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A child is dead after an ATV crash along the north shore of Lake Huron.
East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police say emergency services responded to the collision around 3:30 Wednesday afternoon, finding an ATV slid down an embankment and rolled on top of one of the occupants, a 10-year-old from Barrie, who was pronounced dead in hospital.
OPP Technical Collision Investigators are investigating, with a post-mortem examination expected at a later date.
COVID-19 cases are surging in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting twenty since Monday - one in the eastern Sudbury District, the rest in Grreater Sudbury - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 46, with cases in hospital dropping to sixteen in hospital.
The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting ten cases over the last week - up from the previous week's one - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts, but shows six in hospital.
Chapleau's warning residents to follow guidelines for bear bins.
A notice on the Township's website reminds the bear proof refuse containers are only for the use of Chapleau taxpayers, with household waste permitted in "normal size refuse bags" - but grass clippings, building products, wood, metal, paint, automotive batteries, tires, fireplace ashes, broken glass, and hazardous material are strictly prohibited, and refuse cannot be left outside the container under any circumstances.
An overnight power outage is expected in Wawa tonight.
Algoma Power says a service interruption's planned for 11 pm tonight until 5 am tomorrow for all customers in Wawa, Michipicoten First Nations, and Highway 17 North to the Marion Lake tower site.
It attributes the outage to substation maintenance.
Chapleau Hydro and Hydro One are planning an outage for all Chapleau Hydro customers this Sunday, from 7 am to 7 pm.
Elderly Chapleau residents are being reminded about special support for property tax.
The Township notes it provides a grant of $150 in property tax assistance for residents at least 65 years old if they meet certain other conditions, including: occupying the property; assessed as owner of the property for at least five years; total taxes levied for the current year exceed $600; and in receipt of a monthly guaranteed income supplement under Part Two of the Old Age Security Act.
The grant's by application only - applications will be accepted until the end of the year.
Chapleau Town Council's looking into options for washroom facilities for the Splash Pad.
While users of the facility are currently able to use the washrooms at the Municipal Office, that's limited to the hours of the office and library, and Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says that prompted a request for something else.
Mayor Bignucolo says the options will be reviewed by the CAO, in an effort to make it easier for families that utilize the splash pad.
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.
Algoma Public Health's reporting an increase of sixteen over the last week: fifteen in Central and East Algoma and two in the Sault Ste. Marie area, while the count for the Elliot Lake area was reduced by one.
That's pushed known "high risk active" cases up slightly, to 27, though there are no longer any showing in hospital.
Chapleau's updating a report on the local airport.
Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says Chapleau Town Council's approved a nearly $52,000 agreement for an update to the Aviation Facilities Assessment for the Chapleau Municipal Airport.
Mayor Bignucolo says - once that assessment's updated - the Township will apply for funding "with the appropriate things that the airport needs".
Planned work for Chapleau's train museum is being put off.
Mayor Ryan Bignucolo explains the decision stems from a loss of funding.
Mayor Bignucolo says he believes the withdrawn funding was around $150,000 - an amount the Township cannot cover - but assures the project's not dead, with plans to revisit and reapply for possible funding with "a better plan on how we can take care of that situation".
Robbery and trespassing charge has been laid after an incident in Chapleau.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a reported robbery on Lansdowne Street shortly before 5 o'clock Saturday morning, with subsequent investigation revealing the accused entered the victim's property, attempted to steal a vehicle, and - when confronted - assaulted the victim.
That led to the arrest of a Chapleau 42-year-old on charges of robbery with violence and trespassing at night, though the accused was released from custody with an October court date.
More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting fourteen since Friday - all in Greater Sudbury - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 47 - the health unit only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed nineteen in hospital, two in ICUs.
A local health unit's warning to beware ticks as it's confirmed a human case of Lyme disease.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says laboratory results have confirmed an adult tested positive for the disease - which can cause serious complications to the heart, joints, and nervous system - likely locally acquired in the Sudbury East area.
While it emphasizes that "reports of locally acquired Lyme disease remain uncommon", the health unit warns "people need to protect themselves when enjoying the outdoors", recommending measures to protect yourself from ticks, including: avoiding walking in tall grass; clearing debris and overgrown vegetation, grass, bushes, and trees from yards; keeping wood piles or bird feeders away from homes; and wearing long-sleeved, light-coloured clothes with closed-toe shoes, as well as Health Canada-approved insect repellants.
