Wawa Residents Challenged to be Saved by the Beep on Test Your Smoke Alarm Day

Wawa's Fire Chief is challenging residents to be "Saved by the Beep".

Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin explains today is "Test Your Smoke Alarm Day".

Reminding smoke alarms normally last only ten years - and batteries do need to be replaced from time-to-time to ensure they're working - Sabourin emphasizes the alarms are required by law.

While he notes smoke alarms are important to ensure you have early warning to get out of your home in case of a fire, Chief Sabourin also reminds everyone to prepare a home fire or family escape plan, to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of a fire.

Local MP Confirms Bid for House Speaker

Local MP Carol Hughes is eyeing a key role in the House of Commons: Speaker.

The Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing New Democrat's announced her bid for the job after the resignation of Nipissing-Timiskaming Liberal Anthony Rota stepped down from the role after he invited and honoured a 98-year-old North Bay resident who fought for the First Ukrainian Division - also known as the Waffen-SS Galicia Division or the SS 14th Waffen Division - a voluntary unit that was under the command of the Nazis during World War Two.

Hughes says she decided to run "after some deliberation", acknowledging "it's a challenging job, but I have the experience, judgment, and temperament necessary for this role that is vital to the functioning of our democracy", calling herself the "most experienced chair occupant currently in the House of Commons" - as she's served as Assistant Deputy Speaker in two previous Parliaments, as well as the current Parliament - saying that during her time in that role she's "worked to be even-handed, and have received feedback from members of all parties affirming this", adding "I believe now, more than ever, we need a Speaker who can both allow important debate to flourish, and firmly keep order in the House to ensure Canadians feel represented by the MPs".

This isn't her first bid to be Speaker, having run in 2019, when Rota was first elected to the role, though she won't be unopposed, as current Deputy Speaker - Nova Scotia Conservative Chris d'Entremont - has also declared interest, as have Quebec Liberals Greg Fergus and Alexandra Mendès, the latter of whom has been an Assistant Deputy Speaker the last four years.

Dean of the House Louis Plamondon - a Bloc Quebecois MP - is chairing House proceedings today and tomorrow, with the secret ballot vote for Rota's replacement to be the first order of business when the House resumes Tuesday, October 3rd, after a long weekend due to the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation on Saturday.

PHSD Warns of New Potent Substance in Region

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning of the presence of a new potent substance in its region.

The health unit says the Community Drug Strategy's received confirmation of flubromazolam, a potent designer "benzo" also known as "liquid Xanax", warning it "can result in strong sedation and partial amnesia lasting more than 24 hours" or even death, "if taken in large quantities".

It further warns that taking benzos and opioids together increases the risk of poisoning - overdose - and death, recommending avoiding mixing drugs or alcohol, to carry a naloxone kit, not using drugs when you're alone - but also not at the same time as an accompanying friend - and - in the case of a suspected overdose - call 9-1-1.

Hornepayne Drug Trafficking Charge

A drug trafficking charge has been laid in Hornepayne.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were notified of "a drug-related occurrence" in Hornepayne late the morning of September 9th, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a Hornepayne 33-year-old on a charge of "traffick in Schedule I substance - cocaine".

The accused was released from custody with an October court date.

Federal Electoral Boundary Redistribution Approved, Local Riding to Dissolve

It's official: Northern Ontario is losing a federal riding, with major changes for this area.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada's confirmed that a redrawing of Canada's federal electoral map came into effect by proclamation last Friday.

That means a new seat for Ontario - for a total of 122 - but substantial changes to many current boundaries, the most significant being the reduction of Northern Ontario's ridings from the current ten to only nine, with the current Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing riding to be divided up among its surrounding ridings: the Highway 17 corridor - including Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the north shore of Lake Huron to Elliot Lake - will merge with the Sault Ste. Marie riding to create "Sault Ste. Marie-Algoma"; the Chapleau area will be annexed into the new "Kapuskasing-Timmins-Mushkegowuk"; and Manitoulin Island and the Massey, Webbwood, and Espanola area will join "Sudbury East-Manitoulin-Nickel Belt".

