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Time's running out to get tickets for fundraiser to help 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 Wednesday, from 5 pm to 7 pm, at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
Algoma Public Health's putting out the call for "Public Health Champions".
Saying it wants to "shine a light on those who make our community healthier", the health unit says it's accepting nominations for local citizens and organizations in Algoma for the 2023 Public Health Champion Award, looking for those who help "to protect and promote community health and advance health equity in Algoma, whether through leading, collaborating, innovating, or fostering opportunities for health for all, together".
Nominations close January 10th - details on nominating can be found on the APH website.
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, with a few businesses already involved.
Bouffard encourages businesses or anyone else in the community to help, with monetary or non-perishable food donations accepted at the dealership - Mission Motors is even giving away a jacket "to help out" - he hopes to have all donations by this Friday, December 8th, so they can be donated in time, as the Christmas Hampers go out next week.
Algoma Public Health's flagging a surge in COVID-19 in the region.
In its last update, the health unit reported 137 cases over the last week, for a rate of 111.7 high-risk cases per 100,000 population - nearly double the 63 per 100,000 seen the previous week - while there'd been a "significant" increase in the amount of the coronavirus found in wastewater samples in Sault Ste. Marie, an indicator of increasing infections.
Noting cases of influenza also continue to be confirmed in the community, the health unit's reminding residents to "take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading respiratory viruses", emphasizing vaccination's the most effective way to protect yourself and your family from severe disease, hospitalization, or even transmission to those at higher risk - it also recommends staying home when sick, wearing a mask if you are ill and must go out, possibly even wearing one when not ill but in crowded or closed spaces.
Appointments can be booked by calling the health unit - the neighbouring Public Health Sudbury and Districts is also booking appointments, with "appointment only" clinics in Chapleau this Wednesday, December 6th, and the following Wednesday, December 13th.
Communities are lit up over the coming weeks for a holiday tradition.
Wawa Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains there are some prizes on the line in the annual Festival of Lights decoration contest.
Maps and voting information can be found at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, the Wawa website, or through Wawa Recreation on social media - voting continues through December 17th.
Chapleau's Christmas Light Contest is also underway, and Assistant Leisure and Cultural Services Director Carole Ouellette says there are a few prizes.
While entrants are encouraged to have their lights on through the month, judging will take place the week of December 18th - pictures for the "People's Choice" award must be submitted by 4 pm December 15th.
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".
