Richard Harley, Author at Niagara Now

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

Giving surplus back was notlibrary’s first choice, board chair says

While the NOTL Public Library is willing to help the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake solve its revenue problem, it had not planned to give 75 per cent of its $100,000 surplus back to supplement the town’s

TD Niagara Jazz Festival reinvents itself online

Innovative approach keeps musicians, videographers employed while supporting restaurants In a time of hardship for musicians due to a lack of live gigs, the TD Niagara Jazz Festival is still paying performers, while creating

Blaze tears through NOTL facility on Townline Road

Pet grooming can resume, with conditions

Pet groomers can begin to offer some services again, with conditions. On Wednesday, the province amended its emergency order regulations to allow pet groomers to open back up, effective Feb. 4, provided the service

It’s a Canadian thing: Family pond skating a source of joy during lockdown

It’s 11:30 a.m. on a Monday and the Cadeaus are tying the laces of their skates to head out to play some hockey during a break in online school.

GoFundMe for cat rescued from Old Town roadside

A GoFundMe campaign is raising money for an injured cat named Hazel that was rescued from the side of Ricardo Street near Queen’s Landing Jan. 26. Hazel was dropped off at NOTL Cats Rescue, a

Editorial: Stop with the preamble

It's been well-documented that Niagara-on-the-Lake council meetings go on and on and … among the longest in the region. Recognizing the problem, councillors last fall even looked at making changes to their meeting format,

Town needs to find new revenue sources: Bisback

Higher user fees and, eventually, an accommodation tax needed, budget chief says The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake needs to find new ways to boost revenue, says Coun. Allan Bisback. During a special meeting to

The budget: NOTL budget approved with 2.12% tax hike

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake officially has a budget for 2021. The operating budget, approve last Wednesday, comes in at $37,327,452 and while overall expenses are down slightly ($37,453,452 in 2020), there’s a 2.12 per cent increase

Cases fall,NOTL care home hopes it has’turned the corner’ on outbreaks

After 11 deaths and 120 people testing positive, hard-hit facility is down to six cases After 11 deaths in one Niagara-on-the-Lake care home and a spike in COVID cases across town in January, things are

Mayor hoping positive signs point to reopening domestic travel, tourism

While the future is definitely still uncertain, Lord Mayor Betty Disero is hoping COVID cases continue to drop, allowing domestic travel and tourism to open up more in spring and summer. As “more and more

Business is tough, but owners see potential silver linings

While business is slowwww right now, some Niagara-on-the-Lake owners and operators are hopeful for what the future holds. Rick Jorgensen, owner of OliV Tasting Room, said while the lockdown is making things extremely tough, the pandemic

Disero joins Ontario mayors in asking for voice in border reopening talks

Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Betty Disero has joined other leaders of border municipalities in sending a letter to the federal minister of public safety and emergency preparedness and minister of foreign affairs asking to be consulted about any

NOTL budget: Town foresees surplus, 2.1% tax increase

Niagara-on-the-Lake residents will see a potential 2.1 per cent hike on the municipal portion of their tax bills in 2021 — an increase of about $30 based on a $563,000 home assessment. The town was expected to

Editorial: Good news amid the pandemic

As we are all learning, during a pandemic lockdown, it can be challenging to find things to which we can look forward. But this week, NOTL residents had the pleasure of cheering on

COVID general update: Town looking for site for vaccine rollout in NOTL

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Niagara Region are looking for a possible location for vaccine rollout in NOTL. One site could be Centennial Arena in Virgil, chief administrator Marnie Cluckie told councillors during a COVID-19 update

‘The season is starting and we’re prepared for it,’ Wiens says as farm workers return

Seasonal farm workers are arriving in Niagara-on-the-Lake again and things are going a little more smoothly than a year ago. Coun. Erwin Wiens, a grape farmer, told council Monday night that workers started coming in,

Chamber CEO thanks firefighters after blaze at his home

Eduardo Lafforgue, president of the NOTL Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Niagara, thanked the town's volunteer firefighters on Monday during a meeting of council. Lafforgue's house on Anne Street was badly damaged by a fire

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