Wawa & Chapleau Schools Set to Hold Open Houses

Some local schools are opening their doors in the coming weeks, to give prospective students and their families a preview of what's to come.

Wawa's St. Augustine French Immersion is holding a Kindergarten Open House tonight, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, offering parents a chance to learn about its program.

Meanwhile, the Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says Wawa's Ecole secondaire Saint-Joseph will be holding a high school open house for Grade 8 students and their parents next Wednesday, January 14th, at 6:30 pm, while Chapleau's Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium will a similar open house next Thursday, January 15th, at 6 pm.

Award Ceremony Near for Wawa's Civic Achievement Award

Wawa's set to honour a local who's made a positive difference in the community.

The Municipality's set to host a ceremony to present the annual Civic Achievement Award to Dorothy Egan, as announced last month by Mayor Melanie Pilon.

The award presentation will be held tomorrow at 2 pm in the Municipal Office Downstairs Boardroom, followed by cake & coffee.

Alamos Gold & Batchewana FN Advance Mine Connector Transmission Project

A local miner and a neighbouring First Nation are touting progress for a major energy project in the region.

Alamos Gold and Batchewana First Nation say they're advancing with the next phase of their "Mine Connector Transmission Project" to deliver "clean, reliable energy to the Algoma District and support the continued growth of Alamos' Island Gold District".

It builds on the partnership they announced last summer for the construction of a $70-million, 115-kilovolt transmission line from just east of Wawa to a new transformer station at the Island Gold District, which is expected to be in service by this year, with Batchewana First Nation operating and retaining long-term ownership of the line once it's constructed.

2 Charged Over B&Es Off Highway 129

Two people are facing numerous charges over a series of B&Es off Highway 129.

East Algoma OPP say the Sault detachment was conducting proactive patrols on December 27th when they located an encampment with "a large amount of stolen property" in a bush area near the intersection of Highways 129 and 556, with two people - a 40-year-old and a 22-year-old, both from Reilly Township, north of the Sault - arrested with the help of the North East Region Emergency Response Team and Sault Police Canine Unit.

Over 130 charges have been laid, including theft, and possession of property obtained by crime over and under $5000, break and enter a place to commit indictable offence and to steal a firearm, mischief, and several weapon-related charges.

The charges relate to multiple break-ins in the Peshu Lake, Aubrey Falls, and Ranger Lake areas in September, October, and December, which saw many items stolen, including vehicles, ATVs, trailers, snowmobiles, power tools, power equipment, and electronics.

Investigators believe there may be more victims than reported, urging them to call the East Algoma OPP.

Crime Stoppers Seeking Info on Shooting of Hydro Poles in Goulais River

Crime Stoppers is asking for public help solving a mischief case in Goulais River.

Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District Crime Stoppers says that unknown individuals damaged multiple hydro poles and insulators at the end of Old Goulais Bay Road on three separate occasions between the middle of October and the end of November - the equipment was shot at with a firearm, leading investigators to believe they were used for target practice.

The total cost to repair or replace the damaged equipment is over $220,000.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Chapleau MNR Thanks Community for Supporting Food Drive

Staff from Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources office in Chapleau are thanking the community for helping those in need.

The Chapleau MNR held its annual food drive yesterday, and organizers say they met their goal of filling up the box of a truck with donations, and raised $825 worth of Valu-Mart gift cards.

Conservation Officer Melissa Fairbairn reminds the drive is their way of giving back.

The donations go toward the Chapleau Pentecostal Church Food Bank.

2026 Wawa Civic Achievement Award Recipient Named

The recipient has been announced for Wawa's annual Civic Achievement Award.

Mayor Melanie Pilon formally announced during last night's Council meeting that Dorothy Egan will receive the honour, touting her efforts as a volunteer.

Mayor Pilon thanked Councillors Jim Hoffmann and Cathy Cannon for reviewing the nominations and selecting Egan as the recipient - the mayor also invited everyone to an award presentation ceremony, to be held Thursday, January 8th, at 2 pm.

Wawa Council Approves Continued Limited Predator Control Hunt

Wawa Municipal Council's approved the ongoing limited predator control hunt in town for another year.

Council approved the continuation in last night's regular meeting, after Charlie Todesco outlined some details of the effort during the Committee of the Whole meeting, explaining that 2 coyotes were observed last year - one at the golf course, the other at the snow dump, the latter getting away as cold weather hampered efforts - while no wolves were observed at the designated locations, though two were killed in the area surrounding the municipality in other hunting activities.

Todesco noted there has been a "marked increase" in wolf sightings over the summer and fall - including with a pack of four observed in town - and he noted they'd received complaints in the Mission area, leading to discussion about adding a spot in that area where they could conduct the predator control hunt to address the concerns.

Mayor Melanie Pilon did ask whether the Municipality has an animal feeding by-law, with Assistant Director of Protective Services Kevin Sabourin noting there is one in place.

