Local News Briefs

  • Police Rescue Man From Fire – A York Regional police officer and Toronto police officer are being called heroes after they entered a second-floor apartment that was on fire in downtown St. Catharines and rescued an elderly man. The man was listed in critical condition while both officers suffered smoke inhalation. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Changes To Recycling – Beginning Jan. 1 2024, Niagara Region’s residential recycling program will be managed by Circular Materials instead of the Region. There will be no change to collection days, frequency or collection time and residents can use the same blue and grey boxes and recycle the same materials (with the exception of books). The Niagara Region will continue to collect garbage, green bin, yard waste and large household items. (Niagara Region)
  • Welland Canal Maintenance – The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation will be investing $36.5 million for maintenance work on the Welland Canal this winter. Several Welland Canal bridges will undergo maintenance and will see some temporary closures. (GiantFM)
  • Tractor Parade – The third annual Christmas tractor parade will take place Thursday at 6 p.m. beginning at the Virgil arena in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This year’s parade will feature 54 entries. (Niagara-on-the-Lake Local)
  • Get Your Vaccines – With cases of COVID-19 and Influenza on the rise and expected to peak during the holiday season, Niagara Region Public Health is encouraging residents to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Pharmacies and health care providers are offering flu and COVID-19 vaccines while Public Health is offering COVID-19 vaccines. (CKTB)

Local News Briefs – Monday

  • City Survey Revealed – The city of St. Catharines received 548 responses to a survey that asked a number of questions including what kind of a community St. Catharines should be. The survey revealed that 89% chose safe, 79% picked affordable, 66% selected caring, 62% chose environmentally sustainable, 61% picked prosperous and 54% chose innovative. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • NOTL Comedy Festival – The Icebreakers Comedy Festival will return to Niagara-on-the-Lake. This year the festival opens Thursday, Jan. 25 with tickets for all shows available at www.icebreakerscomedy.com/shows. (Thorold Today)
  • Red Light Cameras Coming – The Niagara Region is starting a Red Light Camera program beginning late January 2024 that will issue tickets to drivers who run red lights. The cameras will be installed at ten intersections and signs indicating the presence of the cameras will be visible. (Niagara Region)
  • Less Rinks This Winter – Although the city of St. Catharines received fewer applications for community ice rinks this year, rinks will still be set up at Walker’s Creek Park and Bogart Street Park. The mild winter last year is being blamed for the decrease in applications. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

  • YMCA Partnership Revealed – Atria Development Corp, the owners of the former YMCA building in St. Catharines, is hoping the city will reconsider their decision to not partner with them to reopen the recreation facility. Atria said they would charge the city $1.67 million to lease the facility and the city could generate revenue through licenses and subleasing, membership and programming fees. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Man Killed By Train – A man was struck and killed by a Go train Wednesday near the St. Catharines GO Train station. (CHCH)
  • Region Approves Police Budget – The Niagara Region has passed the 2024 police budget after the Niagara Regional Police Services board reduced its original budget from $190.5 million to $188.5 million. As well, council passed a $265.9-million operating budget for 2024, which is an increase of 3.84% year-over-year. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Winter Recreation Programs – Registration for the St. Catharines winter recreation and aquatic programming will open online for residents on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and in-person at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre. Non-residents can start registering online on Thursday at 6 p.m. with in-person registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Help For NOTL Tourism – After deny a request by Niagara-on-the-Lake Tourism CEO and president Minerva Ward for a $226,000 loan to cover expenses underwritten by the NOTL Chamber of Commerce, councillors have agreed to a transfer agreement between the town and its Destination Marketing Organization. The agreement will result in the chamber no longer having to underwrite expenses for NOTL Tourism. (Niagara-on-the-Lake Local)

