PHSD Lifts Drinking Water Advisory From Gogama

Gogama's no longer under a drinking water advisory.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the advisory issued Monday morning - after a "malfunction" caused a temporary loss of pressure, interrupting the town's water supply - has now been lifted, as tests have confirmed the water's safe for consumption.

The health unit notes residents may notice chlorine odours or discoloured water, and suggests running cold water faucets or drinking fountains for five minutes or until the water runs clear, running water softeners through a regeneration cycle, draining and refilling hot water heaters, and removing and rinsing faucet screens to get rid of sediment.

Chapleau's Trinity United Church Soup Kettle, Wawa Legion Ladies Preparing for International Cuisine Sunday Supper

It's an important day for a couple special events.

Chapleau's Trinity United Church is holding its monthly soup kettle from 11:30 am to 1 pm today, offering a buffet lunch of soup, sandwich, dessert, and beverage.

Meanwhile, today's the deadline to pre-order for the Wawa Legion Ladies Auxiliary's "International Cuisine Sunday Supper" - which will be held this Sunday, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm - this month's supper has a theme of "Chinese", offering egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken balls, chicken fried rice, beef and green peppers, and chicken chop suey - to reserve seating, call 705-856-2152 or 705-856-9832.

New Zealander Walking Across Canada to Support Child Cancer Patients

A New Zealand "life enthusiast" is passing through the area as he runs across Canada raising support for child cancer patients in Canada and his home country.

Jon Nabbs explains he was partly inspired by the impact cancer's had on his family - and by Canadian icon Terry Fox.

Nabbs says he's already travelled almost 4000 kilometres from St. John's, arriving in Wawa Monday night - greeted by a number of people by the Goose, even speaking to some local schools on Tuesday - and he says the response has been "fantastic".

Acknowledging he's into one of the more difficult parts of the journey - set to get more difficult with the colder weather over the next couple months - Nabbs expects to make it to British Columbia in December.

Nabbs thanks Wawa for welcoming him - particularly the Klockars family - noting anyone wishing to support his efforts to fight childhood cancer can check out his website - jonnabbs.com - for updates and more information about his journey, and to donate.

APH & PHSD Report New COVID-19 Cases

More COVID-19 cases is being reported in the region - but there are fewer active.

Algoma Public Health's reporting 26 over the last week - down from the previous week's 62 - with 22 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three in the Elliot Lake area, and one in Central and East Algoma - though known "high risk active" cases dropped to less than half of the previous week, with 34, including fifteen in hospital.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 37 since Friday - thirty in Greater Sudbury, six in the broader Sudbury District, and another in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dropped to 106, 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 seventeen, including two in ICUs.

Chapleau Council Calls for Removal of Algoma-Manitoulin MPP

Chapleau Town Council's calling for the removal of local MPP Michael Mantha.

In their meeting October 2nd, Council passed a resolution pointing to the Algoma-Manitoulin MPP's removal from the NDP caucus "due to an allegation of misconduct" (a third-party investigation ordered by the NDP found in August that there was enough evidence to substantiate unspecified allegations of workplace misconduct), though Mayor Ryan Bignucolo explains there's other factors involved.

The resolution calls on the Province of Ontario to "send a clear message and set an example" of the MPP.

In response, Mantha says "municipalities have the right to pass whatever resolutions they like" but would not comment on whether he'd step down.

The resolution was to be forwarded to all communities within the Algoma-Manitoulin riding, potentially to bolster Chapleau Council's call for Mantha's removal.

Normally, an elected politician only leaves the Legislature through resignation, election defeat, or death - it's unclear whether a mechanism currently exists for the Legislature to forcibly remove a member.

Chapleau Fire Department Holding Open House for Fire Prevention Week

Chapleau's volunteer fire department will open its doors tonight to help mark Fire Prevention Week.

An open house will be held from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Fire Hall tonight, with emergency services offering safety handouts and the poster contest winner announcement - fire trucks will be driving around town with sirens on starting at 6 pm tonight, to remind people to practice their family escape plan.

Wawa Marking Fire Prevention Week

Wawa residents are being urged to stay safe as we mark Fire Prevention Week.

Wawa Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin explains that - this year - the Wawa Fire Department and the National Fire Protection Association want people to focus on a particular part of home life.

While he emphasizes the importance of "cooking with caution" - watching as things are on the stove, and keeping kids away - Sabourin emphasizes kitchen fire safety's more than just stoves and ovens.

Sabourin recommends going to the Municipal website at wawa.cc for more cooking safety ideas.

PHSD Issues Drinking Water Advisory for Gogama

Gogama's under a drinking water advisory.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says a "malfunction" interrupted the town's water supply, which could have "compromised the safety of the drinking water", prompting the advisory issued Thanksgiving Monday morning, warning residents not to use water from the municipal system for human consumption until advised otherwise by the health unit, once testing confirms the water's safe.

It further warns that boiling may not make the water safe for drinking - or making juice, infant formula, or ice, washing uncooked fruits and vegetables, or brushing teeth - though it could be used for laundry or bathing, except for small children who could swallow the water.

Wawa Library Continues Marking Canadian Library Month

The Wawa Public Library's continuing to mark Canadian Library Month.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell notes the celebration includes a campaign supporting the food bank.

Jarrell also notes the library's focused on Alzheimer's this month.

Jarrell points out October's also Dyslexia Month, and the local library will "mark it red for dyslexia".

Jarrell adds there's also draws - one for children, one for adults - for those who show and use their library card - getting a new one counts - and reminds Ontario Public Library Week is next week, with plans for various events in celebration.

