Stay up to date with what’s happening in your community.
Chapleau Town Council discussed Fire Department coverage and some important equipment in this week's meeting.
Mayor Ryan Bignucolo explains plans to expand Fire Department coverage.
The mayor cites continued pressure for new fire department equipment.
Bignucolo notes Council received an update on the Township's Trackless.
Mayor Bignucolo says the Township's been able to purchase new equipment for future sports events.
Bignucolo expects the new scoreboard and digital clock to arrive soon.
Wawa residents are being urged to stay safe as we mark Fire Prevention Week.
Wawa Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin explains that - this year - the Wawa Fire Department's big message is focusing on safety around lithium-ion batteries.
Sabourin urges a few measures.
Sabourin emphasizes a lot of items in the home have lithium-ion batteries, so it is important to be careful.
Wawa Municipal Council's sticking to new curling ice fees approved earlier this year.
Facing a request from the Wawa Curling Club for the fee increase to at least be phased-in over multiple years, Council was told the increase is intended to better cover the actual operating costs and would amount to roughly $3000 in extra revenue for the two months in the season this year, an amount included in the approved budget.
Councillors Mitch Hatfield and Joe Opato raised concerns about the size of the increase and advocated in favour of a phased-in approach, with Opato questioning why this sudden jump rather than a phased approach over past years, with Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson explaining there had been previous increases aligned with the cost of living, but the rate was formerly compared to curling ice rates in other communities - which can have varied situations - and is now compared more with the actual costs incurred by the Municipality.
Hatfield questioned how much is lost in operating the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre, with CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill saying she couldn't give an exact number but said only about 10 percent of the current operating and capital costs are recovered from users - a rate that was common among municipalities in past decades, though O'Neill says that has since shifted, with some municipalities now aiming to reach 90 percent from users, as the rest is shouldered by other taxpayers.
In the end, Council agreed with the staff recommendation to maintain the rates outlined in the schedule of fees passed earlier this year.
Local health units are urging residents to protect yourself and your family by getting vaccinated for the flu, COVID-19, and RSV.
Algoma Public Health is opening appointments for community clinics at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning, emphasizing that getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and the flu "not only protects your health but also helps reduce strain on our local health system", while RSV protection's available for those 75 or older, infants under eight months or high-risk children up to 24 months, and pregnant individuals.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the three vaccines are already available across the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts, warning that "lung infections are one of the top five causes of death in our community", and respiratory illnesses can spread easily through the air as the colder weather arrives and people spend more time indoors, so "when more of us are vaccinated, we not only protect ourselves but also strengthen the shield around our entire community, especially those at higher risk".
Three hunters have been fined a total of $12,500 for moose hunting violations near Marathon.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says a hunter from Stoney Creek pleaded guilty to unlawfully invalidating his hunting tag for an animal killed by another person and was fined $2500, while a hunter from Levac pleaded guilty to hunting moose without a licence and was fined $1000, and another from Levac pleaded guilty to hunting moose without a licence and careless hunting, fined a total of $9000 - he's also been given a one-year hunting licence suspension and must retake both the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and the Hunter Safety Education course before applying for or obtaining a new licence.
The charges date back to last October, when conservation officers attended a hunting camp outside Marathon, finding the two from Levac were actively hunting moose together despite having never purchased a licence to hunt moose - investigation also revealed one even shot a moose, so they contacted the third individual who was hunting close by, and he came and tagged the moose illegally.
Wawa Municipal Council's holding a pair of meetings tonight.
That includes a Committee of the Whole meeting featuring a delayed delegation about water and sewer concerns, reports on a curling ice fee review request and the Municipal Election Voting Method, and memos on the 2026 Civic Achievement Award and the Asset Management Plan.
That'll be followed a regular Council meeting, which includes a resolution backing a call by the Township of Hornepayne for a new Northern Residential Property Tax Class.
The meetings will be held 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.
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles is visiting the Sault for a couple days.
Stiles is stopping in Sault Ste. Marie today, meeting with and touring the Sault Downtown Association, visiting CUPW and OPSEU picket lines, meeting with Sault Area Hospital CEO Ila Watson, and attending an anti-Bill 33 community organizing meeting tonight, staying for further - currently unspecified - events tomorrow.
The NDP leader was last in the city in mid-July, as part of her "All In for Ontario" tour.
A small forest fire is out after being confirmed in the Chapleau area early this week.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources now shows "Chapleau 15" as "out" after it was reported late Monday, located between September and October Lake - it never grew beyond a hectare in size.
The fire hazard's mostly moderate to high across the Northeast.
A local mine's inviting Wawa and area to a special showcase tonight.
Alamos Gold's Island Gold District is inviting residents to a "Community Mining Showcase" this evening, encouraging people to "explore interactive exhibits", "meet [their] team", and "learn about local opportunities", with representatives and activities from many departments at the local mining operation, able to speak about the operations.
The first 200 attendees are also offered "Alamos swag".
Open to everyone at no cost, the showcase runs from 5:45 pm to 8 pm.
Tickets are now on sale for a major fundraiser supporting Wawa's hospital.
Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Chair Susan Switzer explains the Glam For Good Gala is set to return after a very successful first year.
Expecting tickets to sell quickly, Switzer encourages people to get theirs quickly, by contacting the Foundation office - tickets are $100 each or $700 for a table of eight.
Funds raised through the gala will support the ongoing campaign to raise enough for ten hospital beds, to replace all of those in the acute care area.
This comes as the Foundation's preparing for its annual meeting - set to be held next Wednesday, October 8th, at 5:30 pm at the hospital - it is open to the public, though anyone interested must RSVP to the Foundation by Monday, October 6th.
A small forest fire is already under control after being confirmed in the Chapleau area.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources says "Chapleau 15" was reported late Monday, located between September and October Lake, though it has already been classified as "under control" at 1 hectare in size.
The fire hazard's low to moderate across the northern part of the Northeast Region, but predominantly high - or higher - for the central and southern parts of the Northeast.
A Wawa car dealership is encouraging everyone to help "scare hunger" this month.
Today marks the start of Northern Lights Ford's 12th annual "Let's Scare Hunger Together" campaign, and organizer Danette Mathias says - with the support of local schools and health services - they're hoping to raise three F-150 trucks full of items for the Wawa Community Food Bank.
As Mathias notes a couple ways to support the campaign.
Mathias notes donations will also be accepted at John's Your Independent Grocer on October 18th and 25th.
Past years have been considered great successes, which Mathias attributes to the community.
The "Let's Scare Hunger Together" campaign runs through Halloween, October 31st.
The Wawa Public Library's kicking off a month-long celebration with music.
CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains October is Canadian Library Month.
In addition to today's usual Tot Time and Drawing Club, the library's hosting finger weaving with Carolle and will have a Music Night with Marty, Mary, and Paula at 6 pm this evening, though Jarrell notes today also marks the start of an initiative promoting having a library card, as it lets you do "so much".
Jarrell also highlights a colouring contest for the kids.
Jarrell also notes all book and movie sales this month will support the Alzheimer Society.
Wawa's first ever "Boob Bus" will be hitting the road tomorrow, to help community members undergo breast screening or mammograms.
Wawa Councillor Cathy Cannon - who helped organize the bus - explains this was prompted by the end of Screen For Life Coach service in the area.
Cannon notes the initiative received funding from the North East Cancer Centre, so the "Boob Bus" may hit the road again in the future, as the funding allows and the need is there, until the Screen For Life Coach returns.
The bus leaves Wawa for the Sault Area Hospital at 7:30 am Thursday morning, then starts its return journey at 4:30 pm that afternoon.
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".
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 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 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 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.
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.
