• Jones pleads to slaying woman

    Steven Jones has pleaded guilty to the brutal 2023 slaying of Taylor Marshall and the attempted murder of Liam Frenette.Jones entered his pleas on Tuesday afternoon before Superior Court Justice Michael Varpio. It was the seventh day of his trial at the provincial courthouse on Queen Street East.Defence counsel Andrew Furgiuele told Varpio his client wanted to plead guilty. Jones had originally pleaded not guilty to both charges when his trial began on Jan. 5.A Gladue report was requested for Jo
  • Report: Homelessness continues to rise in Northern Ontario

     
    A new report concludes that homelessness in Northern Ontario is rising at precedented rates.  Municipalities Under Pressure: One Year Later, updates last year’s study by the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association in partnership with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association.  The report shows that homelessness continues to rise faster than housing supply, prevention, and support systems can respond, with Nor
  • Vehicle taken, driver doesn't stop for Sault police

    A man took a vehicle that belonged to somebody he knew without consent and didn’t stop when he was found, police say. The theft was reported early Wednesday. Police found the automobile in a parking lot in the 0 to 100 Breton Road after the driver allegedly refused to be pulled over. The male was nearby.Kiel Martin, 40, was charged with theft of motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime, over $5,000, flight from peace officer, fail to comply with probation order, Class G1 lic
  • Man drives stolen ATV, swipes parcels from Sault building: Police

    A man who was allegedly driving a stolen ATV last spring is also accused of pinching parcels from an east-end apartment building later in the year. The male was handed several provincial offence notices after he was reported driving an ATV in the Shannon Road area on June 13, a release says. Police learned later the ATV was reported stolen on May 6. A warrant was obtained for the male’s arrest.The same man is accused of stealing parcels from a common area of a multi-unit residential buildi
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  • Sault man faces fraud charge

    A man redeposited multiple cheques from his former employer, police say. Police were contacted Nov. 21, 2025. An investigation began. A suspect was found at the courthouse on an unrelated matter on Tuesday.Andrew MacDonald, 48, was charged with fraud under $5,000 His court date is March 16.
  • Batchewana First Nation man fined for fentanyl possession

    Having 10 grams of fentanyl cost a Batchewana First Nation man $500.Gary Sayers, 62, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance on Wednesday. He was a passenger in a southbound pickup truck that was stopped by police on Highway 17 on March 16, 2025, said assistant Crown attorney David Didiodato. Health Canada confirmed the substance Sayers had was fentanyl.Ontario Court Justice Simon Armstrong called the drug “a terrible substance” that is a “scourge” in many
  • Knife held during argument at Sault home

    A man held a knife during an argument with a woman last spring, court heard Wednesday. Mohamed-Nizam Mohamed, 42, pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon.Sault Ste. Marie Police Service went to a 911 call at a home at 5 p.m. on June 5, 2025, said assistant Crown attorney David Didiodato. The couple was arguing in the kitchen. Mohamed got a knife and held it while the dispuate continued. He held the knife “in an intimidating fashion,” said Didodato.The restaurant owner was given a con
  • Mighty Mac remains open - for now - as high-wind warning issued

    Mackinac Bridge Authority issued a wind warning Wednesday morning, advising motorists to slow down, turn on 
    four-way flashers and use the outside lane.
      Winds of up to 55 km/h are being reported in the Mackinac Straights, the authority said on its website.The straights are located in Michigan, some 100 kilometres south of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Examples of vehicles “especially vulnerable” to high winds include pickup trucks with campers,
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  • High wind warning issued for Mackinac Straights

    Mackinac Bridge Authority issued a wind warning Wednesday morning, advising motorists to slow down, turn on 
    four-way flashers and use the outside lane.
      Winds of up to 55 km/h are being reported in the Mackinac Straights, some 100 kilometres south of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., the authority said on its website.
      Examples of vehicles “especially vulnerable” to high winds include pickup trucks wit
  • Open house reviews Sault's proposed Official Plan amendments

    The City of Sault Ste. Marie is updating its Official Plan and is seeking public input.  The Official Plan guides long-term land use, infrastructure, housing and development planning across the community.  Several key policy updates are being proposed.  They include
      A structured evaluation framework for Rural Estate Residential Subdivisions.  Identification of Locally Significant Agricultural Areas (LSAAs) and introducing updated consent (lot creation) policies to mini
  • City of Sault Ste. Marie expands services for deaf in one-year trial project

