🌊 Friday, March 6, 2026
All the news that's fit to get wet
☁️ Weather — NY Side
Current Conditions (Niagara Falls, NY): Cloudy and damp, with that special early March energy that can't decide if it wants to rain, sleet, or just commit to being deeply grey. A little accumulation of snow, sleet, and rain is possible late this morning, followed by periods of rain this afternoon, with a high of around 38°F. Dress in layers. Then put on another layer. Then bring an umbrella. Welcome to Niagara.
| Day | Condition | High (°F) | Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Mar 6 | Rain/sleet mix → rain | 44° | 38° |
| Sat, Mar 7 | Chance of afternoon showers | 52° | 36° |
| Sun, Mar 8 | Areas of morning fog, then some sun | 55° | 40° |
| Mon, Mar 9 | Cloudy with rain | 51° | 42° |
| Tue, Mar 10 | Partly cloudy | 56° | 41° |
AccuWeather monthly data for March 6–10 in Niagara Falls, NY.
Spring is technically 14 days away. The weather has not received this memo. The good news: nightly illumination of the Falls runs 5:30 PM–1:00 AM through March 11, then shifts to 7:30 PM–2:00 AM from March 12 onward — so you can watch the mist drift through the floodlights from a warm car window like a true local.
🔗 Full forecast: National Weather Service Buffalo
🍁 Weather — Ontario Side
Current Conditions (Niagara Falls, ON): Also grey. Also damp. Solidarity, friends. As of Thursday afternoon at the St. Catharines/Niagara District Airport, conditions were cloudy, temperature 2.7°C, humidity 81%, with ENE winds at 22 km/h. Nothing says "border town in early March" quite like 81% humidity and a stiff northeaster blowing off the lake.
Friday brings a high of 8°C with a 30% chance of drizzle, with a risk of freezing rain overnight and a low of 3°C. Saturday turns windy with showers and a high of 13°C — almost spring-like! — before dropping back to 1°C overnight. Don't get too excited, Ontarians.
| Day | Condition | High (°C) | Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Mar 6 | Drizzle, risk of freezing rain overnight | 8° | 3° |
| Sat, Mar 7 | Showers, windy | 13° | 1° |
| Sun, Mar 8 | Mix of sun and cloud | 8° | 3° |
| Mon, Mar 9 | Sunny, windy | 12° | 3° |
| Tue, Mar 10 | 30% chance of showers | 9° | 6° |
Source: Environment Canada, Niagara Falls ON forecast.
Saturday's 13°C is what passes for a heatwave around here in March. It'll be 1°C overnight. Don't put the parka away yet.
🔗 Full forecast: Environment Canada
🗽 NY Side News
🎰 Seneca Niagara Casino Beefs Up Security After Threats to Nation Leaders
Seneca Nation leaders are taking additional safety precautions after receiving several threats last week, including one related to Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls. Following the casino threat, security teams swept all three of the Nation's gaming properties — including Seneca Niagara Casino & Resort — with no interruption to casino operations.
Enhanced security measures, including metal detectors and X-ray machines, have been put in place at entrances to the Nation's office buildings. Additional Nation marshals have also been placed in and around Seneca office buildings, and officials are encouraging members to make appointments in advance for any personal business.
The gaming floors remain open and operations are uninterrupted. So yes, you can still lose at the slots — now with added safety theatre at the door. In all seriousness, threats against sovereign Indigenous leadership are no joke, and we wish the Nation's officials and staff continued safety.
(Niagara Gazette) (Lockport Journal)
🔥 Fire Investigators Still Sifting Through Newfane Rubble
Niagara County fire investigators continued picking through the rubble of the former Gordie Harper's Bazaar in Newfane on Tuesday, looking for clues in the blaze. The fire destroyed the building that once housed Harper's, a beloved local institution known for its eclectic inventory and, apparently, its ability to generate ongoing investigative interest.
Nancy Smith had envisioned an Apple Barrel concept at the Gordie Harper's Sports Bar site — a dream that is now, quite literally, in ashes. Our hearts go out to Ms. Smith and anyone else who had plans tied to the building.
