Municipality of Wawa Considers Reducing Landfill Hours

The Municipality of Wawa's considering reduced hours at the local landfill.

Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall explains she presented Wawa Municipal Council with a report looking at landfill service at about twenty other communities.

While Weatherall outlined a few options - such as reducing hours and potentially closing on more days, as Wawa's landfill is open more hours and days than most of the others - she says that's just up for consideration.

The report coincided with a presentation on a possible option to help cut down on waste going to the landfill: a delegation from Food Cycle Science discussed the possibility of a pilot project wherein at least 50 households would purchase their "FoodCycler" at a discounted rate - partly subsidized by the Municipality - then track their use of the machine, which Council was told reduces food waste by about 90%, converting it to nutrient-rich soil that could be used in gardens in just a few hours, potentially reducing food waste going to the landfill, which can create harmful methane gas, attract nuisance animals, and simply take up needed space for other household waste - Council was told to take the presentation as information, and reach out through staff in the future, if interested, with Mayor Melanie Pilon expressing some interest, noting Dubreuilville as another community that has tried it out, though Council did not vote or give staff any direction in the meeting.

Name Change Proposed for Some Wawa Roads

Some Wawa roads could be renamed - to end confusion.

The idea was discussed in last night's Committee of the Whole meeting, with Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson noting tourists complaining of issues getting to Scenic High Falls.

Patterson - who has brought up the issue before - is proposing renaming "High Falls Road" - and a few connected to it.

Patterson says if the idea's approved, some wayfinding signage would be added to further cut down on confusion - while Council seemed receptive, it didn't come up for a vote.

Winner Drawn for LDHCF Painting Draw, Annual Wish Campaign Begins

The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's wrapped up one fundraiser - and launched another.

Foundation Coordinator Alisha Allin explains today saw the draw for a lovely piece of local art.

Tickets for the draw sold out within two weeks of the painting's unveiling at last month's High Tea, more than a month before today's draw date, and Foundation Vice Chair Lorraine Pihelgas thanks the artist.

Foundation Chair Susan Switzer explains today marks the end of not just that campaign, but the start of another - with more on the way.

The Foundation's also part of the ongoing Split the Pot Lottery - which involves 21 other hospital foundations - there's a deadline of midnight Thursday night for the final Early Bird draw, splitting $20,000 between 2 winners, while the deadline for the growing grand prize draw is 11:59 pm the following Thursday, November 30th - tickets for that are available at splitthepot.ca

LDHC Foundation Making Painting Draw, Launching Holiday Wish Campaign

The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's wrapping up one fundraiser - and launching another.

Foundation Coordinator Alisha Allin explains today is the draw for a lovely piece of local art.

Tickets for the draw sold out within two weeks of the painting's unveiling at last month's High Tea, more than a month before today's draw date.

That's not all for the Foundation, however, as Foundation Chair Susan Switzer explains today marks the launch of the annual Wish campaign, which also means a familiar sight in the hospital lobby.

Switzer thanks Canadian Tire Wawa for helping by offering a new tree at a substantial discount, with the campaign running through the holiday season, in support of various capital needs at the hospital - she also notes next Tuesday, November 28th, is "Giving Tuesday", with people able to donate to the Foundation as part of that initiative through the Foundation's web page.

The Foundation's also part of the ongoing Split the Pot Lottery - which involves 21 other hospital foundations - there's a deadline of midnight Thursday night for the final Early Bird draw, splitting $20,000 between 2 winners, while the deadline for the growing grand prize draw is 11:59 pm the following Thursday, November 30th - tickets for that are available at splitthepot.ca

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.

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