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Thursday, December 11, 2025

News

Town gives short-term relief for downtown businesses affected by recycling change

Niagara-on-the-Lake will provide short-term relief for businesses affected by the region’s move to privatize non-residential recycling collection.

Irish Harp decision delayed as town wonders what to do about patios

As Niagara-on-the-Lake ends the temporary patio program it introduced five years ago to help restaurants during the pandemic, it's now uncertain what will happen with one Old Town business’s bid to keep its patio for good.

Christmas tree shoppers flock to Lions Club’s greener pastures

Many Canadian Christmas tree farmers are facing significant financial pressure after American buyers pulled back due to the ongoing U.S.–Canada trade war.

Rotary Holiday House Tour opens NOTL homes to raise $200,000 for charity

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Rotary Holiday House Tour brought thousands of ticket holders into seven decorated homes while raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities at its 26th annual weekend event.

Paxton Lane rezoning sparks concern over shift from tribunal-approved conditions

A rezoning proposal at Paxton Lane in St. Davids is drawing pushback from a local resident who says it conflicts with what the Ontario Land Tribunal intended when it approved subdivision plans for the area in 2013.

97-year-old NOTLer looks to bring knitted joy

Dora Werenchuk has lived through more Christmases than most and hopes her creations help keep people warm — in both body and spirit.

NOTL group steps up after fire kills 31 cats at Fort Erie sanctuary

A Niagara-on-the-Lake animal rescue fundraising group is stepping up this weekend to help Happy Days Animal Sanctuary in Fort Erie pick up the pieces after a devastating fire killed 31 cats and destroyed the main building.

NOTLer has been all over the world, but still searching for Ralph Lauren

Rita Brown is preparing to release a book in early 2026 on the ladies’ riding habit, but one challenge remains: securing approval to reprint a photo of a notable Ralph Lauren women’s sportswear piece.

Niagara-on-the-Lake artwork lost at airport finds its way home — with a little help from some friends

A month before Christmas, a lost painting at Toronto Pearson Airport set off an unexpected chain of events involving technology, a well-known artist and a link to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Nearly 1,000 shoppers support local on first day of Pumphouse holiday market

Running from Dec. 5 to 14, the market raises money for children’s and seniors’ programs in Niagara-on-the-Lake while offering an expanded selection of handmade work.

NOTL cash-in-lieu parking fee rising to $75,716 in 2026

The fee that Niagara-on-the-Lake property owners pay when they can’t meet required parking rules on their land is going up next year.

Exploring History: 130th anniversary of the Niagara Historical Society, a.k.a. the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

"This museum is, above all, the community’s museum. What has kept the museum alive for more than a century is not simply the buildings or the collections — it's the spirit of the people."

Human remains found in Niagara-on-the-Lake identified as Toronto man

Police have confirmed the identity of the human remains found on the shores of Lake Ontario in Niagara-on-the-Lake in August as a man from Toronto who has been missing since 2022.

Whistle post discovery halts heritage trail work as committee backs staffing plan

Amid work on the Upper Canada Heritage Trail stalling after crews dug up an early 1900s railway marker, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is moving ahead with a plan to let its staff keep assisting with its restoration.

As NOTL’s outdoor patios shut down, Olde Angel Inn, Irish Harp look to make their patios permanent

As the town bids farewell to the temporary patio program it welcomed five years ago to help restaurants out during the pandemic, two businesses in the heritage district are looking to set up patios they can keep for good: the Olde Angel Inn and the Irish Harp.

Patio issue resurfaces as NOTL councillors weigh short-term options

Debate over patios in NOTL resurfaced Tuesday night as councillors questioned whether they should return before a full Queen Street plan is ready.

NOTL Museum gets $100,000 over two years from Bank of Montreal

BMO is giving the museum $100,000 over two years to support its $10-million renovation and expansion project.

Council advances three-storey apartment for Virgil despite density, privacy concerns

The apartment plans include 29 units — because of the property’s size, that works out to a density of about 95 units per hectare.

What’s on in Niagara-on-the-Lake during a packed December kickoff

The holiday rush has officially arrived: candlelight, concerts, s’mores and house tours shape one of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s busiest weekends of the season.

Royal George rebuild didn’t cost NOTL millions in parking fees

The theatre was built long before modern municipal parking rules existed and was never required to provide general parking. As long as it remains a theatre, that zero-parking requirement is legally grandfathered under the Ontario Planning Act.

Privatization of blue box services not well received by NOTL businesses, not-for-profits

Jan. 1 will bring a major change for Niagara-on-the-Lake businesses, especially those with large amounts of cardboard, plastics and other recyclables.

St. Davids boxer wins her fifth national championship

Wright showed her dominance in the ring again, winning her fifth career national championship, a phenomenal accomplishment, says the head of Boxing Canada.

Council passes 2026 budget with 2.19 per cent tax hike

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake's budget has been set for the next year, with a property tax hike of 2.19 per cent and plans to spend $44.2 million on operations and $8.3 million on capital projects.

Parliament Oak to Glencairn Hall soil removal done without town permission

Early last month, trucks full of dirt from the grounds of 325 King St. could be seen driving down to 14795 Niagara River Pwky., where the historic Glencairn Hall stood before it burned down in April.

Exploring History: Queenston’s steamship days

At the height of its popularity, the Canada Steamship Lines fleet would transport up to 10,000 visitors from Toronto to Niagara and Queenston on a busy summer weekend.

Sarah Kaufman steps down as the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum’s curator

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is bidding farewell to the head of its organization, Sarah Kaufman, who served as the museum's curator for more than 15 years. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sarah for her unwavering commitment, leadership, and devotion to sharing the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake," says board chair Susan May Wery.

Doc launch at NOTL Museum brings Mennonite migration stories into public view

Stories of war, migration and peach orchards took centre stage as the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum launched its Mennonites of Niagara oral history project Saturday.

Volunteer holiday sale backs Niagara shelters amid increasing pet abandonments

A Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas fundraiser is helping local shelters cope with a surge in abandoned pets driven by rising costs that many owners can no longer manage.

Traffic concerns dominate meeting on developer’s bid to keep St. Davids lot

Plans to let a developer keep a piece of land that was going to be turned over to the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake triggered a wave of frustration, confusion and concern from St. Davids residents during a virtual open house last Monday night.

Virgil’s Christmas Tractor Parade returns for its fifth year on Dec. 11

The Virgil Christmas tractor parade is back in Niagara-on-the-Lake on Thursday, Dec. 11 and will see a procession of illuminated and decorated tractors, trucks and other farm vehicles make their way through the village in a festive celebration of the holidays.

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