Niagara residents experience some historic heat
Tuesday, May 25 will go down in history as temperatures hit 30°C, while feeling more like 35°C. The previous record was 27.7°C set in 1978.
NOTL’s Ryerson Park launches pilot program
After weeks of debate and delegations regarding issues in the Chautauqua area due to visitors at Ryerson Park, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has decided to launch a pilot project this summer.
This pilot project will increase enforcement of parking infractions by $150, limit parking to one side of designated streets, and determine further action needed to address residents’ concerns about traffic and speeding.
This will cost the town $31,500; however, the cost of fines will be used to assist in covering costs of enforcement. A long-term solution will be undertaken over the next six months.
Decew Falls Water Treatment Plant increases vegetative cover
The Niagara Region has partnered with Land Care Niagara to plant around 7,400 native tree seedlings. This project will help inform the development of Niagara Region’s Greening Initiative and is part of the new Niagara Official Plan’s Climate Change work program. This increase in vegetative cover is being funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The Twelve Mile Creek watershed, beside the Bruce Trail and Laura Secord Legacy Trail, and along the Niagara Escarpment, will all be planting sites for both deciduous and coniferous trees.
Blue Jays coming to Buffalo
Field renovations and stadium preparations are being hustled along as the Toronto Blue Jays get set to move into Buffalo’s Sahlen’s Field where they will play their 2021 home games for at least the month of June.
Some of the work being done includes a new foul pole, a new press box and improvements to the ticket offices and front gate. The first game in Buffalo will be played on June 1 against the Miami Marlins.
Fort Erie Racetrack announces new opening date
Fort Erie horse racing officials recently announced that their start date for the upcoming 124th season has been pushed back to Tuesday, June 15. Races will be held every Monday and Tuesday this year.
In the province’s recently released reopening roadmap, horse racing tracks can only open once Ontario has achieved a mark of 60 per cent of adults with a first dose vaccination. Toronto’s thoroughbred track Woodbine is set to open Friday, June 18 as long as the roadmap conditions are achieved.
G7 countries to discuss vaccine certificates
Bloomberg News recently reported that the Group of Seven (G7) nations will hold discussions in June on how to recognize COVID-19 vaccination certifications internationally. The goal is to support the creation of a global framework for mutual recognition of documents showing proof of inoculation.
The EU has already declared it is willing to allow American tourists into Europe this summer with proof of full vaccination. In addition, there has been an ongoing aggressive push by several U.S. Senators and Congressmen to institute a vaccination passport regime with Canada so that families on both sides of the border can be reunified, property owners can more easily visit their alternate homes, and commerce, especially tourism, can be more easily accommodated.
Niagara residents eager to get COVID-19 vaccination
Just over 51 per cent of Niagara residents have now received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with over 3 per cent of residents having a complete series.
As of Sunday, Ontario residents 12+ were eligible to book appointments to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Over 7,000 Niagara residents aged 12 to 17 have already booked their appointments.
More vaccination dates have also been added: June 6-8 in West Lincoln, and June 9-13 in Pelham.
COVID-19 weekly update
Daily number of new COVID cases continues to decline in Niagara. As of May 26, there were 40 new cases, 882 active cases, and 89 new resolved cases.
St. Catharines continues to have the most active cases with 336, while Niagara Falls and Welland follow with 207 and 84. All other municipalities have under 50 cases, with Wainfleet having only 7.
38 patients are hospitalized, with 19 of those individuals being cared for in the ICU.