    The City of Sault Ste. Marie is expanding its accessibility services by offering Quick Access Video Remote Interpretation service to the Bay Street Active Living Centre and the Northern Community Centre community space.  The service is already active at the Civic Centre.  Canadian Hearing Services’ Quick Access VRI connects Deaf customers with a remote ASL/LSQ interpreter through a laptop or tablet, ensuring effective communication during in-person visits. The system includes a v
  • Mr. Hatch helps 'bring people together'

    There’s more to love about Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch. A new scene has been added to the start of the puppet play that last visited Sault Ste. Marie as part of Over the Rainbow Children’s Entertainment in 2019. An additional song may have been included, too, said Axis Theatre artistic director Chris McGregor.The stage presentation set in the 1940s, based on a book by Eileen Spinelli, was also presented in Beijing and toured the United States in 2022 and 2024. A tour of Quebec was
  • Some school buses not running in Sault and area

    Press release:All routes in the Sault Ste. Marie Area are running expect the routes below:S089 S091 S095 S096 S098 S0B4 S0F6 S0F7 S0G1 S0G2 S0G2 S0G3 S0H1 S0H3 S0H4 S0S11
  • Rhinovirus over in Blind River long-term care unit

    A rhinovirus outbreak in a Blind River long-term care unit is over.
      Algoma Public Health, in collaboration with North Shore Health Network, made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.
      While the outbreak, 
    declared Jan. 2
    , has concluded, NSHN says it continues to promote preventative measures to help reduce the transmission of respiratory illnesses in the community, including COVID-19, influenza and RSV. Staff and visitors are encouraged to follow all cur
  • Jones pleads guilty to Sault murder, attempted murder: UPDATED

    Steven Jones has pleaded guilty to the brutal 2023 slaying of Taylor Marshall and the attempted murder of Liam Frenette.Jones entered his pleas on Tuesday afternoon before Superior Court Justice Michael Varpio. It was the seventh day of his trial at the provincial courthouse on Queen Street East.Defence counsel Andrew Furgiuele told Varpio his client wanted to plead guilty. Jones had originally pleaded not guilty to both charges when his trial began on Jan. 5.A Gladue report was requested for Jo
  • Jones pleads guilty to Sault murder, attempted murder: BREAKING

    Steven Jones has pleaded guilty to the brutal 2023 slaying of Taylor Marshall and the attempted murder of Liam Frenette.Jones entered his pleas on Tuesday afternoon before Ontario Superior Court Justice Michael Varpio. It was the seventh day of his trial at the provincial courthouse on Queen Street East.Defence counsel Andrew Furgiuele told Varpio his client wanted to plead guilty. Jones had originally pleaded not guilty to both charges when his trial began on Jan. 5.A Gladue report was requeste
  • Jones pleads guilty to Sault murder, attempted murder

    Steven Jones has pleaded guilty to the brutal 2023 slaying of Taylor Marshall and the attempted murder of Liam Frenette.Jones entered his pleas on Tuesday afternoon before Superior Court Justice Michael Varpio. It was the seventh day of his trial at the provincial courthouse on Queen Street East.Defence counsel Andrew Furgiuele told Varpio his client wanted to plead guilty. Jones had originally pleaded not guilty to both charges when his trial began on Jan. 5.A Gladue report was requested for Jo
  • Algoma Steel prepares for another loss

     Algoma Steel expects to report another loss in its upcoming fourth quarter results.  The loss is expected to range between $95 million to $105 million, the company posted in a release.  Rajat Marwah, Algoma CEO said “our fourth-quarter results were in line with expectations, reflecting the continued impact of steel tariffs and the previously announced wind-down of our blast furnace operations, which are expected to conclude in the coming days,” the release said. 
  • Handgun and more than $76k drugs seized, five charged

    On Jan. 9, detectives with the Crime Suppression Unit and Drug Enforcement Unit, with assistance from the Emergency Services Unit, Patrol Services, and the Ontario Provincial Police, charged five individuals with drug and firearm offences. In 2025, detectives began an investigation into individuals believed to be trafficking drugs in Sault Ste. Marie. Around 5:50 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2026, detectives executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Anna Street. A search of the residence l
  • Suspect sought after bank card stolen from vehicle in Sault

    A stolen bank card was used to make purchases at several businesses. A vehicle was entered in the MacDonald Avenue area in late September, a release says. A wallet containing cash and a bank card was taken. Video surveillance of a suspect can be seen on YouTube. Search for Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District.
  • Driver charged at Mississauga First Nation RIDE check

