Wawa Council Backs Local Battery Storage Projects

Wawa Municipal Council's tentatively backing a few proposed battery storage projects.

In a special meeting Monday afternoon, a short-handed Council passed resolutions supporting two of the proposed electricity storage projects: a 75 megawatt project to be located on Pinewood Drive, which was presented to Council at their November 18th meeting; and a 40 megawatt battery energy storage project to be located on private property along High Falls Road, across from the dump road - the latter project is from the same proponent behind another battery storage project proposed for Wawa Airport land, which Council backed in their November 18th meeting.

The resolutions - and discussions about them - emphasized that the Independent Electricity System Operator for Ontario would need to approve the applications, and - should that happen - the projects would then have several regulatory and permitting steps required before they could even begin construction.

PHSD Lifts Foleyet Drinking Water Advisory

Foleyet's no longer under a drinking water advisory.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the advisory issued Thursday - after a power outage caused a temporary loss of pressure in the community's drinking water system - has now been lifted, as tests have confirmed the water's safe for consumption.

The health unit does suggest residents run cold water faucets for five minutes or until the water runs clear, put water softeners through a regeneration cycle, drain and refill hot water heaters, and replace water filters used during the advisory.

Wawa Council Holding Special Meeting

Wawa Municipal Council's set to consider supporting a couple proposed local battery storage projects and more in a special meeting today.

Included on the agenda are CAO memos about and resolutions supporting the proposed projects: a 75 megawatt project to be located on Pinewood Drive, which was presented to Council at their November 18th meeting; and a 40 megawatt battery energy storage project to be located on private property along High Falls Road - the latter project is described as "a second site and energy project" from the same proponent behind another battery storage project proposed for Wawa Airport land, which Council backed in their November 18th meeting.

Council will also consider an application under the Downtown Wawa Community Improvement Plan Financial Incentives Program, and three "in-camera" items: a personal issue; a legal issue relating to a section of the Municipal Act allows the cancellation, reduction, or refunding of property taxes; and an item relating to labour relations or employee negotiations.

Outside of the "in-camera" parts, the meeting will be open to the public, starting at 1 o'clock this afternoon in Council Chambers - the former police station on the ground floor of the Municipal Building - and will be broadcast live on the Municipality's YouTube channel.

PHSD Issues Drinking Water Advisory for Foleyet

Foleyet is under a drinking water advisory after a power outage in the community.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts issued the advisory Thursday, warning those who take their water from Foleyet's municipal system not to use it for human consumption - like drinking, cooking, washing fruits and vegetables, or brushing teeth - and that boiling the water still may not make it safe for drinking.

It could, however, still be used for laundry or bathing, though not for small children who could swallow the water.

Stemming from a temporary loss of pressure in the water system due to the outage, the advisory will remain in effect until testing confirms it's safe.

APH Opens Nominations for Public Health Champions With Special Focus

Algoma Public Health's putting out the call for "Public Health Champions" - with a special focus.

Saying it wants to celebrate people and organizations "who make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children and families across the Algoma District", the health unit says it's accepting nominations for the annual Public Health Champion Award, specifically looking for those who are "support healthy child development in the earliest years of life (ages 0-6)", as "these early years lay the foundation for lifelong health.

There are four categories this year: Parent/Caregiver Champion, which includes parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, and those "bonus caregivers" who go above and beyond for young children; Professional Champion, for educators, healthcare workers, and service providers who make a lasting impact on young children; Youth/Student Champion, for those 24 and younger who support early years programs, volunteer with community initiatives, or mentor younger children through play, creativity, and learning; and Organization Champion, for programs, agencies, and community groups that help young children and their families thrive.

Now open, nominations close January 21st - details on nominating can be found on the A-P-H website.

Wawa's Regional Employment Help Centre Reopens Office

Wawa's Regional Employment Help Centre is marking a return to its office with a treat for the community.

After more than 2.5 months temporarily based at the Municipal Office building, the local employment centre has reopened the doors of its office at 65B Broadway Avenue, and is inviting residents to stop in for coffee, tea, and treats until noon today.

Wawa's St Augustine French Immersion Postpones Bottle Drive Fundraiser

The weather's postponed a local fundraiser.

While St. Augustine French Immersion Catholic School in Wawa was going to hold a bottle drive supporting the Grades 3-5 swimming and gymnastics programs that is being postponed to next Wednesday, December 3rd, due to weather conditions.

Those who want to support the bottle drive are reminded they can call the school to arrange pickup.

The weather's also forced the Wawa Public Library to postpone its monthly "Coffee and Culture" event from tonight to next Wednesday, December 3rd.

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Some Wawa students will be out in the community tonight to collect bottles.

St. Augustine French Immersion Catholic School Principal Nadine Cartledge explains tonight's bottle drive.

Cartledge notes you can help with the collecting.

Assuming the weather's good enough, the bottle drive runs from 5 pm to 8 pm tonight.

OPP Urge Caution Amid Major Winter Storm

Ontario Provincial Police are urging caution amid an expected major winter storm.

Multiple detachments - including the local Superior East OPP - are warning motorists to prepare for "hazardous driving conditions", as "heavy snowfall and blowing snow are expected across the region, creating slippery roads, reduced visibility, and increased risk of collisions", further warning travellers to "anticipate delays and plan accordingly", including check road conditions through Ontario 5-1-1 and listening to local radio for updates, as well as ensuring your vehicle's "winter-ready with proper tires, functioning wipers, and an emergency kit".

Drivers are also reminded to slow down and increase following distances, avoid sudden braking, and use headlights in low visibility, and to ensure all snow and ice is cleared from your vehicle before driving.

CSC Nouvelon Appoints New Superintendent of Education

A new executive's been announced at the local French Catholic school board.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says Julie Chenard Azzi has been appointed Superintendent of Education, set to start December 1st.

Holding various Master's and Bachelor's degrees, Chenard Azzi has been with the board since 2002, including as a principal in Blind River since 2018.

CSC Nouvelon Re-Elects Chair & Vice Chair

The local French catholic school board's sticking with its top board members.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says trustees have re-elected more than 20-year Sault Ste. Marie trustee Suzanne Salituri as Chair - a role she's held the last four years - while Greater Sudbury trustee Marcel Montpellier will continue to serve as Vice-Chair - he's served as both Chair and Vice several times over his more than 30 years as a trustee.

The board elects its leadership annually, at this time of year.

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.

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