Multiple Charges Stem From Festive RIDE Near Chapleau

A few charges have been laid in Chapleau amid the ongoing Festive RIDE campaign.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were conducting Festive RIDE on Highway 101 at Esher Healey Road (about 30 kilometres west of Chapleau) around 2 o'clock last Tuesday afternoon, with multiple vehicles stopped and checked.

Two Mandatory Alcohol Screening tests were conducted, with four individuals charged: a Wawa 34-year-old with charges of driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor, driving vehicle with cannabis readily available, and having care or control of vehicle with cannabis in open original packaging; a Sudbury 37-year-old charged with driving driving motor vehicle with liquor readily available, drive vehicle with cannabis in open baggage, and drive vehicle with cannabis readily available; and two Sudbury residents, a 44-year-old and a 48-year-old, both charged with having liquor in an open container in an unauthorized place.

Local police remind drivers not to get behind the wheel impaired, planning ahead before going out, arranging a designated driver, calling a taxi, or staying overnight - they also encourage anyone who suspects a driver impaired by alcohol, drugs, or even fatigue to call 9-1-1 or the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Dubreuilville Volleyball Team Recognized for Winning Co-Ed Category in Regional Tournament

A Dubreuilville volleyball team's being recognized for strong performances at a regional tournament.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says the co-ed team of Grade 6 to 8 students from Dubreuilville's École St-Joseph competed in a regional elementary school volleyball tournament at Wawa's École St-Joseph last week, winning all nine of their games to claim 1st place in the co-ed category.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Fewer Active

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 34 new cases since Friday - 23 in Greater Sudbury, six in the broader Sudbury District, five in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dipped to 118, two in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

The health unit only updates hospitalization figures Wednesday, but last showed 61 in hospital, five in ICUs.

LDHCF Seeking Support on Giving Tuesday

With the holiday season here, residents of the Wawa area are being asked to help support the local hospital through a special one-day initiative.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Chair Susan Switzer notes today is "Giving Tuesday", a response to "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday".

Switzer says the Foundation's been "so fortunate" to see support from Northern Lights Ford.

Switzer notes the Foundation's hoping to surpass last year - which saw "a little over $11,000" raised on Giving Tuesday - with donations able to be made through the hospital website - for more information, call the Foundation at 705-856-2335, extension 3147.

This comes amid - but is not part of - the Foundation's holiday season mailout Wish Campaign, which was launched a week ago.

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 growing grand prize draw - tickets for that are available at splitthepot.ca.

Registration Deadline for Chapleau's Christmas Lights Contest

Time's almost up for those interested in joining a Chapleau contest to light up the community.

Noting today is the deadline to enter Chapleau's Christmas Lights Contest, Assistant Leisure and Cultural Services Director Carole Ouellette encourages people to sign up for the chance at a few prizes.

To register, contact Ouellette at the Chapleau Recreation Centre - at 705-864-0154 - or email couellette@chapleau.ca

Registration Deadline Nears for Wawa's Festival of Lights

Time's running out to sign up for a holiday season decoration contest in Wawa.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains there are incentives to join in the annual Festival of Lights.

White reminds those looking to compete must sign up by noon Wednesday, November 29th, so a map of participants can be prepared for this Saturday's launch at the "Bundle Up! Markets" - more details on the Festival of Lights and the markets can be found through Wawa Recreation on social media.

Registration's also open for floats in this year's Santa Claus Parade, which will be held Friday, December 15th.

Split The Pot Lottery Nears End

The big draw is nearing for a province-wide lottery involving Wawa's hospital foundation.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Chair Susan Switzer explains the foundation's part of the province-wide "Split the Pot Lottery", noting people can get tickets online to support the local hospital.

After a series of early bird draws over the last five weeks, the grand prize draw will be made this Friday - deadline for tickets is 11:59 pm Thursday night - with details - and tickets - can be found at splitthepot.ca

SJD Grade 7/8 Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser Approaching

A fundraiser's approaching to support sending some Wawa students on a big trip.

Sir James Dunn Public School Special Education Resource Teacher Heather Watson explains tickets are currently being sold for a spaghetti supper.

Noting there is an option for takeaway - if preferred - Watson encourages people to get tickets by contacting the school.

The Spaghetti Supper will be held December 6th.

