Wawa Council Calls on Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mantha to Resign

Wawa Municipal Council's calling on Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha to step down.

In their meeting last night, Council passed a resolution calling for Mantha's resignation - citing a third party investigation launched by the Ontario NDP which substantiated allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against him, and saying he must be held to a higher standard as an MPP.

The idea came up in the September 3rd Committee of the Whole meeting, at the request of multiple local residents, who cited the allegations, and Mayor Melanie Pilon emphasized it was about accountability.

Chapleau Town Council expressed their distaste with Mantha in a resolution passed last month, saying he was not welcome on Township property.

Another Small Wildfire Reported in Chapleau District

A few forest fires continue to burn in the Chapleau district.

As of its Tuesday evening update, Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources listed "Chapleau 15" as a 0.6-hectare wildland fire that is "not yet under control", located north of Ridout River - about 3 kilometres southeast of Kormak - though one FireRanger crew was committed to the fire.

"Chapleau 14" - reported on Monday - is now "under control" at 0.3 hectares in size, located east of Fraser Lake in Mississagi River Provincial Park, while "Chapleau 8" - reported August 15th - is still "being observed" at 0.2 hectares in size.

The fire hazard's mostly moderate to high across the northeast.

Small Wildfire Reported in Chapleau District

A small forest fire's continuing to burn in the Chapleau district.

As of its Monday evening update, Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources listed "Chapleau 14" as a 0.3-hectare wildland fire that is "not yet under control", located east of Fraser Lake in Mississagi River Provincial Park, though one FireRanger crew has been committed to the fire.

The Ministry's also confirmed fires in the Sudbury, Timmins, and North Bay districts, with the fire hazard mostly moderate to high across the northeast.

Wawa Council Holding 3 Meetings, Will Consider Calling for MPP Mantha's Resignation

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

First up is a Committee of Adjustment meeting to discuss a minor variance application for a Superior Avenue property.

That'll be followed by a Committee of the Whole meeting including monthly reports from department heads, a memo on Broadway Avenue murals, a review of the municipal alcohol policy, a request for signage honouring late NHL star Chris Simon, and a tender for airport washroom renovations.

The latter item will come back up in tonight's regular Council meeting, which also includes a resolution to award the tender for municipal refuse collection, and another resolution to officially call for the resignation of Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha - the idea came up in the September 3rd Committee of the Whole meeting, at the request of multiple local residents, who cited the allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, and Mayor Melanie Pilon said at the time Council seemed to have a firm stance.

Mayor Pilon emphasized it was about accountability.

Chapleau Town Council expressed their distaste with Mantha in a resolution passed last month, saying he was not welcome on Township property.

The Wawa Council 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.

Hydro One Hosting Open House & BBQ in Chapleau

Chapleau residents are being encouraged to learn more about their new power bills.

As residents are set to get their first electricity statement from Hydro One - after it officially acquired Chapleau Hydro at the start of August - the utility's holding a special open house today, to go over the statement and answer any questions.

At the time of the ownership changeover, Hydro One Vice President of Forestry and LDC Integration Aimee Oabel acknowledged customers would see changes to their bill.

Also featuring a barbecue, the open house runs from 4 pm to 7 pm this afternoon at the Chapleau Civic Centre.

Registration Deadline for WMHA's Summer Send Off Golf Tournament

There's still a little time and space left for golfers looking to hit the greens in support of the Wawa hockey.

The Wawa Minor Hockey Association's set to hold its "Summer Send Off" Golf Tournament next Saturday, September 21st, though today is the registration deadline, and U11 Manager Tricia Provost encourages people to sign up, noting registration is done online.

Provost says there are many fun prizes for the event.

Provost emphasizes funds raised will support the WMHA generally, particularly helping with ice fees.

Wawa Fall Festival Arrives

It's fall fair weekend in Wawa.

The annual event returns tomorrow, and Municipal Community Services and Tourism Coordinator Melanie Coe highlights some of what's happening, including many returning and new vendors.

Coe also notes a different special guest.

Free to attend, Wawa's Fall Festival runs from 11 am to 3 pm tomorrow - rain or shine - in the curling rink of Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Alzheimer Society Selling Tickets for Forget Me Not Raffle

As Wawa's Fall Festival arrives, the local Alzheimer's Society is encouraging residents to pick up tickets to a special raffle.

North Algoma Minds in Motion Coordinator Chris Rask highlights some of the prizes in the Alzheimer's Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District's annual Forget Me Not Raffle.

Rask explains there are a few ways to get tickets.

Rask also notes the "Social With A Purpose" campaign is also underway, encouraging businesses, organizations, and individuals to hold social events to collect funds for the Alzheimer's Society.

The Forget Me Not Raffle Draw will be made Thursday, September 26th.

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.

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