Local News Briefs

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  • Police Budget Not Approved – Niagara Regional Council has asked the police services board to reduce it’s proposed Niagara Regional Police operating budget. The proposed budget is an increase of 7.1% and Region Chair Jim Bradley said many items in the budget are nice to have but not essentially needed. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Power Station Redevelopment – Niagara Parks has signed a letter of intent that could see a $200 million private sector investment restore and redevelop the Toronto Power Generating Station, which overlooks the Falls. The project will include a museum, public art gallery, culinary options, a five-star boutique accommodation, event and programming space and more. (Niagara Parks)
  • Canal Bridge Closures – On Tuesday, the Queenston Street bridge over the canal in St. Catharines will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for maintenance. Bridges in Port Colborne will also see closures for maintenance this week. (CKTB)
  • Housing Challenges Continue – Ontario has set targets to build 23,300 homes in St. Catharines, Welland and Niagara Falls by 2031 but only Welland is currently meeting their target. But the municipalities say they are doing what they can but can’t control obstacles like high interest rates and decreasing demand. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

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  • No Increase To Waste Budget – The Niagara Region Budget Review Committee has approved a zero-budget increase for waste management services which will result in most residents seeing a decrease in their waste management special levy. (Niagara Region)
  • Driver Dies In Accident – Niagara Regional Police are reporting that a pickup truck was travelling south on Regional Road 24 late Thursday afternoon in Wainfleet when the vehicle lost control, left the roadway and flipped over.  The driver of the pickup truck was pronounced deceased at the scene. (Niagara Regional Police)
  • Welland Street Closure – East Main Street from Wellington Street to The Boardwalk in Welland will be closed to through traffic on Saturday, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the Welland Santa Claus Parade. (GiantFM)
  • Concern Over Battery Recycler – Thorold City Council was hesitant to endorse a battery recycling company’s plan to operate out of the former Hayes Dana Plant in Thorold South due to the possibility of the site having large amounts of lithium batteries. In the end, council agreed to sign the letter of support as long as it only makes mention of alkaline batteries. (Thorold Today)
  • Bridge Reopens – The Rainbow Bridge has reopened after a deadly crash and explosion took place on Wednesday. The cause of the crash and the identities of the two individuals killed have not been released. (CKTB)

Local News Briefs

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  • No Terrorism In Bridge Crash – The FBI is saying that the car crash and explosion at the Rainbow Bridge shows no signs of terrorist involvement. The two passengers were identified as a couple and died in the crash while a border patrol worker received minor injuries. (CKTB)
  • Transit Maintains Budget Increase – The Niagara Transit Commission has rejected Regional Council’s request to reduce it’s 2024 budget and has voted to maintain a 7.8% increase in Niagara’s special transit levy. The issue will return to regional council where councillors will have to decide whether to accept or reject the transit budget increase. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Input Sought For Budget – Residents of St. Catharines are being encouraged to provide input into the city’s first multi-year budget by participating in a telephone town hall, attending an in-person open house or pop-up kiosk, or providing feedback online through a survey. The draft staff-proposed budget documents can be viewed online at stcatharines.ca/CityBudget. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Pickelball In Thorold Arena – The Niagara Indoor Pickleball Association would like to use the decommissioned James Whyte Arena in Thorold for pickleball. The association is willing to contribute towards upgrading the facility including new heating and air conditioning, new lights and a floor to play pickleball on. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

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  • Patio Program Concerns – Niagara-on-the-Lake councillors were hesitant to approve a proposal to make the outdoor patio program permanent due to lost parking spaces, concerns regarding the application process and a lack of specifics that need to be addressed. In the end, councillors voted to support the program in principle and to have staff return with an additional report. (Niagara on the Lake Local)
  • Explosion At Border – All Niagara border bridges have been closed after reports that a vehicle approached the U.S. side of the Rainbow Bridge at a high rate of speed, crashing into an abutment and exploding. The OPP is closing highway 405 and is asking people who are hoping to cross the border to delay travel until those highways and closures have reopened. (Niagara this Week)
  • Pelham Reaches Agreement – Union members at Pelham’s public works department have agreed to a new four year agreement with the town. The staff do work such as cemetery and park maintenance, road and facility repair, winter plowing, water operations, construction administration, and development engineering and plans review. (St. Catharines Standard)

Local News Briefs

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  • Icewine Gala – The Niagara Icewine Festival and Niagara Parks have announced that the Cool As Ice Gala, formerly the Niagara Icewine Gala, will take place Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 7 p.m. at the Niagara Parks Power Station. (Niagara Parks)
  • Light Celebration – Let it Glow – A Celebration of Light – returns this year with its family-friendly, outdoor festival of interactive light installations, entertainment, and cultural programming at Rennie Park in Port Dalhousie and at downtown St. Catharines. A launch party is happening at Rennie Park on Dec. 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Truck Crashes Into House – The Niagara Regional Police have charged a Wainfleet man with impaired driving after a truck plowed into a house in Pelham causing major damage. None of the residents of the home were physically injured. (Pelham Today)
  • Patio Program For NOTL – Niagara-on-the-Lake councillors are set to discuss a recommendation from staff to develop a permanent seasonal patio program for urban areas. In 2020, the town established a temporary patio program while restrictions on indoor dining were in effect. (Niagara this Week)

