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Thursday, April 30, 2026

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

The Lake Report and its website named best in Ontario

Niagara Now -
The Lake Report’s strong performance in the Ontario Community Newspapers Association’s awards continued last Friday as Niagara-on-the-Lake’s hometown news source again took home more top honours than any other publication in the province.

Wild West of Wine: Court backs NOTL discretion on Konzelmann, council clears path for outdoor events

The court found no evidence the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake acted unfairly or in bad faith and treated its decision not to enforce the bylaw around outdoor events as a discretionary choice.
Paige Seburn -

‘They just wanted to get it done’: New freedom of information rules keep Ontario in the dark, warns MPP

The move is being condemned by Ontario's opposition parties and other critics as a violation by the Ford government of the transparency and accountability public officials are expected to uphold.
Paige Seburn -

NOTL makes $125K bet on airport bus service connecting Niagara to Pearson

With a new bus service linking Niagara District Airport to Toronto's Pearson International Airport coming this June, Niagara-on-the-Lake has agreed to back it with up to $125,000 if the service falls short.
Paige Seburn -

Grape King Augusta Van Muyen raises a glass to Niagara wines

Niagara Now -
Augusta Van Muyen, vineyard manager at Tawse Winery in Vineland since 2021, knows her terroir. She's been named this year's Grape King: “I’m super honoured to represent the wine industry,” she says.

Editorial: Ford needs to act ‘For the People’

Premier Doug Ford, writes Kevin MacLean, "has shown time and time again that, really, he is 'For the People' — though maybe just not the common people who have to live with his actions and decisions."
Kevin MacLean -

The Turner Report: The man who wants to save us. Again

"Elections are levelers. Money won’t buy you one. Support is earned, and in NOTL these days, we’re a polarized society," writes Garth Turner.
Garth Turner -

NOTL Museum’s neighbourhood walking tours return on May 1

With the help of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, you can witness this town's history come alive, through every house, street corner and sign post in some of its oldest and most distinctive settlements.
Niagara Now -

New development at former American Hotel inches toward construction

Paige Seburn - 0
A condo development set to replace the historic waterfront property known as the old American Hotel is moving closer to construction.

NOTL BBQ fundraiser to kick off Rankin Run

The Rankin Run is an annual, Niagara-based fundraiser and one- and five-kilometre walk or run dedicated to raising funds for local cancer care.
Read more ...

News

NOTL Sports Wall of Fame nominations open for 2026

Niagara Now - 0
Residents have until May 25 to submit nominations for individuals who have made significant contributions to sport in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
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News

Zebras and a moose in NOTL? Lineup for wildlife-themed In Bloom festival revealed

Niagara Now - 0
Niagara-on-the-Lake’s In Bloom Festival has unveiled its 2026 lineup of large-scale floral installations — along with the designers behind each display — as the event prepares for an expanded second year this spring.
Read more ...

Local

Nominations for Business Achievement Awards close April 30

Know an entrepreneur or community player in Niagara-on-the-Lake you think deserves recognition for their hard work, innovation and leadership? Nominations close this Friday.

NOTL horticultural society’s annual plant sale returns May 9

Gardening enthusiasts of Niagara-on-the-Lake, be advised: the biggest event of spring is just around the corner. Expect a variety of plants for sale from local growers.

NOTL declines Pride Niagara pitch and plans own flag ceremony

Niagara-on-the-Lake will hold its own Pride flag raising this year after a public split with Pride Niagara over what meaningful support for the LGBTQ+ community should look like.

Red Roof Retreat hits new fundraising record at latest pasta dinner

Red Roof Retreat is now $300,000 shy of hitting its multi-million-dollar goal to build a new facility, after selling out its annual pasta dinner, held Sunday evening.

Entertainment

Sisters show off their renovation skills in reality TV competition

Sisters Marcy and Melissa Mussari put their building and designing prowess to the test as contestants on the new season of Home Network's "Renovation Resort."

A blooming good time: Flower festival returning to Niagara-on-the-Lake in May

Running May 8 to 11, the festival will transform Old Town into a flower-filled showcase, with organizers promising expanded installations and new events for this year.

