NewsNow E-Edition March 19 2026

BUY CANADIAN

Proudly serving Grimsby, Lincoln, West Lincoln & Winona

Movement on Grimsby GO expected in 2026

With reset of station footprint, proponents now hope to see action

By Mike Williscraft NewsNow

A full reset of the station design, negotiations with CN Rail and ongoing advocacy on major components over the last 10 years have all been part of the delays in progression on Grimsby’s planned GO Transit station, says Matt Robinson, Niagara Region director of partnerships and communications.

Shine On ready for Round 2

The Shine On online auction is ready to launch on March 29 and will run until April 16 in support of McNally House Hospice and West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation. The first phase was highly successful raising $200,000. Here, Harmony owner Kevin Luttjehuizen and and his daughter Kaitlyn display some of the available items.

For more information, check: https://harmonyjewellers. ca/pages/shineon

Robinson provided Grimsby council with an updated report on the status of the GO project, which got a major shot in the arm on March 6 with the announcement that a Notice of Commencement (NoC) has been issued for the planning process. This marks the start of a formal provincial review process that will study the project, gather community input, and as-

sess potential environmental considerations.

At the March 9 council session, Robinson said he was not representing key partner Metrolinx or there to speak to the NoC process, but he noted his excitement to see it roll out.

“I’m not here to speak to the opening of the transit and rail assessment process. Metrolinx is go-

ing to launch into that next week, but I will say that that is a direct output from our most recent advocacy work,” said Robinson.

“Another part of the advocacy work was establishing a ‘Niagara Line’ solution. Instead of a lakeshore west extension, how do we use the boundaries of Niagara Region and start to position the service

See GRIMSBY GO, Page 3

Resignation by Gale leaves governance review in limbo

By Mike Williscraft NewsNow

Reg. Chair Bob Gale issued an abrupt resignation to Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Robert Flack last Wednesday (March 11) after it was alleged he owns a copy of Mein Kampf signed by Adolf Hitler.

Lincoln Reg. Coun. Rob Foster has taken over the position on an interim basis for the month of March.

In a release which came out just after noon that day, by Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association’s (NRARA), Saleh Waziruddin said Gale owed “a public explanation

GRIMSBY GO

From Page 1

of the four stations that we have here, really, for the government to see the value that Niagara is to the GO network.”

The importance of the Province buying into the value of GO in Niagara, Robinson explained, is the strategic goal of having the government invest further by buying the “Grimsby Subdivision” - the alternative to opting for rail track upgrades, which includes long lead times for infrastructure upgrades.

“By buying the Grimsby subdivision, which is the rail network name for the Niagara track, we can increase the service immediately to nine daily round-trips,” Robinson said.

“Establishing the station, in parallel with that bump in service that would be realized by corridor ownership, there really is a fantastic synergy that is just around the corner. We believe, the Region believes the corridor ownership is the best way to get those service increases as quickly as possible.”

He cited the benefits of corridor ownership as:

• As an asset of the Province, improvements can be done more quickly and efficiently;

• more trains can be added and immediately;

• full control of future expansion;

• ensures continued freight rail access.

Speed and flexibility to execute decisions are both major components of GO proponent’s goal for the Niagara Line.

“It’s clear, that securing two-way, all-day service between Niagara Falls and Union Station – with stops in Grimsby, Lincoln and St. Catharines – is our goal,” said Robinson.

“Our goal is to decrease our travel times between here and Union Station. We want to increase that service frequency, whether incrementally – on our path to 18 trips in each direction.”

Concern about trip times from Niagara Falls to Union Station was a major reason Lincoln was initially left out of plans for GO train stations.

With plans now set and goals established, Robinson said there will be a big push to see movement roll out this year.

“There are a lot of transportation network improvements that are planned in and around that space from the North Service Road, including the interchange reconfiguration, Casablanca Boulevard and Livingston Avenue; a lot of network capacity enhancing and station enabling works,” he said.

“We are working with MTO (Ministry of Transportation) on approvals and we are aggressively pursu-

ing a 2026 schedule here to really see these road network improvements come to pass.”

While Robinson noted issues with CN Rail over “preferred operational improvements” and hydro corridor limitations as stumbling blocks at times, he noted a major change in design from the initially approved 2011 station footprint as most significant.

“You saw the horizontal view of the original 2011 environmental assessment footprint and, over time, with a number of these constraints identified, it really did change the footprint that we were looking at and with changes legislatively to the Environmental Assessment Act, it did require us now to undertake the advance required studies in order to make the legislation in line with the current state of a southonly footprint,” said Robinson.

