Wawa Council Holding Back-to-Back Meetings

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

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which includes a delegation from the Food Cycle Science Corporation, monthly reports from department heads, and discussion about the marina, changing the name of High Falls Road, and changes to waste disposal site levels of service.

That'll be followed by tonight's regular Council meeting, which includes resolutions about a service delivery review, an OPP detachment building, and an application under the section of the Municipal Act relating to property taxes, as well as various by-laws approving fire protection service agreements.

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.

PHSD Reports 227th COVID-19 Death, 6th of November

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 227th COVID-related death - the 198th in Greater Sudbury - it's the sixth COVID death this month, five of which have been in Greater Sudbury, the other in the Manitoulin District - the last was reported Friday.

The health unit's also reporting 42 new cases since Friday - 34 in Greater Sudbury, five in the broader Sudbury District, three in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dropped to 143, still 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 51 in hospital, three in ICUs.

Marathon OPP Seek Public Help After Firearms Taken in BnE

Ontario Provincial Police are asking for public help after firearms were taken in a Marathon break-and-enter.

Marathon OPP say the incident is believed to have happened November 16th or 17th, with property stolen including a .308 lever action rifle with scope, a Winchester 32-calibre lever action rifle, a .303 bolt action Lee Enfield rifle, and a 16-gauge shotgun.

Anyone with information's urged to call police or Crime Stoppers.

9 Northern Ontario Hunters Fined for Hunting Offences Near Chapleau

A group of Northern Ontario hunters are facing over $8000 in fines for hunting offences near Chapleau during last year's open season for moose.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says nine men - four from Blind River, three from Sudbury, two from Sault Ste. Marie - were fined a total of $8390 for various offences relating to failing to meet tagging requirements while party hunting, caught by a conservation officer on an old logging road off Highway 129 near Chapleau.

Wawa Rotary Online Auction Underway

Bidding has opened in the Rotary Club of Wawa's online auction.

Noting the event - which kicked off Sunday - is one of the club's largest fundraisers, Auction Committee Chair Bill Devries explains the club has primarily focused on supporting children, but has also supported seniors as the population aged.

Devries reminds you simply need to sign up at the website - auctria.com/auction/wawarotaryonlineauction, a link is available at jjamfm.live - it doesn't require payment information, as that will be addressed if you win when the auction closes.

The Rotary Online Auction runs until 10 pm this Saturday, November 25th.

Registration Open for Chapleau Christmas Lights Contest

The holidays are nearing, and so is the deadline for a Chapleau contest to light up the community.

Assistant Leisure and Cultural Services Director Carole Ouellette encourages people to sign up for Chapleau's Christmas Lights Contest, noting there will be prizes for the top three decoration displays.

Ouellette notes registration's open until November 27th, with participants encouraged to be decorated through December, though judging will take place the week of December 18th.

PHSD Warns of Increase in Overdoses in Region

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning of an increase in overdoses in its region.

The health unit says the Community Drug Strategy's received reports of an increase in "drug poisonings" - overdoses - and unexpected reactions from the use of substances in the Sudbury and districts area, noting multiple reports of "a very strong purple substance circulating" with effecting including "heavy nods", laboured breathing, and inability to wake with ease.

Though it can't confirm the substances involved, the health unit calls this an "important reminder" that street drugs could be cut or mixed with dangerous or toxic substances, recommending avoiding using drugs when you're alone - but not using it at the same time as an accompanying friend - and to avoid mixing drugs or alcohol, to carry a naloxone kit, and - in the case of a suspected overdose - call 9-1-1.

Application Deadline Nears for Wawa Christmas Hampers

Time's running out for those in need to sign up for a Wawa tradition.

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 reminds applications are available at the Town Hall, Iris Place, and the Wawa Food Bank, but need to be in by this Friday, November 24th.

Watson also encourages anyone interested in volunteering to help with organizing the hampers to contact himself or Robin Marshall-Davidson.

PHSD Reports 226th COVID-19 Death, 5th of November

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 226th COVID-related death - the 197th in Greater Sudbury - it's the fifth COVID death this month, four of which have been in Greater Sudbury, the other in the Manitoulin District - the last was reported Wednesday.

The health unit's also reporting 38 new cases since Wednesday - 29 in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, six in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases stayed at 153, 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 51 in hospital, three in ICUs.

Wawa Rotary Online Auction Nears

The Rotary Club of Wawa is taking its largest annual fundraiser online once again.

Wawa Rotary Online Auction Committee Chair Bill Devries explains the event is a modified version of a longtime tradition supporting the club.

Devries notes the event will see a number of items put on the digital auction block.

Devries reminds you simply need to sign up at the website at auctria.com/auction/wawarotaryonlineauction - a link is available at jjamfm.live - it doesn't require payment information, as that will be addressed if you win when the auction closes.

