MMCC Arena Ice Season Extended Due to NOHA Tournament of Champions

Wawa's hockey players and skaters are getting a little more ice time.

Facing a request to extend the season to give hockey players opportunity to prepare for the Northern Ontario Hockey Association's "Tournament of Champions" (which will be held the first weekend of April), Wawa Municipal Council's approved the extension of the arena ice season to Thursday, April 4th, the day before the tournament begins.

Curling ice season was already set to continue through that weekend, which is when the Men's Bonspiel will be held.

The resolution also commits to a review of the arena ice use policy, updating it to include criteria for determining future ice extension requests that do not meet the policy's requirements, hopefully avoiding what has become an annual issue, of Council needing to consider requests to extend the season due to tournaments late in the season.

Discussion on the request had focused on the cost of extending the season, including for staffing and the extra wear-and-tear on the arena - particularly amid a likely warmer and more humid period - and whether the cantina would stay open, which it will.

Half Load Restriction for 4 Wawa Roads

Wawa drivers are being warned of some weight restrictions on local roads.

A notice from the Municipality says - due to current conditions - a half load restriction is in effect for the Tremblay Flats, Harbour, High Falls, and Steep Hill roads.

It does not mention when that restriction will end.

Anyone needing more information can call the Municipality's Infrastructure Services Department.

Wawa's FoodCycler Pilot Program Nears End

Time and supplies are running out for a Wawa pilot program to address food waste.

The Municipality of Wawa's teamed up with Food Cycle Science to offer 100 of its FoodCycler countertop composter systems at a discounted rate, and Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall explains the devices are a convenient way to compost.

Available in two sizes, the devices - which are touted as reducing food waste by about 90 percent - are offered until Friday, March 8th on a first-come first-served basis, until supplies run out.

More information's available on the municipal website or at the Municipal Office.

Dubreuilville & Hawk Junction Winter Derbies Cancelled Due to Weather/Ice Conditions

Sad news for anglers, as two local derbies have been cancelled.

The Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Fishing Derby Committee's announced the annual event - which was set to be held Saturday - will not be taking place, citing "the mild conditions and uncertainty of the ice condition", which they say "pose too great a risk to ensure the safety of all participants".

Anglers who'd already registered will be contacted, given the option to either receive a refund or to roll their registration over for the 2025 derby.

Meanwhile, organizers of the Hawk Junction Annual Family Ice Fishing Derby - which was also set to be held Saturday - have also cancelled that event due to current conditions, though they note that the draw supporting Community Hall renovations will still go ahead, with lottery tickets still available and the draw still to be made at 5 o'clock Saturday evening.

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.

Dubreuilville's Boil Water Advisory Lifted

Dubreuilville's boil water advisory has been lifted.

Mayor Beverly Nantel explains the advisory was issued Monday night, due to a temporary issue at the water treatment plant.

Mayor Nantel says water samples taken Monday and Tuesday came back clear, with Algoma Public Health lifting the boil water advisory in response.

Anglers Reminded to Stay Away From Wawa Lake Water Intake

With the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby here, Wawa's reminding anglers to stay away from the municipal water intake.

A notice from the Municipality reminds ice fishing is not permitted within 1000 feet of the shoreline of Wawa Lake between Gold and Ontario Streets, creating a buffer around the intake site.

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.

MHS Indoor Walking Program Cancelled for Day

Wawa's indoor walking program is cancelled for the day.

The Wawa Family Health Team says the late afternoon walking program at Michipicoten High School's cancelled for today, but it should resume tomorrow, running 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm in the afternoon.

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.