Northern Ontario New Democrats have decried the changes, with Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing M-P Carol Hughes emphasizing the negative impact for the region, as it means "less representation for Northern Ontarians, more challenges for MPs to represent their riding, and a reduced voice in Parliament".

While the new boundaries have been confirmed, the districts won't take effect until April 22nd, 2024, so any general or by-election called before that time would use the current boundaries, including Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing.

PHSD Reports Surge in COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 37 since Monday - 34 in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District - pushing known "active" cases back up to 98, including one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

The health unit's also reporting a rise in cases in hospital, to fifteen, including two in ICUs.

Hornepayne Resident Charged for Driving While Suspended

Local police have charged a Hornepayne resident with driving while suspended.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers conducting general patrol in Hornepayne the afternoon of September 17th observed an off-road vehicle being driven by a known suspended driver, leading to a traffic stop and the arrest of the 33-year-old on two counts of driving while under suspension.

The accused was released from custody with a November court date, while the off-road vehicle was impounded for seven days.

Criminal Charge After Blind River Man Refuses Breath Sample in Wawa

A criminal charge has been laid after a possible impaired driver was reported near Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say a concerned citizen called in the tip about a possible impaired driver on Highway 101 about 30 kilometres east of Wawa shortly before 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, with police locating and stopping the vehicle, determining the driver had consumed alcoholic beverages, though the driver refused to provide police with a breath sample, leading to the 34-year-old Blind River man's arrest on a charge of Failure or Refusal to Comply With Demand.

He was released from custody with a November court date, though his vehicle's been impounded for seven days and a 90-day Administrative Driver's License Suspension was issued.

Municipality of Wawa Considering 2024-27 Capital Budget

The Municipality of Wawa's seeking public input, as Council considers capital plans for the next four years.

In a special meeting last night, staff presented Council with a draft 2024 Capital Budget, touted as the Municipality's first "true" multi-year budget, outlining plans not just for 2024 but through 2027, intended to align with the municipality's strategic, asset management, and other plans, as well as infrastructure needs but under principles of "sustainable", "affordable", and "necessary".

In total, it proposes a total of about $3.3-million in projects for 2024 - $427,000 coming from taxation, $1,031,000 from reserves, and more than $1,840,000 from grants or other sources - with a further $3,090,000 planned for 2025, $3,462,000 for 2026, and $3,174,000 for 2027.

Continuing projects mentioned include the Liquefied Natural Gas project, the 5-Year Tourism Plan, Cemetery expansion, and Landfill expansion, though key projects outlined for 2024 include: a Town Hall redesign study; a municipal Organizational Review; computer hardware upgrades; two phases of renovations at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, including lobby redesign, some flooring, gym and dance renovations, an outdoor sign, and HVAC replacement; structural repairs for the Drill Rig, followed by beautification; new tourism billboards; Fire Hall renovation design and drawing, followed in 2025 or 2026 by the actual renovation or expansion; a new asphalt hot box for the Infrastructure Services Department, along with sidewalk replacement and ongoing pavement preservation; Airport equipment; and a Water Distribution upgrade; though items mentioned for future years include: renovations of the Tourist Information Centre interior; work on the M-M-C-C roof; a new Fire Department pumper truck; a Sand and Salt Dome for Infrastructure Services; and a Water Tower upgrade.

Other items considered "subject to funding" include potential replacement of the Cenotaph; the Marina washroom; "Phase 2" of the Waterfront; work at the Goose Nest and at Vallee Park, including a new bridge; and work at the Airport Terminal Building, including a sand and salt dome.

The presentation can be viewed on the Municipality's YouTube channel - with the slide show to be posted on the Municipality's website - plans are to accept public input until October 25th, then bring the capital budget up for Council approval November 7th, and - once that's confirmed - present the draft operating budget November 14th, so it can come up for Council approval December 12th.

