18th William G. Rose Memorial Golf Tournament Sees Record Participants

Organizers are thanking the community for supporting a local golf tournament.

The 18th annual William G. Rose Memorial Golf Tournament was held in Wawa last Friday, and organizers say it was a huge success, with a record 177 participants.

Four teams went home winners: in the Men's Division, last year's winners of Eben Leadbetter, Max Simon, and Anders Morden again had a score of 30; for the Ladies, Guylaine Domich, Anna Klockars, and Suzanne Lacasse had a score of 34; for the Mixed Division, John and Charlee Simon and Billy McGie had a score of 35; and for the Seniors, Don and Erica Perkins and Nelson Duchesne had a score of 37.

Named in honour of former Michipicoten Police Chief William G. Rose, the tournament raises funds for a bursary for local students going into the law enforcement or emergency services fields.

Wawa Music Festival Arrives With Theatrical Performance

The annual Wawa Music Festival's arriving a day earlier than usual.

Artistic Director Rusty McCarthy explains a special theatrical presentation kicks off festivities tonight.

Rusty McCarthy on Wawa Music Festival Theatrical Performance

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

The festival will ramp up tomorrow, with many local and regional musicians booked, along with others from other parts of the province.

Check out the Wawa Music Festival's Facebook page for more details, including the list of venues and schedule.

Rain Helps Address White Lake Area Wildfire

Rain helped with efforts to address a White Lake area wildfire.

While Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources is reporting that "Wawa 17" - which was reported last Wednesday, east of White Lake - is still not yet under control at 37.2 hectares in size, about 15 kilometres northeast of Pic Mobert, 4 FireRanger crews "remain committed" to the blaze, continuing to work to establish hoselines around the perimeter.

There are four other fires burning in the Wawa District: "Wawa 14", under control at 12.5 hectares in size, just east of Highway 17 and less than a kilometre southwest of O'Brien Lakes; "Wawa 15", not yet under control at 1 hectare in size, on the eastern shore of Lake Superior in Lake Superior Provincial Park, about a kilometre south of Laughing Brook Creek; "Wawa 21", under control at 2.3 hectares in size, about 13 kilometres south of Highway 11 on Mistake River; and "Wawa 28", not yet under control at 0.1 hectares, about 17 kilometres northeast of Missanabie, west of Missinaibi Provincial Park.

Restricted Fire Zones remain in place for most of the Northwest and a large swath of the Northeast, including from Marathon through White River, Dubreuilville, and Wawa, up to the border of the Sudbury District, but also including Timmins and points north - Chapleau is not included - the RFZ automatically imposed a fire ban, though multiple municipalities in the area have also put their own in place.

Death Toll in Collision West of Marathon Rises to 3

Two more people have died after a collision west of Marathon a week ago.

Ontario Provincial Police say the collision occurred on Highway 17 near Prairie River after 4 o'clock last Wednesday afternoon - a 58-year-old man from Marathon was pronounced deceased at hospital that same day, with an 80-year-old Terrace Bay woman - who was a passenger in a second vehicle - dying in hospital the next day, and the driver of that vehicle - a 79-year-old Terrace Bay man - dying from his injuries on Monday.

The OPP are continuing to investigate, asking any witnesses - particularly those with dashcam or video footage from the area at the time of the incident - to call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Progress on White Lake Area Wildfire as Fire Activity Calms

Some progress on a White Lake area wildfire, as fire activity calmed over the weekend.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources is reporting that 4 FireRanger crews are making "good progress" on "Wawa 17", which was reported last Wednesday east of White Lake - it is not yet under control at 37.2 hectares in size, about 15 kilometres northeast of Pic Mobert, though the Ministry says it is primarily characterized as smoldering ground fire and "helipads have been established to facilitate access and crews are continuing to work to establish hoselines", with recent precipitation helping.

There are six other fires burning in the Wawa District: "Wawa 14", under control at 12.5 hectares in size, just east of Highway 17 and less than a kilometre southwest of O'Brien Lakes; "Wawa 15", not yet under control at 1 hectare in size, on the eastern shore of Lake Superior in Lake Superior Provincial Park, about a kilometre south of Laughing Brook Creek; "Wawa 21", under control at 2.3 hectares in size, about 13 kilometres south of Highway 11 on Mistake River; "Wawa 23", under control at 1.5 hectares in size, about 2 kilometres southeast of Vein Lake; "Wawa 25", not yet under control at 0.2 hectares in Slim Jim Lake Conservation Reserve; and "Wawa 28", not yet under control at 0.1 hectares, about 17 kilometres northeast of Missanabie, west of Missinaibi Provincial Park.

