LDHC Foundation Encourages Donations for "Giving Tuesday"

With the holiday season here, residents of the Wawa area are being asked to help support the local hospital through a special one-day initiative.

Noting today is "Giving Tuesday" - a response to "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" - Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Chair Susan Switzer says they've been part of the initiative for six years now, with a big goal for this year.

Switzer emphasizes donations support the local hospital.

Currently, the Foundation is raising funds to replace the ultra sound machine.

This comes amid - but is not part of - the Foundation's holiday season Wish Campaign, which was launched last month - to donate through either campaign, go to the hospital website or call the Foundation at 705-856-2335, extension 3147.

Wawa Council Presented Draft 2025 Capital Budget, Warned of Tough Financial Challenges

The Municipality of Wawa's seeking public input, as Council considers capital plans for the next year and beyond.

In a special meeting last night, staff presented Council with a draft 2025 Capital Budget - which outlined plans for next year but also some ideas through 2028 - intended to align with the municipality's strategic, 10-year financial, asset management, and other plans.

Before going into details, CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill emphasized to Council that there have been "difficult" challenges in preparing the budget, noting some major cost increases on the horizon, as the Municipality will need to start funding an allowance for "doubtful accounts" - the municipal auditor recommended $360,000, which would amount to a roughly 7.5 percent levy increase - while OPP costs are skyrocketing by 27% - nearly $214,000, which would amount to a roughly 4% levy increase - and despite a need to accommodate those and cost of living increases, this budget was prepared assuming a 4% levy increase plus the introduction of a new 2% capital levy - expected to raise about $100,000 a year - the funds from which would only be able to be used for capital, not operations.

As for the capital budget, staff outlined plans for approximately $3,118,500 in new capital projects - for a total of $7,029,704, with prior commitments - including plans for a Town Hall redesign study - and similar study for the Fire Hall - the relocation of Council Chambers, improvements to the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre - including its roof - as well as annual projects like sidewalk rehabilitation and pavement preservation.

The presentation can be viewed on the Municipality of Wawa’s YouTube page or read on the Municipality’s website.

Public input's being accepted for three weeks, with plans for Council to review the proposed 2025 schedule of fees at its December 10th meeting, and the draft operating budget in early January - also followed by a public input period.

Chapleau Council Discusses Landfill, Airport, Firefighter Equipment

A number of topics were discussed in this week's public meeting of Chapleau Town Council.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo highlights some of the items raised.

Bignucolo notes the landfill was also discussed.

Bignucolo says a rumour about the airport was also quashed.

Mayor Bignucolo says Council also approved new bunker gear for new firefighter recruits.

Council also approved some changes to fees and charges for Township services, which Mayor Bignucolo says is "mostly cost of living", but also includes a student rate for the bus and increases for "non-ratepayers" for services such as the landfill - water and sewer rates and property taxes are not included, instead stemming from the forthcoming budget.

Wawa Council Getting Preview of 2025 Capital Budget

Wawa Municipal Council's getting a look at capital plans for next year and beyond.

A special meeting's being held tonight, with the main item on the agenda being presentation of the draft capital budget, though that'll be followed by "in-camera" discussions about a legal issue - a land matter - which could be followed by the open meeting approval of a purchase agreement from CN and sale to Algoma Ferrous Industries Inc. with respect to the Michipicoten Rail Spur.

Open to the public, the meeting starts at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers, also broadcast on the Municipality of Wawa's YouTube channel.

Local Communities Getting Boost of OMPF Funding

Local communities will receive more from the provincial government next year.

The Ontario government's unveiled next year's Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund rates, noting that it will increase the amount spread Ontario's 390 municipalities by $50-million - for a total of $550-million - with that extra amount to be targeted at small, northern, and rural municipalities or those with a limited property tax base, with a similar increase in 2026, to $600-million total.

The Township of Chapleau will see a substantial boost next year, of $117,100, to $1,468,700 total, while the Municipality of Wawa will receive a total of $1,526,500 - an increase of $44,000 from the 2024 allocation, though still over $10,000 below the 2023 rate - while Dubreuilville's will rise $8200 - to $301,100 - and White River will get a $42,600 boost, for a total of $565,900.

The OMPF is the Ontario government's main general assistance grant to municipalities.