Local News Briefs

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  • PCBs Being Treated At GM Land – The ministry is confirming that a stormwater pond designed to stop PCBs leaking from the former General Motors property on Ontario street is working properly. The ministry said that all storm water at the property on Ontario Street is now collected, treated to remove the PCBs and directed to sanitary sewers. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Invasive Bug In Niagara – Hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect that attacks hemlock trees, has been found in Lincoln. The bug came from Asia and can kill a tree within 4 to 15 years. Residents should contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency if they believe a tree has been infected. (Niagara this Week)
  • Donations In NOTL – Individuals are encouraged to donate new or gently used clothing, non-perishable food items and toys at the annual NOTL Gives Back on Saturday, November 25th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Meridian Credit Union Arena in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided. (Giant FM)
  • Winter Festival Opens – Thousands of people attended Queen Victoria Park in Niagara Falls to watch the opening of the annual Winter Festival of Lights. Spectators were treated to aerial performers that included twirling firesticks and high-flyers that represented falling snow and the coming of winter. (Niagara this Week)

Local News Briefs

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  • Region Approves Water Budget Increase – The Niagara Region has approved operating budget increases of 7.95% for water and wastewater services for 2024. The increase addresses inflationary pressures, the impact of higher costs for the equipment and materials that keep drinking water safe, and capital renewal needs. (Niagara Region)
  • Thorold Santa Claus Parade – There will be over 50 participants, entertainers and bands in Thorold’s 31st Annual Santa Claus Parade which takes place Nov 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thorold’s Community Activities Group will be collecting non-perishable food items and the City of Thorold will have special giveaways along the parade route. (Thorold Today)
  • House Fire Investigated – The Niagara Regional Police is investigating a suspicious house fire that occurred on Mayfair Avenue in Pelham on November 16. The fire resulted in an estimated $700,000 in damages to the residence and a parked car on the property. (Niagara Regional Police)

Local News Briefs

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  • Speed Camera Vandalized – One of Niagara’s automated speed cameras at Station Street in West Lincoln was vandalized over the weekend. Since the start of the program in September, there have been six cases of camera vandalism. (Giant FM)
  • Bridge Closes – The CN Rail bridge on St. Paul Street West in St. Catharines will close to vehicle traffic on Monday as it can no longer handle the weight of snowplows and traffic. Demolition of the bridge is expected to begin in March with completion set for late 2026. (Niagara this Week)
  • Fire Department Recognized – Niagara-on-the-Lake’s fire and emergency services is one of 20 communities in the province to attain the Accredited Superior Tanker Shuttle Service certification. The certification is awarded for being able to provide a high level of service in rural areas without fire hydrants and may lead to lower insurance rates for residents. (St. Catharines Standard)

Concert and Event Announcements

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  • Jackfish Host All-Star Game – The 2024 IBL All-Star Showdown will take place at Welland Stadium on July 20, 2024. The festivities will begin on Saturday, July 20th at 1 PM, with the full format of the IBL All-Star Showdown being announced on December 9. This will be the first IBL All-Star event since 2016. Tickets go on sale to the general public on December 4. (Welland Jackfish)

Local News Briefs

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  • Regional Transit Spending – St. Catharines is asking the Niagara Region to continue investing in transit to help eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and to not cut transit services or increase fares. The request comes after the Region failed to approve the 2024 transit budget with the hope of reducing the $4.3-million budget increase. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Person Falls From Bridge – An individual was taken to hospital with serious injuries after falling off the Victoria Avenue overpass on the QEW. Police is saying that foul play is not suspected. (The River)
  • Niagara Parks Information Session – On Tuesday, November 21, at 6 p.m., Niagara Parks will host a virtual public information session to provide an update on Niagara Parks’ Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. The online session will allow attendees to provide feedback on Niagara Parks’ public accessibility strategy initiatives and future planning. (Niagara Parks)
  • NOTL Denies Loan Request – Minerva Ward, president and chief executive officer of the chamber and Niagara-on-the-Lake Tourism requested a loan of $226,000 to repay the Chamber, which has had to underwrite expenses of Tourism NOTL. After a lengthy debate, a tied vote by councillors resulted in the loan being denied. (Niagara-on-the-Lake Local)
  • Home Prices Fall – In the Niagara Region, single-family home prices fell 1.8% and condos fell 4.2% since October of last year. (Thorold News)