FRONT PAGE NEWS

Town moving ahead in heritage designation process for GAHS site

Town council has voted to go down the heritage designation route for the former General Amherst High School. Town council has voted to go down the heritage designation route for the former General Amherst High School. The building, located at 130 Sandwich St. S., is proposed to be transformed by the Valente Development Corporation into a residential and commercial site, including eight and 11-storey towers. Despite a vow from owner Peter Valente to recreate the southern facad

22 hours ago

Agricultural Hall of Fame inducts four new members

The Class of 2026 for the Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame included (from left): Alyssa Thibodeau & Cole McLean (representing the late Walter McLean), Leo Guilbeault, Neil McBeth and Rochelle Deslippe. They were inducted last Thursday night at a ceremony held at the Harrow Agricultural Exhibition Hall. Four new members have been inducted into the Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame. Rochelle Deslippe, Leo Guilbeault, Neil McBeth and Walter McLean were honoured last T

Apr 7

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LOCAL NEWS

Public enjoys visiting Clydesdales

Brantley Essery-Ouellette was excited to visit the farm. Wismer Clydes held an open house last Sunday afternoon. In 1979, Gerald Wismer and his wife Barbara brought their first Clydesdale horse to their Amherstburg farm Cedar Lane Farm. Through a lot of hard work, his love of the gentle giants was passed down to two generations and now the Wismer Clydesdales are world renowned and the legacy and tradition continues. “It was his passion, he loved horses,” said Barbara, outside

22 hours ago

Chili cookoff held by Order of the Eastern Star

Eight chili recipes were served to the crowd at a chili cookoff held at Thistle Masonic Lodge #34 on Murray St. April 11. It was presented by the Order of the Eastern Star - Erie Chapter No. 19. A chili cookoff returned to town this week all with a charitable twist. The Order of the Eastern Star – Erie Chapter No. 19 out of Essex, which includes several members from Amherstburg, met at Thistle Masonic Lodge #34 on Murray St. in Amherstburg last Saturday night for the fourth a

22 hours ago

Heritage committee hears plans to restore Richmond St building

Restoration work is being proposed to the building at 79 Richmond St. The Amherstburg heritage committee discussed the matter April 9. The Amherstburg heritage committee has endorsed a heritage alteration permit for the building at 79 Richmond St. The building, which currently houses a dental office on the first of two floors, will see its masonry cleaned using a “Heritage Restore” cleaning product, removal of damaged mortar and replacement with a specified “Type O” mortar,

22 hours ago

Long-time CLEC employee heads into retirement

Tony DeSantis, manager of community relations and resource development with Community Living Essex County, retired April 10 after a 24-year career with the agency. A long-time employee of Community Living Essex County (CLEC) has retired and his colleagues gathered to pay tribute to him. Tony DeSantis, the agency’s manager of community relations and resource development, retired April 10 and a boardroom packed with family, friends and colleagues gave him a send-off. Tributes c

22 hours ago

Local school promotes autism acceptance

Autistic students parade into an assembly at Stella Maris School April 10. An assembly to promote autism awareness and acceptance was held last week at a local elementary school. Stella Maris Catholic Elementary School hosted the autism acceptance event, with students on the autism spectrum waving banners as they entered the gymnasium to the cheers of their fellow students. “We are celebrating autism acceptance,” said Tina LeBlanc, one of the educational assistants (EA’s) at

22 hours ago

ACF aids WEBC

The Amherstburg Community Foundation donated a cheque for over $30,000 to the Windsor Essex Bike Community (WEBC) April 12. In addition to a $10,000 donation from the foundation, ACF also matched donations that came in. Proceeds benefit the skills park WEBC is building at the Libro Centre. Donations are still being accepted until April 30 at www.webcride.com . From left: Erin King, Jen Desjardins-Gronding and Paul McAllister from ACF and James Braakman and Jordan Colautti fr

