LDHCF Touts Successful Glam for Good Gala

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is thanking the community for its support of a recent fundraiser.

Coordinator Isabeau Allard says the recent "Glam for Good Gala" was well supported.

Chair Susan Switzer also touts the event as "a magical night".

Switzer thanks all the donors, sponsors, and volunteers who made the event possible, while Allard notes the Foundation is looking forward to the third annual gala next year, though it is currently preparing for the annual "Giving Tuesday" donation drive, which will be December 2nd, followed by the Foundation's annual Wish campaign starting December 5th.

Funds raised through the gala and the upcoming campaigns support efforts to purchase new beds for the Lady Dunn Health Centre's acute and long-term care.

Wawa Council Hearing Multiple Delegations

Wawa Municipal Council's set to receive a few delegations during a pair of meetings tonight.

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which includes delegations from Muskoka Wi-Fi about broadband in Wawa, from Reconcept about a local energy project, and from the Northern Policy Institute about the Wawa Housing Needs Assessment - the meeting agenda also includes monthly reports from department heads, discussion about the proposed meeting schedule for 2026, a CAO report on the by-law regulating vehicular traffic in the municipality, and continued discussion about a request to put up "Stop the Spray" signage - that was discussed in the last Committee of the Whole meeting two weeks ago, though Council requested further information before making a decision, suggesting reaching out to Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources to hear its explanation about forest spraying.

That will be followed up in a regular meeting to be held right after the Committee of the Whole meeting, along with the 2026 schedule and the updated traffic control by-law.

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.

Superior Children's Centre Holding Annual General Meeting

Wawa's Superior Children's Centre is holding a major meeting tonight.

Board Chair Margaret Davidson explains the purpose of the upcoming annual general meeting.

Davidson says the board is looking for a new member.

Davidson notes the meeting is open to the public.

Anyone who cannot attend in person can do so via Zoom, but must email Chrystal Morden at cmorden@sccalgoma.org ahead of time - the meeting begins at 6:30 tonight, at the Superior Children's Centre, at 41 Algoma in Wawa.

NAPS Drug Bust in Chapleau

Two people from North Bay are facing drug trafficking charges after another bust in the Chapleau area.

Nishnawbe Aski Police say the NAPS Intelligence Unit and Emergency Response Team - along with the OPP Street Crime Unit and frontline officers - executed a search warrant at a Chapleau residence last Wednesday afternoon, seizing "a quantity of suspected cocaine, codeine tablets, and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking".

A 37-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman - both from North Bay - were charged with possession of cocaine and "trafficking opioid" - codeine - for the purpose of trafficking, then released from custody with conditions and future court dates.

It's the latest drug bust by NAPS in the Chapleau area, after three others resulting in a total of nine arrests in the last two weeks of October.

HSCDSB Re-Elect Chair & Vice-Chair for 2026

Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board trustees have chosen some familiar faces for leadership.

In their monthly meeting this week, trustees re-elected long-time Sault Ste. Marie trustee Sandra Turco as chair, a role she's held the last year - and also held from December 2020 to November 2022 - defeating fellow Sault trustee John Bruno, who was then re-elected as vice chair.

Turco's been a trustee since 2000, while Bruno's only been a trustee since 2022, after 37 years with the board as a teacher, principal, and superintendent of education.

Both will serve roughly one-year terms in the roles.

Trustees also selected Wayne Greco to fill the Sault seat of Gary Trembinski, who died in October - a teacher and administrator with the board for 32 years before retiring in 2020, Greco was the next highest polling candidate for the spot in the 2022 municipal election.

Greco will be sworn-in during next month's meeting, and serve out the remaining year of the term.

Collision Briefly Closes Hwy 17 at Montreal River Harbour

One person was taken to hospital after a single vehicle collision north of the Montreal River Bridge.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police reported the collision just after noon on Wednesday, warning it had closed Highway 17 in both directions at Montreal River Harbour, though it reopening shortly after 2 o'clock that afternoon.

Police say one person was transported to hospital with unspecified "non-life-threatening injuries".

It wasn't the only collision reported on highways in the region, with another closing Highway 129 from about 10 o'clock to about 11 o'clock that morning.

