Local News Briefs

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  • Poppy Graphics On License Plates – St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens is calling for the Conservative government to ensure the program in which veterans can have poppy graphics on their licence plates is extended to all types of vehicles. Currently, the poppy graphics are not allowed on licence plates for recreational vehicles or green electric vehicles. (Niagara this Week)
  • Paid Parking At Apartment Buildings A Concern – St. Catharines City Council will ask the province to bring in legislation that would allow cities to prohibit owners of apartment buildings from charging visitors for parking. Parking charges for visitors can be a hinderance to personal support workers and other service workers who are often paid minimum wage and cannot afford the parking fees. (CKTB)
  • St. Catharines Contributes $50K towards Golf Championship – St. Catharines City Council agreed to give $50,000 towards the 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championships, which will be held at the St. Catharines Golf & Country Club. The event features golfers 18 years old and younger from 25 countries and is expected to generate at least $662,000 into the local economy. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Duchess of Edinburgh coming to Niagara – The Duchess of Edinburgh competition will take place Saturday at the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones, will attend the event to present the Wessex Cup to the winner of the competition. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

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  • Welland Mayor Appoints New CAO Without Council Approval – Welland Mayor Frank Campion has used his Strong Mayor Powers to appoint Rob Axiak as Welland’s new CAO. Strong Mayor Powers was legislated by the provincial Progressive Conservative government and is controversial because it allows the mayor to do specific things without the approval of council. Many Ontario mayors have stated they don’t intend to use Strong Mayor Powers, with some delegating their strong-mayor powers back to city council. (Welland Tribune)
  • St. Catharines Street Closure – Ontario Street in St. Catharines from Linwell Road to Lakeport Road will be closed to through traffic from Monday, Nov 6 to Friday, May 5, 2024 for the construction of new storm sewer outfalls and a retaining wall. (GiantFM)
  • Call For Transit Advisory Committee – The Niagara Region is looking for community members interested in participating in the Niagara Transit Commission Public Advisory Committee. The volunteer committee will give their perspective and input to the commission on various transit services in Niagara including service levels, policies, programs to create awareness and implementation of legislation. (Pelham Today)
  • Development in NOTL – A Niagara-on-the-Lake restaurateur wants to build a mixed-use development on York Road near the existing Hilton Garden Inn in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The project would consist of a 10-storey tower with residential units, an eight-storey building and two two-storey blocks with hotel rooms and a fast-food restaurant. (Niagara Now)
  • Thorold Buys Walking Track Time – After learning that the walking track at the Canada Games facility beside Brock University is not available for community use most evenings, the city of Thorold has decided to pay over $14,000 to buy evening time slots at the track between November and April. Thorold intends to make the track available to all residents in the Region during the purchased time slots. (Thorold Today)

Local News Briefs

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  • Bridge Replacement Open House– St. Catharines and the Region will be hosting an open house to share details about the closure and replacement of the St. Paul Street West CNR (humpback) bridge. The open house will take place Wed, Nov. 8, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Ridley College in Williams Hall. The closure of the bridge is expected to begin on Nov 20. (Niagara Region)
  • Tax Deferral For Seniors – The city of St. Catharines has approved a tax deferral program that will allow seniors who own their home to defer any increase of the city portion on their property taxes. Homeowners would pay the deferred portion when they sell their home. (CKTB)
  • NOTL Accommodation Tax – The town of Niagara-on-the-Lake will begin charging short-term rentals an accommodation tax, which will now also include bed and breakfast accommodations. (Pelham Today)
  • Shelter In Place Arrest – Police have made an arrest regarding an incident that took place yesterday that alleged an individual with a handgun demanded keys to a rental vehicle at Enterprise Rent-A-Car on Lake St. The situation prompted police to issue a shelter in place for parts of St. Catharines. (CKTB)

