🌊 Wednesday, March 4, 2026
All the news that's fit to get wet
☁️ Weather — NY Side
Good morning, Niagara Falls, NY! Today is shaping up to be a classic "so much for spring" March Wednesday. Expect some accumulation of snow, sleet, and rain possible late this morning, followed by periods of rain this afternoon, with a high near 38°F. The good news: no one is shoveling lake-effect mountains today. The bad news: your umbrella is probably still in the trunk from the last time.
Looking at the week ahead, temps nudge up to 41°F on Wednesday and 45°F Thursday, with highs climbing toward the mid-50s by the weekend. It's the teasing warm-up Niagara does every March — just enough to get your hopes up before the next cold snap.
| Day | Conditions | High (°F) | Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Mar 4 | Snow/sleet/rain mix then rain | 38 | 32 |
| Thu Mar 5 | Chance of afternoon showers | 45 | 39 |
| Fri Mar 6 | Mostly cloudy | 44 | 38 |
| Sat Mar 7 | Partly sunny | 52 | 36 |
| Sun Mar 8 | Mix of sun & cloud | 46 | 34 |
Data sourced from AccuWeather & NWS Buffalo forecasts for 14301.
☔ Stay dry out there. Full forecast and alerts: National Weather Service Buffalo
🍁 Weather — Ontario Side
Bonjour and good morning from the Canadian side of the mist! Today, Wednesday March 4, expect clouds building this morning with a 60% chance of light snow or rain late morning and early afternoon, then 60% chance of rain this afternoon. There's a risk of freezing rain late this morning. Wind up to 15 km/h. High of +4°C. Wind chill of -8 this morning. In other words: wear the coat with the hood. The polite Canadian kind.
Thursday clears up to a nicer 7°C with a mix of sun and cloud, before rain periods return Friday and Saturday. By the weekend, a cloudy Saturday brings a 70% chance of showers with a high of 12°C — which is practically shorts weather by Niagara standards.
| Day | Conditions | High (°C) | Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Mar 4 | 60% light snow/rain mix | +4 | -1 |
| Thu Mar 5 | Mix of sun and cloud | +7 | 0 |
| Fri Mar 6 | Periods of rain | +8 | +3 |
| Sat Mar 7 | 70% chance of showers | +12 | +4 |
| Sun Mar 8 | Mix of sun and cloud | +10 | +5 |
Data sourced from Environment Canada, Niagara Falls ON 7-Day Forecast.
🍁 Dress in layers and keep a toque handy. Full forecast: Environment Canada
🗽 NY Side News
🔥 Fire Under Investigation at Shorty's Patio Grill on Pine Avenue
Niagara Falls fire officials are investigating an early Sunday morning fire at Shorty's Patio Grill and Lounge on Pine Avenue. Just after 5 a.m., Falls firefighters and police were dispatched to 2626 Pine Avenue for a fire alarm activation and possible structure fire after it was reported that there was smoke visible.
The cause remains under investigation as of press time. Pine Avenue has weathered its share of hardship, and the community is once again rallying around one of its restaurants. No injuries have been reported.
🦝 Sheriff Defends Deputy in Raccoon Video Controversy
Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti on Tuesday defended the actions of a deputy who, in a video posted to Facebook last week, appeared to intentionally run over an animal crossing a road in a residential area in the Village of Barker.
The video sparked immediate backlash on social media. The Sheriff's defense of the incident is drawing sharp criticism from animal welfare advocates and residents alike.
Only in Niagara County could "deputy versus raccoon" become a major news story in the same week as a chemical plant closure and a murder guilty plea. We contain multitudes.
⚗️ VanDeMark Chemical to Close Lockport Plant, 70 Jobs at Risk
VanDeMark Chemical is closing its plant in Lockport, eliminating 70 jobs. VanDeMark Chemical has notified the state Department of Labor that its facility at Mill and North Transit streets will be shut down, with the company expecting to halt operations in the second half of 2026.
VanDeMark Chemical has been in business since 1951, and the company produces specialized phosgene derivatives. No reason for the shutdown was given publicly by the company. The closure is a significant blow to Lockport's industrial base.
(Lockport Journal / Buffalo News)
⚖️ Niagara Falls Man Pleads Guilty to Murder
A Niagara Falls man has pleaded guilty to a murder charge in a case handled in Niagara County Court. Edward Parmer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for stabbing and killing a roommate in their Niagara Falls home in 2024. He faces 20 years to life in prison.