Restricted Fire Zones remain in place for most of the Northwest and a large swath of the Northeast, including from Marathon through White River, Dubreuilville, and Wawa, up to the border of the Sudbury District, but also including Timmins and points north - the RFZ automatically imposed a fire ban, though multiple municipalities in the area have also put their own in place.

Chapleau is not included in the RFZs nor has it imposed a fire ban at this time.

RFZ Imposed for Northwestern Ontario

Northwestern Ontario - and a small bit of the northeast - is under a fire ban, amid numerous wildfires and poor conditions.

As the province has about 200 forest fires burning - mainly in the Northwest - Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says a Restricted Fire Zone has been implemented, starting just east of Marathon and spreading north and west to the borders with Manitoba and the US, plus a little east along Highway 11.

Though it doesn't extend into the Algoma District, White River and Dubreuilville have both declared their own fire bans, citing the high wildfire risk and community safety - at this time, neither Wawa nor Chapleau have taken that measure.

The MNR reports 8 new wildland fires were confirmed in the Northeast on Wednesday, half in the Wawa District: "Wawa 17", a 12-hectare blaze about 4 kilometers east of White Lake; "Wawa 18", a 0.1 hectare fire about 500 meters west of White Lake; "Wawa 19", a 0.1 hectare fire on the western shore of Loonskin Lake, about 7 kilometers west of Hawk Junction; and "Wawa 20", a 0.8 hectare blaze about 6 kilometers southwest of Bishop Lake - all of them are not yet under control.

Three others are still burning in the district: "Wawa 14", which is under control at 12.5 hectares in size, just east of Highway 17 and less than a kilometre southwest of O'Brien Lakes; "Wawa 15", which is not yet under control at 0.7 hectares in size, on the eastern shore of Lake Superior in Lake Superior Provincial Park, about a kilometre south of Laughing Brook Creek; and "Wawa 16", which is being held at 1 hectare in size near Tripoli Creek, west of Esnagi Lake.

Fires were also reported in the Timmins District - 4 kilometres southwest of Ant Island Lake - and the Cochrane District, south of Highway 11, about 21 kilometres west of Smooth Rock Falls.

The fire hazard is mostly high or extreme across the North, with more moderate and low hazard along Lake Huron and Georgian Bay into Central Ontario.

Wawa Councillor Cannon Files for Re-Election Bid

An incumbent councillor's the fifth candidate for Wawa's four Council seats.

The Municipality of Wawa's now showing councillor Cathy Cannon's seeking her second full term - she was appointed to Council in October 2021 and elected for her first full term in 2022.

While Mayor Melanie Pilon's seeking re-election, Cannon's the first current councillor to file a bid, but joins Shah Mohamed, Jason North, Eric Paquette, and Brandon Smit in the race for one of four seats on Council, which means residents will likely need to cast ballots this fall.

There is still more than a month for candidates to file for Ontario's fall municipal elections - the deadline's 2 pm August 21st - with candidate certification to happen after that.

Wawa Council Approves Updated Waste Collection By-Law

Wawa Municipal Council's approved an updated waste collection by-law.

In their meeting Tuesday night, Council voted in favour of passing the garbage by-law in its third reading, after giving it first and second on June 23rd, delaying the final reading to allow for more public input.

CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill notes a key change is a stricter limit on residential waste collected each week.

CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill on Residential Collection Change

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

O'Neill also notes the weight limit's been reduced to 20 kilograms - about 45 pounds - per bag or container - to meet new health and safety regulations - and adds there are a couple exceptions to the collection restriction.

CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill on Residential Collection Exceptions

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

O'Neill reminds it also addresses commercial waste collection.

CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill on Commercial Waste

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Plans are for the changes can take effect as of September 1st, with the Municipality to conduct "public education" ahead of that.

Wawa Public Library Launches Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt

The Wawa Public Library's encouraging families to take some photos in a special scavenger hunt.

Head Librarian and CEO Sue Jarrell explains the Family Photo Scavenger Hunt is now underway.

WPL CEO Sue Jarrell on Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

The library's Reading Bingo Summer Challenge is also underway - for children and for adults - along with the Read It To Win It contest, and other summer programming - go to the Library, its website, or its Facebook page for more details.

