🌊 The Falls

Monday, February 23, 2026

All the news that’s fit to get wet

☁️ WEATHER: TWO SOLITUDES, ONE SNOWSTORM

🇺🇸 Niagara Falls, NY — National Weather Service

Currently 28°F with light snow. Today’s high: 29°F. That’s not a typo — the high is barely above the overnight low. It’s the kind of cold that makes you question every decision that led you to live next to a waterfall in February.

The Week Ahead (NY Side):

• Mon Feb 23: High 29°F — 61% chance of snow. Yes, that’s today. Enjoy it.
• Tue Feb 24: High 33°F — 25% chance of snow. A hint of optimism. Don’t get attached.
• Wed Feb 25: High 34°F — 20% chance of snow. Almost spring-like! (It isn’t.)
• Thu Feb 26: High 28°F — 10% chance of snow. The warmth was a lie.
• Fri Feb 27: High 40°F — Look at that! We may briefly remember what “above freezing” feels like.

📡 Full NWS Forecast for Niagara Falls, NY

🇨🇦 Niagara Falls, ON — Environment Canada

Currently flurries with a high of -2°C and winds gusting to 50 km/h. Local blowing snow overnight. In case you were wondering whether to shovel today: yes. Also tomorrow. Also Thursday. The forecast kindly describes Tuesday as “Sunny” with a low of -4°C (the sun is decorative) and teases temperatures of 1°C by Wednesday, which Ontarians will greet like a returning hero. Saturday: a balmy 6°C and cloudy — practically patio weather by late-February standards. Bring a toque anyway.

The Week Ahead (ON Side):

• Mon Feb 23: -2°C / -6°C — Flurries, blowing snow, wind chill near -13°C
• Tue Feb 24: -4°C / -4°C — Sunny (in theory)
• Wed Feb 25: 1°C / -8°C — Snow or rain, windy. The worst combo.
• Thu Feb 26: 1°C / -3°C — 60% chance of snow or rain. Again.
• Fri Feb 27: 4°C / 2°C — Cloudy. Peaceful. Almost suspicious.

📡 Full Environment Canada Forecast for Niagara Falls, ON

🇺🇸 NY SIDE NEWS

1. 🏭 Canadian Firm Picks the American Side — Tariff Irony at Maximum Levels

In a story that would make a trade economist weep and then chuckle, Metal Craft Spinning and Stamping Ltd. — a four-generation, family-owned metal fabrication company out of Etobicoke, Ontario — has announced it’s setting up shop on Hyde Park Boulevard in Niagara Falls, NY. The investment totals $1.3 million, creating up to 17 skilled manufacturing jobs, and is being partly supported by up to $134,000 in New York State Excelsior Jobs tax credits. The reason? U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum have gotten expensive enough that it’s now cheaper for a Canadian company to just move to America than to keep exporting. Metal Craft’s president Brian Rasksen called it “an important step” for North American manufacturing. Mayor Robert Restaino called it “cause for celebration.” We call it the most Niagara Falls plot twist since the honeymoon capital became a rust belt city became a tourist destination became a tech hub became — apparently — a tariff refuge. Welcome to the neighbourhood, Metal Craft. Watch out for the potholes on Hyde Park.

(Niagara Gazette | WGRZ | ESD Press Release)

2. 🏗️ Lewiston Scores $6.2 Million for Affordable Housing

The Town of Lewiston is one of 27 developments statewide to receive a share of more than $240 million in New York State housing investment announced by Governor Kathy Hochul this week. The project, part of the state’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit competitive funding round, is expected to generate over $1 billion in total investment statewide. The Lewiston development — called Sanborn — will help address the area’s ongoing housing crunch. Which, honestly, with Canadian manufacturers now setting up on the American side, is only going to get more pressing. More neighbours = more need for roofs.

(Niagara Gazette)

3. ⚓ Whirlpool Jet Boats Sues to Own the Dock — In February

In news that feels deeply optimistic given that the boats aren’t running until May anyway, the operators of Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours have filed a claim in State Supreme Court, arguing that they — not the Village of Lewiston — actually own the waterfront property their docks sit on. The Canadian company, operating as Niagara Gorge Jet Boating Ltd., claims an uninterrupted chain of ownership going back to 1835, when the Lewiston Steam Company first acquired the parcels. They’re also asking Lewiston to return more than $500,000 in rent and taxes paid over the years. The Village and New York State have been named as defendants. New York’s Office of General Services is, predictably, not commenting on pending litigation. In the meantime, the boats remain docked, the river remains frozen, and the lawyers remain employed.

