Julia Sacco, Author at Niagara Now

Library board co-chair says he is OK with raising taxes

The NOTL Public Library is asking for the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to cover a chunk of its $81,000 shortage for its budget next year — just under $66,000.

Photographer takes home big honour for photo of NOTL coyotes

Andrew Interisano’s nighttime shot of two coyotes is one of a handful of photographs to receive the “Highly Commended” accolade in the international Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest this year.

St. Davids teen takes home rowing gold in U.S. competition

Lauren Deprez took home two gold medals last week from one of the largest rowing competitions in the world.

NOTL jam maker takes home more awards from Royal Winter Fair

Kim McQuhae took home four first-place wins and several others for her jams and jellies, ahead of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair opening on Nov. 1.

Lions Harvest Breakfast is a hit

Lines were long and plates were full at the St. Davids Lions’ annual Harvest Breakfast. “The best part is being with family and friends,” said one attendee.

Niven expressed interest in a council position before appointment, he says

“Reading that there could be an appointment, I had just emailed Gary to tell him I had been interested if that’s a path council was willing to take,” Andrew Niven said.

Town approves funding for Heritage Trail

Councillors voted in favour of the use of $21,000 remaining in the town’s discretionary grant funds toward completing phase two of the Heritage Trail.

Sessions next week to reveal results of senior housing survey

The three sessions will take place Oct. 28, 29 and 30, running from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Locals will have the opportunity to share what they think of the results.

Success is ‘when the bleeding stops,’ Wiens says of Rand hearing

While the lawyer hired by the town of NOTL for the Rand Estate hearing at the Ontario Land Tribunal is calling this month’s ruling a “complete success,” Coun. Erwin Wiens says he’s frustrated the town had to enter into an approximately $3 million legal battle.

Andrew Niven sworn in on Monday before council meeting

New Coun. Niven, filling a council seat left vacant in September, was formally introduced to the other councillors during Tuesday night’s committee of the whole meeting, after already being sworn in earlier this week.

Appointment of new councillor was ‘completely democratic,’ Wiens says

Those who were in favour of selecting Andrew Niven say the town’s past decisions on handling council vacancies weren’t based on a single hard-and-fast rule, as there is more than one legal option for how to fill an empty seat.

Poppy campaign starts next Friday

Members of Legion Branch 124 will be collecting donations in exchange for poppies along the streets of Niagara-on-the-Lake starting next Friday as part of the annual poppy campaign.

Andrew Niven selected as NOTL’s new councillor during private meeting

Andrew Niven is the chair of the NOTL Chamber of Commerce and a director of marketing at Konzelmann Estate Winery. He also ran for council in 2018 unsuccessfully.

Happy developers, sad residents: Glendale secondary plan discussed

Determining the height of a development a science of compatibility, but instead a conversation about what kind of character is trying to be achieved, said one planner during his presentation.

Election runner-up Allan Bisback prepared, if asked, to fill council’s empty seat

“I would, if offered the job, be prepared to sit on council,” said Bisback, who sat on council from 2018 to 2022 before the last municipal election.

NOTL’s historical boundary stones will be restored this fall

“The process, while slow, is proceeding quite nicely,” said a member of the town’s heritage committee.

Native Centre celebrates 50 years

“This serves as a platform to educate, unite, and remind everyone that Indigenous culture is not a relic of the past but a living, vibrant force that shapes our present and future.”

School bus driver is fed up with parking bylaw

“It’s a problem in this town, no matter what you do it’s always going to be a problem,” said local school bus driver Barry Wilding.

Two contractors injured on the job by fallen tree

The Ministry of Labour says the investigation into the incident is ongoing and didn’t share any updates on the state of workers — one of whom was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Niagara College announces first-of-its-kind scholarship to cover tuition costs

The renewable scholarship will be offered starting next fall to students who are First Nations and former foster care children.

Keep up to date with town’s strategic plan with new online update

A new discovery page found on the plan’s dashboard offers residents an “accessible and high-level view” of the plan’s progress.

Company seeking feedback on plan for old hospital site

The possible multimillion-dollar project to turn the old building on Wellington Street into a hub for a handful arts, education, culture and heritage groups is in its beginning stages.

Seniors for Climate targets NOTL issues

Dozens of Seniors for Climate groups met up in their communities across Canada on Tuesday for Seniors Day for Climate Action, including a spirited group of locals at Simcoe Park in NOTL.

Ousted Native Centre board members reinstated

The four individuals removed from the board last February are to be reinstalled to their board positions no later than Dec. 19.

Newark Neighbours seeks Thanksgiving donations

Local food bank Newark Neighbours was short on volunteers this Saturday for its annual Porch Pickup drive, used to create Thanksgiving hampers for those in need in NOTL.

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