Wawa Mayor Reacts to Local NOHFC Funding Announcements

Wawa's mayor is welcoming provincial support for a couple local projects.

Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Indigenous Services Greg Rickford was in town last week to make a trio of funding announcements, which Mayor Melanie Pilon says was an honour.

Pilon explains one of the announcements relates to the airport.

Mayor Pilon notes the local airport has become much busier in recent years, due to increased use by industrial clients including Alamos Gold, who is a partner on that project.

Pilon adds the other funding announcement will help the local golf club.

In addition to the support for Wawa, Minister Rickford also announced $198,000 for Michipicoten First Nation to develop "MFN Common", touted as an open-air market and cultural space adjacent to TransCanada Highway 17, where community members can sell traditional products and host events that teach local Indigenous history and culture.

Social Events Still Planned Despite MHS 70th Reunion Cancellation

While Michipicoten High School's 70th Reunion won't be happening this year, a few social events are still planned for that weekend.

Though organizers of the reunion announced last month that it was cancelled "due to a lack of commitment" - turning their focus to the 75th Reunion in 2029 - they now note that "the good resident of Wawa have planned" some activities for those who were planning to come to the community, and will still be happening, including a Social Gathering for Vikings from the 50s through 70s at the Rock Island Lodge, golf, and a Viking Social at the Legion Hall all on July 6th, and the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's Memorial Butterfly Release on July 7th.

Wawa Minor Hockey Association Holding Annual General Meeting

Those interested in Wawa minor hockey are meeting tonight.

The Wawa Minor Hockey Association's holding its annual general meeting, and Ray McGregor of the association executive explains the event.

The meeting will be held at 7 pm at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Wawa Council Holding 3 Meetings, Including Public Meeting on Municipal Accommodation Tax

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a trio of meetings tonight.

First up is a public meeting to provide an update - and get public input - on a proposed Municipal Accommodation Tax, which CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill's told Council is recommended by the Municipality's Strategic and Tourism Plans, and has been implemented in a number of other communities - including Chapleau, Marathon, Sault Ste. Marie, Greater Sudbury, and Thunder Bay - commonly set at 4%, though Council could choose a different rate.

O'Neill's noted preliminary estimates suggest a Municipal Accommodation Tax could bring in about $500,000, and - per provincial legislation - 50% of the funds raised go to municipal coffers.

That'll be followed by a Committee of the Whole meeting featuring discussion on a draft 5-Year Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan, a required electrical upgrade at the Water Treatment Plant, a request for quotation for the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre arena's score board, and an update on changes to landfill signage and hours of operation.

The final meeting with be a regular Council meeting, which includes a request for waiver of marina slip rental fee and a single "in-camera" item, a personnel issue about labour or contract negotiations.

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

LDHC, Chapleau Health Services Among Hospitals Changing to New Electronic Health Information System

A major initiative's rolling out for hospitals across the region.

CEO Kadean Ogilvie explains the Lady Dunn Health Centre's one of the hospitals launching the "Meditech ONE" initiative.

While she emphasizes that hospitals have long collaborated and connected on patient records to improve patient care, Ogilvie says this will be a change.

Ogilvie adds this will create efficiency, helping staff keep an eye on standards of care and move through the process "more seamlessly".

Though Ogilvie notes staff were involved in building the system over the last two years - being integral in what it looks like and how it works, receiving training on it - but acknowledges it could take some time to adjust.

The change is happening not just at the Lady Dunn Health Centre site in Wawa but also its site in Dubreuilville.

Chapleau Health Services is also among the Northeastern hospitals making the change today.

Former Wawa Library CEO Wins 70th Anniversary Card Draw

Wawa Public Library’s wrapped up most of its 70th anniversary celebrations (held over the month of May), including making its Library Card Contest Draw.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell (says there was a lot of interest in the library card draw.

Jarrell says her predecessor actually won the library card draw.

Jarrell reminds there’s still a few days left to enter the literary contests: a short story competition & a poem contest, both split into 3 categories - Grades 5-8; Grades 9-12; and adult - entries can be submitted via email to sjarrell@wawa.cc by 4 pm Friday, June 7th

Wawa Hosting Open House on Water System Rehabilitation Project

Wawa residents are being encouraged to learn about plans to rehabilitate the water system.

A special open house is being held tonight, and Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall notes public consultations are an important part of the environmental assessment process, to ensure people are informed and able to give input.

Weatherall explains the project stems from concerns about the drinking water system intake pipe from Wawa Lake.

In addition to the intake pipe, Weatherall says there is another part of the system they're looking at replacing.

The open house runs from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm tonight at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Chapleau Council Considering Extended Transit Hours, Press on Local Cancer Screening

Chapleau Town Council's considering extending hours for local transit.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says the idea was discussed in this week's Council meeting, though no decision was made.

Bignucolo also notes Council is looking into how to address the impact on cancer screening due to the loss of local service from the Screen For Life coach.

Mayor Bignucolo adds he plans to follow up on that with the government in "the next coming weeks".

Wawa Public Library Wrapping Up 70th Anniversary Library Card Contest

Time's running out in a contest celebrating the Wawa Public Library's 70th anniversary.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the contest encouraging library use.

The draw is set to be held at 4 o'clock Friday afternoon.

Jarrell reminds there's also a literary contest.

The deadline for the the short story and poetry competitions is 4 pm next Friday, June 7th.

École Saint-Joseph Golf Tournament Nears

There's still some time left to sign up for a golf tournament supporting a Wawa school.

While École Saint-Joseph Parent Council President Genevieve Verreault says this Saturday's Little and Big Golf Tournament was originally just for students of the school, that has opened up to the community.