(Niagara Gazette | Spectrum News)

4. 🎿 Wrestlers Head to States — Nine from Greater Niagara

High school wrestling season is winding down in heroic fashion: nine athletes from the Greater Niagara region have qualified for the New York State wrestling championships, with multiple competitors coming from Niagara Falls, Niagara Wheatfield, North Tonawanda, and Lockport. It’s one of those stories that reminds you that between the politics, the potholes, and the lawsuits over dock ownership, actual young people are out here doing impressive athletic things. Good luck to all of them. Try not to get pinned.

(Niagara Gazette)

5. 📊 Pothole Season, Granicus Woes, and Streetlight Fantasies

Leave it to the Niagara Express to tell it like it is: pothole season is officially here, the city’s Granicus software (used for public notice and meeting management) apparently doesn’t work correctly, and the idea that a union could maintain the city’s streetlights? The Express calls it “likely folly.” Not a single sentence of this is surprising to anyone who drives on Main Street. Consider this your annual reminder to align your tires and lower your expectations.

(Niagara Express)

6. ✈️ Niagara Aerospace Museum Eyes Hydraulic Canal Parcel

The Niagara Aerospace Museum has put in a bid for a parcel of land along the historic Hydraulic Canal in Niagara Falls. Details are still emerging, but the move signals continued interest in expanding one of the city’s most underrated attractions. If you haven’t visited the Aerospace Museum yet, consider this your notice. It’s genuinely cool. Unlike the weather.

(Niagara Gazette)

🇨🇦 ONTARIO SIDE NEWS

1. 🏘️ Niagara Region Chair Backs Municipal Amalgamation — NOTL Says: Absolutely Not

The big political story on the Ontario side continues to develop: Regional Chair Bob Gale has sent letters backing the amalgamation of Niagara’s twelve municipalities into fewer, larger entities — a move that has caused varying degrees of alarm from Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake. NOTL’s Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa is firmly in the “absolutely not” camp, warning that amalgamation would strip the tourist town “of its local voice.” He told reporters: “We need all parts of the town coming together. This is existential.” Which, to be fair, is exactly the kind of thing you’d say when someone proposes merging your charming 19th-century winery town with Welland. The debate is heating up faster than the February forecast.

(Niagara Now | INNiagara)

2. 🏛️ Royal George Theatre Demolition: Shaw Swings the Wrecking Ball, Courts Say Hold On

One of the most dramatic heritage battles in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s history is playing out in real time — and Thursday’s a key day. The Shaw Festival began demolishing two heritage homes on Victoria Street in February despite a legal challenge from local developer Centurion Building Corporation, which argued the demolitions violated the Ontario Heritage Act and the Planning Act. A court ordered a temporary halt to teardown of the Royal George Theatre itself pending a judicial review hearing scheduled for Thursday, February 26. The main theatre remains standing — for now. Centurion’s lawyer noted that Shaw proceeded with demolitions even after a judge flagged the matter as urgent — a move described as “very surprising.” Shaw says its permits were all properly obtained. NOTL’s Lord Mayor supports the project. Stay tuned Thursday. This one’s going to the finish line.

(NOTL Local | BTPM | Shaw Festival)

3. 🏠 Federal Government Announces 39 New Homes in Niagara Falls, ON

The Government of Canada announced 39 new affordable homes coming to Niagara Falls, Ontario as part of the Build Canada Homes initiative — Ottawa’s attempt to address the national housing crisis by partnering with municipalities to accelerate construction. The announcement, made February 19, is part of a broader effort to create transitional and supportive housing for low-income residents. Thirty-nine homes won’t solve the crisis, but it’s something. Especially with city hall already celebrating after Niagara Falls exceeded its provincial housing target in 2024 and received $2.8 million in incentive funding through Ontario’s Building Faster Fund.

(CMHC/Newswire | Ontario Construction News)

4. 🦋 Butterfly Conservatory Reopens After Six-Week Shutdown

Warm news for a cold week: the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory has officially reopened after a six-week closure for scheduled maintenance — the first major overhaul in seven to eight years, including full replacement of the screen netting enclosure that keeps 2,000+ butterflies safely fluttering through the 11,000-square-foot glass conservatory. If you need to stand in a tropical-feeling greenhouse surrounded by exotic butterflies while it’s -6°C outside, now’s your chance. Tickets are $25 adult / $16.50 youth. Worth every loonie.