Study Launched for Truck Rest Centre at Hwy 17/519 Junction

A study's been launched to look into a new truck rest centre at the junction of Highways 17 and 519.

Ontario's Ministry of Transportation says it has retained Egis - an international company active in the consulting, construction engineering and mobility service sectors - for the Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment Study for the rest centre at the Dubreuilville turnoff, including potential location options and the selection of a preferred alternative.

Like with another rest area being planned for the Highway 17 corridor near Wawa - and another in the White River area, both of which are also using Egis - plans are to develop a new rest centre to support motorists, widen the existing highway to accommodate turn and/or acceleration lanes, and replace or extend impacted culverts - no commercial amenities like gas or food are included.

Information about this project - as well as the Wawa and White River area rest stop projects - can be found at northernhighwayrestareas.com, though questions and comments for the Highway 519 junction rest stop must be submitted by December 1st.

Wawa, Chapleau & Canada Mark Remembrance Day

People across Canada and beyond are stopping to remember veterans and the fallen, as Remembrance Day is here.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 Poppy Campaign Chairman Larry Harvey outlines plans for Wawa's ceremony, which will be held at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre starting at 11:00 am.

Harvey further reminds everyone to wear a poppy, noting funds raised through donations to the Poppy Fund support veterans and more.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and the 75th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.

Chapleau's ceremony will be held as usual, starting at 10:45 am, though Royal Canadian Legion Harry Searle Branch 5 will also be hosting a turkey dinner tonight at 5:00 pm.

Impaired Driving Charges fo Wawa Senior After Driving Too Slowly

A Wawa senior's facing impaired driving charges after being stopped for driving too slowly.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers conducted a traffic stop on Churchill Avenue after seeing a vehicle "travelling at a low rate of speed" the evening of October 20th, with the driver testing a "FAIL" on a subsequent breath test, so he was arrested and taken to the Wawa detachment for further testing.

The 82-year-old was charged with operation while impaired and operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), then released with a December court date.

OPP remind drivers "no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe while driving", urging those who suspect an impaired driver - on roads, waterways, or trails - to call 9-1-1 as "your phone call could save someone's life".

Drug Trafficking & Other Charges After Wawa Traffic Stop

Drug trafficking and other charges have been laid after a traffic stop in Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the Community Street Crime Unit and the OPP's Emergency Response Team stopped a suspected prohibited driver on Mission Road late the morning of October 27th.

During subsequent searces, police found over $2500 in Canadian currency and over 40 grams of suspected cocaine - an estimated street value of $5000 - plus two digital scales and 3D-printed brass knuckles.

A Wawa 48-year-old's been charged with two counts of operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code, and one each of possession of a schedule I substance - cocaine - for the purpose of trafficking, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, and failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court - he was remanded into custody after a bail hearing.

PHSD Confirms 1st Influenza Case of Season

The Sudbury district has its first confirmed case of influenza for the season.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the first confirmed case in its service area has been reported, using that to remind residents to "protect themselves and others from getting sick with respiratory infections", as "COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are available at many locations throughout the community".

Reminding influenza "is a highly contagious infection [that] can cause fever, cough, muscle aches, and fatigue" - or even severe illness like pneumonia for "some people, like young children, older adults, and those with underlying medical conditions" - the health unit also recommends wearing a mask in crowded or poorly-ventilated public settings, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, washing hands frequently and thoroughly, though it's better to stay home if sick until symptoms improve for at least 24 hours - 48 if you had nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea - and avoiding non-essential visits to higher-risk settings like hospitals and long-term care.

NL Ford's Let's Scare Hunger Together Campaign Delivers Donations to Wawa Food Bank

Wawa's food bank is thanking the local Ford dealership and the community for their support in a recent campaign.

Danette Mathias of Northern Lights Ford says the "Let's Scare Hunger Together" campaign was "a great success", raising two truckloads of food for the Wawa Community Food Bank.

Mathias says this wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of community partners.

Wawa Community Food Bank volunteer Debbie Banks is thrilled with the support.

