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Thursday, February 12, 2026

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

Daniel Smeenk -
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 Theatre teardown as NOTL-based builder challenges town’s process

The Shaw Festival has temporarily halted the teardown of the Royal George Theatre and its box office after a Niagara-on-the-Lake builder launched a court challenge alleging the town failed to follow proper planning and heritage rules.
Paige Seburn -

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.”
Daniel Smeenk -

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.”
Paige Seburn -

Editorial: Transparency and the role of local media

Richard Harley -
"The problem with Ruller's actions is they are baseless, misleading and reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of a free press," writes editor-in-chief Richard Harley.

‘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."
Daniel Smeenk -

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.
Daniel Smeenk -

Arch-i-text: Public servants owe us transparency and accountability

"It is fundamental to the job that the interests of the public are paramount and should be continually demonstrable in day-to-day performance," writes Brian Marshall.
Brian Marshall -

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

Daniel Smeenk - 0
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.
Read more ...

News

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

Paige Seburn - 0
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.
Read more ...

News

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

Daniel Smeenk - 0
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.
Read more ...

Local

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.

NOTL under microscope as Ontario judge weighs winery events dispute

A Superior Court judge is holding off on giving her decision in a Niagara-on-the-Lake court fight that asks a basic question: if bylaws aren’t enforced, what’s the point of having them?

‘I don’t worry about emotion’: Nearly one year later, businessman adapting to Trump’s tariffs

For some residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake, U.S. tariffs have become a part of daily life, though some are finding ways to adapt. Paul Mace, who owns Luxyclad in St. Catharines, says in spite of the tariffs making everything unpredictable, the business has managed to thrive.

Entertainment

Icebreakers Comedy Festival returns to Prince of Wales

The Icebreakers Comedy Festival returned to the Royal Cambridge Hotel last weekend, bringing nationally known comics back to a venue residents may have remembered from the festival’s early years.

Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder fights rare disease in NOTL filmmaker’s new documentary

Matt Finlin's latest documentary, "Matter of Time," will debut on Netflix on Feb. 9, the story of the fight to cure a rare genetic disorder called epidermolysis bullosa.

Opinion

Opinion: Closing of Welland’s long-term care home trouble for Niagara’s seniors

"We’ve made progress here by working together as a community to open Niagara Long Term Care Residence. But let’s be clear: we shouldn’t accept any cuts to beds in long-term care in Niagara," writes Wayne Gates.

The Turner Report: When old is not so beautiful

"It turns out 'heritage' is, in fact, a hated word in the insurance biz, and that only a tiny sliver of companies (called "markets" by brokers) will even consider extending coverage," writes Garth Turner.

Ross’s Ramblings: Reflections on our comfort during a long and cold winter

"This winter, like almost every other winter since we have been keeping accurate and useful meteorological records, has been cold. And this year, really cold," writes Ross Robinson.

Entertainment

Inside the last days of the Royal George, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s century-old theatre

On Saturday, the front doors opened for the last public entry into the Royal George before the careful work begins of taking apart the little theatre occupying a big place in the town's heart

Events

Today

News

Celebrating Black History Month at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is celebrating Black History Month this year with a bevy of educational events that highlight Black history in Canada, the United States and the world.

Local

What’s on at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum this month for its virtual lecture series

Participants will learn more about the history of women's roles in espionage in the world wars, the concept of time in the 18th century, how an all-Black militia was formed during the War of 1812 and more.

Valentine’s Day drive supports four-legged family members in NOTL

This Valentine’s Day, Niagara-on-the-Lake residents are showing a little extra puppy love — filling bowls for pets across the community in support of the Newark Neighbours Food Bank.

New research points to key anti-slavery figure in early Niagara-on-the-Lake

Rochelle Bush says new evidence she's uncovered sheds light on a key figure in the world of slavery abolition — a community leader from what's known today as NOTL.

News

NOTL council to ask region to delay St. Davids roundabout for safety review

Paige Seburn - 0
Another safety review or community consultation may be coming down the pike on the roundabout planned for St. Davids in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Read more ...

NOTL council backs Niagara conservation agency’s stance against merging agencies

0
Merging Niagara's conservation authority with others in southern Ontario could weaken local decision-making on flooding, water quality and environmental protection, some councillors say.

Old-school barns on Four Mile Creek to come down after council approves demolition

0
Niagara-on-the-Lake council has approved the teardown of two 20th-century barns in the town's rural area, rejecting a recommendation from its municipal heritage committee to keep one of the barns up.

NOTL musician makes the show in his own way on Hockey Night in Canada

0
Ryan Gaio, a lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs fan, had one of his songs played twice on Hockey Night in Canada this year. The song reflects Gaio’s lifelong loyalty to the Leafs.

‘They have to live in the real world’: Report on heritage homes and insurance issues faced with conditional applause

One Delater Street homeowner says he's pleased to see the town taking interest in the issue but believes governments and regulatory bodies need to approach things differently.

Eager shoppers welcome new Foodland grocery store in Garrison Village

Foodland joins the small roster of grocery stores in Niagara-on-the-Lake, following two Your Independent Grocers locations in Old Town and Virgil.

Survivors urge NOTL council to back public sex offender registry access

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse and a parent of a victim addressed council this month urging the town to back a public sex offender registry.

Niagara College job fair returns to NOTL, including Konzelmann, Vintage Hotels and more

The fair is open to Niagara College students and alumni. It will run Feb. 4 to 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Daniel J. Peterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Joseph’s Estate Wines warms up winter with first annual icewine soiree

Joseph's Estate Wines' first icewine soiree brought a steady flow of visitors indoors during a cold January weekend, offering icewine tastings and comfort food as a warm alternative to Niagara-on-the-Lake’s outdoor winter festivals.

Flooding pressures prompt NOTL to buy $1.88M of St. Davids land

The property will be used for future efforts to reduce stormwater flooding in the area, and, depending on future studies, could also have a community use.

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