The investigation is ongoing. In the meantime, Niagara County asks residents to avoid the rubble area and let the investigators do their work in peace — or what passes for peace amid a pile of smoldering debris.
🏒 Sabres Are Absolutely Cooking Right Now
Josh Norris and Owen Power each had a goal and an assist Thursday night as the Buffalo Sabres extended their winning streak to five games with a 5-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Tage Thompson had an assist to push his career-high point streak to nine games (five goals, five assists), and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 27 saves for the Sabres (37-19-6).
Ryan McLeod and Alex Tuch both scored short-handed goals, with McLeod now owning a league-best five short-handed goals this season. The game also featured Evgeni Malkin getting ejected 38 seconds into the second period for slashing Rasmus Dahlin, which Buffalo proceeded to use as jet fuel for three second-period goals.
Buffalo now has points in 10 straight road games, matching the longest road point streak in franchise history. Meanwhile, trade rumour fans should note that reports indicate the Sabres are closing in on a deal for St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko, pending approval. The Sabres are not messing around this spring. Neither are we.
📋 Niagara Falls School Board Improving Constituent Communications
The Niagara Falls City School District Board of Education is providing updated communications to keep constituents well-informed. This is the kind of bureaucratic good-news story that rarely makes headlines, but honestly, a school board that wants to talk to people? In 2026? We'll take it.
No dramatic details have emerged yet, but if your kid comes home with an actual newsletter that isn't printed on paper the colour of old mustard, you can probably credit this initiative.
🍎 Agricultural Tourism Gets a Roundtable Moment
Jim Bittner, managing partner of Bittner-Singer Orchards, and John Percy, president of Destination Niagara USA, took part in a roundtable discussion this week — presumably talking about how to get more people to understand that Niagara County, NY is not just a waterfall and a casino, but a genuine agricultural gem with orchards, vineyards, and farm stands that would make a locavore weep with joy.
As tourist season approaches, the conversation about how to market Niagara County's agri-tourism offerings is increasingly urgent. Pothole season has also officially arrived, which may complicate scenic rural drives somewhat. Bring your alignment warranty.
🌊 Enjoying The Falls?
Get Niagara's best news delivered to your inbox every morning — free.
Subscribe Free →🍁 Ontario Side News
🏛️ Niagara Region Chair Gets Benched on Amalgamation Push
Niagara's regional council voted to hold back chair Bob Gale from "any further action" concerning amalgamation, while acknowledging it needs to do its own review on how services are working and shared among the 12 municipalities. The motion was passed at the council's Committee of the Whole meeting on Feb. 26.
With the vote, Gale is now also not permitted to use regional resources and staff time on matters regarding the review and amalgamation. Gale had proposed either a one-city or a four-city model for Niagara's 12 municipalities — an idea that Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa said he is "strongly" opposed to, defending the town's "distinct identity, proud history, and strong local governance."
Meanwhile, Gale has gone back to the province with more ideas for changing regional governance — which could see Niagara-on-the-Lake's representation at the regional table shrink to one vote. NOTL, in case you were wondering, is not taking this lying down. Their wine is too good for that.
(CBC Hamilton/Niagara) (Niagara Now)
🏙️ The Big Merge: What's Really on the Table
The four-city model would consolidate Lincoln, West Lincoln, Grimsby, Pelham, and Wainfleet into one city; Welland, Thorold, and Port Colborne into a second; Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Fort Erie into a third; and keep St. Catharines as a stand-alone city. The one-city model would just … smoosh everyone together.
Gale's letter pointed to "an increasingly difficult budget process" and outlined how the current governance structure has led to three straight years of large regional tax increases, totalling nearly 25 per cent over three years.
But a former Brock University political science professor told CBC News: "There's no significant amount of money saved" through amalgamation. Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati has been supportive of the idea; NOTL very much has not. Expect this debate to roll on well into patio season.