(BlogTO | Niagara Parks)

5. 🏒 Niagara Falls Woman Narrowly Avoids QEW Plunge

A young woman escaped serious injury last week after her vehicle launched off a highway on-ramp in Niagara Falls and into brush that prevented the car from rolling down a hill onto the QEW. Emergency responders attended the scene. The woman was, remarkably, unharmed. The on-ramp was presumably fine. February roads: they are not playing around.

(CP24)

6. 🥒 Pickleball Returns Not — Virgil Courts Stay Silent Again

The Virgil Sports Park pickleball situation continues to be a masterpiece of small-town governance. After a two-year ban on pickleball at the Virgil courts due to noise complaints, the sport does not appear poised to return this spring. Niagara Now reports that noise complaint issues persist. Somewhere, a retiree is furiously polishing a paddle they may not get to use. The whiffle ball remains unstriker. Niagara-on-the-Lake, a town currently fighting over a theatre demolition, is also fighting about pickleball. It’s a full plate.

(Niagara Now)

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS — BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER

Niagara Falls, NY & Surrounding Area

• Now through Feb 28 — Nightly Illumination of the Falls, 5:30 PM–1:00 AM, Niagara Falls State Park. Free to watch, because some things should stay free.
• Now through Feb 28 — Cave of the Winds (Winter hours), 9 AM–4 PM. Tickets $14 adult / $10 youth. niagarafallsstatepark.com
• Now — Niagara Falls Aquarium, Mon–Thu 9 AM–3 PM, Fri–Sun 9 AM–5 PM. $25 adult. niagarafallsaquarium.com
• Now — Old Fort Niagara, Wed–Sun 10 AM–4 PM, Youngstown. $21 adult. oldfortniagara.org
• Now — Niagara Power Vista, Lewiston — Free! 9 AM–5 PM daily. A hidden gem. nypa.gov
• Buffalo Sabres at New Jersey Devils, Wed, Feb 25 (approx. 7 PM ET). Nearly a coin-flip matchup — Vegas has Buffalo at 49.8% to win. nhl.com/sabres
• Brantley Gilbert — Seneca Niagara Events Center, Niagara Falls, NY. Coming up — check venue for exact date. senecaniagaracasino.com

Niagara Falls, ON & Surrounding Region

• Now — Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, 9 AM–5 PM. $25 adult, just reopened! niagaraparks.com
• Now — Niagara Parks Power Station & Tunnel Tour, 10 AM–5 PM. $33 adult. niagaraparks.com
• Now through Feb 28 — Free February at the NOTL Museum, 1–5 PM daily (free admission, last chance before 2027 renovations). notlmuseum.ca
• Sat, Feb 28 — Sarah Harmer, The Exchange, Niagara Falls, ON, 7 PM. Canadian indie icon, intimate venue. Tickets at venue website.
• Thu, Feb 26 — Royal George Theatre Judicial Review Hearing, Ontario court (virtual). Not ticketed, but definitely the most dramatic event happening in NOTL this week. Follow NOTL Local for updates.
• Wed, Mar 11 — Chubby Checker, Avalon Ballroom Theatre, Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, 3 PM. Yes, that Chubby Checker. Let’s twist again. fallsviewcasinoresort.com
• Fri, Mar 6 — Boy George with Culture Club, OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ON. Karma karma karma karma karma chameleon… we come and go. fallsviewcasinoresort.com

🌉 ACROSS THE BORDER

Tying it together since someone had to

This week’s theme on both sides of the Niagara River is unmistakably: Who owns what, and what do we do about it?

On the American side, a Canadian company is legally claiming it owns its own dock while simultaneously expanding into America to avoid paying the tariffs that make it expensive to be Canadian. On the Ontario side, a court is debating whether a theatre can be demolished while it’s being demolished, and a regional chair is asking whether twelve municipalities should just become one big one (spoiler: NOTL is not thrilled).

And through it all — the snow falls, the illumination lights up the Horseshoe Falls from 5:30 PM to 1 AM, and somewhere on the Niagara River, a jet boat is sitting in dry dock, dreaming of May.

Both sides are freezing. Both sides are arguing about property. Both sides have a lot of potholes (we assume; Canada has them too, they just apologize for them). And both sides are somehow, inexplicably, home to one of the most spectacular natural wonders on Earth.

It’s fine here. It’s completely fine.

🌊 The Falls — “We cover both sides so you don’t have to cross in this weather.”