Alzheimer Society Encourages People to Learn About Dementia

As January winds down, the local Alzheimer Society is reminding that it is Alzheimer Awareness Month.

First Link Coordinator Chris Rask explains individuals and organizations are encouraged to learn more about dementia and its impact on Canadians.

While she notes Alzheimers is the most common form of dementia, Rask says it's a broader term, with signs including memory loss, difficulty with day-to-day tasks, language or communication problems, misplacing things, loss of initiative or interest in things including friends, and changes in mood, behaviour, or personality.

Anyone wanting more information about dementia - or seeking support - is encouraged to call the local Alzheimer Society office at 705-856-0000.

Early Bird Deadline Nears for Wawa Ice Fishing Derby

Time is running out for early birds interested in Wawa's annual ice fishing derby.

Wawa Ice Fishing Derby President Shayne Wardrop reminds the deadline's this Sunday.

Wardrop says the derby's registration prize has also increased, to $35,000 - every ticket's entered, whether or not the holder fishes in the derby - while prizes will be given out for the top six fish on each of the three derby lakes.

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

The 32nd annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby will be held March 1st through 3rd.

Wawa Public Library Launches Shut-In Outreach Program

The Wawa Public Library's launched a new outreach program.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the "Shut-In Outreach Program" is intended to help especially seniors with restricted vision, mobility issues, long-term injury, or illness in Wawa, Hawk Junction, and the Mission who aren't able to get to the library as often as they'd like, or at all.

Jarrell notes a registration form was sent out in a flyer put in mailboxes this week - also available at the library - asking for some basic information.

Jarrell adds magazines, puzzles, and DVDs are also available to be checked out, and notes it's funded by the federal government's "New Horizons" program, which also supports the weekly knitting group for seniors, which meets Thursdays - currently, members are knitting items for CHADWIC Home, after donating past creations to Iris Place and to support people in Ukraine.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Fewer Active

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 30 new cases over the last week - reducing the Elliot Lake count by one but adding 25 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, five 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 to 44, with twelve in hospital, one in an ICU.

This was the health unit's first weekly update since December 5th not to include at least one new COVID-19 death.

Wawa Adult Learning Centre Preparing for Adult Prom Dance, Holding Special Pop Up Closet

Wawa residents are invited to go to prom - and support a local organization.

Wawa Adult Learning Centre Executive Director Michelle Terris explains the centre's hosting a special dance next week.

While Terris says the dress code's flexible - formal is encouraged, but not required - she notes a special event's being held today to help.

The "Pop Up Prom Closet" runs from 2 pm to 6 pm this afternoon at the Wawa Adult Learning Centre, with the Adult Prom Dance to be held Saturday, January 27th, at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Wawa Council Approves 2024 Budget, But Not New Tax Rates

Wawa Municipal Council's approved this year's budget - but not the tax rates.

In their meeting last night, Council approved a series of by-laws to implement the operating and capital budgets - and the new schedule of fees - but that did not include the tax rates, as Treasurer Manuela Batovanja explained they're still waiting to receive the education rates before it can be finalized.

The operating budget presented last month outlined a 4% levy increase, and Batovanja acknowledged that - and rising water rates - would mean an increase in bills.

In addition to the budget measures, Council approved an application for a minor variance through its Committee of Adjustment, as well as - in the regular meeting - plans for a pilot project with Food Cycle Science, wherein the company's "FoodCyclers" would be offered at a discounted rate, partly subsidized by the Municipality - Council was told in a November meeting that the machine reduces food waste by about 90%, converting it to nutrient-rich soil that could be used in gardens in just a few hours, potentially reducing food waste going to the landfill, which can create harmful methane gas, attract nuisance animals, and simply take up needed space for other household waste.

Local French Catholic Schools Holding Open Houses

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

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says Wawa's Ecole secondaire Saint-Joseph will hold an open house at 6:30 pm tonight, with Chapleau's Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium holding one next at 6:30 pm tomorrow night.

The board's also holding a Kindergarten registration event at both schools - as well as Dubreuilville's Ecole St-Joseph - next week,, for parents of children born in 2020 who'll be attending school in September.

Iris Place Thanks Impala Canada/Lac Des Iles Mine for Donation

Wawa's Iris Place is thanking a mining company for major support.

Local resident Derek Smith had nominated the organization for support from Impala Canada's Lac Des Iles Mine's Recreation Committee, resulting in a $7427 donation to the local drop-in centre - funds Clubhouse/Peer Support Worker Michelle Richardson says will greatly help.

Richardson emphasizes Iris Place offers various supports for individuals living with mental health or addiction issues.

Located at 22 Broadway Avenue, Iris Place is open 9 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Friday.

Weather Causes Cancellation of Wawa Events

Weather's led to the cancellation of a couple events in Wawa.

