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Time is running out for those hoping to participate in Wawa's fifth annual Ice Candle Celebration Day.
Wawa Cemetery Committee vice chair Claude Samson explains the event, set to be held Boxing Day.
Samson notes there's a couple ways to order ice candles for the event, mainly stemming from a mailout form sent out earlier this month.
Samson adds that the order deadline's been extended to this Friday, December 15th.
A Wawa school's brought back a popular sport for the community: archery.
St. Augustine French Immersion Catholic School says five staff members participated in a training session for the National Archery in School Program last month, after more than three years of effort to bring that program back to the region, helped this year by the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board.
The school says the equipment investment was "made possible by the generous support" of the Rotary Club of Wawa and the HSCDSB's Indigenous Board Action Plan, with classes already underway, through the school's physical education classes - it even expects students to participate in provincial competitions by the spring.
Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is thanking the community for its support over a one-day fundraising initiative.
The Foundation says it raised over $15,000 for the purchase of capital equipment at the local hospital through the recent "Giving Tuesday" campaign, far above the over $11,000 raised the previous year.
While Giving Tuesday is over, the Foundation is in the midst of another fundraising campaign, the annual holiday season Wish Campaign, which Chair Susan Switzer says aims to help with a variety of equipment purchases.
Switzer reminds donors can use the flyer that was mailed out last month to donate, with donors to be put on stars that are added to a tree in the hospital's lobby.
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 230th - the 201st in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death December 1st.
The health unit's also reporting 50 new cases since Wednesday - 25 in Greater Sudbury, seven in the broader Sudbury District, eighteen in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 134, including two 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 50 in hospital.
Local police are investigating the death of an infant in Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers were called to Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre shortly after 6:45 pm last Saturday night, after an infant with no vital signs was brought in by family members - a post-mortem took place in Toronto on Tuesday, though police say "the investigation is in its early stages and no further details can be released at this time", only promising "further information will be provided when it becomes available".
The OPP's Superior East Crime Unit and Forensic Identification Services are leading the investigation under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner-Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.
Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to call Superior East OPP or Crime Stoppers.
A local election's being held tomorrow: for the Michipicoten First Nation Community Trust.
Nominations will open tomorrow morning, from 9 am to 11 am, followed by voting from noon to 6 pm in the MFN 10-plex Common Room.
All Michipicoten First Nation band members are encouraged to participate, but reminded you have to be at least 18 to vote - with applicable ID - and potential trustees must be at least 25, and present.
The Trust was established through a settlement agreement on land claims, to ensure the management of compensation.
A lucky supporter of Wawa's firefighters will be $1000 richer tomorrow.
Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association Executive Committee President William Moore explains the association's annual cash draw has a few prizes, including one set to be given away this weekend.
While ticket sales have halted until the draw is made, Moore says they'll go back on sale after - though winning tickets are also entered in for the subsequent draws - and he emphasizes the draw supports the firefighters with equipment purchases.
Wawa will be feeling very festive this weekend, with a couple seasonal events tomorrow.
The Wawa Seniors Goose Club will host its annual Christmas Bazaar - featuring a silent auction, a white elephant sale, and a bake sale - running from noon to 3 pm Saturday, supporting the Senior Centre.
Those wanting to drop off bake sale items can do so until 11 a-m Saturday.
Meanwhile, Wawa's Royal Canadian Legion presents "Joan's Annual Cookie Walk" from 11 am to 1 pm Saturday, at the Legion Hall.
CORRECTION: While this story originally said St. Paul's Anglican Church was hosting a bake sale and mini bazaar December 9th, the event will actually be held the following Saturday, December 16th, from 1 pm to 3 pm.
Wawa's library is encouraging kids to take a look around in a special holiday contest.
Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains a scavenger hunt's on until the holidays.
Jarrell also reminds that the library's Silent Auction Fundraiser is also underway until next Friday, December 15th, at 3 pm.
A Wawa car dealership's reiterating a challenge for businesses and the broader community to support those in need for the holiday season.
Noting there's already been a combined donation of $3000 to the Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund and Wawa Community Food Bank - from Mission Motors, Mike Moore Construction, and 85 Electric - Mission Motors Sales Manager Alain Bouffard encourages people to help those in need this season.
Today is the deadline for donations, so they can be handed over in time for the Christmas Hampers to go out next week.
A campaign supporting a Wawa tradition to help the needy is set to wrap up this weekend.
Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin explains the toy drive at Wawa's Red Apple store will end with a "Fill the Sleigh Day" tomorrow.
As part of the "Fill a Sleigh" event, Red Apple's promising to donate 5% of sales - with some exceptions - to the cause, which is the Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund - Fund President Richard Watson reminds provides several items to spread some seasonal joy.