APH & PHSD Urging Residents to Get COVID-19 & Flu Vaccinations

Local health units are urging residents to protect yourself and your family by getting COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

Noting the start of the respiratory illness season, Algoma Public Health emphazies "vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself and your family this respiratory illness season and can help avoid losing time from work, school, or other activities you enjoy," adding that both vaccines can be administered during the same appointment, either at public health community clinics or through participating primary care providers or pharmacies.

In Algoma, appointment bookings open at 9 o'clock Wednesday morning.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has already started rolling out COVID-19 vaccinations for "high-risk populations" - including: hospitalized individuals and hospital staff; residents, staff and caregivers of long-term care homes and Elder Care Lodges; and those at high-risk for COVID-related complications or hospitalizations - with seasonal flu shots expected beginning October 23rd, expanding to the general public - six months and older - by October 30th.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, More in Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting nineteen since Wednesday - sixteen in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District - though known "active" cases stayed at 121, now including two 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 seventeen, including two in ICUs.

Ontario News Release- Ontario Breaks Ground on Long-Term Care Home in Marathon

ONTARIO NEWS-NEWS RELEASE

Ontario Breaks Ground on Long-Term Care Home in Marathon

New home will bring 14 much-needed long-term care beds to northern Ontario

October 06, 2023
Ministry of Long-Term Care

MARATHON — Construction is underway at a new long-term care home at Wilson Memorial General Hospital in Marathon. This home is one of 67 long-term care home projects fast-tracked this fall with support from the Ontario government’s increased provincial construction funding subsidy for construction starts before August 31, 2023. This is part of the Ontario government’s commitment to build more than 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province.

“Congratulations to North of Superior Healthcare Group on their ground-breaking for a brand new home. Our government is fixing long-term care and ensuring we build homes for seniors in the communities that they helped build,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Today marks a significant milestone for Marathon, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg, and brings more beds where they are urgently needed in northern Ontario. When building is complete, 14 residents will have a new, modern and comfortable place to call home.”

The new home will be attached to Wilson Memorial General Hospital and fully integrated into the existing infrastructure as part of a campus of care that provides direct access to the hospital’s services, including an on-site physiotherapy department. The hospital’s new long-term care wing will provide 14 new beds in private (one resident) and basic (two residents) rooms. The modernized design is centred on a ‘resident home area’ that creates a more intimate and familiar living space for residents, with dining and activity areas, lounges and bedrooms.

Indigenous residents will have access to culturally appropriate services, including a cultural space that can accommodate the ceremonial and healing practices of residents and their families. The home is expected to be completed and welcoming its first residents in summer 2025.

The new home in Marathon is one of 67 homes receiving the government’s supplemental increase to the construction funding subsidy, which was designed to stimulate the start of construction for more long-term care homes across Ontario. Under the program, 67 projects have met all government approval criteria to start construction — which means 11,199 new and upgraded beds are now being built to modern design standards across the province.

The government is fixing long-term care to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve, both now and in the future. The plan is built on four pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern, safe and comfortable homes; and connecting seniors with faster, more convenient access to the services they need.

Quick Facts

• As part of its plan to fix long-term care and address sector waitlists, the government is building more than 30,000 net new long-term care beds in Ontario by 2028 and upgrading more than 28,000 older beds to modern design standards.

• Building more modern, safe and comfortable homes for our seniors is part of the Government of Ontario’s Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021.

• The province is taking innovative steps to get long-term care homes built, including modernizing its funding model, selling unused lands with the requirement that long-term care homes be built on portions of the properties, and leveraging hospital-owned land to build urgently needed homes in large urban areas.

• As of April 2023, more than 40,000 people were on the waitlist to access a long-term care bed in Ontario. The median wait time is 123 days for applicants to be placed in long-term care.

Quotes

"Today’s announcement marks an exciting milestone for the North of Superior Healthcare Group and our community members from Marathon, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg. The addition of 14 new, modern, long-term care beds will allow us to better serve the growing seniors population in our communities, by increasing access to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual care residents need, close to the comfort and support of their families and friends."

- Adam Brown
Chief Executive Officer, North of Superior Healthcare Group (NOSH)

Additional Resources

2023 Ontario Budget: Building a Strong Ontario

Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care

Wawa Public Library Wrapping Up First Nations Public Library Week Celebration

Wawa's library is wrapping up a special celebration.

All week, the Wawa Public Library has been marking First Nations Public Library Week with special guests, and a couple more events are planned.

Head Librarian and CEO Sue Jarrell explains a couple more guests will be visiting from 1 pm to 3 pm today.

Jarrell adds the celebration will wrap up tomorrow.

While the limited space for tomorrow's painting is currently booked, there is a waiting list that people are encouraged to join by contacting 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.

Public Skating Fees Covered at MMCC

Some good news for Wawa skaters.

Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson says a local business has stepped in to help cover some costs.

Patterson notes the ice season's begun - with some youth programming already underway - while work on the curling ice is set to begin in a couple weeks, in time for the season to start the first week of November - a pair of curling league registration events will be held at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre October 16th and 17th.

Anglophone Parents Offered Help By French Catholic School Board

Parents of local French Catholic school students can get some help learning the language.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says parents and guardians of students with the board will be able to access two free fifteen week French-as-a-second-language programs - "Beginner 1" and "Beginner 2" - offered online by Collège Boréal starting October 16th.

They're intended to help Anglophone or Allophone parents support their child's learning, though space is limited.

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.