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A couple Wawa organizations are planning major meetings.
CHADWIC Home is set to hold its annual general meeting next Wednesday, September 11th, at 7 pm at the North of 17 Restaurant, though it asks those interested in attending email accounting@chadwichome.com by today.
The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's Board of Directors will also hold its annual meeting next Wednesday, at 5:30 pm - it asks those who wish to attend to email foundation@ldhc.com by Monday, September 9th.
It's back to school time.
As classes begin for students, Dr. Tarmo Poldmaa - Principal of Wawa's Sir James Dunn Public School - notes students should be ready to bring a few things tomorrow.
Poldmaa explains the school has "a real focus on literacy and numeracy" this year.
Poldmaa notes there's a different split in the grade levels this year.
Poldmaa also expects a start of the year assembly within a week, and "welcome back" barbecue later this month.
Chapleau Elementary and Second School Vice Principal Lisi Bernier notes today is be a bit different than normal.
Bernier reminds a few programs will resume later this month.
Local police are issuing a few safety reminders as kids ready to return to school.
OPP Constable Ashley Nickle asks everyone to "be a little more careful", with a special message for parents.
Constable Nickle also has advice for kids heading to and from school.
Constable Nickle also reminds drivers to give themselves more time to get where they're going - staying particularly careful in school zones or near pedestrian crosswalks - and be prepared for more vehicle and pedestrian traffic, particularly school buses.
Constable Nickle notes bus drivers or any other witness can report a vehicle that failed to stop, and assures Superior East OPP will be conducting extra patrols in school zones over this month, ensuring all road users are following the rules of the road and staying safe.
A local health unit's warning about the dangers of West Nile virus as a bird's tested positive in the Greater Sudbury area.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it has received confirmation an American Crow tested positive, but noted the virus hasn't been detected in mosquitoes in the region this year - it last was detected in the region last year, though Algoma Public Health reported earlier this month that it had confirmed its first human case of West Nile since 2018, after a wild crow in Sault Ste. Marie tested positive.
PHSD emphasizes the bird testing positive reminds that "although the overall risk of a person becoming infected is low, the virus is still present", urging precautions such as wearing Health Canada-approved insect repellent and light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing, ensuring there are no holes or tears in screen doors and windows of your home, and removing - or weekly changing - of standing water around your home.
Time's almost up for a special summer contest at the Wawa Public Library.
CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the Bingo Reading Summer Challenge is meant to encourage literacy among the family, with families encouraged to do it together.
Noting there will be prizes for kids and adults, Jarrell says entries will be accepted right until the draw's made at 4 o'clock Friday afternoon.
JJAM FM and John's Your Independent Grocer in Wawa are inviting everyone to mark the coming long weekend with a barbecue helping a great cause.
Cassidy Michalcewicz of John's Independent encourages people to attend the annual PC Children's Charity Barbecue being held today.
Michalcewicz emphasizes the funds support a good cause.
Michalcewicz notes the barbecue's been well supported in past years.
The barbecue runs from 11 am to 2 pm at John's Your Independent Grocer in Wawa, and will be broadcast live here on JJAM FM.
A small forest fire is already out after being confirmed in the Wawa area.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says "Wawa 15" was reported Wednesday, located on the south shore of Babitabonanik Bay on White Lake near Pic Mobert, but was called "out" before growing beyond a tenth of a hectare in size.
The Ministry's also announced a major fire in the Kirkland Lake area - about 80 kilometres west of Latchford - is now "being held" at 889 hectares in size, noting "FireRanger crews have established a hoseline perimeter and are making good progress on this fire".
The fire hazard's mainly low to moderate from Marathon to Cochrane to the Quebec border and south, but high above that line.
Marathon OPP are requesting public help as they investigate a stolen vehicle.
Investigators say Marathon OPP and Fire responded to a vehicle fire on Highway 17 in Laberge Township (halfway between White River and Marathon) around 2 o'clock Saturday morning, with officers learning that the vehicle - a blue 2022 Ram 2500 - had been stolen earlier that night from a cottage at Cedar Lake in Brothers Township, just west of where it was found.
Anyone with information about this incident's asked to call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.
A small forest fire is already out after being confirmed in the Chapleau area.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says "Chapleau 12" was reported Tuesday, located about 2 kilometres east of Leaning Lake, but never grew beyond a tenth of a hectare in size before it was declared "out".
The fire hazard's moderate to high across the northeast, with an area of low hazard stretching from Kirkland Lake and Cochrane to Lake Superior.
A couple new forest fires have been reported in the region.
As of its Wednesday evening update, Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry listed "Chapleau 10" as a tenth of a hectare in size - located about 13 kilometres west of Foleyet and 1.6 kilometres north-northwest of Wakagami Lake - though it is listed as "being held", while "Wawa 13" was listed as 4-tenths of a hectare in size - located about 13 kilometres east of Negwazu Lake and 18 kilometres north of Highway 519 - and was not yet under control, though aerial support was helping address the Wawa district fire.
Fires were also reported in the Timmins, North Bay, and Parry Sound regions.
The fire hazard is generally high across the northeast, with some areas of moderate hazard.
Fishing is coming to an end ahead of the Wawa Salmon Derby.
Today's the last day in the five-day pre-derby fishing contest, offering any anglers registered for the derby a chance at a $50 prize for the largest fish caught today, though Derby Chair Brad Buck reminds anglers could reel in much bigger prizes this weekend.
The 42nd annual derby runs this Friday, August 23rd, through Sunday, August 25th.