🎭 NOTL's Lake Report Wins Provincial Journalism Honours
An opinion piece by a Niagara-on-the-Lake town councillor, several stories, photos, and columns by community contributors, and the journalism of staff members of The Lake Report have been singled out by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association in its annual awards.
This is well-deserved recognition for a publication that has been punching well above its weight — especially during the turbulent amalgamation debate, where local journalism has been more essential than ever.
Congratulations to the whole Lake Report team. May your scoops be as sharp as a NOTL Sauvignon Blanc.
(Niagara Now / The Lake Report)
🏠 City of Niagara Falls, ON Named Top Employer for 2026
The City of Niagara Falls, Ontario is proud to announce it has been selected as one of Hamilton-Niagara's Top Employers for 2026. The designation recognizes employers who lead their industries in offering exceptional workplaces.
The City and City Council are also offering a unique opportunity for local singers and musicians to perform O Canada at Council meetings throughout 2026 — which is either a charming civic tradition or a very efficient way to audition for a national anthem career. Either way, bring your vocal warm-ups.
🎪 What's Coming to Families in Niagara Falls, ON?
Families visiting Niagara Falls will soon have another child-friendly destination to explore. Details remain forthcoming, but given the Ontario government's broader "Destination Niagara" strategy, which proposes expanding existing casinos and potentially opening new, larger ones, there are clearly big plans afoot for the tourist corridor.
Whether that means family fun or more slots depends on who you ask. For now, the Butterfly Conservatory remains open daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM in March 2026, with adult tickets at $25.00 and child tickets (ages 3–12) at $16.50. That's still the best 25 bucks you can spend in March on this side of the border.
📅 Events — Both Sides of the Border
Fri, Mar 6 – ongoing | Falls Illumination — Niagara Falls, ON & NY. 5:30 PM–1:00 AM (through Mar 11). The Falls turn purple, blue, and gold every night. Free to watch from the gorge rim. (Niagara Falls Live)
Sat, Mar 7 | Buffalo Sabres vs. Nashville Predators — KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY. Puck drop ~7:00 PM. The Sabres host Nashville on Saturday in what should be a rollicking home game with a five-game win streak bringing the energy. (Sabres.com)
Sat, Mar 7 | Niagara Parks Power Station & Tunnel Tour — Niagara Parks, ON. Open 10:00 AM–6:00 PM daily. Self-guided tours — Adults $33.00, Child (3–12) $21.50. Wander through a 100-year-old hydroelectric cathedral carved into the rock. Still the coolest thing under the Falls. (Niagara Parks)
Daily through Mar | Journey Behind the Falls — Niagara Parks, ON. Adults $28.00, Child (3–12) $18.50. Stand behind a billion gallons of water and question your life choices in the best possible way. (Niagara Parks)
Daily through Mar | Butterfly Conservatory — Niagara Parks, ON. 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Adults $25.00, Child (3–12) $16.50. Warm, beautiful, and full of living things that have no opinion on amalgamation. (Niagara Parks)
Sat, Mar 21 – Sun, Mar 22 & Sat–Sun, Mar 28–29 | Lewiston Choraleers Easter Program — Four area churches, Lewiston, NY area. The Lewiston Choraleers will present an Easter program at four area churches on March 21, 22, 28, and 29. Free, community-spirited, and probably the most wholesome thing happening in Niagara County this month. (Niagara Gazette)
Wed, Mar 18 | Stella Niagara Education Park Open House — Stella Niagara, NY. 9:00 AM–4:00 PM. Stella Niagara Education Park is inviting prospective families to attend its open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 18. If you're considering school options in the region, worth a visit. (Niagara Gazette)
Sat, Mar 14 | SoleTurn Concert — Venue TBA, Niagara Falls, NY area. The rock band SoleTurn will perform a special concert on March 14 — billed as a chance to shake off the winter blues. Which, after this week's weather, feels medically necessary. (Niagara Falls Reporter)
Daily | Greg Frewin Theatre — Niagara Falls, ON. Open for performances and dinner shows during March. Magic shows, dinner, and a magician who has been making the impossible happen