Superior East OPP Safety Warning for Wawa Salmon Derby

Local police are reminding anglers to be safe during the Wawa derby.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Ashley Nickle notes you should have some equipment, depending on the type of vessel you're using.

Nickle also recommends marine radios, cell phones, GPS, tools and spare parts, and safe drinking water, further urging an equipment check - and checking the weather forecast - before heading out on the water - and she reminds a common factor in marine fatalities is not wearing a lifejacket or personal floatation device.

Nickle also warns drinking and boating is a common factor, with alcohol the number one drug contributing to drowning in Canada.

41st Annual Wawa Salmon Derby Arrives

Anglers are streaming into Wawa as the 41st annual Wawa Salmon Derby gets underway later today.

Derby Chair Brad Buck reminds there's several prizes anglers could reel in.

Buck notes entry forms will be accepted for the derby until 5 o'clock this evening, which is when fishing first begins - it continues until 8 pm tonight, then from 6:30 am to 8 pm Saturday and 6:30 am to 1 pm Sunday.

There'll also be pancake breakfasts Saturday and Sunday, as well as a Saturday night fish fry open to everyone.

Wawa Council Calling for ADSAB to Review Apportionment Formula

Wawa Municipal Council's calling on the Algoma District Services Administration Board to review its apportionment calculation.

As recommended by outside firm Municipal Government Wayfinders in the 2021 municipal transformation report, the Municipality's pursuing a review of the model - that firm suggested Wawa could save hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, with a 2022 report on the issue from Municipal Tax Equity Consultants coming to a similar conclusion.

The main issue is the way the formula considers the "power dam compensatory payment" that Wawa receives from the provincial government - in lieu of property taxes from local hydro dams, which used to be taxable - as the payment is not indexed to inflation - it's currently just over $2.3-million but would be nearly $3.3-million if it had kept up with inflation - and the Municipality has continually noted uncertainty about the payment, which is only confirmed around this time each year and was almost eliminated or reduced by previous provincial governments.

A resolution passed in last night's regular Council meeting notes the reports' findings and those factors - and that the apportionment formula hasn't been reviewed since it was established in 2002 - before calling for the review.

The resolution further appointed Mayor Melanie Pilon as "the main spokesman and champion" to bring the matter to the attention of the ADSAB board.

APH & PHU Report New COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting fifteen over the last week - three in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three in the Elliot Lake area, and nine in Central and East Algoma - pushing known "high risk active" cases up to 23, with one in hospital.

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

Wawa Resident Facing Multiple Charges After Domestic Dispute

A Wawa resident's facing multiple charges after a domestic dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to a Hillcrest Avenue residence shortly after 3 o'clock Monday morning, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 47-year-old on charges of mischief under $5000, fail to comply with probation order, and two counts of failure to comply with undertaking.

The accused - who will not be identified due to the domestic nature of the incident, to protect the victim - was held for a bail hearing and subsequently released.

ONDP Say Investigation Substantiated Serious Workplace Misconduct, Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mantha Staying Out of Caucus

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha won't be returning to the Ontario NDP caucus as a workplace misconduct investigation's substantiated serious allegations against him.

The Ontario NDP say the independent, third-party investigation found "several of the specific allegations of workplace misconduct were substantiated" through interviews with multiple witnesses - including those identified by Mantha - as well as other documentary evidence - including video recordings - though the party says - while Mantha initially participated in the investigation - he refused to personally attend an interview and didn't provide documents promised to and requested by the investigator.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles says Mantha won't be allowed back in the party's caucus in light of these findings, though no further details about the report's findings - or the still unspecified allegations - are being released, to maintain "the privacy and safety of the complainant".

JJAM FM News has reached out to Mantha's office for comment, but has yet to receive a response.

Stiles booted Mantha from the caucus in early April, saying only that an investigation was ongoing, with Mantha later emphasizing he'll "continue to serve the people of Algoma-Manitoulin", staying an independent MPP since.

Mantha's been Algoma-Manitoulin's MPP since 2011, even serving as the NDP's deputy whip and critic for mining, natural resources, and the Ring of Fire.

Wawa Minor Hockey Holding Annual General Meeting

Those interested in Wawa minor hockey are meeting tonight.

The Wawa Minor Hockey Association's holding its annual general meeting, noting it's open to the public, with all potential coaches and team staff invited to attend, as well as anyone interested in becoming a member of the association.

The meeting will be held at 7 pm in the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Wawa Salmon Derby Pre-Fish Ending

Fishing is coming to an end ahead of the Wawa Salmon Derby.

Today's the last day in the five-day pre-derby fishing contest, offering any anglers registered for the derby a chance at a $50 prize for the largest fish caught today, though Derby Chair Brad Buck reminds anglers could reel in much bigger prizes this weekend.

The 41st annual derby runs this Friday, August 18th, through Sunday the 20th.

Wawa Resident Facing Harassment Charge

A Wawa resident's facing a harassment charge.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the reported harassment on Superior Avenue in Wawa shortly before 9 o'clock Friday night, leading to the arrest of a 26-year-old on charges of criminal harassment - repeatedly communicate and fail to comply with probation order.

He was released from custody, set to appear in court next month.

