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.
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.
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.
Some local heritage preservation advocates believe the couple should’ve received proper notice of the town’s plans, though some of them still support the benefits of heritage designation for a property’s future.
The Crown is seeking a 12-month jail sentence and a five-year driving ban for Richard Alan Moore, who has pleaded guilty to failing to stop at an accident causing death. The sentencing hearing will resume May 1 at 10 a.m. in person before Superior Court Justice Michael Gibson.
From Canadian comfort with poutine at Konzelmann to Mexican flavours at Jackson Triggs and Japanese-inspired dishes at Pillitteri, the wineries offered a global culinary experience this year.
Even with the grass being cut once a year and dogs running wild on Queen Street, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Jim Smith grew up in wasn’t without its charm: "It was a beautiful, beautiful town."
"Without cohesion, without a central office and a team that can act fast, it's going to be a long shot to secure these projects and these productions," says location scout Peter Donato.
“The community centre was alive and vibrant,” said one councillor of the new open gym nights. “The mission was to prove that there's a need for it — and I think there definitely is a need for it.”
The annual Icewine Village festival made its return to Niagara-on-the-Lake for its 30th year this past weekend, the first of what is a two-weekend affair, continuing this Saturday and Sunday.
With climate change causing a rise in extreme weather events and conditions, growers aren't getting the more consistent cold-weather temperatures they need to do their work properly.
Both the town and Hummel finalized the settlement on Tuesday. Coun. Gary Burroughs, former owner of the heritage home, voted against the severance: "I feel I didn’t do enough back when I designated the property in 2002. I thought it was protected and, obviously, it wasn’t."
"Without having that aggressive price point and sharp margins, we really just die on the shelf down there," said Pillitteri Estate Winery's export manager.
The weather forecast predicts a harsh polar vortex sweeping into Niagara-on-the-Lake until Wednesday, with temperatures that could dip to -15 C and expected to go lower near the lake.
So far this year, an Arctic blast has brought some ice to the Great Lakes, but coverage remains well below the levels needed to reach historical averages within six weeks. "We're going to see the lake drop exceptionally low," says Ron Simkus.
The last six months of 2024 in Niagara-on-the-Lake were marked by extreme weather upheaval and a volatile political climate. Kevin MacLean breaks down what made the headlines in the second half of the year.
Retreat organizer Natalia Love Angelou says she hopes this event, which raised money for Red Roof, planted the first seed of her larger vision of having her own sacred space for all walks of life.
“We still want people to come in, and we still want them to see each other, see people who they may not have seen in a while, and also enjoy a good meal,” said Sean Vanderklis.
"The people of St. Davids do not want a roundabout," said one resident to the lord mayor during a heated back-and-forth on Thursday evening. Around 50 people were in attendance at the meeting.
Police determined three suspects came into the store last Saturday, picked out an array of alcoholic beverages, bypassed the checkout counters and left the store. “I couldn't believe what I saw," says one witness.
Developer Adam Hawley says the Clayfield Hotel will function as a franchise, built and owned by the local development company: "It's not going to be owned by Hyatt or anybody else."
With loud public protests, numerous anti-development screeds on social media and many more development decisions facing councillors in the second half their four-year term, vigorous debates will continue in 2025.
