Municipality of Wawa Moves Forward on Plan to Change Some Road Names

The Municipality of Wawa's moving forward with plans to change the names of some Wawa roads.

A notice on the municipal website announces the proposal to rename "High Falls Road", which Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson outlined in a Council meeting last month.

Patterson - who'd brought up the issue before - noted tourists complaining of issues getting to Scenic High Falls.

Patterson says if the idea's approved, some wayfinding signage would be added to further cut down on confusion.

Public input's being accepted until January 10th, with plans for the name change proposal to come to a vote in Council's January 16th meeting.

Wawa Library Calls Silent Auction Success, Holiday Bingo Search & Find Nears End

The Wawa Public Library's thanking the community for its support in a recent fundraiser.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell says the library's silent auction was a success.

Jarrell reminds a scavenger hunt's on until the holidays.

Jarrell says entries for the draw will be accepted right up until it's made at 3:30 pm this Friday, December 22nd.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Fewer Active (Still 1 in Northern Sudbury District)

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting nineteen new cases since Wednesday - thirteen in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, three in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dipped to 103, still one 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 40 in hospital, one in an ICU.

Wawa Council Approves Extension of Limited Predator Control Hunt

Wawa Municipal Council's approved the ongoing limited predator control hunt in town for another year.

Council approved the continuation in last night's regular meeting, after Charlie Todesco outlined some details of the effort during the Committee of the Whole meeting, with councillors asking about the number of hunters involved (about six), past issues accessing the golf course - Todesco noted difficulty due to fencing, which he said had been echoed by snowshoers, though he also acknowledged concerns about snowmachines otherwise - and how often the hunt went to the snow dump, with Todesco noting it was not as viable last year due to lots of activity, including snow removal or simply other people sometimes with pets - he did express optimism about how things are going in Wawa, noting reports of predators in Hornepayne.

Todesco also spoke on concerns raised about zebra mussels that have been detected in Wawa Lake, playing down concerns about safety and offering some advice regarding related infrastructure maintenance.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Receives Major Contributions

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation received a couple big contributions today.

Chair Susan Switzer says they received one cheque as part of the recent Giving Tuesday fundraising campaign.

The $2000 cheque from LP Building Solutions will support the Foundation's general fundraising efforts, though Switzer reminds the annual holiday season Wish campaign's underway - just use a flyer mailed out last month to donate, with donors to be put on stars that are added to a tree in the hospital's lobby.

Wawa Council Approves Appointment of 5 New Firefighters

Wawa's adding a few new firefighters.

In their meeting last night, Wawa Municipal Council approved the appointment of five people to the Wawa Volunteer Fire Department: Veronique Dumouchel, Jack Humphries, Stephen Ouellette, Thomas Smith, and Samuel Vachon.

Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin explains this was necessary, due to some vacancies.

Per the resolution, the appointments take effect January 8th.

Wawa's Santa Claus Parade Arrives as Festival of Lights Nears End

With Christmas ten days away, Wawa residents are being encouraged to celebrate the holidays, as Santa's back in town.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains the Santa Claus Parade will travel through the heart of town.

White says the whole community's invited to watch or participate in the parade, and then join everyone at the Community Centre for more festivities.

White also suggests - after watching the parade - checking out participants in Wawa's annual Festival of Lights, since it wraps up this weekend.

The Santa Claus Parade starts at 6 pm tonight, with the Festival of Lights ending this Sunday - maps and voting information can be found at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, the Wawa website, or through Wawa Recreation on social media.

Order Deadline for Wawa's 5th Annual Ice Candle Celebration

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 fundraiser to support cemetery beautification.

As today is the deadline to order ice candles, 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.

The event will be held at Woodland Cemetery on Boxing Day, Tuesday, December 26th.

Wawa's Red Apple Thanks Community for Supporting Toy Drive

Wawa's Red Apple store is thanking the community for supporting an annual effort to help children in need this holiday season.

The store's confirmed that it raised a total of $18,308.85 over its recent toy drive (including a $10,000 anonymous donation) with $2922 alone raised during Saturday's "Fill a Sleigh Day" with local emergency services - that far surpasses the $7000 goal for the local campaign, which supported the Wawa Christmas Hamper Fund.

The hampers went out earlier this week.

Bidding Set to Close for Wawa Library Silent Auction

Time's running out to big on a few items to support Wawa's library.

Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the library's holding a silent auction fundraiser.

Jarrell notes bids will be accepted until 3 o'clock this afternoon, 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 next Friday, December 22nd, with a draw to be held at 3:30 pm that day.

Holiday Festivities Continue in Wawa

Holiday festivities are continuing in Wawa with a couple seasonal events tomorrow.

St. Monica's Parish is hosting a Bake Sale and Silent Auction - with a White Elephant - from 11 am to 1 pm Saturday - baking for the event can be dropped off by 10 am.

Meanwhile, St. Paul's Anglican Church will host a bake sale and mini bazaar from 1 pm to 3 pm Saturday, asking "no early birds please".

Picture Deadline for Chapleau Christmas Light Contest People's Choice Award

Participants in Chapleau's Christmas Light Contest need to take some pictures soon.

While registration for the contest ended weeks ago, today is the deadline to submit a digital copy of your Christmas light display for voting in the People's Choice award.

Chapleau's Assistant Leisure and Cultural Services Director Carole Ouellette reminds there are a few prizes in the contest.

Digital copies of the light display must be emailed to couellette@chapleau.ca by 4 pm this afternoon - voting for the People's Choice award will be done through "likes" on the Facebook page starting Monday, December 18th, with winners to be announced by the end of the week - judging for the top prizes will also be taking place next week.

Harassment Charge Over Chapleau Incident

A harassment charge has been laid over a Chapleau incident.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the reported harassment on Elgin Street shortly before 5 pm last Thursday, December 7th, with investigation revealing the accused had violated their release conditions by attending the victim's residence and was observed standing nearby, "watching the dwelling for an extended period of time".

Police arrested a 37-year-old from Toronto on charges of criminal harassment - beset and watch, fail to comply with undertaking, and breach of recognizance, though he was released with a January court date in Sault Ste. Marie.

Impaired Driving Charges From Festive RIDE in Wawa

Impaired driving charges have been laid in Wawa amid the ongoing Festive RIDE campaign.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were conducting a Festive RIDE check on Spruce Street around 6 o'clock Monday evening, stopping multiple vehicles and conducting Mandatory Alcohol Screening tests on the drivers, though one driver failed the test, indicating the presence of alcohol in their system, leading to the arrest of a 31-year-old Wawa man on charges of operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs and operation while impaired - Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus) - he was released from custody with a January court date, though a 90-day Administrative Driver's License Suspension was issued and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

Police remind drivers "are responsible for keeping yourself, your passengers, and other road users safe", urging drivers to "have a plan before you go out and make the decision not to drive impaired", including arranging a designated driver, calling a taxi, or staying overnight.

Wawa Council Set to Hold Postponed Meetings

A couple days later than planned, Wawa Municipal Council's holding a pair of meetings tonight.

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which includes monthly reports from department heads and reports on the Wawa Community Improvement Plan, Vallee Park Bridge, short-term rentals, an amendment to the 2024-27 draft capital budget, the 2024 schedule of fees, and results from the 2022-23 predator control hunt.

Tonight's regular meeting is set to include a resolution authorizing the predator control hunt for another year, and another appointing five new firefighters.

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 Announces New MoH & CEO

A local health unit's filled its top job.

The Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury and Districts - whose coverage area includes Chapleau - has announced the appointment of Dr. Mustafa Hirji as its next Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer, set to succeed Dr. Penny Sutcliffe on March 18th, when she'll begin a year-long sabbatical before she retire after nearly 25 years with the health unit.

Hirji's noted to have obtained his Public Health and Preventive Medicine Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2015 - with education in epidemiology, political science, and engineering physics - and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact at McMaster University, though he'd also spent eight years at Niagara Region Public Health, five-and-a-half acting as Medical officer of Health and Commissioner of Public Health and Emergency Services.

This comes as Public Health Sudbury and Districts and Algoma Public Health are exploring the feasibility of a voluntary merger, though they've yet to make any commitment toward one.

Chapleau MNRF Staff Holding Food Drive

Chapleau staff of Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry are giving back to the community today with a food drive.

Conservation Officer Melissa Fairbairn explains conservation officers will be accepting the donations to support families in need during the holiday season.

The food drive runs from 10 am this morning until 2 o'clock this afternoon, at the Chapleau Valu-Mart.

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