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NOTL Votes 2026: Mayoral candidates face off at jam-packed debate

Monday night's debate moved through 14 questions on growth, taxes, transparency, tourism, climate change and how the next mayor should lead. The forum also exposed clear differences in how each candidate would approach the job.

Fancy hats and sport of kings: Fundraiser draws huge crowd for Niagara Polo match

Niagara Polo returned to the historic Commons on Saturday, welcoming crowds to watch polo matches with players from the Toronto Polo Club.

The Lake Report again dominates national journalism awards

When the Canadian Community Newsmedia Award winners were unveiled Monday, The Lake Report garnered 22 more national awards, bringing its provincial and national total to 192 since 2020, when the paper started entering industry award competitions.

NOTL Votes 2026: Last-minute candidate Rick Mills wants development reined in

The lifelong NOTL resident is speaking publicly about what he sees as NOTL’s biggest threat: overdevelopment. "I think that it needs to be reined in — and reined in responsibly," he says.

NOTL backs $425K drainage plan after summer floods

After a summer of heavy rain exposed weak spots in NOTL's drainage system, councillors are backing a $425,000 push to find problems sooner.

How NOTL’s Donald Triggs, latest Order of Canada recipient, brought his vision for Canadian wine to life

On March 19, Donald Triggs, 82, will be appointed an officer of the Order of Canada in an Ottawa ceremony. “Let’s face it: receiving the Order of Canada is a highlight of my life,” says Triggs proudly.

New public works director says balance, communication key in first weeks on job

One of Jordan Frost's goals is to preserve natural heritage while maintaining existing infrastructure and avoid decisions in one department creating problems elsewhere.

Council moves ahead on former hospital site amid pushback over pace

Niagara-on-the-Lake council is moving ahead with the recommended next steps for the former hospital on Wellington Street, but not without some debate over how quickly to move.

Laughs on tap as Icebreakers Comedy Festival returns to NOTL

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.

$568K culvert replacement at Line 2 Road will continue until this spring

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.

Embrace the winter chill at the Icewine Festival, back in NOTL this month

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.

‘We see it as an incubator’: Foundation with NOTL roots eyes community-first future for former hospital

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.

NOTL’s ‘Newsmakers of the Year’: Developers, council face strong new challenger in residents association

"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."

Year in Review: Growing pains, a grassroots movement, speed cam vandals and an iconic estate torched

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.

‘Progress is inevitable’: Ford’s ‘Las Vegas North’ bid draws support mixed with questions in NOTL

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.

Family with St. Davids ties remembered after fatal Highway 11 crash

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.

New Foodland grocery store to open its doors on Jan. 29 in Garrison Village

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.

‘I felt awesome’: Virgil soccer star gets surprise help from Hummel

"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.

Farmworker Hub calls for support as workers prepare to return

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.

High-profile holiday B&Es among 36 cases reported last year in NOTL

Two high-profile break-and-enters in Niagara-on-the-Lake during the holiday season have brought crime into the spotlight for the sleepy rural town.

Order of Canada recipient and NOTLer says authenticity and go-getting key to her success

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 forecast puts focus on hidden winter hazards

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.

Ringing in chilly new year in NOTL

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...

UPDATE: Suspect gets bail in sexual assault case in Niagara-on-the-Lake

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.

Niagara police seek suspects in sexual assault case in Niagara-on-the-Lake

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.

Province’s new tourism strategy light on new details about NOTL

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.

NOTL council chooses settlement instead of tribunal mediation for York Road development

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

NOTL Museum celebrates 130th anniversary in style

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.

NOTL heritage district turns a corner on accessibility with new ramps

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.

Horticultural society brings holiday cheer to long-term care residents

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.

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