Local News Briefs

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  • Free Grocery Giveaway – An anonymous donor who provided free grocery giveaways during the COVID-19 pandemic has made another giveaway possible. On Saturday starting at 1 p.m. in the Holy Rosary Hall parking lot, there will be a drive-thru and walk-in food giveaway for those in need. (Niagara this Week)
  • Police Dogs Given Money – A St. Catharines woman who passed away in June had named the Niagara Regional Police Canine Unit as a beneficiary of her estate. The dogs will be getting $142,500 and police are looking at purchasing body armour for all of the dogs. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Black History Month – A variety of events are planned throughout the city of St. Catharines in February to celebrate Black History Month. The events will offer the opportunity to learn the stories and the many important contributions of Black Canadians. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Pelham Family Day Adventure – The Pelham Family Day Adventure returns to the Meridian Community Centre on Monday, February 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Residents can participate in free events such as drop-in family gym time with bouncy castles, laser tag, face painting, balloon creations and skating. (Town of Pelham)
  • Flood Alert – The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority has issued an alert about potential flooding. Residents are cautioned to stay away from watercourses due to slippery slopes, unstable ice, and elevated water levels. (Giant FM)

Local News Briefs

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  • Thorold Begins Budget Talks – Thorold’s 2024 draft budget is currently at a 2.99% net levy increase. However, the 2.99% was obtained by using reserves and the reserves only have $7.4 million available for the capital and operating budgets, which is $4.4 million less when compared to the 2023 budget. (Thorold Today)
  • Niagara Falls Exchange Opens – The official opening of the Niagara Falls Exchange, a multipurpose event space that will serve as the epicentre of Arts & Culture, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 17 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The free, drop-in style event will feature art installations, live music, activities, vendors and more. (Niagara-on-the-Lake Local)
  • No Dog Ban – Pelham town council has voted 4-3 against a dog ban in cemeteries after feedback from the community appeared to show most were against the ban. However, a  zero-tolerance enforcement policy will be implemented to ensure dogs are kept on cemetery pathways and not on the grass near graves. (Pelham Today)

Local News Briefs

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  • License Plate Campaign – In October, Niagara Regional Police began a six-month traffic campaign directed at obstructed and obscured license plates. Phase one of the campaign was educational but now police have entered phase two which will focus on enforcement. (Niagara Regional Police)
  • Niagara Health Top Employer – Niagara Health has been named one of Canada’s top employers by Forbes Media. Niagara Health ranked 222nd out of 300 organizations on the annual Canada’s Best Employers list compiled by the market research firm Statista. (Niagara Health)
  • Police Cleared Of Death – Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has cleared a Niagara Regional Police officer after a man who was in custody died in September. The man had drugs hidden in his rectum and overdosed within 30 minutes of being put in a cell. (Giant FM)
  • Trustee Violated Code – After an investigation, Niagara-on-the-Lake Catholic school board trustee Natalia Benoit has been found in violation of the board’s code of conduct. The investigation came after a complaint was filed by trustee Paul Turner regarding Benoit’s actions outside of a May 23 board meeting. (Niagara Now)
  • Casino Fined – The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has announced that the Fallsview Casino Resort has been fined $70,000 after it was alleged that a player exchanged $80,000 in cash for chips and then left without gambling. The casino said they will appeal the fine. (CKTB)
  • Council Rejects No Tax Increase – St. Catharines city council has rejected a budget that would have seen a zero per cent tax increase and voted to keep the forestry department in house during a budget meeting Monday. As of now, the operating budget will see a 1.78% tax increase. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

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  • Budget Approval Coming Soon – The city of St. Catharines is moving closer to approving a 2024 budget that will result in less than a 1% tax increase. While councillors will be discussing the budget again at an upcoming meeting, the budget is currently on pace for a 0.72% increase for taxpayers. (CKTB)
  • Niagara Health Recognition – Accreditation Canada has accredited Niagara Health with exemplary standing for meeting all of its required organizational practices in its commitment to ensure safe, quality care for patients and their families. Niagara Health has received the highest-possible level of accreditation for the third consecutive time. (Niagara Health)
  • City Hall Growing – Thorold has outgrown it’s city hall building on Schmom Parkway and will be relocating their Development Services Office to the second floor of the Thorold Seniors’ Centre on Carleton St. South. The Seniors’ Centre served as the Thorold City Hall between 1982 and 2006. (Thorold News)
  • Valentine’s Day Wedding – The City of Niagara Falls is inviting couples to tie the knot on Valentine’s Day at City Hall or the Niagara Falls History Museum. The package includes Valentine’s Day-themed decorations, a complimentary sparkling beverage toast, and a photographer. A marriage license costs $150 and the fee for the wedding ceremony is $350 (Giant FM)

Local News Briefs

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  • 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)

Local News Briefs

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  • Washroom Woes – St. Catharines is closing the downtown self-cleaning washroom at night after the facility has faced persistent vandalism, clogged toilets, and maintenance issues. The building has been out of service 35% of the time due to damages, prompting city officials to consider alternatives such as reducing hours further or relocating the facility. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Niagara Parks Seeks Feedback – Niagara Parks has launched public engagement exercises related to two key redevelopment projects to be undertaken over the next three years – the redevelopment and restoration of the Toronto Power Generating Station and the redevelopment of the Niagara Parks Marina. (Niagara Parks)
  • All Way Stops Coming – The City of Thorold will be installing all way stops at the intersections of Front St and McNamara St, Sunset Wy and Miracle Wy, and Canby St and Hamilton Blvd. The all way stops are in response to complaints about safety. (Thorold Today)
  • Body Recovered – Niagara officers and the marine unit have recovered a body from the water in the West Street area in Port Colborne. No foul play is suspected. (CKTB)

