and another in the Sault Ste. Marie area - pushing known "high risk active" cases up slightly, to ten - it currently shows only one case in hospital, but three in ICUs.

Chapleau Teen Facing Sexual Assault & Threat Charges

A Chapleau teen's facing sexual assault and threat charges.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a domestic dispute - specifically a "threats occurrence" - on Pine Street shortly before 8 pm last Wednesday, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 15-year-old from Chapleau on charges of: sexual assault on a person under 16 years of age; uttering threats to damage property; three counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm; two counts of failure to comply with release order; and two of failure to comply with probation order.

The teen - who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act - was released from custody, but is set to appear in court this month.

PHSD Reports 217th COVID-19 Death

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 189th in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit's COVID-related death toll to 217 - it hasn't reported a death in weeks.

It's also reporting four new cases since Friday - two in Greater Sudbury, two in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to nine - the health unit now only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed five cases in hospital, one in an ICU.

Chapleau Council Considering 2023 Budget

Chapleau Town Council is considering adopting this year's budget.

The Township says Council's holding a special meeting tonight, as it intends to adopt the 2023 Municipal Budget.

Council looked at the draft budget in May, but - after that meeting - Mayor Ryan Bignucolo told JJAM FM News that Council had asked managers to review it.

It's unclear what changes have been made since, but Mayor Bignucolo had noted inflation was a major part of the problem.

The special meeting begins at 4:30 pm in Council Chambers, open for the public to attend.

Results In From 15th William G. Rose Memorial Golf Tournament

Organizers are thanking the community for supporting a local golf tournament.

The 15th annual William G. Rose Memorial Golf Tournament was held in Wawa on Friday, and organizer Danette Mathias thanks businesses that have long supported the tournament.

Mathias reminds the tournament supports local students.

137 golfers participated in the tournament, with four teams going home winners: for the Men's Division, Taylor Dumoulin and Brandon and Bradley Vachon-Case; for the Ladies, Toni Rutland, Gwen McKnight, and Lise Noel; for the Mixed Division, Butch and Marcelle Terris and Jarett Asselin; and for the Seniors, Tony Thomas, Vic Sillanpaa, and Paul Bernath.

New Ontario Health Team to Serve Chapleau & Cochrane Area

The Ontario government's approved the formation of a new "Ontario Health Team" in the region.

Health Minister - and Deputy Premier - Sylvia Jones has announced three new "Ontario Health Teams" in Northeastern Ontario, including the "Équipe Santé Ontario Cochrane District Ontario Health Team", which is noted to serve "Chapleau, Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, Hearst, Hornepayne, Missinabie, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, and Timmins".

The other two are the "Sudbury Espanola Manitoulin Elliot Lake Ontario Health Team" and the "Timiskaming Area Ontario Health Team".

This brings the total number of Ontario Health Teams to 57, including the "Algoma Ontario Health Team" approved three years ago - which includes Algoma Public Health, Sault Area Hospital, the Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District, Algoma Family Services, and medical groups, clinics, and a few other facilities in the region - as well as the "Maamwesying Ontario Health Team", which is affiliated with Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services, which has services along the north shore of Lake Huron and other parts of northeastern Ontario, including a clinic at 3 Maple Street in Wawa.

15th William G. Rose Golf Tournament Arrives

Wawa golfers are hitting the greens for an annual tournament this afternoon.

Organizer Danette Mathias explains the William G. Rose Memorial Golf Tournament is here.

Mathias reminds the tournament does support local students.

Mathias also reminds there are hole-in-one and other prizes, touting the support of businesses that have long supported the tournament.

Tee-offs for the 15th annual William G. Rose Memorial Golf Tournament begin at 1 o'clock this afternoon.

Wawa Library Launches Family Photo Scavenger Hunt

The Wawa Public Library's encouraging families to take some photos in a special scavenger hunt.

Head Librarian and CEO Sue Jarrell explains the "summer reading fun" organized by the library includes the popular event kicking off today.

Jarrell notes the library's Bingo Reading Summer Challenge is also underway - for children and for adults - while a Story Walk has been set up around the Town Hall building, the TD Summer Reading Club is underway, and in-house programming is also happening at the local library.

The Wawa Public Library's Family Photo Scavenger Hunt continues to July 24th, though participants will have until 4 pm on July 25th to submit their entries.

Nominations Accepted 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 the Municipal website, and must be submitted by 4 pm on Friday, July 21st.

Small Forest Fire Confirmed in Wawa District

A small forest fire's been confirmed in the Wawa district.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says "Wawa 9" is located one kilometre east of Obakamiga Lake and two kilometres west of South Vision Lake - it was 1.3-hectares in size when the Ministry's report was issued, but was considered "not under control".

