The splash pad at Bogart Street Park in St. Catharines. The park is one of four Niagara recreation infrastructure projects to recently receive substantial funding from the federal and provincial governments for upgrades. Photo credit: City of St. Catharines
Tragedy on the Niagara River
A woman is dead, and a man is still missing after a tragic incident on the Niagara River over the weekend. The two individuals, who were part of a group that had come to Niagara from the GTA over the long weekend, were swimming in the Niagara River when currents became strong. When the woman was swept away, a man who was with her group went after her to try and save her. Emergency crews were called and with the help of the Niagara Jet Boats the individual was located and transported to the docks in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where an ambulance and emergency crews continued resuscitation efforts. The female died in hospital, while the male has yet to be found.
Helping the less fortunate get fed
A project to feed the areas’ less fortunate is turning out to be a success. A large refrigerator located outside of the Lincoln Humane Society in St. Catharines is stocked with items that need to be kept cool as well as pantry items, and a small supply of personal hygiene products. The fridge, which is constructed out of an old gazebo and modified to be insulated, is being used roughly 10 times per day. Any doubts about the fridge being vandalized or abused seemed to be for not, as there’s been no issues thus far. The fridge is currently being run by the Covenant Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, and they’re currently asking for donations, especially dairy items like milk, cheese, and yogurt.
Canada and Ontario invest over $4.4 million in four recreation infrastructure projects in Niagara
The federal and provincial governments are each providing over $2 million in funding to local community projects around the region, while recipients are investing more than $1.6 million in their respective projects.
Funds will go toward the Play Space Resurfacing Project in Lincoln, upgrading the existing tennis courts and playground at Bogart Street Park in St. Catharines, rehabilitating Marlene Stewart Streit Park in Pelham, and renovating the Wainfleet Community Complex.
Zero patients with COVID-19 at Niagara Health
On Wednesday, August 4 – for the first time since September 2020 – Niagara Health had zero COVID-19 patients admitted in the hospital.
“This is the result of the efforts and dedication of the entire Niagara Health team,” says Linda Boich, Executive Vice President, Quality, and Mental Health and Addictions, Executive Lead, Integrated Care and Executive Lead, Niagara COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force. “We are grateful to them for their professionalism and commitment to our patients and their families, which are making a positive difference during a difficult time. We’re also thankful to our partners and our community for their support and efforts throughout the pandemic.”
This milestone also reflects the impact vaccination against COVID-19 is having on limiting the transmission of the virus in our community.
Province announces back to school reopening plan
On Tuesday, the government of Ontario announced its plan for reopening elementary and high schools come September. The highlights of the plan include students returning to physical, in-class learning five days a week, and the return of school assemblies, field trips, inter-school sports events and extracurricular activities. Some restrictions will still be in place, including all students grades 1-12 being required to wear masks indoors and singing and wind instruments in music classes must be done only when two metres of distance can be maintained. Symptom screening before entering schools will stop, as parents will be expected to screen their children prior to sending them to school. The cohort system will still be in effect for younger students.
Used car prices spike due to lack of supply
The price of used cars has risen dramatically compared to what it was pre pandemic. According to used car dealers, the price of pre-owned vehicles has gone up nearly thirty per cent compared to what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that individuals trading in their used vehicles bought two years ago will be able to get back nearly the same amount that they paid for it. This also means that used cars are in some cases even more expensive than buying new. The spike in prices is a result of a worldwide shortage of microchips used in all cars. Experts believe that once the shortage of microchips is rectified the cost of used vehicles will return to more average prices.
Canada doing well as Olympic Games near completion
With only a few days left in the Tokyo Olympics, Canadian athletes are finding success in a variety of disciplines. In total, Canada has won 15 medals thus far, including four gold, four silver, and seven bronze. Canada’s gold athletes are 100 metre butterfly swimmer Maggie McNeil, 64 kg weightlifter Maude Charron, the women’s eight rowing team, and sprinter Andre de Grasse, who won gold in the 200 metre and bronze in the 100 metre. Canada still has plenty of opportunity to win more medals, including a guaranteed silver in women’s soccer. In the 2016 summer Olympics held in Rio, Canada won a total of 22 medals, including four gold. The Tokyo Olympics come to a close on Sunday, August 8.
This Weekend Around the Region
Foodie Fridays
Downtown Niagara Falls has never tasted this good!
Head down to Queen Street every Friday all summer long to get some awesome good eats from all of downtown’s amazing restaurants. Take in the sights and sounds of Queen Street, all while sippin’ on a beverage! Admission is free so you can spend all that cash on your food and drinks, not a ticket!
Where: Queen Street, Niagara Falls
When: Friday, August 6, 5:30pm
To check out some of the restaurants available, go to the Downtown Niagara Falls BIA site here.
Great Fitz Garage Sale
Take a trip to one of St. Catharines’ trendiest up-and-coming communities for a neighbourhood-wide garage sale this Saturday. The Fitz neighbourhood, located just south off the QEW between Lake and Geneva streets, will have over two dozen sellers for you to browse, treasure hunt, and make a deal with.
Where: The Fitz, St. Catharines
When: Saturday, August 7, 8:00am-1:00pm
For a locations of the various garbage sales, go to the facilitator’s Google Maps page here.
Queen’s Lawn Cemetery Walking Tour
Take a tour of Grimsby’s Queen’s Lawn Cemetery, guided by the town’s museum staff. Explore gravestones, epitaphs and etchings while hearing the interesting history of Grimsby residents.
Saturday’s installment is one of only three tours offered this summer. There is limited space and pre-registration is required. Tours take approximately two hours.
Where: Queen’s Lawn Cemetery, Grimsby
When: Saturday, August 7, 10:30am
For more information and to purchase tickets, please go to the museum’s Eventbrite page here.
Farmers’ Market at the Village
Running every Saturday morning from spring to fall, the farmers’ market at Garrison Village offers a variety of hyper-local foodstuffs, from fruits and vegetables, to eggs and cheese, to preserves of all types.
Where: Garrison Village, Niagara-on-the-Lake
When: Saturday, August 7, 8:00am-1:00pm
To check out the vendors, head to the market’s website here.
