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Thursday, February 6, 2025

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

NOTL business people wary of U.S. tariff threat

A trade war is no longer on the horizon — or postponed, at least. On Feb. 1, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian...

Greens nominate candidate, Liberals still searching

Doug Ford called for an early provincial election set on Feb. 27 — only three weeks away — and three parties in NOTL’s riding...

A familiar face is running as your provincial NDP candidate for Niagara Falls

When Premier Doug Ford announced an early provincial election for Feb.27, the New Democrats were ready to go with incumbent Wayne Gates. When it comes...

Woman rescued after car lands in lake off Irvine Road

A woman was pulled from Lake Ontario on Monday in Niagara-on-the-Lake, after her car ended up on the icy bank of the lake. Niagara Regional...

Doughvine Bakehouse ordered to remove signs due to town bylaws

Doughvine Bakehouse sparked controversy in January with its outdoor signs. It all started with a bold red spray-painted sign that read "Closed" — and led to a sign that neighbours...

‘Dragon’ Arlene Dickinson to speak at Keystone Awards in NOTL

George Lepp, owner of Lepp Farms, embodies the spirit of the Keystone Awards, said founder Dean French — and his achievements could soon earn...

Transport Canada to continue working with town staff

The outcome of meetings between town staff and Transport Canada officials was made public after a request from Coun. Gary Burroughs. With council’s approval of...

Some councillors concerned as search for new CAO enters second year

More than a year after Niagara-on-the-Lake's former chief administrator stepped down from the role, the search for a permanent CAO to take the helm...

Tension at mayor’s open house – resident says she feels unheard and town is too pro-development

Ingrid Regier is unhappy with a long list of things. The long-time Niagara-on-the-Lake resident, who has lived here since 1955, voiced some of her concerns on Sunday’s community open house with Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa at the Virgil arena. The village open house series aims to let residents talk to council members and town staff, ask questions and give feedback. It starts with a talk from Zalepa, then a question and answer period. People can send questions in advance or ask during the meeting. Regier was one of those residents who took the chance to make some comments. First up, she said she...

Tariffs: NOTL has no immediate plan to prioritize Canadian purchasing

While the City of Welland has introduced a temporary rule to prioritize Canadian-made goods in the city’s purchases due to tariff concerns, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is not considering...

News

Lord mayor’s dinner helps support student jobs

The evening ended with a bang — literally — as a cannon fired outside Navy Hall on Saturday night. It wasn't the beginning of a war with the U.S., don't worry — it was to commemorate the last one. The cannon firing was the finale of the Friends of Fort George's second annual War of 1812-themed charity dinner with the Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa. With more than 50 tickets sold and over $1,000 raised from the auction alone, the dinner raised around $5,000 to fund summer student jobs at Fort George and Brock's Monument, said executive director Amanda Gamble. For $160, guests were...

News

Legion gets a new TV, thanks to Ladies Auxiliary pie sales

Members of Niagara-on-the-Lake Legion Branch 124 can socialize in style thanks to the Ladies Auxiliary. On Monday afternoon, head “pie lady” Margaret McGilvray presented Legion president Al Howse with a $1,000 cheque, raised entirely through pie sales. The cheque helped purchase a brand new 75-inch TV, mounted on the Legion’s ground floor for patrons to enjoy. The TV will enhance community gathering like the weekly fish fry and hopefully attract big crowds to calendar events like the Super Bowl, auxiliary member Karen Taylor-Jones said. “It was well accepted,” Taylor-Jones said.

Local

Councillors make exception for short-term rental pause

The issuance of any new short-term rental licenses in Niagara-on-the-Lake was paused as of Dec. 10, but town councillors have made a limited exception,...

Two properties, one problem for Ferox’s estate winery plan

Ferox by Fabian Reis winery wants to become an estate winery with secondary uses, but with only 4.27 hectares and a second property in...

Niagara College’s brewmasters win big in provincial awards

The college's Beer 101 Strong earned silver in the Strong British Ale category while Beer 101 Bitter got bronze in the British Bitter category at the competition's award ceremony, held on Jan. 17 at the college's NOTL campus.

Tribunal rejects developer’s appeal on Rand Estate decision

In his Jan. 28 decision on the appeal, the chair of the Ontario Land Tribunal explained how he disagrees with Solmar's arguments that the tribunal made key errors, ultimately dismissing its appeal.

Entertainment

‘Barely Local’ student film captures NOTL’s small-town charm

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.

Icebreakers comedy fest returns for 11th year

“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.

