Kevin MacLean, Author at Niagara Now

Your chance to fly the NOTL flag

Norm Arsenault wants you to fly the flag. The Niagara-on-the-Lake flag. Didn’t know there was one? You’re not alone, but thanks to the NOTL councillor, everyone can soon own one for just $25.

Editorial: Flying the flag for NOTL

Occasionally, some of the best ideas are the simple ones, those hiding in plain sight. The why-didn’t-we-think-of-that-before ideas. They need not be life-shaping, world-changing concepts. Take Norm Arsenault’s wavin' flag idea. After seeing people chatting

Fore! Golf club auctioningseason’s first tee time to aidNewark Neighbours

With Premier Doug Ford announcing that golf courses can open for play this weekend, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club has come up with an un-fore-gettable idea. The club is auctioning off the season's first, long-awaited

COVID-19: Niagara house sales hit hard, but prices rise and realtors confident of rebound

Not surprisingly, in the midst of a pandemic and social lockdown, the real estate markets in Niagara – and elsewhere – have slowed dramatically. Year-over-year sales across Niagara Region dropped 62 per cent in April, according to

Thieves smash window, grab golf clubs from pro shop

Niagara Regional Police are investigating a smash-and-grab break-in at the NOTL Golf Club on the weekend. Sometime between Friday and Sunday morning, someone shattered a large window in the pro shop and then

‘An inspiration:’ Wilma Morrison was black history advocate

Wilma Morrison, a longtime advocate for the recognition and preservation of Niagara's black history, has died. Morrison, 91, lived at Lundy Manor Retirement Residence and died of COVID-19 complications. The Niagara Falls home has been devastated by the

COVID-19: Mayor makes video plea to tourists: Stay away

After another weekend onslaught of unwanted visitors to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Lord Mayor Betty Disero says she is not yet fed up but she is “on a mission” and won’t be distracted from trying to

Editorial: Don’t come to NOTL for now

Please stay home. Don’t come to Niagara-on-the-Lake. We really want you to visit, just not now. Another time. Please. Those are the messages the Town of NOTL has been trying to get out to

Vintage Hotels tycoon Jimmy Lai arrested in Hong Kong

Billionaire accused of participating in pro-democray protests Jimmy Lai, the billionaire tycoon behind Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Vintage Hotels, has been arrested in Hong Kong, accused of participating in pro-democracy demonstrations last year. Lai, 71,

PHOTO: Keep calm, eh

Linda Anderson-Kozik has updated her front garden decor with a sign focused on the pandemic. The Queen Street garden always features a seasonal theme, whether it's Easter, Canada Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day

COVID-19: NOTL cracks down on tourists

'Stay away' is the key message. And bylaw officers will now ticket those violating provincial orders Stay away. That’s the succinct message Niagara-on-the-Lake wants tourists to hear as the town tries to

COVID-19: Shaw staff making masks and gowns

Some 30 wardrobe staff from the Shaw Festival are using their expertise to produce masks and gowns for health care workers. With the festival suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Shaw workers

Editorial: A town full of racists? No, but NOTL can do better

Kevin MacLean Managing Editor Sometimes the truth hurts. Or is uncomfortable. Or lays waste to our closely held beliefs. Or makes us angry. The Lake Report reported two weeks ago about instances in

COVID-19: Shaw waiting for share of $500M from Ottawa

Financially scraping by, week-to-week, festival hopes to return to stage in July The Shaw Festival is counting on the federal government’s promise of $500 million for the arts, culture and sports sectors to

NOTL man creates face shields for health care workers

From his workshop in NOTL, Rene Bertschi is using his high-tech 3-D printer to produce face shields for health care workers. “I just saw a need to help our community to protect us from this deadly

NOTL hockey star drafted to OHL’s Barrie Colts

Draft day was a memorable one for Tai York and 15 family members

Shaw Festival near financial ‘breaking point,’ CEO says

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the Shaw Festival to near the “breaking point” financially and the company has now cancelled all events until after June 30, says executive director and CEO Tim Jennings. “We continue to

Editorial: A message to the people of NOTL

We all know these are difficult times, for everyone. Staying safe and healthy are paramount. Here at The Lake Report, our skeleton crew, supplemented by input from loyal readers and a small army of regular

Editorial: Welcome, farm workers. And an opportunity for NOTL hotels

After days of confusion and mixed messages, the federal government finally announced late last week that seasonal farm workers would be allowed in to Canada to help our farmers and help ensure the

COVID-19: Shaw on hiatus, but holding virtual rehearsals

‘There’ll still be theatre. We’ll still be here, we’ll bounce back, but we want to make sure the community we serve bounces back, too,’ says artistic director Tim Carroll The show does, indeed,

COVID-19: NOTL makes plans for dealing with pandemic

Avoiding community spread key concern as town staff, leaders meet multiple times daily In the midst of a state of emergency, NOTL’s fire and emergency services department is working hard to make sure the

Editorial: Snowbirds: Stay in self-isolation!

Life for all of us has been turned upside down in the past few weeks. And the way we go about our lives is going to continue to change for the foreseeable future.

COVID-19: ‘Stuck’ in Bali and trying to get home to NOTL

Should I stay or should I go? Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has told Canadians travelling abroad that “it is time to come home.” But as many travellers are discovering, and writing about on

A season to remember: COVID-19 pandemic slams door on talented hockey teams dream year

One of the most talented and successful Niagara youth hockey teams in recent memory saw its season come to a crashing halt last week, thanks to the COVID-19 epidemic.

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