    A driver was charged following a stop at a RIDE check in Mississauga First Nation.His pickup truck was checked on Canoe Lake Road last Friday, Ontario Provincial Police say. Donald Linus Gionette, 72, of Mississauga First Nation, was charged with operation while impaired, drugs.His court date is March 5 in Elliot Lake. The accused’s vehicle was impounded.
  • Suspended driver found behind wheel in Elliot Lake: OPP

    An Elliot Lake man faces numerous charges after a vehicle stop last Friday.Previous traffic complaints prompted police to check an SUV on Hillside Drive South, a release says. Sky Levi Fox, 30, of Elliot Lake, was charged with operation while prohibited, driving while under suspension, failure to comply with release order, fail to comply with probation order and driver and fail to properly wear seat belt.His court date is Feb. 12 in Elliot Lake.A second Elliot Lake resident was also charged foll
  • Missing Sault teen found safe

    A missing Sault Ste. Marie teenager was found in good condition.Mya Johnson, 15, was reported located Sunday afternoon. She was last seen on Jan. 8 in the 1500 block of Wellington Street East.
  • West End Treatment upgrades gets federal grant

    A $57 million upgrade to the West End Treatment Plant has received federal government funding.
      Almost $23 million in funding has been approved from the Canadian Housing Infrastructure Fund.
      The remaining project costs will be funded by the city through its sewar surcharge fund.  This is the second phase of the plant upgrade, where construction is expected to begin in 2027.
     
  • City of Sault Ste. Marie gets PUC special dividend

    The City of Sault Ste. Marie has received a special $300,000 dividend from PUC Services, as its sole shareholder.  A report to council says annually, PUC declares a dividend of $610,080 to its shareholder, but in 2025, was also able to provide an additional special dividend.  Since 2019, the city has received $1.6 million in special dividends.  The money will be used to help offset the city’s 2025 anticipated deficit of between $2.75 million and $3.25 million.
     
  • Sagamok resident faces impaired driving charge

    A Sagamonk First Nation resident was allegedly impaired when stopped by police in Sudbury last Friday. A vehicle stop was made on Westmount Street at about 12:10 p.m., Ontario Provincial Police say. Star Miller, 36, was charged with operation while impaired, drugs, fail to comply with probation order, operate a motor vehicle without insurance and Class G1 licence holder, unaccompanied by qualified driver.The accused’s vehicle was impounded for seven days and licence suspended for 90 days.
  • Sault new fire chief formally approved by council

    City council formally appointed Naomi Thibault as the city’s new fire chief, effective Feb. 1.  She replaces Peter Johnson, who retires Jan. 31, after nearly 31 years of service.  “It came fast,” Johnson told council of his nearing retirement.
      Johnson began with the fire service at the age of 22 when he was hired by then Chief David Fluke.  Johnson said he has worked with a number of role models that taught him skills and helped him be successful to climb
  • Shipping season nears end for Soo Locks in Michigan Sault

    Soo Locks is preparing to close for the shipping season.Marine traffic will halt beginning at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, or until commercial traffic ceases – whichever comes first, a release says. The Poe Lock reopens March 25, followed by the MacArthur Lock in late April.Maintenance planned for the MacArthur Lock includes fabricating and replacing spring boxes and lever arms for Gates 3, 4 and 5, building a recess cutout for the panel bridge, repairing a Gate 2 strut arm and concrete and deck p
  • Traffic between Twin Saults falls nearly 25 per cent in 2025

    Traffic crossing the International Bridge dropped nearly 25 per cent in 2025. One-way trips between the Twin Saults totaled 845,713 last year, Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority says. That’s down 24 per cent compared to 2024 when 1,109,831 crossings were made.December saw 57,308 one-way crossings. There was 31,377 commuter fares, or 55 per cent of all crossings. Full-fare passenger cars made 21,292 crossings, or 37 per cent of December’s total. Commercial trucks made 4,226 crossings,
  • Sault Fire Services, PUC seek ‘Hydrant Heroes’

    With winter snowfall piling up across the city, PUC Services Inc. and Sault Fire Services are asking residents to take a few extra minutes after each snowfall to help keep their neighbourhoods safe by clearing nearby fire hydrants. Sault Ste. Marie has already experienced significant snowfall this winter, and with more than 2,500 fire hydrants across the city, keeping them accessible is critical, says a media release from Fire Services. Snow and ice buildup can block firefighters’ access a
  • Alzheimer Awareness month concentrates on ‘stigma’

