Barrick Selling Hemlo Gold Mine

A nearby mine is changing hands.

Barrick Mining Corporation's announced an agreement to sell the Hemlo Gold Mine east of Marathon to Carcetti Capital Corporation, which will be renamed Hemlo Mining Corp. once the transaction closes.

It's a deal worth up to $1.09-billion, with Barrick getting cash consideration of $875-million, an aggregate value of $50-million in stock in the company, and a production and tiered gold price-linked cash payment structure of up to $165-million, for a five-year term starting in January 2027.

Barrick plans to use proceeds from the sale to further support its balance sheet and return capital to shareholders, the same reason it gave for selling a gold and silver project in Chile last month and a 50 percent interest in an Alaskan operation earlier this year.

Hemlo's been operating continuously for more than 30 years, producing over 21-million ounces of gold over that time.

Careless Driving Charge After Transport Truck Slides Into Hwy 17 Ditch

A careless driving charge has been laid after a transport truck slid into a ditch south of Wawa.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say the southbound tractor-trailer lost control on a corner, sliding into the northbound ditch of Highway 17, just north of Orphan Lake late Monday morning.

The driver's been charged with careless driving over the incident, which at least partially closed the highway for several hours on Monday.

No injuries were reported by the driver or passenger.

Classes Starting for 2025-26 School Year

It's back to school time.

As classes begin for students, Chapleau Elementary and Secondary School Principal Lisi Bernier outlines the plan for today.

Noting there will be some new staff and students in the building, Bernier says there are a few things students should remember as classes start.

Petar Kusic - Acting Principal of Wawa's Sir James Dunn Public School - also reminds students to bring a few things with them.

Kusic also notes the annual "welcome back" barbecue will be held Thursday, September 11th, from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Superior East OPP Urge Caution, Safety Amid Return to School

Local police are issuing a few safety reminders as kids return to school.

Noting that parents should talk with their kids about "stranger danger" - not approaching unknown people or vehicles - Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Detachment Commander, Staff Sergeant Kevin Fellinger, advises kids to be careful.

Warning drivers to prepare for more pedestrian and vehicle traffic - especially in the morning and mid-afternoon - Staff Sergeant Fellinger reminds drivers to be careful around school buses.

Fellinger notes bus drivers and other witnesses can call police to report vehicles that fail to stop for police, emphasizing a first time offence can mean a fine of $400-$2000 - but even worse is that it could lead to injuring a child.

18th Annual PC Children's Charity BBQ Arrives

JJAM FM and John's Your Independent Grocer in Wawa are inviting everyone mark the coming long weekend with a barbecue helping a great cause.

John Michalcewicz explains today's event.

Michalcewicz outlines the reason the local store's hosting the barbecue.

Michalcewicz highlights the work the charity does.

Also sponsored by Wawa Canadian Tire, Davidson's Fuels, Lock City Dairy, and Old Dutch Chips, the barbecue runs from 11 am to 2 pm at John's Your Independent Grocer in Wawa, broadcast live here on JJAM FM.

CAPT Urges Show of Support for Bear Train in Federal Budget Consultations

A group of local passenger train advocates are urging residents to tell the federal government the "Bear Train" passenger train service is important and needed now.

Noting today's the last day of pre-budget consultations by the federal government, the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains is encouraging supporters to fill in the government's survey and add a comment at the end about the need for the "Bear Train" proposal for passenger train service between Sault Ste. Marie and Oba Lake.

CAPT points out proponent MTA Inc. is proposing the feds and provincial government split the start-up and annual operating costs, like with the Huron Central Railway, with an operator, Watco, already lined up so service could start quickly.

The former Algoma Central Railway passenger train service ended a decade ago, cutting one of - if not the only - option to access many remote locations.

Small Wildfire Already Out After Being Confirmed in Chapleau District

A small forest fire is already out after being confirmed in the Chapleau area.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources says "Chapleau 14" was reported Wednesday, on the south side of Bunting Lake - about 2.6 kilometres west of Perth Lake and 1.1 kilometres south of Nackawic Lake - but never grew beyond a tenth of a hectare in size before it was declared "out" later that day.

The fire hazard's low in areas north of Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins, and primarily moderate to high for the rest of the northeast.

NOMA Backs FONOM's Call for "Nation-Building Commitment" to Northern Ontario's Trans-Canada Highway

Northwestern Ontario municipal leaders are backing a call from their northeastern counterparts for a "nation-building commitment" to the Trans-Canada Highway in northern Ontario.

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) is joining the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) in urging the Ontarian and Canadian governments to modernize both Highways 11 and 17 across Northern Ontario, and - to help with that - designate it a "nation-building project" under the Building Canada Act.

