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FRONT PAGE NEWS

New AED unveiled at Libro Centre

A new automated external defibrillator was unveiled last Thursday morning at the fieldhouse on the Libro Centre grounds. Members of town council, Amherstburg Fire Department, Essex-Windsor EMS, Windsor Police were on hand. The Amherstburg Pickleball Association received AED training the same day. The unit is seen in the photo below. A new defibrillator has been installed at the Libro Centre and it was officially unveiled last week. The new automated external defibrillator is

3 hours ago

Jane’s Walks include Amherstburg

Marsh Historical Collection collections co-ordinator Meg Reiner does likewise in Navy Yard Park during the Windsor-Essex Jane’s Walk Festival. April 23-26 was the Essex County weekend while the Windsor weekend is this coming weekend. Amherstburg Freedom Museum curator Mary-Katherine Whelan addresses the crowd in front of First Baptist Church. A history-themed festival returned to Essex County last weekend, with several stops in Amherstburg. The first weekend of the Windsor-Es

Apr 28

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LOCAL NEWS

Amherstburg resident celebrates 100th birthday

June Buchanan receives a special certificate from Mayor Michael Prue last Friday for her 100th birthday. An Amherstburg resident met a long line of friends, family and well-wishers last week as she hit a milestone birthday. June Buchanan, a resident of Seasons Amherstburg, had a party thrown in her honour last Friday afternoon in recognition of her 100th birthday. Her actual birthday was this past Monday (May 4). “I haven’t got used to it yet,” said Buchanan, “but I’m enjoyin

3 hours ago

BMO “Walk So The Kids Can Talk” comes to Amherstburg

BMO staff members from around WIndsor-Essex County and Chatham-Kent gather at Toddy Jones Park for the local “Walk So The Kids Can Talk” walkathon last Sunday morning. A local financial institution brought an annual walkathon to Amherstburg on the weekend in an effort to aid children and youth.The “Walk So Kids Can Talk,” with BMO as the driving force behind it, saw the regional version being held locally. Proceeds from the walk benefit the Kids Help Phone. Jim Inglis, regio

3 hours ago

Accident at Howard & the Pike

The Windsor Police Service - Amherstburg Detachment investigated a multi-vehicle collision at the intersection of County Road 18 (Pike Road) and Howard Ave. (County Road 9) last Friday. The intersection was closed for several hours while officers investigated the crash. The road closure started in the early afternoon and stretched through until nighttime, with Windsor Police’s X(Twitter) account first reporting the closure at 1:40 p.m. then following up at 9:33 p.m. by postin

3 hours ago

Exercising in chairs

Seniors programming is increasing at Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 with chair yoga being a popular favourite. Upwards of 50 people attended a recent Thursday morning session at the Legion, with organizers saying the enrolment in chair yoga is growing. Legion Br. 157 offers the program, and other seniors programs, thanks to a New Horizons Seniors Grant program, offered through the federal government. Exercising in chairs

3 hours ago

Amherstburg Community Services pays tribute to its volunteers

Magician Ron Gudel receives help from a pair of assistants during his performance at Amherstburg Community Services’ volunteer appreciation dinner April 29. Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) took time out last week to pay tribute to its volunteers. The 2026 volunteer appreciation dinner was held last Wednesday night at the AMA Sportsman’s Association with volunteers from all of ACS’ programs welcome to come out to enjoy an evening together. Gardening was the theme this yea

3 hours ago

Spring Fun Fair hosted by Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association

Humane Society volunteer Tanya Bordun brought along Fuzzy Wuzzy to the WETRA Spring Fun Fair held May 3. Charlie had a few visitors on Sunday and even made some new friends. The Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association (WETRA) opened its doors for another great event, this one the Spring Fun Fair. Located on North Malden Road near McGregor, WETRA has a long-standing commitment to the region for providing a sense of freedom and independence for riders, their families and

3 hours ago

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ARTS & CULTURE

NSHS band entertains at public concert

Music teacher Randy Lefrancois conducts the North Star High School band during a concert they presented in the school’s gymnasium April 30. The 2025-26 band at North Star High School are entering the home stretch and showed their skills last week. The band’s final in-school concert of the year took place April 30 in the school’s gymnasium. Parents, grandparents, siblings and other supporters of the band and its members were on hand to listen to nearly one hour of music that t

3 hours ago

Student art exposition held at McGregor elementary school

Mason Hillier shows his “Captain America” artwork. Student art was on exhibit and the subject of judging in a friendly art exposition last week in McGregor. École Sainte Ursule held its second annual student art exposition last Thursday evening where the artwork was displayed and parents, grandparents, guardians and students went around with clipboards scoring the entries. Jessica VandenBrink, a Grade 6/7 teacher at the French Catholic elementary school, said the event stems

