Stay up to date with what’s happening in your community.
Time's running out for those looking to support a tasty fundraiser in Wawa.
Iris Place Clubhouse/Peer Support Worker Michelle Richardson explains the drop-in centre for individuals living with mental health and/or addiction issues has a special guest helping.
Richardson says orders can be called in to Iris Place until 4:30 pm this Wednesday, with the food pickup scheduled for Friday, November 10th.
A Chapleau resident's dead after a single vehicle collision west of Timmins.
South Porcupine Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the collision along Highway 101 shortly after 8 o'clock Saturday morning, finding a passenger vehicle in a ditch, with a 35-year-old from Chapleau pronounced dead at the scene.
They have not been further identified publicly.
The OPP Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) team and the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario-Ontario Forensic Pathology Service are investigating.
The Municipality of Wawa's looking to "bring Broadway back to beautiful" - and wants input to help.
Supported by funding from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, the Municipality's launched efforts to develop a new Community Improvement Plan, which Economic Development Assistant Jessie Labonte explains is a tool used to revitalize parts of a community through programs, grants, or incentives - a process that has been done in Wawa before.
Labonte notes the process involves a background review, which started with the contractors walking through the downtown with some locals - followed by a vision session - and is now continuing with a survey.
Labonte adds there's an incentive: those who fill out the survey are entered into a draw, with $150, $100, and $50 prizes.
Those interested can go to surveymonkey.com/r/wawacipcommunitysurvey - the link can be found on the Municipal website - or get a paper copy from the Municipal Office, the Community Centre, the library, or the Wawa Goose Senior Centre.
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 195th in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit's COVID-related death toll to 223 - it last reported a death on Wednesday.
The health unit's also reporting 44 new cases since Wednesday - 36 in Greater Sudbury, six in the broader Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 183 - the highest since early March - 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 66 in hospital, four in ICUs.
A local mine's marking a major milestone.
Argonaut Gold says its Magino Mine achieved commercial production on Wednesday, thanking the Magino team "for their hard work to achieve the commercial production milestone and celebrate the dedication of all employees, contractors, and community partners that have supported construction of the newest gold mine in Canada as we work to achieve our vision of becoming a low-cost, mid-tier North American gold producer that delivers value to all stakeholders".
Located near Dubreuilville, Magino is Argonaut's first Canadian operation - it marked its first gold pour in mid-June, and is expected to produce 72,000 to 81,000 ounces of gold this year before reaching 148,000 ounces in 2024, its first full year of production.
Chapleau's planning to clean up its cemeteries later this month.
The Township's warning residents that the fall cleaning of the municipal cemeteries will happen on or after Friday, November 17th, with all lot decorations to be removed in accordance with the Cemetery By-Law.
That includes all structures, ornaments, candles, and other embellishments, but not headstones, monuments, or markers.
Applications are now available for a Wawa tradition supporting those in need: the Christmas Hampers.
Christmas Hamper Fund Chair Richard Watson explains the hampers are meant for those in need in the community, including families, seniors, and other individuals.
Watson notes applications for hampers are available this week, encouraging anyone who may need some help to file.
Watson also encourages anyone interested in volunteering to help with organizing the hampers to contact himself or Robin Marshall-Davidson.
As Remembrance Day approaches, Wawa's Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 is reminding anyone who wants to order a wreath to do so quickly.
Local Poppy Campaign Chairman Larry Harvey reminds it's especially important to get orders in if you wish to have a wreath laid in Hawk Junction, as that'll happen this weekend.
Harvey also reminds those who want wreaths for the Remembrance Day ceremony next weekend to get the order in as quickly as possible - Chapleau's Legion Branch 5 has asked orders be in by Wednesday, November 8th.
Chapleau Town Council's considering selling the local utility.
A special meeting's being held at 5 o'clock, with a single item on the agenda: a resolution for the sale of Chapleau PUC.
While the agenda does not say who it would be sold to, Hydro One took over day-to-day operations for Chapleau Hydro in June, amid staffing shortages, as the Ontario Energy Board issued Hydro One an interim licence to operate Chapleau Hydro's distribution business for the next six months, during which time Chapleau Hydro and the Township of Chapleau would "evaluate longer term options to continue to provide excellent electricity distribution services in Chapleau", expecting a "permanent solution ready to put in place at the end of this interim period", which would be next month.
At the time, it was noted Chapleau Hydro is "one of the smallest utilities in the province and, due to its size, it is challenged with balancing the ongoing regulatory requirements, attracting and retaining staff, and the need to make investments in the distribution system", so the Township was looking at the option of selling the distribution business "to ensure customers continue to receive excellent electricity distribution services".
