Michipicoten FN Community Trust Election for 1 Trustee Seat

A local election's being held tomorrow: for the Michipicoten First Nation Community Trust.

While an election was held in December, a single trustee position is open - nominations will open from 9 to 11 tomorrow morning, followed by voting from noon to 6 pm in the MFN 10-plex Common Room.

All Michipicoten First Nation band members are encouraged to participate, but reminded you have to be at least 18 to vote - with applicable ID - and potential trustees must be at least 25, and present.

The Trust was established through a settlement agreement on land claims, to ensure the management of compensation.

Superior East OPP Encourage Safety Over Family Day Weekend

As the Family Day long weekend arrives, Ontario Provincial Police are warning everyone to be a little more careful.

Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle encourages parents to talk to their kids about being safe.

Constable Nickle also suggests teaching kids road safety - staying on sidewalks, when possible, or the left side of the road - and have them stay away from water or ice unless with an adult, especially as the warmer weather's made the ice very unpredictable.

Drivers are also reminded to take their time and watch for kids along roads, while snowmobilers are warned to check ice and trail conditions before heading out.

Chapleau's Taste of the North Winter Carnival Returns

Festivities are getting underway today for Chapleau's "Taste of the North" Winter Carnival.

While the school broomball tournament was held earlier this week, Leisure and Culture Services Director Carole Ouellette says a few favourite events are happening tonight.

Ouellette reminds things ramp up tomorrow - with more events through Sunday - while Carnival keychains are available at the Civic Centre through Friday and at the arena through the weekend.

A full schedule of events is available through the carnival's Facebook page.

Entry Deadline Near for Wawa Winter Carnival Competitions

Time's running out to get creative for a few Wawa Winter Carnival competitions.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White reminds the Hat Competition is back.

White also notes the Colouring Competition has returned - with a big change.

Entries for the Hat and Colouring Competitions must be submitted by 4 o'clock Friday.

White adds there's also a new candy or baking competition, with entries to be dropped off at the MMCC by 2 o'clock Saturday.

The Wawa Winter Carnival arrives Friday - carnival buttons are available at the MMCC, with the event schedule on the "Wawa Recreation" Facebook page.

Timmins Man Wins MVFA Cash Draw's Valentine's Day Draw

Wawa's firefighters are congratulating the latest winner through an annual fundraising campaign.

Harold Schmidt of Timmins won $1000 in the second draw of the annual Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters Association cash draw this morning.

Reminding there are still three more $1000 draws and the $10,000 grand prize draw to go, Executive Committee President William Moore notes there are still some tickets left - but not many.

Supporting equipment purchases for the local firefighters, the annual cash draw's final draws will be made March 3rd, at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

Space Left for Iris Place Paint Night Fundraiser

Some space is left for a Valentine's Day fundraiser supporting Wawa's drop-in centre.

Iris Place Clubhouse/Peer Support Worker Michelle Richardson explains the Paint Night fundraiser coming tonight.

Richardson emphasizes funds raised will help support Iris Place.

Tickets can be obtained by contacting Richardson at Iris Place and may even be available at the door of the Paint Night fundraiser, which will be held from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Registration Open for Wawa Triples Curling Funspiel

Curlers are being encouraged to sign up for an upcoming "Funspiel".

Scheduled for February 24th, the Wawa Triples Curling Funspiel will be limited to sixteen teams, with the registration deadline - including payment - next Monday, February 19th.

For details, contact Andy Stevens by calling 705-856-2884 or 705-975-3441, or Jim Hoffmann at 705-852-1274.

Pierre Joyal Wins 26th Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby

Lines are out of the water as Chapleau's 26th annual Pike Ice Fishing Derby is now in the books.

Nearly 700 anglers from near and far hit the ice for the Saturday derby, but the top prize of $30,000 went to a 7.93-pound pike caught by Pierre Joyal - who’d travelled from Florida to his hometown - while the $15,000 second prize went to Claude Clouthier with a 5.83-pound pike, and Steven Bernier claimed the $10,000 third prize.

While Rotary Club of Chapleau Acting President Luc Tessier acknowledges weather had been a concern, he's positive about the event.

Tessier adds funds raised by the derby helps the local Rotary Club, supporting various causes and organizations in the community.

Space Running Out for Iris Place's Valentine's Day Paint Night Fundraiser

Space is running out for a Valentine's Day event supporting Wawa's drop-in centre.

Iris Place Clubhouse/Peer Support Worker Michelle Richardson reminds a Paint Night fundraiser will be held to support Iris Place.

Space is limited - tickets can be obtained by contacting Richardson at Iris Place - with the Paint Night fundraiser happening Wednesday, from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Crafting Competitions Launched Ahead of Wawa Winter Carnival

Wawa residents are being encouraged to get creative ahead of the annual winter carnival.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains the Hat Competition is back.

White notes the Colouring Competition has returned - with a big change.

White also highlights a new contest: a candy or baking competition.

The Wawa Winter Carnival arrives Friday - carnival badges will be available at the MMCC, with the event schedule on the "Wawa Recreation" Facebook page and in a pamphlet in mailboxes soon.

