CHADWIC Home Holding Annual Golf Tournament

Golfers are hitting the greens this weekend to support the local women's shelter.

Public Awareness and Marketing Intern Morgandy Leadbetter explains the organization's annual golf tournament benefits CHADWIC Home, which supports Wawa, Chapleau, and all other communities and First Nations within North Algoma.

Northern Lights Ford has sponsored a hole-in-one prize - offering a chance to win a vehicle - while Dynamic Roofing's sponsored the registration prize of a membership for the Michipicoten Golf Club, and Alamos Gold and Wesdome Gold Mines are covering green fees.

The tournament has a "shotgun start" starts at 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon.

Michipicoten First Nation Community Trust Holding Election for 1 Trustee

A local election's being held tomorrow: for the Michipicoten First Nation Community Trust.

While an election was held in December - and another in February - a single trustee position is open, to serve the remaining 1-year, 3-month term.

Nominations will open from 9 to 11 tomorrow morning, followed by voting from noon to 6 pm in the MFN 10-plex Common Room.

All Michipicoten First Nation band members are encouraged to participate, but reminded you have to be at least 18 to vote - with applicable ID - and potential trustees must be at least 25, and present.

The Trust was established through a settlement agreement on land claims, to ensure the management of compensation.

CHADWIC Home, LDHCF Holding Annual Meetings

A couple Wawa organizations are preparing for major meetings.

CHADWIC Home Executive Director Bonnie Ross explains the purpose of its annual meeting, which will be held tonight.

Ross - who succeeded longtime executive director Paula Valois earlier this year - notes the last year has been mixed for the organization, commending the community for its support but lamenting the need for these services.

Ross notes the annual report will be released publicly after the meeting, which will be held at 7 o'clock tonight, at the North of 17 Restaurant.

The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's Board of Directors is holding its annual meeting tonight, at 5:30 pm, while the Wawa Goose Seniors Centre will hold its annual general meeting tomorrow, at 2 pm.

Wawa Mayor Discusses Recent AMO Conference

Wawa's mayor is touting benefits of going to conferences, after attending the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference.

Mayor Melanie Pilon emphasizes such events are a key opportunity to promote and help the community.

While Pilon says Wawa had no delegations to ministers, the mayor says she did have the opportunity to speak with some key figures - including one before the event.

Mayor Pilon also notes she did participate in delegations with other groups - like the Northern Ontario Women's Caucus, of which she's a regional vice president - further touting her opportunities to learn and brings back knowledge from connections within those groups.

Wawa Council Speaks Out Against MPP Michael Mantha, Set to Pass Resolution

Wawa Municipal Council's speaking out against Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha - and planning to formalize their stance.

In their Committee of the Whole meeting last night, Council discussed multiple requests that they call for Mantha's resignation, something Mayor Melanie Pilon says she encouraged residents to officially bring to Council after getting several questions about it.

While Council spoke in favour of such a resolution, Mayor Pilon acknowledges nothing was passed last night, and will instead be brought forward for a vote at the next meeting, on September 17th.

Mayor Pilon emphasizes this is a show of accountability.

Though Council was fully in favour of such a resolution, Councillor Mitch Hatfield did raise concerns about potential negative consequences while Councillor Jim Hoffmann took issue with Mayor Pilon calling their stance "courageous", saying they were simply telling Mantha he was out of line and they don't like it.

Chapleau Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says Chapleau Town Council expressed their distaste with Mantha in a resolution passed last week.

Last October, Chapleau Council passed a resolution calling for the Province of Ontario to "send a clear message and set an example" by removing Mantha as MPP, though no such move was made, and it's unclear whether a mechanism currently exists for the Legislature to forcibly remove a member.

CHADWIC Home & LDHC Foundation Preparing Annual Meetings

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.

Local Students Heading Back to School

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.

OPP Urge Caution Amid Return to School

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.

PHSD Warns of West Nile Virus After Bird Tests Positive

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.

Wawa Public Library's Bingo Reading Summer Challenge Ending

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.

John's Hosting Annual PC Children's Charity BBQ

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.

Small Wawa Area Forest Fire Already Out

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.

OPP Investigating Stolen Vehicle Found on Fire

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.

Chapleau Area Wildfire Quickly Confirmed Out

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.

2 New Wildfires in Region

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.

Pre-Fishing Contest Ending as 42nd Annual Wawa Salmon Derby Nears

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.

2 Wildfires Burning in Chapleau Fire District

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.

36th Annual Winnie's Hometown Festival Arrives in White River

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.

Wawa Salmon Derby's Pre-Fish Contest Set to Begin

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 Gets Federal Funding for New Accessible Transit Van

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.