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Wawa Municipal Council's holding a special meeting tomorrow - but it won't be open to the public.
A notice from the Municipality says the meeting only includes a single "in-camera" item: education or training sessions for council members.
The meeting will be held at 1 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.
A local miner and a neighbouring First Nation will partner for a major energy project in the region.
Alamos Gold and Batchewana First Nation have announced a partnership for the construction of a $70-million, 115-kilovolt transmission line from just east of Wawa to a new transformer station at Alamos Gold's Island Gold District.
It's expected to be in service by 2026, with Batchewana First Nation to operate and retain long-term ownership of the line once it's constructed.
Algoma Public Health is warning of another potential exposure to measles in its region.
Saying it's investigating a potential exposure location, the health unit's warning those who attended Thessalon's Great Canadian Dollar Store between 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm last Thursday, June 26th to monitor for symptoms, check your vaccination records, and contact your healthcare provider.
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 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.
While most people born before 1970 are considered immune from natural exposure, 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.
A nearby First Nation's continuing protests of controversial provincial and federal legislation passed last month.
Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg - also known as Pic Mobert First Nation - launched a "peaceful protest" on Monday, protesting Ontario's Bill 5 - as it allows the provincial government to "suspend provincial laws that would otherwise prohibit development in sensitive areas such as endangered species habitat, archaeological sites, and culturally significant areas", as well as bypass municipal by-laws, removing accountability and oversight - as well as the federal Bill C-5 which similarly aims to speed up projects.
Despite opposition from Indigenous groups - who raised concerns about Indigenous rights, including the duty to consult - as well as environmental and other groups, both bills were passed last month.
The local First Nation plans to continue protesting by standing alongside Highway 17 near their powwow grounds and hold signs today and tomorrow from 9 am to 4 pm.
A "Day of Unity and Peaceful Action" is also happening from noon to 4 pm today.
Ontario Provincial Police have been warning of "traffic slowdowns" between White River and Marathon each day this week, though they haven't cited a reason.
Some local students are being honoured with special scholarships.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says two students from each of its secondary schools have been awarded "Vision Scholarships" valued at $500, for reflecting the board vision of "proud Francophone and Catholic students equipped for the future by an innovative and thriving staff".
Local recipients are Paige Franklin and Elsa McGregor from Wawa's Ecole secondaire Saint-Joseph, and Danika Morin and Ellia Thibeault from Chapleau's Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium.
A nomination meeting is being held this evening for the Brunswick House First Nation election.
The meeting - running from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Joseph H. Saunders Community Center - allows on-reserve voters to orally nominate candidates for chief or six councillor positions in the election, which will be held August 15th.
Terry Fox's brother and others are heading away from Wawa today, as the Terry Fox National Ride of Hope continues its cross-country journey.
Rider Ryan Saunders explains the ride was thought up by Fox's brother, Darrell, as a way to mark the 45th anniversary of Terry's Marathon of Hope.
Saunders particularly highlights this area.
Saunders emphasizes this carries on Terry's legacy, raising funds for cancer research.
Saunders notes his motivation.
Anyone wishing to donate to the cause or to track the National Ride of Hope can go to terryfox.org
The Chapleau area's seen another forest fire.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says "Chapleau 11" was confirmed Wednesday - about 3 kilometres north of Woman River Provincial Park - not yet under control, the blaze had grown to two-tenths of a hectare in size by the evening.
It was one of five wildfires burning in the northeast as of Wednesday evening, along with "Wawa 4" - which is under control at 1.8 hectares in size, about 1 kilometre west of White River and 500 metres south of Highway 17 - though "Wawa 6" - reported Tuesday, about 600 meters south of South Hammer Lake - has now been declared "out".
The fire hazard's low to moderate across the northern part of the northeast, or moderate to high for the central and southern part.
The Wawa area's seen another forest fire.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says "Wawa 6" was reported Tuesday, located about 600 meters south of South Hammer Lake - not yet under control, the blaze had grown to three-tenths of a hectare in size by Tuesday evening.
It was one of five wildfires burning in the northeast as of Tuesday evening, along with "Wawa 4" - which was reported two weeks ago, about 1 kilometre west of White River and about 500 metres south of Highway 17 - which is "under control" at 1.8 hectares in size.
The fire hazard's mostly low across the northern part of the northeast, but ranges from low to high for the southern part, with a small patch of extreme hazard near La Motte Provincial Park, south of Timmins.
Wawa's seniors will be honoured with a special celebration this afternoon.
Matthew Trudeau, Long-Term Care Activity Coordinator at the Lady Dunn Health Centre, explains the garden party is back.
Noting it is Seniors Month, Trudeau emphasizes this event is an opportunity for seniors - especially those in long-term care - to socialize, adding that the hospital's looking for volunteers to help out with daily programming and events for long-term care - anyone interested can call Trudeau at the hospital.
The garden party runs from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm this afternoon.
A little time remains for those interested in playing beach volleyball on Canada Day.
Tomorrow is the deadline to register for the Canada Day Beach Volleyball Mixed Tournament, which is open to teams of 4 to 6 - with a minimum of two female players - players must be at least 16 years old.
Register by emailing recstaff@wawa.cc by tomorrow.
Terry Fox's brother and others are expected to arrive in Wawa today, as the Terry Fox National Ride of Hope rolls into town.
