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

The battle begins again: Residents pack open house with questions about plan for NOTL’s Rand Estate

Paige Seburn -
Resident concerns ranged from doubting the merits of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Comany deal, questioning why the NOTL community would have no access to the site, its impact on the history of the estate and potential issues with stormwater drainage and sewage.

Council kills St. Davids farm storage proposal — again

Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa attempted to use of his provincially given "strong mayor powers" to save the project, but failed when council voted against the proposal for a second time.
Paige Seburn -

Reduction of NOTL council to seven members written into provincial law

It's official: get ready for two fewer seats at the table of Niagara-on-the-Lake council by the end of this year. The Ontario government's plan to shrink municipal council is now enshrined in provincial law.
Niagara Now -

No update on worker rescued from hole at Parliament Oak hotel construction site in NOTL

Firefighters and paramedics were on the scene for 45 minutes to rescue the 55-year-old man and provide him medical assistance, one witness says.
Paige Seburn -

Tony Hendriks, Queen Street grocery store owner, named NOTL’s Citizen of the Year

Zahraa Hmood -
Tony Hendriks is marking 36 years since he began working at only grocery store that lives in Niagara-on-the-Lake's busy downtown core — and his longtime efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Sports: Reimer’s 39 leads men’s league in NOTL club play

Rob Reimer, a former men’s club champion and always a steady presence on the links, was the man to beat in the Thursday men’s league at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club last week.
Kevin MacLean -

Used book store to open in Virgil, in support of Farmworker Hub

Virgil’s Book Nook will celebrate its opening June 13 at Cornerstone Community Church, with all proceeds going to the Farmworker Hub, which helps out seasonal agricultural workers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Niagara Now -

Share why your neighbourhood’s the best in NOTL — it might be named Neighbourhood of the Year

The town is inviting residents to showcase their community spirit through the launch of NOTL’s Neighbourhood of the Year contest in celebration of Neighbour Day on Saturday, June 20.
Niagara Now -

NOTL sends $95K in leftover grant money back to coffers

Paige Seburn - 0
Cake, pickleball, science fairs and Red Roof Retreat all walked away with town support Tuesday night. Free public swims did not.

NOTL Pickleball Club celebrates 10 years with members’ tournament

The game that was once the lesser-known cousin of tennis and badminton has become one of the fastest-growing sports in North America. The NOTL tournament is set for June 6.
Read more ...

News

New giant riverfront grape sculpture in NOTL

Paige Seburn - 0
The sculpture, "Vinifera," features 110 polished steel spheres roughly the size of cantaloupes arranged along a vine structure to resemble oversized vinifera grapes.
Read more ...

News

‘It’s not one-size-fits-all’: Psychotherapist opens holistic wellness studio in NOTL

Andrew Hawlitzky - 0
With six or seven instructors and roughly 35 classes a week, the studio directly addresses the mental health demand psychotherapist Stacey Stemplowski has watched grow across Niagara since COVID-19.
Read more ...

Local

Four generations deep: Meyers Farms flower sale blooms again

The annual sale, which began in the early 1980s, runs Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until late June.

NOTL man charged after police shut down illegal online cannabis service

A Niagara-on-the-Lake man is among three people charged after an Ontario Provincial Police investigation into an alleged illegal online cannabis dispensary led to the...

Niagara-on-the-Lake mayor moves to revive rejected proposal on protected farmland

A proposal for a storage hub on protected farmland that Niagara-on-the-Lake council already killed last month is back from the dead, with the lord mayor using his "strong mayor powers" to revive it.

SORE says new Rand Estate plan ‘flies in the face’ of Ontario Land Tribunal ruling

Lyle Hall, member of Save Our Rand Estate, says this project proposed for the historic Rand Estate lands in Old Town is "a classic wolf in sheep's clothing."

Entertainment

Step into the world of surrealist art at RiverBrink’s garden party

A Surrealist Garden Party, being held from 6 to 8 p.m., will immerse visitors in an evening of whimsical décor, interactive art experiences and live performances inspired by the surrealist movement.

Enjoy plenty of laughs and support a good cause at Pink Pearl’s comedy night

Eat, Pink, Drink! Comedy returns Friday, May 15, featuring comedians Frank Spadone, Leonard Chan and Ali Hassan, for an evening of live entertainment in support of the national charitable organization.

