Wawa Public Library Continues Marking First Nations Public Library Week

The Wawa Public Library's continuing to mark a special occasion.

All week, the library's had special guests for First Nations Public Library Week, and CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains that continues with an event from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm tonight.

Jarrell adds that Gretchen Weicht and Dan Ayotte will visit tomorrow - from 1 pm to 3 pm - with First Nations Public Library Week wrapping up Saturday, with an afternoon of painting with Christina Bekintis - while that's currently booked up, there is a waiting list if people want to contact the library.

Jarrell reminds the Library's also marking Library Month with its Food For Fines campaign - giving "fine-free" coupons when people bring in non-perishable food donations for the Wawa Community Food Bank - while a book and DVD sale supports the Alzheimer Society, and they're promoting having a library card by entering people into a draw if they bring in and use - or get a new - card this month.

Ontario Public Libraries Week is also coming, the third week of October.

PHSD Reports Rising COVID-19 Cases

COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 38 since Monday - 33 in Greater Sudbury, five in the broader Sudbury District - pushing known "active" cases up to 121 - the highest since the end of March - with one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

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

Wawa Sees 25th Annual Take Back the Night March

That's the sound of Wawa residents marching to "Take Back The Night" last night.

Wawa's 25th annual Take Back the Night March garnered several people - some marching with signs - marching from Dr. Rose's Beach to the Legion Hall, where CHADWIC Home Executive Director Paula Valois delivered a keynote speech with other speakers, ending with a vigil for women and children who've died in Ontario in the past year.

The march was held just a day after Valois appeared before Wawa Municipal Council, urging them to declare intimate partner violence and violence against women an epidemic, which Council did with Deputy Mayor Mitch Hatfield saying it was "well needed".

Those who are - or know someone who is - experiencing abuse can contact CHADWIC Home 24 hours a day, seven days a week for support, shelter, or referrals by calling 1-800-461-2242.

Township of Chapleau to Run Handi Transit Bus Service, Pushing on Recycling

The Township of Chapleau will continue running its Handi Transit Bus service.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says the Township had put it out for tender - to see if an outside contractor could deliver the service - but Chapleau Town Council decided against it during Monday's meeting.

Mayor Bignucolo says Council also had an update on recycling, just weeks after decided to expand metal recycling.

Bignucolo emphasizes there simply isn't the capacity for recycling in the North.

Chapleau Council also approved a "refresh" to the Township's Open Air Burning by-law.

Superior East OPP Officer Honoured for 20 Years Service

A local OPP officer's been honoured for longtime service.

Superior East OPP Sergeant Kim Franklin - out of Wawa - received a Police Exemplary Service Medal recognizing 20 years of full-time service with a recognized Canadian Police Service - the medal was presented at the OPP North East Region Awards Ceremony held in Powassan on Wednesday, one of dozens of northeastern OPP officers recognized for ten or twenty years service, with dozens of civilians recognized for 20, 30, even 40 years of service.

Commissioner's Commendations and Commissioner's Citations for Livesaving were also presented to several officers across the Northeast.

Chapleau Mayor Meeting with Provincial Figures on Local Issues

Chapleau's mayor is meeting with provincial figures to discuss a few key issues for the community.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says he's meeting today with Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Mayor Bignucolo says they'll also discuss funding for bush roads.

Mayor Bignucolo adds there'll also be talks with the MTO about the Sultan Industrial Road.

Mayor Bignucolo emphasizes the importance of the road, given many residents use it to get to Sudbury for medical appointments.

OPP Hosting Chapleau Recruitment Info Session

Ontario Provincial Police are encouraging people interested in joining the OPP to come out for an information session in Chapleau tonight.

That event will see a recruiter provide details and information about the OPP uniform recruitment process, including various stages of the process and how to prepare for a career in policing.

Tickets are available through Eventbrite - the Township of Chapleau has a link on its website - with the info session to be held from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm tonight at Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium.

25th Annual Take Back the Night March in Wawa

Wawa residents march to "Take Back The Night" this evening.

CHADWIC Home frontline worker Dawn Charbonneau explains Wawa's 25th annual Take Back the Night March is intended to show solidarity with survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence.

Charbonneau says participants are asked to meet at Dr. Rose's Beach to march downtown.

The march from Dr. Rose's Beach to the Legion Hall begins at 6 this evening.

This comes just a day after Wawa Municipal Council declared intimate partner violence and violence against women an "epidemic", as requested by CHADWIC Home Executive Director Paula Valois.

Those who are - or know someone who is - experiencing abuse can contact CHADWIC Home 24 hours a day, seven days a week for support, shelter, or referrals by calling 1-800-461-2242.