Chapleau Council Holding 1st February Meeting

Chapleau Town Council's set to discuss tourism, planning, and more.

Included on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting are items about the Chapleau Tourism Development Fund, the Strategic Plan and Community Improvement Plan, and a fire truck grant opportunity, as well as various fire protection agreements.

There are also four "in-camera" items: one relating to the sale of land; two regarding labour relations; the other about "information supplied in confidence to the municipality".

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.

MVFA Cash Draw's $1000 Valentine's Day Draw Nears

Time is running out for early birds to get a ticket for the Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association's annual cash draw.

As the next $1000 draw will be made on Valentine's Day, Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association Executive Committee President William Moore explains the draw supports local fire services.

In addition to the Wednesday morning draw, there will be three more $1000 draws and the $10,000 grand prize draw, all of which will be made at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby on Sunday, March 3rd.

Split the Pot Lottery Returns, LDHC Foundation Participating

Wawa's hospital is again "splitting the pot" with other hospitals in a unique online lottery.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Coordinator Alisha Allin explains the province-wide "Split the Pot Lottery" is back, calling it "a spin on a traditional 50/50 lottery".

Allin emphasizes this supports the local hospital.

It's on until March 21st - with some early bird draws - with details and tickets at splitthepot.ca, or by contacting the local Foundation.

Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby Returns

Anglers are heading out on the ice in Chapleau this weekend, as the Rotary Club of Chapleau hosts the community's 26th annual Pike Ice Fishing Derby.

Noting there are still some tickets available, acting Rotary Club president Luc Tessier reminds there are cash prizes for the top eight pike, with a fair amount on the line for the top three.

Tessier reminds funds raised through the derby can support various causes.

Registration runs from 2 pm to 10 pm today at the Community Hall, with fishing on the Chapleau River - including Mulligan's Bay - running from 7 am to 4 pm tomorrow.

JJAM FM will be broadcasting live updates from 11 am to 4 pm.

Superior East OPP Remind No Ice Is Safe Ice Ahead of Chapleau Derby

Local police are issuing a few safety reminders ahead of the Chapleau derby.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Ashley Nickle emphasizes "no ice is safe ice", especially in this mild winter.

Constable Nickle also recommends anglers fish with a buddy or group - making sure you know rescue procedures - as well as taking an emergency kit and ensuring your vehicle's in top condition - she also reminds everyone to fish sober and especially warns against drinking and driving.

PHSD Reports 251st COVID-19 Death

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting a death in Greater Sudbury in which COVID contributed but was not the underlying cause of death - that brings the health unit's COVID death toll to 251, 218 of those in the city - it last reported a death January 19th.

The health unit's also reporting nine new cases since Monday - seven in Greater Sudbury, two in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dipped to 59, with 37 in hospital.

LDHC Joining in New Split the Pot Lottery

Wawa's hospital foundation is again partnering with several others for a unique online lottery.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Coordinator Alisha Allin explains today marks a new round of the province-wide "Split the Pot Lottery", which she calls "a spin on a traditional 50/50 lottery".

While Allin says the last time the Foundation participated - last fall - was "very successful", she's very optimistic about the new campaign.

Allin emphasizes this will support the Foundation.

Details - and tickets - can be found at splitthepot.ca, though tickets may also be purchased via debit or credit card by contacting the Foundation.

Hoffmann Tapped to Represent Wawa Council on New Superior East OPP Board

Councillor Jim Hoffmann will continue to represent Wawa Municipal Council amid a change in local police boards.

As the provincial government's changing local boards for areas policed by the OPP to be one board for the entire detachment area, that means Wawa's Police Services Board - a remnant from the days when the community had its own municipal police service - will cease to be, replaced by an OPP Superior East Detachment Board.

Speaking last night, Wawa CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill explained the province has finally released proposed regulations outlining the division of costs for boards - to be allocated equally between communities - the term length and remuneration for members, and the general makeup of the boards.

In the case of the local detachment, the board would - as had been expected by local communities - have one Council representative from each of the main municipalities covered - Wawa, Chapleau, Dubreuilville, White River, and Hornepayne - plus two community reps and two provincial appointees, for a total of nine board members.

Council passed a resolution confirming Deputy Mayor Hoffmann as the Council rep to the board, continuing his current role on the Wawa Police Service Board.

Input is being accepted on the provincial regulations - posted on the Ontario Regulation Registry - until Tuesday, February 13th.

Wawa Council Starting 2025-27 Budget Discussions

Wawa Municipal Council's getting an early start on budget discussions.

Less than a month after passing this year's budget, a special meeting will be held tonight, with a single item on the agenda: 2025-27 budget discussions, including a presentation, though it's mainly to go over the process, reasoning, and priorities for the budget, as well as set dates for future meetings to brainstorm budget goals and other budget-related items.

The public is able to attend the meeting, which will be held in Council Chambers at 6:30 pm, and broadcast on the Municipality's YouTube channel.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 44 over the last week - 34 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, eight in the Elliot Lake area, and two in Central and East Algoma - pushing known "high risk active" cases up to 55, with seven in hospital, one in an ICU.