Local News Briefs
- Zero Percent Budget Possible – St. Catharines Port Dalhousie Coun. Carlos Garcia, chair of the city’s budget committee, is proposing three amendments to the 2024 operating budget in order to obtain a zero percent city tax increase without cutting services. However, staff is warning that Garcia’s amendments could cause problems down the road by using dollars not available again next year. City staff previously proposed a budget with a 3.67% increase while Mayor Mat Siscoe’s proposed budget has a 1.49% increase. (St. Catharines Standard)
- Fatal Accident – Thursday evening around 7 p.m., a pedestrian was fatally struck by a van at the intersection of Welland Avenue and Vine Street South in St. Catharines. The pedestrian was a male in his 30s and was pronounced deceased at the scene. (Niagara Regional Police)
- Transit Terminal Closes – The St. Catharines downtown transit terminal closed yesterday at 2 p.m. due to a staff shortage. Buses continued to operate but patrons were not able to go inside the terminal. The terminal was expected to be open today. (The River)
- Serious Accident in Fort Erie – A Niagara Falls man suffered life-threatening injuries following a head on crash on Ridgeway Road near Lynwood Lane shortly after 4 p.m. Police say a vehicle was heading southbound on Ridgeway Road at a high rate of speed when it collided with another vehicle and then hit a parked vehicle. (CHCH)
- Drone Shows Costly – St. Catharines city staff has presented a report that compares fireworks and drone shows. The report concluded that while the environmental risks are similar, the cost of drone shows is much higher compared to traditional fireworks displays. (St. Catharines Standard)