ADSB Elects New Chair & Vice Chair

New leadership's been chosen for the Algoma District School Board.

Trustees have elected First Nation trustee Elaine Johnston as chair, replacing Sault Ste. Marie trustee Jennifer Sarlo, who'd been chair since 2011 and will stay on as a trustee.

From Serpent River First Nation, Johnston - who has been Vice Chair the last three years - has served on a number of committees - including Audit and Finance and Operations and Budget - and is currently chair of the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Trustee Council of the Ontario Public School Board Association - she'd previously chaired the Elliot Lake Hospital Board and was Chief of the Serpent River First Nation, as well as Vice Chair of the North Shore Tribal Council.

Trustees also picked a new Vice Chair, Greg Bowman, and electrical planner for Wesdome who has been Sault Ste. Marie Ward Three trustee since 2018 - he's served on the Parent Involvement and Awards Nomination committees, chaired the Operations and Budget committee, served as the board's voting delegate and a director of the Ontario Public School Board Association, and as Northern Ontario's representative for the association's Program Education Working Group.

The roles are elected yearly, around this time of year.

CAPT Holding Annual General Meeting

A group of local passenger train advocates are holding a major meeting tonight.

The Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains is holding its annual general meeting at Sault Ste. Marie's Civic Centre from 7 to 9 tonight, with members of the Mask-wa Transportation Association Inc. Board as guest speakers, to discuss efforts for the "Bear Train" proposal for passenger train service between Sault Ste. Marie and Oba Lake, which has been supported by CAPT.

People can also attend via Zoom, but must first email linda.savory-gordon@algomau.ca

PHSD Reminds Parents to Get Kids Updated on Vaccines

A local health unit's reminding parents to keep their kids up to date on immunizations for preventable diseases.

Noting "approximately 3800 students" in elementary and secondary schools across its region have missing or overdue vaccines according to the provincial immunization database, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reminding parents to: check immunization records; vaccinate if necessary; and update their information with Public Health.

It warns it's starting to review immunization records for the 2025-26 school year, and - as Ontario law requires students under the age of 18 to either have up-to-date immunization records or a valid exemption in order to attend school - those without could soon be suspended until updating their records or they obtain an exemption.

Wawa Library Hosting Weather-Delayed Coffee & Culture Event

After a weather-caused rescheduling, the Wawa Public Library's hosting a new session of a well-received event tonight.

Johanna Rowe will be holding a new "Coffee and Culture" event, "revisiting the history of the Michipicoten Post and its amazing legacy that we continue to celebrate to this day".

Everyone's welcome to attend the event, which starts at 6 pm tonight - coffee and tea will also be offered.

St Augustine Holding Weather-Delayed Bottle Drive Fundraiser

A week after poor weather postponed the event, 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 cooperates, the bottle drive runs from 5 pm to 8 pm tonight.

LDHCF Marking Giving Tuesday

With the holiday season here, residents of the Wawa area are being asked to help support the local hospital through a special one-day initiative.

Noting today is "Giving Tuesday" - a response to "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" - Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Chair Susan Switzer outlines a few options to support the Foundation.

Switzer notes a goal for the initiative.

Coordinator Isabeau Allard says people can expect to see the Foundation out for Giving Tuesday.

Currently, the Foundation is raising funds for new hospital beds for the acute and long-term care areas.

This comes just ahead of the Foundation's holiday season Wish Campaign, which is set to launch this Friday.

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.

Chapleau Ski Club Continues Early Registration

Registration's continuing at the Chapleau Ski Club tonight.

For the second time in a week, a special "early registration" event's being held at the chalet at 274 Martel Road, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

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.