With the reset now done, he is looking to move ahead with next steps, which he outlined as:

• Continued work on advocacy and aligning with Town staff;

• Complete Transit and Rail Project Assessment Process (TRPAP);

• EA Notice of Commencement which rolled out March 6, and;

• Online Public Information Centre which opened March 11 and runs for two weeks.

The goal now?

“Day 1 activity would include a bus loop, park ‘n’ ride, parking, platform – all of those elements which are essential to stopping a train and this was all part of where and when the Region initially purchased that property back in 2015,” said Robinson.

Festive Easter Flavours

RESIGN

From Page 1 and apology.”

“The NRARA received documentation from someone concerned that Niagara’s highest municipal elected official owns a copy of such well-known antisemitic literature, with the authenticated signature of the genocidal fascist dictator responsible for the holocaust and World War II. The signed book was bought through auction in 2010 and both the book and signature were authenticated in 2018 in a report issued under the authority of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America,” said Waziruddin.

Later in the day, Gale resigned.

“As everyone knows, I am a passionate historian with a broad collection of historical art and artifacts. My collection includes an 1859 letter from anti-slavery advocate John Brown, a letter from George Washington, a letter from Winston Churchill and Vatican archives. I also have a signed copy of the first book in

1685 about Niagara Falls by Father Hennepin.,” wrote Gale.

Despite portraying the item in question as “a historical book found in many libraries”, Gale stepped aside.

“Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my position as Regional Chair of the Niagara Region, effective immediately,” Gale wrote to Flack.

“The Churchill piece in my collection states the following: Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. I hope that you will continue this path in support of taxpayers.”

Gale came under heavy scrutiny from regional and local municipal councils for pushing a regional governance plan with no data or public input behind it. Regional council approved a directive for Gale to halt his governance plan immediately, but he persisted before meeting minutes were ratified at the next council session.

As well, a meeting of eight Ni-

agara mayors generated a March 3 letter to Flack outlining their own vision for a governance review, then Gale issued a competing document the next day.

Despite his resignation, Gale said the governance review should proceed.

“This work is bigger than any one person, including me. This is about making the changes for the people of Niagara who desperately need and deserve change,” Gale said.

In an interview Monday, Foster - who noted he has become acting Regional Chair due to an existing regional bylaw - agreed.

“I sent out a letter to all of council last week, which read: In my brief time this moment as acting chair, our focus will be on addressing the core council and committee business we were elected to oversee. We still have plenty of time left in this council term and we have lots of work left to do’,” said Foster.

Gale was named as regional chair by Flack on Dec. 18, 2025.

Grimsby IC complaint

Baradziej’s pay suspended 15 days

By Mike Williscraft For NewsNow

After a process some around the table called “embarrassing” to council, Coun. Jacob Baradziej was given a 15-day pay suspension resulting from an Integrity Commissioner (IC) complaint regarding a lengthy list of attendance issues.

Coun. Veronica Charrois opened the debate on the matter with a lengthy prepared speech in which she cited many complaints about IC Michael Maynard’s handling of some of the six such cases filed against her this term.

Charrois tabled a motion for council to levy

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a 90-day pay suspension for Baradziej, who was facing his first IC complaint. Maynard’s recommendation was for a reprimand or 15day pay suspension with any penalty being at council’s discretion.

“Coun. Baradziej, however, seems to be getting off with a slap on the wrist for on-going, inappropriate, flagrant behaviour over the course of a year and it seems it’s still continued,” Charrois said, waving her hand in the direction of Baradziej who was seated on her left,” said Charrois.

“This report will serve as a useful example of inconsistency in Integrity Commissioner processes and investigations. Without consistent procedures and basic safeguards for procedural fairness, credibility is undermined and inconsistent standards and outcomes result.”

Coun. Reg Freak said Charrois’s plan to “tar and feather” Baradziej was overkill.”

“I do believe that there is certainly an aspect of personal vendetta here somewhere,” said Freake.

“It doesn’t show a very good look for this council that’s all I can say. Publicly, we look like a bunch of idiots. This should have been handled in-house and I think we tried to handle it in-house and it just got off the table

See COMPLAINT, Page 8

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COMPLAINT

From Page 6 and got to this,” said Freake.

“Coun. Baradziej served on a number of committees with me and I never had an issue

with him. There were times he did not show, but he always did tell me he was not coming – maybe last minute sometimes, but he did tell me. As for the others, I don’t know.”