Wawa Planning to Move Council Chambers For Accessibility

Wawa Municipal Council could be moving.

In their Committee of the Whole meeting last night, Council was apprised of a request to move Council Chambers from the current location in the top level of the Town Hall building downstairs, into the former OPP space, which is currently used as a meeting area and host site for various events - a move intended to make Council Chambers more accessible for both councillors and the broader public.

While CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill noted a number of potential pitfalls or concerns - including changes to furniture, layout, and equipment that may be needed for the new space, compared to the current chambers - it was Councillor Mitch Hatfield who questioned the potential impact on court proceedings, which are currently held in Council Chambers - O'Neill noted hopes the court would also move into the more accessible location, but there are certain needs that the court has which might not be met, so she'll discuss that with the court.

All councillors spoke in favour of the idea, with Mayor Melanie Pilon acknowledging the potential loss of decorum as the current chambers are "rooted in history", but emphasizing the need for the chambers to be more accessible.

As Council showed approval for the idea, the recommendation from O'Neill was that staff take efforts so that the move can happen by March.

Wawa Council No Longer Considering Curling Season Extension

Wawa's curling season won't be extended after all.

While Wawa Municipal Council last month heard 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, Municipal CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill noted in last night's Committee of the Whole meeting that the final weekend of March had been freed up, so the event would be held then, no longer requiring the extension.

O'Neill did note staff are still investigating requests from Ecole Saint-Joseph and the Wawa Minor Hockey executive 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.

Wawa Council Holding 2 Meetings, Starting Early

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

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which will start by going "in-camera" for Council education or training before returning to a publicly open meeting to discuss the request to extend the end of the curling ice season for the Men's Bonspiel, then monthly reports from department heads, an annual municipal accessibility report, and a request to move Council Chambers from the current upstairs location downstairs, into the former OPP space, which is currently used as a meeting area and host site for various events.

That'll be followed by a regular meeting of Council, including a resolution to adopt the 2025-29 Wawa Accessibility Plan, and four "in-camera" items: a legal issue about the proposed sale of municipal land; two legal issues about offers to purchase property; and a personal issue regarding the Civic Achievement Award nominations.

The meetings are set to be held back-to-back, with the Committee of the Whole meeting starting at 5:30 pm in Council Chambers - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Chapleau Driver Facing Impaired Driving Charge After Vehicle Ended Up in Ditch

A Chapleau driver's facing an impaired driving charge after a vehicle ended up in a ditch south of town.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the single vehicle collision on Highway 129 in Reaney Township - south of Highway 667 - around 2:30 am last Wednesday morning, with officers determining while speaking with the driver - who did not require medical attention - that alcohol had been consumed, leading to their arrest and transportation to the Chapleau detachment for further testing, resulting in a charge of operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).

The 46-year-old was released with a future court date, though a 90-day Administrative Driver's Licence Suspension was issued, and their vehicle's impounded for seven days.

New Wawa Cenotaph/Memorial Officially Unveiled & Dedicated at MMCC

Wawa's officially unveiled a new monument recognizing veterans and those lost in conflicts around the world.

During Monday's Remembrance Day ceremony, the new maple leaf-shaped monument at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre was officially unveiled and dedicated, and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 President Mary Anne Pearson says she was happy to see it happen.

Pearson explains there were a couple main concerns about the old cenotaph in Queen's Park.

Pearson says it was Municipal staff who'd brought up the issue, and she commends their efforts to help address the problem, particularly Alex Patterson and Sam Rowe, as well as Jessie Labonte, though the Legion also thanks Mike and Fern Moore of Moore Construction, Tulloch Engineering, Greg Hardwick and HGH Granite, Tom Terris and Wawa Rent-All and Repair, Traders Metal, and Monty McIntyre.

Plans for the old cenotaph will be decided at a later date.

Wawa Council Approves 5 Year Lease for Iris Place

A major Wawa organization will move - to the opposite end of Broadway Avenue.

In their meeting last night, Wawa Municipal Council approved a five-year lease agreement with the Canadian Mental Health Association Algoma for Iris Place to relocate to a portion of municipally-owned property at 96 Broadway Avenue, as Iris Place's lease for its current location is ending at the end of this month.