Signs of Lyme disease include a red bull's eye-shaped rash around the bite area, as well as symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, stiff neck, and swollen glands.
Wawa's library is winding down its "summer reading fun" as summer nears its end.
Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Suzie Jarrell reminds the Bingo Reading Summer Challenge draw is this Friday.
Jarrell notes the TD Summer Reading Club officially comes to an end next week, just ahead of the Labour Day weekend.
Jarrell reminds there are a number of clubs before the end, and emphasizes there are other things happening at the library, such as the New Horizons Knitting Club for seniors.
Boats and lines are out of the water, as the Wawa Salmon Derby's wrapped up its 41st year.
While numerous fish were reeled in over the weekend, the largest was a 26.85-pound salmon that earned Dale McRae and Claude Samson the $3000 top prize and $500 more for the biggest fish of Friday, while the $2000 second prize - and $500 for Saturday's biggest fish - went to a 22.5-pounder caught by Dawson Chandler, and a 22.35-pounder from Scott Nuttall and John McCaulay claimed the $1000 third prize.
Robert Moreau and Julian Boucher caught the largest lake trout - a 7.15-pounder - reeling in the $1000 prize, along with $250 for a 20.9-pound salmon that came in seventh.
Chapleau Town Council's set to hold its sole meeting of the month tonight.
Included on tonight's agenda are resolutions to allow temporary extension of the Legion Patio Bar and address a request for washroom facilities at the Splash pad, and a by-law affirming an agreement for an update to the Aviation Facilities Assessment for the Chapleau Municipal Airport.
There are also multiple "in-camera" items, relating to: the HandiTransit Bus Contract; CAO Performance Management Plan; possible disposal of a parcel of land; and an update on a granting opportunity.
The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm tonight in Civic Centre Council Chambers, though details on accessing it electronically can be found on the Township's website.
A special fish was reeled in during the Wawa Salmon Derby.
Thunder Bay Salmon Association member Len Doherty explains the organization runs a hatchery, and it appears one of those fish ended up as an entry in the local derby.
Doherty notes the Thunder Bay hatchery releases 250,000 fingerlings into Lake Superior - through the Kam River - each year, using eggs collected in the fall - usually from the Nipigon River - but he says there could be a local tie in the future.
Doherty adds his presence at the Wawa derby was a coincidence - he just likes to attend the event.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry also had a presence, collecting samples - stomachs, scale, and fins - from salmon and lake trout, so they could be analyzed for stomach contents, genetics, weight, and age, to keep an eye on the health of the fishery.
More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting eight since Wednesday - seven in Greater Sudbury, the other in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 48.
The health unit only updates hospitalization figures late Wednesday afternoon, but last showed nineteen in hospital, two in ICUs.
A special fundraiser's being held to support Wawa's library this weekend.
Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Suzie Jarrell explains they've set up an "escape room".
While it's meant to be a lot of fun, Jarrell reminds it's also a fundraiser.
Jarrell says some time slots may still be available - and there are options for people without a full 4-person team - contact the Library to make arrangements.
Jarrell also reminds "summer reading fun" is coming to an end: one week is left in the Library's Bingo Reading Summer Challenge - the deadline's 4 pm next Friday, August 25th - with End of the Summer party happening the following Monday, August 28th.
White River looking back at "when it all began" this weekend, getting back to the roots of the annual Winnie's Hometown Festival.
Festival Coordinator Nicole Simpson notes this year's event celebrates a key milestone.
Simpson notes new events include a "Community Spirit Gathering" and barbecue at the Winnie the Pooh Park from noon to 4 today, and more...
Simpson reminds there are a number of returning events, including the Family Fish Derby, and more...
Weekend passes are available at the Township Office or "at the door", with more details on the Winnie's Hometown Festival Facebook page.
Time's almost up for Wawa residents wanting their say on local fire services.
Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin reminds the Municipality has a survey asking for feedback on fire services.
Sabourin notes the survey informs a broader service review - and participants will also be entered into a draw to win prizes of $250, $100, or $50, along with smoke detectors.
The survey can be found through the municipal website, with paper copies available at the Municipal Office, the Wawa Public Library, and the Wawa Seniors Goose Club, though they must be submitted today.