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Baradziej said the core issues centred on a lack of communication in a situation brought on by a family crisis.

While sympathetic, Coun. Jennifer Korstan-

je spoke in favour the 90-day pay suspension, a point Coun. Lianne Vardy found peculiar.

“In this case, Coun. Baradziej was paid by the taxpayer for

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a quarter of a year he did not work and so, as much as I don’t like reprimanding with pay, in this case, you didn’t work. You didn’t earn that pay. It shouldn’t take a year to be accountable,” said Korstanje.

Her stance on a pay suspension was decidedly different than when Charrois faced many of the complaints levelled against her - a point not lost on Vardy.

“This does feel very personal and I am sad I am wasting our time with all of this and I am surprised at Coun. Korstanje because of the six times that IC complaints were raised against a colleague she kept suggesting training is needed, training is needed, training is needed. Yet, for Coun. Baradziej, where’s the

Public Information Centre

Regional Governance Discussion

“Maybe we should take a page from your earlier book and recommend some kind of training. This is the first IC complaint against Coun. Baradziej. Where perhaps other councillors think that they’ve not been dealt with fairly have received more than one IC complaint. We always weave in progressive punishment, so this is the first one. I’m inclined to suggest training and a reprimand.”

Most councillors spoke to the 90-day being too punitive, so Charrois amended her motion to 15 days, which was approved 6-2 with Vardy and Freake opposing. Baradziej had declared a conflict and did not vote.

Residents of Grimsby are invited to attend a Public Information Centre (PIC) to learn more about ongoing governance discussion in Niagara.

Drop in to review information, ask questions, and learn how to share your input.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

West Lincoln facilitates public feedback on governance review in Niagara

The Township of West Lincoln is inviting residents to share their thoughts on governance in Niagara Region.

Whether you are in support of or opposed to potential changes, your perspective matters.

Public Meeting

Wednesday, March 25, 5 p.m.

Township Administration Council Chambers

318 Canborough Street, Smithville

Attendees will have the opportunity to speak for up to five minutes. The meeting will be live streamed through the Township YouTube.

Written Comments

West Lincoln residents can also email governance@westlincoln.ca to provide written comments. Written feedback will be collected and consolidated into a report for review and analysis and may be shared with the Province.

Relevant information about Governance Review is being posted on the Township website at www.westlincoln.ca/governance-review.

Questions regarding public meeting procedures may be directed to Justin Paylove, Manager of Legislative Services/Clerk at jpaylove@westlincoln.ca.

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Sixth suspect charged in Sept. 25 Grimsby shooting

Another man - now added to the five already facing a series of charges - has been arrested in connection with a Sept. 24, 2025 shooting in Grimsby.

The shooting occurred in the parking lot of Andrew Peller Ltd on the South Service Road in Grimsby’s west end.

A 27-year-old Thor-

old man now faces charges of:

• Conspiracy to commit and indictable offence

• Aggravated assault

• Careless use of a firearm

• Discharging a firearm with intent to wound

• Pointing a firearm

• Carrying a concealed weapon

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle.

To date, Niagara Regional Police have laid a total of 128 charges under the Criminal Code in relation to the shooting investigation.

Anyone with information related to this incident can call 905688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009747.

Get ’em while they’re hot!

Thanks to a great response! NewsNow has not skipped a beat to deliver for our community.

Our carriers go door-to-door in Grimsby, Beamsville, Vineland, Jordan & Smithville.

There are just a few routes vacant, so if you happened to miss your copy - or if you live in a rural area - we have planned a large list of helpful outlets to allow for quick and convenient pick ups.

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NOTL mayor says use of his name was never given for Gale letter

By Mike Williscraft For NewsNow

Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa said via a spokesman this week he never agreed to allow use of his name on a regional governance letter submitted to the Minister of Municipal Affair and Housing, Robert Flack.

The letter, submitted by former Reg. Chair Bob Gale, outlined a plan for weighted

voting at the regional council table, removal of regional councillor positions and a major realignment of services to lower-tier municipalities.

The letter included names of seven of Niagara’s 12 mayors with populations represented equalling just under 75 per cent of the region’s total - both were demands by Premier Doug Ford in terms of making a made-in-

Niagara solution viable.

While Zalepa acknowledged, “I did not see the letter prior to it being sent, nor did I sign it,” last week, via email, Marah Minor, NOTL’s corporate communications lead, clarified information provided for last week’s NewsNow story.