    During January’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District Alzheimer Society calls attention to the role stigma plays in keeping people from accessing support. New national polling with Leger shows that many Canadians are concerned about dementia yet hesitate to seek information or talk about it, says a media release. This year’s Forget No One campaign, led by Alzheimer Societies across Canada, encourages open conversations about dementia so individuals
  • Local skaters shine as LSFSC hosts provincial series event

    From Jan. 9 to 11, Lake Superior Figure Skating Club hosted a Skate Ontario Provincial Series competition. The event featured personal bests, memorable first competition experiences, and a fantastic atmosphere for all involved, says an LSFSC media release. “This was an incredible weekend for our skaters and our club,” a spokesman for the LSFSC Board of Directors says in the release. “We’re thrilled with the performances and the support from our community.” LSFSC tha
  • Students to vie for placement in robotics competition

    Algoma District School Board will host its Elementary Robotics Competition on Saturday, Jan. 17. The event is open to the public. The competition will take place at Boreal French Immersion Public School, 232 Northern Ave., from 9 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m. Entry is free, through the school’s main entrance. A lunch break is scheduled from noon to approximately 12:45 p.m. This year’s competition will bring together 39 teams and 150 students from 14 elementary schools across Algoma
  • Proper investigation in ICE shooting is unlikely

    It has always amazed me how two groups of people, usually depending on their political persuasion, can look at the same picture or event and come to widely different conclusions. A case in point has just arisen in Minnesota with the fatal shooting, caught on video, of U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. President Trump saw it this way: “The woman driving the car was very disorderly, obstructing and resisting, who then violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the
  • Will ‘We need more tax base’ kill Station Mall?

    Over the past 30 years, our mayors and senior city administration have consistently repeated the mantra “We need more tax base” as a solution to the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s financial woes. It does sound great; it is such a progressive statement: it basically says that the Sault, our city, is growing, because no one would want to utter the alternative: “We need better City tax yield management.” Firstly, nobody understands what “tax yield management” e
  • University’s Hunger Freeze Plunge is back

    Algoma University Hunger Freeze Food Drive returns as part of the 2026 Bon Soo Winter Carnival, with university students, staff and volunteer community members braving the cold in support of local food pantries, including the Algoma University Students’ Union Food Pantry. As fundraising milestones are reached, participants will take the plunge on Saturday, Feb. 21. Registration opens at 11 a.m. Hunger Freeze Plunge will start about 1 p.m., outside the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. Th
  • Algoma U. invites applications to summer music courses

    Algoma University’s Music Department has announced the return of the Great Lakes International Summer Music Experience (GLISME) in July 2026. The program will offer musical training, performance opportunities, and mentorship for young musicians. It will run for two weeks, with final concerts scheduled at the end of each session. Students may attend either week or both. Auditions are set for April 2026. Each accepted student will receive a scholarship covering 90 percent of tuition, reducin
  • Sault man writes songs for country singer Orval Prophet in 1976

    Jan. 13, 2001 Northern Ontario mayors plan to launch a campaign next week in support of a proposal for a Northern medical school, fearing a provincial task force won’t back the initiative.Jan. 13, 1976 A study to select an appropriate alternative to provide a sewage treatment system for Sault Ste. Marie’s west end has gained the approval of city council.Leonard Nimoy talks about Mister Spock and I in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., on Jan. 14.The Bon Soo Winter Carnival must start turning a
  • Festive R.I.D.E. ends, but police checks continue as usual

    Between Dec. 1, and Jan. 1, 2026, officers from Sault Ste. Marie Police Service checked 700 vehicles, administered 20 roadside breath tests, issued three Provincial Offence Notices, and arrested one impaired driver during the 2025 Festive R.I.D.E. campaign. During the same period, officers conducting regular patrols arrested and charged an additional seven impaired drivers. The annual campaign is delivered in partnership with the Anishinabek Police Service, Batchewana First Nation Police Service
  • Students sought to join Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council

    Young people with an interest in civic engagement are invited to apply for the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council. MYAC serves as a forum for youth perspectives and provides advice to City Council on issues affecting young residents, says a City of Sault Ste. Marie media release. The Council is made up of up to 12 local youth who play an active role in community life. Members oversee an annual operating budget and are responsible for directing funding toward initiatives such as capital project
  • Bon Soo returns with new events and a later start

