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

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

Paige Seburn -
The new application proposes a five-storey hotel with 111 rooms, a spa facility, five three-storey residential buildings across the Rand Estate lands in Old Town. Lyle Hall, member of Save Our Rand Estate, says this project is "a classic wolf in sheep's clothing."

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.
Paige Seburn -

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.
Andrew Hawlitzky -

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.
Andrew Hawlitzky -

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

Daniel Smeenk -
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.

Sports: Tanner earns Holmwood Trophy with net score of 74

Gayle Tanner had the hot hand Tuesday, winning the Holmwood Trophy during competition in the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club’s 18-hole women’s league.
Kevin MacLean -

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

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

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.
Niagara Now -

Niagara Workers Welcome concert celebrates 60 years of Caribbean farmworkers

Niagara Now - 0
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

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.
Read more ...

News

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

Paige Seburn - 0
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.
Read more ...

News

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

Zahraa Hmood - 0
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.
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Local

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.

Entertainment

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.

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.

Opinion

Opinion: Ahead of the 250th Independence Day, who holds all the cards?

"Boasts aside, the authoritarian holds only a single card — the joker’s trick of chaos and distraction. The real deck is large. Americans hold roughly 340 million cards," writes Keith McNenly.

The Turner Report: Amid chaos, some lives are saved

"The arboreal genocide has been rethought. When the tree guys are finished and before the dozers move in, there will be 17 stumps instead of 41," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Batter up, NOTL, for another battle over the Rand Estate

"This proposal is another fail on multiple levels and is underwritten by the arrogance of applicants simply who want what they want, full stop," writes Brian Marshall.

Entertainment

NOTL handbell choir rings in 50 years of music magic with anniversary concert

The Niagara Bethany Handbell Choir, one of Niagara-on-the-Lake's longest-running music ensembles, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special concert on Sunday, May 3.

Events

Today

News

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.

Local

NOTL Lawn Bowling Club rolls into 149th season with big plans for 150

What may be Canada's oldest lawn bowling club is heading into its 150th year with one problem: not enough people know this timeless sport exists.

Animal group celebrates second year as kitten season pushes shelter limits

Kitten season is here in Niagara, meaning animal shelters are beginning to experience an influx of newborn kittens coming in — some more than they can handle.

Green thumbs snap up perennials at Horticultural Society plant sale

An hour before the annual plant sale opened Saturday, shoppers were already queueing outside — by 9 a.m. the line stretched the length of the building, and two minutes later, every hellebore was gone.

News

What happened to Fort Mississauga after the War of 1812?

Niagara Now - 0
"After the War of 1812, Fort Mississauga was garrisoned on a limited and sporadic basis," writes Tony Chisholm. "By 1858, Fort Mississauga had been officially abandoned by the British Army and turned over to the Canadian government."
Read more ...

Discover the secrets behind this provincial park at NOTL Museum’s next lecture

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Public historian Sara Nixon will present “Secrets of the Short Hills" on May 21, an evening lecture examining the history and lesser-known stories connected to Short Hills Provincial Park.

Catch the NOTL ambassadors in Old Town, back for their sixth tourism season

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Volunteers will greet visitors at the information kiosk beside the courthouse on Queen Street, stroll the heritage district offering directions and recommendations, and staff the courthouse itself from noon to 4 p.m.

PHOTO GALLERY: Walking on the wild side at NOTL’s spring flower festival

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Flora and fauna were in perfect harmony this past weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The return of the In Bloom Festival saw many wildlife-themed floral installations pop up across town from Friday to Monday.

NOTL Chamber announces finalists for this year’s Business Achievement Awards

The Chamber of Commerce will dole out awards to the winners in eight different categories, including the Lord Mayor’s Award of Excellence for Citizen of the Year, at an awards dinner on May 20.

PHOTO GALLERY: Canada goose family takes in Old Town scenery

With nesting season here for our region's wildlife, locals can expect to see many younglings with their parents out in nature, or wandering the streets — including here in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Province clears way for smaller NOTL council in 2026

Niagara-on-the-Lake could still end up with a smaller council in time for the 2026 municipal election after Ontario passed a law Thursday giving the province the power to make the change happen.

NOTL Votes 2026: Vaughn Goettler vows to stave off amalgamation, ‘uncontrolled’ development

Goettler, a longtime entrepreneur turned philanthropist who calls NOTL home, ran in the town's 2022 municipal election for lord mayor opposing the threat of Niagara's amalgamation as one of his key platform points.

NOTL Votes 2026: Andrea Kaiser enters the race as town risks losing regional voice

Kaiser, who represents Niagara-on-the-Lake on regional council, is running for the town’s top elected job as it faces the possible loss of one of its two seats at the regional table.

NOTL Votes 2026: Weston Miller wants to bring ‘resident-first’ leadership

Miller, a NOTL realtor who serves as president of the Chautauqua Residents Association, is positioning himself as a candidate focused on residents, quality of life, transparency and carefully managed growth.