PHSD Reports 245th COVID-19 Death

Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting another in which COVID was the underlying cause of death, bringing the health unit's death toll to 245, 214 in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death over two weeks ago.

The health unit's also reporting 75 new cases since last Friday - 49 in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, 23 in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 95, including one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

It hasn't updated hospitalization figures since December 20th, but last showed 40 cases in hospital, one in an ICU.

Festive RIDE Campaign Nearing End, as New Year's Eve Nears

Ontario Provincial Police are reminding everyone to stay safe while celebrating the end of 2023 and start of 2024.

Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle warns impaired driving is one of the major causes of fatalities on the road.

Constable Nickle reminds those who suspect a driver's impaired by alcohol, drugs, or even fatigue can report them by calling 9-1-1, and asks drivers to be extra careful near RIDE checks, emphasizing "please slow down, proceed with caution, and keep a safe distance" if you see flashing lights.

Time Running Out for Input on Proposed High Falls Road Name Change

Time is running out to have your say on plans to change the names of some Wawa roads.

The Municipality's formally announced a proposal to rename "High Falls Road", which Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson says will look at ending confusion for tourists.

Public input's being accepted until January 10th, with plans for the name change proposal to come to a vote in Council's January 16th meeting.

APH Reports 116th COVID-19 Case, 1 New Case in North Algoma

Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 116th since the pandemic began - it doesn't say where - it last reported a death a week ago.

The health unit's also reporting 45 new cases over the last week - 38 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four in the Elliot Lake area, two in Central and East Algoma, and one in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - though known "high risk active" cases dropped by about a third to 63, with eight in hospital, four in ICUs.

Input Deadline Nears for Wawa's Proposed 2024 Operating Budget

Time is running out to provide input on the Municipality of Wawa's proposed operating budget.

Presented to Council early this month, the draft document focuses on 2024 but also lays out some plans for 2025-27, with a balanced budget of $14,299,949 for 2024, up 1.95 percent from 2023's budget.

Emphasizing that inflation was a major factor, increasing costs for everything - including payroll - along with lower revenues - such as declining grants - and rising costs to meet regulatory requirements and capital needs, Treasurer Manuela Batovanja explains that will require a rise in the municipal levy.

Batovanja notes increasing operational costs and necessary capital work will also mean a rise for water and sewer services.

Batovanja reminds public input's being accepted until next Wednesday, January 3rd - the full presentation can be viewed on the Municipality's YouTube channel, with information on the municipal website - plans are for the combined operating and capital budgets to go to a vote in Wawa Municipal Council's next meeting, on January 16th.

LDHC Foundation Continuing Holiday Wish Campaign

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 Wish campaign continues into the new year, and Foundation Chair Susan Switzer reminds funds raised support capital equipment purchases, including replacing some important equipment nearing its end of life.

Switzer notes donors will still have their names put on stars on a tree in the hospital lobby.

The Wish Campaign ends January 6th, though the Foundation reminds donations are accepted any time of year.

Superior East OPP Continuing Festive RIDE Campaign

While Christmas may be over, Ontario Provincial Police are reminding their annual Festive RIDE campaign's continuing until the holiday season ends, in the new year.

Emphasizing impaired driving is one of the major causes of fatalities on the road, Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle reminds "we all have a role to play in keeping roads safe".

Constable Nickle notes penalties for impaired driving include immediate licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, and expensive fines - even worse if convicted - and there is "zero tolerance" for young, novice, or commercial drivers, meaning zero alcohol in their blood while driving.

Preparations Underway for 26th Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby

Preparations are underway for Chapleau's annual ice fishing derby.

Organizer Luc Tessier explains the Rotary Club of Chapleau's readying the 26th Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby, with cash prizes on the line for the biggest fish.

Tessier says there's a few options to get tickets.

The Rotary Club of Chapleau presents the 26th annual Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby Saturday, February 10th.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Still 1 Active in Northern Sudbury District

More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting eighteen since Wednesday - eleven in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, six in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 71, still one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

The health unit only updates hospitalization figures Wednesday, but last showed 42 in hospital.

Local Holiday Closures

Local municipalities are set to close for the holidays.

The Municipality of Wawa notes its offices close at 3 pm today, reopening January 2nd, with the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre's pro shop following the same schedule - though the arena will be open Wednesday through Friday - Infrastructure Services, the landfill, and the airport will just be closed Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day, while there is no transit service today, Christmas, Boxing Day, or New Year's Day - it doesn't run on weekends anyway.

In Chapleau, the Library's already closed today, though the Civic Centre is open until 12 noon - both reopen January 3rd - while the landfill's only closed Saturday through Tuesday this weekend and the following weekend, and the arena's only closed Monday and Tuesday next week and the week after.

Refuse normally put out Sunday night should be put out Tuesday night for the next two weeks, while cans and metal recycling's moved from Tuesday to Wednesday both weeks.

