Stay up to date with what’s happening in your community.
The Canadian Red Cross in Wawa is looking for some help.
Noting volunteer numbers were down amid the COVID-19 pandemic and haven't quite recovered, Community Services Coordinator Vangie Fournier says there are a few services offered in Wawa.
While she assures it isn't a large commitment, Fournier emphasizes volunteers are "the foundation" of the organization, encouraging people to go online or to call her at the Red Cross office at 705-856-1964.
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 229th - the 200th in Greater Sudbury - it's the health unit's eighth in about a month, seven of which were in Greater Sudbury, the other in the Manitoulin District - the last was reported Wednesday.
The health unit's also reporting 24 new cases since Wednesday - 21 in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 121, including three 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 79 in hospital, three in ICUs.
Some cookies are adding an extra smile for a local organization.
CHADWIC Home Program Supervisor Bonnie Ross says the organization "couldn't be more happy" for the support received through the recent Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie campaign.
Ross emphasizes the support "means so much to all the women that access and use" CHADWIC Home's services every day.
Tim Hortons Wawa store manager Kelly Vernier also thanks the community.
In total, $3752.26 was raised locally, which will be split between CHADWIC Home and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, each getting $1876.13.
Wawa's firefighters and local school staff will be out in the community this weekend, to raise support for an annual tradition helping the needy in the community.
Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin explains the Wawa Volunteer Fire Department's teaming up with staff from St. Augustine French Immersion Catholic School for the annual Christmas Hamper Holiday Food Drive.
Christmas Hamper Fund President Richard Watson reminds the hampers offer a few items to brighten the season for the less fortunate in the community.
The food drive runs from 10 am to 1 pm Sunday.
The firefighters will also team up with the OPP and local paramedics for the "Fill A Sleigh" toy drive at Wawa's Red Apple store the following Saturday, December 9th, from 11 am to 2 pm.
Wawa's getting into the festive season this weekend.
Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains a special downtown tradition happening Saturday and Sunday.
Calling it a great chance to get unique, local gifts for the holidays, White encourages everyone to come out for each market - as they'll have different vendors in each - noting a special incentive.
White adds the markets will also see the launch of the annual Festival of Lights decoration contest.
The "Bundle Up! Markets" will be held from 10 am to noon and 2 pm to 4 pm Saturday and 10 am to noon Sunday, at the Goose Nest Market in downtown Wawa.
White also reminds registration's open for floats in this year's Santa Claus Parade, which will be held Friday, December 15th.
A special Christmas party's happening in Wawa this weekend.
Pauline Dawson of the Superior Children's Centre explains the Community Christmas is a nice chance for families to make memories.
Dawson notes there'll also be a snack provided by the Legion Ladies Auxiliary and some prizes.
Free to attend - though children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult - the Community Christmas Party runs from noon to 3 pm Sunday afternoon, at Wawa's Legion Hall.
Wawa's firefighters are reminding an annual campaign is back - with a week before an upcoming draw.
Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association Executive Committee President William Moore explains tickets are now available for the annual cash draw, which supports local fire services.
Moore reminds tickets are available in the community - particularly through firefighters - with the $1000 "Early Bird" draw to be held December 9th - tickets will be available until Thursday, December 7th - with another $1000 draw on Valentine's Day and three more $1000 draws, along with the $10,000 grand prize draw, at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.
Time's running out to get tickets for the big draw in 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 tomorrow - tickets must be purchased by 11:59 pm tonight at splitthepot.ca
A mobile event supporting food banks "rolls" through the region tonight.
CPKC spokesperson Terry Cunha explains the annual Holiday Train is a longtime tradition.
Cunha says the train provides a little free entertainment when it stops.
Canadian rock supergroup Anyway Gang will be performing on the "Canadian Train", which is scheduled to stop in Cartier at 10:30 am this morning, in Chapleau at 4 pm this afternoon, and White River at 8:45 pm, before continuing to Mobert, Heron Bay, Marathon, and further west tomorrow.
Impaired and suspended driving charges have been laid was found passed out near Chapleau - and impaired a couple hours later.
Ontario Provincial Police say members of the Superior East, Sault Ste. Marie, and East Algoma detachments responded to an overdue person report involving a person driving a company pickup truck from Wawa to Chapleau - via Highway 101 - around 8:30 pm Monday night, with members of the Ministry of Transportation finding the truck on Highway 129 south of Hinkler Lake Road (in Martel Township) shortly after 11 pm - the driver was passed out and disoriented when awakened, and while the MTO advised him to wait for the OPP, he instead decided to continue southbound on 129.
Shortly after 1:30 the next morning, East Algoma OPP found the vehicle parked at Seymour Lake Road in Sturgeon Township - about 80 kilometres north of Thessalon - arresting the driver after they determined alcohol had been consumed - the 44-year-old from Batchawana Bay was taken to the Blind River detachment for further testing, then charged with operation while impaired - Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus) and driving while under suspension, while the truck was impounded for seven days.