The guilty plea spares the victim's family from a lengthy trial. Sentencing is expected to follow in the coming weeks.
(WGRZ)
🏒 Sabres Rolling — Thompson Gets His Olympic Moment at KeyBank
Tage Thompson scored in his first home game after winning the gold medal with Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, and the Buffalo Sabres extended their winning streak to four games with a 3-2 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights at KeyBank Center on Tuesday.
Thompson was honored during a pre-game ceremony in Buffalo's first home game since returning from the Olympic break. Thompson drew loud cheers in taking a ceremonial opening faceoff with fellow Olympian and Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel, who even attracted applause in facing his former team.
The Sabres entered the home game against the Golden Knights in second place in the Atlantic Division. Their current winning streak has given them some cushion in the playoff field — they're seven points ahead of Washington, the closest non-playoff team. The Sabres next travel to Pittsburgh Thursday. It's a good time to be a Sabres fan. Don't say that too loud — we're all still a little superstitious around here.
(NHL.com / Buffalo News)
🌐 Tariffs & Tourism: Niagara USA Watches the Border Closely
As the U.S. government moves forward with new tariffs, concerns are growing over how these economic measures may impact tourism, particularly in border regions. John Percy, the president and CEO of Destination Niagara USA, says it's still too early to determine the full effects but acknowledges the potential ripple effects throughout the tourism industry. "We're still in an unknown period," Percy said. "A month ago, we knew the tariffs were going to be enacted, then they were pulled back, and now they're in place again. It's too early to tell whether they'll hit tourism products directly, but there could be indirect consequences."
Negative sentiment toward the United States due to trade disputes could discourage international travel, particularly from Canada and Mexico. For a region that lives and breathes cross-border tourism, that's not a small thing.
(WGRZ)
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🏛️ Niagara Amalgamation Battle: Council Pumps the Brakes on Chair Gale
Niagara's regional council voted to hold back its chair Bob Gale from "any further action" concerning amalgamation, while it recognized it needs to do its own review on how services are working and are shared among the 12 municipalities. The motion was passed at the council's Committee of the Whole meeting on Feb. 26.
With the regional council's vote, Gale is now also not permitted to use regional resources and staff time on matters regarding the review and amalgamation. Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin summed up a widely-held view: "Amalgamation needs willing parties. This current process doesn't allow for that."
Following letters from Niagara's regional chair, which suggested potential amalgamation, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he "is not going to make that decision," leaving the debate to the chair and 12 mayors. "It has to be from Niagara by Niagara," said Ford. The March 3 deadline for mayoral feedback came and went — with plenty of feedback, just very little consensus.
(CBC Hamilton/Niagara / Niagara Now)
🏘️ NOTL Digs In: "We Are Not Just Another Municipality"
Niagara-on-the-Lake's council unanimously supported submitting formal feedback to Chair Gale and the Province opposing amalgamation and advocating for the protection of the town's municipal independence.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa put it plainly: "Any conversation about restructuring local government must begin with evidence." Council expressed concern that amalgamation could risk redistribution of NOTL's tax base, dilute local representation, and impact service levels that are currently responsive and community-focused.
The mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake says a possible "amalgamation" would strip the tourist destination "of its local voice." With wine country, heritage tourism, and the Shaw Festival on the line, NOTL is not going down without a very polite, extremely well-organized fight.
(Niagara Now / The Lake Report / Town of NOTL)
🏗️ Doug Ford's "Las Vegas of the North" Dream Behind the Amalgamation Push?
Premier Doug Ford unveiled his "Destination Niagara" plan last year, an ambitious project to turn the region into the "Las Vegas of the north." With so much construction and municipal approvals needed, CHCH TV's Queen's Park producer Randy Rath said it would be a political win for Ford to have an amalgamated local government.
Rath, who has covered provincial politics for decades, says: "I suspect that they already know what they are going to do in Niagara, and this is more formality." Meanwhile, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati told The Canadian Press he has spoken privately with Ford about amalgamation, saying "I know the premier favours one city."
So is this a governance efficiency exercise, or a blueprint for a giant resort-casino mega-city? The answer may depend on which council chamber you're sitting in.
(BTPM NPR)
💸 Tariff Fears Hit Ontario's Manufacturing Sector Hard
By sector, manufacturing employment is expected to be the most affected by U.S. tariffs, with significantly fewer jobs projected in 2026. The manufacturing sector's supply chain industries would also be impacted, particularly the more labour-intensive services industries including trade and transport.
