Concert and Event Announcements

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  • FIBA Basketball In St. Catharines – The Senior Men’s National Team will take to the court at the Meridian Centre for the FIBA Men’s AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers as Canada will face Nicaragua on Friday, Feb. 23, at 7:10 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the public beginning this Thursday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster. (Thorold Today)

Local News Briefs

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  • Budget Survey – The Niagara Region has launched a public survey to gather input for the 2024 budget. The survey will help ensure that next year’s budget reflects the needs and priorities of the community. (Niagara Region)
  • Charges For Tree Destruction – The City of St. Catharines has concluded an investigation into the destruction of City-owned trees and plants within the Martindale Pond area. Four individuals, each facing 194 counts for violations of the City’s tree by-law are slated to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice later this month. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Government Reform Document Requested – Regional Councillor Fred Davies will bring a motion to Regional Council asking the Region to reach out to the Premier and Cabinet to disclose a document that looked at governance reforms in Niagara but has not yet been released. (CKTB)
  • Tree Of Giving – St. Catharines’ 26th annual Tree of Giving campaign kicked off on Monday. Individuals can contribute new, unwrapped gifts, gift cards, or monetary donations to support Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold. (GiantFM)
  • Christmas Parade – Niagara-on-the-Lake will host their traditional Christmas Parade in Old Town on Saturday, December 9, at 11 a.m. (CKTB)

Local News Briefs

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  • Airport Budget – The Niagara District Airport Commission is asking for Niagara Falls to contribute almost $479,000 and St. Catharines to contribute $694,000 to the airport’s 2024 budget. Niagara-on-the-Lake is being asked to contribute $96,000. (Niagara-on-the-Lake Local)
  • Automatic Speed Cameras – Welland city council has voted to ask the Niagara Region to review the automated speed cameras after hearing complaints from residents. Drivers are complaining that they are getting multiple tickets from the same camera and that driving slightly about the speed limit triggers a ticket. (The River)
  • Regional Budget – The Niagara Region has voted to limit the 2024 waste management budget to a zero per cent increase and to not replenish capital and landfill liability reserves. The decisions were made in an effort to find savings for the taxpayer. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • War Protest In Falls – Hundreds of people gathered in Niagara Falls Sunday afternoon to oppose Israel’s military action in Gaza. Speakers at the event are calling for an immediate ceasefire and access to full humanitarian aid. (Niagara this Week)
  • NPCA Adds Land – The NPCA has announced they have added 11 conservation areas encompassing almost 2,050 acres to land already committed to a plan to protect 30% of Canada lands and waters by 2030. The additional land nearly doubles the total amount of NPCA property placed under this designation. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

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  • Region Defers Transit Spending – The Niagara Region deferred passing the Niagara Transit Commission’s funding request for 2024 and instead is asking the transit to consider charging higher fares and providing less service. The transit commission presented the region with a $4.3 million increase of 7.8% on the special levy paid by Niagara taxpayers. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Banners Downtown – A Legion initiative that commemorates those who have served or are serving in the Canadian Military is on display in downtown St. Catharines with 34 banners lining the streets. The program runs in 70+ communities across Ontario and started in St. Catharines in 2019 with four banners. (My Downtown)
  • School Lockdown – Three schools in Port Colborne were put in lockdown Thursday after reports of a gun at the Port Colborne high school. The lockdowns were eventually lifted around 5 p.m. (Niagara this Week)
  • Body Found In Grimsby – On Friday, a suspicious circumstances call was received which prompted Niagara Regional Police to attended the area of Clarke Street and South Service Road in Grimsby where a body was located. No other details are being released and the case is being investigated. (Niagara Regional Police)
  • Sports Hall Of Fame Induction – Five new names will be added to the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame during this year’s induction ceremony at the Meridian Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 5:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and free to attend with doors opening at 5 p.m. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Bridge Closure – The Allanburg bridge over the Welland Canal will be closed from Monday, Nov. 13 through to Friday, Nov. 17. The closure will allow Highway 20 to be realigned from the temporary bridge to the newly constructed bridge. (Niagara this Week)

Local News Briefs

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  • NOTL Museum Wants Funding Hike – The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum’s Managing Director believes the museum is poorly funded compared to other municipal museums and is asking for a $16,000 increase in their budget. The museum is seeking a total of $297,000 from the town’s 2024 spending plan. (Niagara-on-the-Lake Local)
  • Santa Claus Parade – The Thorold Santa Claus Parade will take place Saturday, Nov 25, at 4:00 p.m. The annual parade already has 45 attendees confirmed and this year food trucks will be available at the Prince of Wales school. (Thorold Today)
  • NDP Leader Talks Housing – Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles was in St. Catharines today to meet with local leaders and discuss housing affordability challenges and solutions in the city. Stiles said its difficult to find affordable housing and cities like St. Catharines are seeing rents so high they could have Toronto price tags. (CHCH)
  • Fire Under Investigation – Police, the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal, and the fire department are all investigating a house fire that took place Wednesday afternoon in the area of Willmott Street and Valley Way in Niagara Falls. (Thorold Today)

