Stay up to date with what’s happening in your community.
Winners have been named for Wawa's annual Festival of Lights.
Bailey Long at 55 Third Avenue claimed the top spot in the annual decoration contest, after finishing second last year and third the year before - coming in second this year was Judy Schell at 312 Blue Avenue, while Willie Desrochers at 172 Regina Crescent was third.
The winners can pick up their prizes at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre Thursday or Friday, between 10 am and 4 pm.
Chapleau hockey players and local first responders will hit the ice tonight to help needy families in the area.
The "Let's Take A Bite Out of Hunger" charity hockey game will feature Chapleau U15 and U18 players and first responders, teaming up to collect non-perishable food items.
Entry is by food or cash donation, with the game running from 7 pm to 8:30 pm tonight, in the Chapleau Arena.
Assault and other charges have been laid over a Wawa incident.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a disturbance on Ontario Street shortly after 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon, with subsequent investigation into the physical altercation leading to the arrest of a Wawa 30-year-old on a charge of assault and six counts of fail to comply with release order.
The accused was released from custody with a January court date.
Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.
Algoma Public Health's reporting its 115th since the pandemic began - it doesn't say where - it last reported a death a week ago.
The health unit's also reporting 66 new cases over the last week - 29 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, 17 in Central and East Algoma, 16 in the Elliot Lake area, and four in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - though known "high risk active" cases are down slightly, to 99, with 22 in hospital, two in ICUs, both down from last week.
The outbreak in Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre long-term care area is still "active": in response, general visitors are not allowed for the area though essential caregivers can still visit between 10 am and noon or 1 pm and 3 pm, and there are no changes to Acute Care visitation, though masking is now in effect throughout the facility for all visitors.
Impaired driving charges have been laid after a traffic complaint in Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say a concerned citizen called in the report of a possible impaired driver on Mission Road shortly before 6 o'clock Saturday night - officers located the suspect vehicle, with investigation revealing the driver had consumed alcoholic beverages, leading to the Wawa 20-year-old's arrest on charges of operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs; operation while impaired - Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus); and fail to comply with probation order.
They were released from custody with a February court date, though a 90-day Administrative Driver's License Suspension was issued and the vehicle's impounded for seven days.
Local police remind drivers "no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive", and "if you believe a driver is impaired, please call 9-1-1 or contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122".
Weather's causing a delay for a Wawa tradition.
The Wawa Cemetery Committee's decided to postpone the 5th annual Ice Candle Celebration Day, which was to be held next Tuesday, Boxing Day - instead pushing the event to Saturday, January 6th.
The mild weather is being blamed - Christmas Day is currently forecast to get up to plus 4 Celsius with a 60 percent chance of showers - as the conditions make it difficult to make and maintain the ice candles for the event.
Local police are looking for the owner of a ring found near the Chapleau golf course.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say a good samaritan turned in the jewellery on Friday - if you believe it is yours, call the Chapleau detachment at 705-864-1715.
Local MPP Michael Mantha's stopped in Wawa as he tours northern hospitals.
Speaking outside of the Lady Dunn Health Centre, the Algoma-Manitoulin MPP said he was recently contacted by north shore hospitals about the "dire" situation they're in - financially and operationally - prompting the tour.
Mantha says the main issues he's been hearing stem from underfunding.
Mantha also points to the costs of agency nursing in hospitals, which was recently highlighted by the Auditor General.
Mantha points to past calls to cap the cost and regulate agency nursing, saying the costs are "out of control".
More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region - but there are fewer active.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting fifteen new cases since Friday - nine in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District, four in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dropped by about a third to 68, still including 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.
The health unit's COVID-related death toll's also up twelve - ten in Greater Sudbury, two in the Manitoulin District - bringing the total to 244, with PHSD explaining the change stems from "an internal data validation process", and that the deaths occurred at some time between April 2020 and December 2023 - it last reported a death on Wednesday.
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.
Judging's underway in Chapleau's Christmas Light Contest.
Assistant Leisure and Cultural Services Director Carole Ouellette explains judges are looking for creativity as they prepare to award the first, second, and third place prizes.
Winners will be announced by the end of the week.
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.
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 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.
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a Marathon fire involving a fatality.
Marathon OPP say emergency services responded to the structure fire around 11 o'clock this morning, and - upon the fire being extinguished - EMS pronounced an individual deceased.
Anyone with information's urged to call Marathon OPP or Crimestoppers.
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'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.
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.
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.
A food drive at a local library's wrapping up today.
Today is the last day the Chapleau Public Library is collecting non-perishable food items for the Chapleau Food Bank, emphasizing that "every little bit helps".
