Superior East OPP to Watch for Seatbelt Use Over Easter Weekend

Local police will be watching for proper seatbelt use over the Easter weekend.

While she says proper seatbelt use is a priority at all times of the year, Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Ashley Nickle explains the local detachment's joining in a province-wide seatbelt safety campaign.

Nickle reminds seatbelts must be worn by all vehicle occupants.

Constable Nickle emphasizes seatbelts should be worn at all times, noting no matter how careful you are, you never know when you might encounter a distracted, impaired, or aggressive driver on the road.

Nickle also warns lack of - or improper - seatbelt use is one of the leading causes of traffic deaths in Ontario.

The Easter Long Weekend Seatbelt Campaign runs from Good Friday through Easter Monday.

Alamos Gold Announces Friendly Buyout of Argonaut Gold

A major deal in the mining industry with substantial ripples locally.

Alamos Gold and Argonaut Gold have announced a definitive agreement for Alamos to acquire all of Argonaut's issued and outstanding shares, which will see Alamos acquire Argonaut's Magino Mine near Dubreuilville, adjacent to Alamos' Island Gold Mine (which Alamos acquired when it bought Richmont in 2017).

Integration of the two operations is expected to create one of the largest and lowest cost gold mines in Canada, a move Alamos expects "to unlock significant value with immediate and long-term synergies expected to total approximately $515-million US", increasing Alamos' combined gold production to over 600,000 ounces per year, with longer-term production potential over 900,000 ounces a year.

Island Gold's been in production since October 2007 - producing over 1-million ounces of gold since - while Magino only began producing gold last June and achieved commercial production at the start of November.

Toronto-based Alamos won't be acquiring Argonaut's operations in the US and Mexico, however, instead spinning those out to Argonaut's existing shareholders as a new junior gold producer dubbed "SpinCo".

The deal still requires court, regulatory, and shareholder approvals, though both boards have given their approval and Argonaut's is recommending shareholders vote in favour.

Memorial Mass & Celebration of Life for Chris Simon

Family, friends, and others are saying goodbye to local NHL hockey pro Chris Simon, who died at the age of 52 last week.

A memorial mass will be held at Wawa's St. Monica's Catholic Church at 11 o'clock this morning, though attendance is limited to invite only, with additional seating instead available at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, where the mass will be live-streamed - it will also be streamed online, available to view for the next four months.

Following this morning's mass, a celebration of Simon's life will be held at the MMCC, which is located on Chris Simon Drive, named for the hockey star.

An obituary notes Simon - who was originally enrolled with Wiikwemikong Unceded Territory before joining Michipicoten First Nation - was proud to be Ojibwe and a proud member of the Anishinabek Nation, but also "equally proud to be from Wawa", where he was born and raised, and called "home".

Simon was drafted by the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers in 1990, playing for a number of NHL clubs from 1992 until 2008, when he joined Russia's KHL, ending his professional career in 2013 - his greatest career moment was winning the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996, bringing the famed trophy back to Wawa.

Pickup Date Set for Wawa's FoodCycler Pilot Program

Participants in a Wawa pilot program to address food waste will be able to pick up their ordered devices ahead of the Easter weekend.

The Municipality of Wawa will distribute Food Cycle Science's FoodCycler countertop composter systems on Thursday, March 28th, though Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall reminds those who get one of the devices are asked to keep track of its use, so Food Cycle Science can analyze its impact.

Those who ordered the devices will be able to pick them up at the Town Hall's downstairs boardroom between 8:30 am and 7 pm Thursday.

Sexual Assault & Other Charges After Chapleau Domestic Disturbance

Several charges have been laid over a Chapleau domestic disturbance.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the disturbance on Pine Park Road shortly after 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon, with a subsequent sexual assault investigation leading to the arrest of a Chapleau 52-year-old on charges of sexual assault, spousal assault with a weapon, spousal assault, and uttering threats to cause death - spousal.

The accused - who will not be identified due to the domestic nature of the incident, to protect the victim - was held for a bail hearing and remanded from custody.

Police emphasize victims of sexual assault are not alone and there are local resources to help, such as Wawa and Area Victim Services, which supports "all communities in Superior East".

Chapleau Ice Season Set to End

Chapleau's "ice season" is going out before the Easter Bunny arrives.

The Township of Chapleau's announced the 2023-24 season will end Saturday, March 30th, with the AW Moore Arena closed as of Sunday, March 31st.

Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre is keeping its ice season going a few more days: a resolution passed last month extended the arena ice season to Thursday, April 4th, 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 - curling ice season continues through that weekend, which is when the Men's Bonspiel will be held, then it will also wrap up.

