Richard Harley, Author at Niagara Now

Town pushing for high speed internet in rural areas

The Town of NOTL is pushing to get high speed internet to rural areas. Lord Mayor Betty Disero said the town is currently requesting funding to subsidize work to install broadband lines in

Pedal Pub anxious to get rolling

NOTL Pedal Pub is anxious to get rolling again, after Niagara Region said it wouldn’t approve the operation of the vehicle on regional roads. The region is looking for town comment on the

Deloitte report highlights areas town can improve

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is doing well in some areas, and underperforming in others, says a $218,100 service review report presented to council Monday. The 94-page report by consulting firm Deloitte was meant to

Town repeals freeze on urban development

Town council has voted to repeal an interim control bylaw that restricted development within the urban area of Old Town. The bylaw, passed on Dec. 5, 2018, in one of the first acts of

Heritage tax rebate approved by council

After a continuous push from business owners on Queen Street, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake now plans to establish a heritage tax rebate program. The tax rebate is intended to help businesses in heritage buildings maintain the structures,

Closing Queen Street isnt so simple, says town CAO

It’s a mixed bag when it comes to opinions on closing Queen Street, Lord Mayor Betty Disero told council Monday. There are a plethora of problems, including loss of parking revenue, traffic concerns

COVID-19: Jet boats overcome troubled waters to salvage season

While the Whirlpool jet boats are literally built for turbulent waters, the COVID-19 pandemic has the company worried about keeping its head above water. John Kinney, owner of Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, said

COVID-19: Emergency group to remain in charge for now: Disero

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake will continue to take direction from its emergency control group for now, says Lord Mayor Betty Disero. Having the emergency group in charge enables the town can act quickly and refocus

COVID-19: Old Town sees 12,800 vehicles during weekend

More than 12,800 vehicles entered downtown NOTL this past weekend, according to the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Interim CAO Sheldon Randall updated council with some numbers on Monday. He said on the weekend of June

Severed head of fawn found on driveway of NOTL home

Homeowner says 'clean cut' might have been caused by a person but police suspect other animals may be responsible for grisly incident Gordon Cutts woke up to a gruesome surprise on Sunday — something,

Share the spirit of NOTL

Share the spirit of NOTL Send us photos of you (or you and your family) with your NOTL flag on display. If you are among the hundreds of people who purchased one of

McCormack defends decision not to sign letter condemning racism

Niagara-on-the-Lake Coun. Stuart McCormack says he condemns racism, despite choosing not to sign a letter from town council condemning racism last week. McCormack addressed the issue during a meeting of council Monday night after refusing

NOTL merchant group wants support for business

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s downtown business community wants town council to act quickly in getting financial relief and a recovery plan in place for renters and owners on Queen Street. Terri-Lynn Woodhouse, owner of One Earth

NOTL expected to pass new cannabis bylaw

Town council is expected to finalize a cannabis bylaw next week. With the impending new bylaw, cannabis growers in Niagara-on-the-Lake will face new restrictions. The proposed bylaw would affect all rural lands throughout NOTL, with the

Opa! Greek sandwich shop opens on Queen Street

Niagara-on-the-Lake has a new place for a quick Greek meal — Gryos on the Lake. The new sandwich shop has taken over The Sandwich Shop. Owner John Paraskevopoulos says the goal was to

Letter: Bylaw officers could soften up their ‘look’

Dear editor: As a global, philosophical, necessary conversation rages on regarding the future role and look of policing, please permit me to make a very local comment The ubiquitous bylaw enforcement squad in

Restaurants can now apply for expanded patio space

Food and drink establishments in Niagara-on-the-Lake can now start applying to expand patios on private and municipal space, the town announced Tuesday. The expansions will come into effect Friday, pending town approval, which

Editorial: We need to educate and connect, not divide

The anti-racism rally in Niagara-on-the-Lake last week brought out about 400 people to stand in solidarity with black members of our community and around the world. It was sobering to hear stories of racism right

Environment needs to stay at forefront, even amid pandemic: Arsenault

Despite the pandemic, Niagara-on-the-Lake Coun. Norm Arsenault wants the environment to stay at the top of people’s minds. He said right now the environment has been put on the “back burner” in town and he’s

COVID-19: NOTL stuck in Phase 1 of reopening, for now

While much of the province is opening up to Phase 2 in the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, the Niagara region remains in Phase 1. That means businesses such as restaurants, bars, most shopping malls

Letter: Town of NOTL condemns racism

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake released a statement condemning racism on Monday. The lord mayor, seven councillors and five senior staff members all signed the letter. The only member of council who did not sign it

Hundreds march against racism at NOTL rally

Would a white person be willing to trade places with someone who is black?

Bringing a smile to local seniors

A group of NOTLers have banded together to bring a bit of happiness to seniors in town. Restaurateurs Ryan Crawford of Backhouse, Paul Harber of Ravine and David Watt of the Garrison House, have

Short-term rentals given green light to operate, with restrictions

Short-term rentals in Niagara-on-the-Lake have been given the go-ahead to reopen. Following a change in provincial guidelines, the Town of NOTL this week confirmed short-term rentals can operate “in a similar manner as to hotels and motels,

Region updates town onGlendale District Plan

Steve HardakerCommunity Correspondent Niagara Region planning staff provided NOTL's committee of the whole planning meeting with a detailed briefing on the final draft of the Glendale District Plan at Monday’s virtual meeting. Committee members

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