Wawa Public Library Marking Ontario Public Library Week

Ontario is celebrating public libraries this week - and Wawa's library is marking the occasion.

Part of Canada Library Month, this week is Ontario Public Library Week, and Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell emphasizes a key message.

Jarrell notes this week's festivities wrap up with an "Afternoon of Music" with Isabelle and Doris Saturday, though Jarrell a few month-long initiatives are still underway, including the draw for those who come in and show their library card - or get one - the "food for fines" campaign doubling coupons covering library fines in exchange for non-perishable food donations for the Wawa Community Food Bank; "marking it red for dyslexia", promoting the library's dyslexia awareness books; and putting all used book & DVD sales toward Alzheimer's.

2nd Wawa Curling Registration Event

Registration for Wawa's curlers is continuing tonight.

Men's Curling Club President Jim Hoffmann discusses the different leagues.

Hoffmann notes there are a few options to pay.

Experienced curlers, amateurs, and entirely new curlers are welcome, with teams or individuals - including those interested in being a spare - also encouraged to register.

Anyone looking for more information is encouraged to contact Tom Terris about the Mixed League, Danette Mathias for the Ladies League, or Jim Hoffmann for the Men's League.

The registration event runs from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm tonight at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre - the curling season begins the first week of November.

Wildfire Reported in Chapleau, Sault Ste. Marie Districts

A few forest fires have been confirmed in the region in recent days.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says "Chapleau 18" - located about 13 kilometres south of Highway 101 and 24 kilometres southwest of Chapleau - is "not yet under control" at a half-hectare in size, while "Sault Ste. Marie 23" is being held at 30 hectares in size about 2 kilometres south of Serpent River with four FireRanger crews committed to the fire.

Seven other wildland fires were confirmed in the northeast since Friday afternoon, including one in the Wawa district that was called "out" before growing beyond a tenth of a hectare in size.

The fire hazard's moderate to high for much of the Northeast, though it falls to low north of the Highway 101 corridor.

Wawa Council Holding Special Meeting for Financial Update

Wawa Municipal Council's getting a financial update in a special meeting tonight.

The meeting will start with an "in-camera" item - a legal issue relating to KPMG's audit findings - followed by KPMG's public presentation of the 2023 Consolidated and Trust Funds Financial Statements - Council will then vote on accepting those statements, more or less a formality.

Aside from the opening "in-camera" items, tonight's meeting is open to the public - it's scheduled to start at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers.

Chapleau Cemetery Clean-Up Nears

Chapleau's planning to clean up its cemeteries later this month.

The Township's warning residents that the fall cleaning of the municipal cemeteries will happen on or after Friday, October 25th, with all lot decorations to be removed in accordance with the Cemetery By-Law.

That includes all structures, ornaments, candles, and other embellishments, but not headstones, monuments, or markers.

It warns residents to "ensure all items of value are collected prior to this date".

Small Forest Fire Burning in Chapleau District

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

As of its Wednesday evening update, Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources listed "Chapleau 17" as a tenth of a hectare in size but "not yet under control", located about 100 metres west of Woods Lake.

It was one of three "active" fires in the Northeast at the time - the other 2 were either under control or being held - with the fire hazard low to moderate across the northeast.

LDHC Declares Respiratory Virus Outbreak in Acute Care, SAH Reports COVID-19 in 3B Unit

A respiratory virus outbreak's been declared for the Lady Dunn Health Centre's Acute Care wing.

In response, the Wawa hospital says masking is now required throughout the facility for all visitors and staff, while general visitors are not permitted until further notice, though patients in the Acute Care Wing can still be supported by two essential caregivers, and there are no changes to Long-Term Care visitation.

Further south, Sault Area Hospital's declared a COVID-19 outbreak in its 3B unit, requiring anyone visiting that unit to wear a mask at all times and use hand sanitizer upon entry and exit - people are also asked to limit visits as much as possible.

Wawa's Winter Overnight Parking By-Law Now In Effect

Wawa residents are reminded the town's winter parking by-law is now in force.

The Municipality's warning its winter overnight parking by-law - intended to help with snow clearing efforts - took effect for the season on Tuesday, October 15th, barring parking any vehicle, trailer, or vessel on a street or boulevard between 1 am and 8 am.

Any vehicle, trailer, or vessel found breaking the rules can be removed, with the owner fined and charged for the removal cost and daily storage fees, which will need to be paid in full before the item's released.

Chapleau residents have a little longer, as the town's winter parking by-law takes effect November 1st.

Wawa Council Considering Extending Curling Season for Men's Bonspiel

Wawa Municipal Council's holding off on deciding whether to extend another ice season.

In their Committee of the Whole meeting this week, Council was apprised of a request from the Wawa Men's Curling Club to extend the curling ice season so that the club's 75th annual bonspiel can be held the first weekend of April, with Municipal CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill recommending this be referred back to staff for a report, noting a similar request to extend arena ice season for hockey.

While Councillor Jim Hoffmann was out of chambers - having declared a conflict, as he's president of the club - Councillors Mitch Hatfield and Joe Opato spoke in favour of the request, while Councillor Cathy Cannon stated she'd wait for the report, with Mayor Melanie Pilon agreeing, emphasizing the curlers should be treated like the hockey groups.

O'Neill did acknowledge that the curling club wants to confirm a date quickly, and suggested the report should be ready for one of the two meetings scheduled for next month.

A similar decision was made for a request from the Canadian Mental Health Association, which is looking at leasing municipally-owned property for Iris Place, whose current lease is ending at the end of November.

Wawa Curling Registration Opens

Good news for Wawa curlers: registration starts tonight.

