Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Continuing Campaign Into 2019

While Christmas is behind us, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is reminding there's still time to help grant a wish from the local hospital.

The foundation's annual "Wish Upon A Star" campaign continues into the new year, raising funds to support the hospital's recent digital radiography upgrade.

Foundation Chair Lina Rody thanks the community for its support - having already raised $150,000 for phase one of the campaign, and $100,000 more in phase two - and she notes next year will mark a major milestone.

Donations can be made at the hospital, online, or via mail - names of donators will be displayed on a Christmas tree in the hospital lobby.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Reminds Holiday Campaign Underway

With Christmas a day away, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's asking residents to help grant a wish from the local hospital.

The foundation's annual "Wish Upon A Star" campaign continues through the holiday season, raising funds to support the hospital's recent digital radiography upgrade.

Foundation Chair Lina Rody notes that donator's names will be displayed on the "Holiday Wish Tree" in the hospital lobby.

Donations can be made at the hospital, online, or via mail, even after Christmas - the campaign continues into the new year.

Wawa Residents Face Drug Trafficking-Related Charges

Two Wawa residents are facing drug charges after police seized suspected fentanyl.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they were assisted by the Community Street Crime Unit and Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau in executing a search warrant at a Regina Crescent residence Wednesday, with officer seizing about 40 tablets of suspected fentanyl - an estimated street value of about $2400.

Police arrested two people, charging a 29-year-old Wawa man with trafficking in a schedule one substance - an opioid other than heroin - as well as failing to comply with a probation order, while a 28-year-old Wawa woman was charged with possessing for the purpose of trafficking a schedule one substance - an opioid other than heroin - as well as possession of property obtained by crime under $5000.

They're scheduled to appear in court before spring.

Wawa Holding Off On Water Meter-Based Billing

Wawa will not start billing for water services based on usage at the start of the new year.

While the Municipality previously planned to start using water meters for billing at the start of 2019, Mayor Ron Rody explained to JJAM FM's Town Talk that is no longer the plan.

Rody says he doesn't want to set a date for water meter-based billing at this time, preferring to wait until technical and billing aspects are "worked through" - and he promises once that is done, residents will be given a "heads-up" with information about the new billing.

Wawa Mayor Says Ransomware Attack Resolved

The Municipality of Wawa has resolved a ransomware attack revealed early last week.

Speaking with JJAM FM's Town Talk, Mayor Ron Rody noted that the municipality has received decryption keys and regained access to its servers - and the focus is now on preventing future attacks.

Rody assures that it appears the system was only infected with ransomware - and there was no actual breach of data going out to the attackers - with the focus instead to get a ransom from the municipality.

The mayor won't say whether a ransom was paid, but notes the municipality was in communication with the southern Ontario communities of Midland and Wasaga Beach - both of whom paid ransoms over $30,000 after similar attacks - and they put Wawa in contact with experts to help.

White River Woman Charged Under New Impaired Driving Laws

A White River woman's facing charges under Canada's new impaired driving rules.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers stopped a pickup truck driving erratically in White River Tuesday night - the same day the stricter anti-impaired driving rules took effect - with the officers detecting the odour of alcohol on the driver's breath.

Follow-up investigation led to charges of operation while impaired by alcohol and operation while impaired (blood alcohol concentration 80 plus) - the 47-year-old woman also had her driver's licence suspended and the vehicle was towed and impounded.

She's set to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice in February.

Wawa Woman Charged With Possessing Property Obtained By Crime

A Wawa woman's been charged in connection to a late November theft.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the Community Street Crime Unit executed a search warrant at a Churchill Avenue residence on Tuesday, December 18th, in connection to a theft-related call at a Tamarack Avenue home on November 29th - numerous items were reported stolen in that incident.

Police arrested a 22-year-old Wawa woman with possessing property obtained by crime under $5000 - she's set to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice in February.

