Wawa Council Holding 2 Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council will honour a retiring firefighter, hear about professional medical recruitment efforts, and consider landfill service levels in a pair of meetings tonight.

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, featuring a presentation for retired Wawa Volunteer Fire Department Captain David Jennings, as well as a delegation from the Lady Dunn Health Centre on medical professional recruitment efforts, plus discussion about a request from the Wawa Minor Hockey Association to extend the arena ice season, and Infrastructure Services funding requests for water tower upgrades and a trench box.

Those requests will be followed up in tonight's regular Council meeting, which also includes a resolution to accept a staff recommendation to change levels of service for the landfill - an item Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall raised in November.

Weatherall had outlined options including reducing hours and potentially closing on more days, as Wawa's landfill is open more hours and days than most similar communities.

There are also three "in-camera" items, two legal issues - one about outstanding property taxes, another about an offer to purchase property - the third is a "land matter".

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

St. Augustine Gr. 7/8 Trip Fundraising Bottle Drive Arrives

Some Wawa students will be out in the community tonight to collect bottles after the derby weekend.

St. Augustine French Immersion Catholic School Principal Nadine Cartledge explains students are conducting the bottle drive tonight, to raise funds for the Grade 7 and 8 end-of-year graduation trip.

Cartledge notes you can also comment on social media ads - or send a direct message - to be added to the list.

The bottle drive runs from 5 pm to 8 pm tonight.

Chapleau Student Named ADSB Student Trustee

A Chapleau student will serve as a student trustee for the Algoma District School Board.

Chapleau High School Grade 11 student Addy McEachren is one of three new student trustees for the upcoming school year, noted to be a "very motivated, hard-working student" who has been an "integral part" of school's Student Senate and "taken on several leadership initiatives that have made a strong impact on the student body as a whole", including leading Chapleau High's Senate group in updating the school's Student Success Room last year and planning events or activities for the school - she also volunteers in community, involved for several years in the Chapleau Firefighters Association.

She'll replace fellow Chapleau High student Casey Bouvier, who's been a student trustee for the last year.

The changeover is set to happen August 1st.

Harassing Communications & Assaulting Police Officers Charges in Wawa

A Wawa resident's facing charges of harassing communications and assaulting peace officers.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a report of harassment on Wood Avenue in Wawa around the afternoon of February 12th, with investigation revealing the accused had - despite being warned by police not to - continued to communicate with the victim of a previous incident, leading to the 27-year-old's arrest - in the process, he physically assaulted the two arresting officers.

Charged with a count of harassing communications and two of assault peace officer, the man was released from custody with a Wawa court date next week.

Assault Charges for 2 Over Hawk Junction Incident

Assault charges have been laid over a Hawk Junction incident.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a disturbance on Boucher Avenue shortly after 8 pm February 11th, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 20-year-old Hawk Junction resident on a charge of assault causing bodily harm and a 48-year-old Wawa resident on a count of assault.

Both were released from custody, with a Wawa court date next week.

Valentine's Day Family Dispute Leads to Charges for Wawa Resident

A family dispute's led to a few charges for a Wawa resident.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a disturbance on Nyman Avenue shortly before 7 pm February 14th, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 27-year-old on two counts of mischief under $5000 and two of fail to comply with probation order - the accused was remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

Charges Laid Over Wawa Theft Investigation

A few charges have been laid over a theft investigation in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a reported theft on Regina Crescent shortly after 10 pm February 14th, with investigation leading to the arrest of a Wawa 22-year-old on charges of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, mischief under $5000, and fail to comply with release order.

He was remanded into custody, pending a bail hearing.

APH Reminds Parents to Get Kids' Vaccinations & Records Updated

Algoma Public Health's warning thousands of students are facing suspension without updated immunizations and records.

Emphasizing "high levels of vaccination contribute to herd immunity which keeps dangerous diseases away from our children", the local health unit says it's sending out about 4000 letters and suspension orders to parents and guardians in Algoma whose child does not have up-to-date immunization records, either because they haven't received an update or because they're overdue for one or more vaccines.

