Local News Briefs

  • Eclipse Safety – Public Health is reminding residents and visitors to protect their eyes and enjoy the eclipse safely. It is very dangerous to look directly at the sun at any time, and a quick glance during an eclipse can be especially tempting. Looking directly at the uncovered sun can cause irreversible eye damage. (Niagara Region)
  • Thorold Break-Ins – Since the end of February 2024, the City of Thorold has been experiencing a series of daytime break and enters occurring while the occupants are not home. To date there have been nine incidents and police are investigating. (Niagara Regional Police)
  • More Cities Using St. Catharines Dispatch – Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue is joining the list of cities using St. Catharines emergency dispatch services. St. Catharines Fire Services also provides emergency dispatch services to Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Port Colborne, Thorold, Wainfleet, West Lincoln, Haldimand County, Norfolk County and 16 municipalities in Hastings County. (City of St. Catharines)
  • Award For Pelham – The Corporation of the Town of Pelham has received, for the fourth consecutive year, an award for Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its 2022 annual financial report. (Town of Pelham)
  • Positive Feedback for Homeless Shelter – St. Catharines Mayor Matt Siscoe is hearing positive feedback about the new homeless shelter on Riordon Street. The new homeless shelter is open 24 hours while some other shelters only open at night. (The River)
  • Police Respond To Criticism – Niagara Police is reporting they were aware that the home where a man missing for nine days was found deceased on Saturday had been connected to the man in the past. However, police say that alone would not have supported judicial authorization for a warrant to search the home. (CKTB)

Local News Briefs

  • Region Adopts Poverty Strategy – The Niagara Region’s 2024-2028 Poverty Reduction Strategy has been developed with the goal of working together to prevent and end poverty and increase well-being in Niagara. The strategy outlines eight areas of focus with each including a recommendation and a set of actions, supported by research and best practices. (Niagara Region)
  • Historical Designation Deadline A Concern – St. Catharines city council is urging the province to extend the deadline for reviewing heritage properties, as a looming deadline threatens to remove demolition protection from 36,000 listed heritage sites in Ontario. There are concerns over the feasibility of assessing properties for designation by the December 31 deadline. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • NOTL To Designate More Buildings – Niagara-on-the-Lake staff and members of the heritage committee will be consulting with the public to create a second list of historic buildings that should be designated by town council ahead of the December 2024 deadline to designate historical structures. (Niagara this Week)
  • Hotels Charging Inflated Prices – Niagara Falls hotels are charging premium pricing for the April 9 solar eclipse with some rooms going for more that $1,000. One hotel room that costs $534 on April 9 is being listed at $1,844 for the eve of the total solar eclipse. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • Friends Gather Outside Home – Friends and family of a St. Catharines man who was reported missing and then found deceased inside a home gathered outside the home Tuesday night to mourn and honour the man. (CKTB)