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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.

Niagara-on-the-Lake takes second crack at official plan

The plan identifies Glendale as a “designated growth area development” and a “strategic growth area,” where highrise development may be permitted.

Town hosts open houses on official plan and hospital site redevelopment

Niagara-on-the-Lake is holding two sets of open houses on Oct. 15 and 16 to gather public feedback on two long-standing issues: the town’s new official plan and the future of the former hospital site.

Explore these 13 NOTL destinations during Doors Open on Oct. 18

Local sites will free admission to guests to come inside and hear from knowledgeable guides about the living and built heritage of these places.

Car struck by pellet gun on East and West Line, police investigating

Niagara Regional Police said officers were called to East and West Line between Grantham Townline Road and Concession 6 Road late last week.

Queenston resident urges town to install accessible swing set at Queenston Common

As Niagara-on-the-Lake’s parks and recreation department develops its first master plan, a Queenston resident is calling on council to modernize her local playground — starting with an inclusive swing set.

Niagara-on-the-Lake council endorses human trafficking code of conduct

Niagara-on-the-Lake council has endorsed a motion supporting a regional code of conduct to combat human trafficking, which says that hospitality workers should be trained to recognize the signs of human trafficking, among other recommendations.

Reviving buried history: NOTL celebrates restoration of military boundary stones

What began with one resident’s quiet research project has grown into a town-wide effort to rescue Niagara-on-the-Lake’s forgotten military boundary stones and return them to public view.

Big report on NOTL’s vacation rentals landscape, with locals’ input, coming next year

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake wants to take a big-picture look at how its residents really feel about vacation rentals in town. The new report will lay the groundwork for another council discussion as to how the industry should be regulated in the community, "before the busy summer tourism season begins."

Town staff to update telecom tower rules around permits, distance from residents

NOTL lacks a minimum setback distance for cellphone towers from residential areas — unlike other cities and town, such as Hamilton, which requires a minimum of 150 metres.

College support staff strike continues after promising mediation talks fail

With the two sides back at odds, striking staff are still out picketing at Niagara College's Niagara-on-the-Lake campus this week.

Little Hearts Markets goes ‘above and beyond’ with first Jackson-Triggs event

The market's co-founder said it was about more than sales: it was about restoring community support for small Canadian businesses.

Ford’s speed camera cut could cost taxpayers up to $140K next year

Replacing the lost revenue would add about $140,000 to the tax levy for 2026, equal to a 0.8 per cent increase.

Parliament Oak developer gets site permit after ignoring stop-work order

This new permit allows the developer to excavate a specific part of the site to work on what will be the hotel's underground parking area.

Wild West of Wine: Report calls for a new special events bylaw in NOTL

Inconsistent, confusing and without enforcement: those are the findings of a new report prepared on behalf of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, which takes a close look at the municipality's rules for special events.

11th annual pow wow returns to NOTL Native Centre after five-year absence

It was a close call for this year's Niagara Regional Native Centre powwow — the yearly gathering, which saw some organizing troubles, was rescued at the 11th hour by community members who stepped in to save the treasured event.

Late horticulture society member Joanne Young honoured with tree planting

On a sunny afternoon along Lakeshore Road, friends of Joanne Young gathered to honour her memory with a heartfelt tree planting ceremony.

Lions Club helps shoe drive send 20K pairs to families overseas

More than 20,000 pairs of donated shoes were hauled out of a shipping container in St. Davids last Saturday, marking the end of a months-long community effort that will help families overseas build new lives.

Niagara-on-the-Lake keeps pedal pubs dry despite new provincial law

Pedal Pub patrons in Niagara-on-the-Lake won’t be sipping drinks while pedalling anytime soon, after town council voted to maintain its current alcohol-free rules.

NOTL Golf Club celebrates historic 150th year

The sun shone brightly as golfers dressed in period attire, breaking out long skirts, fashionable headgear, tartan regalia and other historic themes to help turn the day into a memorable and remarkable anniversary.

NOTL divided over more than $1.2M paid out in Black and Hummel lawsuits

The legal settlements with John Black and Hummel Properties Inc. have divided people in NOTL, with some calling the more than $1.2 million payout hard to accept and others viewing it as necessary.

Flag lowered, drums lifted: Songs and reflection mark NOTL’s Truth and Reconciliation ceremony

The town administration building and operations building, the NOTL Community Centre and the NOTL Public Library are closed today, Sept. 30, in commemoration of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Letter: Complain about speed cameras, sure; don’t ban them

"Photo radar is only a cash grab to guilty crybabies and Doug Ford’s government, who are incensed that the municipalities have found a revenue stream that the province can’t control (skim?)," writes Brian Emes.

Brock’s Monument closed until spring 2026 for $1.1M restoration

This'll be the monument's first major restoration since 2009, repointing mortar, replacing stone and installing new roofing.

‘Real human contact’: Niagara-on-the-Lake preteen wants his screen-free kids’ club to go nationwide

Many parents worry their kids spend too much time on screens. But when 12-year-old Varnit Rore noticed how screens were negatively affecting his own life and others’, he decided to take action.

Hummel seeks town’s help on $1.4M rebuild of crumbling David Secord House

The developer behind Hummel Properties Inc. is looking to restore and make modifications to the 226-year-old home, also known as the Paxton House.

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