Ontario law requires youth under age 18 to have received certain vaccines or have a valid exemption on file or be suspended up to 20 days, which would continue to happen if the information's not received.

Suspensions are set to start in the spring.

Missing Manitouwadge Man Found In Good Health

A missing Manitouwadge man has been found safe, shortly after he was reported missing.

Ontario Provincial Police had put out a request for help finding the 26-year-old shortly before 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon - saying he was last seen around noon and there were concerns about his well-being - but police confirmed just minutes later that he'd been found safe and sound "in good health".

No Fishing on Wawa Ice Fishing Derby Lakes for Participants Until Derby Arrives

With just days left before the annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby, organizers are reminding participants to stay off the lakes.

According to derby rules, there is no fishing on the Wawa, Hawk, and Manitowik Lakes for any derby contestants for the rest of the week, until fishing officially opens for the derby Saturday morning.

Reminding there are prizes for the top six fish on each of the three derby lakes - in addition to the $35,000 registration prize - Derby President Shayne Wardrop says there are still some tickets left.

The 32nd annual derby arrives Friday, running through Sunday, March 3rd.

Registration runs from 6 pm to 9 pm Thursday night, 10 am to 10 pm Friday, and 9 am to 12 noon Saturday.

Boil Water Advisory Issued for Dubreuilville

A boil water advisory's been issued for the Township of Dubreuilville.

Mayor Beverly Nantel explains the advisory stems from a temporary issue at the water treatment plant.

Mayor Nantel warns the advisory will stay in place at least 24 more hours, as they need two consecutive samples to come back clear - one was taken Monday and sent out for testing, though results aren't expected back until late tonight, with a second sample taken today though results aren't expected for that until tomorrow night - if both pass testing, then the advisory could be lifted Wednesday night.

Nantel promises to post updates on the Township's Facebook page.

Until then, residents of the Township of Dubreuilville are warned to either use an alternate water source - like commercially bottled water - or bring water to a roiling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, brushing teeth, preparing foods that do not require cooking, or making things such as infant formula, ice, tea, coffee, drink mixes, puddings, or jellos, discarding any that may have already been made with such water - Algoma Public Health also advises against using auto-shutoff kettles or coffee makers as they don't reach a boil time of a minute, and to use 70 percent alcohol hand sanitizer after washing hands - more advice on boil water advisories can be found on the health unit's website.

While the Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon confirms Ecole St-Joseph's affected, the school remains open, with bottled water to be made available for students and staff until the advisory's rescinded.

2 Teens Charged After Attempted Traffic Stop Near Marathon

Two teens are facing charges after an attempted traffic stop near Marathon.

Ontario Provincial Police say the Anishinabek Police Service initiated the stop after observing a traffic violation on Highway 17 east of Marathon around 2 o'clock Saturday morning, but the vehicle ended up fleeing down the highway - OPP later attempted a stop but were unsuccesful, even deploying a tire deflation device, but the vehicle continued driving.

Marathon OPP later located the vehicle engulfed in flames - temporarily closing the highway - with the suspects found in the nearby bush and arrested.

An 18-year-old from Tillsonburg's been charged with dangerous operation, flight from peace officer, and two counts of obstruct peace officer, while a 17-year-old - who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act - has been charged with obstruct peace officer.

Both were released from custody with a future court date.

OPP Warn Drivers to Watch for Wildlife

Ontario Provincial Police are warning drivers to watch out for wildlife.

East Algoma OPP report they've seen 24 collisions so far this month, with six - a quarter of those collisions - involving deer, as the animals are moving around with the more spring-like weather, meaning a high presence of deer along roads such as the Trans-Canada highway.

Emphasizing deer seldom run alone, OPP remind motorists to especially be aware during the morning or afternoon - as deer tend to be more active in early morning or late afternoon - elevating awareness near deer crossing signs, and using high beams at night when there's no oncoming traffic.

Wawa Council Takes Step Toward Finalizing Downtown Community Improvement Plan

The Municipality of Wawa's taken a major step toward finalizing a key plan for the downtown.

