⦿ LIVE | In one of Canada’s most competitive toss-up ridings, incumbent Conservative MP Tony Baldinelli faces a strong challenge from Liberal candidate Andrea Kaiser.
Detectives and fire marshals are working to determine what caused the fire and where in the home it started, but due to extensive structural damage, they’re taking precautions as the site is considered unsafe and could collapse. “There's all kinds of hazards right now,” said Jim Kettles from the Office of the Fire Marshal in an interview.
The Niagara Region has narrowed the future of St. Davids' business intersection down to two possible designs — and, from May 5 to 16, it's asking Niagara-on-the-Lake residents to weigh in on which design they prefer.
"With new party leaders, new platforms and the spectre of Donald Trump, past voting patterns might mean little," writes Kevin Maclean. "And while on some streets in urban NOTL, the Kaiser signs outnumber Baldinelli signs six to one, the rural constituency seems far more blue than red."
TASC Tulip Pick Farm co-owner Frank Boendermaker immigrated from the Netherlands when he was 18, bringing his knowledge of tulip-growing with him. In 2020, he and his wife, Jill McCourt, began with a five-acre farm as a way of getting people outside during the pandemic.
Throughout her final shift in the paint department, where Judy Doerksen worked for the last few years, customers and NOTLers stopped by to say goodbye and wish her well.
The project, expected to be completed before the end of May, will see the road widened in that particular section — between Hunter and Niven — as part of the development of the winery at 2080 Niagara Stone Rd.
The municipal program is funded by revenue from the town’s parking program and will consider events that benefit NOTL residents and major capital improvements. Events that require an admission fee or ticket cost are not eligible to apply.
The annual spring jam sale raised funds through preserves crafted by volunteers David Greaves and Heinz Probst, with proceeds going to a "berry" good cause: A new roof and boiler. “It’s a 170-year-old building. Things wear out,” said Pauline Miller, Grace United’s council chair.
NOTL-based hip-hop duo 80 Empire didn't take home a trophy at Sunday's Niagara Music Awards, but they are still winning fans across the globe with their new album, guided by local collaborations, community engagement and an ethos of uplifting others.
"I believe that being Canadian — part of the mosaic, the many tribes and cultures around — means to share mine with them. To bring another world to their doorstep, to educate, inspire, and also inform," said Baba Williams.
Yellow Door's story began 10 years ago, founded in Niagara-on-the-Lake by Andorlie Hillstrom. The anniversary celebration is happening on April 27 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the NOTL Community Centre: Attendees can watch performances by current and alumni Yellow Door members, plus live music.
The chosen bidder will review the types, frequency and effects of events held on both public and private lands. They will also create a document outlining what counts as a special event, which will help the town make future decisions and develop future policies.
“The fire at Glencairn Hall is a profound loss to Niagara-on-the-Lake’s cultural fabric,” said Kirsten McCauley, the town’s director of community and development services, during her presentation.
“They’ve had decades to perfect this — it shows in the details,” said Geoff Quigley, who attended this weekend's Bunny Trail with his wife and daughter.
The project aims to highlight the value of small-town experiences in Canada, offering insights into how senior citizens can rediscover where they reside and rekindle a sense of pride and nostalgia, said one of its producers, a media production student at Toronto Metropolitan University.
“It’s a nice little event to break up the winter blues," says executive producer Jeff Paul. Tickets are on sale now for every show except the sold-out Saturday night show.
"This newspaper, in keeping with its stellar community service record, can enhance its reputation by publishing the "Weekly Price Trend of a Typical Grocery Basket" — for example, milk, bread, eggs, protein, etc," writes Samuel Young.
"After the winter that we had, they have never been more beautiful than ever. There is something about seeing those fresh, green leaves start to push through the ground, only to be followed by the brilliant shades of yellows, reds, pinks and purples," writes Joanne Young.
"I would be surprised that the Porters had not installed fire prevention equipment, as they had professionally restored Glencairn," writes Elizabeth Oliver-Malone from the Willowbank School of Restoration Arts.
The church is hosting a Christmas concert Dec. 22, called "A Christmas Homecoming: A Festive Celebration of Story and Song." The goal is to invoke a feeling of being at home for the holidays.
Hundreds of students at Crossroads Public School took to the streets on Tuesday, walking around the block with homemade signs to raise awareness about the importance of clean drinking water for all communities.
“I am incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication it takes to be recognized by the Center for Public Safety Excellence,” stated Fire Chief Jay Plato in a media release.
The Lions Club hosted its annual Easter weekend food drive outside Hendrik’s and Phil’s Independent stores, collecting non-perishables and cash for Newark Neighbours, which supports food-insecure residents.
While the front-facing part of the historic home is still intact, the rest of the home was lost in the blaze. Crews have dismantled some of the structure to make the site safe for investigators to work, as there was extensive structural damage and the risk of a collapse. Property records show the nearly three-acre Glencairn Hall was purchased for $6 million last October.
In honour of Earth Day, the Clean Energy Fair is happening at the NOTL Community Centre today at 7 p.m. "Every time someone makes a climate-friendly choice, another step is taken towards sustainability," says organizer Lidija Biro.
“This year’s graduation celebrated not only the accomplishments and exceptional promise of the class of 2025, but also Willowbank’s role at the vanguard of the heritage field," said Tatum Taylor-Chaubal, faculty member at Willowbank and senior heritage planner at the City of Toronto. "It was a reminder that the ideas and skills our program cultivates will go on to support paces far beyond our beloved campus.”
This decision marks the final ruling, now that Solmar has officially decided not to move forward with the requirements the tribunal proposed in order to allow the development plans to be approved.
The distillery claimed two gold medals — one for its Absinthe in the Specialty Spirits category and another for its Spiced Old Fashioned in the Bottled Cocktails category.
The Virgil Stampede, a tradition that has run for more than 56 years, featuring rides, games, food and entertainment while raising money for community projects, will take place this May long weekend on May 17, 18 and 19.
The Village announced the Clayfield Commons, an eight-acre mixed-use project featuring retail, office space, a grocery store, restaurants and a hotel, set to be completed by May 2026.
The provincial fire marshal is looking into the cause of the blaze and assessing the damage to the 193-year-old home. "It’s pretty clearly a total loss,” said one man who witnessed the fire on Wednesday morning.
A Virgil resident alleged Coun. Erwin Wiens violated conflict-of-interest rules through private meetings arranged at the property Wiens’ cousin Rainer Hummel and potential agricultural benefits from the province.
