PHSD Urges Simple Precautions to Prevent Spread of Illness

A local health unit's urging "simple precautions" to "stop rising reports of respiratory and enteric illness".

Noting several outbreaks in hospitals, long-term care, and retirement homes - along with general high case activity and very high hospital activity for respiratory illness, with enteric illnesses also increasing over the winter months - Public Health Sudbury and Districts is urging everyone to "protect yourself and others, and prevent the spread of illness" by washing hands frequently and thoroughly, covering coughs and sneezes - then washing hands - wearing a mask in crowded indoor public settings, staying up to date on vaccinations for COVID-19, influenza, and pneumococcal disease and RSV if eligible, stay home if sick - wearing a well-fitted mask if you must go out - and follow any guidelines of hospitals, or long-term care or retirement homes if visiting.

Wawa's 5th Annual Ice Candle Celebration Set to Arrive After Delay

A Wawa tradition is going ahead this weekend, after being delayed over mild weather.

Wawa Cemetery Committee vice chair Claude Samson explains the 5th annual Ice Candle Celebration Day, which was originally to be held Boxing Day but is now set to be held tomorrow.

Samson emphasizes that - while the Municipality's responsible for maintenance of cemeteries - beautification is a function of the Committee.

The Ice Candle Celebration will be held at the Woodland Cemetery, from 4 pm to 5 pm Saturday.

LDHC Foundation Wish Campaign Wrapping Up

The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's wrapping up its annual holiday fundraising campaign.

As their "Wish" campaign ends, Foundation Chair Susan Switzer reminds funds raised support capital equipment purchases, including replacing some important equipment nearing its end of life.

Though the annual mailout ends tomorrow, the Foundation reminds donations are accepted any time of year.

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

More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 33 since Friday - sixteen in Greater Sudbury, four in the broader Sudbury District, thirteen in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dipped to 88, still including one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), with 49 cases in hospitals in the health unit's region, four in ICUs.

APH Reports 117th COVID-19 Death, 2 New Cases in North Algoma

Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 117th since the pandemic began - it doesn't say where - it last reported a death last week.

The health unit's also reporting 29 new cases over the last week - eighteen in the Sault Ste. Marie area, seven in the Elliot Lake area, two in Central and East Algoma, and two in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - though known "high risk active" cases dropped to 53, with thirteen in hospital, one in an ICU.

OPP Investigating Drowning Death of Skater in Aweres Township

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a drowning death north of Sault Ste. Marie.

Sault OPP say emergency services responded shortly after 12:15 Tuesday afternoon, after a person who was ice skating on Trout Lake went through the ice in front of a residence on Point Road in Aweres Township - while emergency services were able to recover the skater and "life saving techniques were attempted", the person was pronounced dead at the scene.

OPP have identified the deceased as 58-year-old Andre Rausch of Sault Ste. Marie.

The investigation's ongoing, under the direction of the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, with a post-mortem examination to be held in the Sault at a later date.

Assault, Forcible Confinement, Threat & Other Charges over Chapleau Dispute

Assault, forcible confinement, and other charges have been laid over a domestic dispute in Chapleau.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a disturbance on Martel Road shortly after 5 a-m December 23rd, with investigation leading to the arrest of a Chapleau 28-year-old on two counts of spousal assault, one of assault causing bodily harm, one of forcible confinement, three of domestic mischief, and one of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

The accused - who will not be identified due to the domestic nature of the incident, to protect the victim - was held for a bail hearing and subsequently released from custody, but is set to appear in court in Chapleau next week.

Deadline Near for Input on Wawa's Proposed 2024 Operating Budget

Time's running out for those wishing to provide input on the Municipality of Wawa's proposed operating budget.

Treasurer Manuela Batovanja explains the draft document presented last month outlines plans for this year and beyond.

Batovanja acknowledges the budget would see some costs increase for taxpayers and water users.

Batovanja emphasizes staff sought to minimize the cost increases 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.

The presentation can be viewed on the Municipality's YouTube channel, with information on the municipal website - plans are to accept public input until tomorrow, then bring the combined operating and capitals budget up for Council approval in the next meeting, on January 16th.

LDHC Foundation Starting New Year With Wrap Up of Wish Campaign

As we settle into a new year, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's preparing to wrap up its annual holiday fundraising campaign.