Watson notes volunteers are also wanted to help out to put together the hampers on Sunday - anyone interested can contact him, including at the Fill the Sleigh event, or Robin Marshall-Davidson.
The Fill the Sleigh Day runs from 11 am to 2 pm tomorrow.
The Wawa Public Library's putting a few items up for auction.
CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the library's launched a silent auction fundraiser.
Jarrell notes bids will be accepted until 3 pm December 15th, and could even be submitted by email or Facebook messenger, emphasizing funds raised will help the library with "whatever they might need", such as craft items.
The Wawa Library's also launched a "Holiday Bingo Search and Find", encouraging kids to search the library for special holiday symbols to complete a bingo card - that wraps up December 22nd, with a draw to be held at 3:30 pm that day.
Time is running out for early birds to get a ticket for the Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association's annual cash draw.
Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association Executive Committee President William Moore explains the draw supports local fire services.
While the "Early Bird" draw will be made Saturday night, Moore says tickets will be pulled soon so that all the ones that have been sold will be in the draw - they'll be available again after that, through firefighters and in other places in the community.
More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region - but there are fewer active.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting just twelve new cases since Monday - ten in Greater Sudbury, two in the Manitoulin District - with known "active" cases dipping to 115 - two in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations) - with 51 cases in hospital, down from last week's update.
Some Wawa students are serving up supper to raise funds for a big trip.
Sir James Dunn Public School Special Education Resource Teacher Heather Watson explains the fundraiser.
The Spaghetti Supper runs from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre - there may be a limited number of tickets left at the door.
The longtime chair of the Algoma District School Board is staying in the job.
Sault Ste. Marie Ward One trustee Jennifer Sarlo - who's been chair the last twelve years - was acclaimed to the role in the board's inaugural meeting last night, with First Nation trustee Elaine Johnston acclaimed for a second year as Vice Chair.
The roles are elected yearly, around this time of year.
More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region - but there are fewer active.
Algoma Public Health's reporting 79 new cases over the last week - 44 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, 28 in Central and East Algoma, and seven in the Elliot Lake area - though known "high risk active" cases are down nearly a third, to 113, with 25 in hospital, three in ICUs - both up from last week.
Wawa Municipal Council's had its first look at next year's operating budget.
More than two months after seeing the initial draft for the capital budget, Council looked at the proposed multi-year operating budget, which focuses on 2024 but also lays out some plans for 2025-27, though Treasurer Manuela Batovanja told Council to focus on this year, noting there would be opportunities to review and revise for the subsequent years.
Council was told that staff sought to minimize the levy impact and property tax increase while maintaining service and addressing priorities laid out by Council - including through the Asset Management, 10 Year Financial, updated Strategic, and other plans - but inflation plays a major factor, increasing costs for everything - including payroll - with lower revenues such as declining grants being another major factor, along with rising costs to meet regulatory requirements and capital needs.
In the end, a balanced budget of $14,299,949 is outlined - up 1.95% from 2023's budget - with a 4% levy increase proposed for 2024 - which would bring in about $191,500 more - which is expected to mean a roughly 3.5% rise for residential taxes - combined with increasing water and wastewater rates, it's expected to mean $13.84 more per month or $166 more over the year for the average household - and it further estimates 4% levy increases for the following three years, as well.
Batovanja noted the capital budget has been modified from the version presented in September - including moving Town Hall and Fire Hall projects and taking more from reserves to reduce the reliance on taxation - with reserves set to decrease through 2027 before the Municipality needs to cut down on larger projects and focus on building those reserves back up.
Batovanja noted Council has options to lower the levy increase, including: reducing capital projects requiring tax support or increasing the use of reserves for them; reviewing, reducing, or eliminating programs and services; using rate stabilization funds; decreasing travel and training, the Library levy, or long-term planning; or further increasing user fees, though she warned of issues with each option, including that the rate stabilization fund will be needed more in the future - she also noted Council could opt for a larger levy increase, possibly adding a 1% capital levy, but recommended accepting the 4 percent increase initially outlined.
The full presentation can be viewed on the Municipality's YouTube channel, and will be available on the municipal website, with public input to be accepted until January 3rd - plans are for the combined budget to go to a vote January 16th, though Batovanja noted Council could delay that, if they need more time.
More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 34 since Friday - 24 in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, seven in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases stayed at 121, still 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.
Wawa Municipal Council's set to get its first look at next year's operating budget.
A special Council meeting will be held tonight, with one item on the agenda: presentation of the 2024-2027 Operating Budget.
The Capital Budget - also a multi-year document - was presented to Council in September, with public input accepted until late October, though it'll be finalized alongside the Operating Budget.
The meeting will be held in Council Chambers - and broadcast on the Municipality of Wawa's YouTube channel - starting at 6:30 pm tonight.