Wawa's FoodCycler Pilot Extended

A Wawa pilot program to address food waste has been extended.

While the Municipality of Wawa's pilot with Food Cycle Science - offering 100 of its FoodCycler countertop composter systems at a discounted rate - was set to end last week, it's been extended a little longer, as a few more devices are available for purchase.

Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall explains the devices are a convenient way to compost.

Weatherall says those who purchase one of the devices are asked to keep track of its use, so Food Cycle Science can analyze its impact.

The devices are offered on a first-come first-served basis, until supplies run out - more information's available on the municipal website or at the Municipal Office.

Threats Charge Over Wawa Domestic Dispute

A threats charge has been laid after a domestic dispute east of Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to a disturbance on Highway 101 east of Wawa shortly before 11 o'clock Tuesday morning, with subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of a Wawa 43-year-old on a charge of uttering threats to damage property.

The accused - who will not be identified due to the domestic nature of the incident, to protect the victim - was released from custody, with an April court date in Wawa.

$25k Reward Offered For Missing Sault Ste. Marie Man

A reward's being offered for information that leads to a Sault Ste. Marie man missing more than a year.

Sault Ste. Marie Police and Garden River First Nation have announced a partnership to enhance efforts to find 39-year-old Jake Corbiere, with Garden River offering a reward of up to $25,000 for "anyone who provides information that leads to finding Jake", noting his "family, friends, and [the] entire community are eager to find him".

Last seen on Churchill Avenue in the Sault on March 12th, 2023, Corbiere is described as five feet ten inches tall with a thin build, brown eyes, and short brown hair.

Sault Police note they've "conducted several grid searches, consulted financial records, and spoken with people in the community, without success", adding "somebody out there knows something about Jake, and we urged them to come forward".

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call Sault Police or Crime Stoppers.

Wawa Council Continues Early Budget Discussions

Wawa Municipal Council's continuing early budget discussions.

Two months after passing this year's budget, a special meeting will be held tonight, with a single item on the agenda: a budget presentation, though it's mostly follow-up to a meeting last month, which went over the process, reasoning, and priorities for the 2025-2027 budget.

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.

Wawa Library Marking March Break, Raising Funds with "Pocket Hugs"

Wawa's library is in the March Break mood.

Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains there are some special activities for kids.

Jarrell adds a special fundraiser's also happening.

Jarrell emphasizes Pocket Hug sales support the local library with various programs and initiatives.

The library is also set to hold a Spring Seed Swap March 23rd, and will host a book reading by Hawk Junction-born author Norman Douglas April 5th.

Shaw Outage in Wawa Over

2:55 pm Update: Shaw is reporting that service has been restored. The Municipality of Wawa has also confirmed that their telephone and email services are working again.

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A Shaw outage is continuing for the Wawa area.

The outage (which appears to only include Wawa) affects all of Shaw's services (including television, internet, and phone) though no cause has been given, nor has any ETA for restoration.

It was initially confirmed around 3:12 pm Thursday afternoon, with the latest update on the Shaw support website shortly after noon, saying only "due to the complexity of this outage, our technicians continue today to resolve this issue", promising "further updates will be provided when available."

This outage is causing issues for various businesses in the community, with the Municipality of Wawa even reporting "all communication systems...including emails and telephone are down", but assuring "all offices are open to the public".

Wawa Reducing Hours at Landfill

The Municipality of Wawa's reducing hours at the local landfill - later in the spring.

In their meeting this week, Wawa Municipal Council approved a resolution to reduce the hours at the Waste Disposal Site to Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, closed Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday - the resolution also commits the Municipality to "public education and engagement" regarding the change in hours and levels of service as of May 19th.

Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall raised the idea in November, with a report looking at landfill service in about twenty other communities before outlining options that included reduced hours and/or being closed on more days.

Weatherall had also highlighted efforts to reduce waste going to the landfill - that currently includes a pilot program with Food Cycle Science, offering 100 of their "FoodCycler" countertop composter systems at a discounted rate, partly subsidized by the Municipality - those devices are available for sale through that pilot until tomorrow.

Teachers vs. Students Charity Hockey Game Supporting Wawa Food Bank

Wawa will see a bit of a "grudge match" on the ice this afternoon, with a charity hockey game.

Michipicoten High School and Ecole St. Joseph students will be facing off against staff from both schools - as well as Sir James Dunn Public School and St. Augustine French Immersion - in a game raising support for the Wawa Food Bank - admission will be by donation, either cash or non-perishable food item.

A bake sale will also be held with other concessions and draws, to further raise support.

Doors open at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre at 1 pm, with the game beginning at 1:30 pm.

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.

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