Local News Briefs

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  • Mystery Explosion Sound – A loud boom or explosion sound was heard over a seven kilometer radius in Welland around 9:10 p.m. on Wednesday. Police received multiple calls and were shown footage of a red/orange flash followed by a boom/explosion sound but they were unable to determine the source of the noise. (Niagara Regional Police)

Local News Briefs

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  • Free Public Skating – The Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre will have free public skating on New Years Eve. All four skating pads will be open with glow-in-the-dark skating taking place on one of the rinks. Another rink will be dedicated to sensory-sensitive individuals. (GiantFM)
  • Rally For Palestine – On Saturday, around 40 people attended a rally in front of the Pen Centre in support of the people of Palestine. The rally was organized by the Niagara Movement for Justice in Palestine Israel. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

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  • Scam Warning – Niagara Police are warning residents about an increase in the number of grandparent scams in St. Catharines. Victims are being contacted by telephone and being convinced that a loved one (e.g. grandchild) is in legal peril and that only money or gift cards will solve the problem. One individual recently lost $6000 in a Grandparent Scam. (Niagara Police)
  • NOTL Hires Interim CAO – Niagara-on-the-Lake council has approved NOTL resident Bruce Zvaniga as the interim CAO. Zvaniga has 40 years of experience leading municipal government services and critical infrastructure projects for various municipalities. (Niagara-on-the-Lake Local)

Local News Briefs

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  • New Plan For Thorold – Thorold city staff has a new four year strategic plan which will be used to make sure priorities are met or exceeded by city council. The plan is based on four pillars which are business and economic growth, responsible community growth and infrastructure planning, vibrant and inclusive neighbourhoods, and service modernization. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Agreement With Transit Workers – A five-year collective bargaining agreement has been reached between the Niagara Transit Commission and the union representing transit workers. (CKTB)
  • Pelham Approves Budget – Council for the Town of Pelham has approved the 2023 Capital and Operating Budgets, resulting in a 3.77% increase for the municipal portion of the tax levy. The draft 2024 Water and Wastewater budgets will be presented on Feb 7 and and will return to council for approval on Feb 21. (Town of Pelham)
  • Niagara Falls Road Closures – Several road closures will take place on the evening of Sunday, Dec 31 for New Year’s Eve. The Niagara Parkway, Clifton Hill to Fraser Hill, Clifton Hill from Victoria Avenue to Falls Avenue and Murray Street from the Niagara Parkway to Fallsview Boulevard will all be closed. (Niagara Parks)
  • Carolers In Thorold – On Saturday in Thorold, the McGregor Carolers and Santa will be downtown from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (Thorold Today)

Local News Briefs

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  • Thorold Holding Free Skating – The City of Thorold will be holding five free public skates at the Frank Doherty Arena between Christmas and New Year’s. Free popcorn and hot chocolate will also be available. (Thorold Today)
  • Collapsed Condo To Be Rebuilt – Evertrust Developments, the company who owns the Upper Vista Welland condo project that suffered two partial collapses earlier this year, has received a full rebuild permit from the city. The company is hoping to have the condominium ready for occupancy by the spring of 2025. (CKTB)
  • Police Cruiser Struck – A Niagara Regional Police SUV with its lights and siren activated was struck by another vehicle while traveling through the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Martindale Road. The officer suffered only minor injuries while the driver of the other vehicle also sustained minor injuries but was taken to hospital. (Niagara this Week)

Local News Briefs

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  • Police Want To Keep Surplus – The Niagara Regional Police is asking the Region to let it keep any funding surplus remaining at the end of this year to replenish reserves. There is concern that the Community Safety and Policing Act, which comes into effect in April, could cost millions to implement as it will require police to purchase new equipment and provide additional training. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Niagara Parks Hosting Celebration – Niagara Parks will be hosting an array of family-friendly festivities on New Year’s Eve, including two New Year’s Eve firework displays over Niagara Falls at 8 p.m. and midnight. For more information visit the Niagara Parks New Years Eve page.
  • NPCA Reverses Parking Decision – The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority has decided not to implement paid parking at the St. Johns Conservation Area after a public backlash against the idea. Automated gates to manage site access will still be installed but access will remain free. (Pelham Today)
  • Holiday Waste Collection – There will be no waste collection on Monday December 25 or on Monday January 1. Collection will be delayed by one day during those weeks. (The River)
  • Overnight Shooting – An overnight shooting in the area of Catherine Street near Hetherington Street in St. Catharines has left one victim in serious condition. Police believe the victim left his home and was confronted by a male suspect in a nearby alleyway where he was shot. The suspect was later arrested by police. (Niagara Regional Police)

