St. Catharines News Briefs

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  • No Downtown Weekend Street Closures – The closure of St. Catharines downtown streets on weekends to create a pedestrian walkway will not be returning this summer. Crowds were less than expected this past summer and some restaurants complained that it hampered their takeout and food delivery business. (InNiagara Region)
  • Snowstorm Wednesday – A snowstorm is expected to hit Niagara beginning Wednesday with up to 20cm of snow possible. However, Fort Erie, Port Colborne and Wainfleet might be spared the worst of the storm. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Rod Steward Playing At Casino – Rod Stewart, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, will be playing at the OLG Stage Fallsview Casino on September 2nd.  Tickets start at $125 and will go on sale at 10:00am this Friday. (105 The River)
  • Marineland Looking To Sell – Marineland has registered to lobby the Ontario government with the goal of selling the park.  In the registry it states that the park is looking for potential zoning changes to allow for development. (CKTB)

St. Catharines News Briefs

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  • Icewine Festival – Niagara Icewine Festival will host the annual Ice Wine Event, Cool as Ice, at the Niagara Parks Power Station. Cool as Ice is an immersive celebration showcasing Ontario’s signature flavours through VQA Icewines, cocktails and mocktails, and farm-to-table fare, set within one of Niagara’s newest attraction, the Niagara Parks Power Station. (Niagara Parks)
  • Cut Backs At Welland Hospital – Mayor Frank Campion and Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch have received complaints from hospital staff about bed closures and a reduction of emergency services at the Niagara Health Site in Welland. The cut backs mean that Welland patients who need emergency surgery after hours will be transferred to the Niagara Falls or St. Catharines site. (105 The River)
  • Weather Statement – A Special Weather Statement has been issued for Niagara. Snowfall accumulations of 10 to 20 cm are possible late Wednesday into Thursday. (Weather Network)
  • Blue Jays Visit Niagara Falls – Members of the Toronto Blue Jays visited Niagara Falls this past weekend. Photos were posted on social-media showing several players, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jordan Romano visiting tourist attractions in Niagara Falls. (St. Catharines Standard)

St. Catharines News Briefs

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  • COVID Subvariant In Niagara – The highest number of cases in Ontario for the COVID subvariant Krakenis is in Niagara, where 18 residents tested positive from Dec. 4 to Dec. 31. These numbers are expected to be higher now as the highly transmissible subvariant was estimated to have shot up to 22 per cent of Ontario’s COVID cases as of Wednesday. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Residents Discuss Recent Explosion – Port Weller Residents packed the Grantham Lions Club Wednesday night to discuss their thoughts on the Ssonix Products explosion in St. Catharines. Many residents complained about road access in the area and said they would like to see another permanent road constructed. (105 The River)
  • Candlelight Vigil For Victim – The sister of the man killed in the St. Catharines explosion and fire last week is making sure her brother will be remembered for his “kind and loving” spirit by holding a candlelight vigil on Saturday from 6pm to 9pm on the pier walk at Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie. (InNiagara Region)
  • Snow Parking Ban – Thorold City Council has approved a new by-law that will allow City Hall to temporarily ban cars from parking on streets when there is a significant snow fall. The temporary parking ban will allow snowplows to safely plow the streets. (Thorold Today)
  • Homes Taking Longer To Sell – Homes for sale in both St. Catharines and Niagara Falls are staying on the market longer than most Ontario communities. It took an average St. Catharines home 43 days to sell while Niagara Falls homes were on the market for an average of 42 days. (InNiagara Region)

