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One person is dead after a single vehicle collision in Goulais River on Victoria Day.
Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the serious collision on Four Seasons Drive around 6:39 Monday night, finding a 31-year-old person deceased at the scene, as a result of the collision.
No further details have been given, though police say the North East Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) team are assisting with the investigation.
Hornepayne's picked a Wawa official to become its top administrator.
The Township of Hornepayne's announced Manuela Batovanja has been appointed to the role, effective June 9th.
Batovanja is currently Treasurer and Deputy Clerk for the Municipality of Wawa - the former Clerk Treasurer for the Township of Pickle Lake was initially hired as Wawa's Assistant Director of Finance and Deputy Treasurer in 2016, but was promoted to Treasurer in December 2021.
This comes less than a month after Hornepayne brought in Wawa Mayor Melanie Pilon - through her consulting firm, Melanie Pilon Strategies - to provide interim CAO services part-time for up to three months as it sought to fill the longtime vacancy.
Batovanja's last day with the Municipality of Wawa will be June 6th.
How her position will be filled after that date has yet to be determined, though CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill was appointed Deputy Treasurer when Batovanja was made Treasurer.
A local mine rescue team's heading to Timmins next month to show off their skills.
The Alamos Gold Island Gold Mine team of Captain Jessy DeChamplain, Vice Captain Daniel Webb, Thomas Brand, Veronique Humphries, Cody Lessard, Dave Ouellet, Jake Brousseau, and briefing officer Justin Krueger won the Algoma District Mine Rescue Competition held at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre last week, earning them a spot in the provincial competition in Timmins June 3rd to 5th.
Fellow Alamos Island Gold worker Kyle Ouellet was the winning technician, the third year in a row.
Preparations are continuing for a couple major summer events in Chapleau.
Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says an update was given about Canada Day celebrations in this week's Council meeting.
Mayor Bignucolo is also optimistic about the upcoming Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race to be held in August.
While the drag race debuted in 2019, it hasn't been held since - an attempt in 2023 was cancelled a month before it was to be held - due to a busy forest fire season - and it was not held last year.
Chapleau Town Council's rejected a request for leniency on property taxes.
Mayor Ryan Bignucolo explains Council considered a request in their meeting this week.
Bignucolo says "it wouldn't be fair", given the number of other tax arrears.
This comes amid a crackdown by the Township on back taxes owed, with plans to move forward on tax sales, if they remain unpaid.
A few more forest fires have been confirmed in Northeastern Ontario - including one in the region.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says "Timmins 1" is a 15-hectare blaze confirmed Tuesday, 3.5 kilometres north of Gogama - it is not yet under control, but three crews have responded with air attack operations underway.
Two other fires were confirmed in the Sudbury district, leaving six active wildland fires in the Northeast, including "Chapleau 2", which is under control at 4.3 hectares in size - it was reported Monday, near the northern edge of Woman River Forest Provincial Park, about 12 kilometres west of Wakami Lake.
The fire hazard is high to extreme across the Northeast, with areas of moderate hazard south of Espanola.
Ontario Provincial Police are warning they're watching roads, trails, and waterways ahead of and during the upcoming long weekend.
Superior East OPP Constable Rob Sanchioni explains the annual Canada Road Safety Week initiative, which is now underway.
The national enforcement campaign runs through Victoria Day Monday, though Sanchioni also reminds Canada Safe Boating Week kicks off Friday, encouraging everyone to stay safe on the water, including over the upcoming long weekend.
Registration's opened for a couple youth sports in Wawa.
Youth ages 4 to 14 can now sign up for soccer or baseball - or both - with plans for the six week programs to begin later this month.
The Municipality had also been looking for coaching staff before opening registration.
For more information, go to the Wawa Recreation Facebook page, email recstaff@wawa.cc, or go to the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
Algoma Public Health is warning of more potential exposures to measles in its region.
The health unit says it is investigating additional potential exposure locations in and around Sault Ste. Marie, with the exposures happening May 7th at North Shore Tractor in Echo Bay, as well as Jiffy Lube on Trunk Road, the Service Canada Office on Bay Street, the Taj Indian Cuisine restaurant on Great Northern Road, Hakim Optical on Great Northern Road, Station Tower Optometry, and at Princess Auto on Northern Avenue.
It previously warned of possible exposure on Ontario Northland buses from Barrie to Sudbury and from Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie on April 17th and May 2nd, linked to cases in Central Algoma.
The health unit says most people born before 1970 are considered immune to the highly contagious disease from natural exposure, whereas those born after are recommended to have two doses of a measles vaccine for full protection, as those who are vaccinated are "very unlikely to get sick or spread measles if exposed", whereas anyone who isn't fully vaccinated and hasn't had measles is considered susceptible, with those at higher risk of severe illness including infants and children under the age of five, pregnant individuals, people with weakened immune systems, and anyone who has not received the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
Usually starting 7 to 12 days after exposure - but can take up to 21 - symptoms of measles include runny nose, red, watery eyes, cough, fever, and eventually a red blotchy rash starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body, though complications could include ear or brain infections, pneumonia, vision or hearing loss, and death.
APH does recommend checking your vaccination status and ensuring your family's immunizations are up to date.
Crime Stoppers is asking for public help in a high-priority missing persons case, finding a man missing more than two years.
Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District Crime Stoppers says Jake Corbiere was last seen in the Soo on March 12th, 2023, described as 5 feet ten inches tall with a thin build, brown eyes, and short brown hair.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Sault Ste. Marie Police or Crime Stoppers.