A couple forest fires continue to burn in the Chapleau district.
As of its Tuesday evening update, Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry listed "Chapleau 9" as a 2-hectare wildland fire that is "not yet under control" about 61 kilometres northwest of Timmins, on the west side of Groundhog River Waterway.
It's one of two in the Chapleau district, as "Chapleau 8" - first reported last Thursday - is still "being observed" at about 2-tenths of a hectare in size.
The fire hazard is mostly moderate to high across the northeast, with pockets of low hazard, including east of Chapleau and for the northwestern portion of Shoals Provincial Park.
White River's bustling with excitement this weekend, with the 36th annual Winnie's Hometown Festival.
Festival Coordinator Nicole Simpson notes a special theme for this year's celebrations.
Simpson says there are a couple other active events back, including the Mud Run.
Simpson also highlights a "barbecue celebrating culture and community spirit gathering".
Other events happening today include the re-enactment of Winnie and Captain Colborne, followed by the Shirt Tail Parade late this afternoon, the family and teen dance party this evening, and the fireworks at dusk, while tomorrow's festivities include Winnie's Fun Land and Trade Show, the Slo-Pitch Tournament, and adult dance, with the festival ending Sunday with the double feature drive-in movie, showing Inside Out 2 and The Fall Guy.
Weekend passes are available at the Township Office or "at the door", with more details on the Winnie's Hometown Festival Facebook page.
Anglers will start hitting the water this weekend for the chance at some prizes for the upcoming Wawa Salmon Derby.
While the 42nd annual derby isn't for another week, the five-day "pre-fishing" contest starts tomorrow, and Derby Chair Brad Buck notes participants can reel in a nice prize.
Buck reminds the "pre-fish" - which runs through Wednesday, August 21st - is open to anyone registered for the derby, which runs August 23rd to 25th - registration's open until 5 pm next Friday, August 23rd.
Wawa's getting federal support for a change in local transit service.
The federal government's announced $161,980 through its Rural Transit Solutions Fund for the purchase of a new accessible transit van, with the Municipality of Wawa to contribute a further $40,496 - an announcement Municipal CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill is happy to make.
O'Neill notes the Municipality won't need to wait long for the vehicle, either.
A government release quotes Mayor Melanie Pilon as saying she's "grateful" for the federal investment to help "offer an accessible and affordable public transportation option to residents in Wawa, especially those requiring mobility assistance" - she also emphasized to JJAM FM News that Infrastructure Services Assistant Director Rebecca Weatherall has been crucial to seeing the project through.
Golfers can start signing up for an event supporting the local women's shelter.
CHADWIC Home Public Awareness and Marketing Intern Morgandy Leadbetter explains registration's now opened for the annual CHADWIC Home Golf Tournament.
As preparations are underway, Leadbetter also has a message for local businesses and organizations.
Leadbetter reminds the tournament supports CHADWIC Home, which supports Wawa, Chapleau, and all other communities and First Nations within North Algoma.
The tournament's set to be held Saturday, September 14th.
Wawa Municipal Council's set to consider a by-law to license and regulate short-term accommodations during a pair of meetings tonight.
First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which will include a presentation on the Asset Management Plan and Policy Update, as well as monthly reports from department heads, memos on RFPs for MMCC Digital Communications and Wawa Downtown Marketing Video Services, and a draft policy for the Downtown CIP Financial Incentive Program.
That'll be followed by a regular Council meeting, which includes resolutions to award contracts based on the RFPs discussed in the prior meeting, as well as the by-law to license, regulate, and govern short-term rental accommodations in Wawa and a policy for a Civic Achievement Award.
There are also three "in-camera" items: a personnel issue relating to a performance appraisal; a legal issue regarding a request under the section of the Municipal Act relating to property taxes; and a legal issue regarding an offer to purchase property.
The meetings will be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.
A major meeting's being held tomorrow: for the Michipicoten First Nation Community Trust.
The organization - which was established through a settlement agreement on land claims, to ensure the management of compensation - is set to hold its annual general meeting from 9 am to 2 pm Saturday, at the Michipicoten First Nation Band Office.
All members in attendance will be asked to provide proof of membership and/or photo ID to register to receive Trust information, and possibly win prizes at the end of the event.
Local hospitals are again "splitting the pot" with other hospitals in a unique online lottery.
The "Split the Pot Lottery" has returned for another round, supporting 62 hospitals across Ontario - including Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre and Chapleau Health Services - who will split proceeds from ticket sales, and get a greater share if the purchaser chooses to support that hospital specifically.
There will be seven early bird draws of $1000 every Tuesday and a $10,000 early bird draw every Wednesday through September 11th, then ten $1000 draws and a $7000 draw on September 17th, followed by thirteen grand prize draws to be held September 18th, expected to split a payout currently estimated to be $1.2-million.
The most recent grand prize draw in June saw the payout hit nearly $1.15-million.
Former longtime Wawa resident Adele Aquino won $2500 in the last round of the lottery, having chosen to support the Lady Dunn Health Centre when buying her tickets.
It's an important weekend for a local First Nation.
Chapleau Cree First Nation's 29th annual Pow Wow is happening this weekend, and Health Director Marlene Kapashesit explains the event.
Kapashesit notes the gathering begins with a social night tonight.
Kapashesit also highlights dancing throughout the day, and a number of vendors.
Kapashesit emphasizes the importance of respect.
Everyone is welcome to Chapleau Cree First Nation's 29th annual Pow Wow, which will be held at the Pow Wow Grounds.