Verreault notes there will be a number of prizes - including for all age categories - but emphasizes the event's also meant to help fundraise for the school's playground.

Some spaces are left for those interested: contact Verreault via Facebook or email genny012@hotmail.com by tomorrow.

Wawa Seniors Centre to Hold Lunch and Learn

Wawa seniors are being offered a chance to have a bite to eat and learn about an important topic next week.

The Wawa Goose Seniors Centre is hosting its monthly Lunch and Learn on June 5th, starting at 11:30 am, this time featuring Magan Gagnon of Wawa and Area Victim Services as a guest speaker - it also offers pizza, coffee or tea, and dessert, sponsored by the Wawa Pharmacy.

Tickets must be purchased in advance, at the Wawa Goose Seniors Centre.

Chapleau Council Holding Meeting

Chapleau Town Council's set to discuss transit, mobile cancer screening, and more this evening.

Included on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting are items about: a proposed extension of the Handi Transit Hours, to 4 pm; Screen for Life mobile cancer screening; studying biomass-generated heating; and an update on tax arrears, with next steps.

There are also two "in-camera" items, both relating to human resources.

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.

Wawa's Take Back The Night Main Campaign Wraps Up With Main Event

Wawa residents will head to the beach to "Take Back The Night" this evening.

Morgandy Leadbetter - Public Awareness and Marketing Intern for CHADWIC Home - explains the charitable organization that gives the current campaign its name.

Leadbetter encourages people to mark the campaign by heading out on the boardwalk.

Leadbetter notes the campaign closes with the "main event" tonight.

The event will be held at the Lion's Beach pavilion from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm.

Take Back the Night Continues to Light Up Wawa's Boardwalk

Wawa residents are being encouraged to get out into the community to "Take Back The Night" tonight and tomorrow.

Morgandy Leadbetter - Public Awareness and Marketing Intern for CHADWIC Home - explains today marks the second day of a multi-day campaign urging people to head out on the boardwalk.

Leadbetter reminds the "main event" of Take Back the Night will be held Thursday night, from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm at Lion's Beach, with everyone invited to spend the evening under the stars to "take back the night".

Those who are - or know someone who is - experiencing abuse can contact CHADWIC Home 24 hours a day, seven days a week for support, shelter, or referrals by calling 1-800-461-2242.

Wawa Deputy Mayor Discusses Recent FONOM Conference

Wawa's deputy mayor is highlighting a recent conference.

Deputy Mayor Jim Hoffmann was one of Wawa's delegates to the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities Conference, and says it was "a very good conference" "on the whole".

While he doesn't highlight any meetings with cabinet ministers, Hoffmann does note a meeting with Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles.

FONOM represents about 110 cities, towns, and municipalities across the Northeast.

8th Annual Franco-Nord-Ouest Chess Tournament Set to Arrive in Wawa

Preparations are ramping up as young chess masters will be gathering in Wawa tomorrow.

Wawa's École Saint-Joseph will be hosting its eighth annual Franco-Nord-Ouest Chess Tournament, and teacher/organizer René-Guy Nobert says the competition's divided into a few age categories.

While it will include students from Wawa, Dubreuilville, and Chapleau schools, the tournament's also expecting participants from as far southeast as the Greater Sudbury area and as far northwest as Thunder Bay.

Nobert also highlights support from the community, particularly the Rotary Club of Wawa, which has supported the school's chess club since far before the tournament.

Wawa Public Library Celebrating 70th Anniversary of Local Library Services

The Wawa Public Library's celebrating a major milestone - 70 years of library services in the community.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the anniversary celebrations include a literary contest.

Jarrell notes there's another contest to encourage library use.

Festivities also include a 70th Anniversary Library Social from 11 am until 3 pm today, and a Music Night featuring "The Other Guys" and Graham Murray Sears from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm this evening.

Chapleau Council Passes 2024 Budget, Including 2.5% Increase

Chapleau Town Council's approved this year's budget.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says Council considered the 2024 budget in their meeting Monday.

Mayor Bignucolo notes a number of challenges to keeping that rise low.

Bignucolo also lauds investments made by the Township's treasurer.

While Mayor Bignucolo doesn't tout any major projects - except Dufferin Street - he notes the Township's still in the process of selling the Chapleau PUC to Hydro One, a move he's previously said will help the Township invest in critical core community services including the water plant, fire services, and airport.

OPP Join Canada Road Safety Week Initiative Ahead of Victoria Day Long Weekend

Ontario Provincial Police are warning they're watching roads, trails, and waterways ahead of and during the upcoming long weekend.

The annual Canada Road Safety Week initiative's now underway, and Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle says officers will be watching for poor driving behaviour.

Constable Nickle notes local police "will be out in full force" - using a "high visibility public education and enforcement approach" - looking to make roads safer and reduce the number of injuries and deaths, noting there have already been too many deaths this year.

The national enforcement campaign runs through Victoria Day Monday, though Nickle also reminds Canada Safe Boating Week kicks off Friday, encouraging everyone to stay safe on the water, including over the upcoming long weekend.

Local Mine Rescue Team Heading to Provincial Competition

A local mine rescue team's heading to Thunder Bay next month to show off their skills.

The Alamos Gold Island Gold Mine team of Captain Kaiden Harrietha, Vice Captain Jessy DeChamplain, Dominic Jean, Evan Barley, Jacob Paskus, Daniel Webb, Ben Eppert, and Briefing Officer Joel Labbe won the Algoma District Mine Rescue Competition held at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre last week, earning them a spot in the provincial competition in Thunder Bay June 4th to 8th.

Fellow Alamos Island Gold worker Kyle Ouellette was the winning technician, the second year in a row.