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Friday, January 9, 2026

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

‘We see it as an incubator’: Foundation with NOTL roots eyes community-first future for former hospital

Jim Burton says the former hospital at on Wellington Street was built by the community, for the community — and he wants it to remain a place for the people of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

NOTL’s ‘Newsmakers of the Year’: Developers, council face strong new challenger in residents association

"Will builders and developers have free rein to 'build, baby, build' here in NOTL and everywhere else in the province? The future of places like Niagara-on-the-Lake hang in the balance."

New Foodland grocery store to open its doors on Jan. 29 in Garrison Village

Big changes are coming to the Garrison Village neighbourhood this year, and it all starts with the opening of a new grocery store at the end of this month.

Family with St. Davids ties remembered after fatal Highway 11 crash

Nicole Boyer, whose life included important years in St. Davids, her daughters Zoe and Pyper and the family labrador, Jasper, are being remembered following a fatal collision on Highway 11 in northern Ontario on Dec. 21.

Embrace the winter chill at the Icewine Festival, back in NOTL this month

The NOTL Icewine Village runs Jan. 17 to 18 and Jan. 24 to 25 on Queen Street. Admission is free, with opportunities to taste wine and enjoy culinary pairings with a variety of icewines.

Order of Canada recipient and NOTLer says authenticity and go-getting key to her success

Mandy Rennehan has won many awards for her entrepreneurial success and outreach work — receiving the Order of Canada, however, feels different, she says.

The Forum: Santa Ford’s lump of coal: return to sender

"Wouldn’t our provincial government be wiser to support economic diversification? NOTL may aspire to be Napa North, but we lack their nearby Silicon Valley," writes Steve McGuinness.

Line 2 Road at Townline Road to close until spring for culvert replacement

A portion of Line 2 Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake will be closed until this spring for construction work to replace a culvert at Townline Road. Crews will provide a detour route around the site for traffic.

Year in Review: Growing pains, a grassroots movement, speed cam vandals and an iconic estate torched

From federal and provincial elections, Trump trade wars, a polar vortex, mysterious vandals who repeatedly cut down the Virgil speed camera and more, here are some of the biggest and best stories of the first six months of 2025.

‘Progress is inevitable’: Ford’s ‘Las Vegas North’ bid draws support mixed with questions in NOTL

From a town council perspective, Coun. Erwin Wiens called the announcement “super exciting” and praised the province for recognizing Niagara as a tourist destination, funding the Shaw Festival and exploring improvements to the Niagara District Airport.

News

‘I felt awesome’: Virgil soccer star gets surprise help from Hummel

"Our family has been supporting little kids' soccer in Niagara-on-the-Lake for decades," Rainer Hummel said, adding it was "not complicated" to decide whether or not to support the Dodd family.

News

Farmworker Hub calls for support as workers prepare to return

As migrant farmworkers prepare to return to Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Farmworker Hub NOTL hopes to welcome them with wellness bags of everyday essentials, offering some relief at the start of the season after a challenging year marked by Hurricane Melissa.

Local

High-profile holiday B&Es among 36 cases reported last year in NOTL

Two high-profile break-and-enters in Niagara-on-the-Lake during the holiday season have brought crime into the spotlight for the sleepy rural town.

Freezing rain forecast puts focus on hidden winter hazards

Freezing rain is expected to sweep through Niagara Tuesday, prompting warnings about slick roads, icy walkways and the risk of utility disruptions — and a reminder to homeowners to check what’s buried beneath the snow.

Ringing in chilly new year in NOTL

A small but determined crowd braved the elements and upheld the tradition of welcoming the new year by gathering at Niagara-on-the-Lake's clock tower cenotaph...

UPDATE: Suspect gets bail in sexual assault case in Niagara-on-the-Lake

An official with the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines told The Lake Report that the suspect, a man in his 30s from Niagara Falls, was granted bail and is due in court next on Jan. 26.

Entertainment

Arts review: Bidding adieu to the Royal George with ‘A Christmas Carol’

"Some will mourn the final performances of 'A Christmas Carol' at the Royal George for the foreseeable future. Others will mourn the passing of the theatre itself," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Arts review: ‘White Christmas’ a heartwarming reminder of what truly matters in life

"Why is this production so satisfying? Irving Berlin's songs are pure genius. The orchestra sweeps and swirls us along. We unabashedly sing on request," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Opinion

Letter: Development control done for the right reasons

"The 2018-2022 NOTL council consistently strove to protect the natural and built heritage of Old Town, from our tree canopy and green spaces to our historic buildings and streetscapes," writes Terry Davis.