Opinion

Opinion: While people struggle, Ford drops $30M on a private jet

"The Ford government is spending millions upon millions on private planes, private spas and handouts to developers, while our public services crumble and life gets increasingly unaffordable for families in Ontario," writes Wayne Gates.

Arch-i-text: Welcoming the new while respecting the old — it can be done

"There are those who respect our built heritage, who embrace the generations that have come before and understand how traditional buildings add to our community," writes Brian Marshall.

Dr. Brown: Whether it’s humans or chimpanzees, we struggle to escape us vs. them thinking

"Human society is like chimpanzee society — tribalistic and prone to violence. A list of conflicts from world wars to endless regional conflicts and violence within our own country makes the point," writes Dr. William Brown.

Entertainment

Board game nights aim to keep seniors’ minds sharp

From chess and cards to cribbage, Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit, participants can take part in a whole host of board gaming. The sessions will run Monday and Friday afternoons starting April 17.

Events

Today

News

Former region CAO says Niagara could save $30 million with reform

After his name surfaced in a heated February council debate, a Niagara-on-the-Lake resident and former top municipal staffer appeared at town hall Tuesday with a bold pitch.

Local

‘My property becomes a lake’: NOTL weighs fixes for St. Davids flooding

Residents frustrated by years of flooding in St. Davids pressed staff and consultants at a public info session. One said he's spent $20,000 trying to manage flooding.

NOTL rejects proposal on specialty crop land, asks: “Why here?”

Niagara-on-the-Lake had a blunt message Tuesday about a proposed farm market and storage hub on protected specialty crop land in St. Davids: It doesn't belong there.

NOTL to repay pickleball club after courts close, future still uncertain

Niagara-on-the-Lake will repay its pickleball club almost $14,000 after shutting down the Virgil Sports Park courts for the 2026 outdoor season.

News

Have your say on the future of vacation rentals in NOTL

Niagara Now - 0
The town says the review will examine what is working well under the current system while also exploring possible changes to licensing.
Read more ...

Niagara Pumphouse receives $125K donation from Hummel family

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The Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre has received a $125,000 donation from the Hummel family, to be paid over five years for the centre's art programs.

First national Karen Gansel short fiction award held in NOTL

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Niagara-on-the-Lake added a new chapter to its arts scene Sunday as writers from across Canada competed in the first Karen Gansel Short Fiction Award, a national contest created to honour a longtime advocate for Canadian authors.

‘They’re not grandma quilts’: Textile artist captivates art lovers during weekend Pottery Trail

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A three-studio pottery trail exceeded expectations in Niagara-on-the-Lake this weekend, pushing rare off-season traffic through Queenston Pottery and giving local arts businesses a boost before the summer tourist season.

Heartland Forest lands $20K donation from 100+ Women Who Care NOTL

A Niagara non-profit and nature preserve walked away with $20,400 after 153 women gathered at Queen’s Landing for the latest 100+ Women Who Care Niagara-on-the-Lake meeting.

Opinion: A shared opportunity for 176 Wellington St.

"There are important moments when a community must decide not only what to build, but how — and with whom. Niagara-on-the-Lake is in one of those moments," writes Susan St Amand.

NOTL backs outdoor event space at Konzelmann — but no events yet, staff say

The winery is one step closer to legally hosting outdoor events in Niagara-on-the-Lake — but for now, they remain off-limits as approvals are still required following a court ruling earlier this year.

Shaw Shivaree marks 30 swinging years with big band and volunteer-led fundraiser

Keep the cymbal splashy, take the bass line for a walk: that was the mood at the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre last Saturday night, but behind the brass and cocktails, volunteers carried on a 30-year tradition of supporting the Shaw Festival.

NOTL intervenes to stop illegal work on historic schoolhouse property

Niagara-on-the-Lake officials say more penalties may be next if the owner of the property on Niagara River Parkway doesn't comply with its orders.

Province offers little explanation for not OK’ing Niagara-on-the-Lake’s council cut

Ford's government hasn't formally told the town it won't allow a reduction — but the Municipal Affairs Minister indicated to town officials that its request to cut down council will not proceed for the 2026 election.

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