More Wildfires Reported in Wawa & Chapleau Districts

More wildfires have been reported in the region.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources says "Wawa 16" - confirmed Tuesday - is not yet under control at 1.5 hectares in size near Tripoli Creek - west of Esnagi Lake - while "Chapleau 11" was also confirmed Tuesday - south of the Goulais River, near Glendale - but is now out, as is "Chapleau 10", which had grown to 2.1 hectares in size about a kilometre southeast of Sunnyside Beach Road, just north of the Sault Ste. Marie Airport.

Two others are still burning in the Wawa District: "Wawa 14", which is being held at 12.5 hectares in size, just east of Highway 17 and less than a kilometre southwest of O'Brien Lakes; and "Wawa 15", which is not yet under control at 0.7 hectares in size, on the eastern shore of Lake Superior in Lake Superior Provincial Park, about a kilometre south of Laughing Brook Creek.

Three fires were confirmed in the Timmins District Monday night or Tuesday, including one being held at 0.8 hectares in size east of East Shining Tree Lake and another being held at 1 hectare in size about 3 kilometres west of Elk Lake, while the Cochrane District's seen three more near James Bay - at 100, 280, and 400 hectares in size - and the Sudbury District reported two, one already out and another not under control east of the city.

The fire hazard ranges from low to extreme across the Northeast, though smoke from various wildfires has prompted air quality concerns for much of the local area, combined with heat warnings.

Wawa Council Considers Algoma St Housing Development Incentives, 2 Residents Speak Against

A couple Wawa residents spoke against proposed financial incentives for a housing development.

In a public meeting under the Planning Act last night, Wawa Municipal Council heard a report proposing the Municipality adopt a "Community Improvement Plan" specifically for the 39 Algoma Street housing development, with CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill explaining the private developer Council agreed to sell the roughly 2.11 acres of land to plans to build at least 15 - and potentially up to 45 - housing units that would be "senior friendly" - something O'Neill noted could alleviate the town's housing need and retain the aging population by allowing older residents to downsize to the new rental housing and free up their larger single detached homes for others currently unable to get suitable housing, further noting this aligns with Council and the Municipality's commitments for housing, and would expand the tax base, which could mean an extra $50,000 in annual tax revenue, the equivalent of a 1 percent levy increase now.

Emphasizing incentives are needed to attract private developers, O'Neill explained the provincial government wants housing development increased and streamlined and assured provincial legislation allows targeted CIPs, while only 2 incentives are proposed here: a tax increment grant, like one offered through the Downtown CIP, offsetting property tax increases from the development, starting at 100 percent in the first year and decreasing to 20 percent in the fifth and final year; and a purpose-built rental housing grant providing up to $10,000 per housing unit but with conditions, including that the occupancy permit's obtained before it's paid out and that remain rental housing for a specific period - breaching the conditions could see the payments suspended or the Municipality could even demand repayment.

Joe Leadbetter - who submitted a letter about the proposal - spoke, saying he objects as the owner of the Churchill subdivision phase 4 as he has a contract with the Municipality that promises not to release new lots until 30 of his are sold - only 20 have so far - he said talks with municipal staff saw assurances they'd "encourage" developers to work with him, so he's unhappy the Municipality's selling land and providing support for an "outside developer" in a "closed door deal" without giving local developers a chance, warning Council faces legal trouble if it approves the proposal, so should instead direct developers to his "shovel ready" lots.

Outdoorsman Motel owner Ray Valliant also spoke - having submitted his own letter opposing the proposal - citing concerns about the "site-specific nature" and apparent "preferential treatment" and "use of public funds" - particularly after approving a temporary work camp he claims could cost local businesses up to $22.5-million over 3 years - and while staff said they'll seek independent legal advice before moving forward, Valliant questioned paying lawyers instead of "listening" to constituents, wondering if the "rush" in approving this relates to the potential "lame duck" period ahead of the fall election - a comment that prompted a warning from Mayor Melanie Pilon to stay on the topic of land use planning - with Valliant urging for a broader program not just open to a single developer - O'Neill did note the CIP would apply to the property itself, so could potentially involve other developers even if it only involves one now, further encouraging other developers to come forward as other plans or an expanded area could be considered in the future.

Councillors Cathy Cannon and Jim Hoffmann indicated they were in favour of the proposed CIP - pending legal advice - while Councillor Mitch Hatfield said she was not at this time, and would need to look into it further - Mayor Pilon did not comment, while Councillor Joe Opato did not attend the meeting.

Dubreuilville Sees 2nd Candidate for Council

Dubreuilville has its second candidate for councillor in the fall municipal election.

