NDP to Announce Algoma-Manitoulin Candidate for 2025 Ontario Election

Local New Democrats will choose their representative in the ongoing provincial election tonight.

The Algoma-Manitoulin Ontario NDP Riding Association says they're holding a contested Candidate Nomination Meeting, with two potential candidates: Laura Owl, a member of the Sagamok Anishnawbek with an undergraduate degree in Psychology, and a Masters in Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship; and David Timeriski, an Elliot Lake resident who's been a volunteer firefighter, paramedic, and handi-lift transit bus driver.

Whoever is chosen will replace incumbent MPP Michael Mantha as the NDP candidate, as Mantha was removed from the party caucus in April 2023 - he is running for re-election as an independent, while former Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe is running for the Liberals, and Thessalon Mayor Bill Rosenberg's running for the PCs - other candidates have yet to be announced, with the filing deadline 2 pm February 13th.

The ONDP nomination meeting will be held via Zoom at 7 tonight.

NDP Leader Singh in Sault Ste. Marie

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's visiting the Sault today.

Singh's itinerary includes a stop in Sault Ste. Marie along with Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske and United Steelworkers National Director Marty Warren to speak about "fighting for Canadian jobs".

He's also visiting the steel mill, holding a call with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, and attending a meet-and-greet at the airport around 2:30 this afternoon.

Chapleau Council Discusses Airport Condition, Approves Use for Drag Races

Chapleau's airport was top-of-mind for Chapleau Town Council earlier this week.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo notes Council discussed the Chapleau Airport Facilities Assessment in their regular meeting.

Mayor Bignucolo says Council also gave the go-ahead for the Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race to return to the airport.

While a first edition of the "Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race" was held in 2019, it hasn't been held since - the last attempt was in 2023, but it was cancelled just a month before it was to be held, amid a "devastatingly strong" wildfire season, which is also why the event has been moved to the third weekend of August, in hopes to avoid that.

Wawa Goose Seniors Centre to Hold Monthly Lunch & Learn

Wawa seniors are being offered a chance to have a bite to eat and learn about an important topic next week.

The Wawa Goose Seniors Centre is hosting its monthly Lunch and Learn next Thursday, February 6th, starting at 11:30 am, this time featuring Jessie Labonte as guest speaker, to talk about the Age Friendly Committee - it also offers pizza, coffee or tea, and dessert, sponsored by the Wawa Pharmacy.

Tickets must be purchased by Monday, February 3rd, at the Wawa Goose Seniors Centre.

Chapleau Council Approves Fees Increases, But Below Staff Recommendations

Chapleau Town Council's approved increases to some key rates.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says Council approved the across-the-board changes for water and sewage services and refuse collection in their meeting this week - though he notes they're far less than recommended by staff.

Mayor Bignucolo explains the decision stems from concern for residents.

Mayor Bignucolo notes Council also agreed to adjust cemetery service fees.

As the 2025 budget isn't finalized, it's not known how tax rates may change.

Wawa Council Holding State of Community Open Houses

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a pair of open houses to discuss the state of the community - and its budget.

Treasurer Manuela Batovanja explains today's open houses.

Council was presented the draft operating budget three weeks ago, and - while Batovanja notes efforts to keep costs down - she says it does propose increases.

Batovanja explains the proposed new capital levy is meant to raise funds for capital infrastructure.

Batovanja notes public input will be accepted on the budget until February - you can view the full presentation on the Municipality's YouTube channel or on the municipal website, wawa.cc - with today's open houses at 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm in the downstairs boardroom of the Municipal Office.

Wawa & Soo Residents Killed in Collision in West Nipissing

Two people are dead - including one from Wawa - after a head-on collision in the West Nipissing area, between Sudbury and North Bay.

Nipissing West Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the two-vehicle collision on Highway 17 shortly after 11 o'clock Thursday morning, with a 69-year-old from Wawa pronounced dead at the scene while two other people with serious, life-threatening injuries were taken by Air ORNGE to a local hospital, where a 74-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie later succumbed to their injuries.

