Wawa Seeking Public Input on Draft Housing Action Plan

The Municipality of Wawa's looking for public input on a proposed plan to address housing needs in the community.

Economic Development Assistant Jessie Labonte explains the draft Wawa Housing Action Plan presented to Council last Tuesday was written to tackle the issue, which was identified as a priority in Wawa's Strategic Plan.

Labonte says the plan includes five specific goals and strategies to achieve them, including updating the Housing Needs and Demands Study for more up-to-date data.

Labonte notes the plan also recommends developing a plan to service residential property - including Municipality-owned property on Tamarack Road and Algoma Street - and a "brownfield incentives program".

The draft plan's available on the municipal website or at Town Hall, where comments can be dropped off for Labonte - they can also be emailed - by 4 pm Friday, September 8th.

Deadline for Prospective North Algoma ADSB Trustees

It's the final chance for prospective trustees for the local English public school board.

Following the sudden passing of Russell Reid in June, the Algoma District School Board's trustees are seeking applicants to appoint as the trustee representing the board's "Northern Area", which is comprised of Michipicoten - or Wawa - plus Chapleau and Hornepayne - the chosen applicant would serve out the remainder of the term, which ends in November 2026.

Applicants must be Canadian citizens at least 18 years of age, a resident of the region, a public school elector, not legally prohibited from voting, and not disqualified by any legislation from holding school board office.

Applications must be sent by 4 pm today.

PHSD Launches Search for New CEO/Medical Officer of Health

A local health unit's launching the search to fill its top job.

The Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury and Districts - whose coverage area includes Chapleau - has established a subcommittee dedicated to the recruitment and selection of a new Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer, to succeed Dr. Penny Sutcliffe in the dual role.

Sutcliffe's been with the health unit for more than 23 years, but is set to take a long-planned sabbatical and is nearing retirement.

Mushkegowuk Council Election Day

Ballots are being cast today to choose the Mushkegowuk Council's Grand Chief.

The Mushkegowuk Council - which represents eight First Nations communities in Northeastern Ontario, including the Chapleau and Missinabie Cree First Nations - is holding its election, with three candidates in the running for Grand Chief: incumbent grand chief Alison Linklater of Taykwa Tagamou Nation; former grand chief Ernest "Toby" Beck of Moose Cree First Nation; and former deputy grand chief Walter Leo Friday of Kashechewan First Nation.

There are also four candidates for "Deputy Grand Chief North" - incumbent Rebecca Friday, Charlotte Nakoochee, Slyvina Rickard, and Amos Wesley - while Natasha Martin was acclaimed as "Deputy Grand Chief South" earlier this month.

In-person voting's being held at the Chapleau Cree First Nation band office, the Island View Camp in Missinabie, and in other communities from 9 am to 9 pm today.

Wawa Library's Bingo Summer Reading Challenge Ends, TD Summer Reading Club End Party Nears

As summer nears its end, Wawa's library is winding down its "summer reading fun".

Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Suzie Jarrell reminds the deadline for the Bingo Reading Summer Challenge is 4 o'clock this afternoon.

Jarrell notes the TD Summer Reading Club officially ends with a pair of parties - one English, one French - coming next week.

Jarrell reminds the STEAM and game clubs are also meeting today, with Dungeons and Dragons on Wednesday, but also emphasizes there are other things happening at the library, such as the "New Horizons Knitting Connection" for seniors Thursdays.

Time Running Out for Prospective North Algoma ADSB Trustees

Time's running out to express interest in serving as local trustee for the local English public school board.

Following the sudden passing of Russell Reid in June, the Algoma District School Board's trustees have opted to appoint a replacement to fill the vacancy for the trustee representing the "Northern Area" of Michipicoten - or Wawa - and Chapleau and Hornepayne, serving out the remainder of the term, which ends in November 2026.

Applicants must be Canadian citizens at least 18 years of age, a resident of the region, a public school elector, not legally prohibited from voting, and not disqualified by any legislation from holding school board office.

Applications must be sent by 4 pm next Monday, August 28th.

Child Dead After ATV Crash Along North Shore of Lake Huron

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.

PHSD & PHU Report New COVID-19 Cases

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 Reminds of Guidelines for Bear Bins

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.

Overnight Power Outage Planned for Wawa Area

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.

Chapleau Reminds Seniors About Property Tax Assistance

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 Council Considering Washroom Options for Splash Pad

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.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Active Cases Up Slightly

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 Updating Airport Facility Assessment

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".

Chapleau Train Museum Work Put Off Amid Funding Loss

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 & Trespassing Charge over Chapleau Incident

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.

PHSD Reports 1st Local Human Case of Lyme Disease

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.

Cart (0)