Laurent Blais has filed a bid for one of four seats on Dubreuilville Town Council, joining local teacher Laurianne Lavoie, who filed last week.

They're not the only ones to seek a role in the coming Dubreuilville election, as incumbent mayor Beverly Nantel and longtime French Separate School Board trustee Roger Lemoyne are both seeking re-election.

Candidate certification will happen after the nomination deadline of 2 pm August 21st, with the official candidate list to be released after that.

Municipal and school board elections will be held across Ontario on October 26th.

3 New Fires in Wawa District, 1 in Chapleau District (Near Sault Airport)

A few more wildland fires have been reported in the region in recent days.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources reported three fires in the Wawa District since Friday, with two still burning: "Wawa 14", reported Sunday, just east of Highway 17 and less than a kilometre southwest of O'Brien Lakes, is being held at 12.5 hectares in size; and "Wawa 15", reported Monday, is not yet under control at 0.7 hectares in size, on the eastern shore of Lake Superior in Lake Superior Provincial Park, about a kilometre south of Laughing Brook Creek.

"Wawa 13" was reported Saturday - about a kilometre southwest of Crocker’s Lake and three-quarters of a kilometre northwest of Little Owl Lake - but was called out after growing to 0.4 hectares in size.

The Chapleau district's also seen a new forest fire, "Chapleau 10" - reported Monday, about a kilometre southeast of Sunnyside Beach Road, just north of the Sault Ste. Marie Airport - though it is now under control at 2.1 hectares in size. (Despite the name, the Chapleau District includes Sault Ste. Marie & area)

The fire hazard ranges from low to extreme across the Northeast.

Ontario Land Tribunal Rejects Appeal of Wawa Work Camp Rezoning Decision, Due to Standing

An appeal of rezoning for a temporary work camp in Wawa will not be heard.

The Ontario Land Tribunal's rejected an appeal of Wawa Municipal Council's June 2nd decision to temporarily rezone a Pinewood Drive property to allow for a temporary work camp accommodation with trailers to house up to 170 people for three years - to house contractors for Alamos Gold outside Dubreuilville - with the Tribunal finding that appeal proponent Ray Valliant - the owner of Wawa's Outdoorsman Motel - did not meet the requirements under standing to appeal - a stance that Council had taken in response to the appeal filing late last month.

Ahead of and after the Tribunal's response, Valliant sent the Municipality letters formally requesting Council repeal the temporary rezoning by-law - and allow him to speak on the issue - though a response from Mayor Melanie Pilon declined both requests, saying Council already considered the zoning "through the statutory process prescribed by the Planning Act" and the Tribunal was the venue to raise issues with that decision, though Valliant pushed for the Municipality to further explain reasoning for the initial decision - claiming it will have a negative impact on local businesses (particularly hotels/motels and restaurants) of an estimated $22.5-million over those three years - with Pilon replying that "Council appreciates that some members of the business community disagree with its decision" but "Council's responsibility was to consider the application in accordance with the Planning Act, the Provincial Planning Statement, the Municipality's Official Plan, the professional planning advice presented by staff, and all submissions received through the statutory public consultation process" and "evaluate the broader planning merits of the application and determine whether it presented good planning and served the overall public interest", though Valliant continued to question whether the decision does conform with a section of the Municipality's Official Plan, specific analysis conducted on potential economic impact, and any agreements regarding the removal of structures after the approved period.

Valliant has also formally written his objection to the proposed Community Improvement Plan for the 39 Algoma Street housing development, citing its "site-specific nature and appearance of preferential treatment", "conflict of broader community and economic interests", "use of public funds and financial prudence", and "consultation and process concerns", pushing Council to defer approval of the CIP, obtain independent legal and planning advice, expand the incentive program with a "non-site-specific framework open to all qualifying properties", provide full disclosure of the developer's proposal - along with financial projections and agreements related to the sale of the land by the Municipality and the incentives - and "consider alternatives that support housing growth without appearing to favor [sp] a single private interest".

Wawa Council to Vote on Updated Waste Collection & Fireworks By-Laws, Consider CIP for Housing Development

Wawa Municipal Council will vote on replacing the current waste collection by-law, updating the fireworks by-law, and discuss a Community Improvement Plan for a new housing development in a trio of meetings tonight.

First up is a public meeting under the Planning Act, which includes a CAO report on a proposed Community Improvement Plan for 39 Algoma Street - more than 2 acres sold to a private developer "for the purposes of housing development" - CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill explained to Council on June 23rd that the developer intends to build a minimum of 15 new housing units, but there's a need for financial incentives to "facilitate construction", so a site-specific CIP's proposed - similar to the downtown's - to offer financial incentives such as a "tax increment program" and up to $10,000 per housing unit built.

