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Good news for skiers in Chapleau: registration starts tonight.
The Chapleau Ski Club says "early registration" will be held at the chalet at 274 Martel Road from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm tonight, and again next Thursday, November 20th, also from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Wawa curling season's begun, and in the Men's League, Tom Terris' team had a strong start, winning both of their opening games to top the standings, followed by four-way tie for second between Aaron Bumstead, Mark Leschishin, Matthew Morrison, and Spencer Terris' teams with one win apiece, while Ron Hale's team was unable to claim a win in the opening week.
People across Canada and beyond are stopping to remember veterans and the fallen, as Remembrance Day is here.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 Poppy Campaign Chairman Larry Harvey outlines plans for Wawa's ceremony, which will be held at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre starting at 11:00 am.
Harvey further reminds everyone to wear a poppy, noting funds raised through donations to the Poppy Fund support veterans and more.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and the 75th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.
Chapleau's ceremony will be held as usual, starting at 10:45 am, though Royal Canadian Legion Harry Searle Branch 5 will also be hosting a turkey dinner tonight at 5:00 pm.
A Wawa senior's facing impaired driving charges after being stopped for driving too slowly.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers conducted a traffic stop on Churchill Avenue after seeing a vehicle "travelling at a low rate of speed" the evening of October 20th, with the driver testing a "FAIL" on a subsequent breath test, so he was arrested and taken to the Wawa detachment for further testing.
The 82-year-old was charged with operation while impaired and operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), then released with a December court date.
OPP remind drivers "no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe while driving", urging those who suspect an impaired driver - on roads, waterways, or trails - to call 9-1-1 as "your phone call could save someone's life".
Drug trafficking and other charges have been laid after a traffic stop in Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the Community Street Crime Unit and the OPP's Emergency Response Team stopped a suspected prohibited driver on Mission Road late the morning of October 27th.
During subsequent searces, police found over $2500 in Canadian currency and over 40 grams of suspected cocaine - an estimated street value of $5000 - plus two digital scales and 3D-printed brass knuckles.
A Wawa 48-year-old's been charged with two counts of operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code, and one each of possession of a schedule I substance - cocaine - for the purpose of trafficking, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, and failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court - he was remanded into custody after a bail hearing.
The Sudbury district has its first confirmed case of influenza for the season.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the first confirmed case in its service area has been reported, using that to remind residents to "protect themselves and others from getting sick with respiratory infections", as "COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are available at many locations throughout the community".
Reminding influenza "is a highly contagious infection [that] can cause fever, cough, muscle aches, and fatigue" - or even severe illness like pneumonia for "some people, like young children, older adults, and those with underlying medical conditions" - the health unit also recommends wearing a mask in crowded or poorly-ventilated public settings, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, washing hands frequently and thoroughly, though it's better to stay home if sick until symptoms improve for at least 24 hours - 48 if you had nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea - and avoiding non-essential visits to higher-risk settings like hospitals and long-term care.
Wawa's food bank is thanking the local Ford dealership and the community for their support in a recent campaign.
Danette Mathias of Northern Lights Ford says the "Let's Scare Hunger Together" campaign was "a great success", raising two truckloads of food for the Wawa Community Food Bank.
Mathias says this wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of community partners.
Wawa Community Food Bank volunteer Debbie Banks is thrilled with the support.
The Wawa Community Food Bank's open every Wednesday - except for the first of the month - from 2 pm to 4 pm.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning of "heavier sedation" in drug overdoses in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts.
The health unit says the cause of the increase in sedation's unknown, but calls it a reminder that street drugs could be cut or mixed with dangerous substances such as benzos, fentanyl, or carfentanil.
It urges caution if using drugs, including not doing so when you're alone - but not using them at the same time as an accompanying friend - starting with a lower dose and going slow, avoiding mixing drugs with other drugs or alcohol, and always carrying a naloxone kit.
It also recommends - in the case of a suspected overdose - to give naloxone and call 9-1-1.
Wawa Municipal Council's holding a pair of meetings tonight.
That includes a Committee of the Whole meeting including discussion about a request to put up "Stop the Spray" signage, a request for lease at the airport for a proposed battery storage project - which presented the idea to Council at their October 21st Committee of the Whole meeting - a memo on external audit services, a report on the 3rd party entity to administer half of the funds collected through the Municipal Accommodation Tax, and a potential new location for the Wawa Goose Seniors Centre.
Those issues will be followed up in a regular meeting to be held right after the Committee of the Whole meeting, which also includes resolutions approving an "Elect Respect Pledge" and directing staff to prepare a report on the Wawa Drag Races, as well as a by-law confirming an updated Asset Management Plan, and two "in-camera" items, both legal issues regarding offers to purchase property.
The meetings will be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm tonight in the main level boardroom of Town Hall - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.
Local communities will receive more from the provincial government next year.
The Ontario government's unveiled next year's Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund rates, noting that it will increase the amount spread across Ontario's 388 municipalities by $50-million - for a total of $600-million - with that extra amount to be targeted at small, northern, and rural municipalities or those with a limited property tax base.
The Township of Chapleau will see a substantial boost next year - $124,800, to $1,603,500 total - while the Municipality of Wawa will see a bigger jump of $126,800 - for a total of $1,653,400.
