Richard Harley, Author at Niagara Now

Editorial: Thank you to NOTL volunteers

Where do we start when it comes to thanking NOTL’s volunteers? There are so many — thousands, as noted this week by our lord mayor — and each plays an important role in

Lake Ontario level predicted to be less than 2019

The water level in Lake Ontario is not expected match the record high of 2019, according to Brett Ruck, environmental services supervisor for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. But things could change. “I know some

How many NOTLers haveCOVID-19? Region won’t tell mayor

Specifics on pandemic cases would help town handle response, Disero says The Region of Niagara is still not releasing numbers of cases of COVID-19 by municipality, and Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Betty Disero said she’s hoping

UPDATE: ‘Respiratory virus’ outbreak at NOTL long-term care home is not COVID-19, public health says

Public health officials investigating a “respiratory outbreak” at Niagara Long Term Care (formerly Chartwell) in Niagara-on-the-Lake say the virus is neither COVID-19 nor the flu. The virus in the NOTL facility was confirmed not to be COVID-19 on Thursday,

COVID-19: All NOTL’s summertime fruit festivals cancelled

Almost all of NOTL’s major annual summer festivals and events are a no-go as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The strawberry, cherry and peach festivals, Rotary Canada Day celebrations and the NOTL

COVID-19: TD Niagara Jazz Festival adapts to a new world

New technology shaping performances during pandemic In these new times, all of us have had to adapt to changing situations. The TD Niagara Jazz Festival is no exception. Festival director Juliet Dunn has been working

‘Smile’ stones spread positivity around NOTL neighbourhood

Smile, love and stay calm — those are just a few of the messages circulating in one Niagara-on-the-Lake neighbourhood after someone started leaving out stones with notes of positivity.

Editorial: NOTL comes together to tackle new challenges

Whether we’re sick or not, we’re all feeling the global symptoms of COVID-19. We’re all cooped up, nobody really knows when this will end, and it’s easy to get worried about just about

SORE reprimanded for breaching confidentiality in Randwood settlement

The community group Save Our Rand Estate has been reprimanded for violating confidentiality rules set out by the Conservation Review Board during settlement proceedings in a dispute with developer Benny Marotta. Members of SORE met

COVID-19: Stranded in Nepal, NOTL man catches flight home

After a lot of uncertainty, and nearly $3,500, Connor Crickmore is back home from Nepal. The 29-year-old NOTL resident and world-traveller had been stuck in Kathmandu as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions,

Chocolate bunnies spread Easter cheer across NOTL

Some of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s front-line workers got an extra special delivery from the town’s volunteer firefighters on Saturday — chocolate bunnies.

Simpson’s workers sporting fabric masks

Simpson’s Pharmasave staff are feeling a little safer at work thanks to the efforts of Calhoun Sportswear in St. Catharines. Pharmacy owner Sean Simpson said he ordered about 60 masks from Calhoun after

Stratus ‘reinvented’ during COVID-19, retail staff working the vines

With COVID-19 emergency measures in place across the country, it’s a time for wineries to rethink and reinvent, and Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Stratus Vineyards is doing just that. For the last few weeks, the winery’s retail

Banning farm workers from stores is racial profiling: Brock prof

Amid pandemic panic, people and businesses in town have been taking extra measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but a few businesses have been doing so in ways that constitute racial profiling of

Editorial: Support The Lake Report GoFundMe, thanks to Chef Crawford

With the threat of COVID-19 in our neighbourhood, it is our sincere hope that you and your families are healthy and staying safe. As most of us know and are taking seriously, right

COVID-19: Farm workers start to arrive

It’s the day before farm workers will arrive at the Wiens farm, after much anticipation about whether they even would be allowed in the country due to COVID-19 border closures. Farm owner Erwin Wiens

SUV crashes into Old Town bank

A 33-year-old Niagara-on-the-Lake man crashed his Chevrolet Tahoe into the entrance of the Royal Bank of Canada on Mary Street on Sunday. The incident took place at about 7:20 a.m., little more than four

Virgil Stampede cancelled due to COVID-19

The Virgil Stampede is cancelled due to COVID-19. Marcia Penner, secretary of the Virgil Business Association, which puts on the stampede, said this is the first time in 54 years that the stampede

COVID-19: This is history: Museum encourages people to journal time in self-isolation

During this time of constant change and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s one thing that’s guaranteed: this will go down in history. That’s why the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is encouraging people to

COVID-19: Farmers in limbo waiting for arrival of migrant workers, Wiens says

Farmers waiting for seasonal workers to arrive are stuck in a state of limbo, Coun. Erwin Wiens says. Though the workers are said to be coming soon, “none have arrived yet and there’s

COVID-19: Teddy bears spread message of hope

It’s a message of community: we’re here for you during these tough times.

COVID-19: Home sweet home: Stranded NOTLers catch flight home from Peru

They wanted planes, they got them. Two Niagara-on-the-Lakers who were stuck in quarantine in Peru have arrived home safely, and are now quarantining again. Scott Robinson and Chelsea Widdicombe, both 23, were flown back

Alex Hicks brings NOTL cooking to Food Network

NOTL home chef wins cooking show crown Alex Hicks is Niagara-on-the-Lake’s newest celebrity chef — though she doesn’t cook professionally. Yet. Hicks, 30, took home the first place prize during a Food Network cooking show, winning $10,000,

BREAKING: Not taking emergency orders seriously? The town can now fine you $750

Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake bylaw officers can now issue a $750 fine to anyone found in contravention of emergency orders. Under new powers from the province, the town can enforce emergency orders for the closure of public

UPDATED: NOTLers quarantined in Peru, hoping government helps bring them home

Two Niagara-on-the-Lake residents are stuck in quarantine in Cusco, Peru, as a result of the changing situation around the globe due to COVID-19. Scott Robinson and Chelsea Widdicombe must stay quarantined until at least

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