“It says the Lord Mayor signed the letter without first seeing it, which is incorrect. The Lord Mayor did not

sign anything and was not asked to have his name on the letter,” wrote Minor in a series of emails.

“The Lord Mayor was not asked to sign any letter, was not informed that a letter was being prepared, and was not provided with one.”

When asked if Zalepa did not give permission of use of his name at all, Minor said, “That is correct.”

With removal of Zalepa’s

name from consideration, neither of Ford’s two pillars of governance change are removed with neither a majority of mayors in favour or 75 per cent of the population represented.

A letter signed and submitted by eight of Niagara’s mayors supporting a wellplanned governance process now appears to be the document of record in this process.

GBF Community Services’ Easter Program

Great live music will be the heart of Grimsby Pipe Band’s annual Celtic Night - set for Saturday, April 26.

Performers will include John Prince and a Piece of the Rock, known for their engaging Celtic-inspired sound; Godon Scotia Ceilidh Band, whose toe-tapping tunes promise to get the crowd moving, and a DJ. Tickets are $35 each with a light roast beef luncheon served, silent auction, draws and more will be part of the fun at Mountain Ridge Community Centre. Call Ken Nielson at 905-730-5471 for tickets.

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Small steps to extend a car’s life expectancy

According to S&P Global Mobility, the average age of a vehicle on the road hit a record high of 12.8 years in 2025.

Although major mechanical failures concern drivers of older vehicles, it’s actually much smaller things that can affect vehicle longevity. There are small actions anyone can take to significantly extend a car’s life.

• Use caution on cold starts. When a vehicle sits, oil settles at the bottom of the engine. To help combat damage that can occur, drivers can wait about

30 seconds before shifting into gear, as this will allow the oil pump to circulate the lubricant to the upper valve train and help prevent extra wear on the engine. Modern fuel-injected engines warm up faster and more safely by being driven gently rather than sitting still, so it’s not necessary to idle for a long while with the vehicle in the driveway. In fact, long idles actually can strip away oil.

• Treat fluids wisely. According to EngineeringCivil. org, checking and replacing fluids is

cheaper than replacing hardware. Recent data suggests that consistent oil changes can add between 50,000 and 100,000 miles to an engine’s lifespan. It’s important to follow a vehicle’s manual for time-based intervals for fluid replacement, rather than just going by mileage.

• Drive faster on occasion. Oil will never get hot enough to evaporate internal condensation for those who primarily drive short distances under 10 miles. Once every few weeks, it’s important for drivers to drive at least 20 minutes at highway speeds to help get rid of contaminants.

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Why it’s important to wash your car

Drivers may see a car wash as a way to make their car look good, and that’s not untrue.

An effective car wash can give a car a look that mirrors how the vehicle appeared the moment it was driven off the lot. But an effective wash is more than just cosmetic.

According to Consumer Reports, a thorough car wash removes grit and residue, thus protecting the car’s paint job and reducing the likelihood of corrosion.

Though late model vehicles aren’t as susceptible to rust, fading and peeling as cars made decades ago, they still need a thorough and routine wash to remove dirt, grime

and bird droppings that, over time, can adversely affect the paint job and, if left unchecked, eat away at the metal.

Another benefit to routine car washes is they can prevent damage related to seasonal issues. Snowfall is common so residents will routinely drive on roads that have been salted. De-icing the roads makes driving safer, but salt can accumulate on the undercarriage of the vehicle and contribute to corrosion.

Winter may not be a time many drivers visit the car wash, but it’s important to do so after snow has melted and salt on the roadways has

Yes. By law, as the owner of the vehicle damaged in an accident, you have the right to choose the shop to repair your vehicle.

been washed away by rain.

Most car washes now offer high-pressure undercarriage treatments that can wash off salt and prevent corrosion and the formation of rust.

But it’s not just the exterior of the car that can benefit from routine washing. When taking their cars to get washed, many motorists pay a little extra to have their vehicle interiors cleaned. Sometimes referred to as “interior detailing,” cleaning the cabin of the car helps to maintain the interior so it looks new longer. Routine interior cleaning also can remove dust and other particles that can serve as irritants if allowed to build up over time.

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No. Select your repair facility that you feel comfortable with, and then notify your insurance company to make arrangements to inspect the damage.

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OBITUARIES

melnyck, Dr. Jack Borris

Uxbridge, ON - Dr. Jack Borris Melnyck passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Oak Ridges Hospice in Port Perry.