Dubreuilville's getting a modest rise of $23,200 - to $324,300 - and White River will get a $55,400 boost, for a total of $621,300.
The OMPF is the Ontario government's main general assistance grant to municipalities.
Wawa seniors are being offered a chance to have a bite to eat and learn about an important topic next week.
The Wawa Goose Seniors Centre is hosting its monthly Lunch and Learn next Thursday, November 6th, starting at 11:30 am, this time featuring local historian Johanna Rowe as guest speaker, discussing the runestone discovery in the area - it also offers pizza, coffee or tea, and dessert, sponsored by the Wawa Pharmacy.
Must register at the centre by Monday, November 3rd.
As Remembrance Day approaches, Wawa's Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 is reminding anyone who wants to order a wreath to do so quickly.
While the Poppy Campaign doesn't officially begin until Friday, local Chairman Larry Harvey reminds it's especially important to get orders in if you wish to have a wreath laid in Hawk Junction, as that community's ceremony will be held this Sunday.
Harvey outlines a few ways to place orders.
Harvey says as long as the order is received by Saturday, November 1st, the wreath should be ready for the November 2nd ceremony.
The Wawa Legion's annual church service will be the following Sunday, November 9th, while the community's Remembrance Day ceremony will be on November 11th.
Two people are facing drug trafficking charges after another bust in the Chapleau area.
Nishnawbe Aski Police say the NAPS Intelligence Unit and Emergency Response Team - along with the OPP Chapleau detachment - executed a search warrant at a Brunswick House First Nation residence last Wednesday morning, seizing "a quantity of suspected fentanyl" and a rifle.
A 43-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman - both from Brunswick House First Nation - were charged with possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking and unauthorized possession of firearm, then released from custody with conditions and future court dates.
It was one of three drug busts in the Chapleau area in recent weeks, after two Chapleau residents were arrested on possession of $10,000 in cocaine and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking on October 16th, while five other people - two locals, three from other parts of Northeastern Ontario - were arrested last Wednesday evening, as police seized an estimated $60,000 in suspected cocaine and fentanyl at another Chapleau residence.
The Wawa Public Library's marking the final days of a month-long celebration.
While Ontario Public Library Week's ended, Canadian Library Month continues to the end of this week, and Wawa Public Library CEO and Head Librarian Sue Jarrell reminds there's still an initiative promoting library cards, as they let you do "so much".
Jarrell also highlights an ongoing colouring contest for the kids.
Colouring sheets can be picked up at the library, but must be brought back by Friday to be entered into the contest.
Wawa Municipal Council's looking at refreshing its strategic plan next week.
A special meeting's been called for Monday, October 27th, with the sole item on the agenda being "Wawa Strategic Plan refresh - 2026 priorities" - a similar meeting was held earlier this month.
Open to the public, the meeting starts at 9 that morning at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre lounge.
Those with questions can call Clerk Maury O'Neill at 705-856-2244, extension 223.
A respiratory outbreak's been declared at Chapleau's long-term care home.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts declared the outbreak at the Bignucolo Residence on Wednesday, with Chapleau Health Services encouraging everyone to "observe and follow all infection control measures, such as wearing your masks and handwashing" and "please do not visit the hospital at this time, if not necessary".
Wawa's sticking with electronic voting next year.
In their meeting this week, Wawa Municipal Council passed a by-law authorizing the use of "alternative voting methods" - specifically internet and telephone - for the 2026 school board and municipal election.
Council had discussed it earlier in the month, with councillors agreeing it was the best option - noted to be the least costly method and likely to produce better turnout than physical, as it's more accessible - though they did emphasize the importance of maintaining the opportunity for assistance in voting, as in past elections.
The Municipality swapped from vote-by-mail to electronic voting for the 2018 election and stuck with electronic in 2022.
Wawa curlers are being offered a special opportunity for training late this month.
The Wawa Curling Club's sponsoring a training session with two instructors from the Soo Curling Leagues, Robert and Jeanne MacLeod, to be held Saturday, November 1st.
There are limited spaces - youth in Grade 5 or over can sign up at their school at no cost, while adults can can sign up for $10 by emailing wawamenscurling@gmail.com.
Two people are facing drug trafficking charges after a bust in Chapleau.
Nishnawbe Aski Police say the NAPS Intelligence Unit and Emergency Response Team - along with the OPP Chapleau detachment - executed a search warrant at a Chapleau residence last Thursday, finding and seizing "a quantity of suspected cocaine, fentanyl, and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking", with the estimated street value of the drugs totalling $10,000.
One person was arrested at the residence and another nearby, without incident.
The two - identified only as a 32-year-old female and a 36-year-old male, both from Chapleau - have been charged with possession of cocaine and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, and released with conditions and future court dates.
Local residents are being offered a chance to join in "an evening of learning, reflection, and reconciliation" tonight.
Wesdome Eagle River's presenting "The Blanket Exercise", a reconciliation workshop using Indigenous metholodogies to build understanding about the shared history of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, with participants learning about pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization, and resistance, as they step onto blankets representing the land and into the roles of Indigenous peoples.
Pre-registration is required by emailing chelsea.ogilvie@wesdome.com or calling 705-561-4555.
The event runs from 6 pm to 8:30 pm tonight, at the Michipicoten First Nation Elder's Complex.