Local News Briefs

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  • Region Approves 2024 Budget – Niagara Regional council has approved the 2024 budget, which is comprised of a $270.3 million capital budget and a $483 million operating budget. In total, the general levy budget is an increase of $38.6 million, which equals a 7.02% property tax increase on the Regional portion of the tax bill. (Niagara Region)
  • Fatal Crash – A male in his 20’s has died as a result of a single car collision around 3 a.m. Monday morning near the intersection of Bunting Road and Eastchester Avenue. A second passenger was transported to hospital with what is believed to be serious non-life-threatening injuries while the driver was arrested for impaired operation and transported to hospital for medical assessment. (Niagara Regional Police)
  • Weather Advisory – A Winter weather travel advisory is in effect for tonight with snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 cm, reduced visibility in heavy snow and local blowing snow. Road conditions will be icy and slippery. (Weather Network)

Local News Briefs

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  • Transit Dissent – Niagara Falls city councillor Lori Lococo will make a motion to direct staff to report back on whether transit amalgamation has met its intended goals. Lococo said there was supposed to be a 0% increase for transit for five years but Niagara Transit Commission chair and St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe said a 0% increase wasn’t the strategy that Niagara Falls council voted for. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Dr. Hirji Accepts Position In Sudbury – Dr. Hirji has been appointed as the Medical Officer of Health and CEO of Public Health Sudbury & Districts. Dr. Hirji was previously Niagara Region’s acting medical officer of health until April of this year after which he assumed his previous position as Niagara’s associate medical officer of health. (Niagara Region)
  • ER Visits Increase – Niagara Health emergency departments are seeing more visits, more hospital admissions and longer wait times as we head into the holidays. On average, 83 people are waiting in emergency departments in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, and Welland as an increase of respiratory illnesses is contributing to the higher number of ER visits. (CKTB)
  • Power Lines Moved For Festival – Port Colborne will spend well over $1 million to relocate and bury power lines currently along West Street where the Canal Days festival takes place. The power lines are being moved after it was discovered that the height of the vendor displays and food trucks don’t provide enough clearance from the power lines. (Niagara this Week)

Local News Briefs

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  • Marina Development In Fort Erie – Niagara Parks will be redeveloping its marina property along the south Niagara Parkway in Fort Erie over the next three years, with an investment of $19 million. The goal of the redevelopment is to create a new recreational waterfront destination along the shores of the upper Niagara River with increased public access and amenities. (Niagara Parks)
  • Batteries Cause Fire – An investigation by St. Catharines Fire Services has determined that a fire on Thursday, Dec. 7 at a downtown residence on St. Paul Street was started by lithium-ion batteries. The fire has been ruled accidental, and one person who was injured in the fire remains in hospital. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Canal Closing – The Welland Canal will close for the season on January 7. During the winter closure, the seaway will undertake infrastructure renewal work including tempoarily closing several bridges for maintenance. (Niagara-on-the-Lake Local)
  • Festival Moving Downtown – The Niagara Grape and Wine Festival will be shifting events downtown instead of at Montebello park for one weekend in an effort to save money, help downtown businesses and attract new visitors. Potential ideas include a St. Paul Street festival and a concert at the Meridian Centre. The festival will remain at the park for the second weekend. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

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  • Parking Fees At St. Johns – Changes are being implemented at the St. Johns Conservation Area in Pelham next spring, including paid parking and the installation of admission arms which will regulate access to St. Johns. The changes are apparently in response to an escalation of vandalism at the park and a need for funding to invest back into the park. (Pelham Today)
  • Preparation Begins For Governance Review – With a provincial committee coming to St. Catharines on Jan. 10 as part of a study on regional governance, West Lincoln Mayor Cheryl Ganaan is hoping to be a presenter at the meeting. Ganaan said she is not in favour of Niagara being one big city and said that most mayors seem to prefer a four city model of St. Catharines, Welland, Niagara Falls and West Niagara. (Niagara this Week)
  • More Housing On Lots – St. Catharines city council has requested a change to the zoning by-laws to allow up to four residential units on lots in the city. The change will permit homeowners to build smaller rental units on their property which will allow for more housing units to become available. (CKTB)
  • Residents View Region Favourable – An online survey revealed that 61% of the 980 respondents have a favourable view of the Region, its services and how they relate to property taxes. The public consultation also included a focus group of business leaders and looked at areas where councillors have discretionary spending power. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Fatal Crash On 406 On-Ramp – The OPP are investigating a fatal single-vehicle rollover that took place on the on-ramp to Highway 406 at St. David’s Road Tuesday night. The driver from Niagara Falls was pronounced deceased while a passenger from St. Catharines was taken to hospital. (CHCH)