FRONT PAGE NEWS

OSAP the focus of protest by local high school students

North Star High School students held a protest over OSAP changes last Thursday afternoon. Changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) has prompted protests from high school students in the province, with a recent protest being in Amherstburg. Students from North Star High School held a walk out last Thursday afternoon with many coming to the front step of Amherstburg town hall to share their chants and signs with vehicles that passed by. Students walked from the

20 hours ago

Minister visits new long-term care site

Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta (fifth from left, holding her son Matthew) was at the site of where the new Chateau Park Long-Term Care Home is being built. She provided an update during her March 4 visit. Ontario’s minister of long-term care was in Amherstburg last week to get a look at the new long-term care home under construction. Chateau Park Long-Term Care Home is moving to the building currently under construction at 140 Fryer St., at the co

Mar 10

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LOCAL NEWS

Sign issue for local business owner will not come before town council

Despite an attempt from a member of town council, it does not appear an Amherstburg business owner will get her say before town council. Amanda Kerr has been asked to remove her business sign from a neighbouring property and an attempt to have a report drafted to allow Kerr to address council has been denied. Councillor Linden Crain asked administration to prepare report regarding the potential for offsite signage for Amanda Kerr Fitness and a review of sign bylaw provisions

20 hours ago

Plan to reduce conservation areas from 36 to nine moving forward

The plan to reduce the number of conservation areas is going forward, with the 36 conservation areas to be reduced to nine. The nine conservation areas is two more than the original proposal, with the size of the conservation area (CA) that this region will be in being reduced. The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) will become part of the Western Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority along with Lower Thames Valley, St. Clair Region and Upper Thames River CAs. E

20 hours ago

Maple Syrup Festival being celebrated

Taffy rolling takes a bit of practice, but the sweet treat is worth waiting for. The taste of spring returned to Essex County as the annual Maple Festival at the John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area welcomed visitors for a weekend dedicated to the traditions of maple syrup making. The festival, hosted by Essex Region Conservation Authority, takes place over two weekends in March. The first, held March 14-15, featured the popular “Lumberjack Weekend,” while the upcoming Ma

20 hours ago

Heritage committee discusses apartment building plans

Plans for 261 Wolfe St. came to the heritage committee March 12. Plans for a new four-storey apartment building went before Amherstburg’s heritage committee last week with the issue to come before town council in the future. The heritage committee endorsed a heritage alteration permit for a new build at 261 Wolfe St. The new build would go up next to the existing building at 247 Brock St., the former House of Shalom building which is now The Lofts at St. Anthony. The new bui

20 hours ago

Villanova helps Second Chance Ministry

Students at St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic High School helped out those in need with a large donation last week.

20 hours ago

Age Friendly Municipality

Essex MPP Anthony Leardi presented an Age-Friendly Award to Amherstburg town council. Leardi made the presentation on behalf of Minister of Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho. Leardi said fewer than 15% of Ontario municipalities receive the designation. Front (from left): Councillor Linden Crain, Mayor Michael Prue, Leardi, Councillor Peter Courtney and Councillor Diane Pouget. Back: Councillor Don McArthur and Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb. Councillor Molly Allaire is on the sc

20 hours ago

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ARTS & CULTURE

Gibson Gallery members showcase their skills - student exhibit up next

Exhibit committee chair Lisa Bassett takes a photo of artist Joe Perz and his work. Perz’s painting is at the far right of the photo. The Gibson Gallery’s first show of the 2026 season has concluded and it showed off the skills of its membership. Now, local high school students will get the same opportunity. The gallery’s annual members exhibition kicked off the season and ran from Feb. 26-March 15 with a closing reception on the last day of the show. Lisa Bassett, chair of

20 hours ago

Friday Night Live

The final “Friday Night Live” of the 2025-26 season was last Friday at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Doc & the Rev, Jim Vance and Johnny Mac perform (left). Also taking the stage were Jackson Crawley (middle) and Dave Wilson (right). The Bluegrass Bunch had to cancel due to a band member’s illness. Trio 59 & Friends were slated to perform but a power outage ended the evening early. Friday Night Live

20 hours ago

“The Black & White Show” presented by artist collaborative

A reception for the “Black and White Show” was at The O last Sunday afternoon. A group of local artists have shared their work in another show at a downtown Amherstburg establishment. The Local Collective Art Project is presenting its latest show, this one being “The Black & White Show,” with the unveiling being last Sunday. The collaborative is made up of approximately 17 artists from Amherstburg and surrounding municipalities in the Windsor-Essex County area. The exhibit is

Mar 3

Mamma Mia!