Born on October 11, 1943, in St. Catharines, ON, Jack was charismatic, outgoing and truly larger than life. He was a fixture in the town of Grimsby where he lived and worked as a dentist for 49 years.

He attended dental school at the University of Toronto and built multiple practices over the years. He was loved by patients and staff alike for his magnetic personality and witty sense of humour. Many knew him as a true “Jack of all trades,” always building or fixing something. He also served his community as a coach and member of the Grimsby Lions Club.

Jack loved sports and cheered faithfully for the Miami Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens, LA Dodgers and Cleveland Browns. He also travelled the world and was adored by the many dogs he owned. But most of all, he will be remembered as a proud father and a great story teller.

He was predeceased by his parents, Nicholas and Anne Melnyck and survived by his brother, Nelson (Bev), along with his three beloved children, Rick, Marla (Andy), and Laura (Tim). He will be sadly missed by his three grandchildren, Matthew, Brooke and Olivia, along with many dear friends. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Visit Low & Low Funeral Homes - Uxbridge Chapel to see the obituary, events and guestbook.

McMASTER, Donald (Donny)

November 29, 1945March 11, 2025

In loving memory of a dear husband, father, grandfather, and cherished friend.

One year has passed and you remain forever in our hearts, always remembered for your warm smile, humor, kindness, generosity, and love. You are deeply missed.

Andree & Family

McLennan, Mona Katherine (nee Chapman)

Mona passed away in her home on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, as was her wish, in her 97th year. Beloved wife of the late Dr. D.W. (Bill) McLennan (2016) whom she has missed every day of the last 10 years. Proud mother to Sara Ruth, Julia Marie, and John Stanley Chapman (Samantha). Fascinated grandmother to Desta Simone, Noelle Sarah, Natalie Marie, Sydney Rey, Colin James, and Marcella Reese. Survived by her sisters Ruth Syme and Marg Chapman. Predeceased by her parents Stanley Chapman and Ellen Cameron, and her siblings June Webel, Jane Crow, Brock Chapman, and Don Chapman.

Mona was born and raised in Chatham, Ontario and then ventured off to Queen’s University (Arts ’54) in Kingston of which she spoke fondly until her passing day. There she met her husband Bill. After finishing her degree, Mona moved to Toronto and worked at the CBC and as an elementary school teacher prior to her marriage. Mona and Bill married in 1957 and eventually settled in Winona prior to finding their much loved home on Main Street East in Grimsby, where they enjoyed their lives and family for over 60 years. Mona had many interests including tennis, gardening, weaving, rug hooking, antiquing, and a string of cherished cats. She was a great admirer of Queen Elizabeth II and shared her traits of a sharp mind, a stoic nature, and a sense of duty and decorum to the end. What she enjoyed most in the past 10 years was sitting on the front porch in the sun “watching the world go by.” Special thanks to all the walkers who made this pastime interesting for her.

The family also wishes to thank Dr. Marc Ysselstein and staff at Grimsby Family Medical Centre along with many health care professionals who attended to Mona at her house.

Mona will be cremated and a family gathering will take place on the grounds of her home in the summer, her favourite season. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Arrangements entrusted to STONEHOUSEWHITCOMB FUNERAL HOME, GRIMSBY, 905945-2755.

www.smithsfh.com

mcintee, Harry Robert John 1941 - 2026

Harry passed away peacefully at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in his 85th year.

He will be deeply missed by his devoted wife of 58 years, Wendy, and his loving son Michael (Susanne). Harry will also be reunited with his beloved son Mark, who predeceased him. Harry is survived by his brother Bruce and was predeceased by his sisters, Peggy and Diane.

Loving grandfather to Mikaela (Richard), Jessica (Alex), Leah, Mathew, and Liam, and greatgrandfather to Arlynn and Isla.

He will also be fondly remembered for his daily coffee visits with Bobby and Mary Jane, Carol, Bill and Sharon. Harry will be missed by his extended family, friends, and neighbours.

A sincere and heartfelt thank you to the dedicated staff on C-Ward at WLMH for their compassionate care.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 18 at Merritt Funeral Home, Smithville, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held the following day, March 19, at the funeral home starting at 11:00 a.m. Burial at Lane’s Cemetery will follow the funeral.

If desired, memorial donations to the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family and can be made by contacting the funeral home at (905) 957-7031.

