Richard Harley, Author at Niagara Now

Business owner praises local first responders

Local business owner Maria Mavridis says she doesn't know how NOTL's first responders do it. She praised them and brought them water after a senior man collapsed on Market Street and was taken

UPDATE: One dead after serious collision in Niagara-on-the-Lake

UPDATE: Police have confirmed two Niagara-on-the-Lake residents were involved a fatal crash Wednesday that left one person dead and another in serious condition. A 60-year-old NOTL woman was pronounced dead at the scene, while

NOTL man arrested over incident with carriage protester

A 37-year-old Niagara-on-the-Lake man has been charged with assault and theft after an “interaction” with a horse carriage protester July 25. The incident took place at about 1 p.m. in the area of King

PHOTO: Hanging with ‘The Entertainer’

Toronto Maple Leaf legend Eddie “The Entertainer” Shack, who died this week, yucks it up with some of his NOTL Golf Club buddies. Pictured from left, Norm Arsenault, Larry Mantle, Dow Wright and

Tensions rises during debate about emergency authority

Niagara-on-the-Lake Coun. Norm Arsenault wants emergency powers to be rescinded and daily decision-making to be back in the hands of council by Aug. 24. Arsenault presented a motion to suspend the town’s emergency control group’s powers at

Council doesn’t want Pedal Pub’s licence renewed

Niagara-on-the-Lake councillors are unanimously against allowing the controversial Pedal Pub to continue operating in town. “We asked the region not to issue a licence due to safety and noise issues pertaining to the town,” Lord

Niagara-on-the-Lake sees highest COVID-19 rate in region

Niagara-on-the-Lake now has more active COVID-19 cases per capita than any other municipality in Niagara Region. As of July 29, Niagara Region public health statistics indicate there are at least nine active cases of COVID-19

Royal Oak School plans to open in September

Royal Oak School is planning to welcome kids again in September. Robin Ridesic, a parent and member of the school’s board, said that unless there’s a “drastic change” to COVID-19 numbers, the school is “fully

COVID could cost NOTL businesses $78 million: Niagara Economic Development

Niagara-on-the-Lake businesses could be seeing loses of $78 million over the next 12 months, according to Niagara Economic Development. Linda Sicoli, economic development officer with the economic development agency, presented NOTL-specific results of an

Fire ban lifted in NIagara-on-the-Lake

The fire ban has been lifted in Niagara-on-the-Lake. “Due to improved conditions, the open-air burning ban … has been lifted,” said the Town of NOTL in a news release Friday. “Controlled open-air burning

Sandra O’Connor appointed to Niagara-on-the-Lake town council

Sandra O'Connor will be joining Niagara-on-the-Lake town council. Council voted to appoint O'Connor — the runner-up in the 2018 municipal election — on July 13, to fill a seat left vacant by Stuart

Developers Hummel, Marotta say they won’t settle lawsuits against town

At least two major land developers in Niagara-on-the-Lake say they have no plans to settle lawsuits with the town. “I have not settled. I will not settle,” Rainer Hummel said in response to questions from The

Satire: Town baffled by influx of visitors with medical issues that prevent face masks

Since passing a well-meaning but unenforceable face mask bylaw, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has been astonished at the number of visitors who have medical issues that prevent them from wearing masks. “I just don't understand,” said the Lord

Food truck under fire for violating bylaw

Lorenzo Lucchetta doesn’t want to break the law, he’s just trying to make ends meet during a pandemic. The food truck owner has been in a battle with Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake bylaw officers because

Releasing emergency records is up to municipalities, expert says

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake's emergency control group has the power to decide if the records of its meetings can remain confidential or be released to the public, a leading expert on municipal law

Views on mandatory masks: From ‘100% yes’ to ‘personal choice’

Before Niagara-on-the-Lake town council passed a mandatory mask bylaw last week, Lord Mayor Betty Disero sent out an email asking for opinions on whether face masks should be mandatory. Here are some of the responses

BREAKING: NOTL council approves mandatory mask bylaw

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has approved a mandatory mask bylaw for indoor public spaces. The bylaw will come into effect Thursday, July 23, and will last until the state of emergency has ended

Disero has no issues being in Phase 2 for now

The Niagara region will remain in Phase 2 of reopening, while most of Ontario enters Phase 3, Premier Doug Ford announced Monday. Phase 3 reopening allows for “nearly all” businesses to resume, including

Town looks at new options to manage carriage protests

Town council is looking at ways to ensure horse carriage protests don’t get overheated this summer. During Monday’s committee of the whole meeting, Lord Mayor Betty Disero said the town wants to ensure protesters

Editorial: Region wasted time, showed lack of interest in public safety

The Niagara regional council meeting regarding masks last Wednesday was long-winded — to say the least. During the four-and-a-half hour affair, councillors continued to repeat themselves, showboat to constituents who had likely tuned out long before,

Council gets heated: Queen Street closure among contentious issues

Niagara-on-the-Lake town councillors have been somewhat at each other’s throats of late, with bickering, sarcastic remarks and heated debate marking their virtual meetings. During Monday’s committee of the whole meeting, several issues sparked contentious

Records of NOTL’s emergency group kept secret

Niagara-on-the-Lake's emergency team is keeping the official records of its meetings secret from the public and restricting councillors' access to the documents, The Lake Report has learned. The reports are being kept in the CAO and lord mayor's

Businesses denied patios on flower beds for now

While some Niagara-on-the-Lake businesses have opened patios on the street, others that don't have access to parking spaces in front of their buildings are wondering if can make patios on flower beds. During Monday's committee

Special meeting set to discussmandatory masks in NOTL

Niagara-on-the-Lake town council will hold a special meeting Thursday to discuss making wearing masks mandatory. The decision to hold the 2 p.m. special session was unanimously approved during Monday's committee of the whole meeting. Lord

NOTL council validates emergency group decisions

Niagara-on-the-Lake town councillors, minus three, declared their support for decisions made so far by the town’s emergency group during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lord Mayor Betty Disero asked council to consider ratifying the emergency group’s decisions

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