by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative The County of Essex has adopted a Development Charges (DCs) By-Law that will impose an $8,589 fee on developers for new, single-family dwelling homes built when the program is implemented to the fullest extent over a five-year phase-in. The program will kick-in a year later than originally planned, with a start date of January 1, 2028.   In addition, the DC charge for new rowhouses and other multi-dwelling residences at its fulles

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Members of Essex County Council provided unanimous support to Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy’s motion to ask the Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA) to provide available statistics to date on the effectiveness of the Green Bin organics collection program in each of the County’s seven local municipalities.   The County will also ask for available statistics to date on the effectiveness of the program in urban areas and rural area

by Essex Free Press staff Five weekends of Rail Expo 2026 officially kicked-off on Saturday morning at the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village (CHMHV), promising to provide area residents of all ages something to do to fight off the winter blues.   Four clubs are collaborating to host the multi-weekend event, including the Windsor Model Railroad Club, the London N’Gineers Model Railroad Club, Brampton N Scale Road Show, and the Sudbury Model Railroad Club.   Thi

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Last week, County decision-makers were bombarded with concern from residents regarding the cost of the Green Bin Program, which is prompting residents to separate food/organic waste from garbage to preserve the longevity of the Regional Landfill.   The regional program is administered by the County of Essex (which includes the seven local municipalities, with the mayor and deputy mayor of each on its 14-member Council) and the Cit

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative The goal of the Pathways Night hosted at Essex District High School (EDHS) last Thursday evening was twofold.   Firstly, the event welcomed the grade eight students from the local feeder schools to help them explore what would be available to them if they were to attend the local high school in the fall. It also helped existing high schoolers to sort out the pathway to their future career, Andrea Nikita explained. She is EDHS’s Li

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative All eyes were on the ice at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre in Belle River on Sunday afternoon, as an impressive line-up of NHL Alumni faced-off against a team comprised of local Law Enforcement personnel.   This was the fourth annual time the NHL Alumni Vs. Law Enforcement hockey game has taken place in Essex County, Constable Jim Chauvin said, who has been involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics for ove

by Essex Free Press Staff With hot dogs and pizza available, cookie decorating, and opportunities to get a picture with Santa, mail Christmas wishes to the North Pole, play holiday-themed games, and listen in on festive music, there were plenty of reasons to head down to the McGregor Parkette on Friday evening to enjoy this year’s Stroll by Santa event.   With all the activities, coupled with great evening weather, this year’s event was a big hit in the small hamlet, perhaps

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative When members of Essex Council participated in the 2026 Budget Walkthrough meeting two-weeks ago, staff presented an average tax increase of 4.92% through the draft budget document.   Having had some time to digest the details inside the draft document, the local decision-makers chiseled away at the tax rate during its around five-hour deliberation meeting on Monday, December 8, settling on an average 2.99%, or 2.66% blended with

- Eight new Paramedic positions and two new ambulances will support two new 12-hour day shifts - by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative After a six-and-a-half-hour budget meeting last Wednesday, members of Essex County Council approved the 2026 Budget with a 2.25%, or $5.1M, increase. That equates to around $44.02 per $350,000 average home.   The 2026 Budget represents a total of $145,144,950M. Every 1% change to the tax rate equals to $1.42M in levy dollars.   When or

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative There was what seemed to be a never-ending line-up that stretched all the way from inside the pavilion at Cottam Rotary Park to the sidewalk on Friday night, as local youths and their families waited patiently for a chance to meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus at their annual free holiday visit.   “This is the biggest turnout anyone can remember,” Cottam Rotary President, Mike Olajos, said, watching families line-up to meet – and get

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative With there being many conversations around the Council table about drainage and how it works, and confusion from the public on the Drainage Act, the Town of Essex invited community members out to the Harrow Arena last Wednesday evening where an informal information session on the topic was hosted.

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Administration for the Town of Essex presented the findings of the first draft of the Industrial Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Study to members of Essex Council during a special meeting held December 1.   Council received the plan.   An implementation plan – coupled with possible funding sources, financial impacts for various scenarios, the return-on-investment opportunities, and resource requirements – will be presented in wha

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Since getting reacquainted with the community, Essex Salvation Army Major Wavey Kearley Birt has come to know just how generous the community is, and she could not be more pleased.   She had a wonderful experience serving the Essex community from 1995-1999, when she had her now late husband, Phillip Birt, worked together to oversee the needs of the Essex Salvation Army. She eagerly stepped-out of a five-year retirement to return t

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative The 2026 Draft Budget was presented to Essex Council during the nearly five-hour Budget Walkthrough meeting on Monday evening, designed to introduce the local decision-makers and ratepayers to the details inside.   An average tax increase of 4.92% – or $208 a year – across Wards 1 through 4 has been proposed. That is for a median single-family detached home. That equates to around $2,200 in property tax, on average from all Wards,

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Though there were some concerns around the table, Council for the Town of Essex unanimously supported Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy in directing Administration to investigate options for an affordable housing subsidy program.  The idea is to have it available to help nonprofits that supply existing affordable residential units in the community leverage grant dollars from upper-levels of government.   The program will be included in the

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Firefighters with Essex Fire & Rescue and several volunteers manned posts throughout the Town of Essex last Friday and Saturday – including at local storefronts and at busy intersections – collecting donations as part of the Essex Region Goodfellows’ annual Newspaper Campaign. Members of the Essex Region Goodfellows will tally the donations collected and present the proceeds to support the Essex Area Food Bank, the Essex Salvation

- CAO Wing On Li hopes to keep part of the façade, offer rec space, environmentally friendly features - by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative In November of 2021 the Town of Essex announced it was to purchase the former Harrow High School from the Greater Essex County District School Board for $845,900, after it had sat vacant since 2016, when the school board closed its doors to students.   Since that time, the Town of Essex completed a building assessment that estim

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Essex residents, and those employed in the area, took the time to show their respects for “those who left never to return,” as part of the local Remembrance Day parade and service at the Essex Centre cenotaph on the morning of November 11.   They were able to think of loved ones who served, as well as strangers, who united to defend their country in the name of peace, during the quiet moment of reflection.   “We are here for those

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Hundreds of young trick-or-treaters lined Talbot Street with their guardians or parents on Friday morning, taking full advantage of the Essex Centre BIA’s Tiny Tots parade.   Every year, the local Business Improvement Area invites Essex Centre businesses to hand out treats during the local event, and youngsters to come collect them in costume as either a practice run for Halloween or as an early day alternative.   Not only does th

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative The Town of Essex presented the anticipated Master Plans for Harrow’s Fairground and Soccer Complex during a well-attended open house held last Thursday evening at the Harrow & Colchester South Community Centre.     Community members and facility users were able to talk to Town staff and members of Council during the open house to share their opinions, concerns, and learn about next steps. Feedback will be collected over the comin