Wawa Council Considering Future of Downtown Drill Rig

Wawa Municipal Council's considering the future of the downtown drill rig.

Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains safety concerns have been raised over the angle of the large piece of equipment.

Patterson says a structural engineer was called in to look at the issue, confirming the rig is leaning - not a problem with the ground - with a few options considered in response, including doing nothing - nixed by the engineer due to the public safety concerns - or removing the mast of the rig.

Removing the rig entirely is another option being considered, and Patterson notes it could be auctioned for scrap - which could reduce the expense of having it removed - and he does see some opportunity if that's done.

The final option is to repair the rig, and Patterson acknowledges some interest in that.

Council is set to discuss and potentially make a decision in their upcoming meeting on Tuesday, September 19th, particularly as the engineer recommends "something" be done by the winter.

CHADWIC Home Golf Tournament Returns

Golfers are hitting the greens this weekend to support the local women's shelter.

CHADWIC Home Community Outreach Worker Pam Carruthers explains the organization's annual charity golf tournament is a fun fundraiser.

Carruthers adds there are some great prizes this year.

Carruthers thanks sponsors Wesdome and Alamos Gold for sponsoring green fees.

The golf tournament starts at 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon.

COVID-19 Cases Rising for PHSD, Fewer in Hospital

More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting thirty since Monday - all in Greater Sudbury - pushing known "active" cases up to 78, including one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

The health unit's also reporting a drop in cases in hospital - down to seven - though now with two in ICUs.

Fail to Comply Charges After Wawa Domestic Dispute

Fail to comply charges have been laid after a domestic dispute in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a disturbance on Ontario street shortly before 5 o'clock Friday evening, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a Wawa 20-year-old on three counts of fail to comply with probation order.

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.

2 Separate Coalitions of Northeastern First Nations Looking to Build Major Power Line

Two different coalitions of Northeastern Ontario First Nations are bidding to build a key power transmission line between Wawa and Porcupine.

The Michipicoten, Chapleau Cree, and Missanabie Cree First Nations - as well as Taykwa Tagamou Nation - have created the "Transmission Infrastructure Partnerships 9" - TIP-9 - coalition to build the 260-kilometre, 230-kilovolt transmission line going through their traditional territories, with financial backing from American electric power provider Ameren, as well as private investment, though the coalition would maintain 50 per cent ownership of the line and have the opportunity to make that full ownership once financing obligations are met.

A rival bid has been announced, however, by the Wabun Tribal Council Chiefs, who say a developmental coalition including the Wabun First Nations of Mattagami, Brunswick House, Matachewan, Flying Post, and Chapleau Ojibwe will partner with Hydro One on a Transmission Infrastructure Partnership, which would also see them have a 50 percent equity stake in the line.

Both groups note that Indigenous communities have historically been "left out of the loop" on development in their traditional lands, and view their proposals as an opportunity for the provincial government to move forward on reconciliation.

The Independent Electricity System Operator's electricity plan for Northeast Ontario - released last October - identified the line as a key priority - along with lines from the Mississagi Transformer Station north of Thessalon to Hanmer's and another in Sault Ste. Marie - with the Wawa to Porcupine line to be in-service in 2030, though it's unclear when the IESO will move forward on the process for selecting a bidder and getting the line built.

Wawa's Seniors Expo Arrives

Wawa seniors are being encouraged to learn more about services in the community, as the annual "North Algoma Seniors Expo and Active Living Fair" returns.

Alzheimer Society First Link Coordinator Chris Rask explains the annual event is basically a public education initiative.

Rask notes the "Exhibitors Hall" will be bigger and better than ever, with more than 50 from across the region and beyond.

Rask also points out a pair of seminars.

Rask reminds there will also be a couple health clinics: blood pressure and glucose checks.

Open to anyone - particularly seniors - the free event runs from 10 am to 3 pm at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Chapleau Council Approves Funding Agreement for Civic Centre Generator, Expanding Metal Recycling

Chapleau's moving forward with a funding agreement for a generator at the Civic Centre.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says Chapleau Town Council's approved a $478,568 funding agreement with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for the diesel power generator.

Mayor Bignucolo also says the Township's looking at expanding a metal recycling program.

Bignucolo notes it is an extension of the current collection of cans.

Details can be found on the municipal website.