Opinion: Canada, a.k.a. Venezuela North?

"Now, upon seeing how the United States treats countries such as Venezuela when it plainly desires its resources, there can be little doubt that Canada might be an additional target on Donald Trump's radar," writes J. Richard Wright.

Arch-i-text: If development swallows up farmland, who will feed us?

"Food sovereignty and security must be considered paramount in all government policy. Otherwise, we may find ourselves as a banana republic — the beggars at the table," writes Brian Marshall.

Entertainment

Shaw Festival unveils show lineup and casting for 2026 season

The season includes “Funny Girl,” running April 24 to Oct. 3, with Sara Farb making her Shaw debut as Fanny Brice alongside Qasim Khan as Nick Arnstein. Eda Holmes directs. 

News

Niagara police seek suspects in sexual assault case in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Detectives are investigating this incident and looking for a white male, mid-30's, approximately 5'11'', with a medium build, who was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black jacket, a blue toque and black boots.

Local

Province’s new tourism strategy light on new details about NOTL

Doug Ford's plan to turn Niagara into a global tourism powerhouse could have some major effects on Niagara-on-the-Lake, though it's unclear at this time what's in store for the small town neighbouring Niagara Falls.

NOTL council chooses settlement instead of tribunal mediation for York Road development

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has reversed course on its response to a proposed York Road development at the Ontario Land Tribunal, opting to pursue a settlement instead of mediation, after staff shared that a settlement would cost $20,000 less than mediation

NOTL Museum celebrates 130th anniversary in style

Kaufman led visitors through archival rooms normally closed to the public. The spaces contain items ranging from cartons of paper records to a 1949 photograph of the Pillar and Post staff, a pig’s head costume from one of the first Shaw Festival productions and an original War of 1812 British redcoat.

News

NOTL heritage district turns a corner on accessibility with new ramps

The StopGap ramps have arrived in Niagara-on-the-Lake, marking, for some, a turning point in improving the accessibility of heritage district shops for people with mobility issues.

Horticultural society brings holiday cheer to long-term care residents

Tina Dirks, who has lived at Radiant Care Pleasant Manor since January, placed a red poinsettia on the table in her room shortly after it arrived. She said the flowers make the season feel more like Christmas.

NOTL stocking deliveries coming to long-term care homes this Friday

On Friday, volunteers from across Niagara-on-the-Lake will gather to make and deliver dozens of Christmas stockings to residents in long-term care homes.

Jewish community of NOTL celebrates and reflects during Hanukkah

The town marked the start of Hanukkah with a public celebration in Simcoe Park on Sunday evening beside a large lit menorah.

Letter: Bring back the shuttle bus from NOTL to Fairview Mall

"The shuttle bus to Fairview Mall from NOTL was cancelled when COVID hit, but there seems to be no push to resume operations. This makes no sense," writes Helen Kopec.

The Forum: Can a voters’ revolt end developers’ rule in NOTL?

"While Ontario municipalities struggle to balance the property rights of landowners with broader community interests, Doug Ford continues to exert his full weight on one side of the property development scales," writes Steve McGuinness.

Step back in time to a Regency-era Christmas at Fort George

The free weekend open house ran Dec. 13 and 14 at Fort George National Historic Site, showcasing British-influenced Christmas customs adapted to Upper Canada through traditional music, food, crafts and guided tours by staff.

New 160-bed Pleasant Manor care home ready for move-in this month

Virgil's long-term care home has wrapped up a $70.5-million redevelopment that has added 119 new beds to the facility. Current residents are expected to move into their new homes next week.

Christmas Parade spreads cheer to NOTL with biggest lineup in years

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Christmas Parade returned Dec. 13 at near pre-pandemic scale, organizers say, drawing residents and visitors to Old Town as 102 entries moved through the historic core in clear winter weather.

‘Who’s big enough to stand up to China?’: NOTL relative of Jimmy Lai reacts to his guilty verdict

The criminal conviction of Hong Kong publisher and democracy advocate Jimmy Lai under the region's national security law comes as no surprise to the family of the Niagara-on-the-Lake hotelier.

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