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

‘Not the work of one day’: NOTL marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Julia Sacco -
Commemorative efforts in Niagara-on-the-Lake spanned from the raising of a flag outside town hall to education efforts at elementary schools and the museum, hoping to create a lasting impact on the public's awareness of all chapters of Indigenous history in Canada.

NOTL Votes 2026: No softballs for council hopefuls at residents’ debate

During the latest debate for council candidates hosted on Friday, the six participating candidates were asked about developers, post-flooding plans and their approach to strong mayor powers.
Paige Seburn -

Niagara mayors fight regional government changes, suggest alternatives

Some Niagara political leaders are staring down the prospect of losing power at the regional level and have banded together to urge the province to reconsider proposed changes to how regional government operates.
Zahraa Hmood -

Council sides with heritage committee over staff on David Secord House plans

The historic David Secord House is set to be restored to its former glory, but three additions will be made to the property, despite a warning from NOTL town staff about the visual impact to the home.
Paige Seburn -

St. Vincent de Paul parish celebrates 200 years of history in NOTL

Julia Sacco -
The parish, founded in 1826, celebrated its bicentennial Sunday, bringing together members of the congregation and the wider community to the church that's occupied a part of Picton Street in Old Town since the mid-1800s.

Richard Meloen named this year’s Living Landmark by Niagara Foundation

Before retiring almost 20 years ago, Rick Meloen, says he knew relatively little about the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake, which he's lived in all his life. Today, however, he has plenty of irons in the fire in an effort to keep the town's storied past alive.
Zahraa Hmood -

NOTL prestige: Revé earns a place on Michelin Guide’s recommended list

This year's Toronto Michelin Guide, which was released Sept. 22, added 11 restaurants from southern Ontario to its "Recommended" list, including one new local dining spot: Revé, which opened in Old Town last year.
Julia Sacco -

Photographer brings beauty of Niagara Escarpment to NOTL for book launch

Photographer Mark Zelinski bring the story of his lifelong connection to the natural beauty and history of the Niagara Escarpment to the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum on Friday, Oct. 2, for the launch of his latest photo book.
Zahraa Hmood -

Niagara school board candidates on their aims, visions and Bill 101 concerns

Niagara Now - 0
The Lake Report asked the nominees for trustees what their top three priorities would be as a school board trustee, why they decided to run and what they would like to change or fix at the school board level.

Councillor questions what’s ‘complete’ in town strategic plan

Niagara-on-the-Lake says more than 80 per cent of its strategic plan is complete or on track as the council term winds down, but one councillor questioned whether some of the work labelled finished is really done.
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News

Where’s the accessible trail? Councillor questions new NOTL accessibility plan

Paige Seburn - 0
Plans for an accessible trail were missing from Niagara-on-the-Lake’s new five-year accessibility plan approved unanimously by council last week, and Coun. Sandra O’Connor wanted to know why.
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News

Advance voting starts Oct. 5. Here’s how to vote in NOTL and online

Niagara Now - 0
For those who've already made up their minds on who they want to represent Niagara-on-the-Lake in municipal government and at the school boards for the next four years, you'll have a chance to cast your ballot early.
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Local

NOTL Votes 2026: ‘We are not the 51st state’: Council candidates condemn Trump

What happens in America does not necessarily stay there, especially for a border town like Niagara-on-the-Lake. So, The Lake Report asked NOTL’s municipal election candidates a blunt question: What do you think of Donald Trump? Here's what they said.

Two ‘fore’ The Show: St. Davids teens set their sights on U.S. college golf

Two of the most talented, up-and-coming young Canadian golfers are growing up in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s tiny hamlet of St. Davids (pop. about 3,000). Eli Perng and Kaige Zhu are off to high school after a whirlwind summer in which they played more than a dozen high-level tournaments across Canada and North America.

NOTL gets $10K as Ontario commits $5M to fight invasive phragmites

The reed grasses growing behind the natural resources minister at Niagara College’s campus in NOTL were a ready-made backdrop for his announcement Wednesday: $5 million to fight the invasive plant species phragmites across Ontario.

Scotsman Hotel avoids $303K parking bill with valet plan

The Scotsman Hotel has avoided an almost $303,000 parking bill after Niagara-on-the-Lake council approved a plan that will allow all 12 required parking spaces to fit on the Old Town property.