Chapleau Graduate Receives Governor General's Academic Medal

A Chapleau graduate's been honored for excellent academic standing.

The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium graduate Marianne Fournier is the recipient of the Governor General's Academic Medal for the 2022-23 academic year, recognizing that she had the highest average at the completion of her secondary school studies.

Fournier is now pursuing studies in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Ottawa.

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mantha Presses on Northern ER Closures

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha's pushing the provincial government to address potential closures of Northern emergency rooms.

Speaking in Question Period Tuesday, the independent MPP noted the Manitoulin Health Centre announced last week it might have to close one of its ERs for days throughout October due to a doctor shortage, with other hospitals - like Thessalon's - also facing closure threats due to staffing issues "for months on end".

Mantha called it "unacceptable", emphasizing "this government cannot continue to allow rural hospitals to go short staffed", calling for the P-C government to act now to avoid closures happening in rural and Northern communities, pointing out the Ontario Medical Association estimated last year that the North needed 364 new physicians to maintain adequate levels of care, with Mantha adding "overburdened doctors in the North are burning out and closing down their practices to move elsewhere".

Wawa Council Receiving Presentation of 2024 Capital Budget

Wawa Municipal Council's getting an early look at capital plans for next year and beyond.

A special meeting's being held tonight, with the main item on the agenda being presentation of the draft capital budget, though there's also a resolution relating to awarding the Community Improvement Plan proposal, and a by-law confirming a memorandum of understanding with Michipicoten First Nation for the marina divestiture.

Open to the public, the meeting starts at 6:30 pm tonight in Council Chambers, also broadcast on the Municipality of Wawa's YouTube channel.

PHSD Reports 220th COVID-19 Death

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 192nd in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit's COVID-related death toll to 220 - it last reported a death more than two weeks ago, on September 8th.

It's also reporting 25 new cases since Friday - 23 in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, another in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dropped to 81, the lowest in nearly two weeks.

The health unit only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed thirteen in hospital.

ROPE Squad Seeking Federal Offender Known to Frequent SSM

Authorities are searching for a federal offender known to frequent Sault Ste. Marie.

The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad says a Canada-wide warrant's been issued for Andrew Swan, who's breached his statutory release while serving a four-year, four-month, and one-day sentence for sexual interference.

The 58-year-old's described as a Caucasian male, 5'8" (173 cm) tall, weighing 204 pounds (93 kilograms), with grey hair and blue eyes.

He's known to frequent the Sault Ste. Marie, Barrie, Bracebridge, Brampton, and Kitchener areas.

Anyone who knows his whereabouts is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers.

Chapleau School Marking Franco-Ontarian Day

Some local schools are marking an important cultural day today.

The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon notes students at its schools - including in Wawa, Dubreuilville, and Chapleau - will mark the provincial Franco-Ontarian day with "a multitude of dynamic activities in their schools and communities, planned to honour the strength of their francophone community".

Locally, that includes students from Chapleau's École Sacré-Cœur parading through the community at 1:30 pm this afternoon, to join others in the Francophone community at Town Hall at 2 o'clock, when a flag raising ceremony will be held.

LDHC Foundation Announces New Coordinator, Upcoming Events

The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's touting a new hire to help with its efforts.

Foundation Chair Susan Switzer says the organization's happy to introduce the new figure.

Alisha Allin explains her involvement.

While the Foundation recently wrapped up its "One for the Dunn" campaign after a successful two-and-a-half years, Allin notes the next six weeks are full of activities and events, starting with last Friday's Trivia Night, followed by another event next weekend.

Allin adds the event will also see the unveiling of an original painting from Darlene Jordan, which Jordan has donated to the Foundation - it will be selling tickets for a draw to be held November 21st, just before the Foundation launches its annual holiday Wish campaign.

New COVID-19 Cases for PHSD, but Fewer Active

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting fifteen since Wednesday - all in Greater Sudbury - though - for the first time in nearly three weeks - known "active" cases dropped to 103, including one 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 thirteen in hospital.

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