Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby Nears

Organizers are ramping up preparations for Chapleau's annual ice fishing derby, just ahead of the event.

Rotary Club of Chapleau acting president Luc Tessier acknowledges concerns stemming from recent weather conditions.

Tessier adds OPP patrols will be checking to verify ice thickness on Monday.

Touting over $70,000 in prizes - including $30,000 for the biggest pike - Tessier reminds there are a few ways to get your ticket.

Tickets will be on sale until the day of the 26th annual Pike Ice Fishing Derby, which is Saturday, February 10th.

Registration Deadline for Chapleau Winter Carnival Open Hockey Tournament

Time's almost up for teams wanting to play in Chapleau's "Taste of the North" Winter Carnival Open Hockey Tournament.

Today is the deadline for teams to register for either the Men's or Women's division - the cost is $800 per team, though the tournament boasts $2500 first prizes and $1500 second prizes for both divisions, as well as a $1000 third prize for the Men's Division, which is limited to eight teams, while the Women's Division is limited to four.

To register, contact Leisure and Cultural Services Director Carole Ouellette at the AW Moore Arena - at 705-864-0154 - or email couellette@chapleau.ca by 4:30 pm this afternoon.

The Chapleau "Taste of the North" Winter Carnival will be held February 16th to 18th.

Wawa Mayor Touts Attendance at Recent ROMA Conference

Wawa's mayor is touting attendance at a recent conference.

A release from the Municipality notes Mayor Melanie Pilon attended last week's Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference in Toronto, taking part in "several learning sessions, delegations, and meetings with other mayors from across Northern Ontario" - and Mayor Pilon notes that included an in-person meeting to discuss a key issue for Wawa.

Wawa Council last year passed a resolution calling on ADSAB to review its apportionment calculation - as was recommended by outside firm Municipal Government Wayfinders in the 2021 municipal transformation report - the main concerns stemming from the way the formula considers the "power dam compensatory payment" that Wawa receives from the provincial government in lieu of property taxes from local hydro dams - which used to be taxable - as the payment is not indexed to inflation and the Municipality has continually noted uncertainty about the payment.

Mayor Pilon notes a meeting's also been set for later this month to discuss improving local broadband, but she has another highlight of the conference: a meeting of the Northern Ontario Women Mayor's Caucus.

Mayor Pilon encourages residents to keep an eye out for more details about that group in the future.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 21 since Friday - twelve in Greater Sudbury, another in the western Sudbury District, and eight in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 52.

The health unit only updates hospitalization figures Wednesdays, but last showed 32 in hospital, two in ICUs.

Alzheimer Awareness Month Nearing End

As January winds down, the local Alzheimer Society is encouraging people to learn more about dementia.

Noting January is Alzheimer Awareness Month, First Link Coordinator Chris Rask acknowledges most people think of memory loss as the primary symptom of dementia, but memory loss doesn't mean you have dementia.

Rask says signs of dementia include changes in personality.

Rask highlights other signs of dementia.

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

Chapleau Council Holding 2nd January Meeting

Chapleau Town Council's set to discuss bridges, remuneration, procurement, and more.

Included on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting are reports on bridge inspections and the 2023 budget variance, by-laws to establish remuneration rates for Council members and adopt a policy on procurement of goods and services for the Township, and a single "in-camera" item, the six-month performance review for CAO Judith Meyntz.

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.

WAVS Urges Residents to Beware of Cyber And Other Scams

A local organization's urging people to beware of cyber scams.

Wawa and Area Victim Services Executive Director Beverly Boyd warns there are a number of scams online, highlighting the "romantic scam".

Boyd also points to the Canada Revenue Agency scam.

Boyd emphasizes that you should be especially wary when you're told you can't discuss it with anyone, and also warns those shopping online that "if it seems too good to be true, it might be".

Police urge anyone who believes they've been contacted by a fraudster to cut off contact and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre - if you're a victim of a fraud or scam, call police.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is twelve since Wednesday - seven in Greater Sudbury, two in the western Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 45.

The health unit only updates hospitalization figures Wednesdays, but last showed 32 in hospital, two in ICUs.

Chapleau Mayor Touts Attendance at Recent ROMA Conference

Chapleau's mayor is touting a recent conference as a success.

Speaking to JJAM FM News, Mayor Ryan Bignucolo noted the Township was able to have a few delegations at the recent Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference in Toronto, with "followup calls” planned.

Mayor Bignucolo says he stayed an extra day after the conference to meet with executives from GreenFirst Forest Products - owners of Chapleau's sawmill - along with mayors from the other communities where it has operations, discussing their plans - with the chip problem highlighted as an issue that needs to be urgently addressed, along with housing.

Mayor Bignucolo adds he also had a meeting with Hydro One - discussing the proposed sale of Chapleau Hydro to the larger utility - and touts how the conference allows brief meetings with ministers, and facilitates networking with other mayors and communities.

Wawa Adult Learning Centre's Adult Prom Dance Arrives

Some Wawa adults are going to prom this weekend - in support of the local food bank.

Emphasizing it's meant as community outreach - with funds raised supporting the Wawa Community Food Bank - Wawa Adult Learning Centre Executive Director Michelle Terris explains Saturday's Adult Prom Dance will feature a number of things familiar to a prom.

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 - though there may be available for cash only at the door of the Adult Prom Dance, which will be held tomorrow night at 8 pm, at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

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.

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

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