    With several new events making their debut and many old favourites returning, the 63rd annual Bon Soo Winter Carnival is coming up fast. Although Bon Soo usually kicks off on the first Friday in February, this year’s event has been pushed back a week, running from Feb. 13 to 21. Amelia Morris, Bon Soo Vice-President, told Sault This Week the change was made to incorporate Family Day after receiving a lot of public feedback encouraging them to do so. Bon Soo’s 10-member board of direc
  • Ruling backs public in FOI search

    Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner has ordered PUC Services Inc. to respond to freedom of information requests from members of the public. The decision may signal the end of a circuitous and more than three-year-long delay. In 2022, this author submitted four FOI requests seeking records related to new electricity lines being constructed in the west end of the city, primarily intended to service Algoma Steel’s new electric arc furnaces. The PUC responded with a time exten
  • Suncor Energy gets nod to revive Black Road cardlock fuel pump facility

    City council approved a new cardlock fuel pump facility on Black Road.  Suncor Energy filed the planning application to rezone 140 Black Road and 815 McNabb Street from medium industrial zone to medium industrial zone with a special exemption to create the cardlock gas station.  The 5.2-hectare facility will be unattended and used by transport trailers to refuel their vehicles at any time. They must have a designated card to enter and use the facilities.  The property previously s
  • Costs of removing windrows to be explored by Sault public works

    City council is once again examining the costs to help homeowners remove larger chunks of ice and snow from the base of their driveways during grading operations.  Known as ‘windrows’ the larger packed snow and ice is often “challenging to clear” with typical homeowner residential snow equipment, notes a motion preamble penned by Ward 2 councillors Luke Dufour and Lisa Vezeau-Allen.  He wants public works to work with local contractors to establish cost estimate
  • Possible makeup found on kitchen wall indentation at Sault murder scene

    An orange-red substance similar to makeup was found on a kitchen wall indentation near where Taylor Marshall was found dead in her home in September 2023, a forensic identification technician testified Monday. The substance was behind a table where paint had fallen off, Katherine McCoy told assistant Crown attorney Andrew Allen.Marshall, 22, was killed after being dropped off at her home by her father following a job interview that morning at GoodLife Fitness. She was found dead by her boyfriend
  • Students wanted to serve on Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee

    Y
    oung people with an interest in civic engagement are invited to apply to be part of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC).
      MYAC serves as a forum to hear youth perspectives and provides advice to city council on issues affecting young residents.
      The MYAC council is made up of up to 12 local youth who play an active role in community life. Members oversee an annual operating budget and are responsible for directing funding toward initiatives such as capital projects, the
  • Youth pointed firearm at cruiser, cops say

    Officers with patrol services charged a 14-year-old Friday with pointing a firearm.
      Shortly after 7 p.m., officers patrolling Chambers Avenue drove by a youth who pointed what appeared to be —a firearm at their cruiser and pulled the trigger multiple times, causing flashes and audible bangs. The teen was arrested. A search of the accused located a revolver-style cap gun and cannabis vaporizers, police say.
      The accused youth is charged w
  • Graffiti in Sault downtown draws multiple charges for youth

    Police charged a teen late last week with 15 counts of mischief under $5,000.
      In July 2024, officers began investigating reports of property vandalized with graffiti in the downtown area. An investigation revealed the accused youth wrote on property which did not belong to them using permanent marker in 15 separate incidents between July 2, 2024, and Sept. 11, 2024.
      Officers located and arrested the accused Friday. The accused, 16. 
  • Sault bust sees handgun, ammo, more than $76K in drugs seized

    Five people – including two from Sault Ste. Marie – face a long list in connection with alleged drug and firearm offences following an investigation that began last year. 
      In 2025, detectives began an investigation into individuals believed to be trafficking drugs in Sault Ste. Marie.  Early Friday evening, detectives carried out a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Anna Street. Poli
  • Can you believe it? - PHOTO GALLERY

    Volunteer Pauline Taraschuk with just a fraction of cans collected Saturday at Team Essentials on Second Line West as part of a bottle drive supporting Tracy’s Dream, a Sault Ste. Marie-based charity that 
    assists Sault Area Hospital cancer patients with parking costs. The effort generated 
    $2,443.25, $2,000 of which was raised from cans and bottles. Cash donations were also accepted. Twelve truckloads&nbs

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