Both organizations note the Trans-Canada Highway's a four-lane corridor in most other provinces, but is mostly two-lane in Ontario, making it the "weak link in Canada's national highway system", with FONOM proposing a combination of strategic four-lane widening, selective twinning, and 2+1 highways - featuring alternating passing lanes with a crash-rated median barrier - to improve the highway, warning "each accident not only causes human tragedy but also disrupts more than 8400 trucks moving $200-million in goods daily", with expectations truck traffic will double in the next decade.

FONOM Urges "Nation-Building Commitment" to Trans-Canada Highway in Northern Ontario

Northeastern Ontario municipal leaders are calling for a "nation-building commitment" to the Trans-Canada Highway in the region.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is urging Ontario and Canadian governments to modernize both Highways 11 and 17 across Northern Ontario, and - to help - designate it a "nation-building project" under the building Canada Act.

They argue the mostly two-lane highway has "some of the highest fatality and collision rates in Canada", noting "each accident not only causes human tragedy but also disrupts more than 8400 trucks moving $200-million in goods daily", and - with expectations that truck traffic will double in the next decade - urgency to address the problem is growing.

To address the "weak link in Canada's national highway system", FONOM is proposing a combination of strategic four-lane widening, selective twinning, and 2+1 highways - featuring alternating passing lanes with a crash-rated median barrier - emphasizing that other "upcoming national priorities, including the Ring of Fire, the NWMO nuclear facility in Ignace, expanded St. Lawrence port activity, and proposals for a James Bay port" would all rely on the Trans-Canada Highway, and that FONOM's proposals are supported by its northwestern counterpart, NOMA, as well as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and Rural Ontario Municipal Association.

Chapleau's 2nd Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race Hailed as "Amazing" Success

Chapleau's mayor is thanking the community for its support as the checkered flag's been waved for the second Gold Rush Nationals Drag Race.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo says last weekend's event - the first edition of the Chapleau drag races since they debuted in 2019 - was quite successful.

Bignucolo particularly highlights work done on the airport ahead of time.

Mayor Bignucolo thanks the various sponsors and supporters - particularly Discovery Silver/Discovery Porcupine, who provided $50,000 in support - and notes plans for the third edition of the event to be held next year, though the date has yet to be confirmed.

Wawa District Fire Out

A small forest fire is already out after being confirmed in the Wawa area.

While the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed "Wawa 7" Tuesday - located "midway between Ruthie and Danny lakes" - it now shows the fire was called "out" after growing to seven-tenths of a hectare in size.

The fire hazard's mainly low to moderate across the northeast, with a "large swath" of high hazard from the north shore of Lake Huron to the shores of James Bay.

Wawa Salmon Derby Pre-Fish Contest Ending

Fishing is coming to an end ahead of the Wawa Salmon Derby.

Today's the last day in the five-day pre-derby fishing contest, offering any anglers registered for the derby a chance at a $50 prize for the largest fish caught today, though Derby Chair Brad Buck reminds anglers could reel in much bigger prizes this weekend.

The 43rd annual derby runs this Friday, August 22nd, through Sunday the 24th - registration is open now.

Brunswick House First Nation Re-Elects Chief, Chooses 6 Councillors

Results are in from Brunswick House First Nation's recent election.

Cheryl St. Denis has been elected as chief once again - with 76 votes, just ahead of Lorraine Giroux's 67 - joined by returning councillors Amberly Quakagesic and Lorraine Tangie, as well as Bonnie Saunders, Bev Tangie, Lisa Vanbuskirk, and Irene Redbreast, surpassing 26 other candidates, while one withdrew.

37th Winnie's Hometown Festival Arrives in White River

White River's bustling with excitement this weekend, with the 37th annual Winnie's Hometown Festival.

Mayor Tara Anderson Hart explains there will be similar activities to previous years, with some new attractions.

Anderson Hart highlights a few other things at the park.

Mayor Anderson Hart thanks all of the volunteers who've stepped up to help put on this event.

Festivities start today, running through Sunday.

Wawa Salmon Derby's Pre-Fish Contest to Begin

Anglers will start hitting the water this weekend for the chance at some prizes for the upcoming Wawa Salmon Derby.

While the 43rd annual derby isn't for another week, Derby Chair Brad Buck reminds the five-day "pre-fishing" contest starts tomorrow.

Buck reminds the "pre-fish" - which runs through Wednesday, August 20th - is open to anyone registered for the derby, which runs next Friday, August 22nd through Sunday the 24th - registration's open now.

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