Daniel Smeenk, Author at Niagara Now

Why did the town pay $225K to settle Black lawsuit?

Coun. Erwin Wiens said Black was a “victim” and the facts left the town little legal ground to stand on: “The fact is, the Blacks were mistreated.”

Shaw to tear down houses on Victoria Street to make way for new Royal George

Town council has given approval to tear down two houses on Victoria Street as part of the Shaw Festival’s plan to rebuild the 110-year-old theatre.

Public Wi-Fi, extra washrooms and more could come to Old Town next year

Wi-Fi in the heritage district, more public washrooms and signs to help visitors navigate Old Town are just a few of the changes that could come to Niagara-on-the-Lake’s busiest community by next year.

NOTL council speeds up budget process to stay ahead on capital projects

While some municipal leaders say the Dec. 3 deadline doesn’t leave the town enough time to review its spending plans in detail, others said it’ll keep the town ahead of the curve on future infrastructure projects.

Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake pays $225K settlement to former property owner over ‘misuse of power’

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has settled a six-year legal battle with former resident John Black, who accused the municipality of abuse of process, bad faith and misuse of power surrounding a home he purchased and his planned addition to the home.

$632K road paving project underway in Old Town NOTL

Lakeshore Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Old Town is getting a big facelift from Niagara Region — to the tune of $632,000.

Niagara College support staff join provincewide strike

As the strike by Niagara College’s support staff enters its second week, the College Employer Council says negotiations remain stalled and the two sides are far apart.

Proposed rules for secondary suites set limits on unit size, setbacks and parking

Under the draft changes, a detached accessory building shall not take up more than 50 per cent of the main dwelling’s footprint and won’t stand more than 4.5 metres tall, among other rules.

Local woman brings Narcotics Anonymous meetings to NOTL after recovery journey

Rachel S. first attended a Narcotics Anonymous meeting in 2023, where she introduced herself by saying, “I’m Rachel and I’m an addict.” It was the first time she had ever admitted it — even to herself.

Accessibility upgrades slowly coming five years after audit

Five years later, the town says the most urgent upgrades have been addressed — at least, partially. But it is much harder to get the fixes done which address fixes to a building that make it truly accessible.

NOTL remembers 9/11 with ceremony at Queen’s Royal Park

Almost everyone who was alive on Sept. 11, 2001, remembers where they were when the planes struck, Kathy Weiss, president of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce, told a crowd gathered Thursday at Queen’s

Konzelmann Estate Winery faces public backlash over wedding proposal

Konzelmann Estate Winery faced further criticism from residents on Tuesday as its proposal to create a wedding ceremony space went before council. Concerns were raised about noise, traffic and pesticide exposure. The winery,

‘Penners’ marks 75 years of customer service

It’s been 75 years since the doors of a Niagara-on-the-Lake institution first opened. Penner Home Hardware, or “Penners” as most locals know it, celebrated its 75th anniversary on Friday with a community barbecue

Mayor, experts and residents condemn Second Sons ‘hate rally’

CLARIFICATION: An update was made to this article to note that The Lake Report attempted to contact Second Sons. A white nationalist rally by about 50 members of the extremist group Second Sons

Residents voice anger over Rand Estate private road proposal at council meeting

Tensions flared at a Niagara-on-the-Lake council planning committee meeting Tuesday, as residents expressed frustration over a proposed private road through the Rand Estate. Council chambers were packed, reflecting high public interest in the

LiveBarn cameras now streaming games at both local arenas

Parents who can’t make it to the arena can now watch their children’s hockey games from home, thanks to a new streaming service available in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In late August, the town announced it

Heritage committee recommends demolition on new Royal George site

The sun is setting on the Royal George Theatre. The Niagara-on-the-Lake municipal heritage committee has approved the demolition of two heritage buildings at 178–188 Victoria St., despite some hesitation about the impact on

Town reacts quickly after fire leads to oil seepage

What started as an attempt to put out a fire on a street sweeper last Wednesday led to 25 litres of oil being spilled in the Virgil Reservoir. Now, the province has gotten involved and is monitoring the situation.

Back-to-school excitement fills NOTL elementary schools

Across Niagara-on-the-Lake on Tuesday, parents and children awoke ready to greet the start of another year of school.

Residents push back on Solmar’s return to town for Rand Estate project

More than 50 people attended a virtual open house hosted by the town on Tuesday, where Solmar presented its latest attempt to rezone land near the historic Rand Estate. Most participants expressed strong disapproval of the project.

Virgil soccer goalie raises money for cancer research in international fundraiser

Twelve-year-old Logan Loewen is one of five finalists in the Youth Athlete of the Year competition, raising money for two cancer research institutes in honour of his late grandmother, who died of cancer in February.

NOTL’s population rise key factor in first-ever parks and rec master plan

Book clubs, community gardening and letter writing are just some of the activities Niagara-on-the-Lake’s parks and recreation department is thinking of adding to its itinerary over the next 10 years — and it wants these activities to attract NOTLers ages eight to 80.

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