ADSB Reports Higher Than Expected Enrolment

Enrolment's once again higher than expected at the local English public school board.

In their first meeting of the new school year, trustees with the Algoma District School Board were told the board's schools "welcomed 428 more students than originally projected" in March, including 264 more in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 and 164 more at the secondary level, though the board notes schools are still registering students, particularly in secondary, adult, and alternative programs, so enrolment's expected to rise slightly more by the end of the month.

The enrolment figures have prompted the board to review class sizes to "determine which additional staffing might be needed for this semester".

Superior East OPP Seek Public Help on Mischief to Helicopter in Foleyet

Ontario Provincial Police are asking for public help solving a mischief incident in Foleyet.

Superior East OPP say they responded to the reported mischief on September 4th, with preliminary investigation determining that a helicopter parked overnight was vandalized between 6 pm September 3rd and 7:30 am September 4th, sustaining "significant damage" that has rendered it "inoperable", including a broken windshield and "extensive damage" to the tail rotor - a total estimated cost around $100,000.

The helicopter had to be transported out of province for repairs.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Superior East OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Wawa Schools to Participate in Terry Fox Run

Wawa students will be running in honour of Terry Fox tomorrow.

St. Augustine French Immersion Catholic School Principal Nadine Cartledge outlines Thursday's event.

Cartledge says it's open to the local school community.

Cartledge touts the importance of the event.

Pledges or donations can be made at terryfoxschoolrun.org, with Wawa's run beginning at 9:30 am tomorrow morning, at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Superior East OPP & OMNR Urge Caution Amid Local Bear Sightings

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police are urging residents to be "bear wise" amid an increase in bear sightings in the region.

The local detachment - which covers Wawa, Chapleau, Dubreuilville, White River, and Hornepayne - says officers have already responded to 65 calls for service involving bears this month, many involving sightings in residential areas.

Though they emphasize "not all bear encounters pose an immediate threat", they note "safety becomes a concern when bears exhibit aggressive or threatening behaviour", urging residents to reduce bear attractants around your home, including store garbage indoors or in containers with tight-fitting lids, only putting it out the morning of pickup day, regularly cleaning garbage bins and outdoor dumpsters with a strong disinfectant, keeping pet food indoors and cleaning barbecue grills after each use, including the grease trap, removing bird feeders during bear season, picking ripe fruit and berries from trees and the ground, avoiding placing meat, fish, or sweet foods in composters, which should be turned regularly, instead freezing meat and fish scraps until garbage day.

If you encounter a bear, remain calm and do not approach the animal nor block its exit route, keeping pets and children indoors and away from the area, and call 9-1-1 if it gets aggressive or poses an immediate threat to public safety.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says the increased sightings "may be linked to below-average natural food availability and an abundant apple crop in residential areas", noting you can report sightings to the Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327.

Chapleau Council Holding 2nd Meeting of September

Chapleau Town Council's set to meet tonight.

Included on the agenda for tonight's regular meeting is a request to amend the budget to include pagers and jaws of life equipment for the Fire Department, an update on next year's Taste of the North Winter Carnival, reports on dehumidifier pricing for the arena, expanding the administration departmnet, video-taping staff and patrons in Municioal Buildings, and additional asphalt costs - Council will also consider requests for use of the Handi-Transit Bus and for a rebate on arena use, and there are three "in-camera" items, all human resources items.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm tonight in Civic Centre Council Chambers - details on accessing it electronically can be found on the Township's website.

2nd North Algoma Bird Tests Positive for West Nile Virus

Algoma Public Health is warning residents to take precautions against West Nile virus as another bird's tested positive for it in North Algoma.

The health unit says a wild bird in North Algoma recently tested positive for the virus, the second to do so this season - after another in mid-August - indicating the virus' "continued presence...in Algoma and the potential risk to its residents even in late summer".

It came just a day after Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported a second American Crow in the Greater Sudbury area had tested positive, after another in July.

The health units encourage precautions to protect against mosquito bites: wear light-coloured, tightly woven but loose clothing, with long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes when outdoors; apply an approved mosquito repellent; avoid the outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active; remove standing water from your property, as that's where mosquitoes can breed; and repair or replace screens on windows and doors to avoid mosquitoes entering your home.

Wawa Deputy Fire Chief Honoured for 25 Years Service

A Wawa firefighter's been honoured for longtime service.

During Wawa Municipal Council's meetings last night, Wawa Volunteer Fire Service Deputy Chief Pierre Gauthier was presented with a medal and certificate recognizing 25 years with the local fire department, with Mayor Melanie Pilon lauding that service, during which he's responded to "hundreds of emergency calls and devoted thousands of hours to training and preparation".

Mayor Pilon also commended Gauthier for his "commitment, courage and selflessness [which] have stood as a shining example of service to our community", while Gauthier noted he's been happy to serve the community and appreciates the recognition.

Gauthier's wife, Amanda, was also presented a pin in recognition of her sacrifice, support, and dedication that made his service possible.

Train Derailment Near Sultan

Ontario Provincial Police are assuring there are no safety concerns after a train derailed near Sultan.

Posts on OPP North East Region social media explain the derailment occurred Tuesday "just outside of Sultan, in the Chapleau area", assuring "there are no hazardous materials on the train and there are currently no safety concerns for the surrounding community".