Local News Briefs

  • Barenaked Ladies Come To St. Catharines – The Barenaked Ladies will be playing a show at the Meridian Centre on Thursday April 25, 2024 with tickets going on sale this Friday. The show is a fundraiser for the World Rowing Championships that are being hosted in St. Catharines next summer. (CKTB)
  • Police Cut Budget – The Niagara police services board has approved an amended 2024 operating budget of $188.5 million after the original budget of $190.5 million was referred back to the police board for cuts by Regional council. Chief Bryan MacCulloch said the original budget is nowhere near what is required but was set to sustain current services. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Thorold Committee Unhappy With Changes – Thorold city hall has overhauled the structure of its boards and committees but the Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity Advisory Committee is upset that members will only get to meet every two months. Members of the committee are concerned that the new schedule will hamper progress. (Thorold News)
  • YMCA Proposal Rejected – St. Catharines will not be moving forward with a proposal from Atria Development for city programming at the former YMCA building. The facility would not have met the city’s accessibility design and the costs of having programming at the facility would have been more than $5.5 million a year. (CKTB)
  • Downtown Displays – Downtown St. Catharines businesses have decorated their storefronts with captivating and imaginative displays for the 2nd Annual Holiday Window Display. The community is invited to visit downtown St. Catharines and vote for their favourite displays for a chance to win one of three $100 downtown gift cards. (My Downtown)

Local News Briefs

  • Policy For Vacant Seats Changed – St. Catharines is changing the procedure for filling vacant seats. Vacancies for the mayor or regional councillors can be filled by appointing a current member of city council, the next runner-up for the position if they received 70% of the votes of the person elected, or any other qualified person. Vacant city council seats can be filled by appointing the next runner-up or any other qualified person. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Vehicle Hits House – On Sunday Niagara Regional Police attended the area of Haist Street and Pancake Lane in Pelham where a Silver Subaru Crossover collided with a house. There were no injuries but damage to the house is extensive. (Niagara Regional Police)
  • NOTL CAO Resigns – Niagara-on-the-Lake will be looking for a new CAO after the town’s current CAO, Marnie Cluckie, has accepted a new position with the city of Hamilton. Cluckie will officially step down on January 14, 2024. (Niagara Now)
  • Niagara Parks Construction – Niagara Parks will undertake two upcoming infrastructure projects along the north Niagara Parkway in Niagara-on-the-Lake. On Monday, December 4, a culvert replacement project will begin along the Niagara Parkway near Service Road 70. Niagara Parks will also be replacing the pedestrian bridge along the Niagara River Recreation Trail at the intersection of Line 3 and the Niagara Parkway. (Niagara Parks)
  • Candlelight Stroll – On Saturday, the Port Dalhousie beautification and works committee is holding a candlelight stroll that will feature porch-side performances, a Santa Claus meet and greet, refreshments and raffle prizes. The stroll begins at 6 p.m. and starts at the St. John’s Anglican Church at 80 Main St. (Niagara this Week)

Local News Briefs

  • Maintenance Costs Worry Thorold – Thorold city councillors want to renegotiate an agreement that makes the city responsible for maintenance for the path along the south side of Sir Isaac Brock Way and St. David’s Rd. The cost to construct the path was financed by the MTO, the Niagara Region, St. Catharines and Thorold but only Thorold is responsible for maintenance costs. (Thorold News)
  • Clothing Donations – The St. Catharines Museum is asking for warm winter clothing donations for families in need. The annual Mitten Tree Campaign runs from December 2 to January 6. (GiantFM)
  • Free Parking – St. Catharines is offering free downtown parking for three hours after noon, Monday to Friday, at all city-owned lots, parking meters and the Ontario Street garage from Dec. 11 to 29. In Niagara-on-the-Lake, free parking will be available in the Heritage District (Old Town) for the entire month of December. (Niagara this Week)
  • Thorold Intersection Under Review – Thorold city council is looking at ways to make the intersection of Pine St. S and Sullivan Ave safer, where a McDonald’s is being planned. Installing traffic lights could cost $500,000 to $600,000 but temporary solutions, such as a crossing guard or speed humps, are also being considered. (Thorold News)

