Successful “Pay What You Can Bike Sale” hooks-up 57 youths with new-to-them bikes by Essex Free Press Staff For youths, having a bike means adventure – and depending on their age – a sense of independence and freedom. With summer weather here, area youths without a set of two-wheels to call their own were able to tap into the “Pay What You Can Bike Sale” on Saturday. During the course of the four-hour event, 57 youths and youngsters in the community were able to get their

City reallocates funds to other priorities, leaving $140K shortfall to Essex County’s Homelessness Hub by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative County Council unanimously directed County staff to formally engage the City of Windsor to explore a shared funding solution to support current operations at the Essex County Homelessness Hub and overnight program. The decision was made at the June 17 meeting, after learning there would be a $140,000 funding shortfall that woul

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Submitted pictures from the National High School Rodeo It has been years in the making for the Musyj sisters of the Town of Essex. After countless hours of hard work, determination, and improving their in-saddle skill, Dalilah and Ruby Musyj have successfully roped in their long-time dream of qualifying for the National High School Rodeo Finals. Both girls are thrilled to have qualified to compete at such a high-level of arena c

-funding will also support emergency responder training & equipment, research- by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative When the County of Essex and Essex-Windsor EMS organized the first collaborative symposium on legacy oil and gas well emergency response in London back in early March, it caught the attention of Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, Mike Harris JR. With the ongoing concern and work put into the abandoned oil and gas wells across nine Ontario communit

by Essex Free Press Staff Second Grey 5K hosted as first responders’ edition raises $18790 for childhood When 12-year-old Jaida Chartier was undergoing treatments for brain cancer, her family was overwhelmed with the support received from not only the community, but from local first responder groups. Jaida bravely fought Diffuse Midline Glioma with H3K27 mutation Brain Cancer for 14-months before peacefully passing away July 31, 2024. Her family began the Grey 5K last year

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Council for the Town of Essex voted to provide a letter of Non-Concurrence to the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) for a proposed 60M telecommunication facility at 2060 Ferriss Road in Harrow. The decision was made at the June 1 meeting, after hearing concerns, primarily that the proposed tower did not meet setback requirements set out in the Town’s policy. The alternative was to provide Municipal Con

by Garrett Fodor Behind many of the footsteps this weekend were memories of loved ones, personal experiences, and a shared commitment to supporting families impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia. As the sun shone down, Windsor-Essex residents laced up their shoes and joined communities across Canada for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, raising awareness and funds for those living with dementia and their families. Locally, the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Since 2021, the Town of Kingsville has okayed 43 Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) across the municipality for property owners meeting the provincial and municipal requirements. To help better inform residents about how to proceed with putting in an ADU – and the types of requirements they will need to meet to be able to do so – the Town of Kingsville hosted the “All About ADUs – Laying the Groundwork for Your Backyard Build” i

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative The County of Essex’s agreement with Local Authority Services Ltd. (LAS) to provide closed meeting investigations will end in July, due to the discontinuation of the service. That left the regional decision-makers having to decide to appoint another independent firm or proceed with using the Ontario Ombudsman. County Clerk, Katherine Hebert, noted this is needed to meet legal requirements under the Municipal Act. At the May

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Essex Council approved one reading of three needed to pass a by-law that could – if fully approved in the future – allow for a three-storey building at 80 County Road 50 in Colchester to be built. This would add an eight-unit motel on the ground-level and eighteen residential dwelling units mostly on the top two floors. The first reading was provided at the May 19 regular meeting. A motion to provide two readings needed suppor

The banner stretched across the homepage of the Leamington Fair website made one thing clear: it takes place rain or shine.

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Essex Council deferred Mayor Sherry Bondy’s motion to establish a Flooding Task Force to the May 19 regular meeting, after administration presented an alternative process when the matter was discussed at Monday’s meeting. This gives the Mayor a chance to connect with staff. The opportunity was first presented as a Notice of Motion at the April 20 meeting. Through her motion, Bondy wanted to create a Flooding Task Force as the

by Essex Free Press Staff On Earth Day, the Town of Essex partnered with local schools to host the annual Legacy Tree Planting. This traditional program plants a tree at local schools that the graduating students leave for the young students to care for. This teaches them environmental awareness and helps connect them to nature. Last Wednesday, the Town of Essex was able to plant native trees at St. Anthony, Ste. Ursule, Holy Name Catholic Elementary School, Colchester No

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative The Town of Essex Council heard a proposal that could allow for a seven-storey apartment building and three, two-storey townhome dwelling buildings at 47 Wilson Avenue, the former Essex Home Hardware site. In all, this plan could offer up to 126 dwelling units. The purpose of the meeting on April 27 was to notify, hear, and receive comments from the public on this application for Site-Specific Amendments to the Zoning By-Law (

Essex Fire Vs. Amherstburg Fire hockey game creates community connection by Essex Free Press Staff When Essex Firefighter Shawn Spina heard about the Battle of the Badges charity hockey game that had the Windsor Police Service take on Windsor Fire & Rescue Services earlier this year, it got him thinking about hosting a similar event in Essex. His goal was to create community connections, collect some non-perishable food donations for the Essex Area Food Bank and the Amherst

73’s name new Head Coach and General Manager by Garrett Fodor The Essex 73’s is heading into the 2026–27 season with a new voice behind the bench and a focus on continuing to build. On Thursday, the club announced Essex native Matt Pumpel as the new Head Coach and General Manager. In a corresponding move, Mike Pailey will transition from General Manager to Governor and Director of Hockey Operations. “I think now was the right time for moves like this,” Pailey said. “I spo

by Garrett Fodor As spring arrives in Essex, Mayor Sherry Bondy is encouraging residents to take advantage of the warmer weather by coming together to help beautify the town. This past Saturday, Bondy hosted the third of four “Community Clean Up” events organized throughout the municipality. This latest edition invited residents of all ages to gather at Essex Town Hall before spreading out across the area. Equipped with gloves, garbage bags, and pails, participants walked t

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative After years of planning, investigating the needs, and finding the best location, Harrow is one step closer to getting a new fire station. During the April 7 Essex Council meeting, the contract for the Request for Tender for the Construction of the new Fire Station 3 was awarded to Gulf Developments for $5,034,519.01, including non-refundable HST. That was the lowest tender. The bid was also within budget. During the 2026 Bud

Four regional farmers inducted into Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame by Essex Free Press Staff For 32-years, the Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame has annually highlighted the significant contribution outstanding individuals have committed to the development of local agriculture. The newest batch of honourees was inducted into this prestigious program last Thursday evening at the annual ceremony hosted inside the Harrow Agriculture Exhibit Hall. This is where t

Essex Gospel Community Church hosts 23rd Annual Easter Egg Hun by Garrett Fodor Brightly coloured eggs dotted the grass as children’s laughter filled the air on Saturday morning, when Essex Gospel Community Church hosted its 23rd annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Essex Soccer Fields. The long-running spring tradition drew more than 1,300 attendees from across the community. The event has grown steadily over the years, offering families a chance to gather, connect, and celebrate