The Rotary Online Auction starts Sunday, November 19th, continuing until 10 pm the following Saturday, November 25th.

Wawa's Fall By Hand Festival Arrives

Wawa residents are getting a chance to see the works of many local artisans and get an early start on Christmas shopping this weekend.

By Hand Festival Coordinator Maria Reid explains the event's an arts and crafts festival featuring 24 exhibitors.

The Fall By Hand will run from 10 am to 3 pm tomorrow at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre - admission is by silver collection.

Festive RIDE Campaign Launches for 2023 Season

Ontario Provincial Police are getting into the holiday spirit, with their annual Festive RIDE campaign now underway.

Superior East OPP Community Safety Officer Constable Ashley Nickle explains the annual holiday season campaign will see officers watching for impaired drivers.

Emphasizing "even one life lost is too many", Constable Nickle notes impaired driving costs dozens of lives every year, reminding "we all have a role to play in keeping our roads safe", warning people not to drive after consuming alcohol or drugs - nor to let others do so - instead utilizing other options to safely travel, further warning penalties for impaired driving include immediate licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, and expensive fines - even worse if convicted - and there is "zero tolerance" for young, novice, or commercial drivers, meaning zero alcohol in their blood while driving.

6th Annual Lori Johnson Memorial Women's Hockey Tournament Arrives in Wawa

Residents of the Wawa area are being invited to watch some exciting hockey this weekend.

Organizer Suzanne Lacasse explains the 6th annual Lori Johnson Memorial Women's Hockey Tournament is set to hit the ice.

Lacasse encourages people to come out and watch: the first game's at 6 o'clock tonight, with games continuing through the weekend - the "Beer League" final is at noon Sunday and the "Rec League" final at 1 pm Sunday afternoon.

There's also a "Plaid Party" dance open to the public - for a fee - starting at 9 pm Saturday night.

Tim Hortons Wawa Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign Nears End

Time is running out for the chance to get an extra smile with your coffee - and help support a local cause.

CHADWIC Home Program Supervisor Bonnie Ross explains the first ever Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie campaign's underway, with proceeds raised from the cookie sales to be split between two causes.

Ross notes this coincides with the annual Shine the Light on Woman Abuse campaign, with purple ribbons up along Broadway Avenue and Mission Road, the campaign flag flying at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, and businesses and residents encouraged to put up purple lights and decorations for the remainder of the campaign, which continues through the 16 Days of Action on Violence Against Women, ending on Human Rights Day, which is December 10th.

HSCDSB Trustees Acclaim Returning Chair, New Vice Chair

Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board trustees have chosen some familiar faces for leadership.

Third-term Sault Ste. Marie trustee Gary Trembinski was acclaimed for a second year as chair in the board's meeting Wednesday, while former employee-turned-fellow Sault trustee John Bruno was elected vice chair - Bruno worked for the board for 37 years, including as a teacher, principal, and superintendent of education before he retired in 2018, though he was elected as a trustee last year.

PHSD Reports 225th COVID-19 Death, 4th in 2 Weeks

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 225th COVID-related death - the 196th in Greater Sudbury - it's the fourth COVID death over the last two weeks, three of which have been in Greater Sudbury, the other in the Manitoulin District - the last was reported ten days ago.

The health unit's also reporting 29 new cases since Tuesday - 25 in Greater Sudbury, four in the broader Sudbury District - pushing known "active" cases up to 153, with 51 in hospital, three in ICUs.

PHSD Confirms 1st Influenza Case of Season

The Sudbury district has its first confirmed case of influenza for the season.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the first confirmed case in its service area has been reported, adding "similar to last year, this local activity indicates an early start to our influenza season" - while it doesn't say where the case was confirmed, the health unit had declared an influenza outbreak at Chapleau's Bignucolo Residence long-term care facility on November 6th, though it was declared "over" yesterday.

The health unit emphasizes that the flu shot is a "simple and effective way to protect yourself, loved ones, co-workers, and the community", though it also recommends wearing a mask in crowded indoor public settings, covering coughs and sneezes, and washing hands frequently and thoroughly.

PHSD acknowledges that influenza symptoms are common for other respiratory illnesses - including COVID-19 - making it difficult to know which you may have, so it's best to stay home if sick, wearing a well-fitted mask if you must go out, and take a Ministry of Health COVID-19 self-assessment to learn about testing and treatment, if eligible.

HSCDSB Announces New Indigenous Trustee

A new trustee's joined the local English Catholic school board.

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board's welcomed Kerri Commanda as its new Indigenous trustee, replacing former Serpent River First Nation Chief Brent Bissaillion, who's been in the trustee role since April 2022.

Commanda's also a member of the Serpent River First Nation, currently working for the North Shore Tribal Council as special projects facilitator for Niiganiin Services.

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