Public boat launch reopened yesterday in Port Colborne
Port Colborne’s public boat launch at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park reopened May 19, and it is the first of several outdoor facilities the city plans to reopen.
The launch is available for all seasonal boat launch pass holders, and those who purchase daily passes at the launch. Boat staff will be onsite from 6am to 4pm monitoring boating activity, answering questions, and directing boat launch and haul-out traffic.
Brock University creates Department of Engineering
Brock University celebrates a monumental development of creating a Department of Engineering. The first cohort of 100 Integrated Engineering students will be expected for the 2023-2024 academic year. Topics of study include big data, artificial intelligence, medical devices, sustainability and climate change, robot automation, manufacturing and transportation.
Until then, the University is launching a minor program in Engineering Science starting September 2021.
New bursary created by Niagara College and Education Foundation of Niagara
A new bursary with the Education Foundation of Niagara has been created for Niagara College’s School of Hospitality, Tourism, and Sport. These sectors have been greatly impacted by the global pandemic and those entering the industry must be able to hit the ground running.
Four students graduating in the 2021-2022 academic year will be awarded a $2,500 ‘Monday Morning Ready’ bursary. Students can get further information through their DSBN school guidance department.
Lincoln’s Charles Daley Park does not follow suit on restricting outsider access
Though many beaches in the Region have enforced parking permits for locals and paid parking for outsiders, Lincoln’s Charles Daley beach will not implement a paid parking program. The park is located on the North Service Road between Jordan Road and Seventh Street and is most frequented by locals.
There are security guards patrolling car traffic and the parking capacity of 300.
Ontario shifts vaccination strategy, Niagara can’t keep up
While Ontario receives exciting news that those 18+ can receive their COVID-19 vaccinations now, Niagara’s supply of vaccines will not be able to keep up with the demand. On Tuesday, there were 12,000 appointments available for the 128,000 individuals who became eligible.
New clinic dates have been added June 1-5 at the MacBain Community Centre in Niagara Falls, and for this month there is only appointment availability in Pelham, West Lincoln, and Port Colborne.
Niagara children and teens struggle with the mental health repercussions of COVID-19
About 70 per cent of school-aged children and many preschoolers in Niagara reported deteriorating mental health, from depression, to eating disorders, to constant fears of death and dying, due to the pandemic. Pathstone Mental Health has not been able to keep up with demand, as they now have a wait list of over 200 kids.
Children and teens are still developing cognitive and psychological skills that adults already have to cope with the impacts from the pandemic, leading them to be predominantly vulnerable and at higher risk of anxiety, depression, behavioral problems and PTSD.
Great Wolf Lodge to be the distribution site for Rapid COVID-19 testing kits throughout Niagara
Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls has partnered with the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) to provide Rapid COVID-19 testing kits free of charge to employers with essential employees. Appointments must be made by businesses to pick up the kits, and they must be ordered online at https://gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits/. Pick up is from 10am to 3pm Tuesday to Thursday.
COVID-19 Weekly Update
As of May 19, there are 1,247 active cases, 66 new cases, and 103 new resolved cases in the Niagara Region.
In St. Catharines there are 480 active cases, with Niagara Falls and Welland following with 241 and 145 cases. All other municipalities range from 34-63 active cases, except for Wainfleet, with only 14 cases.
There are 52 COVID-19 patients in Niagara’s hospitals, with 23 of those in the ICU.
235,000 COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered in Niagara.