The by-law was passed by Council in March 2023, with Sabourin explaining at the time that it was meant to address a number of complaints and curb the presence of predators.

In place since the start of 2017, the limited predator control hunt is restricted to a select group of hunters approved by Council in their by-law and to select locations within the community, from half an hour before sunrise to no later than 9:30 in the morning within a specified season, essentially mid-November to the end of March.

Wawa Council Holding Final Meetings of 2025

Wawa Municipal Council's holding its final pair of 2025 meetings tonight.

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which will include a presentation about the results of the 2024-25 predator control hunt, plus discussion about monthly reports from department heads, the annual accessibility report, a report on Wawa Transit operations, the proposed budget process and schedule, and public comments on the Strategic Plan.

That'll be followed by a regular meeting of Council, including resolutions to again authorize the discharge of firearms for predator control - the Municipality's allowed a limited predator control hunt since the start of 2017 - as well as adopt the annual accessibility report, back FONOM's call for "nation-building improvements" to Highways 11 and 17, approve the choice of recipient for the Civic Achievement Award, accept a resignation from the Cemetery Committee, and push a January meeting date a day - Council will also go "in-camera" for a closed session to discuss a legal issue about an offer to purchase property.

The meetings are set to be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Chapleau MNR Holding Annual Food Drive

Chapleau staff of Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry are giving back to the community today with a food drive.

Conservation Officer Melissa Fairbairn says explains they're accepting donations to support families in need during the holiday season.

Fairbairn notes a modest goal.

The food drive runs from 10 this morning until 3 o'clock this afternoon, at the Chapleau Valu-Mart.

Entry Deadline for WALC Wawa Window Wonderland Contest

A little time remains businesses interested in competing in a local contest.

The Wawa Adult Learning Centre's reminding tomorrow is the deadline to enter their 2nd annual Wawa Window Wonderland Contest, and Digital Literacy Facilitator and Office Administrator Kaitlin Dube encourages businesses to decorate and enter.

Dube notes prizes will be awarded, with people able to vote on the entries through the centre's Facebook page, after tomorrow's deadline.

Special Wawa Council Meeting Called for Wawa Housing Needs Assessment

Wawa Municipal Council's meeting a day early to discuss Wawa's housing needs.

A special meeting's been called for Monday, December 15th, with the sole item on the agenda being a delegation from Charles Cirtwill - the President and CEO of the Northern Policy Institute - about the Wawa Housing Needs Assessment.

Open to the public, the meeting starts at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon, in Council Chambers, on the main level of the Municipal Building.

That's just a few hours before the Municipality's "Public Consultation Session" about the draft Wawa Housing Report, which will start at 6:30 pm, in the same location.

A regular meeting of Council will be held the following night, at 6:30 pm Tuesday, December 16th.

Wawa Reaches Deal for Administering MAT Funds

Wawa's struck a deal regarding administration of its "Municipal Accommodation Tax".

A joint release from the Municipality of Wawa and the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation says they've entered into an agreement for the CFDC "to act as a third-party entity responsible for receiving and administering 50 percent of eligible [MAT] funds", with "an experienced MAT Committee [to] be formed consisting of Motel and Short-Term Accommodation operators, representatives from the tourism sector, and a municipal appointee", while the funds are "used to support tourism-related activities, marketing campaigns, and infrastructure improvements that benefit both residents and visitors".

Wawa Municipal Council approved the MAT - a 4% surcharge on stays at hotels, motels, airBnBs, and Bed and Breakfasts - in September 2024, but delayed implementation until April 2025 - per provincial rules, half of the funds go to Municipal coffers but can only be used for "tourism-related purposes", while a 3rd party entity needed to be selected for the other half.

The Superior East CFDC serves the same role for Chapleau's Municipal Accommodation Tax, as approved in September 2022.

Fatal Snowmobile Collision in Goulais River

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a fatal snowmobile collision in Goulais River.

Sault Ste. Marie OPP say they responded to the "serious" single motorized snow vehicle collision around 11:15 pm Tuesday night, with the driver - a 50-year-old from Goulais River - pronounced dead at the scene.

The OPP North East Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) team are assisting with the investigation.

Chapleau Charity Hockey Game Honouring Late Local Coach

Local hockey players and first responders will hit the ice tonight to help those in need - and honour a popular local figure.

While the annual Chapleau Huskies versus Chapleau Emergency Services game was already scheduled to be held tonight, organizers have announced it will also serve as a memorial game, honouring U18 Huskies Coach - and Trillium French High School teacher - Dom Thibeault, who passed away on Saturday.

Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items or cash donations, which will be donated to the Chapleau Food Bank, on behalf of the Thibeault family.

The game runs from 7 pm to 9 pm tonight, at the Chapleau Recreation Centre.

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