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OBITUARIEs

Hendriks, Andrew Joseph

April 3, 1933- March 12, 2026

Peacefully, with his wife and children by his side, Andrew Joseph Hendriks Sr. has been called into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father in his 93rd year. Andrew leaves behind the love of his life, Helen, with whom he shared more than 65 glorious years. They were blessed with four loving children: Rick (Brenda) Hendriks, Helen (Craig) Luey, The late †Dennis Hendriks (October 07, 2022) and Andrew Jr.(Laura) Hendriks/Martindale. Blessed with 18 grandchildren and 6 greatgrandchildren. Andrew also leaves behind a very large extended family of siblings, nieces and nephews along with many de Koning nieces and nephews in Holland.

Andrew, at the age of 17, immigrated from Holland in March of 1951 along with his parents and 10 siblings. After working the first season at Schenck fruit farm the family eventually bought a fruit farm of their own in Beamsville in 1953, which is present-day Hendriks Greenhouses. Early years included many jobs from setting up bowling pins and making donuts to welding at Port Weller Dry Docks and International Harvester in Hamilton. Andrew worked nine years of shift work at General Motors while working the family farm before he and his wife, Helen, bought the farm from his parents in 1967. Eventually working side by side with all four children in the business. This was a great source of pride and joy for him and Helen. This new family venture took on many facets over the years, transitioning from fruit and vegetables in the early years to flowers and foliage midway through the 70s. It wasn’t always easy but Andrew wasn’t really looking for easy. He cherished the farm and all of the challenges and successes working as a family would bring. A good balance of hard work and perseverance mixed with the joy and laughter that filled his years at the greenhouse. Andrew had a mischievous sense of humor and it made working side by side with him a true adventure. Eventually all the hard work gave way to stained-glass crafts—his beloved hobby house—and volunteering during his golden years. The father of a special needs son brought out the best in Andrew. He volunteered for many things, including being one of the founding fathers of Arc Industries now known as Community Living Lincoln. The Catholic Church played a big role in Andrew’s everyday life. Attending daily mass at St. Helens was a great source of peace and joy for him. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph’s Choir, and St. Helen’s finance committee, among others. Andrew had a deep appreciation for nature and the great outdoors. Family Camping and canoe trips were a big part of his summers well into his retirement years. His generosity and humility were his hallmark qualities. A genuine interest in the well being of others was evident in every interaction with him. Andrew and his wife Helen took to bringing the gospel to all those they could reach very seriously. For 25 years they would faithfully supply and deliver individual daily prayer books to a multitude of schools, senior care centers, hospitals and jails throughout Niagara and Hamilton region on a monthly basis. His physical strength was undeniable and he relished letting his nephews and eventual grandkids feel the wrath of his crushing world famous handshakes! But as impressive as his physical strength was it was unmatched by his strength of character. His generosity, humility and love for neighbor will certainly be his legacy. “Well done good and faithful servant”

A special thank you to all of the caring compassionate staff at the Vineland United Mennonite Home.

Visitation took place on Monday, March 16th, 2026 at Tallman Funeral Homes (3277 King St. Vineland) from 3:00pm - 5:00pm & 6:30pm - 8:00pm, With a Prayer Vigil that took place at 6:30pm.

Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 at St. Helen Roman Catholic Church (4106 Mountain St, Beamsville) it began at 11:00am. Rite of Committal took place at Grimsby Mountain Cemetery (59 Elm Tree Rd E, Grimsby) following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers donations to St. Helen Roman Catholic Church Building Fund, Wells of Hope or Vineland United Mennonite Home.

Online condolences at www.tallmanfuneralhomes.ca

LOsT & FOUnD

loSt car keyS with a white fish keychain. Call Catherine at the Newsnow office if found 289-235-9500

BOOKKEEPInG

part-tiMe bookkeeper reQuireD - Experienced bookkeeper sought for a local church. Looking for a motivated, detail-oriented individual with good communication skills to join our team. An ability to work and meet deadlines independently is necessary. 20-24 hours per month. Duties include: accounts payable, recording receivables, payroll using ADP, accrual accounting and submission of applicable government reports and forms. Proficiency using QuickBooks or other accounting software is required. Please send your resume and references to info@forestviewcommunitychurch.ca

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

Struggling with hurtS, hang-upS or habitS? “Celebrate Recovery (CR)” 12 step Christian Recovery for Healing, Help and Hope. ALL WELCOME! Wednesdays at 7 pm. Forestview Community Church, 132 Lake St, Grimsby. For info. or help, CR@forestviewcommunitychurch.ca 905945-9529

hEALTh & wELLnEss

Feel better, look better, live better. I share wellness solutions, premium products, and a flexible Arbonne business. Learn more: website: celestinalacivita.arbonne.com Email: celestina.lacivita@gmail.com

MaSonry chimney & porch repairs, interlock restorations, parging call: 905-512-9565 info@greyrockmasonry.com

Me anD My wiFe painting. We paint your home like it’s our home. Residential painting, door spraying, wall treatment, refinishing and painting household furniture. Specializing in small residential jobs. Call/ text Doug for a quote today at 905-979-2151.

