Kevin MacLean, Author at Niagara Now

Hindsight 2020: The year in review

The year 2020 was an unforgettably forgettable one as the lives of literally every person on the planet were changed in some way.

Major Pleasant Manor expansion will cost $37.5 million, CEO says

The Ontario government unveiled $38.2 million in grants this week to build more long-term care facilities in Niagara and confirmed major expansion plans for Pleasant Manor in Virgil. The new 160-bed Niagara-on-the-Lake facility will cost at least $37.5

Editorial: Spreading festive cheer 2.0

The people of Niagara-on-the-Lake seem to take Christmas decorating and holiday lighting very seriously. How else to explain the amazing displays of decor around town? If ever there was a year when we all could

Editorial: Spreading festive cheer

Not even a global pandemic could hijack Santa's plan to put in an appearance in Niagara-on-the-Lake this year. The annual Christmas parade will be a drive-by featuring just the jolly old gent. This

Plan to reduce Ryerson Park visitors attracts hundreds of ‘Friends’

Door-to-door blitz shows widespread support for changes, group says The Friends of Ryerson Park had no idea they had so many friends. The community group was formed out of frustration this summer after

NOTL golf pros raise over $7,000 for men’s health

Run through snowstorm caps phenomenal Movember fundraiser

Town hires new chief administrator

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has hired a new chief administrative officer after a months-long search. Marnie Cluckie will take over the job as the town's top civil servant as of Dec. 9, the town

High winds keep NOTL Hydro crews busy

Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro crews were kept busy Sunday as a major wind storm blew down trees and power lines and caused nearly 20 separate outages. “Most were individual connections but we also had a

Golf club honours Ahluwalia with lifetime membership

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club bestowed a rare honour on one its longtime members last week – making Barbara Ahluwalia a lifetime member of the club. Ahluwalia, even at age 87, remains one of the

Golfer aces same hole twice in five days

NOTL’s Joe Doria has been on a real roll Joe Doria is going to go broke buying beer for the clubhouse denizens, if the golf season doesn’t wrap up soon. While most golfers go

Editorial: A day to remember

Every year, in every community, in every school, on main streets and at memorials across the land, we pause to remember those who fought to ensure our freedoms. It has been 75 years

Budget’s tourism plan not enough, Gates says

New Democrat says his own idea, introduced in July, is a more effective way of helping tourist sector The Ford government's budget proposal for a tourism tax credit to encourage Ontario residents to

NOTL pros honoured by their peers

The two pros at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club have been honoured by their peers for their community work and promotion of the game. Head pro Billy Simkin and associate pro Ricky Watson were

Hydro rates rising Nov. 1, but customers have new pricing option

No one likes to pay more for electricity, but after months of flat-rate billing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hydro rates are rising as of Nov. 1. But, for the first time, customers

NOTL will examine residents concerns about Chautauqua traffic, CAO says

While the traffic and crowding concerns of Chautauqua residents certainly have “some merit” and will be examined, the town’s interim chief administrator is doubtful that limiting Shakespeare Avenue and Niagara Boulevard to one-way traffic is

Chautauqua residents want town to curb traffic, visitor headaches

A group of Old Town residents concerned about traffic and overcrowding in their neighbourhood near Ryerson Park is asking the town to take some aggressive steps to control the problems. Among the proposals

Fired hydro manager repays 77% of stolen money

A Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro manager who was fired after stealing more than $250,000 is continuing to repay the money, the utility's CEO says. So far, 77 per cent of the money has been recovered, NOTL Hydro president

Golf: Watson’s 68 tops all competitors in NOTL pro-am

Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club associate pro Ricky Watson shot a 4-under 68 Sunday to lead all competitors at the club's annual men's pro-am tournament.

NOTL players compete in annual champions golf tourney

Players from the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club represented NOTL at the annual Champion of Champions tournament in Port Colborne on Saturday. It was a tough day on the links for a lot of the more

Fired hydro worker pays back 60% of stolen funds

A Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro manager who was fired after defrauding the utility of more than $250,000 has repaid more than half of the money, so far, hydro's CEO says. “Sixty per cent of the funds have now

Hydro worker fired after $250K fraud discovered

A longtime employee of Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro has been fired after admitting to setting up a fake invoicing scheme and defrauding the utility of more than $250,000, The Lake Report has learned. The former

Why they do it: Fraudsters are often desperately in need of cash, NOTL expert says

When workers defraud their employers, it typically is because they are desperate and in dire financial straits, says a NOTL forensic accounting expert. Having large debts or gambling and drug addictions are some

Popular NOTL beach passes 90% of E. coli tests

The water at Queen's Royal Beach passed E. coli tests 90 per cent of the time this summer, and only failed three times, regional statistics show. Data from the Region of Niagara, which

Golf: Women dedicate memorial tree for Elaine Lavery

WOMEN'S RESULTS: On Tuesday, the 18-holers completed the final round of their match play competition and Maria Townley won the “green” division, defeating Patty Garriock. In the “blue” division, Margot Richardson was consolation champion,

Editorial: The glass is at least half full

In an era when NOTL seems to be facing ever-more-polarizing times as animal rights activists and pro-carriage counterparts face off on the streets of town, we thought it might be time to sit

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