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Wednesday, April 22, 2026

The Lake Report: Check out our weekly print edition for Niagara-on-the-Lake here.

Former region CAO says Niagara could save $30 million with reform

Paige Seburn -
After his name surfaced in a heated February council debate, a Niagara-on-the-Lake resident and former top municipal staffer appeared at town hall Tuesday with a bold pitch.

‘My property becomes a lake’: NOTL weighs fixes for St. Davids flooding

Residents frustrated by years of flooding in St. Davids pressed staff and consultants at a public info session. One said he's spent $20,000 trying to manage flooding.
Paige Seburn -

NOTL to repay pickleball club after courts close, future still uncertain

Niagara-on-the-Lake will repay its pickleball club almost $14,000 after shutting down the Virgil Sports Park courts for the 2026 outdoor season.
Paige Seburn -

NOTL intervenes to stop illegal work on historic schoolhouse property

Niagara-on-the-Lake officials say more penalties may be next if the owner of the property on Niagara River Parkway doesn't comply with its orders.
Niagara Now -

Arch-i-text: Clear violation of heritage law at old schoolhouse

Brian Marshall -
"There are those who consider our built heritage just 'old stuff' which stands in the way of realizing new development and should be unapologetically demolished," writes Brian Marshall.

Have your say on the future of vacation rentals in NOTL

The town says the review will examine what is working well under the current system while also exploring possible changes to licensing.
Niagara Now -

Sisters show off their renovation skills in reality TV competition

Sisters Marcy and Melissa Mussari put their building and designing prowess to the test as contestants on the new season of Home Network's "Renovation Resort."
Zahraa Hmood -

Niagara Pumphouse receives $125K donation from Hummel family

The Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre has received a $125,000 donation from the Hummel family, to be paid over five years for the centre's art programs.
Niagara Now -

NOTL rejects proposal on specialty crop land, asks: “Why here?”

Paige Seburn - 0
Niagara-on-the-Lake had a blunt message Tuesday about a proposed farm market and storage hub on protected specialty crop land in St. Davids: It doesn't belong there.

First national Karen Gansel short fiction award held in NOTL

Niagara-on-the-Lake added a new chapter to its arts scene Sunday as writers from across Canada competed in the first Karen Gansel Short Fiction Award, a national contest created to honour a longtime advocate for Canadian authors.
Read more ...

News

‘They’re not grandma quilts’: Textile artist captivates art lovers during weekend Pottery Trail

Andrew Hawlitzky - 0
A three-studio pottery trail exceeded expectations in Niagara-on-the-Lake this weekend, pushing rare off-season traffic through Queenston Pottery and giving local arts businesses a boost before the summer tourist season.
Read more ...

News

Heartland Forest lands $20K donation from 100+ Women Who Care NOTL

Paige Seburn - 0
A Niagara non-profit and nature preserve walked away with $20,400 after 153 women gathered at Queen’s Landing for the latest 100+ Women Who Care Niagara-on-the-Lake meeting.
Read more ...

Local

Opinion: A shared opportunity for 176 Wellington St.

"There are important moments when a community must decide not only what to build, but how — and with whom. Niagara-on-the-Lake is in one of those moments," writes Susan St Amand.

NOTL backs outdoor event space at Konzelmann — but no events yet, staff say

The winery is one step closer to legally hosting outdoor events in Niagara-on-the-Lake — but for now, they remain off-limits as approvals are still required following a court ruling earlier this year.

Shaw Shivaree marks 30 swinging years with big band and volunteer-led fundraiser

Keep the cymbal splashy, take the bass line for a walk: that was the mood at the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre last Saturday night, but behind the brass and cocktails, volunteers carried on a 30-year tradition of supporting the Shaw Festival.

Province offers little explanation for not OK’ing Niagara-on-the-Lake’s council cut

Ford's government hasn't formally told the town it won't allow a reduction — but the Municipal Affairs Minister indicated to town officials that its request to cut down council will not proceed for the 2026 election.

Entertainment

A blooming good time: Flower festival returning to Niagara-on-the-Lake in May

Running May 8 to 11, the festival will transform Old Town into a flower-filled showcase, with organizers promising expanded installations and new events for this year.

