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Niagara Falls
Wednesday, July 9, 2025

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

$60K for St. Davids school in new board budget, but some say it’s not enough

Some parents and a Niagara-on-the-Lake councillor say the funding earmarked in the local school board's new budget for classroom renovations at St. Davids Public School won’t go far enough to address the school’s overcrowding problem.

Lord mayor uses ‘strong mayor powers’ to empower new CAO

The lord mayor says he’s simply restoring authority back to the CAO that was given to him when the Ontario government granted him, and the leaders of 168 other municipalities across the province, these “strong mayor powers” in the spring.

A hole lot of trouble: Crews repair sinkhole on Airport Road

The roadway is now open to traffic with a granular base at the repair site. The road will be repaved and fully restored by Thursday, said John Brunet, associate director of water operations and maintenance.

U.S. tourism revenue down for Niagara Parks, international tourism up — so far

Niagara Parks' CEO says it’s too early to call an overall trend to attention, or whether the spring months' numbers are an anomaly.

Two young NOTL artists win scholarship prize from Pumphouse Arts Centre

Two of Niagara-on-the-Lake's young artists are getting a boost from the local arts community this summer, as they ready to take their creative work to the next level at university this upcoming semester.

Countdown on to 15th annual international Chardonnay celebration 

More than 1,100 people are attending the i4C, the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration, this year, which starts next Thursday, July 17 and runs for four days.

Rotary’s summer cocktail fundraiser is back and rebranded

The Rotary Club hopes guests will don their best cocktail attire and enjoy an evening of live music, dancing, and what it calls “Niagara’s finest food and wine.”

Author Jocelyn Pepe to visit NOTL Public Library

Jocelyn Pepe draws on both her professional background and her own mental health journey, which she shares in the book. She will be at the NOTL Public Library on Thursday, July 10.

At $786 per household, service levy to Niagara police not fair for NOTL: Kaiser

“Why would they put additional funds on their taxpayers and their municipality? I think it’s our job to be fair and treat everyone in the municipality fairly," said Regional Coun. Andrea Kaiser.

UPDATED: One sign is not enough: Swimmers unaware of E. coli in water at NOTL beach

On Friday, July 4, the latest test results by Niagara Region's public health department gave Queen's Royal Beach a passing grade for the first time in two weeks.

News

‘There’s going to be a lot of interest’: Town reignites talks over former hospital site

The town is starting a new round of public engagement, beginning next week, to hear what the community wants to see happen next with the property at 176 Wellington St. Findings will be presented to council in December.

News

Trees top of mind as council approves Konik Estates development

Although the original agreement called for preserving two rows of trees, the developer removed one of them and the other was later taken down after a health assessment found the trees posed a risk during windstorms.

Local

‘They embody the true spirit of community’: Family named NOTL’s standout neighbours

Mariah Reese runs a private Facebook group, Joyous NOTL, which aims to spread positivity and connection across the community. “There's a lot of people that have made friends because of the group,” says Michelle Reynolds.

Artistry by the Lake welcomes locals and U.S. tourists to Canada Day Artstravaganza

This year's Artistry by the Lake market proved a huge success over the Canada Day weekend, attracting crowds of eager buyers from across Ontario and many American tourists.

NOTL Museum hopes to answer who really won the War of 1812

Who won the War of 1812? That will be the big question when American historian Donald Hickey and Canadian Ronald Dale meet each other on a panel at the NOTL Museum on July 12.

Canada Day cake parade a great, tasty success

This year, the Canada Day cake came together not only due to the hard work of Willow Cakes & Pastries, but also thanks to thousands of dollars in donations from the local community.

Entertainment

Hit the rapids, skip the towel: New jet boat offers more dry seats for NOTL visitors

The company has launched a second climate-controlled Freedom Jet vessel, five years after introducing the first, giving more guests a choice: Stay dry inside a glass-enclosed dome or get drenched up front in the open-air seats.

NOTL celebrates Canada Day with art, music, fireworks and free fun

Niagara-on-the-Lake is set to celebrate Canada’s 158th birthday in style this Tuesday, with a full day of festivities ranging from fireworks to fine art and free museum access.

