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

Analysis: Data shows NOTL’s new mayor had widespread support

Submitted Column -
"The magnitude and geographic breadth of the Goettler majority clearly points to a strong mandate to represent NOTL in its entirety," write Michael Ennamorato and Stephen Ferley.

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s new mayor Goettler pledges more open town hall, action on flooding

Goettler says residents should see a change in how town hall communicates, with recorded council votes and fewer roadblocks to getting information.
Richard Harley -

The election is over. What’s next for Niagara-on-the-Lake’s six councillors?

Two fewer councillors. A new lord mayor. And a $13-million infrastructure funding gap that isn't going away. With inauguration set for Nov. 24, NOTL's new council already has lots on its plate.
Paige Seburn -

More tourists, more problems? Business owners have message for new council

As a newly elected council prepares to take office, Queen Street business owners have some requests for managing tourism, like better crowd control and restrictions on temporary vendors.
Paige Seburn -

Editorial: A neighbour chooses change — and hope

Kevin MacLean -
"The election of so many Democrats thanks to the blue tsunami that swept across America could help reset and re-establish some civility and stability in that embattled country," writes Kevin MacLean.

Amid flood recovery, NOTL Legion prepares for Remembrance Day

The Legion's Remembrance Day ceremonies in Niagara-on-the-Lake are Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the cenotaph on Queen Street and 1 p.m. at the Niagara Township Cenotaph in Queenston.
Zahraa Hmood -

Virgil’s scariest lawn spookier than ever this Halloween night

The Pumariega Sabaters' home in Virgil is an annual showstopper during spooky season, and this year, the volume was turned up even louder.
Julia Sacco -

NOTLers among finalists in Women In Business Awards

Four women connected to Niagara-on-the-Lake are finalists for a set of annual awards that celebrate women in the world of business, entrepreneurship and non-profits.
Zahraa Hmood -

Halloween ghost walks sell out every October night in Old Town

Andrew Hawlitzky - 0
Visitors from far and wide followed a lantern-carrying guide through Old Town on Halloween night this year to hear ghost stories about what some believe to be Canada's most haunted town.

Arts: Finding common ground in Niagara’s creative community

The artists of Niagara-on-the-Lake may have different muses and mediums, but as part of the NOTL Arts Collective, they come together as passionate creatives.
Read more ...

News

See the human side of the paranormal at Fort George

Julia Sacco - 0
During spooky season, the Friends of Fort George explore the town’s relationship with fear and death through ghost tours at the historic fort.
Read more ...

News

Where to enjoy a spook-tacular Halloween in NOTL

Niagara Now - 0
Whether you're chasing ghosts, dressing to impress or just in it for the candy, Halloween weekend is here — and Niagara-on-the-Lake has plenty of ways to get into the spirit.
Read more ...

Local

Post-election, Niagara-on-the-Lake residents and councillors brace for change

As the clock struck 8 p.m. and polling stations across Niagara-on-the-Lake began to close, dozens made their way inside the main auditorium of the NOTL Community Centre, to watch their political future take shape.

Gary Burroughs very confident in new team set to lead NOTL

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s new deputy lord mayor says residents have voted to be heard — and the incoming council needs to listen and explain its decisions clearly.

NOTL Votes 2026: Voter turnout 52% in this year’s race, up from last election

The 2026 election saw an uptick in voter turnout compared to the election four years ago. Internet voting, which debuted this year, was a big hit.

Andrea Kaiser proud of her grassroots campaign

From start to finish, Andrea Kaiser remained true to herself throughout her campaign for lord mayor, she says: "I wanted to give voters a different choice and that’s what I did."

Entertainment

Shaw review: ‘Ghost Radio Theatre’ a welcome return to the heyday of radio dramas

In her review of the Shaw Festival's two Ghost Radio Theatre events this October, Penny-Lynn Cookson writes, "What became apparent was what we have lost through our current obsessions with online tech and social media."  

Shaw review: The art of classical music in a century of transformation

"In the 18th century, instability, wars and social change were the norm," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Opinion

Editorial: Niagara-on-the-Lake embraces easy, efficient online voting

"While some remain skeptical about the practice, nearly 5,000 people in NOTL chose it," writes Kevin MacLean.

