Zahraa Hmood, Author at Niagara Now

Ravine winery proprietor hospitalized after truck struck by driver

A prominent NOTL businessman was hospitalized and is recovering from injuries this week after being rear-ended on Thursday by an accused drunk driver.

NOTL Votes 2026: Karen Taylor-Jones calls for ‘right development, right place’

Karen Taylor-Jones was the catalyst for a protest outside Niagara-on-the-Lake town hall two years ago that took the town to task over its decision to greenlight a luxury hotel on King Street.

This NOTLer found his calling at Red Roof Retreat — then, he came back

Fifteen years after volunteering at Red Roof Retreat during high school, Robert Burciul is back as its program co-ordinator, as the charity prepares to open the doors to its new, 5,700-square-foot facility in January.

More hydro boxes set for makeovers as part of Pumphouse art competition

Twenty-nine artworks are in the running to become one of three tableaus that will be used to beautify three hydro boxes in NOTL — part of a project that’s seen 23 hydro boxes turned into public art so far.

Willowbank School of Restoration Arts celebrates 20th anniversary on Sept. 19

The School of Restoration Arts at Willowbank is celebrating 20 years since its foundation in 2006, with plans to invite the public onto its 13-acre property to tour the 19th-century Willowbank Estate.

Find your inner Picasso at Queenston art studio’s painting workshops

A local couple, who run an art studio and gallery out of the old Laura Secord school in Queenston, are hosting a three-day painting workshop for painters both aspiring and experienced.

Mystery meets sci-fi as two NOTL authors compare their writing worlds

Richard West and Paul Masson will be at the NOTL Public Library on Sept. 1, to celebrate the release of their latest novels and discuss what inspires their writing, how they build fictional worlds and how an idea becomes a finished book.

Nostalgia meets gallows humour in this comedy tour, coming to NOTL on Aug. 20

Comedian Eric Johnston is set to stop in NOTL this Thursday as part of his “Son of a Bull” comedy tour, which sees him getting candid about addiction in the family, mental health and being the son of a professional wrestler.

Developer looks to take apart and transfer 19th-century NOTL schoolhouse

After concerns this spring that a 19th-century schoolhouse in Niagara-on-the-Lake was set to be lost to demolition, the future of this building now appears clearer.

NOTL Votes 2026: Maria Mavridis hopes to keep the public informed next council term

Maria Mavridis, who was elected to council for the first time in 2022, is once again throwing her hat into the ring of this fall’s election, hoping to serve another term.

Old Town’s Cheese Secrets closes downtown shop after 17 years

The artisanal cheese store that occupies a small slice of Market Street in Old Town has closed up shop after being unable to keep up with the rising price of rent for businesses downtown.

Ultra-marathoner kicking off 886-kilometre run in Queenston

Long-distance runner Adam Saltarelli will set off on his run from the Waterfront Trail under the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge on Saturday at 9 a.m.

Grade 6 student at St. Michael wins big in Legion contest

Last fall, Dean Pagnotta wrote about these men and women who fought for Canada, each carrying out “a brave and heartfelt job,” he wrote in a 335-word essay.

Pumphouse Pride month event postponed after backlash, protest threats

A source who reached out to The Lake Report, an artist who we’ve chosen not to name, said the Pumphouse received a threat regarding the event from Canadian white nationalist group the Second Sons.

New Rand Estate hotel plan criticized by town’s planners

NOTL’s municipal and heritage planners rejected Benny Marotta’s previous development plans for the historic Rand Estate, and once again, they’re not enamored with his latest proposal.

NOTL’s Senior of the Year says senior housing remains a pressing need

Since starting the Senior Housing Advisory Committee, Cindy Grant says the group has secured support from the town and identified two potential sites for an independent living facility.

Strewn Winery hotel idea a ‘slippery slope’ to more development on NOTL’s farmland, critics say

Plans to buy Strewn Winery and build a 58-room hotel on the site are being met with skepticism from some who argue the project could open the floodgates to a hotel being built on every winery in town.

Owners to sell Strewn Winery, possibly making way for new hotel

Big changes are coming to Strewny Winery: after almost 30 years in business, the small winery is being sold and may become home to a new hotel with 58 rooms.

With deadline looming, NOTL seeks more time to finish heritage designation

The Town of NOTL is asking the Ontario government to give it three more years to finish designating as many heritage properties as it can before it’s too late.

$1.25M added to Mississagua St. project to replace aging sewer system

About 390 metres of concrete sewer pipe will be replaced as part of Mississagua Street’s reconstruction starting later this year. Town staff said the additional work will not extend the project’s timeline.

Developer’s revised St. Davids townhouse plan stalls at council

The developer behind a new St. Davids subdivision came to town with a request to change its plans for a new block of townhouses and was met with disapproval from half of council, with questions about the proposal will impact St. Davids’ already-strained stormwater system.

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