Local News Briefs
- Mayor Proposes Lower Budget Increase – St. Catharines Mayor Matt Siscoe has proposed a city budget with a 1.49% increase for 2024, which is less than the 3.67% increase that city staff presented in November. Under the new Ontario strong mayor powers, mayor’s are required to prepare and present a budget. Councillors will now have 30 days to make amendments to the budget. (St. Catharines Standard)
- Missing Person – Niagara Regional Police is conducting a missing person investigation for 27 year old Dalhia Komenda, who is known to frequent downtown St. Catharines. Dalhia is described as a white female, appoximately 5’4” tall, appoximately 90lbs and has a butterfly tattoo on her left wrist. Both the police and Dalhia’s family are concerned for her welfare. (Niagara Regional Police)
- Go Train Changes – Due to construction to the Seaway Bridge, trains to the St. Catharines GO station will be disrupted. Some trains on the Lakeshore West line will not be stopping at the St. Catharines stop between January 8 and February 22. Repair work will not impact rail service to and from Niagara Falls. (CKTB)
- Theft At Charity – Just before Christmas, Habitat for Humanity Niagara had their build trailer stolen from the parking lot at the Fonthill ReStore. Video shows the thief cutting the chain lock on the entry gates to the Fonthill ReStore, driving his black pick-up truck to the back of the store to grind off the wheel lock before hooking up the trailer and driving away. (Niagara-on-the-Lake Local)