Local News Briefs

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  • Seaway Strike Ends – A strike that began last Sunday has ended for Seaway workers after an agreement was reached. Ships will begin travelling through the Welland Canal again beginning today. (The River)
  • Arrest In Brock Incident – An 18-year-old St. Catharines man is facing charges after a shelter-in-place at Brock University was put into place Saturday night over an armed person. Police say the handgun used in the case was located and found to be replica airsoft pellet gun. (CKTB)
  • Photo Radar Complaints – Niagara’s photo radar cameras have been vandalized four times as many residents have complained that the speed threshold for triggering the cameras is too low and some motorists are receiving numerous tickets from the same camera because tickets take too long to be mailed out. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Group Unhappy With Welland Mayor – This past Tuesday a group of about 30 people, some with signs, attended the Welland Council meeting to show their displeasure with Mayor Frank Campion’s decision not to delegate back to council his strong mayor powers. Strong mayor powers allow mayors to veto bylaws in certain situations, prepare budgets, redesign the municipality’s administrative structure and hire or fire the CAO. (Welland Tribune)
  • Temporary Shelter To Be Built – In early 2024, the Niagara Region will open a temporary shelter with 50 beds in the parking lot across the street from the demolished Garden City Arena Complex. The shelter will provide a safe place for those in need while a permanent location is established. Once a permanent site is open, the modular units will be used elsewhere in Niagara. (Niagara Region)

Local News Briefs

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  • Price of Garbage Tags Increasing – The Niagara Region is changing the price of garbage tags from $2.50 per tag to $2.85 effective May 1, 2023. Previously purchased $2.50 garbage tags will not expire and can continue to be used. (Niagara Region)
  • Niagara Health Changes Mask Policy – Niagara Health is updating their masking requirements. Patients and visitors are encouraged to wear a mask and especially in settings when in contact with patients or in direct contact with healthcare workers, outpatient settings and in waiting rooms. However, patients with fever or respiratory symptoms are still required to mask in all clinical and non-clinical settings. (Niagara Health)
  • Rain Barrels and Tree Giveaway – Residents of St. Catharines will be able to pre-order rain barrels for $60 beginning April 21 and can also register to receive a free tree beginning April 24. The rain barrels and trees are being distributed by the city of St. Catharines. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Donny Osmond Coming To Casino – Donny Osmond is coming to the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino on July 22 while comedian Matt Rife will perform on August 4 and 5. Tickets for both acts will go on sale Friday, April 21 at 10 a.m. (Giant FM)

Local News Briefs

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  • Rock Stars Performing At Casino – Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Nancy Wilson of Heart will perform along with singer-songwriter Kimberly Nichole at the Avalon Theatre on June 7 with tickets going on sale on Friday, April 14 at 10 a.m. Peter Frampton will be performing at the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino on July 29 as part of the Never Say Never Tour with tickets going on sale Friday, April 21 at 10 a.m. (Giant FM)
  • Manslaughter Charges In Death – A 34 year old man was pronounced dead at the scene at a housing complex on Louth Street near Valley Road in St. Catharines last night. Two men have been arrested by police and have been charged with manslaughter. (The River)
  • Canadian Flags Returning To Thorold? – The city of Thorold is hoping to bring back the Canada Day program that displays as many flags as possible throughout the city. The program was very successful in 2014 and 2015 but has since fizzled. (Thorold Today)
  • More Money To Fight Homelessness – The Ontario government will be providing Niagara with an additional $9.6 million to help combat homelessness. In total, Niagara will receive almost $20.8 million for homelessness prevention. The additional funding will be used to help residents at risk of homelessness and support community organizations. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

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  • Horse Racing Set For May 23 – Live racing will begin at the Fort Erie Race Track beginning May 23. This year will see 40 race dates and special events such as feature market days, free concerts, a wiener dog race day, a basset hound race day and the Prince of Wales Stakes on September 12. (Giant FM)
  • Women Falls From Bridge – The Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a woman fell from the QEW overpass on Niagara Street on Sunday afternoon. The woman, who is 54, reportedly fell after a “brief interaction” with police and suffered serious injuries. (InNiagara Region)
  • Falls Honours Jays Home Opener – In honour of the Toronto Blue Jays home opener tomorrow, the falls will be light up tomorrow from 9:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. in blue and white. (The River)
  • Hunger Strike In NOTL – A 76-year-old man has chained himself to a sign in Niagara-on-the-Lake and has begun a hunger strike to demand the town restores headstones that belong to Black Americans who escaped slavery. James Russell claims that 19 headstones were buried back in the 1970s and ’80s but the town is saying the headstones were laid flat to preserve them. (CHCH)

