Wawa Council Holding Special Meeting on Fire Service Review

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a special meeting tonight to go over fire services.

There are two items on the agenda for tonight's meeting: a presentation from the Loomex Group, and a resolution to accept their Wawa Fire Service Review report, the focus of the presentation.

Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin told JJAM FM News last year - when Loomex was awarded the contract for the review - that the report simply goes over what is and should be offered in the community.

Open for the public to attend, the meeting will be held at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers, and livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Wawa Legion Looking at Replacing Current Cenotaph & Relocating It to MMCC

Wawa's Legion Executive is looking at replacing the local cenotaph.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 President Mary Anne Pearson explains the Cenotaph in Queen's Park is in very poor condition.

Pearson says plans are for a few changes, including to the design of the monument, but also its location.

Pearson notes the new spot would be convenient, as recent Remembrance Day ceremonies have been held at the MMCC, anyway - so it would cut travel after the ceremony at the Cenotaph to the larger service.

While she says discussions have been held with the Municipality about the new Cenotaph and location, funding still needs to be secured.

Comments and suggestions about the plan are encouraged - simply contact a member of the Legion Executive: Pearson, Larry Harvey, Barb Leschishin, or Eric Mitrikas.

Chapleau Town Council Discusses Several Items in 1st Meeting of 2024

Chapleau Town Council's had a promising start to the year.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo explains Council discussed de-icing equipment at the airport in their recent first meeting of 2024, calling it "a good investment into the airport".

Bignucolo says Council also discussed the Municipal Accommodation Tax - which applies to things such as hotels, bed and breakfasts, or AirBnB-style rentals - with a request from a local club about the tax, since the funds are meant to support tourism.

Mayor Bignucolo notes the Township's already looking toward Canada Day.

Council also approved a resolution to support a housing project on the waterfront property next to the Chapleau Hub - something Mayor Bignucolo is happy to support.

Like many other municipal representatives, Mayor Bignucolo's currently in Toronto for the annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference.

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 nine since Friday - eight in Greater Sudbury, another in the broader Sudbury District - though known "active" cases dropped to 43.

The health unit only updates hospitalization figures Wednesdays, but last showed 33 in hospital, three in ICUs.

Wawa to Host Info Session on Downtown Community Improvement Plan

Wawa residents are being encouraged to learn more about a key plan being developed for the municipality.

CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill explains an information session will be held this Thursday on a new Community Improvement Plan.

O'Neill notes the plan includes a number of options intended to "bring Broadway back to beautiful".

O'Neill emphasizes the event's meant to be interactive, encouraging everyone to come out and provide input so the plan can be brought to Council with proper feedback on February 20th.

The info session will be held Thursday from 6:30 pm to 8 pm at the downstairs boardroom at the Municipal Office, though details for joining via Zoom can be found on the Municipal website.

Wawa Adult Learning Centre Preparing Adult Prom Dance

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 weekend.

Terris says everyone at least 19 years old is invited - as it is a licensed event - noting the dress code's flexible.

Terris adds tickets are available at the centre - located next to Canadian Tire, on Broadway Avenue - or online, with a link through the centre's Facebook page.

The Adult Prom Dance will be held this Saturday, January 27th, at 8 pm at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

PHSD Reports 250th COVID-19 Death, New Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting a death in the Sudbury District in which COVID contributed but was not the underlying cause of death - that brings the health unit's COVID death toll to 250, nineteen of those in the broader Sudbury District.

It last reported a death January 10th.

The health unit's also reporting six new cases since Wednesday - five in Greater Sudbury, one in the western Sudbury District - though known "active" cases dipped to 55.

The health unit only updates hospitalization figures Wednesdays, but last showed 33 in hospital, three in ICUs.

Wawa Council Calls Special Meeting to Receive Fire Service Review Report

Wawa Municipal Council will hold a special meeting next week to go over a special report.

There are two items on the agenda for the meeting: a presentation from the Loomex Group, and a resolution to accept their Wawa Fire Service Review report, the focus of the presentation.

Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin told JJAM FM News last year - when Loomex was awarded the contract for the review - that the report simply goes over what is and should be offered in the community.

Open for the public to attend - or watch on the Municipality's YouTube channel - the special meeting will be held Wednesday at 6:30 pm, in Council Chambers.

PHSD Urges Precaution Amid Cold Weather

With cold weather here to stay, a local health unit's urging northerners to help prevent frostbite and hypothermia.

Warning hypothermia and frostbite can happen at a wide range of temperatures - but especially when it's colder - Public Health Sudbury and Districts is encouraging precautions, including dressing in layers with a wind resistant outer layer, covering extremities, and staying active but dry, as well as planning according to the weather forecast, limiting the amount of time spent in the cold, and seeking shelter from the wind.

It also recommends monitoring those who may be more vulnerable due to age, living conditions, health conditions, reduced mobility, or isolation, including the unhoused, reminding frostbite is skin that has actually frozen - usually starting with extremities like fingers, toes, ears, nose, and cheeks - while hypothermia's a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's exposed to cold for a long time and loses more heat than it can generate.

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.

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