Sports Update

  • IceDogs Drop Two – The Niagara IceDogs dropped a pair of games this past week, losing to Ottawa 8-2 and North Bay 9-3. Their game on Saturday was postponed due to an issue with the ice at the Barrie Arena. The IceDogs remain in last place in the OHL, 12 points out of a playoff spot with 9 games remaining.
  • Falcons Place Third – The St. Catharines Falcons finished the regular season in third place in the Golden Horseshoe Conference with a 36-12-1-1 record. They will begin the playoffs Friday in St. Catharines against Pelham.

Local News Briefs

  • License Plate Thefts – Police are warning residents that license plate thefts are on the rise in West Niagara. Police say the thieves will sometimes replace the stolen plate with a paper or 3D printed plate and then use the real plate to commit crimes. (Giant FM
  • No Fire Dispatch Merger – Niagara Falls councillors have voted unanimously against merging the Niagara Falls Fire dispatch service with St. Catharines despite the fact it would save Niagara Falls $240,000. The Niagara Falls Professional Firefighters Association said they were concerned with the service quality if the merger was to take place. (The River)
  • Complex Too High – Thorold councillors are concerned about the size of a proposed 275-unit apartment complex at 75 Ormond Street South. The complex will be 15 storeys high but the current zoning by-law only allows for seven storey buildings. (Thorold Today)
  • NOTL Rejects Appointment – Niagara-on-the-Lake council voted 5-4 against appointing regional Coun. Andrea Kaiser to Niagara Region’s transportation strategy steering committee. Coun. Sandra O’Connor said she couldn’t support Kaiser because she supported the St. Davids roundabout despite town council being opposed to it. (Niagara this Week)
  • Garden Funding Available – St. Catharines 2024 community garden funding applications have opened up to help groups establish communal gardens in the city. Incorporated charities and not-for-profit groups looking to establish new gardens or improve existing ones can apply to receive matching funds from the City for up to half of eligible start-up costs, including lumber, soil, seeds, rain barrels and other materials and equipment. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Food Truck Applications – Applications are now being accepted by the City of St. Catharines for food truck and mobile vending cart operators to set up shop at city parks and facilities for the season. Interested businesses can fill out an application anytime between March 1 and March 29 at stcatharines.ca/VendorPermit. (City of St. Catharines)

Local News Briefs

  • Fire At Mall – A roof fire on Tuesday at the Outlet Collection mall in Niagara-on-the-Lake prompted a temporary evacuation. The cause remains under investigation and two stores, The Children’s Place and Puma, remained closed on Wednesday. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Award For Downtown – The St. Catharines Downtown Association has announced that its Holi Festival of Color has been named one of the Top 100 Events in Ontario. Festivals and Events Ontario made the announcement and presented the award on Wednesday during the FEO Awards Gala. (My Downtown)
  • Harassment In Politics – Regional Councillor Haley Bateman is hoping provincial legislation dealing with harassment in politics, particularly toward women, will be passed in June. Bill 5 would allow an offending politician to be removed from office as current harassment legislation does not apply to municipal politics. (The River)
  • Thorold Considers EV Charging – Thorold city councillors have voted to explore options for adding electric vehicle (EV) charging stations as part of the city’s strategic plan development. However, some councillors raised concerns about the cost to taxpayers, questioned the usage by a limited number of residents, and cited financial challenges faced by some EV charging companies. (St. Catharines Standard)