Opinion

Arch-i-text: Maj. David Secord’s old home — what happens when it goes wrong

"For over a decade now, this once gracious stone home has been owned by a developer and allowed to deteriorate in a fashion that can only be described as a textbook case of demolition by neglect," writes Brian Marshall of Secord's historical home on Paxton Lane, built circa 1799.

Growing Together: These new perennials are worth planting

Every year, there are countless numbers of new plants being released to tempt us gardeners. These new and improved varieties have been tried and tested for several years before being released for sale. Joanne Young reviews some of the new, exciting releases.

Opinion: Amalgamation of Niagara’s border communities will lead to increased taxes and fewer services 

Wayne Gates Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report Local Conservative politicians have been pushing for the provincial government to prioritize municipal amalgamation in Niagara. It’s a...

Entertainment

St. Mark’s to host Christmas concert

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.

News

Niagara Transit wants the public’s input on how to improve service

Niagara Transit wants residents to help shape its future by reviewing four transit plans and sharing feedback on them through a survey. Each plan offers a different proposal to improve...

Local

Burroughs concerned Glendale plan is ‘rushed’

With council approving the official plan amendment to make way for a new Glendale Secondary Plan on Tuesday, building heights are still a primary concern for coun. Gary Burroughs.  Part...

NOTL realtors want to liven up your Mondays

If you’re looking for a way to spend your Monday mornings, Niagara-on-the-Lake Realtors are here to help. On the third Monday of every month between 10:30 and noon, you can...

Icewine Village makes sampling easier on the wallet, says organizer

“They are darn expensive by the bottle, so it’s great to come here and try what you like,” said one Icewine Village attendee from Oakville.

News

SunOpta recognizes workers with car sweepstakes

Rojin Kunjachan, a process machine operator in Niagara-on-the-Lake, is going to be driving to work in style from now on.  St. Davids food manufacturer SunOpta awarded a lucky employee a vehicle of choice as part of their Driving Success Sweepstakes.  SunOpta employs more than 120 people at its Niagara manufacturing plant where employees manufacture natural and organic fruit snacks. Kunjachan was named winner of the NOTL location’s sweepstakes last Tuesday, taking home a Black Buick Enclave from Niagara Motors. The 2024 Enclave has an estimated value of more than $53,000, Kunjachan''s wife Teena Thomas told The Lake Report. Kunchujan and family were shocked and...

Early election call leaves Liberals scrambling

With an early provincial election just four weeks away, two political parties in NOTL's riding are scrambling to get organized — and find a candidate. Premier Doug Ford has dissolved the Legislature and voters will go to the polls on Feb. 27, but in the riding of Niagara Falls, which includes Niagara-on-the-Lake, only the New Democrats and the Progressive Conservatives have picked their candidates. NDP incumbent...

Owners of Trimble House in Queenston fight heritage designation

Some local heritage preservation advocates believe the couple should’ve received proper notice of the town’s plans, though some of them still support the benefits of heritage designation for a property’s future.

Chemerika family ‘devastated’ by ‘preventable’ death of father, court told

The Crown is seeking a 12-month jail sentence and a five-year driving ban for Richard Alan Moore, who has pleaded guilty to failing to stop at an accident causing death. The sentencing hearing will resume May 1 at 10 a.m. in person before Superior Court Justice Michael Gibson.

Friends, wine and frozen vines at Niagara’s Icewine Discovery Pass

From Canadian comfort with poutine at Konzelmann to Mexican flavours at Jackson Triggs and Japanese-inspired dishes at Pillitteri, the wineries offered a global culinary experience this year. 

Tales from NOTL’s humbler era in local history buff’s new book

Even with the grass being cut once a year and dogs running wild on Queen Street, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Jim Smith grew up in wasn’t without its charm: "It was a beautiful, beautiful town."

Niagara’s million-dollar miss: Advocates rally for regional film office

"Without cohesion, without a central office and a team that can act fast, it's going to be a long shot to secure these projects and these productions," says location scout Peter Donato.

Town partners with youth collective to expand programs for kids

“The community centre was alive and vibrant,” said one councillor of the new open gym nights. “The mission was to prove that there's a need for it — and I think there definitely is a need for it.”

PHOTO GALLERY: Sweet treats and frozen delights at Icewine Festival

The annual Icewine Village festival made its return to Niagara-on-the-Lake for its 30th year this past weekend, the first of what is a two-weekend affair, continuing this Saturday and Sunday.

Inaugural Robbie Burns night will raise funds for NOTL kids

The three-course meal featuring highland dancers, a piper, a silent auction and live entertainment is set to begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the club.

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