Richard Harley, Author at Niagara Now

Return to the fields uplifting for kids, parents, coaches

Niagara-on-the-Lake kids were out in almost full force on Monday, as sports teams finally started to return to the fields.

Sunset Grill gives back with free breakfasts

Niagara-on-the-Lake's Sunset Grill is giving back by doing what it does best – cooking up hearty breakfasts for volunteers and people from the community. The restaurant has served up about 75 free breakfasts to NOTL firefighters, mask ambassadors, the Queen

A heartfelt hug from2-year-old great-grandson

As pandemic restrictions continue to ease and cases of COVID-19 fall, people are finally starting to be able to connect with their loved ones again, which is especially important for family members who were isolated in long-term care homes.

Editorial: Make Pride crosswalk happen now

Niagara-on-the-Lake is ahead of the curve in so many ways. And so behind in others. This week's story about resident Jordon Williams' efforts to get a rainbow crosswalk installed at the intersection of

Artist frustrated by anti-masker whodefiedlockdown rules

Niagara-on-the-Lake artist Filomena Pisano says she doesn't want to have to choose between her studio and her health after a fellow tenant in the old Virgil Public School hosted maskless, indoor classes for children

Goettlers celebrate independent press with donation to Lake Report

Lauren and Vaughn Goettler know how important independent, trustworthy journalism is for a community. This week, the couple showed their appreciation by making a $2,000 donation to The Lake Report — Niagara-on-the-Lake's first

More contagiousvariants likely on the rise, top doctor says

Niagara's chief medical officer is worried the B.1.617 and P.1 variants of COVID-19 are on the rise in the region. Looking at available variant data, Dr. Mustafa Hirji said confirmed cases of P.1 have risen from

People still need to get tested for COVID, Hirji says

Niagara’s top doctor is worried too few people are getting tested for COVID-19. While cases are continuing to decline in Niagara, so is the number of people getting tested, Dr. Mustafa Hirji told reporters Monday.

NOTL flying progressive flag for Pride Month

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is flying the Pride flag high for Pride Month. This year, the town is flying the “progressive Pride flag,” which Pride Niagara member at large Darryl Dyball said is

Vaccines contributing to decline in COVID cases: Hirji

Cases of COVID-19 are dropping more sharply than expected across Ontario, says Niagara’s chief medical officer of health. Dr. Mustafa Hirji said it’s a “good news” story, with a steady drop in the

Pandemic Heroes: NOTL’s farmers and farm workers

During a time when everything in the world was uncertain at best, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s farmers and farm workers continued to ensure food crops were being grown and put on the table for families. There’s

Pickleball courts open, draw crowds

Pickleball courts were full up on Saturday morning, the first day the Virgil courts were open for play since being closed for public safety amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. John Hindle, president of

NOTL reopens some outdoor recreational facilities

With the provincial announcement Thursday easing restrictions on some outdoor activities, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is gearing up to reopen some outdoor amenities for Saturday. Starting Saturday, per provincial guidelines, the town will reopen basketball courts, tennis

Pandemic Heroes: Katherine Gaio

On top of brightening the winter for so many NOTLers with her family's appearance on “Family Feud Canada,” Katherine Gaio was nominated as a Pandemic Hero for her constant willingness to go out of the

Lockdown effective, but variants making things tougher, says Hirji

Data shows 10% increase in people leaving home over past two weeks Ontario's provincial lockdown is bringing cases down, but not quite as quickly as lockdowns have in the past. Niagara's chief

Hirji suspects lockdown will be extended again

With the provincial stay-at-home order extended until June 2, Niagara's top doctor suspects things won't start to fully reopen till July. While he “very much” agrees with the two-week extension, “I am suspicious that we'll probably need to

Many eligible for vaccines will have to wait for bookings,Hirji says

Vaccine supply is 'much smaller' than number of people becoming eligible The province has opened up vaccine bookings Tuesday to anyone 18 and over, but Niagara's chief medical officer of health says there might be

‘I got AstraZeneca now what?’

UPDATE: On Friday the province announced it will be giving second doses of AstraZeneca vaccines, starting with people who received their first dose of between March 10 and March 19. Those who are eligible

Province opens vaccine bookings to all adults Tuesday

All Ontario adults will be able to book a COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday. At 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2021, individuals aged 18 and over, or turning 18 in 2021, will be eligible to book a

Harp and Cogeco team up with lunches forcare home staff

A lunch for care home staff and a boost for local business. A Cogeco lunch campaign aims to spread a bit of joy to long-term care workers, while at the same time supporting local restaurants through

Stolen Cadillac from NOTL driveway found torched in Welland

Niagara-on-the-Lake's Megan Vanderlee didn't expect to wake up on Friday to discover her 2007 Cadillac Escalade had been stolen from her driveway in Virgil. She kept her hopes up that it would be

Province shouldn’t open until mid-June, Hirji warns

Niagara's COVID-19 cases are starting to trend downward but we are probably a month away from safely winding down restrictions, says the region's chief medical officer of health. Dr. Mustafa Hirji told a

Newark Neighbours food drive kicks off Saturday

Newark Neighbours and the NOTL Rotary Club are gearing up for a porch pickup food drive this Saturday and Sundy, and are looking to residents to help ensure the event a success. On May 15 and

Asparagus rush! Steady lines for first crop of season

Within 15 minutes of opening for the season on Wednesday morning, Thwaites Farms had dozens of people lined up to get some of the first asparagus batch of the year. Many people were

Two more NOTL vaccine clinic dates available

Niagara Region public health has announced two more dates for Niagara-on-the-Lake COVID-19 vaccine clinics. The clinics will be held May 15 and 16 at the NOTL Community Centre. Bookings are now open to

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