In a special meeting under the planning act last night, consultants WSP outlined the proposed Downtown Community Improvement Plan, noting the planning and economic development tool establishes a framework to achieve community-tailored goals, in this case revitalizing Wawa's downtown, including encouraging redevelopment or reinvestment in underutilized or unused properties.

Following up on a 2008 plan - which was never implemented - the new CIP proposes twelve financial incentive programs, including three housing-focused grants - one for exploring the feasibility and developing affordable housing, another for residential "intensification" by utilizing the upper storeys of buildings with a commercial business on the ground floor - plus nine general grants or rebates, including to address accessibility, for beautification, to develop "brownfield" sites, improve building facades or signage, and improve energy efficiency, or helping with planning or building fees or tax increases after major improvements.

It does recommend enhancements to gateway and wayfinding signage for the area, along with public art installations, crosswalk improvements, Broadway Avenue streetscaping, and even seasonal repurposing of some on-street parking areas for sitting areas.

In addition, the report proposes urban design guidelines - not requirements, but suggestions - and WSP suggested the Municipality amend its zoning by-law to further support downtown housing, though that is not part of the CIP itself.

Adoption of the plan's expected to come up for a Council vote next month.

Wawa Council Considers Official Plan & Zoning By-Law Changes to Allow Short-Term Accommodations

Wawa Municipal Council's considering some local law changes to allow short-term accommodations.

As short-term rentals - like AirBnB - are technically illegal in the community because they're not currently recognized by the zoning by-law, Council held a special meeting under the Planning Act last night, to discuss proposed amendments to the Official Plan and the zoning by-law that would permit short-term accommodations in residential zones, recognizing they've already been here for decades.

There would be a number of restrictions, including requiring short-term accommodations be licensed - that system would be worked out after these amendments are confirmed - while limiting it to dwelling units - or parts of them - used to provide temporary accommodation for no more than 29 days, with a limit of 3 per dwelling - the rental would need to be secondary to its residential purpose, could not be in a garage or shed, and would need to meet fire and building codes, plus have one parking space per bedroom or sleep area.

Hotels, commercial RV parks, and bed and breakfasts would not be covered, though the latter would also be defined under the amendments - since B&Bs currently are not - requiring them to be part of the owner's residence.

Questions were raised about the licensing, related fees - like the Municipal Accommodation Tax being explored by the Municipality - and "auditing" to ensure they meet the standards, as well as whether a cap would be placed on the number allowed in town - at this point, no - and concerns were raised about whether this could worsen Wawa's housing shortage and whether neighbours could have any "say" in allowing the rentals.

Mayor Melanie Pilon and CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill did assure a multi-pronged approach is being taken to address housing - Pilon noted the Municipality's "ambitious" housing pledge - pointing to an item discussed later that night, to apply for funding for a water main project that could assist with building new housing in areas such as "Churchill Phase 5".

APH Board of Health Votes Down Merger With PHSD, Despite PHSD Board Approval

Two local health units will not be moving ahead with a voluntary merger.

The boards of health for Algoma Public Health and the neighbouring Public Health Sudbury and Districts voted late last year to explore the feasibility of a merger, bringing the idea to separate votes by each board on Tuesday.

While the board of health for PHSD voted unanimously in favour of combining, with board for APH did the opposite, unanimously voting not to proceed with a voluntary merger, with Board Chair Sally Hagman emphasizing "ensuring the well-being of our communities is paramount" and the "decision reflects that commitment".

Wawa Municipal Council had recently sent a letter to both boards, with Mayor Melanie Pilon explaining the size of the area that would be served left concerns Wawa would be "losing its voice".

APH currently serves 21 communities across a 44,000 square kilometre area - including Wawa, Dubreuilville, and White River - though the combination of the health units would've more than doubled that to 95,000 square kilometres and more than 40 distinct municipalities, including the Chapleau area.

The two boards started exploring the possible merger last fall, after the provincical government offered funding for units who "voluntarily" merge, which prompted the neighbouring Porcupine and Timiskaming units to explore the option.

The PC government had planned in 2019 to merge the province's dozens of health units into ten, with a single one for northeastern Ontario, claiming larger agencies would mean cost savings and lead to improved public health services.

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