Opinion: Our new mayor must defend NOTL from Ford’s agenda

"Voters in Niagara-on-the-Lake and elsewhere sent a message in the election. They do not like the changes Ford has been making to weaken local decision-making," writes David Israelson.

The Turner Report: Rich, old and feisty. Our new sheriff

"The only candidate who had promised to hit the brakes on development won big," writes Garth Turner. "That was a clear message: stop."

Entertainment

Shaw review: Veteran stage actors reflect on their unpredictable and ephemeral world

Three longtime Shaw actors, Sharry Flett, Patrick Galligan and Sanjay Talwar, sat down to chat with theatre critic Anthony Chase about their journeys as actors and careers at the Shaw.

Events

Today

News

Mixed fortunes for NOTL tourism amid U.S. tariffs, economic woes

With the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade war and worldwide economic pressures, tourism reports were promising in some areas, less so in others.

Local

A smaller police bill for NOTL? Other towns may pay more, Kaiser says

A push to ease the town's policing bill is gaining ground, with police agreeing to help Niagara Region explore alternative ways to divide costs.

PHOTOS: Poppy Project returns to NOTL ahead of Remembrance Day

Volunteers draped a poppy installation at four locations this week, continuing a tradition that started in 2021 with museum members knitting thousands of poppies. 

Nominations open for Candlelight Stroll fundraising recipients

This year's Candlelight Stroll is set for Dec. 4, and nominations are now open for people to suggest who they would like to receive the funds raised from the event.

News

‘Absolute, total elation’: Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Vaughn Goettler celebrates lord mayor victory

Richard Harley - 0
The lights were low and hopes were high as supporters gathered at Vaughn Goettler’s Ricardo Street home on election night. By night’s end, he had won the three-way race with 5,101 votes.
Read more ...

NOTL Votes 2026: Vaughn Goettler wins Niagara-on-the-Lake’s mayoral race

0
Niagara-on-the-Lake has chosen its next lord mayor: Vaughn Goettler defeated deputy lord mayor Erwin Wiens and regional councillor Andrea Kaiser in Monday's municipal election with an outright majority.

NOTL Votes 2026: ‘Things that matter should hurt’: Wiens’ daughter turns his own advice on him after election loss

0
Erwin Wiens, who served the past eight years on council, acknowledged disappointment with the election result but said he was proud the outgoing council's accomplishments.

NOTL Votes 2026: Election polls open until 8 p.m., see results at community centre

0
Five polling stations in Niagara-on-the-Lake are open until 8 p.m. Live election results will be shared at the Community Centre and notl.com.

NOTL Votes 2026: The business of running a town: Mayoral rivals disagree on the job

At their final public meetup of the campaign, Erwin Wiens, Andrea Kaiser and Vaughn Goettler were divided on a variety of issues, including how a municipality is supposed to be run.

Niagara-on-the-Lake voters at last advance poll before Oct. 26 talk development, planning, patios

Early voting gave some Niagara-on-the-Lake residents peace of mind, while others saw it as an opportunity to make their voices heard ahead of election day.

NOTL Votes 2026: School board trustees speak on student mental health and responsible spending

The Lake Report asked more nominees for trustees what their top three priorities are, why they decided to run and what they would like to change or fix at the school board level.

NOTL Votes 2026: ‘Will they betray your trust again?’ Parliament Oak accusation heats up candidate debate

The gloves came off Thursday night when one council candidate accused two incumbent candidates of betraying residents over the Parliament Oak development.

Restrictions lifted, Niagara-on-the-Lake candidates allowed to canvass at long-term care home

As of Wednesday, Oct. 21, candidates had been granted permission to canvass at Radiant Care Pleasant Manor on Friday between 10:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. following inquiries by The Lake Report.

Flight service to connect Niagara District Airport to Toronto Island’s Billy Bishop

Aspen Air Charters is launching scheduled passenger flights taking travellers between Niagara-on-the-Lake and Toronto, starting Nov. 2.