22 hours ago

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ARTS & CULTURE

New book capturing Amherstburg through photos officially released

Marty Gervais shows photos he took while creating his new book “Amherstburg: Picture a River Town.” A book launch was held April 9 at the River Bookshop. A new book featuring mainly photography and prose has shone a light on Amherstburg. Retired journalist and Poet Laureate Emeritus Marty Gervais has produced “Amherstburg: Picture a River Town” with the book launch being last Thursday night at the River Bookshop. The book was done in partnership with Gervais’ Black Moss Press

22 hours ago

Local artists featured in latest Gibson Gallery exhibit

Artists of Art-Create-Learn were at the Gibson Gallery last Sunday. Strolling along a beach could be considered relaxing for some people, but for Amherstburg’s Katherine Roth, it’s a chance to find what just might be a piece of art. On Sunday afternoon, Roth was one of several area artists that featured their work at the Gibson Gallery’s new exhibit “Artists of Art-Create-Learn.” There were many paintings displayed but Roth’s “Driftwood Sculpture” was the only sculpture in t

22 hours ago

“Resiliency” exhibit unveiled at the Park House Museum

Park House Museum curator Kat Bezaire gestures as she speaks about the new “Resiliency” exhibit on the museum’s second floor. The new exhibit was officially unveiled last Wednesday morning and features the work of three Indigenous artists. A new exhibit honouring the Indigenous community is now open at the Park House Museum. The grand opening of “Resiliency” was unveiled last Wednesday morning at the museum’s Indigenous History Learning Gallery. Park House curator Kat Bezaire

Apr 7

Amherstburg poet releasing book for Poetry Month

Kathryn MacDonald has written a new book of poetry entitled “The Blue Gate.” National Poetry Month is coming up in April and an Amherstburg poet is releasing a new book just in time for it. “The Blue Gate” is coming out next month with the book launch being April 26. Kathryn MacDonald wrote the poems featured in the upcoming release and said the book explores the “surprise of love, the shock of loss and challenges boundaries and liminal spaces.” It is being released by Front

Apr 7

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SPORTS

Wolves boys soccer team still looking for first victory

Steven Craner (far right) heads the ball down the field during North Star’s 4-0 loss to the Cardinal Carter Cougars last Thursday afternoon at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg. The North Star Wolves boys soccer team haven’t had the results they want so far, at least not on the scoreboard. The Wolves are now 0-3 on the 2026 WECSSAA “A/AA” boys soccer season, with two losses coming last week. The first game of the week was last Tuesday (April 7) on the road against the Leamingto

22 hours ago

Wolves girls soccer team suffers pair of losses last week

North Star’s Autumn Triolet (right) kicks the ball out of harm’s way as a Belle River player tries to prevent that. Also pictured is goalkeeper Emersyn Oliver. The North Star Wolves girls soccer team dropped to 0-2-1 on the 2026 WECSSAA “A/AA” girls soccer season after a pair of losses last week. The week opened on their home pitch, with the Wolves dropping a 3-0 decision to the visiting Belle River Nobles last Tuesday afternoon at the Libro Centre. It was not the performanc

22 hours ago

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Article on doctor issue should have included more on specific incentives

Re: Attracting doctors, clinics discussed at town council in March 11 edition Here is a list of effective strategies I’ve heard other municipalities use to attract doctors. •Financial incentives such as large, upfront payments or signing bonuses, relocation expenses, student loan repayment and guaranteed income for the first few years. This may seem extravagant, but the return on investment will be significantly greater to the town than paying anything to do with street festi

Mar 24

Local resident gives his ideas to re-name Gordie Howe International Bridge

Now that Trump has raised the issue of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge, it might be worthwhile to suggest that the bridge be renamed the Ojibway Bridge because it sits on traditional Ojibway land next to two Ojibway parks, the Ojibway National Urban Park and Ojibway Industrial Park in Windsor, and passes by the Ojibway Parkway. Prime Minister Harper, a hockey fan, named the bridge on a whim but Howe never played in Canada, only for Detroit, Houston and Hartford, and there is alre