The cast and crew made up of students and staff of St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Secondary School presented the opening weekend of its production of “Mamma Mia!” with three shows running last Friday through Sunday. Three more shows are scheduled this Thursday through Saturday (Feb. 26-28) with each show starting at 7 p.m. All seats for Feb. 26 are $10 with Feb. 27-28 shows costing $15 adults/students, $10 for seniors and children ages 6-12 and free for children under six.

Feb 24

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SPORTS

U21 North Stars sweep Bullets and head to OMHA finals

North Stars’ Jackson Ford keeps his eye on a collision in U21 playoff action. The Lake Erie North Stars are heading to the U21 Ontario Minor Hockey Association championship tournament. The North Stars punched their ticket to Kingston as they clinched the Shamrock League title against the Southwest Bullets this past Sunday at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg. With a 6-2 win over the Bullets, the North Stars capped off the Shamrock League playoffs with their fifth straight win a

20 hours ago

Admirals eliminated by Essex - coaches not returning

Despite a depleted lineup, the Amherstburg Admirals gave it their best this past week but saw themselves eliminated from the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s West Stobbs Division Jr. C playoffs.

20 hours ago

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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

20 hours ago

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

20 hours ago

Making Amherstburg more affordable should be a goal as it relates to taxation

The purpose of this letter is to reiterate to council that our town is a wonderful and beautiful place to live in, and I care about our future. My concern is that we may be unable to continue our current lifestyle and quality of life without addressing the real elephant in the room. The failure of this council to recognize that we are paying the highest taxes, water and sewage rates in the County of Essex. I would like to commend council for a lower tax increase in...

20 hours ago

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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

Obituary - Beetham, Beverly Ann, (Nee Bean)

Beetham, Beverly Ann, (Nee Bean) Passed away February 27, 2026, at the Village of St. Clair with her sister Evelyn Wightman, her daughter Deborah and the compassionate staff of The Village of St. Clair at her side. Predeceased by her soulmate of 62 years Everett Stanley Beetham (2015), and her beloved daughter Cheryl Wietecha (2019) (Martin Wietecha – surviving spouse and favourite son-in-law). She will be dearly missed by her Daughter Deborah Lynn, her son Steven Everett (Li

Obituary - Hulett, Mary Catherine

Hulett, Mary Catherine (Jones, Lesperance) (Nee Sutts) December 24, 1926 - February 25, 2026 Passed away peacefully, at the age of 99. She was the wife of the late Lloyd, Toddy Jones (1964), Gerald, Denis Lesperance (1976), and the late, Orris Hulett (2000). She was the daughter of the late Ernest and Edna Sutts (nee Renaud). Predeceased by her brother, the late Earl Sutts and her sister, the late Jean Duffy (Charles). Loving mother of Paul Jones (deceased), Linda Morris

Obituary - Claire Beaudry

Claire Beaudry April 6, 1939 ~ February 19, 2026 It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Claire. Daughter to the late George and the late Patrica Beaudry. World's greatest mother to Cynthia. Cherished grandmother to Cassie, Christy (Glenroy), and Stacey. Treasured great-grandmother to Tatiana, Dynarah, Cortez, Nee-Kay, Safiya, Sadaira. Loving great great-grandmother to Adaliah. Beloved sister to Ray (the late Shirley), the late Eugene (Bonnie), P

Obituary - Richard Henry Rebidoux

Rebidoux, Richard Henry July 13, 1945-February 18, 2026 With broken hearts we announce the home passing of Richard Henry Rebidoux with his loving family at his side. Predeceased by his parents Harold and Georgina Rebidoux. Beloved husband of 58 years to Sharon Rebidoux (nee Meloche). Loving father of Joseph, Michelle and Kenneth (Stephanie). Cherished grandfather of Jessica (Josh), Renee (Mike), Stephanie (Konrad), Devin, Kira, Sierra and Dakota and great grandfather of Josh

Obituary - Marc Lionel LeBlanc

Marc Lionel LeBlanc December 19, 1957 – February 14, 2026 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Marc Lionel LeBlanc, who was deeply loved by his family and all who knew him. After a short and courageous battle with cancer, Marc passed away surrounded by love. Marc was the devoted husband of 39 years to Peggy Lynn LeBlanc (nee Doty). He was a loving father to Liberty (Joe), D.J. (Kristine), Brayden (Judson), and Carly (Jim), and a proud and cherished Papa to