Manitoulin Island Mosquito Tests Positive for West Nile Virus

A local health unit's warning about the dangers of West Nile virus as a Manitoulin Island mosquito's tested positive.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it has received confirmation the mosquito - detected through routine surveillance - tested positive for the virus, the health unit's first time since 2018.

It warns "late summer is typically the time of greatest risk for contracting West Nile", as "mosquitoes can carry higher levels of the virus at this time, and this is when people might not be as careful about protecting themselves from mosquito bites", urging precautions such as wearing Health Canada-approved insect repellent and light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing, ensuring there are no holes or tears in screen doors and windows of your home, and removing - or weekly changing - of standing water around your home.

Assault Charge Laid Over Wawa Domestic Dispute

An assault charge has been laid after a Wawa domestic dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident at a Broadway Avenue business shortly before 1 am Saturday, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 54-year-old from London on a charge of spousal assault.

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

Wawa Resident Twice Arrested on Failure to Comply With Undertaking

Multiple failure to comply charges have been laid after two domestic incidents involving the same Wawa resident.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the first incident - on Ontario Street - shortly before 11 o'clock Friday night, leading to the arrest of a 63-year-old on two counts of failure to comply with undertaking.

They were released from custody with a September court date, but - shortly after 2 o'clock Sunday morning - Superior East OPP were notified the accused had breached their release conditions by returning to the Ontario Street residence, leading to their arrest on four more counts of failure to comply with undertaking.

They were released again, with a September court date.

The accused will not be identified due to the domestic nature of the incident, to protect the victim.

Entry Deadline for Winnie's Hometown Festival Contests

Preparations are ramping up for White River's annual Winnie's Hometown Festival - with people encouraged to submit some things ahead of the festival.

Given the festival's links to the original bear, festival coordinator Nicole Simpson notes organizers are encouraging people to make homemade bears.

Simpson notes there's also a poem writing contest.

Simpson's also calling on all kid comedians.

Simpson encourages joke and poem entries to be submitted today, but suggests they'll still be accepted until the 35th annual Winnie's Hometown Festival arrives this Friday - it'll run through Sunday.

Wawa Council Holding Back-to-Back August Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's holding its sole meetings of the month tonight.

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which includes delegations from Municipal Government Wayfinders on the Wawa Strategic Plan update and from Economic Development Assistant Jessie Labonte on a Wawa Housing Action Plan.

It'll also include monthly reports from department heads and discussion about a draft succession planning policy.

That'll be followed by tonight's regular Council meeting, which includes resolutions regarding a financial analysis and review involving the Algoma District Services Administration Board and approving the Wawa Housing Action Plan, as well as by-laws to adopt the Succession Planning Policy and a policy on Firefighter Protocol for Funeral Service.

There are also three "in-camera" items: a legal issue relating to an application under the section of the Municipal Act relating to cancellation, reduction, or refunding of taxes; a legal issue regarding an offer to purchase land; and a Council Orientation Training Refresher.

The meetings will be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm tonight in Council Chambers - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Assault Charge Over Hornepayne Domestic Dispute

An assault charge has been laid after a domestic dispute in Hornepayne.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to an assault-in-progress shortly after 10 o'clock Friday night, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 32-year-old on charges of spousal assault and failure to comply with undertaking.

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

PHSD Reports Surging COVID-19 Cases

COVID-19 cases are surging in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 21 since Friday - nineteen in Greater Sudbury, two in the eastern Sudbury District - pushing known "active" cases up to 55 - the health unit only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed twenty in hospital, one in an ICU.

The health unit is holding a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Chapleau tomorrow - the sole planned for this month - offering the primary series for those at least six months old, or booster doses by recommendation only.

Charges Laid After Disturbance at Wawa Business

Charges have been laid after a disturbance at a Wawa business.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were called to a Mission Road business shortly before 11 o'clock Thursday night, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a Wawa 35-year-old on two counts of fail to comply with undertaking.

They've been released from custody with a September court date.

New Chapleau CAO Begins Role

Chapleau officially has a new top administrator.

The Township of Chapleau's announced the appointment of Judith Meyntz as Chief Administrative officer, noting she "brings 19 years of government experience, specializing in Senior Management at the Provincial and Municipal levels", has a diploma in Business Management and certification as an Accredited Ontario Municipal Clerk, registered to receive the Certified Municipal Officer designation, and "brings decades of volunteer commitment within her previous community, including Municipal Police Service Board, Community School Councils - Chair of the Board, Road Association - Executive Committee, Block Parent Association, and a local teen mentoring not-for-profit organization".

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo had revealed the news when discussing the newly passed municipal budget last month.

The Township hired Lynne Duguay as interim CAO in June, a month into the search for a replacement for 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.

While Meyntz says she plans to introduce herself while making visits around town over the coming weeks, appointments can also be made by calling the municipal office.

Assault & Other Charges Over Domestic Dispute Near Chapleau

Assault and other charges have been laid after a domestic dispute near Chapleau early this month.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a disturbance near Honey Lake - south of Chapleau - shortly after 10 o'clock the morning of August 1st, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 31-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie on charges of: spousal assault; spousal assault causing bodily harm; spousal assault with a weapon; domestic mischief; and spousal uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

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

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