SUNDAY SUMMARY: Local news you may have missed this week

Editor's Note: Each week in this space we compile the most widely read stories from the past week.

Local Amnesty group invites letter-writers to help free prisoners

Amnesty drafts letters to authorities unjustly detaining people, and letters to the person unjustly detained or their family members. The group will meet at the community centre to sign letters Tuesday, and could use some help. Read about how easy it is to get involved.

Sing-along warmed hearts despite freezing temperature 

Cold afternoon didn't stop the crowd at the Wayside Chapel from enjoying the carol sing, led by Dianne Ticknor and Rick Meloen. Read about it here, 

Council determined to make up time on long-awaited Official Plan approvals

An updated Official Plan was completed and approved by the previous council, but not by the region. Councillors plan to have town approval on more revisions by October. Read the details here.

'A Christmas Carol' takes a local slant in Foster Festival presentation

Actor and playwright Jamie Williams has added William Hamilton Merritt, his wife Catharine and other local and Canadian references to the well-known Dickens story. Read Mike Balsom's review here.

Tractor Parade continues to grow

The popular parade has become a fundraiser for the Terry Fox Foundation, and will have so many entries this year some road closures along the route will be necessary. Learn the details here.

Kindergarten students present Alphabet fashion show

On Thursday morning, St Davids Public School kindergarten students entertained parents, guardians and families with their rendition of the Alphabet Song and an alphabet-related fashion show, complete with red carpet. See the photo gallery here.

Niagara Region still mum on how many Upper Canada Lodge residents are movinh to Fort Erie

Residents will move into the new $85 million, 160-bed long-term care facility Gilmore Lodge Dec. 18. Some will move from Upper Canada Lodge the day Gilmore opens, but the region isn't saying how man residents are left in UCL or how many are headed to Fort Erie. Read details here.