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 194th in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit's COVID-related death toll to 222, though this was a death where COVID contributed to but was not the underlying cause - it last reported a death at the start of October.
The health unit's also reporting 41 new cases since Monday - 38 in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District - pushing known "active" cases up to 179 - the highest since early March - with 66 in hospital, four in ICUs.
A Manitouwadge man will spend at least a decade-and-a-half behind bars for murdering his younger brother nearly three years ago.
40-year-old Jessie Allen was convicted of second-degree murder in May, after the court heard he suddenly stabbed his 18-year-old brother, Wayne, in front of their father at the older man's house in Manitouwadge in January 2021 - police found the teen with life-threatening injuries, but he was later pronounced dead in hospital.
While the charge carries an automatic life sentence, a judge still needed to confirm that and set the period of parole ineligibility - which could've ranged from ten to 25 years - with the judge sentencing Allen this week to life with no chance at parole for fifteen years.
Wawa's food bank is thanking the local Ford dealership and the community for their support in a recent campaign.
Lonna Rilley of Northern Lights Ford thanks everyone who supported the October-long "Let's Scare Hunger Together" campaign.
Wawa Community Food Bank volunteer Dyanne Smart was overwhelmed by emotion from the "absolutely wonderful" support.
Smart notes food bank use is about the same as before, if not higher, amid the rising cost of living - particularly food costs - and says she's "just very grateful" for all the support for the food bank.
Several flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held in Chapleau this month.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it's holding an "appointment only" clinic at its Chapleau office today - and every other Wednesday this month - offering COVID-19 vaccine for those at least six months old, adding flu shots may also be available for those who've booked a COVID-19 shot appointment.
A surge in COVID-19 cases is being reported in the region.
Algoma Public Health's reporting 52 new cases over the last week - 36 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, eleven in the Elliot Lake area, and five in Central and East Algoma - pushing known "high risk active" cases up to 70, including fourteen in hospital, one in an ICU.
The health unit's also showing several outbreaks - including three at Sault Area Hospital, in its 2A, 3A, and 3B units - two with the Ontario Finnish Resthome Association, and one each for Extendicare Van Daele, St. Joseph's General Hospital, and Windsor Place Retirement Residence.
Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre is flagging issues with a staffing shortage.
Noting the winter weather - which prompted the closure of Highway 17 for about ten hours, ending around noon - the hospital says it's "experiencing a physician staffing delay", with the road closure delaying the arrival of the "coverage physician".
While it assures the Emergency Department remains open "with the support of our local physicians", it's asking people only visit the ED if you have an emergency - if you're unsure whether it is an emergency, the hospital recommends seeking advice from a Registered Nurse by calling Health Connect Ontario at 8-1-1 or by visiting ontario.ca/healthconnectontario, both of which are available 24/7.
It also warns that patients who come to the hospital will be prioritized "based on medical needs", and may experience "longer wait times".
Any questions or comments can be emailed to feedback@ldhc.com
As kids prepare to trick-or-treat, local police are reminding of some important safety tips.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Ashley Nickle has some advice for parents about trick-or-treating.
Constable Nickle reminds parents to check treats before their children eat them, and has some warnings for trick-or-treaters.
Nickle also reminds costumes should fit properly and "be as visible as possible", with the children able to see and move easily, and reminds drivers to be extra cautious and drive slowly.
A couple month-long campaigns supporting the Wawa Food Bank are in their final day.
Northern Lights Ford's "Let's Scare Hunger Together" campaign is set to wrap up, and Kelly Moore-McKenzie says there are a few items that are especially wanted, gearing more toward healthier foods, as much as possible.
Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell says the library's also been gathering support for the food bank this month.
Food Bank volunteer Dyanne Smart emphasizes support is needed, as the organization faces changes stemming from food price inflation.
Smart does thank everyone who supports the Food Bank, saying every little bit helps.
More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region - but there are fewer active.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 36 since Friday - 34 in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District - though known "active" cases dropped to 162.
The health unit only updates hospitalization figures on Wednesdays, but last showed 58, including six in ICUs.
Chapleau Town Council's holding another special meeting tonight - but it isn't open to the public.
There's a single "in-camera" item on the agenda, noted to be a Human Resources item: the CAO three month performance review.
The meeting starts at 6:30 pm tonight.
As Halloween nears, local police are reminding of some important safety tips.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Ashley Nickle has some advice for parents about costumes.
Constable Nickle also recommends parents know the route their kids will be taking when trick-or-treating.