Local News Briefs

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  • Major Donation For Hospital – The Marotta family has donated $15 million to the St. Catharines hospital, which will now be named the Marotta Family Hospital. The Marotta family owns and operates Solmar Development Corporation, Two Sisters Vineyards and the soon-to-be-opened Stone Eagle Winery. This donation will help provide the best care possible, continue to attract and retain top talent and provide cutting-edge equipment. (Niagara Health)
  • Housing Investment – St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle announced yesterday an investment of $25.7 million that will help fast track almost 700 homes in the next three years and more than 12,000 homes over the next decade. The funds will also allow the creation of a municipal development corporation that will enable the city to take the lead in bringing municipal property to market to support new housing opportunities and establish partnerships with the development community. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Free Outdoor Skating – Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery is offering free skating on Mondays at its outdoor refrigerated rink. The rink will be open all other days for public skating at a cost of $5. (Niagara-on-the-Lake Local)
  • Housing Project Hits Roadblock – Community group One Thorold wants to partner with Bethlehem Housing and Support Services to build an affordable housing project on property owned by the city of Thorold. However, the city is hesitant to enter into a lease agreement for the property due to potential risks and a lack of detailed information. (Thorold Today)
  • NOTL Patio Program Extended – Niagara-on-the-Lake councillors have agreed to extend the temporary patio program for another year. The program was originally introduced in response to COVID but now councillors have asked staff to look at revising the patio program to make it permanent. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

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  • Child Care Shortage – Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates said that stagnant wages and heavy workloads are making it difficult for organizations that offer child care to attract and keep workers. He said the Boys and Girls club may have to permanently reduce the number of spots available in it’s before and after school program and that there needs to be better funding from the Ontario government. (Giant FM)
  • Bid For Minto Cup – The St. Catharines Athletics Lacrosse Club will be submitting a bid to host the 2025 Canadian Jr. A lacrosse championships, called the Minto Cup. St. Catharines city council agreed to provide $50,000 if the bid is successful and will waive $120,000 in rental fees and event operating expenses for the Meridian Centre, which will host the games if the bid is successful. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Cold Weather Concerns – With the extreme cold weather, St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe said that city facilities, such as arenas, libraries and swimming pools, will be open during business hours for individuals to warm up. However, the city does not have the staff or the expertise to keep these facilities open overnight or to operate them as shelters. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

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  • Majority Want No Amalgamation – According to Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin, based on the presentations at last week’s governance reform meeting, the majority of Niagara municipalities appear to prefer the status quo with regards to Niagara’s city/regional structure with some tweaking. Junkin added that Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati and Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton appeared to prefer something closer to a four city model. (Pelham Today)
  • Thorold Releases Draft Budget – The city of Thorold’s draft 2024 budget has an estimated 2.99% net levy increase. It is recommended that some major projects be deferred in order to keep the increase below 3%. The draft budget will be presented to council on Jan 23. (Thorold Today)
  • Committee To Return – After hearing presenters last week in St. Catharines regarding Niagara governance reform, the province’s standing committee is expected to return to Niagara to hear additional presenters. The committee will eventually publish a report with their recommendations on Niagara’s government structure. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Bridge Closure – The Glenridge Ave. canal bridge in St. Catharines will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Jan. 16 to Jan 18. (Giant FM)
  • NOTL Reverses Decision – Niagara-on-the-Lake council has reversed a decision to allow a developer to use a section of the Upper Canada Heritage Trail for access to planned housing units after opposition from the public. (Niagara Now)

Local News Briefs

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  • Queenston Street Development Uncertain – The development of a 1,131-unit housing project on the former St. Catharines General Hospital site is uncertain as the property has been placed in receivership. The property owner owes over $10 million to their lender and the owner has now missed the repayment deadline. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • GO Transit Ridership Up – GO Transit ridership to and from Niagara Falls experienced a 67% increase in 2023 with 630,056 riders at the Niagara Falls GO station. The growth is attributed to expanded service on weekdays and weekends, adjusted departure times, collaboration with Niagara Falls Tourism, and partnerships promoting local events and attractions. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Canal Bridge Closed – The Highway 20 / Allanburg Bridge will be closed for bridge/road maintenance on Wednesday, January 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The bridge will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. (City of Thorold)
  • Cyclamen Display Returns – After a three-year hiatus, the popular Cyclamen Display returns to the Floral Showhouse from January 13 – March 3. Open daily, the Cyclamen Display invites guests to escape the winter weather and explore a tropical array of vibrant burgundy, pink, and magenta Cyclamen. (Niagara Parks)
  • Clock Tower Getting Restoration – Niagara-on-the-Lake’s heritage committee has approved a permit to allow $80,000 of restoration work to the 103 year-old cenotaph and clock tower. The work still needs to be approved by town council. (Niagara this Week)