Mar 17

McGregor can be a “crown jewel” for the Town of Amherstburg

Since the amalgamation of Anderdon by Amherstburg, McGregor has been often overlooked. It gives us a competitive advantage. The new expanded Howard Ave. Industrial Park with easy access to a major transportation route, benefits industrial and residential growth. Amherstburg will benefit greatly in various ways. The proposed decommission of the wastewater lagoons currently under environmental study does not go far enough. It proposes on-site wastewater treatment with limite

Mar 17

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Obituary - Renee Marie Therese Dupont (nee Bernier)

Renee Marie Therese Dupont (nee Bernier) June 10, 1930 - March 19, 2026 Dupont, Renee Marie Therese (nee Bernier) passed away peacefully on March 19, 2026 in Amherstburg, ON surrounded by family at 95 years of age. Reunited with her beloved husband John (2017) of 65 years. Loving mother of Danielle, Marc, the late Gilles (1974), Pierre, Louis (Nathalie Gaudreau), Jose (Theresa Whelan), and Paul (Roxana Mavai). Beloved Grandmaman of Natalie, Alberto, Marc Alexandre, Katherine

Obituary - James Bastien

James Bastien In his 91st year, surrounded by family, James Michael Bastien, moved into his heavenly home, where carpenters Jesus, Joseph, Jim’s Father Herman, Brother’s Pat, Gordon, Ferman, Joe, Bob, and Mac, made certain Jim’s room was ready… EVERYTHING Square, and the precision finishing touches, ALL passed their final inspection. Jim was born to Irene and Herman Bastien, September 21, 1935. Predeceased by his parents and siblings Patrick (Louise) Bastien, Gordon Bastien,

Obituary - Carol Ann Pillon

Carol Ann Pillon 1949 - 2026 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Carol Pillon on March 25th, 2026, at the age of 76, after a six-year-long battle with cancer. Carol was born June 16, 1949, to parents Walter and Ida Bebbington. She is the daughter-in-law of Russell and Margaret Pillon. She will be forever missed and loved by her family. Carol is the wife of Robert Pillon and a mother to Jodi (Geoff), Jeffrey (Steph) and Janice (Kelly). Gramma to Craig,

Obituary - LaFramboise, Paul

Laframboise, Paul Passed away peacefully on March 20, 2026, at the age of 84. Beloved husband of Mary Anne. Loving father of Bret and Beth (Matt Brennan). Cherished Pepe of Daniel, Brandon, Amanda, Nicholas and Kaylee. Great grandfather of Theodore. Paul will be dearly missed by his siblings Joan (late George) Strang, Janet (Michael) Hakem, late Leroy, Yvonne (Alan) Stewart, Bernadette (Gary Craigen), Roland, and a host of nieces and nephews. Cremation and private family s

Obituary - Elizabeth Mickle (Semande)

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Elizabeth Mickle (Semande) at the age of 73. Loving Wife of the late James (Jim) Mickle. Loving Mother of Tj & Julie, Brandin, Mike, Glen & Monique. Also Survived by her stepchildren James & the late Tracye, Jeff & Ruth, Joey & Roberta, Jeremy & Tina, Jody Beaudette & the late Craig, Janice Taylor & Jason. Dear Grandmother of 22 and Great Grandmother of nine. Beloved Daughter of the late Remi Semande and the la

Obituary - Ronald James Amlin

Ronald James Amlin Ronald James Amlin was surrounded by his loving family when he passed peacefully into the arms of his Saviour on Friday March 6, 2026 at the age of 82. Ron was the beloved husband of Mary Kay (nee MacFarlane). He was the loving father of Jeff Amlin and his wife Joy, Sheri Rilett and her husband Jamie, Sara Russell and her husband Andrew, Steven Amlin and his wife Brittany. Ron was the cherished grandfather of Nick (Haley), Natalie, Ethan, Madison, Avery, C