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Wednesday, March 4, 2026

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Gale doubles down on governance reform after regional council launches review

Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale is not backing down from his push to rethink how Niagara is governed — even after councillors voted to rein in his amalgamation efforts and launch their own review process.

Head of Newark Neighbours food bank in Niagara-on-the-Lake retires

Newark Neighbours announced that Cindy Grant has decided to retire from her volunteer role as the organization's manager, with her replacement taking over her role, effective immediately.

Team Wine wins 19th Caps, Corks and Forks tiebreaker at Niagara College

A sold-out room of 250 guests cast corks and caps course by course Saturday night at Niagara College’s NOTL campus, where Team Wine broke a 9–9 deadlock to win the 19th Caps, Corks and Forks.

Gale’s amalgamation bid hits wall of opposition at regional council

The region needs more time to consider the implications of amalgamating Niagara and closely examine the issues with Niagara Region's governance before making a decision, several councillors said.

‘Your voice gets smaller’: Amalgamation fears dominate tense council meeting

Councillors pressed Niagara Region's chair on the financial case behind the proposal to merge Niagara's municipalities. “You want to see the end of Niagara-on-the-Lake," said Coun. Erwin Wiens.

Court halts Royal George teardown as NOTL-based builder challenges town’s process

The Shaw has temporarily halted the teardown of the Royal George and its box office after a builder launched a court challenge alleging the town failed to follow proper planning and heritage rules.

Family devastated as NOTL hotelier Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison

Jimmy Lai was convicted in December of “conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security, and conspiracy to publish seditious articles.”

Friction erupts as council weighs Ryerson Park land transfer

Niagara-on-the-Lake council voted this week to explore the possible transfer of a fenced-off strip of waterfront land in Ryerson Park — but not before a debate that included a “hysterical” remark and a complaint it was “not respectful.”

‘It’s not a job for Debbie’: Personal support worker celebrates 50 years at NOTL care home

Debbie Etherington started working at the long-term care home in 1976, when she was 16 and still in high school. "I loved it right away," she said. "It was a nice feeling from the get-go."

Town not looking to create permanent non-residential recycling program

Town staff told council Tuesday that Niagara-on-the-Lake should not take over non-residential recycling. This will leave NOTL businesses in the downtown core looking for private providers for all recyclables by the end of the year.

Niagara College celebrates Black History Month with Black-owned business market

The Winter Pop-Up Market will run Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Applied Health Foyer. The event, which began in 2024, will highlight Black-owned businesses and provide opportunities to meet and connect with Black business owners.

Sandtrap raises hundreds at Super Bowl party for Red Roof Retreat

It was a full house at the Sandtrap Pub and Grill on Sunday night, with football fans' eyes glued to the screens above the bar as the biggest night in American football unfolded.

Plans to create St. Davids agriculture storage on protected farmlands met with concerns

Plans to use a property on protected farmland near St. Davids to store farm equipment and crops drew challenges from nearby residents and probes from a few councillors.

Decision on Irish Harp’s patio in limbo as town looks for more info

The Irish Harp wants to continue using the outdoor patio it opened during the pandemic. Council voted to shut down the temporary patio program last March.

Learn about the ‘hidden history’ of the Underground Railroad at Niagara Parks’ talk this month

Niagara Parks will host public historian Rochelle Bush at McFarland House on Feb. 28 for a talk titled "The Freedom Trail: Slave Catchers, Runaways and Abolitionists."

Legal challenge alleges town acted illegally in approving Shaw’s Royal George rebuild

Opponents of the project argue that once the century-old theatre in Old Town is demolished, any heritage loss would be permanent — a concern at the centre of the court challenge.

NOTL under microscope as Ontario judge weighs winery events dispute

A Superior Court judge is holding off on giving her decision in a Niagara-on-the-Lake court fight that asks a basic question: if bylaws aren’t enforced, what’s the point of having them?

‘I don’t worry about emotion’: Nearly one year later, businessman adapting to Trump’s tariffs

For some residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake, U.S. tariffs have become a part of daily life, though some are finding ways to adapt. Paul Mace, who owns Luxyclad in St. Catharines, says in spite of the tariffs making everything unpredictable, the business has managed to thrive.

Celebrating Black History Month at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is celebrating Black History Month this year with a bevy of educational events that highlight Black history in Canada, the United States and the world.

What’s on at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum this month for its virtual lecture series

Participants will learn more about the history of women's roles in espionage in the world wars, the concept of time in the 18th century, how an all-Black militia was formed during the War of 1812 and more.

Icebreakers Comedy Festival returns to Prince of Wales

The Icebreakers Comedy Festival returned to the Prince of Wales last weekend, bringing nationally known comics back to a venue residents may have remembered from the festival’s early years.

Valentine’s Day drive supports four-legged family members in NOTL

This Valentine’s Day, Niagara-on-the-Lake residents are showing a little extra puppy love — filling bowls for pets across the community in support of the Newark Neighbours Food Bank.

Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder fights rare disease in NOTL filmmaker’s new documentary

Matt Finlin's latest documentary, "Matter of Time," will debut on Netflix on Feb. 9, the story of the fight to cure a rare genetic disorder called epidermolysis bullosa.

New research points to key anti-slavery figure in early Niagara-on-the-Lake

Rochelle Bush says new evidence she's uncovered sheds light on a key figure in the world of slavery abolition — a community leader from what's known today as NOTL.

NOTL council to ask region to delay St. Davids roundabout for safety review

Another safety review or community consultation may be coming down the pike on the roundabout planned for St. Davids in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

NOTL council backs Niagara conservation agency’s stance against merging agencies

Merging Niagara's conservation authority with others in southern Ontario could weaken local decision-making on flooding, water quality and environmental protection, some councillors say.

Old-school barns on Four Mile Creek to come down after council approves demolition

Niagara-on-the-Lake council has approved the teardown of two 20th-century barns in the town's rural area, rejecting a recommendation from its municipal heritage committee to keep one of the barns up.

Inside the last days of the Royal George, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s century-old theatre

On Saturday, the front doors opened for the last public entry into the Royal George before the careful work begins of taking apart the little theatre occupying a big place in the town's heart

NOTL musician makes the show in his own way on Hockey Night in Canada

Ryan Gaio, a lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs fan, had one of his songs played twice on Hockey Night in Canada this year. The song reflects Gaio’s lifelong loyalty to the Leafs.

‘They have to live in the real world’: Report on heritage homes and insurance issues faced with conditional applause

One Delater Street homeowner says he's pleased to see the town taking interest in the issue but believes governments and regulatory bodies need to approach things differently.

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