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

NOTL’s mayor in the running to be next Niagara Region chair

Kevin MacLean -
For the first time in two decades, Gary Zalepa’s name won’t be on the ballot for this fall’s municipal election, but his career in local politics could be far from over.

Integrity commissioner says mayor in conflict on Rand Estate

The town's integrity commissioner found that the lord mayor's participation in a discussion on the Rand Estate's development was an "error in judgement made in good faith" and close the file.
Paige Seburn -

‘Photo op’ or real help? NOTL growers await action after province tours flooded farms

Provincial politicians toured some of NOTL's hardest-hit farms last week and saw the damage firsthand. Now, growers want to see what comes after the visit.
Paige Seburn -

Shaw’s Artists’ Village opens its doors in Niagara-on-the-Lake

The Shaw Festival is celebrating the opening of a campus that will house dozens of performers who put on the theatre company's productions, plus education and outreach programs.
Andrew Hawlitzky -

Residents of the Shaw’s Artists’ Village talk life in new home

Andrew Hawlitzky -
The Artists' Village's residences for actors and other peformers with the Shaw Festival opened in February. The apartments have been nearly full since April.

Fast horses, fierce competition: NOTL Museum lecture dives into polo

Stephen Littlechild, a Toronto Polo Club player, instructor, coach and umpire with more than two decades of experience, will speak about the history, strategy and horsemanship behind the game on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7:30 p.m.
Niagara Now -

The Turner Report: NOTL’s choice, from blackjack to tarmac

"Add it up: The airport. The bridge. The bag money being thrown around. The unwarranted edifices like Parliament Oak or the Rand Ritz-Carlton ... Goettler sees a plot," writes Garth Turner.
Garth Turner -

Arch-i-text: A better world is possible when we embrace change

"As a collective, we fall into the rut of repeating the past simply because it is familiar and comfortable. But, then there are those who step out and create new and wonderful alternatives," writes Brian Marshall.
Brian Marshall -

How line dancing became a part of St. Saviour church’s social tapestry

Niagara Now - 0
The advantages of line dancing, says instructor Anita Menezes, are many: advantages to line dancing: you don’t need for a partner, you can dance for yourself alone and no one expects anything from you.

Nostalgia meets gallows humour in this comedy tour, coming to NOTL on Aug. 20

Comedian Eric Johnston is set to stop in NOTL this Thursday as part of his "Son of a Bull" comedy tour, which sees him getting candid about addiction in the family, mental health and being the son of a professional wrestler.
Read more ...

News

Developer looks to take apart and transfer 19th-century NOTL schoolhouse

Zahraa Hmood - 0
After concerns this spring that a 19th-century schoolhouse in Niagara-on-the-Lake was set to be lost to demolition, the future of this building now appears clearer.
Read more ...

News

Council splits with heritage committee over Rand Estate’s next steps

Paige Seburn - 0
NOTL council stopped short of committing to the heritage committee’s recommendation that the developer save specific historic features identified in an Ontario Land Tribunal ruling from almost two years ago.
Read more ...

Local

NOTL still tallying damage two weeks after first flood

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake still cannot say how many properties or basements flooded, what the damage will cost or whether municipal infrastructure failed.

NOTL church celebrates 200 years with 37th annual Peach Festival

The parish, founded in 1826, is celebrating its 200th anniversary, and the annual peach festival is one stop in a season of bicentennial events being held this year.

Witness the sport of kings at Niagara Polo on Sept. 12

Niagara Polo, an afternoon of charity polo matches held to raise money for the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, is set for Sept. 12. Teams from the Toronto Polo Club will play two four-chukker polo games, while spectators watch from the sidelines at the Commons.

What’s old is new again: Stratus embraces a 8,000-year-old winemaking method

Guests got their hands dirty with clay under the tutelage of local potter Valérie Bélisle. They made their own miniature amphoras, in the shadow of Stratus' own wine filled vessels, while tasting select wines.

