by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative The 2026 Essex Municipal Election Debate Night on Tuesday, September 29th was an evening dedicated to being engaged in local politics and learning about the platforms of the local candidates before heading to the polls later this month. The Debate Night, which took place inside the Essex Center Sports Complex, was hosted by the Essex Free Press and moderated by Editor/Lead Reporter Sylene Argent, who was pleased with the around 10

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Ahead of the October 26, 2026 Essex Municipal Election, the Essex Free Press invited the Mayoral, Ward 1 – Essex Center, and Ward 2 - McGregor area candidates to participate in a Debate Night at the Essex Center Sports Complex on the evening of Tuesday, September 29. It was a night dedicated to being engaged in local politics and learning about the platforms of the local candidates before heading to the polls later this month. Aro

by Sylene Argent Local Journalism Initiative Being at the helm of municipal decision-making certainly comes with its challenges. It often means responding to resident complaints or concerns at all hours of the day, working with administration on issues that sometimes require navigating challenges in unique ways, and finding solutions to matters that require out-of-the-box thinking. There are two individuals currently battling for the Mayoral position on Essex Council, incum

by Sylene Argent Local Journalism Initiative On the evening of Thursday, October 1, candidates running in the Essex Municipal Election for the positions of Mayor or as Councillors for Wards 3 & 4 were able to participate in the Harrow & Colchester South Chamber of Commerce’s Meet the Candidates event. Here, candidates were able to deliver their campaign messaging, platform priorities, and a little bit about why they believe they are the best fit for the position. Harrow bus

Readers can find candidate profiles and debate coverage for the Essex Municipal Election. These articles were previously published in the Essex Free Press. They are, however, being made available again here for those who missed them in print form or would like to reread them. In terms of candidate profiles, the Essex Free Press made an effort to contact all candidates running in this election. Not all responded or proceeded with the invitation. All articles were written to b

by Essex Free Press Staff Photos from Car Show, submitted There was plenty to see, do, and many businesses to support during the fall edition of the Harrow Open Streets event, which was hosted along King Street last Friday evening. The Harrow & Colchester South Chamber of Commerce hosts the Harrow Open Streets twice annually – once at the start of summer and the other towards the end – to bring people to the downtown area, and bring awareness to the businesses. Those are the

by Essex Free Press Staff On Monday, September 28, the Town of Essex Elections Team considered the investigation into a potential unauthorized disclosure of Voters List information closed, having started the investigation on Thursday, September 24. It confirmed that the personal information of around 64 individuals was disclosed without authority by a person involved with a candidate’s election campaign. The personal information disclosed included the names and addresses of s

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative ENWIN Essex Centre BIA fully cover cost of future amphitheatre Through a series of public engagement sessions over a decade ago, residents and businesses of Essex Center decided how they wanted their downtown area to look. The feedback Stempski, Kelly Associates gathered became the foundation of what became the Essex Centre Streetscape and Silo District Plan, which Essex Council adopted in 2013. The past few Terms of Council have

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative So far, the work being done to reconstruct the Maidstone Avenue/Talbot Street intersection is on schedule and construction is progressing well, Essex Council heard at the September 8 meeting. Director of Infrastructure Services, Kevin Girard, provided an update to Council and addressed some concerns he has been hearing from residents and businesses about the project. Back in June, the Essex Free Press reported that construction

Essex to review the appropriateness of ICB policies regarding IT Data Centres by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Administration for the Town of Essex will prepare a report regarding Information Technology (IT) Data Centers within the Town of Essex, as Essex Council unanimously directed at the September 8th regular meeting. The report will review the current planning policy framework and regulatory tools available to the municipality, consider the ongoing County of

Accessibility Fest-For-All evolves into a community event by Essex Free Press Staff What started out as a simple informative event three-years ago has grown into an event that not only celebrates inclusion and accessibility, but has become something in which the community can be involved. Last Friday, over 50 vendors – comprised of local businesses and organizations each dedicated to supporting individuals with specific needs – lined the walking path at Cottam Ridgeview Park

by Garrett Fodor Tractors rolled, engines roared, and the streets of McGregor came alive this weekend as the Essex County Steam and Gas Engine Museum welcomed visitors from across the region for its 40th annual show. The event celebrated the machines, people, and traditions that have brought the community together for four decades. From August 14-16, the Essex County Steam and Gas Engine Museum grounds were filled with activity as the club marked the milestone 40th edition

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative The Town of Kingsville supported Deputy Mayor Kim DeYong in sending a letter to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), requesting it share with the Town any and all data regarding growth used to identify the need to increase supply capacity in Kingsville. The decision was made at the August 17 meeting of Kingsville Council. This has to do with Hydro One undertaking the Energize Essex County Project with an aim to

-Rob Shepley acclaimed as Deputy Mayor- by Essex Free Press Staff Nominations for the 2026 Essex Municipal Election officially closed at 2pm on Friday, August 21, and several new candidates filed just ahead of the deadline. The mayoral race in Essex will have two candidates, incumbent Sherry Bondy and Trevor Menard. There are five candidates seeking one of two Ward 1 – Essex Centre positions, including incumbent Katie McGuire-Blais, incumbent Joe Garon, Fred Groves, Andre

by Essex Free Press Staff photos submitted Knowing summer tends to be a dry time for donations, the Essex Region Goodfellows provided the four local food banks it supports each with an additional $5,000 donation. Annually, the Essex Region Goodfellows hosts the Newspaper and Corporate Donation Campaigns leading up to the holiday season. Thanks to the unwavering generosity of the community – and support from local volunteers and Firefighters – the Essex Region Goodfellows’ 2

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative An upgraded electrical user fee of $700 will be added to the 2027 Fees and Charges By-Law, Council for the Town of Essex decided during the July 20 meeting. This will cover the cost to have a certified electrician add the upgrade for boaters who require more electricity than the Town offers as its level of service. Staff recommended the user fee as part of the Fees and Charges By-Law for upgraded electrical use. Each dock, whe

by Essex Free Press Staff The Essex Minor Baseball Association (EMBA) gave all of its tee-ball and rookie players the opportunity to wrap up their season with a strong swing on Saturday by hosting the ultimate day of play, the Day of Champions. Taking over the Essex Center baseball diamonds, all of EMBA's rookie and tee-ball players stepped up to the plate in hopes of having their best performance of the season. The Day of Champions is an opportunity for all of EMBA’s y

- new plan will focus on thistle removal, conducting staggered grass maintenance, and enhancing the naturalization of the area with wildflowers and native grasses – by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative After walking along the South Talbot Road naturalized strip on the evening of Sunday, July 19 with fellow municipal decision-makers and residents, Mayor Sherry Bondy received Council support to rescind the motion she originally presented at the July 6 meeting, and

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Ninety-five years ago, the Essex Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 201) began its service of supporting, thanking, and recognizing Veterans at 15 members strong. Thanks to the recognition the organization has earned locally for all of the work its members do to help Veterans and assist the community, it now has over 300 members. 2026 is a milestone year for the Royal Canadian Legion and the Essex Legion. This year, the

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Council for the Town of Essex has decided what to do with the $21.9M in proceeds it received through the 2025 sale of E.L.K Energy to ENWIN Utilities and its parent company, Windsor Canada Utilities. During the July 20 meeting, Council decided $15M will be put into a new E.L.K. Legacy Reserve, while nearly $7M will be distributed to support current capital projects. In terms of how to handle estimated investment income and alloc