12.7 C
Niagara Falls
Thursday, April 16, 2026

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

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

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

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.
Paige Seburn -

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.
Paige Seburn -

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. 
Paige Seburn -

The Turner Report: Getting theatrical over the Shaw

Garth Turner -
"Yes, the Shaw is great for NOTL. Lucky to have it. But ripping up the main street while taking such a financial gamble in dodgy economic times seems rash. So, a little scrutiny is not a bad thing," writes Garth Turner.

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

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.
Andrew Hawlitzky -

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.
Niagara Now -

Opinion: Democracy in NOTL will suffer from Ford’s government overhaul

"It all really boils down to one thing: if you’re a voter in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the province wants to hear less than ever from you about decisions that affect your town," writes David Israelson.
Submitted Column -

Ravine Winery raises money for animal rescue group facing capacity crunch

Andrew Hawlitzky - 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

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.
Read more ...

News

Man dead in head-on crash on Niagara Stone Road

Paige Seburn - 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.
Read more ...

News

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

Paige Seburn - 0
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.
Read more ...

Local

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."

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

Arch-i-text: How the Village lost its way on architecture and vision

"What we have witnessed is the construction of a 21st-century modern glass and metal hotel that speaks neither to Niagara-on-the-Lake generally nor the Village specifically," writes Brian Marshall.

Dr. Brown: Before our modern world of air travel, there were seaplanes

"The whole experience was much better than commercial flying. We could see migrating birds in season, the unfolding country we were crossing, and overall travel times rivaled commercial flying," writes Dr. William Brown.

Opinion: Centralized power threatens local democracy

"Democracy can be messy. It can take time. But that process is exactly what ensures decisions reflect the people they impact," writes Wayne Gates.

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

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.

Local

Take in the beauty of Italy, on display at new art gallery

"From Italy With Love," a new exhibition at Il Gelato di Carlotta, showcases the creations of artists who took part in artist and instructor Sandra Iafrate's painting workshops throughout Italy. 

Residents back better cell service — but push Niagara Parks on tower locations

Niagara Parks Commission's CEO said while it’s encouraging there is agreement on the need to solve connectivity issues, concerns about aesthetics and location remain central.

March showed water is safe, enforcement’s changing and town operations are on track

Parking tickets dropped in Niagara-on-the-Lake last year, while the town’s drinking water met provincial standards — two of several updates councillors heard during the month of March.

News

Burton firm on community vision as town’s parking plan for former hospital looms

Paige Seburn - 0
As council signals a parking-focused future for the site, the James A. Burton & Family Foundation is holding firm in its vision for the old hospital.
Read more ...

Royal Oak’s future at former hospital site uncertain as costs, plans come into focus

0
As the town plans to redevelop the site of the former hospital at 176 Wellington St., the future of Royal Oak School, now operating inside the building, is increasingly uncertain.

Sports: Memorable performances for Wolves in provincial tourneys

0
Two rep hockey teams that competed in last weekend’s provincial championships encountered high-calibre opposition while turning in exciting performances.

Parents call for safer school bus stops, better enforcement in NOTL

0
Safety concerns at school bus stops in Niagara-on-the-Lake are prompting growing concern from parents, particularly in rural areas where children must cross busy roads with limited infrastructure.

NOTL Museum finalist in national ‘Next Great Save’ competition with $50K prize

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is among a dozen historical organizations up for a $50,000 prize in a national competition — which the museum plans to use to turn a 115-year-old house into its own research centre.

Funding cuts put pressure on HIV, AIDS work — NOTL fundraiser steps in

Global funding for HIV and AIDS programs is dropping. A Niagara-on-the-Lake fundraiser is here to help — and is warning that shrinking international aid has left frontline groups with a fraction of the funding they once had.

Big Brothers Big Sisters brings drag to Queen’s Landing to fund youth mentorship

The event brought together Pride Niagara drag performers and a youth-serving charity in a deliberate pairing, one that organizers say reflects a real overlap in the populations they serve.

Mini therapy horses help raise $6K for rescue reeling from brutal winter

The Community Initiative for Animal Rescue ran the two-day fundraiser for Last Chance, which featured special appearances from three therapy miniature horses: Chewy, Houston and 2%.

Artist brings longings for Scotland to Niagara Pumphouse

The exhibition, called "Cianalas," takes its name from a Scottish Gaelic word meaning a deep longing for a place or a strong sense of belonging to one. It runs until April 25 in the Joyner Gallery.

Letter: This isn’t a fairyland for tourists

"You can’t have a happy, healthy, diverse town without realizing it is a town first, not a money-maker," writes Elaine McCaughey.

Quick Links

 

Others

Follow Us

The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

© All Rights Reserved, Niagara Now.

Subscribe to our mailing list