Local News Briefs

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  • Campaign Spending Amounts Released – Records show that regional councillor Tim Rigby spent only $135.60 on his election campaign in 2022. The highest spending St. Catharines regional councillor was Sal Sorrento, who spent $31,668 on his campaign. St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe spent $74,778 on his election campaign, twice as much as runner-up Mike Britton. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • NOTL Approves Budget – After a number of meetings, Niagara-on-the-Lake council approved an operating budget of $43.8 million, which translates into a 8.39% property tax increase to the average resident. The budget passed by a 6-3 vote. (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
  • Input Wanted For Former Golf Course Land – The city of St. Catharines is conducting a survey for the Fairview Park Community Vision. The survey will ask residents for their input on what they would like to see added to the park, which was formerly the Fairview Golf course until it closed in 2015. (The River)
  • Claims Of Evictions at Niagara Hotels – Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said his office has received calls and emails regarding homeless people being evicted from hotels for asylum seekers. However, Community Services Commissioner Adrienne Jugley said that it wasn’t happening but that she welcomed Diodati’s concerns. (The River)
  • Donation For New Hospital – The under construction South Niagara hospital has received a $5 million donation from Jim Pattison. In honour of the donation, the Emergency Department will be named the Jim Pattison Emergency Department. (CKTB)
  • Seasonal Attractions Set To Open – Niagara Parks has announced opening dates for several of its seasonal attractions. On Friday, both the Whirlpool Aero Car and White Water Walk attractions are scheduled to open. The Niagara Parks Floral Showhouse will open May 6 followed by the May 20 opening of four ticketed heritage sites – Old Fort Erie, Mackenzie Printery, Laura Secord Homestead and McFarland House. (Niagara Parks)
  • Eggstravaganza At Farmers Market – An Easter-themed Eggstravaganza is taking place at the St. Catharines Farmers Market discovery table on Saturday, April 8, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The event will feature free crafts and a raffle draw to win a basket of fun. (City of St. Catharines)

Local News Briefs

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  • Red Light Cameras Coming – The Niagara Region public works committee has voted in favour of installing 10 red light cameras throughout the region. Two locations in St. Catharines would have red light cameras including the intersections of St. Paul Street West and First Street Louth, and Niagara Street at Parnell Road. The plan still needs regional council approval to be implemented. (CKTB)
  • Scam Warning – Niagara Regional Police are warning the public regarding two scams. The first scam involves the suspect using the social media chat app “WhatsApp” to ask the potential victim to join a group called “Global E-Commerce” for investing in a high interest savings account. The second scam involves a fraudulent employment opportunity where the suspect e-transfers the victim financial compensation for performing work but then solicits a larger sum of money from the victim as an administration fee. (Niagara Regional Police)
  • Pickleball Proposed For Arena – The Niagara Indoor Pickleball Association is is hoping to sign a long-term lease to use the James Whyte Arena for pickleball. The association said they would prefer not to share the space with other indoor sports as they believe the courts will be used all day. However, the building would require some work which could cost as much as $4 million or $5 million. (Thorold Today)
  • City Makes Decision On Waterfront Stairs – St. Catharines city council has approved repairs for the Graham Avenue staircase for this summer season and to replace the Masefield Avenue stairs as early as possible. Discussions on the fate of the two Port Dalhousie staircases have been ongoing for the past three years. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

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  • Drive-In Opens – The Can-View Drive-In, now rebranded as the Skyway Drive-in Theatre, will open on April 6 for the season with movies playing on all four screens. The theatre has seen some renovation including refurbished concessions and a new arcade room. Also coming will be new signage and a patio that will host live bands on Friday and Saturday nights. (Niagara this Week)
  • City Declares Mental Health Crisis – The City of St. Catharines is asking the federal and provincial governments to declare national and provincial states of emergency on mental health, homelessness and addiction that includes direct and culturally relevant support to Indigenous people. St. Catharines council passed the motion last night after the Niagara Regional council declared a state of emergency in late Feb. for homelessness, mental health and opioid addiction. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Garden City Comedy Festival – The Garden City Comedy Festival is returning to St. Catharines with four shows from May 24 – May 27. The Mahtay Café, Niagara Artists Centre and the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre will all host performances. (InNiagaraRegion)
  • Sewage Dumped Into Lake Erie – An estimated 30 million litres of sewage was dumped into Lake Erie in late December after a storm caused a loss of electrical power and breakdowns in equipment at the Crystal Beach wastewater treatment plant. The Region will be making improvements to the treatment facility to prevent a reoccurrence. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • City Nature Challenge – St. Catharines has sparked a friendly competition with Niagara Falls to encourage resident participation in this year’s City Nature Challenge. The challenge requires citizens to help catalogue native plants and animals over the weekend of April 28 to May 1. Participants will record and submit as many species as possible within the city boundaries followed by a week of identifying what was found using the free iNaturalist app. (City of St. Catharines)