Meant to mark the 45th anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope, the campaign sees Fox's brother, Darrell, and about seven others cycle 7000 kilometres with the aim of raising $1-million for innovative cancer research.
They left Vancouver on June 9th, stopped at the Terry Fox National Historic Monument in Thunder Bay on Monday, and reached Terrace Bay last night, with plans to stop in Wawa tonight - they're expected to reach St. John's on July 10th.
Update: JJAM FM News has been told that the Ride is expected to arrive in Wawa around 6 pm.
Wawa Municipal Council's set to receive a number of presentations in a special meeting tonight.
First up on the agenda is in-camera discussion about KPMG audit findings, with the open session to then include a presentation by KPMG on the 2024 consolidated and trust fund financial statements, then delegations about Wawa Runestone discovery, a presentation from Asset Manager Cindy Godson about levels of service, and a review of the procedural by-law.
Open to the public, the meeting starts at 6:30 pm tonight in the main level boardroom at the Town Hall, but will also be broadcast on the Municipality of Wawa's YouTube channel.
Update: The discussion about levels of service has been removed from the agenda.
Wawa has a new treasurer.
In their meeting earlier this week, Wawa Municipal Council formally approved the hiring of Heather Rainville as the Municipality's new Treasurer, Deputy Clerk, and Director of Finance - a move Rainville happily accepts.
Rainville notes she's been with the Municipality for a few years.
Rainville replaces Manuela Batovanja, who left the Municipality after nine years two weeks ago - to become Hornepayne's new CAO - with Rainville starting in her new role immediately after that.
Wawa Municipal Council's approved a watered down request to fund dredging of the marina channel.
While the Marina Committee asked Council in their June 3rd Committee of the Whole meeting for $25,000 for the work - warning the entrance has narrowed, with sand filling it to the point that depths are down to 18 inches in some spots, causing substantial problems or concerns for the ability to move boats into or out of the marina - Council had put that decision off to await a staff report.
The request came back up in last night's Committee of the Whole meeting, with Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson telling Council that Alamos Gold had formally committed to donate $10,000 for the project while Wesdome had expressed interest in providing unspecified support and Villeneuve Construction agreed to donate the use of a loader and staff to help, easing the initial project burden.
In the end - with no further discussion on the issue - Council passed a resolution agreeing to provide $15,000 from the Conditional Reserve for the Marina - funds received as part of the marina divestiture process - with a caveat that the funding will be reduced equal to any funds raised - including grants or donations - outside of Alamos' $10,000 donation, which had already been factored in.
A few more wildfires have been confirmed in northeastern Ontario - including one near Gogama.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says "Timmins 5" was confirmed Tuesday - near the west side of Highway 144, about 4 kilometres west of Gogama - the fire was only a tenth of a hectare in size, but was not yet under control.
It was one of four wildfires burning in the northeast as of Tuesday evening, along with "Wawa 4" - reported last Wednesday, about 1 kilometre west of White River and about 500 metres south of Highway 17 - which is considered "under control" at 1.8 hectares in size.
Meanwhile, "Chapleau 9" - confirmed Monday, about 35 kilometres southeast of Chapleau and six kilometres north of Highway 667 - is now classified as "out".
The fire hazard is low to high across the Northeast, with pockets of extreme hazard.
The Chapleau area's seen another forest fire in recent days.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says "Chapleau 9" was confirmed Monday - about 35 kilometres southeast of Chapleau and six kilometres north of Highway 667 - though it was already classified as "being held" at a hectare in size.
It was one of only three wildfires still burning in the northeast as of Monday evening, along with "Wawa 4" - reported Wednesday, about 1 kilometre west of White River and about 500 metres south of Highway 17 - which is considered "under control" at 1.8 hectares in size.
The fire hazard is mostly high across the Northeast, with pockets of moderate or extreme hazard, including moderate hazard around Sault Ste. Marie.
The Municipality of Wawa's asking residents and businesses to test their internet speeds.
Mayor Melanie Pilon explains the request's part of an ongoing initiative.
Pilon notes this is intended to make the case for investment by correcting data about service in the community.
Mayor Pilon emphasizes this data is important to improving service here.
Residents and businesses are asked to run the test by going to connectednorth.ca/wawaspeedtest - a link can also be found on the municipal website, wawa.cc, or the Municipality's Facebook page - with participants asked to test multiple times, either multiple times throughout a day or over multiple days or both.
Wawa Municipal Council's holding a pair of meetings tonight.
First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting including monthly reports from department heads and discussion about marina channel dredging - Council received a delegation at their June 3rd meeting asking for $25,000 to help the Marina Committee dredge the channel, as depths are down to 18 inches in some spots, though a decision was deferred to tonight, to await a staff report.
That'll be followed up in tonight's regular Council meeting, which also includes by-laws confirming updated student wages and Council remuneration policies, and to appoint a new Treasurer, Director of Finance, and Deputy Clerk to replace Manuela Batovanja, who resigned earlier this month to become Hornepayne's CAO.
The meetings will be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 tonight in the main level boardroom of Town Hall - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.
Chapleau Town Council will look at this year's budget tonight.
A special meeting's being held to present Council with a draft 2025 budget.
The meeting will be open to the public, held in Council Chambers, starting at 6:30 pm.