Entertainment

Shaw review: Veteran stage actors reflect on their unpredictable and ephemeral world

Three longtime Shaw actors, Sharry Flett, Patrick Galligan and Sanjay Talwar, sat down to chat with theatre critic Anthony Chase about their journeys as actors and careers at the Shaw. The result? "They shared a love and total commitment to what they are doing," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Shaw review: Uncovering the strides Jewish women made in theatre

"Who were these famous and groundbreaking Jewish women? What did they have to overcome to succeed? What drove them forward? Ambition, drive, resilience for certain," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Opinion

Editorial: Don’t just ‘throw the bums out’

"Dig beyond the rhetoric and promises — because given our electoral track record since 2010, every time we’ve bought what was being sold, buyer’s remorse has set in pretty quickly," writes Kevin MacLean.

The Turner Report: Yankee invaders (no, not the tourists)

"How would Canada fight the guys across the river? And if it were to happen (which it won’t) what might you do to protect yourself and your assets?" writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Is keeping town facilities off-limits during election campaign right?

"Is it any surprise that several smaller Ontario municipalities, with limited budgets and much tighter staff constraints, might opt for a draconian 'hard line in the sand' in their bylaws that denies access to any and all electoral activities?" writes Brian Marshall.

Entertainment

Shaw review: Cerebral and intimate ‘Ohio State Murders’ is one to see

With quality performances from its two leads, superb production value and creative direction from Philip Akin, Adrienne Kennedy's story of love and betrayal is well-realized at the Shaw, writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Events

Today

News

Olde Angel Inn’s patio allowed to reopen for two years

The Olde Angel Inn’s patio could get two more years to solve a property problem — but if the restaurant and patio properties can’t be merged, it will have to go for good.

Local

‘Very wet’ Old Town block raises concerns over two-home plan

A plan to replace one Old Town home with two is drawing warnings from neighbours who say a much larger building footprint could worsen drainage on a block they describe as already wet.

NOTL Votes 2026: Andrea Kaiser voters appreciate honesty and experience

For 11 years, Andrea Kiaser was a NOTL councillor and has represented the municipality at regional council since 2022. Her supporters say they believe that's why she's the person for the job of NOTL's next lord mayor.

‘King of the rows:’ NOTL’s Steve Pohorly is this year’s Grape King

Steve Pohorly manages Riverbend Farms, started 55 years ago by his parents, Frank and Susan. Today, the farm spans 50 acres of land. "It’s a team effort and I represent our entire farm family," he said.

News

NOTL’s Terry Fox Run raises $77K toward cancer treatments

Andrew Hawlitzky - 0
Amber Dyck, the mother of a cancer patient, Megan Dyck, stood before hundreds of participants at the Terry Fox Run on Sunday and told them that while Megan has been able to celebrate three birthdays since her first diagnosis, their battle is not over.
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Sold-out supercar show takes over Niagara District Airport hangar

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More than 500 guests came out to the Niagara District Airport on Saturday for the sold-out Niagara 5000 Hangar Experience, a four-hour car and aviation show that aimed to raise money for McMaster Children's Hospital.

Elbows up: Patriotic golfers celebrate Canadiana

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In the era of Trump nastiness and trade wars, “It was just time to be Canadian,” said longtime club member Martha Cruikshank, who helped organize this year's event.

Beauty, symbolism and history in NOTL hydro box makeover contest’s winners

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Three Niagara-on-the-Lake artists are set to have their works of arts celebrating the community they live in turned into public installations that will beautify three hydro boxes in town.

Willowbank marks 20 years with $163K raised for campus upgrades

It was a busy Saturday afternoon at the Willowbank Estate in Queenston, as the School of Restoration Arts opened its doors to the public, inviting them to learn more about how the school works to provide a rare education experience in Canada.

Artist Jacintha Krish finds inspiration in nature, flowers and her students

As a retiree, Krish spends much of her days putting paint to canvas, bringing to life her visions of vivid landscapes and florals. Her solo exhibition is on at the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre until Sept. 27.

NOTL Votes 2026: ‘Nobody up there would get my vote’: Sewage-hit resident interrupts St. Davids debate

A St. Davids resident who stopped a Niagara-on-the-Lake all-candidates debate Wednesday to demand action on sewage backing into homes said not one candidate on stage had earned his vote.

Public park next to new development in Glendale may open this spring

Niagara-on-the-Lake unanimously backed a deal Tuesday that would let the developer behind Modero Estates build the development’s public park sooner, rather than wait for the town to take on the project later.

NOTL Votes 2026: Growth can continue without losing town’s character, says Wiens supporter

About 100 people attended Wiens' campaign barbecue in Virgil, where supporters put development and property taxes at the top of their list of priorities for the next council.

NOTL Votes 2026: Mayoral candidates face off at jam-packed debate

Monday night's debate moved through 14 questions on growth, taxes, transparency, tourism, climate change and how the next mayor should lead. The forum also exposed clear differences in how each candidate would approach the job.