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Thursday, October 9, 2025

Featured

Arch-i-text: Losing our place: How the new Royal George threatens NOTL’s architectural identity

"We are being asked to accept the partial destruction of the Queen-Picton heritage district’s place identity on the very questionable altar of a cultural institution’s ask," writes Brian Marshall.

The Turner Report: Love it or list it, NOTL

"The buyer of a $1.9-million house needs $400,000 in cash and an income of about $220,000 to handle the $8,400 monthly mortgage payment, plus property tax and utilities. Ouch," writes Garth Turner.

Dr. Brown: From stone tools to superintelligence, how collaboration drives human progress

"It takes villages, towns and cities of scientists working together, whether directly or simply by sharing insights and data, to make most science work in our time," writes Dr. William Brown.

Growing Together: Some bits of fall gardening folklore

The following column was written by the late Joanne Young, garden expert and coach, and was originally published in the Oct. 5, 2023 edition of The Lake Report.

Bottom Line: Coffee and fair pay for those in the daily grind

"It is not the overpaid CEOs in the corner office at the top of the pyramid enhancing the brand’s value," writes Steve McGuinness.

Editorial: An unnecessary provincial election

Somehow Premier Doug Ford, his anointed PC candidates and members of his re-election team can keep a straight face when they repeatedly tell us...

The Turner Report: Shooting it out with the tourist cartel

"What’s worse than NOTL becoming a theme park? Why, turning into a cartel, of course. David Gilchrist says it’s already here, aided by the bandidos at town hall," writes Garth Turner.

Year in Review: A summer of floods and political anger

The last six months of 2024 in Niagara-on-the-Lake were marked by extreme weather upheaval and a volatile political climate. Kevin MacLean breaks down what made the headlines in the second half of the year.

The Turner Report: Rebellion, panic and a slippery slope

"Is bowing to tourism why people are encouraged to buy houses, flip them into motels, shrinking the supply of homes and creating businesses that don’t pay business taxes?" writes Garth Turner.

Year in Review: Development pressures remain NOTL’s biggest issue

With loud public protests, numerous anti-development screeds on social media and many more development decisions facing councillors in the second half their four-year term, vigorous debates will continue in 2025.

NOTL’s top newsmakers of 2024

NOTL produces a huge amount of news, week in and week out — and we have chosen to highlight some of the top stories and newsmakers of 2024.

Growing Together: Mother Nature’s clues for what’s in store this winter

"I must admit, as one who grew up on a farm, I love the many “observations” that have been passed down through the generations," writes Joanne Young. "Most of them can be confirmed, scientifically speaking, but at first glance can seem questionable."

Growing Together: Caring for your indoor plants this winter

"If you had your plants outside for the summer months and have brought them back into house this fall, you will see those plants going through a bit of a struggle at this time," writes Joanne Young. She shares how to keep them happy and healthy before spring returns.

Arch-i-text: All about green infrastructure

"The protection and expansion of our natural heritage system supported by green infrastructure has become the proven order of the day and necessary to our future," writes Brian Marshall.

The Turner Report: The town that wants to be a motel

It’s probably the ugliest listing around. Basically, a garage glued to a box. On a narrow lot. No trees. But for $1.6 million it...

Editorial: That’s a wrap for 2024

Sometimes a small idea blossoms into something big and beautiful. Something that has a ripple affect across the community. A couple of weeks ago, while...

Editorial: Let’s keep the conversation going

Last week’s editorial about public access to public documents got a conversation going. We heard from several readers who congratulated us on the opinion piece,...

Editorial: Yes, we can help fix the housing crisis

Ever heard something that just makes you scratch your head and go “What!?” Last week in response to an excellent decision by town council to...

Dr. Brown: The tiny and the gargantuan in the universe

"Heisenberg was right in his day — there were no methods for 'seeing' atoms, never mind, electrons. But these days the first fussy pictures of atoms have been seen and electrons tracked," writes Dr. William Brown, covering two scientific objects of recent fascination for him: A giant red star and a photon of light.

Growing Together: O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!

"Your tree is your canvas, so it is important to select a good one — gorgeous ornaments can only do so much for a scraggly tree," writes Joanne Young.

Exploring History: Queenston, circa 1910

This week’s image of Queenston originally had very little information attached to it. From our local sleuth, this photo was determined to be taken from the corner of Kent and Queenston streets, looking towards Queenston Heights.

Editorial: Concealing documents is not openness

"It’s a sad state of affairs when our town lets this kind of thing slide by — when only one or two politicians stand up against withholding information and fight for what’s right," writes editor-in-chief Richard Harley.

Arts review: Shaw’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ remains fun time for everyone

"The delight of this production owes much to its buoyant, genuine performances, fine direction, imaginative minimalist staging, creepy sounds and lively puppets," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Dr. Brown: Biology, physics, artificial intelligence and complexity

"We created AI and now AI helps us understand ourselves, our world and our universe. That’s why AI, biology and physics have so much in common," writes Dr. William Brown.

Growing Together: How to grow amaryllis, the mysterious Christmas flower

"Growing an amaryllis requires no special skills. In fact, once a bulb is ready to bloom, it will flower with or without you," writes Joanne Young.

Opinion: Niagara’s hospital system is in crisis

After reading Kevin MacLean's article on his experience in the emergency room at the St. Catharines hospital, Wendy Cheropita shares the trials of her own "waiting game": "What I didn’t know was what lay ahead of me. This was my first visit in 10 years."

Growing Together: Creating your very own Christmas planter

"After years of putting together Christmas planters of all shapes and sizes, I have learned that some simple techniques can help you get off to a good start and hopefully take some of the frustration out of this task," writes Joanne Young, sharing just what those steps are.

TOWN NOTICE: Notice of complete application and open house

An open house is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. regarding a modificaton to an approved draft plan for the Harvest Creek Condominium.

Growing Together: Using fresh greens to decorate for the holiday

"Using evergreen boughs and trees is one of the longest Christmas traditions. The year-round green foliage provides us with a sign of hope to carry us through the winter and into the new year," writes Joanne Young.

Code Grey: The waiting game

"Humanity feels absent from the equation except for the brief few minutes of direct interaction with a nurse or doctor that occur along the way. There are just too many sick or hurting people for The System to cope," writes Kevin Maclean.

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