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Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Algoma Public Health's reporting its 105th since the pandemic began - it doesn't say where - it last reported a death two months ago.
The health unit's also reporting four new cases over the last week - one in the Sault Ste. Marie area, one in Central and East Algoma, and two in the Elliot Lake area - though known "high risk active" cases were cut in half, to five, one in hospital.
Assault and forcible confinement charges have been laid over a Wawa domestic dispute.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident on First Avenue shortly before 8 o'clock Thursday night, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 25-year-old from Wawa on charges of spousal assault, assault causing bodily harm - choke, suffocate, or strangle, and forcible confinement.
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.
A small forest fire's been confirmed in the region.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says "Chapleau 15" - confirmed early Tuesday evening - is located about five kilometres north of the east end of Cow River, or 25 kilometres northeast of Batchawana River Provincial Park - it was 0.1-hectares in size when the Ministry's report was issued, but was considered "not under control", though a crew was working on suppressing the blaze.
It's one of three active fires in the Chapleau district - along with the 3916.9 hectare "Chapleau 3" and the 1229 hectare "Chapleau 6", both of which are considered "under control" - with 28 others active across the Northeast - including the 6678.1 hectare "Wawa 3" near White River, also considered "under control" - and there are 46 active in the Northwest.
The fire hazard's mostly moderate to high for this region.
Assault and threat charges have been laid over a Hornepayne domestic dispute.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident shortly before 10 o'clock last Wednesday night, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 69-year-old from Hornepayne on charges of spousal assault and uttering threats to damage property.
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.
Local police are reporting only "minor injuries" after a transport truck flipped, blocking Highway 17 north of Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were notified just after 5 o'clock this morning, finding a single vehicle - a tractor-trailer - on its side about 10 kilometres north of the Highway 101 turnoff, blocking the highway toward Dubreuilville and White River, though it reopened around 11:30 am this morning.
Two occupants were taken to hospital, treated for minor injuries, and released.
The collision's under investigation.
Time's running out for families to submit pictures for the Wawa Public Library's "Family Photo Scavenger Hunt".
While the scavenger hunt officially ended Monday, the deadline for entries is 4 o'clock this afternoon - prizes will be awarded later this week.
Though that initiative's ending, Head Librarian and CEO Sue Jarrell reminds the Bingo Reading Summer Challenge continues to 4 pm August 25th, to encourage literacy among the family.
Jarrell notes there'll be other activities at the library through the coming weeks, including an Escape Room planned for August 18 to 20th.
Chapleau Town Council's approved this year's budget.
In a recent special meeting, Council adopted the 2023 budget, which Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says was revised from the version presented in May.
While the version presented in May included a nearly 10% increase, Mayor Bignucolo says that was reduced to 5.5% in the version approved by Council - and he assures there are no major cuts to services.
Mayor Bignucolo has some more good news.
The Township hired Lynne Duguay as interim CAO last month, a month into the search for a new top administrator.
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 191st in Greater Sudbury - bringing the health unit's COVID-related death toll to 219 - though it notes the death actually occurred in February, adding it's currently under investigation.
The health unit last recorded a death last week, while another that happened in January was reclassified as a COVID death.
It's also reporting four new cases since Friday - three in Greater Sudbury, one in the Manitoulin District - with known "active" cases up slightly, to thirteen - the health unit now only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed two in hospital.
Multiple charges have been laid after a disturbance at White Lake Provincial Park.
Marathon OPP say they were called to the park by wardens regarding a possible impaired driver, who'd been driving erratically throughout the park before colliding with a tree - the driver then threatened the wardens before leaving on foot.
Subsequent investigation - with the Anishinabek Police Service - led to the arrest of a man with no fixed address on charges of: operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs; operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus); uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm; resist peace officer; and failure to comply with release order other than to attend court.
His driver's licence was also suspended for 90 days and the vehicle impounded for seven.
Reports of COVID-19 cases continue to trickle in within the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting four new cases since Wednesday - three in Greater Sudbury, another in the Manitoulin District - with known "active" cases up slightly, to twelve - the health unit now only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed two in hospital.
Residents of the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts are being encouraged to have their say about their local health unit's priorities.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has launched an online survey to inform its next Strategic Plan, which would identify priorities and approaches for how the agency delivers services.
Residents have until 4:30 pm on Friday, August 4th, to fill out the survey, which can be found through PHSD's website.
Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre will visit Sault Ste. Marie later this week.
The party says Poilievre will hold a rally for supporters at 12 noon Thursday, at the Machine Shop, expected to comment on the Liberal goverment's policies, as well as its handling of inflation, grocery prices, carbon taxes, and crime.
It's part of a broader tour of Northern Ontario, with stops in Kenora and Thunder Bay today, Timmins tomorrow, Kapuskasing Wednesday, Sudbury later Thursday, and North Bay on Friday.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
