Superior East OPP Urge Good Judgement On and Around Ice

Local police are reminding "no ice is safe ice" after a number of incidents across the North - including a truck going through the ice of Wawa Lake.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say no-one was injured when the pickup went through the ice after driving along the shoreline Monday night, but emphasize "this could have ended in tragedy if the vehicle was in deeper water", urging everyone to "use good judgement on and around the ice".

Constable Ashley Nickle emphasizes the "unseasonably warm weather" has left ice unstable in many areas.

Constable Nickle warns ice is especially unsafe near moving water - like creeks and streams - and reminds colour can give some indication of quality.

Constable Nickle also offers a "rule of thumb" for how thick the ice should be before travelling on it.

Constable Nickle especially warns to avoid ice that's recent frozen, thawed, and frozen again - as that cycle weakens the ice - and reminds travellers to tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back.

Assault & Mischief Charges Over Wawa Domestic Dispute

Assault and mischief charges have been laid over a Wawa domestic dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a disturbance on Hillcrest Avenue shortly after 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon, with investigation leading to the arrest of a Wawa 22-year-old on charges of spousal assault and two counts of mischief.

The accused - who will not be identified due to the domestic nature of the incident, to protect the victim - was released from custody, with a February court date in Wawa.

Timmins Driver Faces Impaired Driving Charges in Wawa

A Timmins driver's facing impaired driving charges after a traffic stop in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers conducting "proactive patrol" stopped a vehicle on Mission Road shortly after 10 o'clock Monday night, with investigation revealing the driver had consumed alcoholic beverages.

The 25-year-old was charged with operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs and operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), then released with a February court date, though she was also issued a 90-day Administrative Driver's Licence Suspension and the vehicle's impounded for seven days.

Criminal Charges After Wawa Domestic Disturbance

Criminal charges have been laid after a domestic disturbance in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to an incident on Mission Road shortly after 10 am Sunday, with investigation revealing an individual violated their release conditions by communicating with someone while on conditions not to, leading to the arrest of a Wawa 25-year-old on three counts of fail to comply with probation order.

The accused - who will not be identified due to the domestic nature of the incident, to protect the victim - was released from custody, with a February court date in Wawa.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, No Longer Any Active in Northern Sudbury District

More COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting two in Greater Sudbury and another in the Manitoulin District, bringing the health unit's death toll to 249, 217 of which have been in Greater Sudbury, fourteen in the Manitoulin District.

The health unit's also 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 to 61, with 41 in hospital, three in ICUs.

For the first time since mid-November, the active cases no longer including any in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

Wawa Touts Donation to Support New Marina Playground

The Municipality of Wawa's touting a "generous donation" that funded the new marina playground.

A release from the Municipality says Harvey and Cindy West made the donation, quoting Mayor Melanie Pilon as saying it "made this project a reality and all of us are very thankful for their continued generosity", further noting the Wests have supported marina operations throughout the years, volunteering time and financial support to help build a new boat launch and dredge the marina basin, with a quote from Harvey West saying the two "are proud to support youth and the future marina users in Wawa", emphasizing "play areas provide many benefits to the community, including better social skills and physical strength in our youth".

Weapons Charges for Man Accused of Waving Firearm at Vehicles in Batchewana Bay Area

Weapons charges have been laid after a man was reported waving a firearm at vehicles north of Sault Ste. Marie.

Sault OPP say they responded to the report of a man holding a beer and waving a firearm, trying to flag down vehicles on Highway 17 near Chippawa Falls in Tilley Township (in the Batchewana Bay area) shortly after 1:30 pm Monday afternoon, with officers finding the man a short time later holding a 22-calibre rifle while walking unsteadily in the middle of the highway - police ordered him to drop the firearm, and he complied and was arrested.

The 66-year-old from Bracebridge has been charged with handling a firearm in a careless manner, careless storage of a firearm, unlawfully possessing a loaded firearm within 8 metres of a road, being intoxicated in a public place, and having open container of liquor in unauthorized place, then released with a February court date.