Chapleau Man Charged With Assault and Sexual Assault

A young Chapleau man's facing multiple charges after a dispute between two males in the town.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the dispute around 5 am Saturday, December 15th, with investigation revealing it related to "a prior alleged sexual assault involving a female".

Police arrested the 21-year-old Chapleau man, whose name is not being released, to protect the victim's identity.

He's scheduled to appear in Chapleau's Ontario Court of Justice in early February, on charges of sexual assault, assault, mischief under $5000, and failing to comply with probation order, as well as two counts of assault with a weapon and two of unauthorized possession of a weapon.

Superior East OPP also emphasize victims of abusive relationships are not alone, and that anyone in such a relationship - or who knows someone in such a situation - can contact local Victim Services.

Wawa Festival of Lights Results

Organizers of Wawa's annual Festival of Lights are calling the event an overwhelming success.

Wawa's Assistant Director of Community Services and Tourism Brian Lachine lauds those who participated in the parade, and those who came out to see the parade and enjoy the refreshments at the Community Centre, including cinnamon buns from Judy Page.

Speaking with Town Talk last month, Lachine noted some prizes for winners of the Festival of Lights decoration contest.

17 Maple was voted first place, followed by 148 Regina in second, then 172 Regina in third, 22 Maple in fourth, and 27 Birch in fifth.

The prizes can be picked up at the Community Centre Pro Shop between 10 am and 4 pm Wednesday through Friday of this week.

Wawa Man Charged With Refusing to Provide Breath Sample

A Wawa man's facing multiple charges after police spotted an SUV driving aggressively in town.

Superior East OPP say officers stopped the SUV on Second Avenue around 12:30 Thursday morning, and - while speaking with the driver - detected the odour of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, leading to his arrest on charges of failing or refusing to provide a sample, failing to surrender licence, and novice driver refuse to provide breath sample.

The 31-year-old Wawa man's driver's license has also been suspended, while the vehicle was towed and impounded.

He's set to appear in Wawa court early next month.

Meanwhile, OPP are reminding drivers that no amount of alcohol or drugs is acceptable to consume before driving - and they urge anyone who observes a suspected impaired driver to report them.

Superior East OPP November Statistics

Local police were kept busy over November.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to about 507 calls for service, including 4 violence-related incidents, 16 property-related occurrences, 5 drug-related cases, 29 motor vehicle collisions, and 2 impaired by alcohol incidents.

Officers also conducted 121 RIDE checkpoints over the month.

The Superior East detachment covers communities including Wawa, Chapleau, Dubreuilville, White River, and Hornepayne.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Wishing Upon A Star

With Christmas nearly here, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's asking residents to help grant a wish from the local hospital.

Foundation Chair Lina Rody explains the annual "Wish Upon A Star" campaign is supporting phase two of the hospital's recent digital radiography upgrade.

Rody notes the Foundation's already raised $100,000 for Phase 2, with a further $8000 already raised by the Wish campaign - including over $500 from the Superior Children's Centre.

Donations can be made at the hospital, online, or via mail - names of donators will be displayed on a Christmas tree in the hospital lobby.

HSCDSB Elects New Chair and Vice Chair

Trustees with the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board have chosen new top representatives.

Espanola trustee Lindsay Liske's been chosen as the local English Catholic school board's chair - a role he has held before - while Sault Ste. Marie trustee Sandra Turco will serve her first term as vice chair.

This week's meeting was also the first for a couple trustees - Debbie Mayer and Joe Ruscio - Ruscio was elected as a Sault Ste. Marie trustee in October, while Mayer takes over as First Nations trustee.

Wawa's 2nd Annual Festival of Lights Nears

Wawa will be lit up this weekend for a holiday tradition: the Festival of Lights.

Assistant Director of Community Services and Tourism Brian Lachine says the second annual event will be done differently than last year.

Lachine also notes there's an incentive for those who've registered to show off their decorations: $500 in gift certificates between the first, second, and third place prizes.

Anyone who needs the accessible bus to get to the Community Centre can contact Jolene Binda at the Wawa Family Health Team - 705-856-1313 - by 4:30 today.