Chapleau Council to Discuss Chapleau Hydro & More

Chapleau Town Council's set to talk about the sale of Chapleau Hydro, economic development, and more tonight.

Included on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting are "public meeting" items relating to: the sale of the public utility to Hydro One; boosting economic development; business categories for water, sewer, and the landfill; and clearing and winter maintenance for walkways and pedestrian crosswalk.

Council will also look at a report on the Taste of the North Winter Carnival - and a related budget request - and there are a pair of "in-camera" items: a human resources matter and an update on a legal matter.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm tonight in Civic Centre Council Chambers - details on accessing it electronically can be found on the Township's website.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Fewer Active

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting eighteen new cases since Wednesday - sixteen in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District - though known "active" cases dipped to 135, two in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

The health unit only updates hospitalization figures Wednesday, but last showed 61 in hospital, five in ICUs.

CSC Nouvelon Re-Elects President & Vice-President

The local French catholic school board's sticking with its top board members.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says trustees have re-elected Sault Ste. Marie trustee Suzanne Salituri as President and Greater Sudbury trustee Louise Essiembre as Vice-President - the two have held those roles for the last two years.

The board elects its leadership annually, at this time of year.

APH & PHSD Considering Merger

Local health units are considering a potential merger.

A majority of Algoma Public Health board members voted Wednesday to seek provincial funding to study the feasibility of a voluntary merger with the neighbouring Public Health Sudbury and Districts, just shy of a week after PHSD's board voted to approach APH about exploring the feasibility of a merger.

Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker - who sits on APH's board - raised objections to the idea, saying he's "struggling to support" it, noting concerns about representation with a merged agency as well as a commitment to not reduce staff.

The two units have worked together before, even temporarily sharing Dr. Penny Sutcliffe as Medical Officer of Health after the resignation of APH's amid scandal in January 2015 - PHSD (whose coverage area includes Chapleau) is also in the midst of searching for a new Medical Officer of Health and CEO as Dr. Sutcliffe's set to retire soon.

APH's board had discussed in September provincial government pressure for health units to merge, as the province has offered funding for units who "voluntarily" merge - the PC government had also planned in 2019 to merge the province's dozens of health units into ten, with a single one for northeastern Ontario, claiming larger agencies would mean cost savings and lead to improved public health services, though that plan fell apart amid the COVID-19 pandemic - still, its release in August announcing the funding for voluntary mergers had claimed such moves would "reduce overlap of services and focus resources on improving people's access to programs and services close to home".

The neighbouring Porcupine and Timiskaming health units announced after that announcement that they were looking into a merger, something they had previously explored.

Chapleau's Santa Claus Parade Arrives

Chapleau's celebrating Christmas a little early.

Chapleau Firefighter's Association President Jim Apsey explains the Olde Fashioned Christmas and Santa Claus Parade are a long-running tradition to get people out having fun and into the festive spirit.

Apsey explains anyone interested can meet at Our Lady of Fatima school around 5:30 pm tonight, so the parade can head downtown at 6 pm.

Apsey reminds some businesses will also be staying open late, marking the start of the Christmas season.

Festive Events in Wawa & Hawk Junction

A couple local communities will be feeling very festive this weekend.

The Hawk Junction Winter Craft Sale will be held at the Hawk Junction Community Hall from 11 am to 4 pm tomorrow, boasting "several vendors" including baking, knitting, preserves, crocheting, jewelry and hair accessories, handmade furs, yarn and hooks, quilting, driftwood, pottery, and more.

Meanwhile, the Wawa Goose Seniors Centre is hosting its Christmas Tea from 1 pm to 3 pm tomorrow afternoon - featuring entertainment from Doris and Isabella - and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 in Wawa will host its annual Seniors' Christmas Dinner on Sunday, opening at 5 pm.

Wawa Rotary Online Auction Nears End

Time is running out to place a bid in the Rotary Club of Wawa's largest annual fundraiser.

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

Devries explains the club has primarily focused on supporting children, but has also supported seniors as the population aged.

Bidding for the auction closes at 10 o'clock Saturday night - go to auctria.com/auction/wawarotaryonlineauction, a link is available at jjamfm.live - with the winning bidders to then be contacted with details on getting their items.

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).