Apr 28

Book Shop Crawl involves local store

Meghan Desjardins (left) and Cindy Lemieux from the River Bookshop were part of the Book Store Crawl that took place last weekend. The Amherstburg store joined other independent book stores for the crawl. Canadian Independent Book Store Day was April 25 and that meant open doors and lots of visitors to the regions bookstores. To celebrate, Amherstburg’s River Bookshop took part in the first ever Book Store Crawl that started Friday and wrapped up last Sunday. “A few of the st

Apr 28

Canadian-themed art exhibit unveiled

The Local Collective Art Project unveiled its “O Canada” exhibit April 18 at The O, located within Hotel STRY. It will be displayed for the next two weeks. Artists within the Local Collective Art Project have put their patriotism on display. The “O Canada” exhibit and festival was held last Saturday afternoon at The O, the bar and restaurant within Hotel STRY. The local group of artists that comprise the collection will have their work exhibited for roughly two weeks, startin

Apr 21

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SPORTS

Ultimate frisbee action

The North Star Wolves ultimate frisbee team capped their regular season Monday afternoon with two games, both played at Erie Migration in Kingsville. They played the host Coyotes and then went up against the Tecumseh Vista Academy Vortex. Pictured is a photo after a recent game against E.J. Lajeunesse, won by Lajeunesse 8-7. What made the game unique is the fact the two teams are coached by a husband and wife, with Dan Allaire coaching Lajeunesse and Molly Allaire coaching No

3 hours ago

Wolves slo-pitch team now 3-3 in final week of regular season

North Star’s Kierstyn Baillargeon makes a running catch in the outfield during the Wolves 12-11 loss to the Sandwich Sabres last Thursday night at Co-An Park in McGregor. As the WECSSAA girls slo-pitch regular season concludes this week, the North Star Wolves are looking to improve on their record. As this issue of the River Town Times went to press, North Star is seeking to build on their 3-3 record. They hosted the Cardinal Carter Cougars Monday afternoon at the Malden Cent

3 hours ago

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Local resident believes the “delegation police” has arisen in Amherstburg

The delegation police strikes again in Amherstburg. We had another deputation request denied as it didn’t exactly match the criteria of our Procedural By-Law. Two deputations were denied for the April 27 council meeting. Starting to think I have lost my touch as my first deputation to a council was in 1971 involving an environment impact of a local creamery. Quite a shock having back-to-back delegations rejected. Ours was on-street parking for streets adjacent to future hig

3 hours ago

Descendant of former Belle Vue owner says “let it go!”

My great grandfather, John G Mullen and family, owned Belle Vue from 1925 to 1946. My mother, Harriet Gilman Quinn celebrated her wedding in 1940 in what was at the time, a family home. My older brother remembers riding his tricyclic in the hallway. These and many other reminiscences are fondly resurrected at family gatherings of the scattered descendants of John G. Even with this personal attachment to Belle Vue, I think I speak for all those descendants that it is tim

3 hours ago

Reader says town needs leadership that is progressive and experienced

Letter regarding “Amherstburg better frozen in time” lacked clarity. Message didn’t hit home. Especially with the Amico Belle Vue cancellation announcement. It would have been perfect timing had the message expanded. Our town is loaded with empty abandoned space. Belle Vue, Allied, Seagrams, General Amherst High School. Duffy’s is finally developed with a partial dock after sitting in rot but what will it do. Boating is dead with fuel prices. People travel by car. The the

3 hours ago

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Obituary - Carolyn Jane Foley

Carolyn Jane Foley Carolyn was born in Windsor, Ontario on May 26,1980. She died in Midland, Michigan on April 22, 2026, surrounded by the people who loved her. Carolyn was the beloved wife of David Ewoldt for nearly 15 years and the loving mother of Penelope and William Ewoldt. Carolyn was the beloved youngest child of Larry and Kathy Foley of Amherstburg, Ontario. She was a dear daughter-in-law of Don and Katie Ewoldt of Indiana. Carolyn was the youngest sister of Nancy

Obituary - Klein-Lebbink, Ada Jessie (née Wild)

Klein-Lebbink, Ada Jessie (née Wild) In loving memory of Jessie Klein-Lebbink who passed away peacefully in her 98th year on Tuesday 14 April 2026. Beloved mother, school librarian, and teacher. She originally came to Canada from the UK in 1954, where she married and had 3 children. She is survived by her children Elizabeth (Betty) Klein-Lebbink (Jerome Scott), Christine (Tina) Klein- Lebbink (Bruce Payette), and Gordon Klein-Lebbink. She taught for over 40 years at various

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