The Wawa Community Food Bank's open every Wednesday - except for the first of the month - from 2 pm to 4 pm.

PHSD Reports "Heavier Sedation" in Drug Overdoses

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning of "heavier sedation" in drug overdoses in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts.

The health unit says the cause of the increase in sedation's unknown, but calls it a reminder that street drugs could be cut or mixed with dangerous substances such as benzos, fentanyl, or carfentanil.

It urges caution if using drugs, including not doing so when you're alone - but not using them at the same time as an accompanying friend - starting with a lower dose and going slow, avoiding mixing drugs with other drugs or alcohol, and always carrying a naloxone kit.

It also recommends - in the case of a suspected overdose - to give naloxone and call 9-1-1.

Wawa Council Holding 1st November Meetings

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

That includes a Committee of the Whole meeting including discussion about a request to put up "Stop the Spray" signage, a request for lease at the airport for a proposed battery storage project - which presented the idea to Council at their October 21st Committee of the Whole meeting - a memo on external audit services, a report on the 3rd party entity to administer half of the funds collected through the Municipal Accommodation Tax, and a potential new location for the Wawa Goose Seniors Centre.

Those issues will be followed up in a regular meeting to be held right after the Committee of the Whole meeting, which also includes resolutions approving an "Elect Respect Pledge" and directing staff to prepare a report on the Wawa Drag Races, as well as a by-law confirming an updated Asset Management Plan, and two "in-camera" items, both legal issues regarding offers to purchase property.

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.

Local Communities Getting OMPF Boost

Local communities will receive more from the provincial government next year.

The Ontario government's unveiled next year's Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund rates, noting that it will increase the amount spread across Ontario's 388 municipalities by $50-million - for a total of $600-million - with that extra amount to be targeted at small, northern, and rural municipalities or those with a limited property tax base.

The Township of Chapleau will see a substantial boost next year - $124,800, to $1,603,500 total - while the Municipality of Wawa will see a bigger jump of $126,800 - for a total of $1,653,400.

Dubreuilville's getting a modest rise of $23,200 - to $324,300 - and White River will get a $55,400 boost, for a total of $621,300.

The OMPF is the Ontario government's main general assistance grant to municipalities.

Wawa Goose Seniors Centre to Host 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, November 6th, starting at 11:30 am, this time featuring local historian Johanna Rowe as guest speaker, discussing the runestone discovery in the area - it also offers pizza, coffee or tea, and dessert, sponsored by the Wawa Pharmacy.

Must register at the centre by Monday, November 3rd.

Poppy Campaign Nears, Residents Urged to Order Wreaths Early for Hawk Junction Ceremony

As Remembrance Day approaches, Wawa's Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 is reminding anyone who wants to order a wreath to do so quickly.

While the Poppy Campaign doesn't officially begin until Friday, local Chairman Larry Harvey reminds it's especially important to get orders in if you wish to have a wreath laid in Hawk Junction, as that community's ceremony will be held this Sunday.

Harvey outlines a few ways to place orders.

Harvey says as long as the order is received by Saturday, November 1st, the wreath should be ready for the November 2nd ceremony.

The Wawa Legion's annual church service will be the following Sunday, November 9th, while the community's Remembrance Day ceremony will be on November 11th.

NAPS Charges 2 in Brunswick House First Nation Drug Bust

Two people are facing drug trafficking charges after another bust in the Chapleau area.

Nishnawbe Aski Police say the NAPS Intelligence Unit and Emergency Response Team - along with the OPP Chapleau detachment - executed a search warrant at a Brunswick House First Nation residence last Wednesday morning, seizing "a quantity of suspected fentanyl" and a rifle.

A 43-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman - both from Brunswick House First Nation - were charged with possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking and unauthorized possession of firearm, then released from custody with conditions and future court dates.

It was one of three drug busts in the Chapleau area in recent weeks, after two Chapleau residents were arrested on possession of $10,000 in cocaine and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking on October 16th, while five other people - two locals, three from other parts of Northeastern Ontario - were arrested last Wednesday evening, as police seized an estimated $60,000 in suspected cocaine and fentanyl at another Chapleau residence.

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