With a little time left in the "Wish campaign", Foundation Chair Susan Switzer reminds funds raised through the annual mailout support capital equipment purchases for the local hospital.

Though the Wish Campaign ends this Saturday, January 6th, the Foundation reminds donations are accepted any time of year.

Wawa Firefighters Remind MVFA Cash Draw Tickets Available

Wawa's firefighters are marking the new year by reminding tickets are still available for a major fundraiser.

The Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association's annual cash draw has returned, and Executive Committee President William Moore reminds - while the $1000 Early Bird Draw has been made - there are some more $1000 draws to go.

Moore reminds the draw supports local fire services.

Tickets are available in many places in the community and from local firefighters.

PHSD Reports 245th COVID-19 Death

Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting another in which COVID was the underlying cause of death, bringing the health unit's death toll to 245, 214 in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death over two weeks ago.

The health unit's also reporting 75 new cases since last Friday - 49 in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, 23 in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 95, including one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

It hasn't updated hospitalization figures since December 20th, but last showed 40 cases in hospital, one in an ICU.

Festive RIDE Campaign Nearing End, as New Year's Eve Nears

Ontario Provincial Police are reminding everyone to stay safe while celebrating the end of 2023 and start of 2024.

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

Constable Nickle reminds those who suspect a driver's impaired by alcohol, drugs, or even fatigue can report them by calling 9-1-1, and 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.

Time Running Out for Input on Proposed High Falls Road Name Change

Time is running out to have your say on plans to change the names of some Wawa roads.

The Municipality's formally announced a proposal to rename "High Falls Road", which Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson says will look at ending confusion for tourists.

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.

APH Reports 116th COVID-19 Case, 1 New Case in North Algoma

Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 116th since the pandemic began - it doesn't say where - it last reported a death a week ago.

The health unit's also reporting 45 new cases over the last week - 38 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four in the Elliot Lake area, two in Central and East Algoma, and one in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - though known "high risk active" cases dropped by about a third to 63, with eight in hospital, four in ICUs.

Input Deadline Nears for Wawa's Proposed 2024 Operating Budget

Time is running out to provide input on the Municipality of Wawa's proposed operating budget.

Presented to Council early this month, the draft document focuses on 2024 but also lays out some plans for 2025-27, with a balanced budget of $14,299,949 for 2024, up 1.95 percent from 2023's budget.

Emphasizing that inflation was a major factor, increasing costs for everything - including payroll - along with lower revenues - such as declining grants - and rising costs to meet regulatory requirements and capital needs, Treasurer Manuela Batovanja explains that will require a rise in the municipal levy.

Batovanja notes increasing operational costs and necessary capital work will also mean a rise for water and sewer services.

Batovanja reminds public input's being accepted until next Wednesday, January 3rd - the full presentation can be viewed on the Municipality's YouTube channel, with information on the municipal website - plans are for the combined operating and capital budgets to go to a vote in Wawa Municipal Council's next meeting, on January 16th.

LDHC Foundation Continuing Holiday Wish Campaign

While Christmas is behind us, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is reminding there's still time to help grant a wish from the local hospital.

The foundation's Wish campaign continues into the new year, and Foundation Chair Susan Switzer reminds funds raised support capital equipment purchases, including replacing some important equipment nearing its end of life.

Switzer notes donors will still have their names put on stars on a tree in the hospital lobby.

The Wish Campaign ends January 6th, though the Foundation reminds donations are accepted any time of year.

Superior East OPP Continuing Festive RIDE Campaign

While Christmas may be over, Ontario Provincial Police are reminding their annual Festive RIDE campaign's continuing until the holiday season ends, in the new year.

Emphasizing impaired driving is one of the major causes of fatalities on the road, Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle reminds "we all have a role to play in keeping roads safe".

Constable Nickle notes penalties for impaired driving include immediate licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, and expensive fines - even worse if convicted - and there is "zero tolerance" for young, novice, or commercial drivers, meaning zero alcohol in their blood while driving.

Preparations Underway for 26th Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby

Preparations are underway for Chapleau's annual ice fishing derby.

Organizer Luc Tessier explains the Rotary Club of Chapleau's readying the 26th Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby, with cash prizes on the line for the biggest fish.

Tessier says there's a few options to get tickets.

The Rotary Club of Chapleau presents the 26th annual Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby Saturday, February 10th.

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

More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting eighteen since Wednesday - eleven in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, six in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 71, 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 42 in hospital.

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