Essex County Civic Centre. By Fred Groves The Lake Erie shoreline from Amherstburg to Port Alma is in the developing stages of getting some much-needed protection. At the recent Essex County council meeting, manager of planning services Rebecca Belanger outlined the Pelee Coastal Resilience Plan. In 2023, the county received $1 million from the federal government’s Natural Resources Canada Climate Resilience Coastal Communities Program. The Pelee Plan is the first of its kind

As Amherstburg approaches the next municipal election, I believe it is important to recognize and thank Councillor Diane Pouget for her many years of dedicated service to our community. Through her years on council and involvement on numerous committees, Diane has consistently demonstrated a commitment to listening to residents, asking difficult questions, and working to make Amherstburg a better place. When concerns were raised about AI data centres, Diane listened and took

I think it wonderful that Town Council made the decision to have saplings planted on public property throughout the town. Further, I was happy to see that the varieties chosen are indigenous to the Carolinian forest species i.e. native to our region. What I am disappointed in, and where this initiative falls short, is the lack of attention and follow up as to how these saplings have taken, or not taken. In my travels around town, both afoot and by car, I see far too many of

Essex County Council voted last week to study homelessness in the county. Essex County will continue to support its homeless population, however it has opted not to establish a Community Services Contingency Fund. County councillors voted to fund a temporary outreach worker to assist in gathering data on those individuals who utilize the Homeless Hub located in Leamington as part of the July 15 meeting. “We want to make sure the rural homelessness situation is properly accou

Frank DiPasquale has withdrawn from the mayor’s race in Amherstburg. One of the candidates running for mayor in the Oct. 26 municipal election has withdrawn. Frank DiPasquale has dropped out of the race, citing family reasons as a main factor why. “I would love to stay in the race,” he said. “This is a roller coaster here. We foster children. Things are taking more time than expected.” DiPasquale added his home is a respite site, so that impacts the amount of time he would h

Groundbreaking for the Fancsy Family Hospital occurred July 16. From left: Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation executive director Cristina Naccarato, Terry Fancsy, Essex MPP Anthony Leardi, Premier Doug Ford, Windsor Regional Hospital CEO Kristin Kennedy, Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald. After over a decade in the making, construction is now officially underway for the region’s new mega-hospital. Now dubbe

A site plan for a proposed development at 13 Sandwich St. S. appeared on the agenda for a planning meeting held July 13. A development proposal for land at the corner of Sandwich St. S. and Alma St. has raised concerns from people nearby. An application for Official Plan and zoning bylaw amendments to change the lands at 13 Sandwich St. S. from a general commercial designation in the Official Plan to General Commercial with a Special Policy area appeared on an agenda for a sp

Concerns over possible AI data centres in Amherstburg were brought forth before council at June 13 meeting. The Town of Amherstburg is looking for the County of Essex to further study the issue of AI data centres. Councillor Diane Pouget brought forth motions at the June 13 meeting of town council, one of which was to have administration prepare a moratorium prohibiting the establishment or expansion of “any high density computer centres including artificial intelligence data

Heritage Colchester and the University of Windsor’s Inspired Acting Lab are presenting the production of Lanford Wilson's “Talley’s Folly” at Christ Anglican Church in Colchester. It is a fundraiser for the historic Colchester Schoolhouse, located across the road from the church. The schoolhouse needs upgrades and renovations. The opening weekend was July 16-19 with the photos being taken at the July 17 performance. “Talley’s Folly” resumes this weekend - July 23-26 - with th

Habitat for Humanity Internatioal vice president of global housing opportunities and mission engagement Natosha Reid Rice (left) speaks to a group of local Habitat for Humanity representatives and members of the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church congregation July 16. Building stronger communities and furthering conversations around fellowship were key parts of a special dinner last Thursday evening. Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex host a Koinonia Dinner July 16 at St. Andre