Opinion

Opinion: Librarians are on frontlines in war on intellectual freedom

"Canadians have the right to access diverse ideas, literature and viewpoints without censorship, allowing libraries, schools, bookstores and readers to explore both popular and controversial works," write Susan Elliott and Dr. Robin Williams Foster.

The Turner Report: The voice from the big house

"There are suddenly more reasons to talk about Mr. Hummel as he uses social media this week to eviscerate your reporter. Ad hominem arguments are always exciting. He does it well," writes Garth Turner.

Dr. Brown: All diseases are spread by living organisms — except these ones

"Transmissible prion is extremely stable and very hard to destroy with chemical disinfectants or heat — far more so than for the case of viruses and bacteria," writes Dr. William Brown.

Entertainment

59th annual Virgil Stampede returns this May long weekend

Niagara-on-the-Lake's vibrant summer season is just around the corner, and the community of Virgil is readying to welcome it in with the 59th-annual Virgil Stampede this upcoming May long weekend.

Events

Today

News

No new candidates registered in NOTL election, one incumbent plans return

Several big questions continue to hang over the race, including whether the 2022-26 council table will largely stay intact or if NOTL voters will deliver a major political shakeup this year.

Local

Virgil Stampede bets on families: Changing ride lineup helps create calmer atmosphere, organizers say

The Stampede celebrated its 59th year this past weekend, and an organizer says focusing on families and adding more children's rides has eliminated most security problems the carnival had in the past.

Caregivers in NOTL say they’re facing gaps, inconsistency in support services

Caregivers in NOTL say services meant to offer them reprieve while helping their elderly and sick loved ones are failing to provide the consistent care and stress relief they need.

Fort Mississauga lives again: Visitors flock to reopening of War of 1812 historic site

A thunderstorm did not stop people from turning out on Saturday for the opening of the military fort in Niagara-on-the-Lake that has overlooked the waters of the Niagara River for 210 years.

News

Return of NOTL’s summer farmers market pushed to May 30

Niagara Now - 0
Organizers are hoping to open the farmers market by the end of the month, bringing fresh produce and artisanal goods to the Village neighbourhood.
Read more ...

Niagara Workers Welcome concert celebrates 60 years of Caribbean farmworkers

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The 60th Anniversary Concert, set for this Sunday, will celebrate the Caribbean employees who have come to NOTL through the seasonal agricultural workers program over the past six decades.

‘Every little bit helps’: Spirit of Niagara launches in NOTL with wellness retreat

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A new wellness event series raised its first funds for Niagara Health Foundation last weekend, starting small but backed by an organizer who previously helped raise $1 million for Niagara hospitals.

‘You do not strengthen parks by shrinking them’: NOTL will keep disputed Ryerson Park land

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A fenced-off piece of waterfront property in Niagara-on-the-Lake that neighbouring homeowners thought was part of their backyard will stay under ownership of the town after council voted against selling the land.

LCBO’s push for Ontario wines big win for NOTL: wineries and growers

As American wine, beer and spirits remain absent from LCBO shelves, the company has expanded its offering of Ontario craft wines and plans to continue doing so amid growing popularity for local brands over the past year.

NOTL heritage staff continues to investigate ‘illegal destruction’ of 19th-century schoolhouse

After a developer demolished part of a nearly 200-year-old schoolhouse without the tonw's approval last month, the municipality says it's figuring out its next steps to keep any more destruction from taking place.

NOTL Votes 2026: ‘Jill and Joe average’ focus drives Steve McGuinness into council race

Steve McGuinness, a retired Bay Street financial executive, is pitching himself as a financially experienced candidate focused on affordability, growth and protecting the town’s character.

St. Davids development debate reignites criticism over approval process

A council discussion about sidewalks and traffic in St. Davids has reopened broader criticism from a resident over how the town handles development approvals, such as the Paxton Lane residential development.

Council stalls on what to do with $95K in leftover grant money

Niagara-on-the-Lake approved over $72,000 in community and youth grants Tuesday with relatively little debate, but spent the harder part of the discussion arguing over what to do with the money left behind.

Council backs $1 land sale to clear way for NOTL Museum expansion

Council backed the sale Tuesday after hearing the parcel of land is only about 11 square metres, landlocked and already occupied by part of the museum building.