Daniel Smeenk, Author at Niagara Now

Scotsman Hotel looks to create dining and drinking spot for its guests

The hotel owners want permission from the town to serve alcohol in a designated area on the ground floor and the courtyard — right now, guests can only drink in their rooms.

Council axes Virgil couple’s appeal for town to waive $750 tree-cutting fee

The town has rejected a Virgil couple’s request not to pay $750 to chop down a tree on their property; however, the municipality is offering the couple some grace in how they could pay the tree-cutting fee.

Goettlers makes $50K donation for heritage trail restoration

The restoration of the Upper Canada Heritage Trail continues to gain ground, with the team about halfway to finishing the entire trail, and a $50,000 boost, courtesy of the Goettler family’s foundation.

There’s a new Ruller in town

New CAO Nick Ruller, who spent the last year and a half as Brampton’s fire chief, said the opportunity to come home and take on the town’s top unelected position was a major draw.

Royal George Theatre proposal ignites passions among Shaw Festival, residents

The Shaw’s plans to rebuild the Royal George Theatre were met with moans and groans from an unusually packed council chamber on Tuesday.

Airport runway expansion brings environmental concerns for NOTL council

Councillors voiced concerns about plans to extend the Niagara District Airport’s runway by 2,500 feet in the coming years, as it would take up more space in the protected Greenbelt.

‘The Lion King’ roars to life on stage, brought to you by Yellow Door Theatre

Yellow Door’s theatre director hopes audiences will embrace a little “hakuna matata” when his cast of young performers takes the stage in “The Lion King” on July 19.

‘It’s quite an honour’: Coach David Mines latest inductee to NOTL’s Sports Wall of Fame

David Mines made his mark as a coach, trainer and general manager in hockey and lacrosse. “I was fortunate that whatever bench I was on, I was surrounded by a bunch of good people,” he says.

CCTV coming to Crossroads speed camera after fourth act of vandalism

The Virgil speed camera outside Crossroads Public School was chopped down sometime Monday night — the fourth time since late May.

Lord mayor uses ‘strong mayor powers’ to give CAO back old powers

Gary Zalepa said he thought it was important to “bring clarity” to the town of NOTL and make it clear to the new CAO that he would like to hand these responsibilities back to him.

U.S. tourism revenue down for Niagara Parks, international tourism up — so far

Niagara Parks’ CEO says it’s too early to call an overall trend to attention, or whether the spring months’ numbers are an anomaly.

Rotary’s summer cocktail fundraiser is back and rebranded

The Rotary Club hopes guests will don their best cocktail attire and enjoy an evening of live music, dancing, and what it calls “Niagara’s finest food and wine.”

At $786 per resident, service levy to Niagara police not fair for NOTL: Kaiser

“Why would they put additional funds on their taxpayers and their municipality? I think it’s our job to be fair and treat everyone in the municipality fairly,” said Regional Coun. Andrea Kaiser.

Trees top of mind as council approves Konik Estates development

Although the original agreement called for preserving two rows of trees, the developer removed one of them and the other was later taken down after a health assessment found the trees posed a risk during windstorms.

NOTL Museum hopes to answer who really won the War of 1812

Who won the War of 1812? That will be the big question when American historian Donald Hickey and Canadian Ronald Dale meet each other on a panel at the NOTL Museum on July 12.

Canada Day cake parade a great, tasty success

This year, the Canada Day cake came together not only due to the hard work of Willow Cakes & Pastries, but also thanks to thousands of dollars in donations from the local community.

‘Nowhere and everywhere, all at once’: Wind phone at public library aids in grieving

What started as a concept in Japan to help those grieving the loss of loved ones has become a worldwide phenomenon: “We hope it’s able to bring comfort, connection and a small measure of peace to those navigating a bereavement journey.”

Tawny Ridge Estates closer to reality with green light given for 12 new homes

Some are looking forward to seeing more family homes being built in the neighbourhood, while others say St. Davids isn’t ready for more development. Both residents and councillors still have questions about plans for local stormwater management.

NOTL Hydro president explains cause of rising power outages amid questions from residents

NOTL Hydro’s president attributes the rise in power outages over the course of the past year to a loss of power supply from Hydro One, fallen dead trees, accidents and equipment problems.

‘The province doesn’t care what we feel’: Pushback against bills 5 and 17 builds in NOTL

Critics of these new bills say they will clear the way for more development without limitations and could encroach on environmental protection in Ontario.

NOTL celebrates Canada Day with art, music, fireworks and free fun

Niagara-on-the-Lake is set to celebrate Canada’s 158th birthday in style this Tuesday, with a full day of festivities ranging from fireworks to fine art and free museum access.

Residents share concerns about Royal George Theatre rebuild’s size, historical character

The new theatre being proposed would be noticeably larger and occupy more of downtown Old Town, moved slightly further north from its current location on Queen Street and seat around 360 people.

Speed camera at Crossroads down for a third time in a less than a month

Niagara Region is looking into having extra reinforcements to help prevent more cameras from being vandalized, plus a closed-circuit TV to monitor the site.

Visual art signs now permitted across NOTL’s roads

The definition of visual art under this new rule is “original pieces of art” such as paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography and inflation art, “used to reflect or engage the community.”

Local tulip farmer apologizes for weather-related spring festival dilemma

TASC Tulip Pick Farm’s owner paid a visit to council to apologize for the tumult and establish a better relationship with the community going forward.

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