St. Catharines News Briefs

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  • Thorold Requests Arena Report – Thorold City Council has ordered a detailed staff report on all the financial expenses pertaining to the first year of operation of the Walker Sports and Abilities Centre. One of the major points of concern for council members is that Thorold has been paying for ice time that is not being used. (Thorold Today)
  • Developer’s Incentive Plan To Be Reviewed – St. Catharines Council has voted to create a working group made up of council and staff to review the community improvement plan that offers incentives to developers who meet certain criteria. The goal of the group is to tweak the program in order to make if more acceptable to all members of council. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Tourist Tax To Be Phased In – St. Catharines Council has decided to phase in over the next three years the four per cent Municipal Accommodation Tax that was passed by the previous council. This year, only two per cent will be charged to guests staying at hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and short-term rentals. (CKTB)
  • Thorold Delays Joining Climate Program – Thorold City Council has decided to defer a decision on joining the Partners for Climate Protection program, which provides a forum to share knowledge and experience on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, due to the concern that there may be hidden costs. (Thorold Today)
  • Region Scrutinizing Big Tax Increase – Niagara regional council is looking at ways of reducing the proposed 9.4 per cent increase on the Region’s portion of property tax bills. Final budget approval is set for late February. (St. Caharines Standard)
  • Blood Donation Site Closing – Canadian Blood Services is shutting down its St. Catharines site on Ontario Street at the end of February. In the spring, a new plasma donation centre will open up on Vansickle Road. (105 The River)

St. Catharines News Briefs

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  • Investigation Into Explosion Continues – The Niagara Regional Police and other authorities are investigating to determine the circumstances and the cause of the explosion and fire at 20 Keefer Road last week. If anyone has a video of the explosion and fire especially in its early stages, please contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009964. (Niagara Regional Police)
  • Accident On QEW – Maintenance workers were repairing potholes overnight on the Toronto bound QEW at Beamsville when a transport truck smashed into the maintenance vehicle. The truck driver was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and a female worker was also taken to hospital in reportedly serious condition. (CHCH)
  • Zellers Reopening – The Hudson’s Bay Company is opening Zellers stores within existing Hudson Bay locations in 25 communities across Canada this year, including a location at the Pen Centre in St. Catharines. The shops will be between 8,000 – 10,000 square feet and will offer products in the home decor, toys, baby apparel and pets categories. (Insauga)
  • No Turf Field For Thorold School – Thorold Secondary School will not be getting a new turf field as the City of Thorold is refusing to sell the required land at McMillan Park to the DSBN for the turf field and track. The DSBN is now look to install a turf field at another school. (Thorold Today)
  • Speaker Series – Niagara Parks will host a three-part speaker series exploring perspectives on Black history and culture in Canada, delivered by prominent historians, community leaders and commentators. The speaker series kicks off on January 29 with Lezlie Harper, an accomplished Black history educational group tours professional based in Niagara. (Niagara Parks)

St. Catharines News Briefs

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  • Homer Bridge Closed – The Homer Bridge/Welland Canal Bridge 4 will be closed beginning next Monday for repairs until March 1. The bridge will see its deck on Queenston Street completely replaced. (InNiagara Region)
  • Grant Given To YMCA – The YMCA of Niagara will receive an Ontario Trillium Foundation contribution of $498,000 for facility upgrades at its facilities in Port Colborne, Niagara West and Welland. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Niagara Centre YMCA in recognition of the grant. (Pelham Today)
  • City Approves Small Tax Increase – Taxpayers in St. Catharines can expect to see the city portion of their tax bill increase by just 1.12% this year. The low percentage increase is due to the uploading of the cost of public transit to the region under the new amalgamated transit plan. (CKTB)
  • Cars Hit At Pen Centre – Three unmarked police vehicles and a parked vehicle at The Pen Centre parking lot was allegedly intentionally hit this morning by another vehicle before the vehicle fled the parking lot. Police did not initiate a pursuit out of concern for public safety. (St. Catharines Standard)

