Richard Harley, Author at Niagara Now

Editorial: In the ‘stay home’ stretch

There are a lot of people out there who are questioning the advice of Niagara’s top doctor, Mustafa Hirji. And they couldn’t be more wrong. Hirji consistently has been warning of the dangers

NOTL wantsintegrated regional transit, but opposes assessment-based funding

NOTL councillors are keen on the prospect of an integrated transit system across the entire Niagara region, but have no interest in using an assessment-based formula to pay for it. Because home prices

COVID variants a big concern, as public health investigates 33 cases

Dangerous COVID-19 variants are making their way to Niagara. On Monday, the region's chief medical officer of health Dr. Mustafa Hirji said there were 33 cases of suspected variants being investigated, up from six

Coyote Dynasty: Hunters say what they do is legal and needed

Randy Norris says he's been hunting coyotes in Niagara-on-the-Lake legally for 30 years.

NOTL’s Dr. Robin Williams celebrated for International Women’s Day

Niagara-on-the-Lake's Dr. Robin Williams will be honoured at a special International Women's Day ceremony on Friday. The ceremony, hosted by the Women in Niagara council of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, is meant to honour

Riverbend sells to Peller for $10M

Andrew Peller Limited's purchase of Niagara-on-the-Lake's Riverbend Inn and Vineyard was a “natural” step for the NOTL-based wine producer, chief executive John Peller says. The company announced its $10-million purchase of the historic 17-acre vineyard property and 21-room

Editorial: Volunteers make NOTL better for all

Niagara-on-the-Lake thrives on volunteerism. And it’s so satisfying to see some of those volunteers recognized for the incredible number of hours they collectively spend helping our local organizations and non-profits. The province typically holds a ceremony for

Dedicated NOTL volunteers honoured with provincial awards

More than 15 Niagara-on-the-Lake volunteers have been recognized with special honours by the province of Ontario for their work in the community.

Hirji fears rapid spike inCOVID variants with quick reopening

Niagara is likely headed for the pandemic red zone, but not on the advice of the region's acting chief medical officer of health. During a news conference Monday, Dr. Mustafa Hirji said with COVID-19

St. Davids brewery entrepreneur glad construction finally can resume

Rob Begin is happy construction crews can resume building his new restaurant and brewery in St. Davids. The project was shut down during the provincewide lockdown, but the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake gave him

Community centre likely site for NOTL vaccine rollout

Niagara Region’s public health department doesn’t want to use the Virgil arenas for the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in NOTL, Lord Mayor Betty Disero says. Instead, the health agency is looking at

COVID-19 outbreak ends at Pleasant Manor care home

After 53 days in outbreak status and two resident deaths, Virgil's Pleasant Manor is now free of COVID-19 cases, Radiant Care CEO Tim Siemens says. With that news, there's a general feeling of relief in the facility

Pandemic forces Shaw to cancel musical ‘Gypsy’ for 2021

The Shaw Festival has cancelled its major 2021 production of “Gypsy: A Musical Fable.” Continued lockdown restrictions in Niagara Region “have made it clear” that the company is unable to present the musical this

NOTL must still ‘remain vigilant,’ Disero says

Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Betty Disero says people need to “remain vigilant” after the provincial stay-at-home order was lifted and Niagara Region moved into grey-lockdown pandemic status on Tuesday. The move means many more retail businesses can open

NOTL COVID cases down to eight as region stays in grey-lockdown

Niagara-on-the-Lake has seen a 50 per cent reduction in active COVID-19 cases since last week. As of Wednesday, there were eight active cases in town, down from 16 a week ago. At NOTL’s long-term

Fire aftermath: Burned-out NOTL facility wasn’t just a business, it was a ‘community’

When Reclaimed from Roots owner Mike Werner installed a new $50,000 automated system for cutting wood, he expected it would be a big step for his handmade furniture business.

Neighbours dig in to help out after huge snowfall

Tuesday's massive snowstorm brought with it some kind deeds by neighbours.

Andrea Kaiser named NOTL riding’s federal Liberal candidate

Andrea Kaiser will once again represent the Liberal party as the candidate for the Niagara Falls riding in the next general federal election. Kaiser officially announced her candidacy Wednesday. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal Liberal

Pandemic Heroes: Pam Farrell

Pam Farrell of St. Davids has been nominated by Win Laar of NOTL as one of our Pandemic Heroes. Here iss what Laar said in her nomination: As a former teacher, Pam grew increasingly aware of

Creek freezes for first time in years and attracts neighbourhood skaters

It's the "first time in 24 years give or take" that One Mile Creek has frozen enough for skating, say longtime Chautauqua residents Stephanie Tribe and Shane Sherlock.

UPDATE: Damage estimated at $2.5 million for NOTL fire

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s crew of 60 firefighters used every fire apparatus the town has but were simply “outmatched” due to a lack of available water as they battled a massive blaze that engulfed an old chicken

Editorial: Let’s stay home a bit longer

Our chief medical officer says if we are smart and keep COVID cases down, it’s possible we won’t see a third wave. That’s a reason to celebrate — but not with your friends

NOTL care homes doing well after COVID outbreaks: Hirji

Niagara-on-the-Lake's long-term care homes are seeing a sharp decline in new COVID-19 cases after month-long outbreaks led to 14 COVID-related deaths, the region's top doctor says. In an interview Tuesday, Niagara's chief medical officer Dr. Mustafa Hirji

‘Relatively risky time’ to reopen, says Niagara’s top doctor

Niagara's chief medical officer of health says he isn't sure what level the region will be at when the provincial lockdown is lifted and he warns that we need to be cautious about reopening

Man living on boat in Niagara River brought to shore, hospital

A man who has been living on his boat in the Niagara River for several weeks has been brought back to land again, this time by Niagara Regional Police. The man, whom a

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