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A Wawa firefighter was honoured for longtime service at last night's Council meeting.
Wawa Volunteer Fire Department Captain David "Dave" Jennings was presented with a medal and certificate recognizing 25 years with the local fire department, the last fifteen of which he's spent as a captain.
Mayor Melanie Pilon lauded his service as a firefighter and also throughout the community.
More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.
Algoma Public Health's reporting a sixteen over the last week - up from the previous week's ten - with thirteen in the Sault Ste. Marie area, two in the Elliot Lake area, and another in central and east Algoma - known "high risk active" cases are up slightly, to eighteen.
The Municipality of Wawa will run the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre canteen over the coming ice season.
While a request for proposals (RFP) process was launched, Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson told Wawa Municipal Council last night that no proposals were received, so - per Council's direction back in June - municipal staff will run the canteen, to ensure it operates.
Council was also apprised of a recommendation to amend the Municipality's Ice Cancellation Policy, told there were "a lot of" short-notice cancellations last season - with Patterson noting that has an operational as well as financial impact, as short notice makes it hard to sell the ice time to another user group - with a staff memo recommending requiring at least 24 hours notice for cancellations - at least seven days to avoid a penalty - with more time needed for tournaments, though some exceptions would be built in to a revised policy, such as for major winter storms - while it did not come to a vote, Council was in favour of the change, with Councillor Joe Opato saying it "should've been done years ago" and Councillor Mitch Hatfield noting such requirements shouldn't be a problem, based on her time involved with hockey.
Ice preparation work's already underway for the coming season.
Wawa's downtown drill rig will stay.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson had warned Wawa Municipal Council about safety concerns raised over the angle of the large piece of equipment.
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 - removing the mast of the rig, removing the entire rig, or repair work aimed at addressing the problem.
Patterson had recommended "scrapping" the rig, noting the cost for repairs, the need for continued maintenance, that it could be auctioned for scrap, and that it could potentially be replaced by some other monument which would be more likely to receive other government funding, though he emphasized it was fundamentally a politcal decision, only noting that the engineer report required "something" to be done by winter.
The issue came back up in last night's Committee of the Whole meeting, first with Andy Stevens making a delegation to Council in which he lamented that an engineer had been brought in, playing down the safety concerns, and recommending efforts to preserve the rig - while Council response had previously been mixed on the future of the drill rig, it shifted to all councillors speaking in favour of keeping the rig, except Mayor Melanie Pilon, who reiterated a warning that nostalgia can be both a strength and weakness, emphasizing the health and safety concerns and warning of liability if nothing is done.
In the end, Council agreed to direct staff to take efforts to meet the engineer's report and keep the rig in place, with Patterson set to explore options that can be done for the winter, and put work on the rig into next year's capital budget - which is set to be presented in draft form next week, in a special meeting on Tuesday, September 26th.
A new local trustee's been appointed for the local English public school board.
The Algoma District School Board's appointed Susan Johnson to fill the seat for its Northern area, which includes Michipicoten (Wawa), Chapleau, and Hornepayne, left vacant after the death of longtime trustee Russell Reid in June.
A resident of Hawk Junction, Johnson's noted to be a former educator - having been a teacher of Grades 1, 2, and 8 for over thirty years, first with the Michipicoten School Board, then ADSB after amalgamation - as well as a director on the board of the Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District from 2018 to 2021.
Johnson will serve out the remainder of the term, which ends in mid-November 2026.
Impaired driving and flight from police charges have been laid after an attempted traffic stop in Chapleau.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers observed a motor vehicle travelling in an unsafe manner on Broomhead Road shortly after 3 o'clock Sunday morning - noting a "near collision" - the driver initially refused to stop for police, but eventually did so, with subsequent investigation revealing the 66-year-old from Gores Landing had consumed alcoholic beverages, leading to charges of operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) and flight from peace officer.
He's been released from custody, with a November court date.
Impaired driving charges have been laid after a possible impaired driver was reported near White River.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say a concerned motorist called in the tip about a driver on Highway 17 south of White River shortly after 5 o'clock Sunday evening, with police locating and stopping the vehicle, finding the driver had consumed alcoholic beverages.
The 31-year-old from Hamilton was arrested and charged with operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs and operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).
He's been released from custody with an October court date.
The local English public school board's looking to fill a local seat after the death of a longtime trustee.
Following the sudden passing of longtime North Algoma trustee Russell Reid in June, the Algoma District School Board's trustees opted to accept applications for prospective candidates they could appoint a replacement to fill the vacancy, for the trustee representing the Michipicoten - or Wawa - Chapleau and Hornepayne areas - they're set to receive a candidate presentation in their meeting tonight, with a single guest shown for the item, though the board is not saying whether plans are to confirm them tonight, only that a release is expected after the meeting.
Whoever ends up appointed would serve out the remainder of the term, which ends in November 2026.
COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 39 new cases since Friday - 36 in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District, another in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 97, including a new case in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).
The health unit only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed seven in hospital, two in ICUs.
Wawa Municipal Council's holding a pair of meetings tonight.
First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which includes presentation of Fire Department years of service awards, and delegations from Algoma Public Health on its programs and services and from Andy Stevens on the Drill Rig Monument - Council will follow up on discussion about the future of the downtown drill rig during the meeting, and will also discuss highway corridor maintenance at the Tourist Information Centre and RFP results for the arena canteen, a revision to the deputy mayor rotation schedule, and Mayor Melanie Pilon's report on the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference.
That'll be followed by tonight's regular Council meeting, which includes a resolution to accept the staff recommendation to remove the drill rig monument - something that may change, depending on discussion in the earlier meeting.
There are also three "in-camera" items, all legal issues: one relating to the sale of property; another about a potential land purchase; and the other about a statement of claim from litigation or potential litigation.
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.
More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting sixteen since Wednesday - all in Greater Sudbury - pushing known "active" cases up to 89, though there are no longer any active cases in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).
The health unit only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed seven in hospital, two in ICUs.
The board of Wawa's hospital is set to hold its monthly meeting.
The Lady Dunn Health Centre's board of directors will meet at 7 pm tonight - for more information, call 705-856-2335, extension 3210.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources is keeping an eye on fish.
Fisheries Management Biologist Steve Chong - with the Upper Great Lakes Management Unit, out of Sault Ste. Marie - explains Ministry officials were at last month's Wawa Salmon Derby to collect some data about the fish caught.
Chong adds they were also collecting tissue samples, stomachs, and other things that would indicate age, health, or diet of the fish, with the information to be used for "a number of" different things.
Chong says officials also took samples at other Ontario derbies, with similar efforts happening in the US, as part of a cross-border effort focusing on Lake Superior under the "Coordinated Science and Monitoring Initiative", which rotates between the Great Lakes each year.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.
Algoma Public Health's reporting a slight decline from the previous week with ten new cases over the last week - six in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four in the Elliot Lake area - though known "high risk active" cases are down slightly, to fourteen.
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.
