Category: Local News

• Falls Illumination To Celebrate Black History Month – The Niagara Falls Illumination Board will illuminate both the American Falls and Canadian Horseshoe Falls in red, green and black on February 1 from 10:00 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. in observance of Black History Month. (Niagara Parks)
• Niagara Has Romantic Restaurants – The Niagara Region had 10 restaurants listed in the “Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in Canada” rankings by Open Table. Niagara-on-the-Lake and Lincoln had three restaurants on the list while Niagara Falls and St. Catharines both had two. (InNiagara Region)
• Family Day Events At The PAC – On Feb. 20, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre will be presenting a number of family-friendly events, such as an interactive screening of the film “Back to the Future,” and Cirque Kalabanté’s “Afrique En Cirque.” As well, the PAC will be hosting five free activities with most of them running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Niagara This Week)
• Shooting Hoax – Niagara Regional Police are investigating after a shooting reported in St. Catharines turned out to be a hoax. The caller reported an individual had been shot multiple times but when police, crisis negotiators and paramedics arrived on the scene, it was determined that no shooting had occurred. (St. Catharines Standard)

• Financial Issues Stall Downtown Cleanup – The cleanup of the lands where the Welland House formerly stood in downtown St. Catharines has been paused because the company in charge of the demolition say the property owners owe them about $350,000. However, the company who owns the site says they are having problems securing financing due to rising interest rates. (Niagara this Week)
• Running Track Restricts Hours – The indoor running track at the Walker Sports and Abilities Centre is only open to the public from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week, which has upset some residents who want to use the track after work. ASM Global, who runs the facility, said that for safely reasons only permitted users, such as running clubs, have access to the track Monday to Thursday after 4 p.m. (Thorold Today)
• Thorold Tunnel Remains Closed – The St. Catharines bound lanes of the Thorold Tunnel remain closed today and will likely remain closed for the day. The Northbound Highway 58 lanes were closed yesterday for emergency roadwork. (CKTB)
• Black History Month Celebration – The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is celebrating Black History Month with several Freedom Seeker-focused tours and a brand-new exhibit opening. For more information about the St. Catharines Museum and its Black History Month activities, visit stcatharinesmuseum.ca. (City of St. Catharines)
• St. Catharines Hospital Archway On The Move – A plan to move the archway that sits on the old St. Catharines General Hospital site to the new St. Catharines hospital has been delayed due to transportation issues because to the archways size. However, in the spring the archway will be disassembled and transported to the new hospital site, where it will be reassembled. (Niagara this Week)

• One-Day Wedding Event Planned For Niagara Falls – The City of Niagara Falls is inviting residents and visitors to “Take The Plunge” with their significant other on Tuesday, February 14 at City Hall or the Niagara Falls History Museum. The ceremony will include Valentine’s Day-themed flowers and décor, sparkling beverages and a photographer to capture your ceremony. (City of Niagara Falls)
• Canada Games Sets Attendance Record – The Canada Summer Games that was held in Niagara this past August set a new Canada Summer Games record for attendance with more than 300,000 spectators attending events, including 130,000 at sporting events and 170,000 at cultural events. The Games had an economic impact of more than $350 million, exceeded expectations for both ticket revenue and sponsorship revenue and finished with a budget surplus. (BP Sports Niagara)
• MPP Holding Healthcare Townhall – Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates will be holding an emergency healthcare townhall meeting on Thursday, February 9th from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls. The meeting will feature a panel of health care experts & front-line workers to discuss the crisis and residents are encouraged to share their healthcare stories and concerns. (CKTB)
• Police Search Home For Gun – Niagara Regional Police blocked off Ann Street in NOTL on Sunday after they were called to a home where they believed a gun may have been involved in an incident. A search of the home was conducted but nothing of a criminal nature was found. (105 The River)
• Public Input Sought For Future Of GM Property – The City of St. Catharines will be commencing a land use study to develop a vision for the former General Motors property on Ontario street. As part of the study, residents can participate in a public open house on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Holiday Inn and Suites Conference Centre on Ontario Street. Doors will open at 6:30pm with the presentation set for 7pm. (St. Catharines Standard)

• Proposal Could Reduce Police Budget – The Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association is pushing for civilian groups to be used for some welfare and mental health checks instead of police. The association believes that their proposal should reduce the operating budget for the Niagara Regional Police by shifting funding to a civilian service for non-urgent calls. (105 The River)
• Zellers Diner On Wheels Coming – In response to demand for the new Zellers stores within existing Hudson Bay locations to include in-store diners, the Hudson Bay Company will be bringing in a fleet of food trucks at its first Zellers locations. The “Zellers Diner on Wheels” will serve popular dishes from the Zellers Family Restaurant. (InSauga)
• Police Budget Approved – Niagara Regional Council approved a $177.9 million dollar police budget in principle, which represents an increase of 5.7% over last year’s budget. The increased budget was needed to hire more officers, cover wage increases to current officers and pay for the cost of fuel. (CKTB)
• Marineland Officially For Sale – Marineland has confirmed that they are actively seeking a buyer to transition the park into the future and possibly make it a year-round attraction. Current ownership said they are looking for an individual or group who will take Marineland and evolve, develop and grow it. (St. Catharines Standard)

• Niagara Health Roadmap – Niagara Health has published its 2023-2028 strategic plan which includes ensuring patients have a positive experience with a focus on the aging community and specific patient populations as well as delivering consistent, high-quality care across all sites. The plan also states that Niagara Health will fully transition to a regional model with two acute care sites, including the opening of the new hospital site, and one ambulatory care site. (Niagara Health) 
• Local Schools Tops In Research – Niagara College has earned the number two spot in Canada as a top research college by attracting more than $18.1 million in funding last year. Meanwhile Brock was among the top five universities in Canada for research income originating from the federal government’s three major research granting agencies. (InNiagara Region and 105 The River)
• Fire In Welland – Welland fire crews are on the scene of a blaze at Bosch Car Service at the corner of Southworth Street and Lewis Street in Welland this morning. There is no word on the cause of the fire. (CKTB)