Daniel Smeenk, Author at Niagara Now

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.

As NOTL’s climate co-ordinator celebrates first 100 days, activists are hoping for more action

The Town of NOTL has a multi-pronged plan to tackle climate change locally, spearheaded by its new climate co-ordinator. But environmental activists like Lidija Biro say the municipal’s efforts on the issue have been “minimal.”

With the vacation rental licensing freeze ending soon, NOTLers weigh in on future of rental rules

“Bed and breakfasts and country inns need to separate from other short-term rentals,” said Doug Johnson, who owned a bed and breakfast in NOTL for 19 years. “Bed and breakfast owners have to live in their place … If residents were bothering people, they were bothering me, too.”

Strawberry Social attracts packed crowd at NOTL Community Centre

“I’ve been coming since the beginning,” said Lucy Harder, one of the event attendees. “I love seeing people in the town coming together.”

Graham Claus, descendant of Wilderness owners, returns in private visit

After a long period of disconnection from an important piece of family history, Claus, the oldest living descendant of the original Wilderness owners, got to see a private viewing of an indelible part of his family history before the end of his life.

20 years after Ontario’s landmark disability act, NOTL still struggles to be accessible

While there are limitations around how buildings in the Historic Old Town can be updated to include accessibility features, two NOTLers who are part of the region’s joint accessibility advisory committee say they believe making heritage buildings accessible can, in the long run, increase their revenue.

Down it goes, again: Traffic camera beside Crossroads vandalized a second time

Police say they have no updates on a suspect for either vandalism. Niagara Region is looking to find ways to make the camera more difficult to bring down.

Strawberry Festival to celebrate its 40th anniversary on June 21

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is ready to ring in the start of summer with the return of its annual Strawberry Festival, which will see an estimated 5,500 people come out to the church on June 21 to enjoy tasty strawberry goods — a tradition four decades in the making.

Proposed York Road hotel and restaurants may be grounded by airport

Current plans for the hotel put it at 10 stories tall, or approximately 33 metres, which the CEO of the Niagara District Airport, Dan Pilon, says would violate federal airline zoning regulations.

Old Town’s protected area for historical buildings may be getting larger

There would be 527 buildings in the Queen-Picton area total in the new boundaries, of which 257 are considered historically significant or “contributing” to the town’s heritage.

Two-storey hotel proposed next to old site of the Smithy

The plan is for a two-storey hotel with 18 rooms, with terraces in the front and back of the building. Hotel guests would be able to go to 124 on Queen Hotel and Spa and have access to Gate Street.

With $110 million raised, Shaw Festival two-thirds of way to fundraising goal

The Shaw Festival’s efforts centre around two main projects: the demolition and restoration of the Royal George Theatre and the creation of a new campus called the Artists’ Village, to open next May.

Traffic camera at Crossroads Public School back up

The Niagara Region, which owns the automated speed camera, said that it is expected to be functioning again by next week. It was restored on Monday. Police still don’t know who vandalized the camera.

Restoration of next part of heritage trail to start mid-June

This next phase of the project is estimated to cost $400,000. The public will be able to give their input on how they want the trail to be made.

Residents dispute Four Mile Creek Road apartment proposal

Some residents of Four Mile Creek Road are voicing strong opposition to a proposed apartment complex, sparking another debate between supporters of single-family neighbourhoods and advocates for higher-density housing.

NOTL artist seeks permission to put art in fields

Inspired by a similar project in California’s Salinas Valley, Ron Clavier’s plan calls for a series of 16-foot-tall aluminum-composite paintings. Each would depict an individual or group significant to the development of agriculture in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Longtime NOTL fundraiser sells T-shirts to support Canada and local charities

With phrases of defiance from Canadians ranging from “Canada is not for sale” to “elbows up” becoming rallying cries on this side of the border, one NOTLer wants to show his support in an overtly positive way with a new slogan of his own.

Town strikes agreement with province for Garden City Skyway twin bridges

As part of the agreement, the town of NOTL is entitled to review and comment on all future design drawings, but can’t allow any construction to happen within the project limits until the bridges construction is completed.

Traffic camera beside Crossroads school vandalized

The Niagara Region, which owns the camera, said they are working to get the camera fixed soon. The use of traffic cameras to enforce speeding, including in school zones like this one, has been met with some anger and controversy in town.

Residents debate more restrictions on vacation rentals in town

With debate around Niagara-on-the-Lake’s vacation rental industry showing no signs of cooling down, the town is going to take a closer look at the rules around short-term rentals — including a potential cap on how many rentals should be allowed to operate.

Author's Latest