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Rewind: The top Niagara-on-the-Lake news stories this week

Niagara Now -
NOTL's planners and heritage committee voice concerns with Rand Estate hotel plans. The sweetness of summer continues with the annual Cherry Festival (peaches next, in August). And, advocacy group launches petition after hit-and-run death of farmworker.

Advocates launch petition after farmworker killed in NOTL hit-and-run

After the hit-and-run death of a seasonal farmworker in rural NOTL, an advocacy organization is calling for improved safety and support for workers, including better transportation and road improvements.
Niagara Now -

New Rand Estate hotel plan criticized by town’s planners

NOTL's municipal and heritage planners rejected Benny Marotta's previous development plans for the historic Rand Estate, and once again, they're not enamored with his latest proposal.
Zahraa Hmood -

Former NOTL administrator Marnie Cluckie joining Halifax as top bureaucrat

Marnie Cluckie, who served as chief administrative officer for NOTL for almost three years, is set to become the Halifax Regional Municipality's chief administrative officer starting Sept. 23. 
Niagara Now -

PHOTOS: St. Mark’s Cherry Festival celebrates another successful year

Maddy Gordon -
Hundreds lined up outside the church on Saturday afternoon to get their hands on one of the church's cherry pies, as well as quarts of fresh cherries, all in celebration of the summer's cherry season.

The Turner Report: Law & order — and Erwin Wiens

"His first cousin is a developer living in the biggest house in town. He leans right. He’s blunt. He was Grape King. Now he wants to be lord mayor," writes Garth Turner.
Garth Turner -

Editorial: Another tragedy on the roads of NOTL

"We’ve seen too many hit-and-run crashes around NOTL. We’ve seen too many instances where, day or night, drivers in a rush, or without thought, push the limits, sometimes with life-altering consequences," writes Kevin MacLean.
Kevin MacLean -

Dr. Brown: My father-in-law and the loneliness that comes with aging

"Sure, there are plenty of 'things' and 'events' to do, but they don’t fill the void of those linchpin people in our lives as we age, especially in the later decades," writes Dr. William Brown.
Dr. William Brown -

Video series features Niagara’s history through its cemeteries

Niagara Now - 0
As Canadians embrace staycations this summer, a new video series is inviting residents and visitors to discover Niagara's history in a new way.

Local creatives showcase their work at Artistry by the Lake

With a view of Lake Ontario and the sound of waves rolling in, vendors at Queen's Royal Park showcased their products and met with fellow creatives.
Read more ...

News

Nature speaks through colour in Lynda Flanagan’s latest Pumphouse exhibit

Maddy Gordon - 0
Lynda Flanagan's latest collection of paintings invites viewers to consider not only the coexistence of humans and the natural world, but also what binds them to each other.
Read more ...

News

St. Davids firefighters donate $9,000 mower to Red Roof Retreat

Andrew Hawlitzky - 0
The St. Davids Firefighters Association bought Red Roof Retreat a $9,000 riding mower Thursday, covering an equipment cost the charity says it cannot spare from its $4.3-million building project.
Read more ...

Local

NOTL’s Senior of the Year says senior housing remains a pressing need

Since starting the Senior Housing Advisory Committee, Cindy Grant says the group has secured support from the town and identified two potential sites for an independent living facility.

PHOTOS: Cake parade packs Simcoe Park for Canada Day despite extreme heat

Niagara-on-the-Lake's annual Canada Day cake parade rolled into Simcoe Park on Wednesday behind an electric-converted Model T, drawing hundreds of residents, clad in red and white, for a slice of the town's signature cake.

Fort George turns Canada Day into a walk through history

At Fort George National Historic Site, the holiday was not just red-and-white flags: it was an immersive showcase of Canada's history and a first-time experience for many who've never been to NOTL before.

NOTLers share what makes them proud to be Canadian at Legion party

A variety of reasons to celebrate brought guests to the festivities at the Legion, but one sentiment united the party-goers: "I’m proud to be Canadian."

Entertainment

Jazz Crawl hits all the right notes across Niagara-on-the-Lake

From vineyard sunsets to waterfront views, Niagara-on-the-Lake became one big jazz stage last weekend as music lovers travelled from venue to venue as part of the Niagara Jazz Festival's annual Jazz Crawl.