Local News Briefs

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  • Stabbing In Niagara Falls – Police are seeking witnesses after officers responded to a stabbing in the Victoria Avenue and Buttrey Street area in Niagara Falls at 9:49 a.m Monday. The male victim had been taken to a trauma centre with life-threatening injuries but his injuries are now listed as non-life threatening. (Niagara this Week)
  • Petition For Better Healthcare – More than 4,000 residents have signed a petition calling for the return of 24/7 urgent care services at the Fort Erie and Port Colborne Urgent Care Centres. (CKTB)
  • Remembrance Day Ceremonies – Multiple Remembrance Day ceremonies will take place Nov 11 across the region including at the Memorial Park Cenotaph on St. Paul St West and the Cenotaph in Merritton in St. Catharines and at Memorial Park on Albert St E in Thorold. (CKTB)

Local News Briefs

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  • Winter Festival Of Lights – The Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights will run from Nov 18, 2023 to Jan 7, 2024 and will feature over 3 million lights and 75+ displays. To mark the launch of the festival in Niagara Parks, a free outdoor celebration will take place on Saturday, Nov 18. (Niagara Parks)
  • Body Identified – Police have confirmed that the body found in the area of Thundering Waters Blvd and Marineland Parkway in Niagara Falls is that of Tenille Olivia King (Lepp), who was reported missing last week. The case is being investigate by the NRPS Homicide Unit and a second degree murder warrant has been issued. (Niagara Regional Police)
  • Welland Canal Lands Development – The Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority has announced they will take over three new parcels of Welland Canal Waterfront land, two in Thorold and one in Port Colborne, which will be developed to revitalize underutilized marine lands, boost economic growth, create jobs, and facilitate trade. (GiantFM)
  • Living Wage Jumps – The Ontario Living Wage Network is saying that the new living wage in Niagara is now $20.35 an hour. The calculations are based on the real costs to live in Niagara. (CKTB)

Concert and Event Announcements

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  • Garry Dee Coming to St. Catharines – Canadian actor, stand-up comedian, game show host, director, producer, and writer, Gerry Dee, is bringing his upcoming tour “Funny You Should Say That”, to the Meridian Centre on Mar 30, 2024. Tickets go on sale on November 10th at 10 a.m. at www.livenation.com. (CKTB)

Local News Briefs

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  • Jobless Rate Increases – The jobless rate in St. Catharines-Niagara went up from 6.7% in September to 6.9% in October. The provincial rate for October was 6.2%. (GiantFM)
  • Body Found – On Friday, the body of an adult woman was found in Niagara Falls in the area of Thundering Waters Boulevard and Marineland Parkway. Police are not yet confirming if the body is that of a person who was reported missing on Oct 31 and is now under investigation by the Homicide Unit. (Niagara Regional Police)
  • Hundreds watch Royalty – Hundreds of people came out Sunday to watch the Duchess of Edinburgh at a service of remembrance to honour fallen soldiers at the St. Catharines cenotaph. (Niagara this Week)
  • Art Awards Announced – The 2023 Arts Awards recipients were celebrated at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre last night as there were 14 nominees for awards in four categories: Established Artist, Emerging Artist, Arts in Education, and Making a Difference. One special nominee was also recognized with the Jury’s Pick Award. (City of St. Catharines)

Local News Briefs

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  • Council Rejects Gale’s Budget Motion – Niagara Falls Coun. Bob Gale’s put forth a motion at Niagara Region council to retroactively direct staff from every department to limit their budgets to four per cent increases. However, the motion was rejected by the majority of councillors with some calling the motion ridiculous and not very smart. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Traffic Concerns At Thorold Intersection – Some Thorold residents are concerned about traffic safety at Pine St. S and Sullivan Avenue where a new McDonald’s is proposed to be built. That corner currently has a four-way stop but a 2020 Thorold Transportation Master Plan already identified that intersection as being in need of traffic lights. (Thorold Today)
  • WonderFalls Pass – From November 19 to 24, Niagara Region residents can explore ten of Niagara Falls’ top attractions with the annual Sleep Cheap event’s WonderFalls Pass. Sales for the pass start on Monday, November 6th at 10:00 a.m. (GiantFM)
  • Thorold Resident Named Top Chef – Thorold pizza maker Amedeo Francesco Broccolo was named Chef of the Year at the Canadian Pizza Summit East. Amedeo and his brother Michael own a catering company but are looking to open a pizzeria. (Thorold Today)
  • Street Closures For Remembrance Service – Road closures impacting Welland Avenue, Ontario Street, Lake Street, James Street, Church Street, St. Paul Street, and Westchester Avenue will take place Sunday morning. The closures are required for the Duchess of Edinburgh’s cavalcade and the marching of soldiers from the Lake Street Armoury to a Remembrance Service at the St. Catharines Cenotaph at 10 am on Sunday. (CKTB)
  • Time Change – Residents are reminded to turn their clocks back one hour Saturday, Nov 5 at 2 am as daylight saving time ends.