The LocalSKIM for Monday, June 14

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  • Niagara’s acting medical officer of health Dr. Mustafa Hirji said he will not cancel the additional restrictions under Section 22 until the seven day average for daily COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents falls below 15 and the reproductive rate drops below 1.0. The current seven day average is 21.49 cases, leading to speculation that it will be a few weeks before Section 22 is rescinded. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • With the threat of the more contagious and severe Delta variant spreading in Niagara, Dr. Mustafa Hirji is encouraging residents to get their second COVID-19 vaccination shot as quickly as possible and that more young people get vaccinated. (Niagara this Week)
  • Port Weller residents are upset with the additional traffic and rude behaviour from Sunset beach visitors but the president of the Port Weller Resident Association said the additional security and new regulations has had a positive impact. (St. Catharines Standard)

The LocalSKIM for Friday, June 11

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  • Happy Rolph’s animal farm will open for the season on Monday. The park, which was closed all last year due to Covid, will be open daily from 10 am to 8 pm. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Niagara-On-The-Lake has hired a company to conduct sidewalk inspections using human-operated robots. The robots, whose cameras are accurate to within one millimetre, will free up city staff to perform other duties. (610 CKTB)
  • On Friday, police executed a search warrant at a Health Canada licensed cannabis grow operation in St. Catharines where infractions to the Cannabis Act were believed to be taking place and seized over $16 million in illegal cannabis. (Thorold News)

COVID-19 update for Friday, June 11

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Photo: Google Maps

Michelle Sergi joins Niagara Region as Commissioner of Planning and Development Services

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  • Niagara Region is pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Sergi as the Region’s new Commissioner of Planning and Development Services.
  • Sergi brings with her a proven track record of success in a wide variety of areas, including strategic planning, policy development, natural heritage protection and relationship-building.
  • As Commissioner, Sergi will be part of the Region’s Corporate Leadership Team and will lead the Planning and Development Services Department, which comprises Infrastructure Planning and Development Engineering, Long-range Community Planning and Development Approvals.
  • Sergi comes to Niagara Region with more than 20 years’ experience in planning policy and development.
Photo: Ian L - Freerange Stock

Large incoming class expected as Ontario high school students choose Brock

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  • Brock University is on pace to welcome more than 4,000 new students this fall with total enrolment expected to be nearly 19,000 students.
  • While the provincial average saw an increase of 1.9% in first-year confirmations, Brock has received a 6.5% increase in high school applicant confirmations.
  • This marks an important bounce back after an enrolment dip due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21.
  • Brock is continuing to plan for a significant return to campus in September with a mix of classes being offered in-person and online.

Free Canada Day lawn signs

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Free compost in exchange for non-perishable food

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Book your COVID vaccine shot at a pharmacy

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The LocalSKIM for Thursday, June 10

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  • Niagara’s medical officer Dr. Mustafa Hirji says the number of people infected with COVID-19 in the region needs to decrease before he will end the public health order that imposes additional restrictions on local restaurants. St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik is questioning whether the extra restrictions are necessary for outdoor dining. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • St. Catharines realtor, Nancy DenBak, is organizing a food drive in support of Northend Food Bank on Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm at the food bank, located at 455 Geneva St. (Niagara this Week)
  • Merchants at the north end of St. Paul Street in downtown St. Catharines have put up lights, are adding planters and will have bocce lawn sets and cornhole games in an effort to brighten up and beautify that section of St. Paul Street. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • The city of Hamilton is reporting its first human case of West Nile Virus and residents are reminded to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and to remove standing water from their property. (610 CKTB)

Niagara Parks to continue phased reopening

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  • Niagara Parks will continue with a phased reopening of its public facing operations on June 18, as Ontario enters Step One of the provincial Roadmap to Reopen.
  • Currently, Niagara Parks’ green spaces are open for public access along with its golf courses.
  • The Whirlpool Adventure Course is also currently open and will be joined by the Zipline to the Falls which will open June 11.
  • Beginning on June 18, Journey Behind the Falls, White Water Walk, Whirlpool Aero Car, Table Rock Centre and a few other facilities will reopen.
  • Additional sites and experiences will continue to be added in the coming weeks.