Organizers are holding two events so teams and curlers can sign up for the Men's, Ladies, or Mixed Leagues, the first tonight and the second next Tuesday, both running from 6:30 to 8 o'clock at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Wawa Men's Curling Club President Jim Hoffmann notes there are a few options to pay.

Experienced curlers, amateurs, and entirely new curlers are welcome, with individuals interested in being a spare also encouraged to register - anyone looking for more information is encouraged to contact Tom Terris about the Mixed League, Danette Mathias for the Ladies League, or Jim Hoffmann for the Men's League.

The season begins in the first week of November

Wawa Cleaning Up Woodland Cemetery for Season

The Municipality of Wawa's cleaning up Woodland Cemetery.

A notice from the Municipality warns that (per a 2019 by-law) artificial flower arrangements, wreaths, and other decorations - including ornaments, candles, and the planting of "other embellishments" - needed to be removed from cemetery plots by Tuesday, though a single wreath or flower arrangement's allowed on a plot for special occasions - such as Remembrance Day or Christmas - as long as they're removed within 30 days of being placed, otherwise they'll be considered abandoned and may be disposed of by staff.

Wawa Hosting Mayor & Council Luncheon for Small Business Week

The Municipality of Wawa's inviting residents to celebrate Small Business Week next week by sitting down for lunch and learning about the Municipality's efforts to help the community.

Economic Development Officer Kristy Hansen explains an event coming next week.

Hansen warns people need to register.

Hansen notes there is a cost to attend.

The registration deadline is this Friday, October 18th, with the Mayor and Council Luncheon to be held next Wednesday, October 23rd from 11:30 am to 1 pm at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Wawa Council Holding Dual Meetings After Thanksgiving

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

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting including a delegation on a request to lease space on municipally-owned property, discussion on monthly reports from department heads, the draft multi-year accessibility plan, a request from the Wawa Men's Curling Club to extend the curling ice so the Men's Bonspiel can be held in early April, and a request from the Superior East OPP Detachment Board - which replaced the local Police Services Board - for the Municipality to cover a share of the board's required liability insurance.

The latter item will come back up in tonight's regular Council meeting, which also includes a resolution to accept plans for a small Business Week luncheon on October 23rd and a request from Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 to waive MMCC rental fees for this year's Remembrance Day ceremony.

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.

Wawa Red Apple Wrapping Up Annual Food Drive

A Wawa store's wrapping up a campaign to support the local food bank.

As today is last day for the Red Apple store's annual food drive, manager Josee McCoy reminds people can still help out, noting it's an easy process.

McCoy says the campaign's been going well.

McCoy thanks all customers who've supported a great cause, encouraging everyone to continue to do so "wherever they can".

1 Dead After CMV/Passenger Vehicle Collision Between Cartier & Gogama

One person is dead after a collision between Cartier and Gogama.

Nipissing West Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the two-vehicle collision involving a commercial motor vehicle and a passenger vehicle on Highway 144 around 1 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, with one person pronounced dead at the scene.

OPP are continuing to investigate.

APH & PHSD Opening Bookings for COVID-19 & Season Flu Shots

Local health units are urging residents to protect yourself and your family by getting COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

Noting "respiratory illness season is here", Algoma Public Health Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. John Tuinema emphasizes "vaccination is one of the strongest defenses we have to protect our community from serious illness", adding "by getting both the influenza and COVID-19 vaccine, you are actively preventing the spread of potentially life-threatening illnesses and safeguarding those at higher risk", urging everyone to "prioritize their health and the well-being of our community by staying up to date on their vaccines".

In Algoma, appointment bookings open at 9 am Thursday, October 10th - a number of clinics have been announced for the coming weeks and months in Wawa, as well.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has already started rolling out COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccinations for "high-risk groups" - including residents and staff of long-term care homes and congregate living settings, adults 65 and older, pregnant individuals, members of First Nation, Metis, and Inuit communities, those with underlying medical conditions, and health care workers - set to expand to the general public - six months and older - October 28th.

In addition to vaccination, both health units urge precautions such as staying home when sick, thoroughly washing hands often, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or at least a sleeve, and considering wearing a well-fitted mask in crowded or enclosed spaces, especially if you're at higher risk.

MMCC Gym "Soft Reopening" After Renovations/Relocation

Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre is reopening its gym after renovations.

Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains what he describes as a "soft opening".

While the gym's currently reopened, Patterson notes it may close a few days at a time as other equipment comes in and gets installed, with hopes to have more of a "grand reopening" with the full slate of equipment at the end of the month.

Patterson also notes a special offer for those who want to use the gym.

Patterson further touts "generous" funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for making this project possible.

Wawa Council Defers Decision on Extended Ice Season

Wawa Municipal Council's putting off deciding whether to extend the ice season.

In their Committee of the Whole meeting this week, Council was apprised of two requests - from Ecole Saint-Joseph and the Wawa Minor Hockey executive - asking that the arena ice season be extended to start September 1st and end April 15th, rather than starting the final Monday of September and ending the final Monday of March.

Given the date of the meeting, CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill noted that the earlier start date would be impossible to meet this year, and suggested Council give staff more time to review financials as they prepare operating and capital budgets, which could have an impact on Council's response.

Council agreed, with those in attendance - Councillor Mitch Hatfield was absent - noting concerns about the costs of a longer ice season, particularly the earlier start given the warmer early fall weather of recent years - O'Neill did emphasize the arena was not built for the warmer climate - with Mayor Melanie Pilon emphasizing concern about jeopardizing an asset but also suggesting there could be opportunities for outside funding to help with upgrades.

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