It's one of 30 active fires in the Northeast - the only considered "not under control" - while there are 44 active in the Northwest.

The fire hazard's mostly moderate to high for this region.

Special Meeting Called for Chapleau Council to Consider Budget

Chapleau Town Council will look at adopting this year's capital budget next week.

A special meeting's been called for Tuesday, July 18th, with the Township saying Council intends to adopt the 2023 Municipal Budget - they had looked at the draft budget in May, but - after that meeting - Mayor Ryan Bignucolo told JJAM FM News that Council had asked managers to review it.

It's unclear what changes have been made since.

Tuesday's special meeting will be held at 4:30 pm in Council Chambers, open for the public to attend.

PHSD Recommends Waiting for Fall for COVID-19 Booster

Health officials are recommending another COVID-19 vaccine shot for the fall - but not yet.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts notes Ontario's Ministry of Health recently updated vaccination guidelines, recommending all eligible individuals in need of a booster dose consider waiting until the fall to receive it, so it'll "provide greater protection before the typical increase of respiratory illnesses in the fall and winter months", though it says individuals can choose to get the booster dose earlier, based on health status and personal situation, recommending you speak to your health care provider to determine if you should.

Wawa Council Declares Community Safety Zones Around Schools

Wawa Municipal Council's declared areas around local schools as "Community Safety Zones".

The move was approved in last night's Council meeting - more than a month after it was initially proposed - with Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall explaining in last night's Committee of the Whole meeting that staff launched a survey and held an open house, receiving feedback overwhelmingly in favour of the idea, which would Weatherall previously explained would see the zones established around the Churchill school zone, Sir James Dunn, and Ecole l'Escalade, to address concerns about speeding.

Weatherall told Council ahead of their vote that approving the by-law would mean staff would proceed with signage to install for the upcoming school year in September, accompanied by an educational campaign for drivers.

OMNRF Lifts RFZ, Burning Permits Still Required Locally

Ontario's lifted a ban on open air burning in place for more than a month.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says the Restricted Fire Zone that was in place for the entire fire region of Ontario - which includes most of the province, including the entire North - was lifted at 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon - it was initially implemented for much of the province on June 1st, and expanded days later, amid hot and dry conditions and a number of forest fires, which was straining provincial resources and contributing to smoke that caused air quality issues for much of the country.

While it has lifted the RFZ, the Ministry urges Ontarians and visitors to "continue to use extreme caution and follow Ontario's Outdoor Fires Regulations when having an outdoor fire", emphasizing that lifting the restrictions "does not mean we can let our guard down when it comes to preventing human-caused fires".

Locally, the Municipality of Wawa and Township of Chapleau have both announced an end to their bans on open air burning, which had suspended burning permits - Wawa's ban stemmed from the RFZ, while Chapleau's was implemented days before, due to the hot and humid conditions, as a small forest fire was burning just outside the community - both communities remind permits are required and applications will now be considered.

Only one new fire was reported across the North on Tuesday - southeast of Dryden - and it was called out, leaving a total of 83 "active" across the North - 31 in the Northeast, 52 in the Northwest - while the fire hazard ranges from low to high for much of the North.

Wawa Council Considering Municipal Accommodation Tax

The Municipality of Wawa's looking into a new tax on short-term accommodations.

In last night's Committee of the Whole meeting, CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill explained a "Municipal Accommodation Tax" is recommended by the Municipality's Strategic and Tourism Plans, noting a number of other communities have implemented one - including Chapleau, Marathon, Sault Ste. Marie, Greater Sudbury, and Thunder Bay - commonly set at 4%, though Council could choose a different rate.

O'Neill noted preliminary estimates suggests the tax could bring in about $500,000, further explaining that - under provincial legislation - 50% of the funds raised go to municipal coffers.

O'Neill explained the other half of the funds would need to go to a third party who would use it for tourism purposes only, though she noted there are a number of possibilities on that front, including a destination marketing organization - which Council could establish - though she also noted Chapleau's partnered with the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation to distribute those funds.

Councillor Mitch Hatfield questioned how the Municipality would know about local B&Bs, with O'Neill acknowledging there are tracking issues but staff have a list and have been watching online postings - supplemented with local knowledge - further encouraging those local to self-identify or report.

In last night's regular meeting, Council approved a resolution directing staff to continue exploring the business case for implementation of the tax - including meeting with stakeholders and looking into what entity would receive half of the funds raised, possibility of rebates, and a potential appeal process - then report back to Council to consider whether to move forward and in what form.