The Festival of Lights starts at 7 o'clock, after the Santa Claus Parade and the lighting of the tree at the Community Centre.

Wawa Firefighters to Collect Food for Christmas Hampers

Wawa residents are being encouraged to support an annual tradition helping the needy in the community - the Christmas hampers.

Members of the Wawa Volunteer Fire Department are going door to door on Sunday to support the Christmas hampers, with Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin noting this is their annual food drive.

Christmas Hamper Fund President Richard Watson reminds that the hampers themselves support the needy, offering a bit of holiday cheer.

Donations can also be dropped off in an antique sleigh at the Wawa Motor Inn before Monday, when the items will be collected and organized for distribution on Wednesday.

The firefighters' food drive runs from 10:30 am to 1 pm on Sunday, December 16th.

Santa Claus Parade Coming to Wawa

Santa Claus is coming to Wawa.

Brian Lachine - the Municipality's Assistant Director of Community Services - explains that Wawa is hosting a Santa Claus Parade for the first time in years.

Lachine encourages local businesses and organizations wanting to join the parade - as well as people with antique sleds - to contact him at 705-856-2244, extension 247.

Jolene Binda of the Wawa Family Health Team also encourages local seniors to contact her, so they can take the municipal bus and wave to those watching the parade.

The Santa Claus Parade will leave the Fire Hall in downtown Wawa at 6:30, heading for the Community Centre.

Superior East OPP Remind Snowmobilers of Important Rules

Local police are reminding snowmobilers of important rules for the season.

Superior East OPP emphasize that those under 12 years old can only drive a snowmachine on private property only, and those who are 12 or older must have a valid motorized snow vehicle operator's licence, which is restricted to snowmobile trails only - you can only travel on or cross allowed roads if you have a valid driver's licence.

Police also emphasize that speed is often a factor in snowmobile collisions, reminding the limit is 50 kilometres an hour on snowmobile trails, as well as roads where the normal speed limit is over 50 - for roads where the limit is normally 50 or less, snowmobiles must go no faster than 20 kilometres an hour, which is the limit for any public parks or exhibition grounds that allow them - but OPP emphasize you should confirm what is allowed by municipal by-laws.

Superior East OPP Charge Toronto Driver Over Early Morning Vehicle Fire

Ontario Provincial Police have charged a Toronto driver after an early morning collision resulted in a fire near White River.

Superior East OPP say the vehicle was travelling along Highway 17 about 15 kilometres south of White River around 5 o'clock Monday morning when it left the roadway, and entered the ditch - the vehicle caught fire and was fully consumed before the White River Volunteer Fire Department was able to extinguish the flames.

Both people who were in the vehicle escaped from the blaze, but did suffer minor injuries.

Police have charged the driver - a 27-year-old Toronto man - with careless driving.

Wawa Red Cross Opening Doors Ahead of Holidays

As the holidays approach, Wawa's branch of the Canadian Red Cross is opening up its doors for the public to come in and say hello.

While Senior Services Coordinator Darlene Trovarello notes the annual holiday open house is a chance to get together with clients and volunteers - playing games, enjoying treats, and giving away prizes - she adds it's a great opportunity to learn more about the many programs offered by the local Red Cross, particularly if you're interested in volunteering.

Trovarello notes there are 25 Red Cross volunteers in this community.

The holiday open house runs from 11 to 2 today.

Foleyet Drinking Water Advisory Lifted

Foleyet's no longer under a drinking water advisory.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the advisory's been lifted from the Town of Foleyet - it was issued Sunday after a temporary loss of pressure caused by a power outage.

The health unit assures tests have confirmed the water's safe for consumption, but notes residents may notice chlorine odours or discoloured water, suggesting faucets run on cold for five minutes or until the water runs clear, water softeners are run through a regeneration cycle, hot water heaters are drained and refilled, and faucet screens are removed, rinsed, and put back in place after sediment's removed.