Three other people were treated at the scene with minor injuries.

OPP have not revealed the names of the deceased or information about any other people involved, nor have any charges been announced, with the investigation into the cause of the collision still ongoing.

Candidates Announced for 2025 Michipicoten FN Election

Candidates are set for the upcoming Michipicoten First Nation elections.

Two people are in the running for chief: current Chief Pat Tangie and current councillor Chad Edgar, while there are 22 candidates for eight councillor positions: current councillor Evelyn Stone, plus Dan Beaupre, Kim Belleau, Natasha Bender, Myla Brand, Michael Finley, Raymond Gascon, Marlon Gasparotto, Cheyanne Herder, Audrey Johnson, Ryan Lesage, Laverne (Christopher) Lewis, Taryn Michel (Edgar-Moreau), Teneisha Noble, Laura Patterson, Wendy Peterson Shawana, Rachelle Philippe, Peggy Rice, Joseph Skouris, Taylor Skouris, James "Jim" St. Germain, and Theresa Marie Turmel.

A Candidates Meet and Greet event will be held Saturday, February 15th from 1 to 4 pm at the MFN Band Hall - attend in person or join via Zoom, details at michipicoten.com

The election will be held March 22nd.

Kingston Resident Charged Over Stolen Vehicle-Related Incidents in Wawa & Chapleau

A Kingston resident is facing multiple charges over stolen vehicle-related incidents in this area.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to an abandoned stolen vehicle on Lafreniere Road in Chapleau around 5 am last Friday, and - in the process - were alerted of a second stolen vehicle in the same area, with officers finding that vehicle a short distance away with the suspect in the driver's seat.

Police arrested the 35-year-old on charges of possession of property obtained by crime over and under $5000, theft over $5000 of a motor vehicle, and operation while impaired by drugs.

Around 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, officers responded to a stolen vehicle in Wawa, finding the vehicle travelling east on Highway 17, but it failed to stop for police - it was located a short time later at Alona Bay, leading to the 35-year-old's arrest on flight from peace officer, dangerous operation, driving while under suspension, mischief under $5000, failure to comply with release order, possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, two of theft of motor vehicle, and three of break and enter.

The accused faces two separate court dates for the two incidents.

Wawa Council Questions Decision to Cease Local MTO Seniors Sessions

Wawa Municipal Council's looking to restore a key MTO service in town.

During their Corporate Planning Committee meeting Tuesday night, Council was informed that the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's ceasing "senior sessions" in Wawa due to program changes - making Sault Ste. Marie the closest site for them - a move that Mayor Melanie Pilon says came as a surprise.

Mayor Pilon says Council isn't giving up on the service.

In their meeting, it was suggested a letter be sent to the provincial government, questioning the reason for the move, though Mayor Pilon also suggested raising it at the upcoming Good Roads conference - Hornepayne Mayor Cheryl Fort's 1st VP of the Ontario Good Roads Association - and bringing it up with the regional mayors group, which has a history of lobbying together on local issues.

OPP Asking for Help Finding Snowmachine Stolen in White Lake Area

Ontario Provincial Police are asking for public help investigating the theft of a snowmachine from the White Lake area.

Marathon OPP say they responded to the stolen vehicle report early Friday afternoon, advised a 2023 black Ski-Doo Skandic 600Efi with Ontario licence plate number 3AY951 had been stolen, while another motorized snow vehicle was damaged.

Anyone with information is asked to call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Wawa Council Backs Alternative Truck Rest Centre Location

Time's running out to comment on a proposed truck rest centre in Wawa.

Ontario's Ministry of Transportation is in the midst of the Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment Study for the process, and is currently accepting input on it.

Mayor Melanie Pilon explains Wawa Municipal Council decided to issue a letter backing one of the location options outlined, after discussing them in last night's Council meeting.

