ST. CATHARINES — Ed Smith said he's "absolutely happy" with a judge's decision awarding him 100 per cent of his legal costs accrued in defending himself in a defamation lawsuit.

After more than a year of discussion on developing a new code of conduct for regional councillors, they ultimately decided to stick with the one they have.

With a final nip here, and a tuck there, politicians were able to bring the 2018 Niagara Region budget in line with where they originally wanted it.

After cutting nearly half a per cent from next year's recommended 2.99 per cent tax hike, Niagara's budget committee members referred the Region's $1.1 billion 2018 budget back to staff to cut it even more.

Niagara Region's planning staff are busy, and they're poised to become even busier dealing with a record number of development applications having been received at the start of 2017.

Niagara Regional Police are a step closer to approval of a $143.5-million budget – as well as the construction of a new St. Catharines police detachment – despite remaining frustration about an arbitrated settlement for police officers.

Niagara Regional Police Association president Cliff Priest said officers are tired of being "made to be the bad guys" whenever Niagara budget discussions arise.

Bruce Timms , Honored to lay a wreath at the Merritton Cenotaph on behalf of Regional Municipality of Niagara, and to enjoy the hospitality of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 138

GRIMSBY — A long-term lease has been signed, volunteers are being mobilized and efforts are underway to bring back daily service to the information kiosk at the Niagara Gateway Centre.

Bruce speaks to the St.Catharines Rotary club about the opportunity in Change, the opportunity to build a strong Team of NIagara through the election of the St.Catharines Rotary club" by all the voters of Niagara from Fort Erie to Grimsby.