Wawa Council Declares Epidemic of Intimate Partner Violence & Violence Against Women

Wawa Municipal Council's declared intimate partner violence and violence against women an epidemic.

Council passed a resolution making the declaration last night, after receiving a delegation from CHADWIC Home Executive Director Paula Valois, who noted it was a recommendation of an inquest into a 2015 triple murder in Renfew, in which all three women killed had a prior relationship with their killer.

Valois also cited figures from Superior East Ontario Provincial Police, who reported that - in 2021 - they had 105 domestic calls for service in Wawa, with 27 resulting in charges and eight deemed "insufficient evidence to proceed", though Valois noted not every domestic call is intimate partner violence, but also "most" intimate partner violence is not reported.

Valois says her main request of Council was to pass such a resolution, declaring intimate partner violence is an epidemic.

Deputy Mayor Mitch Hatfield - who chaired last night's meeting - says the resolution was "well needed".

Wawa Motorcyclist Killed in Goulais River Collision

A Wawa motorcyclist is dead after a collision in the Goulais River area.

Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the collision involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck at the intersection of Highways 17 and 552 in Fenwick Township shortly after 11:30 this morning, with the motorcycle driver pronounced dead at the scene - they've only been identified as a 68-year-old from Wawa at this time.

The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario-Ontario Forensic Pathology Service is assisting the investigation - which involves a Technical Collision Investigator and Reconstructionist, as well as the North East Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement, TIME, team - with a post-mortem examination to take place at a later date.

17 remains closed between Post Office Road in Fenwick Township to Highway 556 in Heyden, though a detour is possible by using Post Office Road, to get to Highway 552, then 556.

It's unclear when 17 will reopen.

PHSD Urges People Get Stay Healthy This Fall & Get Vaccinated

Local health officials are urging everyone to "stay healthy this fall", getting your COVID-19 and flu shots for protection.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it's offering a "phased approach" for vaccination this season - aligning with Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines - available first for "high-risk" individuals, defined as hospitalized individuals and hospital staff, long-term care home and Elder Care Lodge residents, staff, and caregivers, and those at high-risk of COVID-related complications or hospitalization.

The health unit will roll out vaccinations for the general public later this month.

APH Reports Surge in COVID-19 Cases

A surge in COVID-19 cases is being reported in the region.

Algoma Public Health's reporting 62 new cases over the last week - a jump from the previous week's 49 - with 58 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, two in Central and East Algoma, one in the Elliot Lake area, and another in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - pushing known "high risk active" cases up to 74, including fourteen in hospital.

PHSD Reports 221st COVID-19 Death

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 193rd in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit's COVID-related death toll to 221 - it's also updated figures to show this death and the prior, which was reported the previous Monday, were both deaths in which COVID was the underlying cause.

It's also reporting 46 new cases since Wednesday - it did not post an update Friday - 40 in Greater Sudbury, five in the broader Sudbury District, another in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 106.

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

Wawa Council to Hear About Femicide, Community Fire Risk Assessment

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a pair of meetings tonight.

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which includes a pair of delegations - from CHADWIC Home Executive Director Paula Valois on femicide, and from the Loomex Group about Community Risk Assessment - along with discussion about Council travel to future conferences.

That'll be followed by tonight's regular Council meeting, which includes resolutions to accept the staff recommendation on the arena ice cancellation policy and confirm a revised schedule for deputy mayor, with the arena ice policy change to be confirmed in a by-law also up for approval tonight.

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.

Northern Lights Ford Launches Annual Campaign Supporting Wawa Food Bank

A Wawa car dealership is encouraging everyone to help "scare hunger" this month.

Today marks the start of Northern Lights Ford's annual "Let's Scare Hunger Together" campaign to support the Wawa Community Food Bank, and Kelly Moore-McKenzie of Northern Lights Ford explains the annual campaign is gathering items a few ways.

Moore-McKenzie notes the Wawa Family Health Team, Algoma Public Health, and Lady Dunn Health Centre are also collecting personal hygiene products in support of the campaign, but says there are a few items that are especially wanted, gearing more toward healthier foods, as much as possible.

Food Bank volunteer Dyanne Smart says support is needed, as the organization faces changes stemming from food price inflation.

Northern Lights Ford's "Let's Scare Hunger Together" campaign runs through to Halloween, October 31st.

Chapleau Council to Discuss Landfill, Open Air Burning, Handi Transit Bus

Chapleau Town Council's set to talk about the landfill, open air burning, and more tonight.

Included on the agenda for the first regular meeting of the month is an update on landfill service delivery, as well as by-laws regarding "the disposal of solid wastes and recyclable materials" and open air burning, plus a resolution on a tender for Handi Transit Bus operations.

There are a pair of "in-camera" items, a human resources matter 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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