Opinion

The Turner Report: Shaw’s ‘Fat George’ plan seen as tragedy

"Shaw says it has worked and planned harmoniously with neighbours. They say phooey," writes Garth Turner.

Ross’s Ramblings: Out-of-town eyes made me open my mind

"We know so little of our history, and so much of it is instructive. As a people, we have an amazing tendency to forget what we don’t want to remember," writes Ross Robinson.

Editorial: Canada Day traditions, sounds and politicians

"This isn’t about nitpicking. It’s about recognizing that Canada Day in NOTL isn’t just a party — it’s a platform. A chance to show the world who we are, and how much we care about this place and this country," writes editor-in-chief Richard Harley.

Entertainment

Arts review: ‘Tons of Money’ just needs more time to gel

"'Tons of Money' has a strong farcical plot, fine performances by a talented cast, stunning set and 1920s costume designs ... It simply needs to more cohesively come together," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

News

Red, white and not for sale: Patriotism on display at Legion celebration

Patriotism came with a message at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124’s Canada Day celebration, where “Canada is not for sale” shirts, a new fixture in this year's national holiday, made a statement among the sea of red and white.

Local

‘Nowhere and everywhere, all at once’: Wind phone at public library aids in grieving

What started as a concept in Japan to help those grieving the loss of loved ones has become a worldwide phenomenon: “We hope it’s able to bring comfort, connection and a small measure of peace to those navigating a bereavement journey."

Tawny Ridge Estates closer to reality with green light given for 12 new homes

Some are looking forward to seeing more family homes being built in the neighbourhood, while others say St. Davids isn’t ready for more development. Both residents and councillors still have questions about plans for local stormwater management.

NOTL Hydro president explains cause of rising power outages amid questions from residents

NOTL Hydro's president attributes the rise in power outages over the course of the past year to a loss of power supply from Hydro One, fallen dead trees, accidents and equipment problems.

News

Breakthrough T1D Walk raises $28k for Type 1 diabetes cure research

Kenny Bradford’s five-year-old daughter, Laina, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last year. Bradford said that while life with diabetes has its challenges, such as monitoring and balancing insulin, the newfound community has been the silver lining.

‘The province doesn’t care what we feel’: Pushback against bills 5 and 17 builds in NOTL

Critics of these new bills say they will clear the way for more development without limitations and could encroach on environmental protection in Ontario.

Ontario allows drinking on pedal pubs in Niagara-on-the-Lake starting Canada Day

Pedal pubs across the province will allow passenger-cyclists to drink alcohol while on board, rather than waiting to arrive at the bar they're pedalling to before having a drink.

First World War returns at Fort George’s weekend re-enactment

“It’s fascinating to me what Canada did in both world wars, particularly the Great War,” said Richard Moncrief, a re-enactor who travelled from Virginia to take part in the weekend's event. "It's worth the trek."

PHOTO GALLERY: Niagara-on-the-Lake marks the start of another hot, hot summer

Looking at the seven-day forecast, it looks like the heat is here to stay, with a high of 30 C expected for a majority of the days in the first week of July.

Artist Barbara Polc makes Queenston Pottery temporary home for her paintings

The Visiting Artist Program launched last December for Queenston Pottery’s holiday show, and the success of that collaboration inspired its permanent place at the studio.

St. Mark’s ripens for its Cherry Festival on July 5

Hundreds of made-from-scratch cherry pies will tempt early risers when St. Mark's Anglican Church throws its annual community festival next week.

UPDATED: Hot enough for you? Water safety warnings elusive at Queen’s Royal Beach despite dangerous E. coli levels

The region has changed how it lets you know that water problems might be lurking at the local beach, including E. coli levels. And it is now up to beach-goers to figure it out.

Residents share concerns about Royal George Theatre rebuild’s size, historical character

The new theatre being proposed would be noticeably larger and occupy more of downtown Old Town, moved slightly further north from its current location on Queen Street and seat around 360 people.

Native centre hopes for hundreds at Butler’s Barracks this fall

Both the annual powwow and the centre’s first-ever lacrosse tournament will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13 from noon to 5 p.m., free and open to the public.

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