Power Washing, Senior discounts. Serving all West Niagara. Call Angelo 289-439-1485

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Gutter Problems?

PAGE’S Home Improvements

Grimsby

HAT TRICK HOCKEY

Week 20 (Standing as of March 15th, 2026)

Be sure to look online at: wn3.ca to see the full standings, but here are some of the leaders and lucky random draw winners:

• $15 Gift Card, courtesy of Tim Hortons, Grimsby: Travis Fuchs

• $15 gift certificate courtesy of Jordan Flowers,Grimsby: Rita Gillard

• $15 Gift Card courtesy of Judge & Jester, Grimsby: Mike Hornung

• $15 Gift Card courtesy of Canadian Tire, Grimsby: Jay Fielding

• Large, 3-Item Pizza, Pick-Up Only, courtesy of Gino’s Pizza, Grimsby: Del Lipsitt

• $15 Gift Card courtesy of Memphis BBQ., Winona: Ron Halliday

• 2 Tickets to a Grimsby Peach Kings game, Grimsby: Eric “Tiggs” Smith Winners can stop by the NewsNow office to pick up their winnings

Officially

Top Standings

of

1. Zdriluk, Jacob 1339

2. Heinen, Eric 1312

3. Klages, Keith 1306

4. Heywood, Kevin 1306

5. Mous, Brent 1303

6. Stuive, Cindy 1299

7. Baer, David 1296

8. DeVries, Mark 1296

9. Dunda, Riley 1295

10. Campbell, Matt 1295

11. Kurpis, Steve 1293

12. Poz, Cindy 1292

13. Couch, Jesse 1292

14. McIntosh, Megan 1286

15. Johnson, Debbie 1286

16. Stephenson, Will 1284

17. Dearman, Travis 1282

18. VanderHeide, Clarence1279

19. Rohner, Griffin 1278

20. Hurtubise, Alison 1277

Region should look

“inward”:

letter writer

Dear Editor, First of all if anyone says amalgamation will cut taxes, that is the first big lie, history has shown that to be untrue but it almost always ends lowering local services and giving less local input.

Amalgamation in this case is about control and gaining access to local tax bases by the Region. The Ontario Government wants control over all of the province; the Premier is trying to micromanage all aspects. He is doing this in health care, trying to do this in land protection by consolidating conservation agencies while reducing local input, taking over school boards and considering eliminating local trustees.

It’s true we have lots of "politicians" in Niagara, but this allows diversity of input and ideas. I like having several persons representing our community of Grimsby and our local concerns, we are better for it. We may at times elect individuals whom we consider "idiots" but they are our idiots.

Despite what the province thinks, lots of representation is much better than little or no representation.

If we are amalgamated into the Region, we will be run by somebody elses "idiots" as St. Catharines and Niagara Falls will decide the priorities of our Town by the volume of their representatives. Now we will have few if any representatives to represent us and all our local concerns; and any we will have will want increased pay for what will be a full time job.

It has been stated that the current system is inefficient, maybe the problem is the Region not the local communities. None of the local communities have had those types of increases. Perhaps the Region should "heal thyself" before destroying the work of others.

Bill Thompson, Grimsby

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Gale’s out, so what now?

When you do this stuff for 40 years, there is not a lot which takes place which I have not seen before but, I must admit, I did not have Reg. Coun. Bob Gale resigning over a Hitler-signed book on my bingo card.

Nothing surprises, but that was odd to say the least.

Helpful carrier

Alert NewsNow carrier Jasmine Dinga helped avert sigificant water damage on Wade Road in Smithville last week through her quick action. Here is an account from her mom, Lori-Anne:

The construction crew had just cleaned up, and were heading out, but we saw a little fountain on a front yard. The homeowner came out to see what was going on, and we were all pretty sure that it was NOT something that was supposed to happen! She (the homeowner) got on the phone to call the company and Jasmine ran back to where we knew some of the workers were leaving. Jasmine got the attention of someone and told him about the leak. He waved his buddies back from their trucks. I managed to flag down another guy who was driving past. That water was definitely not supposed to be running! By the time we finished our papers, the street was almost entirely under water.

