CCWN receives $20K grant for food for its clients

Food bank

Community Care of West Niagara has received $20,000 to help provide food to its clients from a Government of Canada fund. The funding is a grant via the Emergency Community Support Fund which supports qualified non-profit organizations working with vulnerable populations impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. It is administered by the Niagara Community Foundation. “CCWN is grateful … Read more

Lincoln’s online initiative garners award finalist status

Shop Lincoln

The Town of Lincoln’s online shopping initiative has been named a finalist for the 2020 Awards of Excellence through the Economic Developers Council of Ontario. The site Shoplincoln.ca was adapted to serve as a destination marketing tool encouraging both residents and visitors to engage with Lincoln’s businesses.  The online platform pivoted to become more tourism-focused … Read more

Niagara flower growers blooming with optimism into 2021 growing season after pandemic wilt

Flower growers

Growing flowers may not seem like tough business, but as many aspiring pandemic green thumbs can now likely attest, there’s more involved than simply adding a little water and sunlight.  As the coronavirus began stifling businesses back in March last year, Arie  Koole, owner of Creekside Greenhouses in Jordan Station, recalled it  being a time … Read more

Delayed arrival of migrant workers causing worry among some Niagara greenhouse growers

Migrant workers

New requirements of air travellers to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding a plane to Canada are proving to be a barrier for temporary foreign workers from Mexico. Announced Dec. 31, the Transport Canada regulations came into effect Jan. 7, leaving some Niagara greenhouse growers worried about if and when much … Read more

Grimsby’s Main Street businesses hope to bounce back in 2021

Station1 in Grimsby

There is no doubt that 2020 was a challenging year for Main Street businesses, and the storm is not over yet. As 2021 begins, and a provincewide lockdown continues, many local businesses in downtown Grimsby are looking at ways to weather the storm over the coming months, and find ways to get back on their … Read more

Niagara music scene hopes 2021 will end on a high note

Jazz singer Sammy Jackson

Sammy Jackson was hoping 2020 would be a year full of shows and festivals to promote the release of her sophomore EP. Instead, the music went quiet. Like many artists and musicians, the ongoing pandemic put a road block in front of Jackson’s career goals, but the St. Catharines-based jazz singer said she made the … Read more

Niagara’s municipal leaders call for increased municipal role in vaccine rollout

COVID-19 vaccine

Niagara’s mayors and the Regional Chair say the Region is at a critical point in the COVID-19 pandemic and they are calling on the provincial government to increase the role of municipalities in vaccine distribution. They also say that paramedics should be prioritized for access to vaccines. “With the significant increase of COVID-19 cases, an … Read more

School in-class shutdown extended for two more weeks for elementary students

Ford lockdown at Christmas

The Ford government has extended in-class school closures and the move to online learning only for elementary students until Jan 25. Students in the 27 Southern Ontario public health unit regions and extending the shutdown in Northern Ontario for another 14 days. The adjusment aligns schools with the shutdown period in Southern Ontario. “With the … Read more