Arts review: From singalongs to studio spaces, Shaw rethinks the theatre experience

"Survival dictates new directions. 'Beyond the Stage' is expanding our experiences of theatre by allowing us to witness and explore exciting new paths," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Opinion

Opinion: Questionable pardons erode the public’s belief in justice

"If Congress fails to act when danger is plain, then the constitutional balance the founders designed is reduced to words on paper," writes Keith McNenly.

Arch-i-text: Preservation of Old Town’s heritage on the chopping block

"The finished structure will not only become the dominant building within the Queen-Picton heritage conservation district, but abruptly clash with and diminish the built-heritage assets," writes Brian Marshall of the new Royal George Theatre.

Ross’s Ramblings: Don’t knock Niagara Falls — it’s world-famous for a reason

"After about 15 minutes, we were in the swirling mist. Those of us who chose to stay outside suddenly experienced the full force of nature. Water, water everywhere," writes Ross Robinson.

Entertainment

What’s happening in Niagara-on-the-Lake for Canada Day

The celebration of this country's foundation is set for this Wednesday — expect Niagara-on-the-Lake to be awash in a sea of red and white.

Events

Today

News

NOTL Votes 2026: Goettler draws applause with ‘full-time mayor’ pledge

Supporters gathered Saturday afternoon at the Line 6 hobby farm of mayoral candidate Vaughn Goettler and his wife, Lauren, to celebrate and support his candidacy for lord mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Local

NOTL Votes 2026: O’Connor says smaller council means more pressure — she’s ready for it

Incumbent O'Connor's campaign this year will build on the same themes she says guided her this term: trust in council, open decision-making, balanced growth and more.

Strewn Winery hotel idea a ‘slippery slope’ to more development on NOTL’s farmland, critics say

Plans to buy Strewn Winery and build a 58-room hotel on the site are being met with skepticism from some who argue the project could open the floodgates to a hotel being built on every winery in town.

Accused in hit-run death of farmworker released on bail

A 22-year-old man was released on bail Monday after a migrant farmworker from Mexico was killed in a hit-and-run while cycling in rural Niagara-on-the-Lake late last Friday night.

News

Farmworkers mourn colleague and friend at roadside vigil

Andrew Hawlitzky - 0
Those who knew Sínhue Garcia are grieving the loss of someone they say was a generous and caring person — and whose death has deepened fears about the rural roads farmworkers cycle every day.
Read more ...

Immigration cuts will gut Niagara farm labour, migrant workers warn

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As the federal government moves forward on plans to continue cutting Canada's immigration levels, migrant farmworkers and their advocates pressed Ottawa for permanent residency at a Virgil rally.

St. Davids townhouse plan gets green light after earlier defeat

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A plan for 18 on-street townhouses in St. Davids that hit a wall over stormwater concerns earlier this month is moving ahead after all.

NOTL could get faster way to fine illegal land uses

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Niagara-on-the-Lake may soon get a faster way to deal with cases of land being used in ways that aren't allowed, including a retail shop opening on farmland where retail is not allowed.

Canada’s World Cup breakthrough raises stakes for NOTL’s youth soccer club

For a sport that's often fought for attention behind hockey, baseball and basketball in Canada, this year's World Cup is giving soccer a boost that's being felt across the country — including by players and their families here at home.

Wild West of Wine: Konzelmann ordered to pay neighbouring farm $41K in legal costs

A NOTL winery will have to pay a neighbouring farmer a little over $41,000 in legal costs after a judge found the farmer's court action was necessary to stop the winery from violating municipal rules.

NOTL Votes 2026: Erwin Wiens enters mayoral race with pledge to protect town’s autonomy

Dozens of supporters filled Lakeview Vineyard Equipment Inc. on Lakeshore Road Monday evening as Coun. Erwin Wiens launched his campaign for lord mayor with a warning that Niagara-on-the-Lake has to keep control of its own future.

NOTL man, 22, charged after farmworker on bicycle killed in hit-and-run

A 22-year-old Niagara-on-the-Lake man is facing impaired driving and hit-and-run charges after a cyclist was killed in an overnight collision in town.

New Pumphouse art exhibition explores humanity’s bond with nature

As warm weather draws people outside to reconnect with forests, gardens and shorelines, a new exhibition at the arts centre is celebrating the emotional bond between people and the natural world.

Summer, with a cherry on top: St. Mark’s Cherry Festival returns this Saturday

The season of summer fruits continues this July with St. Mark's Cherry Festival, set for Saturday, July 4, offering up a bounty of fresh cherries and cherry desserts for all.