PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Highest Active Since Early Spring

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 32 since Wednesday - 27 in Greater Sudbury, five in the broader Sudbury District - pushing known "active" cases up to 138, the highest since early spring, 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 27, including four in ICUs.

Wawa's Overnight Parking By-Law Set to Take Effect

Wawa residents are reminded the town's winter parking by-law is set to take force.

Though the snow hasn't arrived yet, Kevin Sabourin - the Municipality's Assistant Director of Protective Services - explains the overnight parking by-law that applies from October 15th to May 15th is intended to help with snow clearing efforts.

The Municipality warns any vehicle, trailer, or vessel found breaking the rules can be removed, with the owner fined and charged for the removal cost and daily storage fees, which will need to be paid in full before the item's released.

Chapleau residents have a little longer, as the town's winter parking by-law takes effect November 1st.

Hornepayne Resident Facing Charges Over Disturbance

A Hornepayne resident's facing charges after a disturbance in the town.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to the incident early the afternoon of September 29th, leading to the arrest of the 32-year-old on two counts of failure to comply with release order.

The accused - who will not be named, to protect the identity of the victim - was remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

NL Ford's Let's Scare Hunger Together Campaign Stopping at John's Independent

A Wawa car dealership's going on the road to help "scare hunger" this weekend.

Now two weeks into the "Let's Scare Hunger Together" campaign, Northern Lights Ford will be setting up a table at John's Your Independent Grocer Saturday, to collect non-perishable food items for the Wawa Community Food Bank.

Kelly Moore-McKenzie of Northern Lights Ford says there are a few items that are especially wanted, gearing more toward healthier foods, as much as possible.

The food drive will be at John's from 10 a-m to noon tomorrow - and again on Saturday, October 28th - though donations can also be dropped off at Northern Lights Ford up to October 31st, with a weekly draw for a $25 gift card for donors.

Wawa Warns of Plans to Cleanup Woodland Cemetery

The Municipality of Wawa's planning to clean up its Woodland Cemetery next week.

A notice from the Municipality warns that - per a 2019 by-law - everyone is asked to remove artificial flower arrangements, wreaths, or other decorations - including ornaments, candles, and the planting of "other embellishments" - from plots by Sunday, October 15th.

It notes a single wreath or flower arrangement's allowed on a plot for special occasions - such as Remembrance Day or Christmas - though they need to be removed within 30 days of being placed, otherwise they'll be considered abandoned and may be disposed of by staff.

Wawa Firefighters Holding Boot Drive for Breast Cancer

Wawa firefighters will be out in the community this weekend to raise funds for a good cause.

Wawa Volunteer Fire Department member Ray Renaud explains they're holding a "boot drive" in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Renaud notes a personal reason for this campaign.

Renaud adds the boot drive is only part of a month-long campaign by the local firefighters, so businesses and individuals are encouraged to contact the Fire Department - through Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin to make a donation.

The boot drive runs from 11 am to 2 pm Saturday.

49th Chapleau Arts & Crafts Fall Fair Arrives

Chapleau artisans are showing off their work today and tomorrow.

Chapleau Arts and Crafts Fall Fair Committee President Melanie Mallek says the 49th annual event has a "colourful" theme.

Mallek notes there will be many vendors.

Held at the Chapleau Recreation Centre, the Arts and Crafts Fall Fair runs from 4 pm to 9 pm tonight, and 11 am to 3 pm tomorrow - it's $5 per person, or free for children age four or under.

The Township's Handi Transit Service will be available for rides to and from the event between 4 pm and 7 pm tonight and 11 am to 3 pm Saturday.

PHSD Launches Respiratory Illness Surveillance Dashboard

A local health unit's launched a new tool to help residents keep an eye on local activity levels of respiratory illness.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has unveiled the "Respiratory Illness Surveillance Dashboard" for Sudbury and districts, to provide information about cases, hospitalizations, and outbreaks of COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well as COVID-19 detected in local wastewater - it'll be updated weekly, by 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, except on statutory holidays.

The health unit's still updating COVID-19 data three times a week - usually late Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - with case epidemiology and vaccination updates Wednesdays.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe notes "increasing activity levels of seasonal respiratory illnesses", with the combination of cooler temperatures and more time spent indoors creating "ideal conditions for the spread" of infections.

PHSD Sees Highest Number of Active COVID-19 Cases Since Early Spring

COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 28 since Tuesday - 22 in Greater Sudbury, five in the broader Sudbury District, another in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 130 - the highest since early spring - with 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 27, with four in ICUs.

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.