Local Holiday Closures

Local municipalities are set to close for the holidays.

The Municipality of Wawa notes its offices close at 3 pm today, reopening January 2nd, with the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre's pro shop following the same schedule - though the arena will be open Wednesday through Friday - Infrastructure Services, the landfill, and the airport will just be closed Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day, while there is no transit service today, Christmas, Boxing Day, or New Year's Day - it doesn't run on weekends anyway.

In Chapleau, the Library's already closed today, though the Civic Centre is open until 12 noon - both reopen January 3rd - while the landfill's only closed Saturday through Tuesday this weekend and the following weekend, and the arena's only closed Monday and Tuesday next week and the week after.

Refuse normally put out Sunday night should be put out Tuesday night for the next two weeks, while cans and metal recycling's moved from Tuesday to Wednesday both weeks.

There'll be no Handi-Transit service Christmas, Boxing Day, or New Year's Day, but otherwise normal hours.

The Chapleau Family Health Team's closed at 3 pm today - reopening for regular hours Wednesday - while the Wawa Family Health Team closes at 12 noon today, reopening for normal hours Wednesday and Thursday, closing at 12 noon the following Friday, then resuming normal hours January 2nd, while the Lady Dunn Health Centre's closing the laboratory, diagnostic imaging, Diabetes Education, and Dubreuilville clinic Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day.

LDHC Foundation Urges Granting a Wish for Local Hospital for Christmas

With Christmas nearly here, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's asking residents to help grant a wish from the local hospital.

The foundation's annual Wish Campaign continues through the holiday season, and Foundation Chair Susan Switzer notes the annual mailout supports capital equipment purchases for the hospital.

Switzer reminds there's special recognition for donors.

Donations can be made online or via mail, even after Christmas, as the campaign ends January 6th.

Wawa Library's Holiday Bingo Search & Find Ending

Time's almost up for a special holiday contest at the Wawa Public Library.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the Holiday Bingo Search and Find is intended for kids, with a prize at the end.

Jarrell says entries will be accepted right until the draw's made at 3:30 pm this afternoon.

Patrons are also reminded the library will be closed starting Sunday, December 24th, until January 3rd.

Superior East OPP Urge Safety Amid Holiday Season

Ontario Provincial Police are reminding revellers to be safe over the upcoming holiday weekend.

Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle warns impaired driving is one of the major causes of fatalities on the road.

Those who suspect a driver's impaired by alcohol, drugs, or even fatigue can report them by calling 9-1-1.

Constable Nickle also asks drivers to be extra careful near RIDE checks, emphasizing "please slow down, proceed with caution, and keep a safe distance" if you see flashing lights.

MVFA Suggests Cash Draw Tickets for Christmas

Those still looking for Christmas presents are being reminded of a way to cash in on helping Wawa's firefighters.

The Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association is reminding that its annual cash draw has returned, with four more $1000 draws to go, along with the $10,000 grand prize draw.

Executive Committee President William Moore reminds the draw supports local fire services.

Tickets are available in many places in the community and from local firefighters, with the next $1000 draw on Valentine's Day.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Long-Term Care COVID-19 Outbreak Over

The COVID-19 outbreak at the Lady Dunn Health Centre's Long-Term Care home is over.

While the outbreak was declared December 10th, Algoma Public Health shows the outbreak as "over" as of this past Tuesday, December 19th, with the hospital confirming that visitor restrictions have been lifted, allowing general visitors in the long-term care area again, though the masking requirement will remain in effect throughout the facility for all visitors amid the respiratory virus season.

Winners Announced for Chapleau Christmas Light Contest

Winners have been named for the annual Chapleau Christmas Light Contest.

Yves Gervais at 222 Martel Road claimed the top spot, followed by Aldo Fortin at 31 Pine Street West in second, and Nancy Andre-Auclair at 97 Elgin Street in third, though Andre-Auclair's display also claimed the "People's Choice" award, with 188 likes on Facebook.

Organizers thank everyone who participated, noting "all the houses looked beautiful" and they "hope to see everyone join again next year".

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Touts Best Fundraising Results Ever From Giving Tuesday

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is thanking the community for its support over a recent one-day fundraising initiative.

While the Foundation initially reported it had raised over $15,000 through last month's "Giving Tuesday" campaign - far above the over $11,000 raised the previous year - final results show an even better figure: $23,670, the most the Foundation's ever raised in a single day.

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.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Fewer Active

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 Monday - eleven in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, three in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dipped slightly, to 64, still including one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), with 42 cases in hospitals in the health unit's region.

Wawa Food Bank Closing for Extra Week Amid Holidays

The Wawa Community Food Bank's closing for an extra week amid the holidays.

Volunteers have announced the food bank will be closed next Wednesday, December 27th, but - as it is now closed the first Wednesday of the month - that means it won't be open again until January 10th, though those who need to get in touch before then can call 705-852-1414 or email foodbankofwawa@gmail.com

Local Northern Credit Union Branches Donate to Community

The local credit union's touting charitable efforts by its branches.

Northern Credit Union says its holiday "Giving For Good" campaign saw its 24 branches give out $78,000 in monetary and in-kind donations, with the Wawa Branch donating $3000 to the Wawa Community Food Bank, while the Chapleau branch purchased $500 worth of gifts to support the North Eastern Ontario Family and Children's Services Angel Tree program, and donated $2500 toward the Services de santé de Chapleau Health Services Recreation Department, as a part of their Giving Tree campaign.

Winners Named for Wawa's Festival of Lights

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 & First Responders Hit Ice for Charity

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 & Other Charges Over Wawa Incident

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.

APH Reports 115th COVID-19 Death, New Cases Including in North Algoma

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 After Wawa Traffic Complaint

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".

Wawa's Ice Candle Celebration Day Delayed Due to Warmer Weather

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.

OPP Seek Owner of Ring Found Near Chapleau Golf Course

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 Visits Wawa While Touring Northern Hospitals

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".

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Fewer Active, Death Toll Updated

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.