Wawa Public Library Marking Family Literacy Day

Local libraries are marking a major day for readers this weekend.

Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains tomorrow is Family Literacy Day.

Jarrell emphasizes there's more than one way to read to your children.

Jarrell encourages parents to bring their kids to the library and get them a card and some books - giving them some responsibility, as well - noting there's some book displays set up for Family Literacy Day, and another special resource to check out.

In addition to celebrating Family Literacy Day, the Library's Pokemon Go Club will meet at 11 am Saturday.

Info Session on Wawa's 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 tonight, to discuss a draft for the 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 runs from 6:30 pm to 8 pm tonight, in the downstairs boardroom at the Municipal Office, though details for joining via Zoom can be found on the Municipal website.

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 twelve since Monday - nine in Greater Sudbury, three in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dipped slightly, to 42, with 32 in hospital, two in ICUs - both down slightly from last week.

Wawa Doubles Curling Funspiel Called "Great Success"

Organizers of Wawa's recent "funspiel" are calling it "a great success".

Sixteen teams were registered for the 3rd Annual Doubles Curling Funspiel held last weekend, with Tom and Melissa Terris ended up first overall, followed by Joe McCoy and Tyler Fahrer in second, then Barb and Mark Leschishin in third.

Pat Harron's thanked for catering supper, Doris and Julie for being refreshment servers, MMCC staff for setting up the ice and other support, and organizers Jim Hoffmann and Andy Stevens are also highlighted, along with the Wawa Curling Leagues.

Curlers are reminded a three-person funspiel's in the planning stage for February 24th, while everyone's encouraged to contact the Community Centre for information about curling leagues and open curling.

CSC Nouvelon Highlights Chapleau Student for Parliamentary Role

A Chapleau student's being highlighted for a parliamentary role.

The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon is putting the spotlight on Emmanuel Boucher, who's held the position of co-Prime Minister of Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium's Student Parliament, a role that also sees the Grade 12 student sit on the French Catholic school board's Student Senate, quoting Boucher as "happy to be a member of the Student Senate because I enjoy creating activities for the students at Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium and having fun", as well as "representing my school at the school board level and in the community", wanting to - along with the Student Parliament team - "help develop my school for years to come".

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

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting nineteen over the last week - twelve in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four in the Elliot Lake area, one 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 36, with eight in hospital.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Surpasses $1-Million Raised

The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's celebrating a major milestone.

Following the recent Giving Tuesday and Wish Campaigns, the Foundation's announced it surpassed $1-million in funds raised since it was created in 2008 - in fact, it hit $1,003,000 - which it notes is particularly important as foundations face "even greater challenges to their fundraising efforts" with health care services "in severe decline".

In the fifteen years since the Foundation was founded, over $750,000 in equipment has been purchased, with another $140,000 already allocated and over $75,000 in restricted funds for long-term care, cancer, and palliative care needs.

Wawa Family Health Team Welcomes New Doctor: Dr. Matt Breton

The Wawa Family Health Team's welcoming a new doctor to the team.

Dr. Matt Breton - who joined at the start of the year - obtained his medical degree and completed a family medicine residency at the University of Toronto, and has practiced in rural settings across Ontario, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories, but first visited Wawa in 2020 while completing the Lake Superior Provincial Park Coastal Trail with his partner, returning as a resident in 2021 and serving as a recurring locum since.

Former patients of Dr. Stamler who wish to roster with Dr. Breton have a couple options: if you have an upcoming appointment, simply make sure to bring your valid health care then fill out the paperwork at that time, or attend the clinic during a roster blitz today or next Tuesday, January 30th through Friday, February 2nd, between 11 am and 6 pm - those unable to attend during blitz times can also call the Wawa Family Health Team at 705-856-1313, using menu option 2.

The Wawa Doctors Medical Group also thanks recruitment coordinator Ann Fenlon, the Lady Dunn Health Centre, community support, and everyone else involved in recruitment efforts

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.