APH Reports 118th COVID-19 Death, New Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 118th since the pandemic began - it doesn't say where - it's the fifth straight weekly report in which the health unit's reported a death.

The health unit's also reporting 44 new cases over the last week - 34 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in Central and East Algoma, and four in the Elliot Lake area - though known "high risk active" cases stayed at 53, with thirteen in hospital.

Regional Employment Help Centre Holding Open House

Wawa's Regional Employment Help Centre is opening its doors for anyone to visit today.

Executive Director Cindy Szekely explains the centre has a special event happening.

Szekely reminds the centre - which serves Wawa, Dubreuilville, and White River - offers a variety of employment services.

Szekely says today's open house is a great chance to learn more about the services provided, though the centre would be happy to talk to people on any day about their needs.

The open house runs from 10 am to 2 pm today.

Wawa & Chapleau French Catholic Schools to Hold Open Houses

Grade 8 students and their parents will get a preview of what's in store for next school year, as the local French Catholic schools hold open houses later this month.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says Wawa's Ecole secondaire Saint-Joseph will hold an open house next Wednesday, January 17th, with Chapleau's Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium holding one next Thursday, January 18th - both start at 6:30 pm that evening.

The board's also holding a Kindergarten registration event the following week, from January 22nd to 26th, for parents of children born in 2020 who'll be attending school in September.

Superior East OPP Warn No Ice Is Safe Ice After Pickup Goes Through Ice of Wawa Lake

Local police are reminding "no ice is safe ice" after a truck went through the ice of Wawa Lake.

Superior East OPP say no-one was injured when the pickup went through the ice last night, after driving along the shoreline, though police emphasize "this could have ended in tragedy if the vehicle was in deeper water", urging everyone to "use good judgement on and around the ice".

Ontario Provincial Police have warned many factors affect ice thickness, including: the type of water; time of year; water depth and size of the body of water; currents, tides, and other moving water; logs, rocks, and shoals absorbing heat from the sun; and changing air temperature, nor does ice freeze at uniform thickness throughout a body of water, and while early forming ice may look safe, it is likely not thick, strong, or stable enough to support much weight, so thickness should be checked regularly as you move further onto the ice.

Wawa Lake only just froze over on Thursday - the latest ever, according to records provided to JJAM FM News by local resident Andy Stevens, surpassing the record set in 2015, when the lake froze on December 31st.

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 since Friday - fourteen in Greater Sudbury, one in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dropped to 67, 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 49 in hospital, four in ICUs.

Preparations Underway for Wawa Ice Fishing Derby, Early Bird Nears

Organizers of Wawa's annual ice fishing derby are reminding there's still time to qualify for the derby's early bird draws.

Wawa Ice Fishing Derby President Shayne Wardrop explains organizers have changed up the early bird prizes slightly.

Wardrop reminds the early bird deadline is just shy of two weeks away.

Wardrop notes tickets are available through himself, at Canadian Tire in Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie, Superior Coast Outfitters in Wawa, or online, through wawaicefishingderby.com

The annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby will be held March 1st through 3rd.

Input Period Nearing End for Proposal to Change Wawa Road Names

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

Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains the current "High Falls Road" has led to confusion for tourists, so the Municipality's looking at changing that name, and a few others.

Public input's being accepted until Wednesday - call Patterson at 705-856-2244, extension 242, or email apatterson@wawa.cc - with plans for Council to vote on the move in their January 16th meeting.

REHC to Hold Open House

Wawa's Regional Employment Help Centre will open its doors for the public later this week.

Executive Director Cindy Szekely explains the centre has a special event happening on Wednesday.

Szekely reminds the centre - which serves Wawa, Dubreuilville, and White River - offers a variety of employment services - for workers and employers - and calls the open house a great chance to learn more, though the centre would be happy to talk to people on any day about their needs.

The open house runs from 10 am to 2 pm Wednesday, January 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 fourteen since Wednesday - ten in Greater Sudbury, four in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 90, 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 49 in hospital, four in ICUs.

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.

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