The Chapleau area's seen a few more forest fires in recent days.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says "Chapleau 2" was confirmed at 3 hectares in size late Sunday afternoon - located near the northern edge of Woman River Forest Provincial Park, and approximately 12 kilometres west of Wakami Lake - while "Chapleau 3" was reported Monday, east of Highway 129, near the shore of Mather Lake - it is being held at three-tenths of a hectare in size, with a FireRanger crew assigned and a belly tanker helicopter dropping water onto the fire Monday afternoon.
The fire hazard is moderate to high across the Northeast.
Local Scouts are wrapping up a fundraising campaign - and preparing for another.
Jason North - group administrator for 1st Wawa Scouts - outlines the ongoing fundraiser.
North explains the cookbook's designed specifically for youth.
North notes the books will be ordered tomorrow, so go to 1stwawa.ca today to place your order.
Once this fundraiser concludes, the Scouts will immediately turn to its annual tree planting fundraiser, with plans to plant trees in the Dubreuilville area this year.
Some local mines are showing off their skills in Wawa.
The annual Algoma District Mine Rescue Competition's starting today, with teams from Wesdome's Eagle River Mine, Barrick Hemlo, Discovery Porcupine's Borden Gold Mine, and Alamos Island Gold competing.
Mine Rescue Officer Mike Krell notes the event will show off some important skills.
Wesdome Eagle River will also put on a demonstration of a vehicle extrication and some extinguisher training Thursday afternoon.
The competition is hosted at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
Algoma Public Health is warning of another potential exposure to measles in its region.
Noting another confirmed case in Central Algoma, the health unit says it is investigating an additional exposure on Ontario Northland buses, warning anyone who was on bus #1249 from Barrie to Sudbury between 12:24 pm and 5:08 pm Friday, May 2nd, at the Ontario Northland bus terminal in Sudbury between 5:10 pm and 7:40 pm May 2nd, bus #1501 from Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie from 5:40 p-m to 11:25 pm, or the Blind River A&W between 8:26 pm and 11 pm to monitor for symptoms.
APH previously warned of possible exposure on an Ontario Northland bus from Barrie to Sudbury and from Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie on April 17th, linking that trip to a case of measles in Central Algoma - the first reported in the region.
The health unit says most people born before 1970 are considered immune to the highly contagious disease from natural exposure, whereas those born after are recommended to have two doses of a measles vaccine for full protection, as those who are vaccinated are "very unlikely to get sick or spread measles if exposed", whereas anyone who isn't fully vaccinated and hasn't had measles is considered susceptible, with those at higher risk of severe illness including infants and children under the age of five, pregnant individuals, people with weakened immune systems, and anyone who has not received the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
Usually starting 7 to 12 days after exposure - but can take up to 21 - symptoms of measles include runny nose, red, watery eyes, cough, fever, and eventually a red blotchy rash starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body, though complications could include ear or brain infections, pneumonia, vision or hearing loss, and death.
APH does recommend checking your vaccination status and ensuring your family's immunizations are up to date.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning of an increase in overdoses in its region.
The health unit says there is a rise in drug poisonings - overdoses - and unexpected reactions to substances in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts, though the cause is unknown, so it is reminding street drugs could be cut or mixed with dangerous substances such as benzos, fentanyl, or carfentanil, and reports include needing to use multiple doses of naloxone to reverse poisonings.
It urges caution, not using drugs when you're alone - but not using them at the same time as an accompanying friend - and to avoid mixing drugs with other drugs or alcohol - it also recommends carrying a naloxone kit, and - in the case of a suspected overdose - call 9-1-1.
Ontario Provincial Police are asking for public help finding a missing Toronto man believed to be in the Wawa area.
Superior East OPP say Erasmus "Russ" Smuntochilla has been missing since October 2024, though the investigation into his disappearance didn't start until April 19th, when Superior East OPP were notified of an abandoned vehicle in the Sand River parking lot - about 70 kilometres south of Wawa, within Lake Superior Provincial Park - a vehicle revealed to be registered to the missing man, who is described as a white male, five feet ten inches (178 centimetres) tall, with thin build, short grey hair, and brown eyes.
Noting the warmer temperatures are expected to mean an increase in travellers, hikers, boaters, and anglers in the Sand River area, police are asking anyone who interacts with a male matching Smuntochilla's description - or observes any items on the trails or in the waterways near Sand River that may belong to the missing man - to contact the OPP or Crime Stoppers, emphasizing "even small, seemingly insignificant information could air police".
Crime Stoppers is asking for public help solving two break-and-enters last month.
Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District Crime Stoppers says unknown individuals gained access to Ministry of Transportation yards in Hilton Beach around 8 pm April 12th and in Searchment between 10 am April 12th and 12 noon on April 14th, making off with about $10,000 worth of tools and equipment.
Investigators believe the same suspects were involved in both incidents, as a U-Haul van was observed entering both properties during the time frame.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
A contract has been awarded for the inspection of Chapleau's bridges.
Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says Council's approved a regular resolution for the job.
Tulloch has been inspecting Chapleau's bridges for multiple years.
Wawa Municipal Council's approved a slightly different plan for a mural at the Goose Nest Market.
Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explains the chosen bidder deviated slightly from the original request.
Patterson says the longevity of the mural was investigated.
While Council approved awarding the $13,149 contract to Drift Mural Company, exact details of the contract - such as a potential warranty-style guarantee for minimum lifespan - still need to be confirmed in a future by-law.
Council also agreed to award the contract for the Drinking Water System Rehabilitation project - which includes work on the intake - to LTL Directional Drilling Services Ltd. for up to $2,774,072.94.
Chapleau Town Council's approved a couple infrastructure-focused purchases.
Mayor Ryan Bignucolo explains Council agreed to a dome over sea containers at the Works Garage.
Bignucolo says Council's also looking to address street sweeping.
Mayor Bignucolo notes some advantages to the move.
