Wawa Mayor Melanie Pilon Discusses Recent AMO Conference

Wawa's mayor is feeling like "a bit of a celebrity" after the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference.

Mayor Melanie Pilon says she was "absolutely honoured" to promote AMO's "Healthy Democracy Project" - with a video airing at the conference just before Premier Doug Ford spoke - noting the project's something "very near and dear" to her heart.

Mayor Pilon says the conference also included some good news, as Premier Ford announced the $1.2-billion "Building Faster Fund" to support municipalities for housing.

While Pilon says Wawa had no delegations to ministers, the mayor says she did speak with some.

Mayor Pilon also emphasizes the importance of Wawa getting out and having a presence at such events to network with officials and colleagues, noting she met with the Northern Ontario Women's Caucus, which is made up of the region's female mayors.

Porcupine & Timiskaming Health Units Moving Toward Merger

A pair of Northern Ontario health units could soon be one.

The Boards of Health for the Porcupine and Timiskaming health units have decided to take steps towards a voluntary merger, with Porcupine Health Unit Medical Officer of Health and CEO Dr. Lianne Catton saying there have been "several reports over many years" recommending the merger, though "recent events including the COVID-19 pandemic have confirmed the benefits of a merger to increase staff capacity to deliver public health programming and to respond to surges and emergencies" while Timiskaming Health Unit's Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Glenn Corneil, says "the merger will strengthen local public health programs and services while increasing efficiencies", promising "programs and services will continue as-is in local health unit offices in both regions during the merger process."

The move still requires government approval, though this comes after Health Minister - and Deputy Premier - Sylvia Jones announced one-time funding for local public health agencies to "voluntarily merge to streamline and reinvest back into expanding programs and services".

Wawa's Seniors Expo Nearing - Seniors Encouraged to Book Transportation

Organizers are reminding Wawa's annual seniors expo is almost here - and time's running out to book transportation.

Alzheimer Society First Link Coordinator Chris Rask explains organizers are arranging free transportation for those who need it.

While the North Algoma Seniors Expo and Active Living Fair isn't until Wednesday, September 13th - from 10 am to 3 pm at the Community Centre - anyone who needs to book transportation's asked to do so by this Wednesday, September 6th.

PHSD & PHU Report New COVID-19 Cases

COVID-19 cases are surging in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting fifteen since Monday - eleven in Greater Sudbury, three in the western and eastern Sudbury District, another in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 66, with 26 in hospital, one in an ICU.

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

Annual PC Children's Charity Barbecue Returns to John's Independent

JJAM FM and John's Your Independent Grocer in Wawa are inviting everyone mark the end of August - and the coming long weekend - with a barbecue helping a great cause.

Noting she hopes to see everyone who can make it, organizer Cassidy Michalcewicz encourages people to attend the annual "PC Children's Charity Barbecue" being held today.

Michalcewicz emphasizes the funds support a good cause.

The barbecue runs from 11 am to 1 pm at John's Your Independent Grocer in Wawa, and will be broadcast live here on JJAM FM.

Assault Charge Over White River Domestic Dispute

An assault charge has been laid over a White River domestic dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident on Winnipeg Street shortly after 8 o'clock Sunday night, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a White River 24-year-old on a charge of spousal assault with a weapon.

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 October court date.

Numerous Charges After Impaired Driver Call Near Chapleau

Numerous charges have been laid after an impaired driver call near Chapleau.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the report of a possible impaired driver on Highway 101 shortly after 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon, but - when officers located the suspect vehicle - the driver initially refused to stop for police, though officers were eventually able to conduct a traffic stop, where investigation revealed the driver had consumed alcoholic beverage.

That led to the arrest of a 41-year-old from Thompson, Manitoba, on charges of: operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs; dangerous operation; uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm; faily to comply with probation order; drive motor vehicle - perform stunt - excessive speed; fail to stop for police; use centre lane improperly; and litter highway.

They've been released from custody, set to appear in court next month.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases

COVID-19 cases continue to raise in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 21 since Friday - nineteen in Greater Sudbury one in the western Sudbury District, another in the Manitoulin Distrisct - pushing known "active" cases up to 62 - the most since mid-May - the health unit only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed sixteen in hospital.

New Grand Chief Elected for Mushkegowuk Council

A new Grand Chief's been elected for the Mushkegowuk Council.

According to a release from the Mushkegowuk Council, Leo Friday was elected to the role on Friday, receiving 365 votes compared to the 359 for Alison Linklater - who's been grand chief since March 2022 - and 275 for former grand chief Ernest "Toby" Beck.

Chief of Kashechewan First Nation for fourteen years, Friday also spent nine years as deputy grand chief of the Mushkegowuk Council.

Meanwhile, Amos Wesley was elected Deputy Grand Chief North, representing the Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Moose Cree, and Attawapiskat First Nations.

Natasha Martin was acclaimed earlier this month as Deputy Grand Chief South, representing the Taykwa Tagamou Nation and the Chapleau Cree and Missinabie Cree First Nations.

They're all set to serve four year terms.

March On Ottawa Passes By Wawa

An Indigenous woman marching from Saskatoon to Ottawa passed by Wawa this weekend.

Richelle Dubois explains that her "March On Ottawa" is just the latest effort to seek justice in her 14-year-old son's death.

Dubois says the March itself started on the eight year memorial for her son in May, with a walk from Regina to Saskatoon.

Dubois believes her son's death was murder, noting there was evidence of a struggle and that the coroner refused to document injuries to his face and elbows.

In addition to seeking justice in this case, Dubois is seeking to bring awareness about issues in the health care system - hoping for more accountability under the philosophy that "intentional neglect is murder" - and advocating for missing, murdered, and neglected Indigenous men, boys, and two-spirited people, in addition to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Though she's not seeking financial donations, Dubois encourages people to "donate kilometres" so she can get to Ottawa faster, aiming to be there when Parliament opens next month - the campaign's on Facebook as "March on Ottawa: A Family's March for Justice".

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.

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