Without taking our collective eye off the ball and getting caught up in if Gale should have resigned over the matter - as a bonafide historian - or not, let’s look at the wake that is left.

Gale fired off that letter to the Province promoting a weighted voting system, restructured services and removing regional councillors from the picture. That was supposed to be a made-inNiagara proposition which covered two key bases Premier Doug Ford wanted to see if he was to consider any move, namely:

• 75 per cent of the population represented through support of municipalities, and;

• A majority of Niagara’s 12 mayors agreeing with the plan.

Gale’s letter met those criteria, it seemed, when submitted. Today, it does not.

In follow up communication with Niagara-on-theLake Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa’s office, it was confirmed Monday that, “The Lord Mayor did not sign anything and was not asked to have his name on the letter.”

Further, a NOTL communications staffer confirmed Zalepa did not even give permission to have his name included on Gale’s letter, let

alone not signing the document.

By losing even one signature, both of Ford’s key criteria are now not met.

On the face of it, that would seem to put the letter signed by eight mayors in Niagara - Thorold, West Lincoln, Port Colborne, Fort Erie, Grimsby, Pelham, NOTL, and Wainfleet - at the forefront of a progressive plan to move forward with major changes to the regional structure.

That said, there is no way to tell what the Province wants to do now in the wake of the Gale resignation and the uncertainty and lack of trust created with the process to date.

There was never any insight that I saw to explain or justify the speed with which the government wanted to move on the regional governance file. Sure, you could say it has hung around for decades, but that is no excuse to for stuffing an ill-planned result down the collective throats of Niagara residents.

Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail, the eight may-

ors’ letter will give a path to follow and and something that is effective and reflects the wishes of residents will come of it all in the end. * * * * * * *

Grimsby Council. Ugh....

The March 9 meeting was another beauty for all the wrong reasons.

There was a very important and informative update on Grimsby GO. The wonky factor comes in when you realize that presentation got as much time and attention as a silly administrative matter which was pushed into an Integrity Commissioner complaint which one councillor really, really wanted and enough councillors bought into it to make it happen because they don’t want to get in her way.

Yes, Coun. Jacob Baradziej had significant attendance issues which should have been much better communicated to the clerk and I would go so far as to say he did not go nearly far enough in admitting his culpability on the matter. He was straight up wrong, no matter the reason, and needs to do better. Period. Move on.

Watching Coun. Veronica Charrois - and to a lesser degree Coun. Jennifer Korstanje - rattle on to justify her push for a 90-day pay suspension for a first-time IC offence was laughable for all the wrong reasons.

At this point, all Grimsby residents can hope for is a much more positive result when the chips come down after this fall’s municipal election.

WLMH patient drop to ER entrance raises concerns

By Mike Williscraft NewsNow

A temporary logisitics issue with access to West Lincoln Memorial Hospital’s new emergency department access has raised concern for some residents.

“I wonder how many people realize that if you are going to the Emergency Department at the new WLMH that you need to walk quite a distance on a slight uphill grade,” said one resident who contacted NewsNow.

“This could be difficult for some people depending on their mobility at the time. The drop off / pick-up area can also be very congested.”

The area highlighted in pale green - the distance from the drop area to the ER entrance - has raised concern for some residents.

“legacy” building.

“Parking at the WLMH remains limited while we continue to update the hospital site. The Emergency Entrance is still the only way to access the building until the new WLMH main entrance is opened (projected for late Fall,” noted Stewart.

“There are spaces available to drop off and pick up patients located at the bottom of the walkway. If possible, please consider getting a ride to the hospital during this phase of our construction.”

To clarify the situation and provide what is planned as part of the newbuild process, Hamilton Health Sciences communications advisor Wendy Stewart provided some key information.

“Yes, this is the entrance for the time being. The main entrance will be opening later this year, along with expanded parking, once the

old building is down,” said Stewart.

The key to opening the new main entrance and establishing expanded parking capabilities is the demolition of the

Stewart noted that off-site parking for WLMH is available at 147 Main St. East – the former Cole’s Florist & Garden Centre.

“We thank everyone for their patience while this work is underway,” said Stewart.