Application Deadline for Wawa Christmas Hampers

Time is running out for those looking for help from a Wawa tradition: the Christmas Hampers.

Christmas Hamper Fund President Richard Watson explains the hampers offer a few items to brighten the season for the less fortunate in the community.

Watson emphasizes the Hamper Fund is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers, adding they appreciate any help they get, including volunteers.

The Wawa Volunteer Fire Department and staff from St. Augustine French Immersion will be holding a food drive supporting the Hampers Sunday, December 3rd - from 10 am to 1 pm - with local emergency services joining a "Fill a Sleigh Day" toy drive at the Red Apple Store the following Saturday, December 9th, from 11 am to 2 pm

Hamper applications can be found at the Town Hall, Iris Place, and the Wawa Goose Seniors Centre, but must be submitted by the end of the day today - recipients will be contacted, with the hampers to be distributed in mid-December.

Mission Motors Challenges Businesses & Community to Support Those in Need

A Wawa car dealership's challenging businesses and the broader community to support those in need for the holiday season.

Mission Motors Sales Manager Alain Bouffard explains the challenge stems out of a decision to raise food or money for people in need within the community.

Bouffard encourages the community to help people in need, noting monetary or non-perishable food donations can be brought to the dealership, with Mission Motors giving away a jacket "to help out" - he hopes to have all donations by December 8th, so they can be donated in time, as the Christmas Hampers go out the following week.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, More in Hospital

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 25 since Monday - 21 in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District, two in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases stayed to 143, including one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

The number in hospital is up to 61, with five in ICUs, also up from last week's update.

This is the health unit's first update in a week not to include a COVID-19-related death.

Wawa Council Agrees to Pursue Contributing Land for New OPP Detachment

The Municipality of Wawa's moving forward on efforts to get a new OPP detachment.

In their meeting last night, Wawa Municipal Council approved a resolution directing staff to pursue the possibility of contributing land for the building, as was recommended by Treasurer Manuela Batovanja in a thorough report on options to help facilitate the building of a new local detachment earlier this month.

While the resolution passed by Council does denote land along Highway 101 - between the Tourist Information Centre and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry property - it does not outline whether the Municipality would simply donate the land or sell it - Batovanja had advised that "donating" the land isn't an option, and the Municipality should at least sell it at a reduced rate that would cover costs, such as for a survey or - if required by the OPP - land clearing or other measures to prepare the land.

APH Reports 80 New COVID-19 Cases, Fewer Active

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 80 new cases over the last week - 44 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, nineteen in the Elliot Lake area, and seventeen in Central and East Algoma - though known "high risk active" cases are down slightly, to 98, with thirteen in hospital, two in ICUs.

The overall number of cases is actually slightly lower, as the health unit's removed a case previously reported in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations).

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.

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