> Santa rolls into Grimsby for annual parade this Saturday /Pg 23 > Grimsby choir: new name, same great sound Pg 5 > West Lincoln fips switch on “Shine” Pg 10 > Merry Hipkiss lights up Smithville Pg 18 Thursday, December 2, 2021 Vol. 10 Issue 29
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Niagara West print landscape continues to see more changes By Joanne McDonald NewsNow While NewsNow changed to Canada Post (CP) as its method for Niagara West distribution, its competitor in the market appears to have opted for a cut back on its circulation. With its Nov. 25 edition, NewsNow started using CP to cover all homes, businesses and apartments/condos in Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln pushing its number over 28,000. Meanwile, a notice had been isssued to some who inquired about receiving flyers only and no newspaper from Niagara this Week. Lloyd Haines of Jordan, for example, received an email in return noting his area had been cut off from the paper’s delivery. The email read, in part: “It appears your route is slated to receive flyers only, unfortunately,” stated a Metroland circulation representative. “Your home is included in an area determined to be less likely to consume our newspaper in the physical form. The areas reduced were done so through a data approach
of identifying specific pockets of homes that had a majority of residents less likely to consume printed copies. We know this is not a perfect science and will continue to gather accurate information.” Haines’ initial inquiry was out of concern regarding important public notices which municipalities publish for notice to its taxpayers. “Our NewsNow arrived in the mail yesterday,” said Haines on Friday, adding he had forwarded the information to town officials. “Absolutely brilliant solution – makes your paper a good read and available to all of West Niagara..” With NewsNow, the change to CP was out of necessity as its previous distributor - Deliveries Unlimited - went in a new direction. “We greatly appreciated the efforts of the whole Deliveries Unlimited team. The carriers did a great job for us. The best way I could describe it, we would have never left,” said NewsNow publisher Mike Williscraft. See CIRC, Page 3
Hometown hero
From emulating Grimsby Peach Kings as a youth, to hanging out in Coronation Park, to the National Hockey League, Kevin Bieksa’s love for Grimsby still runs deep. The hometown boy was front and centre for a puck dropping ceremony at Friday’s Peach Kings game to kick off Rogers Hometown Hockey weekend. Participating in the ceremony were (L to R) Emcee Nic Bayley, Bieksa with his nephew Blake and Rogers Hometown Hockey mascot, Hank. For more weekend coverage, please turn to Pages 12-13. Williscraft - Photo
Lincoln budget reflects needs: Timmers By Mike Williscraft NewsNow Lincoln council believes its 2.68 per cent budget increase approved last month was fiscally responsible, while serving the needs of taxpayers. Budget chair, Ward 4 Coun.
Lynn Timmers, said the 2022 budget came together smoothly thanks to a team effort by both Town staff and the public. “I would like to thank staff and fellow members of Council for making the budget process seamless. Special thanks
to members of the public who participated through our Speak Up Lincoln page and other public engagement opportunities to help us make decisions that reflect community needs,” said Timmers. See GREENLANE, Page 4