An "online public information centre" about the project can be found at www.northernhighwayrestareas.com, with tomorrow the deadline for comments on the Wawa truck rest centre - the same process is also underway for a proposed new rest centre in White River, with information on the same site, though the deadline for input on that is the following Thursday, January 23rd.

Chapleau Council Changes Mind on Garbage Bins and Bomag Tire Rebuild

Chapleau Town Council's dropping plans for new garbage bins.

While Mayor Ryan Bignucolo had previously noted the bins would make garbage collection easier, he says Council was turned off by the cost.

Mayor Bignucolo says Council's also backed down on plans for a bomag tire rebuild.

Mayor Bignucolo notes that the engine and some other parts of the current bomag are fairly new, which will come in handy for the new piece of equipment.

Wawa Council Holding 1st Back-to-Back Meetings of 2025

While it held a special meeting on the draft 2025 operating budget last week, Wawa Municipal Council's holding its first proper meetings of 2025 tonight.

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which will include a presentation from Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell and the showing of a new Wawa marketing video, as well as discussion about a draft municipal alcohol policy, community consultation on the planned Broadway Avenue murals, ice extension requests, the purchase of a "long stick" excavator, monthly reports from department heads, and an update on the Wawa Strategic Plan.

That'll be followed by a regular meeting of Council, including resolutions to approve the new Superior East OPP Detachment Board annual budget, Council travel for the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference, and the emergency purchase of Water Treatment Plant compressors, plus a report on the 2023-24 limited predator control hunt, and by-laws appointing an Integrity Commissioner, authorizing a purchase and sale of land agreement for 53 Government Road, and adopting the 2025 schedule of fees.

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

Chapleau Council Holding 1st Meeting of 2025

Chapleau Town Council's set to hold its first meeting of the year.

Included on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting is a report on the refuse bins tender, which Mayor Ryan Bignucolo notes is for garbage bins that would be provided to residents for easier garbage collection.

Also on the agenda is a report on the bomag tires rebuild, a new Cemetery by-law, and 2 "in-camera" (closed meeting) items, both "human resources" items.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm tonight in Civic Centre Council Chambers.

Wawa's Draft 2025 Budget Presented to Council

Wawa Municipal Council's had its first look at this year's operating budget.

Just over a month after seeing the initial draft for the capital budget, Council looked at the proposed multi-year operating budget, which focuses on 2025 but also lays out some plans for 2026-28.

Council was told that staff sought to minimize the levy impact and property tax increase while maintaining service and addressing priorities laid out by Council - particularly through the Strategic and other plans - but increasing costs for everything - including payroll and meeting capital needs - has staff recommending a 4.03 percent tax levy increase, along with the introduction of an estimated 1.8 percent capital levy.

As presented to Council, those - along with a slight water and sewer services increase - will amount to $15.27 more per month - or about $183 a year - for an average single detached house of $100,000 assessed value - the median for Wawa - and 70 cubic meters of water use and 61 of sewer.

Treasurer Manuela Batovanja noted the capital budget has been modified from the version presented in November - including adding the purchase of a trailer, 2 compressors for the Water Treatment Plant, funds for new Industrial Park design, and for Upper Mission Park, a project that will be subject to funding - bringing the capital budget's total to $7.3-million, with $855,930 in long-term capital planned.

While it was noted Council has options to lower the levy increase, they were warned most options either require cutting services, using reserves, or increasing user fees.

The full presentation can be viewed on the Municipality's YouTube channel, and will be available on the municipal website, with public input to be accepted until January 31st - there was a suggestion an open house could be held - with plans for the combined budget to be discussed again February 4th, then voted on February 18th.

Wawa Civic Achievement Award Ceremony Approaches

Wawa's set to honour some locals who've made a positive difference in the community.

The Municipality's set to host a ceremony to present the returning Civic Achievement Award to two recipients announced last month by Mayor Melanie Pilon.

Pilon reminds the purpose of the award.

The award presentation will be held tomorrow at 2 pm in the Municipal Office Downstairs Boardroom, followed by cake & coffee.

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