U.S. tariffs on Ontario exports would negatively affect all Census Metropolitan Areas in the province. For the Niagara region, which straddles the U.S.-Canada border and depends on both cross-border trade and tourism, every new tariff announcement hits like a pebble thrown into the gorge — the ripples are wider than they look.
(Financial Accountability Office of Ontario)
🎭 Niagara Falls, ON Named a Top Employer for 2026
The City of Niagara Falls is proud to announce it has been selected as one of Hamilton-Niagara's Top Employers for 2026. The recognition highlights the City's commitment to its workforce — and, presumably, someone is getting a nice plaque to hang next to the mist-covered window.
The City of Niagara Falls and City Council are also offering a unique opportunity for local singers and musicians to perform O Canada at Council meetings throughout 2026. If you've been waiting for your moment to belt out the national anthem in a room full of people arguing about amalgamation — your time has come.
📅 Events — Both Sides of the Border
Thu, Mar 5 | Boy George & Culture Club — OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ON. 8:00 PM. Karma karma karma karma karma chameleon, and you better wear something fabulous. (Ticketmaster)
Fri, Mar 6 | Charley Crockett — OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ON. 8:00 PM. Honky-tonk and Texas country at the casino. Boots encouraged; poutine optional. (Ticketmaster)
Sat, Mar 7 | The My Generation Tour (featuring Gary Lewis and others) — OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ON. 7:00 PM. Classic hits from a classic era. (Ticketmaster)
Sun, Mar 8 | Hacken Lee: Best Wishes — OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ON. 7:30 PM. Legendary Cantonese pop icon performs live. Tickets from $225 CDN. (SeatGeek)
Fri, Mar 13 | Glass Tiger & Trooper — OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ON. 8:00 PM. Two Canadian icons on one stage — this might be the most CanCon thing to ever happen in Niagara. (Ticketmaster)
Sat, Mar 14 | Kenny Wayne Shepherd: Ledbetter Heights 30th Anniversary Tour — OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ON. 8:00 PM. Blues rock guitar legend celebrates 30 years of his landmark debut album. (Ticketmaster)
Daily through Mar 11 | Niagara Falls Illumination — Both sides of the border. Nightly illumination of the Falls runs March 1–11, 5:30 PM–1:00 AM. Free to watch from both the NY and Ontario sides. Best viewed from a warm car or wrapped in something ridiculous. (NiagaraFallsLive.com)
Now through Mar | Butterfly Conservatory — Niagara Parks, Niagara Falls, ON. Open daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Tickets: Adults $25.00, Child (3–12) $16.50. Warm, colourful, and absolutely zero chance of sleet inside. (Niagara Parks)
Now through Mar | Niagara Parks Power Station & Tunnel Tour — Niagara Falls, ON. Open daily 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. Tickets: Adults $33.00, Child (3–12) $21.50. Go underground, literally, and feel slightly less cold than outside. (Niagara Parks)
Thu, Mar 5 | Buffalo Sabres vs. Tampa Bay Lightning — KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY. Red-hot Buffalo and Tampa Bay clash atop the Atlantic Division. Tickets at ticketmaster.com. (Buffalo Sabres)
🌉 Across the Border
There's an odd symmetry to this week's news from both sides of the Rainbow Bridge. On the Canadian side, 12 municipalities are in a furious debate about whether to become fewer — or even one. On the American side, a beloved 75-year-old chemical plant is closing and 70 families are wondering what comes next. On both banks of the Niagara River, the question is the same: What does our community look like tomorrow?
And then there's the ice. The Sabres are on a four-game win streak, playing the kind of hockey that makes this whole region — Canadian fans and American fans alike — lean forward in their chairs. Tage Thompson scored his first home goal after winning Olympic gold, Jack Eichel got cheered at KeyBank Center (complicated feelings, everyone?), and the playoff race is suddenly, thrillingly real. If the Falls can unite over anything, it's a Sabres run in March.
Meanwhile, the weather today is doing what it always does at this time of year — snow, then rain, then sleet, then "just put on a jacket and go outside." The Falls keep falling, the river keeps running, and the tourists are already booking their summer tickets. Whether Niagara is 12 municipalities or one, whether it's got tariffs or not, this gorge is ours. And nobody gets to amalgamate that.
🌊 The Falls — "We cover both sides so you don't have to cross in this weather."
📸 Feature photo by iMike Stettler on Unsplash