Main Content
Featured Stories
Town shuts down public facilities, events and programs until June 30
As the state of emergency continues in Niagara-on-the-Lake, all Town-owned facilities, events, meetings and programs will remain closed until June 30. That includes the Virgil Stampede, held every Victoria Day weekend for the last 55 years. Virgil Business Association members, who stage the event, had been discussing the possibility of cancelling the popular event, but […]
Niagara Region declares state of emergency
The Region of Niagara has declared a state of emergency that includes all 12 municipalities. The announcement was made Friday morning, almost two weeks after Lord Mayor Betty Disero declared the town a state of emergency, Monday, March 23. The Province was declared a state of emergency on March 11. The Region and other municipalities […]
Still holding hope seasonal workers can isolate in field
Growers were assured more than a week ago that seasonal workers would be allowed into the country. On Tuesday, they were still anxiously waiting to hear when the workers from the Caribbean and Mexico will arrive. Farmers were also waiting for some clarification about the protocol when that happens. They were hoping the workers would […]
54th annual Virgil Stampede cancelled
Organizers of the Virgil Stampede, gearing up for another celebration of the May long weekend, learned Friday the popular three-day event would have to be cancelled. Members of the Virgil Business Association, led by president Richard Wall, had been discussing that eventuality, knowing it was a possibility, and had set May 1 as the date […]
Penner Building Centre to close, continuing pickup and delivery
With Friday’s provincial announcement of further workplace closures, Penner’s Building Centre is closing its retail store at the end of the day Saturday. It plans to stay open for parking lot pickup and delivery to customers, beginning Monday, which is still permitted, say Marcia Penner of the family business. In his announcement Friday, Premier Doug […]
Financial relief package approved by council
During Monday’s phone-in council meeting, a package of temporary financial relief measures to offset hardships for local residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, was approved. The measures include waiving penalties or interest charges related to taxes, water charges and accounts receivable, which would include rent for town facilities that are not closed. There was […]
Complacency not an option, says store owner
Normalcy seems to be returning to local grocery stores. Phil Leboudec of Phil’s valu-mart said Tuesday both online orders and shopping buggies are now at normal levels, with less indication of people stockpiling. He says he’s “baffled” by the number of people who are still coming in every day or every other day, but for […]
Volunteers busy sewing fabric masks
With a shortage of protective masks to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, two local groups of volunteers have been busy sewing fabric masks to be distributed where needed. Their designs, materials and distribution are different, but their goals are the same — to help those most at risk from the virus. Fran Boot began […]
Ariel home, where she is safest from virus
Ariel Carr, the 12-year-old Crossroads student who underwent extensive surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, is home. It was just last Wednesday, March 25, that she underwent an 11-and-one-half hour surgery to correct severe scoliosis, longer than originally anticipated. In addition to the removal of a halo, which had weights attached to straighten […]
Niagara COVID-19 cases jump to 67, four deaths, region reports Tuesday
To open Monday’s virtual, phone-in council meeting, live-streamed to the public, Lord Mayor Betty Disero reinforced her message to a community at risk, with its aging population, “and the impact to our community if we contract the virus.” By Tuesday, our corner of the world had changed again, giving her plea new meaning. By Tuesday, […]