St. Catharines News Briefs

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  • Man Injured In Explosion Dies – The man who was hospitalized following yesterday’s fire in St. Catharines has died of his injuries. Police say the man was in his thirties and was a resident of St. Catharines but has not released his identity. (105 The River)
  • Federal Funding For Port Colborne – Canada’s Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra has announced $22.7 million in federal support for the $45.3 million revitalization of industrial lands around the Welland Canal in Port Colborne. The project aims to rehabilitate three wharves on the west side of the Welland Canal, to revive operations and increase local trade capacity. (Niagara Independent)
  • Protest To Oppose Greenbelt Changes – Protesters will be gathering outside MPP Sam Oosteerhoff’s New Year’s Levee tomorrow afternoon at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch in Fonthill to show their opposition to proposed changes to the Greenbelt. The chair of the group organizing the protest says that while more affordable housing is definitely needed, it should not be built on Greenbelt land. (CKTB)
  • Niagara Health Investigation – Niagara Health has hired a law firm to conduct an independent third-party review after a physicians group raised concerns about widespread discrimination in the hospital against female doctors and others based on race, colour, ethnicity and religion. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • ​Region Approves Budget Increases – The Niagara Region Budget Review Committee of the Whole approved operating budget increases for water and wastewater services, and waste management. Budget increases adopted for 2023 of 8.59 per cent for water and wastewater services and 5.5 per cent for waste management will allow the Region to continue making much-needed investments in critical infrastructure and services. (Niagara Region)

St. Catharines News Briefs

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  • Explosion at Chemical Plant – A man was severely injured and dozens of area residents were evacuated after multiple explosions and fire engulfed a chemical disposal business in St. Catharines early Thursday morning. While firefighters continued to fight the initial fire at 20 Keefer Road, the flames spread to an industrial building next door igniting the building as well as its contents. (Niagara this Week)
  • Special Weather Statement – A Winter weather travel advisory is in effect for tonight into Friday. Rain, heavy at times, will begin late this afternoon then change to snow late this evening or overnight. 5 to 10 cm of snow is expected and will taper off to light snow Friday afternoon. (Weather Network)
  • Vehicle Crashes Into Medical Building – A male driver was rushed to a trauma centre unresponsive after a vehicle struck a medical building in St. Catharines on Thursday afternoon. The vehicle hit a pole before crashing into a medical building causing extensive damage. (CHCH)
  • Donations Accepted For Public Work Of Art – The City of St. Catharines is asking for donations for the a public work of art at Lakeside Park in honour of legendary rock drummer Neil Peart, who passed away on January 7, 2020. Since Neil’s passing, St. Catharines City Council voted to name the newly rebuilt pavilion at Lakeside Park after the Rush band drummer. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Thorold Hires Manager Of Economic Development – To help guide Thorold through its economic growing pains, the City of Thorold has hired Ken Scholtens as manager of economic development. Scholtens is putting together a strategic plan that will offer a pathway for Thorold to best grow its economy. (Thorold Today)

St. Catharines Press Conference: Fire at 20 Keefer Road

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    • The City of St. Catharines will be streaming a media update with St. Catharines Fire Services regarding the fire at 20 Keefer Rd., starting at 1 p.m.

    St. Catharines News Briefs

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    • Offload Delays Hamper Paramedics – Despite numerous letters sent to the provincial government in the past year asking for assistance, offload delays for Niagara paramedics continue to escalate. Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics spent roughly 33,400 hours on offload delays in 2022, which is the equivalent of 30 paramedics being paid 24 hours a day, seven days a week to stand in EDs caring for patients. (St. Catharines Standard)
    • Niagara’s Unemployment Rate Falls – Niagara’s unemployment rate fell from 5.4 per cent to 5.1 per cent in December as an additional 2,500 people joined the Niagara workforce. However, businesses usually hire additional help in the holiday season so it’s not unusual to see unemployment dips in December. (InNiagara Region)
    • Fines Imposed For Construction Accident – A constructor, an employer and two employees have been fined a total $380,000 following an incident in which two workers were critically injured when an elevator platform collapsed at a St. Catahrines highrise residential building under construction. (St. Catharines Standard)
    • St. Catharines Ranks Well For Shelter Costs – According to a newly released survey which looked at the lowest shelter costs for owners and renters in Canada’s 50 largest cities, St. Catharines ranked ninth for homeowners with an average mortgage of $1,306/month and ranked 15th for renters at an average of $1,168/month. (InNiagara Region)