Local News Briefs

  • St. Catharines Budget Presented – The first draft of the City of St. Catharines multi-year operating budget includes a 3.47% increase in 2024, a 3.85% increase in 2025 and a 3.6% increase in 2026. St. Catharines has higher property taxes than some other Ontario communities because the city has aging infrastructure and is built out to the urban boundary, which limits new property taxes. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Holiday Events At Market Square – A number of holiday events have been planned at Market Square in St. Catharines. Winter at the Market will run for three weeks on Wednesdays in December from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. starting on Dec. 6 while the regular market will see the holiday discovery table with free take-home activities for kids and the winter selfie booth from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Santa Clause Sails In – Santa Claus sails into Downtown Port Colborne on a tugboat this Saturday around 1 p.m. depending on shipping traffic. Following his arrival, there will be a procession to Mariner’s Park, where festive activities, photos, and more await. (GiantFM)
  • Walker Open House – Walker Industries will host a public open house regarding the company’s proposed next phase of its South Landfill, which will allow Walker to continue to provide waste disposal services. The open house will take place Thursday, Dec. 14 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Club Italia in Niagara Falls. (Thorold Today)

Local News Briefs

  • Niagara Government Reform – Changes to the government structure in Niagara will once again be considered as the committee reviewing municipal governance will be in Niagara on Jan 10 to gather public input. Those who want to make a presentation must register by Jan. 3 and those who only want to comment have until Jan. 18 to make submissions. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Fire Adds Dispatch Partners – St. Catharines Fire Services (SCFS) has added two more emergency dispatch partners. As part of new Fire Dispatch Services agreement, SCFS is now providing emergency call-taking and dispatch services to Hastings County and Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Bridge Closed – The Lakeshore road bridge will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic beginning Tuesday, December 5th at 9 a.m. until Thursday, December 7th at 1 p.m. for maintenance. (GiantFM)
  • NOTL Water Cost Increase – Niagara-on-the-Lake could see a 10.8% increase to the town’s water fixed and variable rate and an increase of 12% for the wastewater variable and fixed rate.  The wastewater increase is due to increasing regional treatment costs and declining water volume usage. (Niagara-on-the-Lake Local)
  • Thorold Understaffed – An organizational review of Thorold City Hall by Deloitte has found that the city has very few service standards and key performance indicators. As well, the auditors concluded that City Hall is understaffed and identified 24 immediate hiring needs. (Thorold News)

Local News Briefs

  • Council Approves Cultural Funding – St. Catharines City Council has approved an allocation of $82,215 for the final rounds of the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program for this year. The approvals bring the total SCCIP funding in 2023 to $401,400. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Asylum Seekers Decrease – Regional Councillor Diana Huson says the number of asylum seekers coming to Niagara has decreased, with about 1,200 hotel rooms being used to house refugees. Huson told the Immigration Minister that Niagara can be more accommodating if the Region was included in the conversation when decisions are made. (The River)
  • Fire In St. Catharines – A fire at a boarding house in St. Catharines on Monday saw two people hospitalized, including one in critical condition. While 13 residents had escaped the building on their own, firefighters found three people unconscious inside. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

  • Renewable Energy Plant Opens – Walker Industries is celebrating the opening of their renewable energy plant on Townline Road. The renewable natural gas plant refines landfill gas into a low carbon renewable natural gas that can heat over 8,700 homes. (The River)
  • Funding For Dry Docks – An investment of over $107 million by Heddle Shipyards, the largest ship repair and construction company on the Great Lakes, will create 30 new jobs in Niagara. The investment will be used to tackle complex Vessel Life Extension projects at the company’s Port Weller Dry Docks in St. Catharines. (Thorold News)
  • Shooting In Grimsby – Niagara Regional Police responded to a report of a shooting in the area of Concord Place and Windward Drive in Grimsby around 5:30 p.m. Monday and found a male suffering from life threatening injuries. The male was later pronounced deceased and the investigation is on-going. (Niagara Regional Police)
  • Phone Scam Alert – Niagara Health is warning the public about a phone scam. The scam involves a caller claiming to be a Niagara Health staff member asking people for their name, social insurance number, date of birth and address. Anyone who receives a similar call is asked to call police at 905-688-4111. (Niagara Health)
  • Downtown Gift Cards – The St. Catharines Downtown Association has unveiled its new gift card which can be spent at a variety of participating businesses, including hospitality, retail, and services. The gift card is available to buy online or at the St. Catharines Downtown Association office on King Street. (My Downtown)