Final Chance for Local Tickets in Alzheimer Society Raffle

Time's almost up for those looking to get tickets for a raffle supporting the local Alzheimer's Society.

First Link Coordinator Chris Rask explains the Forget Me Not Raffle is a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District.

While the draw isn't until September 21st, Rask says today's North Algoma Seniors Expo and Active Living Fair is the last major opportunity to get tickets locally.

Break, Enter & Theft Charges Laid Over Manitouwadge Break-Ins

Break and enter and theft charges have been laid over break-ins in Manitouwadge.

Marathon Ontario Provincial Police say they were informed of a break and enter at two businesses in Manitouwadge Thursday morning, with subsequent investigation linking them to a string of break and enter incidents in the Manitouwadge area between August 3rd and August 30th.

A 30-year-old from Manitouwadge has been charged with five counts of break, enter a place to commit indictable offence and five of theft under $5000, but was released from custody with a December court date.

PHSD Warns of Increase in Overdoses in Region

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning of an increase in overdoses in its region.

The health unit says the Community Drug Strategy's received reports of an increase in "drug poisonings" - overdoses - and unexpected reactions from the use of substances in Sudbury and districts, and - while it can't confirm the substances involved - calls this an "important reminder" that street drugs could be cut or mixed with substances such as benzos, xylazine, fentanyl, or carfentanil, and more toxic substances may be circulating locally - and that multiple naloxone kits have been needed to reduce overdoses.

PHSD recommends avoiding using drugs when you're alone - but not using it at the same time as an accompanying friend - to avoid mixing drugs or alcohol, to carry a naloxone kit, and - in the case of a suspected overdose - call 911.

PHSD Reports Rising COVID-19 Cases, Still 1 in Northern Sudbury District

COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts - which reported another COVID-19 death on Friday - is reporting 21 new cases since Friday - twenty in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District - pushing known "active" cases up to 71, one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

PHSD only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed twenty in hospital.

Fail to Comply Charges After Wawa Incident

Fail to comply charges have been laid after an incident in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a breach of probation on Superior Avenue shortly after 2 o'clock last Tuesday afternoon, after a Wawa resident attempted to communicate with an individual while on conditions not to - subsequent investigation led to the 26-year-old's arrest on charges of failure to comply with undertaking and fail to comply with probation order.

They were released from custody, set to appear in court next month.

Chapleau Youth Facing Assault Charge

A Chapleau youth's facing an assault charge over an incident last week.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers were notified of a physical altercation that occurred on Teak Street shortly after 12 o'clock Friday afternoon, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a 16-year-old on a charge of assault.

The teen - who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act - was released from custody, with an October court date.

PHSD Reports 219th COVID-19 Death, More Cases

Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting is 219th - the 191st in Greater Sudbury - just days after revising down its death toll, removing a death in Greater Sudbury where it was not known if COVID had been the underlying cause or merely contributed to the death - this latest death has COVID as its underlying cause.

The health unit's also reporting twenty new cases since Wednesday - eighteen in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, and another in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 64, one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

PHSD only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed twenty in hospital.

OPP Investigating Fatal Collision Near Gogama

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a fatal collision near Gogama.

South Porcupine Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the single vehicle collision on Highway 144 about 15 kilometres south of Gogama shortly before 8 o'clock Saturday morning, with the driver taken to hospital with serious injuries while the passenger had died.

The OPP Traffic Incident Management Enforcement - TIME - team is assisting the investigation.

Alzheimer Society Selling Tickets for Forget-Me-Not Raffle

The local Alzheimer's Society is warning time is running out to get tickets for a special raffle.

First Link Coordinator Chris Rask explains the Forget Me Not Raffle is a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District.

As the draw is September 21st, Rask says there's one major opportunity left to get tickets: the North Algoma Seniors Expo and Active Living Fair, which will be held Wednesday from 10 am to 3 pm at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Chapleau Council to Discuss Economic Development, Metal Recycling

Chapleau Town Council's set to talk about economic development and metal recycling tonight.

Included on the agenda for the first regular meeting of the month is an economic development update, along with discussion on a campaign to expand the metal recycling program, and a by-law for a funding agreement for a diesel power generator at the Civic Centre.

There are also multiple "in-camera" items, relating to seven human resources matters and an update on a legal matter.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm tonight in Civic Centre Council Chambers - details on accessing it electronically can be found on the Township's website.

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