Entertainment

Shaw review: Exploring the enchanting and diverse world of puppets

A fascination that likely began when humans first created shadow images on caves in ancient times, puppets have survived millenniums as a storytelling device popular around the world, writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Shaw review: Once maligned, author Edna Ferber shines again

"She sought unusual locations where ordinary people built empires against the odds and where strong, smart women overcame gender, convention and adversity," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Opinion

Ross’s Ramblings: Magic of Motown alive again at Music Niagara’s latest show

"The Undercovers entertained us with their rich harmonies and signature style, but the value added was the education. So many facts provided in their soulful storytelling," writes Ross Robinson.

Dr. Brown: First chess, now table tennis: Is AI coming for our sports?

"It will take a long time for engineers to create a robot capable of playing a musical instrument ... Just don’t expect a robot to play tennis anytime soon," writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: How do we measure what makes a good leader?

"As our local election draws closer, I (and no doubt many others) am asking what candidates am I prepared to vote for. What characteristics should my choices demonstrate? How would they likely behave as lord mayor or councillor?" writes Terry Mactaggart.

Entertainment

Shaw review: Embrace your inner child with ‘The Wind in the Willows’

"Indulge the child within you. This joyous production is for all ages and it was pure delight to see children on the edge of their seats, parents and grandparents alert, all responding and laughing in anticipation of what was coming," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Events

Today

News

Behind the harvest: NOTL artist turns her brush to Niagara’s agricultural community

Nancy Wardle puts the people behind Niagara's harvest on canvas in a new portrait exhibition, arguing residents admire farms while often overlooking the workers who sustain them.

Local

Penner’s cuts rebuilding costs for NOTL flood victims

The Virgil hardware store has introduced special pricing on cleanup and construction materials for people affected by this summer's floods.

300 classic cars rev up to Kinsmen’s 26th Show and Shine

A night of rain threatened the outdoor grounds of the Kinsmen Club of Niagara-on-the-Lake's biggest fundraiser, but the fields dried in time and more than 300 classic cars rolled into the 26th annual Show and Shine on Sunday.

Hummel family pledges $125K to Niagara Pumphouse

The art centre's board chair says this donation will help it expand its programs, support artists and improve the spaces the centre shares with the public.

News

Peach Festival draws more than 16,000 to NOTL

Maddy Gordon - 0
With a fruity aroma on Queen Street and guests in peachy attire, NOTL was painted orange for the Peach Festival on Friday and Saturday, with one of the biggest turnouts the Chamber's leader has ever seen.
Read more ...

‘More than a pub’: NOTL’s Irish Harp celebrates 20 years in business

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Somewhere between the pints of Guinness, first dates, live music and hard times that followed, the Irish Harp Pub became a second home for many in town.

NOTL clarifies why it hasn’t declared emergency after back-to-back floods

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Niagara-on-the-Lake is responding to what it says are misconceptions about municipal emergency declaration after two extreme rainstorms last week led to widespread flooding in town.

What do a million sunflowers look like? Find out at NOTL farm this weekend

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On Saturday and Sunday, Ryan Crawford will open his farm to visitors who want to walk among the flowers, all while raising money for Royal Oak Community School.

Covered, waiting, shut out or going it alone: NOTL residents face flood losses

Sunday’s deluge sent knee-deep floodwater through the Legion, destroying drywall, toppling freezers and damaging a century-old flag, photo albums and historical records.

Two floods could mean two claims — and higher rates

The Lake Report contacted three local insurance brokerages after the first storm to understand the number and cost of claims, what water coverage means and how residents should respond.

NOTL flood damage unknown as provincial relief remains vague

Now, after two major storms in six days, the full toll remains unknown and possible provincial assistance has no dollar amount, eligibility rules or application process.

NOTL Votes 2026: Maria Mavridis hopes to keep the public informed next council term

Maria Mavridis, who was elected to council for the first time in 2022, is once again throwing her hat into the ring of this fall's election, hoping to serve another term.

NOTL Votes 2026: Andrew Niven seeks first elected council term

Coun. Andrew Niven is running for Niagara-on-the-Lake council this fall, seeking voters’ support for the first time since he was appointed to the role nearly two years ago.

Old Town’s Cheese Secrets closes downtown shop after 17 years

The artisanal cheese store that occupies a small slice of Market Street in Old Town has closed up shop after being unable to keep up with the rising price of rent for businesses downtown.