While Sir James Dunn Public School was planning to hold a kindergarten registration event this evening, that's been postponed to Thursday from 6 pm to 7 pm.

The Wawa Family Health Team's also cancelled today's indoor walking program at Michipicoten High School, though it is currently expected to resume tomorrow - it usually runs 4:30 pm to 6 pm Monday to Thursday afternoons.

Today's Heritage Committee meeting's also been postponed, to Tuesday, January 30th.

Wawa Council is still set to hold a trio of meetings, at 6:30 pm.

Highway 17 Closed from Wawa to Batchawana, 101 from Wawa to Chapleau

The ongoing winter storm has closed a couple local highways.

Ontario's Ministry of Transportation says Highway 17 remains closed south of Wawa to Batchewana - it hasn't reopened since closing due to weather around 11 o'clock Monday morning - while Highway 101 is also closed from Wawa to Chapleau - both closures are "due to weather", so there's no estimated time for reopening.

Environment Canada is forecasting snow squalls or flurries with blowing snow for Wawa - expecting 15 to 25 centimetres this afternoon, another 15 tonight, and 2 to 4 before it drops to a low chance of flurries around noon tomorrow - with 20 to 40 centimetres expected for Montreal River Harbour through tomorrow, while Chapleau's only expecting up to 10 centimetres today and tonight, mainly over northern sections of the area.

Wawa Holding 1st Meetings of 2024, Set to Vote on Budget

Wawa Municipal Council's starting off their year by holding a trio of meetings - set to include confirmation of this year's budget.

First up is a Committee of Adjustment meeting to address an application for a minor variance, then a Committee of the Whole meeting, which will include monthly reports from department heads, discussion on the proposed name change for High Falls Road - and other connected roads - as well as proposed changes to the waste disposal site's levels of service, plus an update on the drill rig monument, the 2024 operating and capital budget and schedule of fees, a zoning notice for short-term accommodations, and a request for an additional waiver of fees for the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

That'll be followed by a regular Council meeting, which includes a resolution to continue repair work on the drill rig, and by-laws to adopt the new schedule of fees and otherwise implement the budget - Treasurer Manuela Batovanja explains the budget presented in early December proposes 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.

The meetings will be held back-to-back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm tonight in Council Chambers - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting seventeen since Friday - eleven in Greater Sudbury, four in the broader Sudbury District, two in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dipped slightly, to 64.

The health unit only updates hospitalization figures Wednesday, but last showed 41 in hospital, three in ICUs.

Impaired Driving Charges After Single Vehicle Collision in Chapleau

Impaired driving charges have been laid after a single vehicle collision in Chapleau.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the collision on Fox Lake Road shortly before 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, determining through investigation that the driver had consumed alcoholic beverages.

The Chapleau 23-year-old was charged with operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs and operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), then released with a March court date, though she was also issued a 90-day Administrative Driver's Licence Suspension and the vehicle's impounded for seven days.

Highway 17 Closed South of Wawa Due to Weather

Highway 17 is closed south of Wawa due to weather conditions.

Ontario's Ministry of Transportation says the highway's closed between Wawa and Batchawana "due to weather", with no estimated time for reopening.

Though Sault Ste. Marie only has a moderate chance of flurries before Tuesday night, Environment Canada is forecasting flurries with the risk of snow squalls and local blowing snow for Wawa through Tuesday - 2 to 4 centimetres expected this afternoon, 5 to 10 tonight, and another 10 tomorrow - though 30 to 50 centimetres of snow's expected for the Montreal River Harbour through tomorrow.

Early Bird Deadline for Dubreuilville's Magpie Winter Pike Derby

Time's almost up for early birds to register for Dubreuilville's Magpie Winter Pike Derby.

Roger Gamache of the Dubreuilville Magpie Rod and Gun Club says there are a number of prizes in the derby, including one requiring you register no later than today.

To register, etransfer $120 to dmwd2015@hotmail.com - details on registering can be found on the derby's Facebook page.

The derby will be held March 9th.

Chapleau Council Set to Hold 1st Meeting of 2024

Chapleau Town Council's set to hold its first meeting of the year.

Included on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting are reports on the Municipal Accommodation Tax and airport de-icing equipment, a request for improvement to the baseball diamond, Canada Day budget approvals, and four "in-camera" items, all relating to Human Resources.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm tonight in Civic Centre Council Chambers - details on accessing it electronically can be found on the Township's website.

Early Bird Deadline Nears for Wawa Ice Fishing Derby

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 emphasizes the deadline is less than a week 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.

Preparations Ramping Up for Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby

Preparations are ramping up, as Chapleau's annual ice fishing derby nears.

With the event less than a month away, organizer Luc Tessier of the Rotary Club of Chapleau reminds there's a few options to get tickets.

Tessier notes there are cash prizes for the top eight fish, including $10,000 for the biggest.

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

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