A travelling exhibit about "Indigenous Ingenuity" is in Chapleau for the next week.
Presented by Indigenous Tourism Ontario and Science North, "Indigenous Ingenuity: Timeless Inventions" presents attendees with what it touts as "a clever and novel mix of science and culture intended to stir a sense of pride among First Nation, Inuit, and Metis communities".
Today until next Wednesday, December 6th, the one-of-a-kind free exhibition will be set up at the Chapleau Community Hall, open 10 am to 7 pm today and tomorrow, and 10 am to 6 pm Saturday through Wednesday.
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 228th COVID-related death - the 199th in Greater Sudbury, though COVID only contributed to but was not the underlying cause of death - it's the health unit's seventh COVID death this month, six of which have been in Greater Sudbury, the other in the Manitoulin District - the last was reported more than a week ago.
The health unit's also reporting 28 new cases since Monday - 23 in Greater Sudbury, four in the broader Sudbury District, one in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 123, including three in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).
The number in hospital is up to 79, though the number in ICUs is down to three.
An assault charge has been laid over a White River domestic dispute.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident on Winnipeg Street shortly after 1 o'clock Sunday morning, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a White River 42-year-old on a charge of spousal assault and seven counts of fail to comply with probation order.
The accused - who will not be identified due to the domestic nature of the incident, to protect the victim - was remanded into custody pending a bail hearing.
Criminal charges have been laid after a domestic dispute in Chapleau.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a disturbance on Martin Road shortly after 1 am last Wednesday, November 22nd, with investigation revealing an individual violated their release conditions by communicating with someone while on conditions not to, leading to a Chelmsford 48-year-old's arrest on charges of breach of recognizance and two counts of fail to comply with probation order.
They were released from custody, with a January court date in Chapleau.
A Wawa school's thanking a local miner for help with new playground equipment.
St. Augustine French Immersion Catholic School notes it built an additional play area for its Kindergarten students last year, and "with the generosity of Alamos Gold, Island Gold Mine", "invested in exploratory toys and tools to spark the interest and curiosity of our youngest learners, while enjoying the outdoors", noting they'll help the students "develop their knowledge and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics" both inside and outside the classroom, with the students building "creative and critical thinking skills, problem-solving, and safety awareness while learning in a fun and engaging environment".
Ontario Provincial Police have recovered firearms taken in a Marathon break-and-enter.
Marathon OPP say they were able to recover four firearms that were stolen from a Marathon residence November 16th or 17th, with three people arrested in connection to the incident: a 33-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman - both from Marathon - and a 14-year-old, who can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act - they've been charged with break and enter with intent to steal a firearm, and break, enter dwelling house to commit indictable offence.
The local English public school board's approved nearly $66-million in capital projects for this school year.
Approved by trustees Tuesday, the list of capital projects includes a lighting upgrade at Hornepayne JK to Grade 12, along with other upgrades or renovations for various schools, totalling over $15-million, but the main project is the building of a new Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 school in Blind River, at about $50.5-million for the project, which has been approved by the Ministry of Education.
Ontario Provincial Police are warning of scams relating to the Robinson Huron Treaty settlement.
Manitoulin OPP say they've received an alert from the Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund about beneficiaries receiving letters with the fund's logo - and those of the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario - requesting personal and banking information to confirm the individual's eligibility for settlement funds, promising the money will be sent either by direct deposit or cheque once that information's received.
Police emphasize that settlement payments have not started, and the litigation fund and governments will not ask for financial information by mail, email, or text message.
COVID-19 cases are continuing to surge in the region.
Algoma Public Health's reporting 137 new cases over the last week - 57 in Central and East Algoma, 54 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, and 26 in the Elliot Lake area - with known "high risk active" cases skrocketing to 161 - the highest since early November 2022 - with eighteen in hospital, one in an ICU.
The health unit's COVID-related death toll's also up six, to 113, with APH explaining the latest figure update includes a "data cleaning initiative from the Ministry of Health to reconcile COVID-19 cases resulting in deaths, which occurred between 2022-2023" and "no additional deaths occurred since last week's update.
The Rotary Club of Wawa is thanking the community for supporting their recent "Rotary Online Auction", which wrapped up over the weekend.
Committee Chair Bill Devries says he's "quite pleased" with how the auction went, though he acknowledges a dip in bids.
Devries admits he's "not necessarily overall pleased", with corporate donations "way down".
Per the auction page, the initiative - the Rotary Club's largest annual fundraiser - has raised about $9400 - 94 percent of its $10,000 fundraising target - which will go to a variety of causes in the community.
Devries notes there are still some winning bidders who've yet to get their items, but assures the Rotary Club's working to make arrangements with them.
