The LocalSKIM for Monday, August 16
- It appears the fourth wave of the pandemic has hit Niagara with 40 new COVID-19 cases reported on Saturday and Sunday compared to 5 cases last weekend. (610 CKTB)
- The Delta variant appears to be the main reason for the recent increase in COVID-19 cases. In Niagara, 65% of cases have likely been the Delta variant, with another 20% confirmed to be the Delta variant. (Niagara this Week)
- As expected, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Sunday that a federal election will take place Sept 20. The campaign will be 36 days, the shortest possible election period under federal law. (CTV News)
- A gas leak inside a vacant building under renovation on Monday forced the partial closure of James Street in St. Catharines for close to two hours. (St. Catharines Standard)
- The provincial government has directed school boards and public health units in Ontario to set up vaccination clinics inside schools. Vaccination clinics in Niagara schools will begin next week. (St. Catharines Standard)
The LocalSKIM for Friday, August 13
- Thorold, Welland and Port Colborne will share $1.4 million in federal funding. Port Colborne will receive $750,000 to construct a multi-purpose facility in the downtown waterfront area, Welland is receiving over $300,000 to improve the accessibility at Maple Park and Thorold has been approved for $150,000 to construct one kilometre of trail and $222,000 to improve DeCew House Heritage Park. (610 CKTB)
- The Federal NDP party has announced that Trecia McLennon, a local resident, author, entrepreneur and intercultural communications co-ordinator at Brock University, will be their St. Catharines candidate. (610 CKTB)
- St. Catharines has seen a good turnout in residents and groups using the city’s facilities and parks since the province entered Step 3 of re-openings with some programs being maxed out and attractions like Happy Rolph’s and the St. Catharines Museum seeing a steady number of visitors. (St. Catharines Standard)
- Canada will soon make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for all federal employees, and passengers wishing to travel on commercial planes, interprovincial trains and cruise ships will also be required to vaccinate in order to board. (Toronto Star)
Photo: Unsplash/Jeremy RickettsSeven Niagara beaches unsafe for swimming
- Seven Niagara beaches have been posted as unsafe to swim on the Niagara Region website.
- The beaches include Bay Beach (Crystal) and Waverly Beach in Fort Erie, Queen’s Royal Beach in NOTL, Humberstone Centennial Park Beach and Sherkston Elco in Port Colborne, and Long Beach and Reebs Bay in Wainfleet.
- Beaches are posted unsafe for swimming when water tests show unacceptable levels of E. Coli bacteria.
- The beach might also be unsafe or closed because of excessive algae growth, flooding, garbage or debris, spills, and bad odours.
- For up-to-date information on Beach Water testing see the Niagara Region Website.
The LocalSKIM for Thursday, August 13
- Brock University has joined the University of Toronto, Western University and Ontario Tech University as being the latest to announce that individuals stepping onto campus will need to be vaccinated. Brock University previously had said that only those who will be living on campus and students athletes would be required to be vaccinated. (610 CKTB)
- Police have confirmed the body found floating near Niagara-on-the-Lake last Thursday is the missing 27 year old man who disappeared in the Niagara River after trying to help a friend who was in distress in the water on the Civic holiday weekend. (610 CKTB)
- The City of St. Catharines has charged Bayshore Groups’ numbered company and its directors for demolishing the landmark smokestack at the former General Motors property on Ontario Street earlier this year without a permit. (St. Catharines Standard)
The LocalSKIM for Wednesday, August 12
- Demolition of three buildings has begun in order to accommodate Port Colborne’s plan to make itself into a cruise ship destination. The cruise ship welcome area redevelopment will cost up to $3 million. (Niagara this Week)
- Updated provincial guidelines for managing COVID-19 outbreaks was released today. Fully immunized individuals who come in contact with positive COVID-19 cases will not have to isolate unless they develop symptoms while unvaccinated individuals will need to isolate for 10 days even if they have no symptoms. (Thorold News)
- In the next 30 years, growth projections have Niagara’s population increasing to 700,000, which will require the region to develop a new official plan as the current outdated plan was created in the 1970’s. (St. Catharines Standard)
- Niagara Health head of infectious diseases Dr. Karim Ali is encouraging more people to get vaccinated as COVID-19 cases are poised to increase in Niagara and the fourth wave of COVID-19 appears to have a greater impact on children (St. Catharines Standard)
- The District School Board of Niagara is planning to host COVID-19 vaccination clinics at some high schools in August to make it easier for students to get their COVID-19 vaccine shots before school starts in September. (610 CKTB)