In the second half of 2025, development pressures, the Royal George Theatre rebuild and the Parliament Oak hotel project dominated the headlines in Niagara-on-the-Lake. But there also was plenty to celebrate.
This year, The Lake Report has chosen to single out some of the individuals who have made it their “job” to selflessly give back to the community. We’re focusing on just a few of the many deserving individuals.
The big takeaway in the town's latest report is that heritage designation itself does not affect insurance coverage; however, factors related to it could impact whether a property gets coverage.
Donald Triggs envisioned, along with a few other Canadian new-wine pioneers, an industry making world-class wines that would compete in Europe and around the world.
One of Jordan Frost's goals is to preserve natural heritage while maintaining existing infrastructure and avoid decisions in one department creating problems elsewhere.
A bevy of giggles, goofs and good times will be had by comedy fans at the end of this month, when the 12th annual Icebreakers Comedy Festival returns to Niagara-on-the-Lake from Jan. 29 to 31.
A portion of Line 2 Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake will be closed until this spring for construction work to replace a culvert at Townline Road. Crews will provide a detour route around the site for traffic.
The NOTL Icewine Village runs Jan. 17 to 18 and Jan. 24 to 25 on Queen Street. Admission is free, with opportunities to taste wine and enjoy culinary pairings with a variety of icewines.
Jim Burton says the former hospital at on Wellington Street was built by the community, for the community — and he wants it to remain a place for the people of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
"Will builders and developers have free rein to 'build, baby, build' here in NOTL and everywhere else in the province? The future of places like Niagara-on-the-Lake hang in the balance."
From federal and provincial elections, Trump trade wars, a polar vortex, mysterious vandals who repeatedly cut down the Virgil speed camera and more, here are some of the biggest and best stories of the first six months of 2025.
From a town council perspective, Coun. Erwin Wiens called the announcement “super exciting” and praised the province for recognizing Niagara as a tourist destination, funding the Shaw Festival and exploring improvements to the Niagara District Airport.
Nicole Boyer, whose life included important years in St. Davids, her daughters Zoe and Pyper and the family labrador, Jasper, are being remembered following a fatal collision on Highway 11 in northern Ontario on Dec. 21.
Big changes are coming to the Garrison Village neighbourhood this year, and it all starts with the opening of a new grocery store at the end of this month.
"Our family has been supporting little kids' soccer in Niagara-on-the-Lake for decades," Rainer Hummel said, adding it was "not complicated" to decide whether or not to support the Dodd family.
As migrant farmworkers prepare to return to Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Farmworker Hub NOTL hopes to welcome them with wellness bags of everyday essentials, offering some relief at the start of the season after a challenging year marked by Hurricane Melissa.
Mandy Rennehan has won many awards for her entrepreneurial success and outreach work — receiving the Order of Canada, however, feels different, she says.
Freezing rain is expected to sweep through Niagara Tuesday, prompting warnings about slick roads, icy walkways and the risk of utility disruptions — and a reminder to homeowners to check what’s buried beneath the snow.
A small but determined crowd braved the elements and upheld the tradition of welcoming the new year by gathering at Niagara-on-the-Lake's clock tower cenotaph...
An official with the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines told The Lake Report that the suspect, a man in his 30s from Niagara Falls, was granted bail and is due in court next on Jan. 26.
Detectives are investigating this incident and looking for a white male, mid-30's, approximately 5'11'', with a medium build, who was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black jacket, a blue toque and black boots.
Doug Ford's plan to turn Niagara into a global tourism powerhouse could have some major effects on Niagara-on-the-Lake, though it's unclear at this time what's in store for the small town neighbouring Niagara Falls.
The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has reversed course on its response to a proposed York Road development at the Ontario Land Tribunal, opting to pursue a settlement instead of mediation, after staff shared that a settlement would cost $20,000 less than mediation
Kaufman led visitors through archival rooms normally closed to the public. The spaces contain items ranging from cartons of paper records to a 1949 photograph of the Pillar and Post staff, a pig’s head costume from one of the first Shaw Festival productions and an original War of 1812 British redcoat.
The StopGap ramps have arrived in Niagara-on-the-Lake, marking, for some, a turning point in improving the accessibility of heritage district shops for people with mobility issues.
Tina Dirks, who has lived at Radiant Care Pleasant Manor since January, placed a red poinsettia on the table in her room shortly after it arrived. She said the flowers make the season feel more like Christmas.
On Friday, volunteers from across Niagara-on-the-Lake will gather to make and deliver dozens of Christmas stockings to residents in long-term care homes.
"The shuttle bus to Fairview Mall from NOTL was cancelled when COVID hit, but there seems to be no push to resume operations. This makes no sense," writes Helen Kopec.