Clubhouse/Peer Support Worker Michelle Richardson welcomes the news.

At this time, Richardson couldn't give an exact timeline of the move, such as any related closures needed.

In the meeting, municipal CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill noted some maintenance and other work that would be done to prepare the space, including replacing some carpet and building doors to better secure other sections of the building, though some rewiring will also be needed to accommodate a fridge and ventilation for a stove.

NL Ford's Let's Scare Hunger Together Campaign Donates to Wawa Food Bank

Wawa's food bank is thanking the local Ford dealership and the community for their support in a recent campaign.

Danette Mathias of Northern Lights Ford says the Let's Scare Hunger Together campaign was "a huge success".

Mathias thanks those who donated or otherwise helped.

Wawa Community Food Bank volunteer Debbie Banks lauds the support provided.

Banks emphasizes the need for this support.

The Wawa Community Food Bank's open every Wednesday - except for the first of the month - from 2 to 4 pm, though it is set to be closed for two weeks straight over the holidays, due to Christmas and New Year's Day.

Wawa Council to Discuss Possible Iris Place Lease, Age Friendly Plan

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

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting including a memo and draft lease agreement for Iris Place to relocate to 96 Broadway Avenue - as they need to move out of their current location by the end of the month - as well as an update on the Age Friendly Plan.

The Iris Place lease is set to come back up for a vote in tonight's regular Council meeting, which also includes a resolution to appoint a new member of the Wawa Heritage Committee.

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

OPP Provides Safety Advice For Halloween

As kids prepare to trick-or-treat, local police are reminding of some important safety tips.

OPP Constable Ashley Nickle has some advice for parents about trick-or-treating - including to go with your kids.

Constable Nickle also has some warnings for trick-or-treaters.

Nickle also reminds costumes should fit properly and "be as visible as possible", with the children able to see and move easily, and reminds drivers to be extra cautious and drive slowly.

Nickle further advises drivers to turn on headlights early in the day to better see trick-or-treaters at a distance, and to slowly enter or exit driveways or intersections.

Northern Lights Ford & Wawa Public Library Ending Campaigns for Wawa Food Bank

A couple month-long campaigns supporting the Wawa Food Bank are in their final day.

Northern Lights Ford's "Let's Scare Hunger Together" campaign wraps up today, after collecting non-perishable food items all month, and Danette Mathias says it has been well-received.

As the campaign launched, Mathias noted they'd set an ambitious goal this year.

Donations can be dropped off at the dealership today, with donors entered into a draw for a $25 gift card.

Meanwhile, Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell notes the library's wrapping up a campaign supporting the food bank.

The campaign is part of the local library's celebrations for Canada Library Month, along with a draw for those who come in and show their library card - or get one - and putting all used book & DVD sales toward Alzheimer's - both of those are concluding today, too.

Chapleau's Winter Parking By-Law Taking Effect

The Township of Chapleau's reminding its winter parking by-law is set to take force.

The by-law applies from November 1st to April 30th, prohibiting parking on any street between 1 am and 7 am, including the full 66-foot right-of-way running from the front lot line on one side of the street to the front lot line on the opposite side of the street.

Once the by-law takes effect, the Township's asks drivers park entirely within their property limits and landlords ensure tenants have off-street parking spaces free of snow - and the Township warns creating parking spaces in snow banks isn't permitted, nor is clearing the snow on the side of the road in front of your home into large piles.

Wawa's winter parking by-law took effect October 15th, prohibiting parking on any street or boulevard between 1 am and 8 am.

Wawa Public Library Marking It Red for Dyslexia

The Wawa Public Library will be "marking it red" for dyslexia this week.

While the library's been celebrating Canada Library Month and Ontario Public Library Week, CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell notes October's Dyslexia Month.

Jarrell encourages people to come in, see, and ask questions about the collection, with a special social to be held Friday afternoon, from 1 pm to 3 pm.

The library's wrapping up the current Ontario Public Library Week with an "Afternoon of Music with Isabella and Doris" on Saturday, while several month-long initiatives continue: the "Food For Fines" campaign accepting non-perishable food items for the Wawa Food Bank in exchange for a coupon covering library fines; a draw for those who come in and show their library card - or get one - and putting proceeds from used book and DVD sales toward the Alzheimer's Society.

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