That'll be followed by a Committee of the Whole meeting, including monthly reports from department heads and a memo proposing the purchase of a half-ton pickup truck, which will be followed up in tonight's regular Council meeting, which also includes the new fireworks by-law - simply updating language, not removing the prohibition on sale and use - a by-law implementing a Site Plan Agreement for a temporary work camp on Pinewood Drive*, and third and final reading for the updated garbage by-law.

The meetings will be held back-to-back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm tonight in Council Chambers - the main level boardroom of Town Hall - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

*Related links:

Wawa Council Approves Rezoning for Temporary Work Camp Despite Hotel & Restaurant Concerns
Wawa Motel Owner Urges Council to Reconsider Work Camp Rezoning Decision
Wawa Council Formally Opposing Appeal of Rezoning for Temporary Work Camp

Progress on Wawa District Forest Fires

Progress on a few Wawa District forest fires.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources "Wawa 4" - which was reported on Canada Day, east of Hillsport and south of White Otter Lake - is now out, while "Wawa 11" - located along the Montreal River, about a kilometre south of Mouton Lake - and "Wawa 12" - along Highway 17, about a kilometre south of Kenny Lake - are both "under control" at a tenth of a hectare in size.

"Wawa 8" - which was reported Sunday evening - and is still under control at 1.1 hectares in size, about 4 kilometres east of highway 614, on a peninsula on the southern shore of Musher Lake, 33 kilometres south of Manitouwadge.

The fire hazard is moderate to extreme across the North, with patches of low hazard south of Chapleau and in the Temiskaming Shores area.

Dubreuilville Sees 1st Candidate for 1 of 4 Council Seats

Dubreuilville has its first candidate for Council in the fall municipal election.

Local teacher and long-time resident Laurianne Lavoie's become the first person to file for a bid for one of four seats on Dubreuilville Town Council.

She's not the only one to file a bid in the Dubreuilville election, however, as incumbent mayor Beverly Nantel and longtime French Separate School Board trustee Roger Lemoyne are both seeking re-election.

Candidate certification is set to happen after the nomination deadline of 2 pm on August 21st, with the official candidate list to be released after that.

Municipal and school board elections will be held across Ontario on October 26th.

2 More Forest Fires in Wawa District

A couple more forest fires have been reported in the Wawa District.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources is reporting "Wawa 11" is located along the Montreal River - about a kilometre south of Mouton Lake - while "Wawa 12" is along Highway 17 - about a kilometre south of Kenny Lake - both are a tenth of a hectare in size, but not yet under control.

Two other fires are still burning in the district: "Wawa 4", which was reported on Canada Day, but is under control at 8 hectares in size - east of Hillsport and south of White Otter Lake - and "Wawa 8", which was reported Sunday evening, and is under control at 1.1 hectares in size, about 4 kilometres east of highway 614, on a peninsula on the southern shore of Musher Lake, 33 kilometres south of Manitouwadge.

The fire hazard is primarily high to extreme across the North, with a growing patch of low or moderate hazard in the Northwest.

Wawa Public Library Hosting Monthly Music Night

The Wawa Public Library's inviting people to enjoy some music tonight.

Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell touts tonight's monthly music night.

WPL Head Librarian/CEO Sue Jarrell on July Music Night

Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

The Music Night starts at 6 pm tonight.

Several Wildland Fires Reported in Wawa District in Recent Days

Several wildland fires have been reported in the Wawa District in recent days.

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources reported six fires in the Wawa District since Friday, with three still burning - and another already in the region: "Wawa 4", which was reported on Canada Day, but is under control at 8 hectares in size, east of Hillsport and south of White Otter Lake; "Wawa 8", which was reported Sunday evening, and is being held at 1.1 hectares in size, about 4 kilometres east of highway 614, on a peninsula on the southern shore of Musher Lake, and 33 kilometres south of Manitouwadge; "Wawa 9", reported Monday, which is under control at a tenth of a hectare in size, about four-tenths of a kilometre east of Upper Taradale Lake and 2.2 kilometres northeast of Stillwell Lake; and "Wawa 10", also reported Monday, which is being held at four-tenths of a hectare in size, located about half a kilometre south of Highway 17 and six-tenths of a kilometre north of Mud Lake.

The fire hazard is primarily high to extreme across the North, with a large patch of low or moderate hazard in the far Northwest.