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Monday, February 23, 2026

News

‘This is existential’: Niagara-on-the-Lake not welcoming amalgamation idea, says mayor

Reactions are pouring in from across Niagara in response to letters sent this week from regional government chair Bob Gale backing the amalgamation of Niagara's municipalities. "We need all parts of the town coming together. This is existential," said Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa.

Rotary Club gets $3,470 donation from Peller Estates

The Rotary Club of Niagara-on-the-Lake is getting a big lift from Peller Estates Winery and Restaurant, to the tune of $3,470, raised through the restaurant’s Holiday House Tour silent auction the previous week.

Queenston Pottery shares love of sculpting with Valentine’s Day class

A lump of clay took shape as a pair of cats at Queenston Pottery as the studio ran a Valentine’s Day sculpting workshop with a morning family session and an evening date-night version with wine and charcuterie.

Wine, Chocolate and Cheese passport offering a bevy of tastings until March 8

On Valentine's Day at Ravine Vineyard, reserved tasting slots kept staff busy through Valentine’s Day as a multi-weekend wine, chocolate and cheese passport began across Niagara wine country.

Council roundup: New fill rules, parks plans, naming policy and Glendale extension

The site alteration policy shifts approval authority to the director of public works and infrastructure and expands enforcement tools.

Niagara-on-the-Lake expands Old Town heritage district after cost debate

This expansion changes the boundaries of the area that defines the historic quality of Old Town, adding new homes and buildings to the district.

The Lake Report wins 26 more provincial awards

An opinion piece written by a Niagara-on-the-Lake town councillor, several stories, photos and columns by community contributors, and the journalism of staff members of The Lake Report have been singled out by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association in its annual awards.

How hundreds found freedom through the Underground Railroad and a home in Niagara

Within the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake once existed a community of people who escaped a life in captivity and worked to forge a new future for themselves and people like them.

Should survival swim lessons be mandatory for Ontario’s kids? Some say yes, absolutely

Peyton Leigh, a decorated swimmer from Garrison Village who's been in the water all her life, says that all kids should get a taste of some of the training she has received.

Visit the NOTL Museum for free all of February

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is once again opening its doors to visitors this February, offering free admission from 1 to 5 p.m. until the end of the month.

Volunteers collect 679 pounds of pet food at Valentines Day drive for Newark Neighbours

Boxes of donated pet food, cat litter and pet beds were stacked up inside a Virgil garage last Saturday, where volunteers ran their second annual Valentine’s Day pet food drive for Newark Neighbours food bank clients.

Niagara-on-the-Lake to prioritize youth programs in grant funding after debate

A divide emerged over whether Niagara-on-the-Lake municipal funding should lean toward young residents or remain age-neutral at a discussion on Tuesday about updates to the town's discretionary grant policy.

NOTL Museum outlines $2M expansion plan at open house

If locals want to enjoy Free February at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, there's no time like the present, because next February, the museum will be undergoing extensive renovations.

‘This is such a bonding experience’: Royal Oak School catches Olympic fever

For Brittany Nyenhuis, affectionately known as Mrs. N by her students, the game offered Royak Oak's pupils a chance to show their patriotism and learn about the role sports play in life and culture.

Mayor’s Dinner at Navy Hall raises $7K to fund Fort George student jobs

Beef-barley soup and “soldie-style bread” opened a three-course meal at Navy Hall as the Friends of Fort George staged the third annual Mayor’s Dinner.

Residents flock to Niagara College for winter gardening lessons at Seedy Saturday fundraiser

Outside temperatures sat around -17 C last Saturday, yet inside Niagara College’s teaching greenhouse, it might as well have been summer.

Have your say on energy use in Niagara-on-the-Lake at upcoming community workshop

Want to have your say on how Niagara-on-the-Lake can be more energy-efficient and reduce greenhouse gases? The town is hosting a workshp at the community centre on Feb. 18, where it's inviting participants to help develop a community energy and emissions plan.

Noise issues sideline pickleball again at Virgil courts

The sound of pickleball paddles striking whiffle balls likely won’t return to Virgil Sports Park this spring and summer, as the long-standing issue of noise complaints, which led to a prior two-year ban on pickleball at the Virgil courts, persists.

Shaw-owned buildings on Victoria Street torn down, Royal George up next

Demolition began Monday on two side buildings at the Royal George Theatre site, marking the start of the dismantling of the 110-year-old theatre to make way for a new, bigger Royal George.

Court halts Royal George teardown as NOTL-based builder challenges town’s process

The Shaw has temporarily halted the teardown of the Royal George and its box office after a builder launched a court challenge alleging the town failed to follow proper planning and heritage rules.

Family devastated as NOTL hotelier Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison

Jimmy Lai was convicted in December of “conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security, and conspiracy to publish seditious articles.”

Friction erupts as council weighs Ryerson Park land transfer

Niagara-on-the-Lake council voted this week to explore the possible transfer of a fenced-off strip of waterfront land in Ryerson Park — but not before a debate that included a “hysterical” remark and a complaint it was “not respectful.”

‘It’s not a job for Debbie’: Personal support worker celebrates 50 years at NOTL care home

Debbie Etherington started working at the long-term care home in 1976, when she was 16 and still in high school. "I loved it right away," she said. "It was a nice feeling from the get-go."

Town not looking to create permanent non-residential recycling program

Town staff told council Tuesday that Niagara-on-the-Lake should not take over non-residential recycling. This will leave NOTL businesses in the downtown core looking for private providers for all recyclables by the end of the year.

Niagara College celebrates Black History Month with Black-owned business market

The Winter Pop-Up Market will run Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Applied Health Foyer. The event, which began in 2024, will highlight Black-owned businesses and provide opportunities to meet and connect with Black business owners.

Sandtrap raises hundreds at Super Bowl party for Red Roof Retreat

It was a full house at the Sandtrap Pub and Grill on Sunday night, with football fans' eyes glued to the screens above the bar as the biggest night in American football unfolded.

Plans to create St. Davids agriculture storage on protected farmlands met with concerns

Plans to use a property on protected farmland near St. Davids to store farm equipment and crops drew challenges from nearby residents and probes from a few councillors.

Decision on Irish Harp’s patio in limbo as town looks for more info

The Irish Harp wants to continue using the outdoor patio it opened during the pandemic. Council voted to shut down the temporary patio program last March.

Learn about the ‘hidden history’ of the Underground Railroad at Niagara Parks’ talk this month

Niagara Parks will host public historian Rochelle Bush at McFarland House on Feb. 28 for a talk titled "The Freedom Trail: Slave Catchers, Runaways and Abolitionists."

Legal challenge alleges town acted illegally in approving Shaw’s Royal George rebuild

Opponents of the project argue that once the century-old theatre in Old Town is demolished, any heritage loss would be permanent — a concern at the centre of the court challenge.

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