Board game nights aim to keep seniors’ minds sharp

From chess and cards to cribbage, Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit, participants can take part in a whole host of board gaming. The sessions will run Monday and Friday afternoons starting April 17.

Opinion

Opinion: Humans vs. canines: Who domesticated whom?

"The most dangerous species on Earth was not conquered. It was befriended, one household at a time, by a creature sometimes small enough to fit in your arms and wise enough to require your best self," writes Keith McNenly.

Fort Mississauga to open for tours in May, June

"Fort Mississauga stands as a tower of strength on Lake Ontario. Built just after the War of 1812, this unique site reflects 150 years of British and Canadian military activity," writes Tony Chisholm.

The Turner Report: Massacre on Mississagua

"Why do people flock here to visit? To live in this bucolic burg? For the quiet, the history, the architecture, the streetscapes, the geography — and the green above us," writes Garth Turner.

Entertainment

Comic Jeff Paul returns home to film first standup special

The Niagara-on-the-Lake native is set to record his first standup comedy special and second album at Navy Hall on April 11, marking what he calls a milestone moment in a career more than a decade in the making.

Events

Today

News

NOTL finishes long-awaited official plan, sends it to province for final say

A plan meant to shape Niagara-on-the-Lake for the next 25 years is about ready to be sent off to the province for final approval — after almost a decade of work and one last change.

Local

Niagara-on-the-Lake approves seven-storey hotel, restaurant despite parking concerns

Council OK'ed plans for a 227-room hotel and a restaurant next to two existing hotels in the Glendale area. The development includes 273 parking spaces — a number some councillors thought was too low.

Bringing generations together: Daycare approved for Pleasant Manor

A daycare for up to 96 children is moving ahead at Radiant Care Pleasant Manor after Niagara-on-the-Lake council approved a zoning change Tuesday, bringing the town's younger and older residents together under one roof. 

Back on the course: NOTL Chamber revives annual golf tournament

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce is bringing back one of its signature events this summer, with its annual golf tournament set to return after a hiatus.

News

Sold-out sake tasting shows strong demand for annual Niagara festival

Andrew Hawlitzky - 0
A first-of-its-kind sake tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake sold out within hours, but early crowding meant some guests had to head home with an empty cup, leading Sake Journey Niagara to plan for a larger venue.
Read more ...

Ravine Winery raises money for animal rescue group facing capacity crunch

0
The evening gave the animal rescue group a public stage in St. Davids for staff who warned that rising costs and crowded shelters are straining animal care across the region.

Historian to spotlight ‘forgotten squadron’ in War of 1812 talk

0
The talk, set for April 16 at 7:30 p.m., will explore the naval clashes that unfolded on Lake Ontario, including a fierce shipbuilding race between British and American fleets.

Man dead in head-on crash on Niagara Stone Road

0
The crash involved two vehicles — one SUV and one cube van or panel truck. One driver was pronounced dead at the scene while the other was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Who pays? NOTL hospital site vision sparks backlash from local developer, resident

A proposal to turn Niagara-on-the-Lake’s former hospital site into a community hub is drawing questions about cost and what one prominent developer describes as a lack of detailled financial information.

Province plans to cut Niagara region council down to just elected mayors

Ontario’s proposed Better Regional Governance Act could cut down the town’s representation at the Niagara Region council table to one person from two.

Province declines NOTL seat-cut proposal, council split on whether move was ‘premature’

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s push to cut two council seats ahead of the 2026 election has been rejected by the province, leaving councillors divided over whether the move was rushed or needed.

Virgil student wins big at Niagara science fair for microplastics research

For Sophie Clattenburg, a Grade 8 student from Virgil with a passion for chemistry, microplastics are a topic of great interest to her: "They're ubiquitous."

Veteran documentarian turns to memoir after decades behind the camera

Shelley Saywell, considered one of Canada’s foremost documentary filmmakers, is the author of a recently published best-selling memoir, "If Only Love: A Memoir of Second Chances."

Kinsmen Club celebrates an egg-cellent turnout at annual Easter event

It took just minutes for 8,000 chocolate eggs to vanish — scooped up by a sea of excited children who fanned out across the Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre in a spring tradition nearly 50 years in the making.

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