St. Catharines News Briefs – Local Skim St. Catharines

Rain Barrel Sale and Tree Giveaway. Beginning May 16, residents of St. Catharines can sign up online to purchase a rain barrel or receive a free tree for their property through the city’s annual spring Rain Barrel Sale and Free Tree Giveaway. The Rain Barrel Sale and Free Tree Giveaway will both take place on May 28 in the parking lot of Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre. (City of St. Catharines)
406 Reopens. The northbound lanes of highway 406 reopened last night at 10 PM after a hydrochloric acid spill closed the highway on Wednesday. The southbound lanes reopened yesterday. (610 CKTB)
Candidates Miss Debate. Provincial Conservative candidates Sal Sorrento (St. Catharines), Fred Davies (Niagara Centre) and Bob Gale (Niagara Falls) have all turned down invitations to participate in the YourTV local riding debates. Sam Oosterhoff (Niagara West) is the only Conservative candidates in Niagara who has agreed to the join his riding’s debate. (St. Catharines Standard)
Residential Development. The former home of Central Community Church at the corner of Scott and Geneva street in St. Catharines could soon be the site of a 369 unit development that will include two 20-storey residential apartment buildings and three stacked townhouse. The land became available when the church recently moved into a larger building in Niagara-on-the-Lake. (Niagara this Week)
LCHS Searching For Dog Owner. The Lincoln County Humane Society is looking for information on a pair of dogs that were found at a park and appear to be left behind by their owner. Both dogs suffer from cherry eye and need expensive surgery. (610 CKTB)
New LTC Home. A new long-term care facility opened in west St. Catharines yesterday. The three-storey, 160-bed facility offers both basic and private rooms and is above and beyond ministry requirements, with each floor having their own family kitchen, balconies, and hair salon stations. (Niagara this Week)