There'll be no Handi-Transit service Christmas, Boxing Day, or New Year's Day, but otherwise normal hours.

The Chapleau Family Health Team's closed at 3 pm today - reopening for regular hours Wednesday - while the Wawa Family Health Team closes at 12 noon today, reopening for normal hours Wednesday and Thursday, closing at 12 noon the following Friday, then resuming normal hours January 2nd, while the Lady Dunn Health Centre's closing the laboratory, diagnostic imaging, Diabetes Education, and Dubreuilville clinic Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day.

LDHC Foundation Urges Granting a Wish for Local Hospital for Christmas

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

The foundation's annual Wish Campaign continues through the holiday season, and Foundation Chair Susan Switzer notes the annual mailout supports capital equipment purchases for the hospital.

Switzer reminds there's special recognition for donors.

Donations can be made online or via mail, even after Christmas, as the campaign ends January 6th.

Wawa Library's Holiday Bingo Search & Find Ending

Time's almost up for a special holiday contest at the Wawa Public Library.

CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell explains the Holiday Bingo Search and Find is intended for kids, with a prize at the end.

Jarrell says entries will be accepted right until the draw's made at 3:30 pm this afternoon.

Patrons are also reminded the library will be closed starting Sunday, December 24th, until January 3rd.

Superior East OPP Urge Safety Amid Holiday Season

Ontario Provincial Police are reminding revellers to be safe over the upcoming holiday weekend.

Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle warns impaired driving is one of the major causes of fatalities on the road.

Those who suspect a driver's impaired by alcohol, drugs, or even fatigue can report them by calling 9-1-1.

Constable Nickle also asks drivers to be extra careful near RIDE checks, emphasizing "please slow down, proceed with caution, and keep a safe distance" if you see flashing lights.

MVFA Suggests Cash Draw Tickets for Christmas

Those still looking for Christmas presents are being reminded of a way to cash in on helping Wawa's firefighters.

The Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association is reminding that its annual cash draw has returned, with four more $1000 draws to go, along with the $10,000 grand prize draw.

Executive Committee President William Moore reminds the draw supports local fire services.

Tickets are available in many places in the community and from local firefighters, with the next $1000 draw on Valentine's Day.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Long-Term Care COVID-19 Outbreak Over

The COVID-19 outbreak at the Lady Dunn Health Centre's Long-Term Care home is over.

While the outbreak was declared December 10th, Algoma Public Health shows the outbreak as "over" as of this past Tuesday, December 19th, with the hospital confirming that visitor restrictions have been lifted, allowing general visitors in the long-term care area again, though the masking requirement will remain in effect throughout the facility for all visitors amid the respiratory virus season.

Winners Announced for Chapleau Christmas Light Contest

Winners have been named for the annual Chapleau Christmas Light Contest.

Yves Gervais at 222 Martel Road claimed the top spot, followed by Aldo Fortin at 31 Pine Street West in second, and Nancy Andre-Auclair at 97 Elgin Street in third, though Andre-Auclair's display also claimed the "People's Choice" award, with 188 likes on Facebook.

Organizers thank everyone who participated, noting "all the houses looked beautiful" and they "hope to see everyone join again next year".

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Touts Best Fundraising Results Ever From Giving Tuesday

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is thanking the community for its support over a recent one-day fundraising initiative.

While the Foundation initially reported it had raised over $15,000 through last month's "Giving Tuesday" campaign - far above the over $11,000 raised the previous year - final results show an even better figure: $23,670, the most the Foundation's ever raised in a single day.

While Giving Tuesday is over, the Foundation is in the midst of another fundraising campaign, the annual holiday season Wish Campaign, which Chair Susan Switzer says aims to help with a variety of equipment purchases.

Switzer reminds donors can use the flyer that was mailed out last month to donate, with donors to be put on stars that are added to a tree in the hospital's lobby.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Fewer Active

More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region - but there are fewer active.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting fifteen new cases since Monday - eleven in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, three in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases dipped slightly, to 64, still including one in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), with 42 cases in hospitals in the health unit's region.

Wawa Food Bank Closing for Extra Week Amid Holidays

The Wawa Community Food Bank's closing for an extra week amid the holidays.

Volunteers have announced the food bank will be closed next Wednesday, December 27th, but - as it is now closed the first Wednesday of the month - that means it won't be open again until January 10th, though those who need to get in touch before then can call 705-852-1414 or email foodbankofwawa@gmail.com

Local Northern Credit Union Branches Donate to Community

The local credit union's touting charitable efforts by its branches.

Northern Credit Union says its holiday "Giving For Good" campaign saw its 24 branches give out $78,000 in monetary and in-kind donations, with the Wawa Branch donating $3000 to the Wawa Community Food Bank, while the Chapleau branch purchased $500 worth of gifts to support the North Eastern Ontario Family and Children's Services Angel Tree program, and donated $2500 toward the Services de santé de Chapleau Health Services Recreation Department, as a part of their Giving Tree campaign.