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada's confirmed it is deploying to the incident.

PHSD Reports 2nd Crow Tests Positive for West Nile

A local health unit's warning about the dangers of West Nile virus as another bird's tested positive in the Greater Sudbury area.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it has received confirmation an American Crow tested positive - it last saw a bird test positive in July, though the last human case in its area was in 2023.

Still, the health unit emphasizes the bird testing positive reminds that "although the overall risk of a person becoming infected is low, the virus is still present", urging precautions such as wearing Health Canada-approved insect repellent and light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing, ensuring there are no holes or tears in screen doors and windows of your home, and removing - or weekly changing - of standing water around your home.

Algoma Public Health also reported a wild bird in Wawa had tested positive in August, warning that indicated the virus' "presence...in Algoma and the potential risk to its residents during peak mosquito season", as West Nile is spread to humans through the bite of a mosquito that has been infected by biting a bird carrying the virus.

Wawa Council Holding 3 Meetings, Will Recognize Local Firefighter's Longtime Service

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

That includes a Committee of Adjustment meeting to consider an application for a minor variance for an Arnott Avenue property - though it'll be started by honouring firefighter Pierre Gauthier for 25 years service - followed by a Committee of the Whole meeting including a delegation about water and sewer concerns, monthly reports from department heads, a quarterly update on economic development, and an update on the third-party entity that will receive half of the proceeds from the Municipal Accommodation Tax.

Finally, there'll be a regular Council meeting, which includes a by-law to adopt a new Municipal Flag and Proclamation Policy.

The meetings will be held back-to-back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm tonight in the main level boardroom of Town Hall - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Barrick Selling Hemlo Gold Mine

A nearby mine is changing hands.

Barrick Mining Corporation's announced an agreement to sell the Hemlo Gold Mine east of Marathon to Carcetti Capital Corporation, which will be renamed Hemlo Mining Corp. once the transaction closes.

It's a deal worth up to $1.09-billion, with Barrick getting cash consideration of $875-million, an aggregate value of $50-million in stock in the company, and a production and tiered gold price-linked cash payment structure of up to $165-million, for a five-year term starting in January 2027.

Barrick plans to use proceeds from the sale to further support its balance sheet and return capital to shareholders, the same reason it gave for selling a gold and silver project in Chile last month and a 50 percent interest in an Alaskan operation earlier this year.

Hemlo's been operating continuously for more than 30 years, producing over 21-million ounces of gold over that time.

Careless Driving Charge After Transport Truck Slides Into Hwy 17 Ditch

A careless driving charge has been laid after a transport truck slid into a ditch south of Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the southbound tractor-trailer lost control on a corner, sliding into the northbound ditch of Highway 17, just north of Orphan Lake late Monday morning.

The driver's been charged with careless driving over the incident, which at least partially closed the highway for several hours on Monday.

No injuries were reported by the driver or passenger.

Classes Starting for 2025-26 School Year

It's back to school time.

As classes begin for students, Chapleau Elementary and Secondary School Principal Lisi Bernier outlines the plan for today.

Noting there will be some new staff and students in the building, Bernier says there are a few things students should remember as classes start.

Petar Kusic - Acting Principal of Wawa's Sir James Dunn Public School - also reminds students to bring a few things with them.

Kusic also notes the annual "welcome back" barbecue will be held Thursday, September 11th, from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Superior East OPP Urge Caution, Safety Amid Return to School

Local police are issuing a few safety reminders as kids return to school.

Noting that parents should talk with their kids about "stranger danger" - not approaching unknown people or vehicles - Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Detachment Commander, Staff Sergeant Kevin Fellinger, advises kids to be careful.

Warning drivers to prepare for more pedestrian and vehicle traffic - especially in the morning and mid-afternoon - Staff Sergeant Fellinger reminds drivers to be careful around school buses.

Fellinger notes bus drivers and other witnesses can call police to report vehicles that fail to stop for police, emphasizing a first time offence can mean a fine of $400-$2000 - but even worse is that it could lead to injuring a child.

18th Annual PC Children's Charity BBQ Arrives

JJAM FM and John's Your Independent Grocer in Wawa are inviting everyone mark the coming long weekend with a barbecue helping a great cause.

John Michalcewicz explains today's event.

Michalcewicz outlines the reason the local store's hosting the barbecue.

Michalcewicz highlights the work the charity does.

Also sponsored by Wawa Canadian Tire, Davidson's Fuels, Lock City Dairy, and Old Dutch Chips, the barbecue runs from 11 am to 2 pm at John's Your Independent Grocer in Wawa, broadcast live here on JJAM FM.

CAPT Urges Show of Support for Bear Train in Federal Budget Consultations

A group of local passenger train advocates are urging residents to tell the federal government the "Bear Train" passenger train service is important and needed now.

Noting today's the last day of pre-budget consultations by the federal government, the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains is encouraging supporters to fill in the government's survey and add a comment at the end about the need for the "Bear Train" proposal for passenger train service between Sault Ste. Marie and Oba Lake.

CAPT points out proponent MTA Inc. is proposing the feds and provincial government split the start-up and annual operating costs, like with the Huron Central Railway, with an operator, Watco, already lined up so service could start quickly.

The former Algoma Central Railway passenger train service ended a decade ago, cutting one of - if not the only - option to access many remote locations.

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