Minister of National Defence David McGuinty (centre) toured the Canadian Coast Guard base in Amherstburg during a stop in the region June 29. McGuinty first met with members of the tool and die industry in Windsor about possible work in the defence sector before coming to Amherstburg later on Monday afternoon. As part of a visit where he tried to introduce job opportunities in the defence sectors to local industry, the Minister of National Defence made a stop in Amherstburg.

A Father’s Day tradition returned to the AMA Sportsmen’s Association June 21

Rain that poured down for part of the day June 14 didn’t slow down the McGregor Music Festival. People came under the pavilion at Co-An Park to enjoy seven bands, a pig auction, raffles, a rib/chicken dinner and more. Photo by Donna Tuckwell. The All Nighters (left) were one of the bands with the Border City Brass band (right) also entertaining the large crowd at the 35th annual festival. Photo by Donna Tuckwell. Proceeds benefit the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation and the f

The Legion Br. 157 colour guard parades into Rose Hill Cemetery. A pair of ceremonies were held by Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 to pay tribute to veterans who passed away outside of wartime and Legion members who died within the past year. The first ceremony was conducted in Rose Hill Cemetery in Amherstburg with the Legion and dignitaries that attended shifting to the St. John the Baptist Cemetery side for the second ceremony. The ceremonies were held last Sunda

Over 300 motorcycles arrived at Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 for the Motorcycle Ride for Dad May 31 (above and below). The roar of the motorcycles and the spirit of the riders was again on display last Sunday morning. The Motorcycle Ride for Dad rumbled through Amherstburg May 31, maintaining an annual tradition that takes place the last Sunday in May. After leaving Thunder Road Harley Davidson in Windsor, the riders made Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157

A ribbon cutting was held May 21, 2026 to celebrate the opening of the new Collavino Conservation Area. It is located on North Side Road between Front Road North and Concession 2 North. A dream over 20 years in the making came to fruition last Thursday morning. The Collavino Conservation Area officially opened to the public May 21, with it being the idea of Loris Collavino and his family. The Collavino family owned the land with Loris Collavino stating that he fell in love wi

“Battle of the Hors D’oeuvres” was held May 13 with five local restaurants involved. The O won the top prize with Kat Crosby and Jordan Kennedy accepting the trophy from organizing committee member Linda Jackson. A fundraiser last week saw people sample food and help out a local non-profit historical organization at the same time. Battle of the Hors D’oeuvres was held last Wednesday night and involved five downtown Amherstburg restaurants and a sold out crowd of people divide

The winners of the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce’s 21st annual Business Excellence Awards gather for a group photo after the ceremony at the Columbian Club in McGregor May 7. The Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce (ACOC) has paid tribute to the business community and to service groups thanks to its 21st annual Business Excellence Awards (BEAs). The BEAs were presented last Thursday night at the Columbian Club in McGregor with 16 local businesses, individuals and non-profit org

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

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

Both of this year’s recipients were joined by the Baillargeon family and Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery co-owner Steve Mitchell to display KCC’s 13-year total. Kids Curing Cancer (KCC) has gone out with a bang. In what was KCC’s 13 th and final year, this year’s campaign raised $48,452.30 with cheque presentations taking place late last Friday afternoon at Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery. The money will be split between the Erie Shores Health Foundation (ESHF) and the Winds

Town council has voted to go down the heritage designation route for the former General Amherst High School. Town council has voted to go down the heritage designation route for the former General Amherst High School. The building, located at 130 Sandwich St. S., is proposed to be transformed by the Valente Development Corporation into a residential and commercial site, including eight and 11-storey towers. Despite a vow from owner Peter Valente to recreate the southern facad

The Class of 2026 for the Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame included (from left): Alyssa Thibodeau & Cole McLean (representing the late Walter McLean), Leo Guilbeault, Neil McBeth and Rochelle Deslippe. They were inducted last Thursday night at a ceremony held at the Harrow Agricultural Exhibition Hall. Four new members have been inducted into the Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame. Rochelle Deslippe, Leo Guilbeault, Neil McBeth and Walter McLean were honoured last T

The Town of Amherstburg received $838,000 from the province’s Trade-Impacted Communities Program (TICP) with the announcement being Monday morning. From left: Councillor Linden Crain, Councillor Don McArthur, Councillor Diane Pouget, Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb, Essex MPP Anthony Leardi, Deputy CAO/director of development services Melissa Osborne and CAO Valerie Critchley The Town of Amherstburg got $838,000 in provincial money for industrial development and made some history in

The launch of the “March for Meals” campaign took place Monday morning at Amherstburg Community Services. Top photo (from left): Melissa Lokun from Seasons Amherstburg, Tammy Dufour from Seasons Royal Oak Village in LaSalle, ACS program co-ordinator Branka Stewin, ACS executive director Kathy DiBartolomeo, Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb, Councillor Linden Crain. The “March for Meals” campaign is underway to highlight a valuable program to help seniors and those needing a healthy me

North Star High School students held a protest over OSAP changes last Thursday afternoon. Changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) has prompted protests from high school students in the province, with a recent protest being in Amherstburg. Students from North Star High School held a walk out last Thursday afternoon with many coming to the front step of Amherstburg town hall to share their chants and signs with vehicles that passed by. Students walked from the

Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta (fifth from left, holding her son Matthew) was at the site of where the new Chateau Park Long-Term Care Home is being built. She provided an update during her March 4 visit. Ontario’s minister of long-term care was in Amherstburg last week to get a look at the new long-term care home under construction. Chateau Park Long-Term Care Home is moving to the building currently under construction at 140 Fryer St., at the co

Doug Benekritis, Unifor chair in the Diageo Amherstburg plant, speaks to the media after the final shift last Wednesday. It was an end of an era in Amherstburg last Wednesday afternoon. Workers filed out of the Diageo bottling plant in Amherstburg for the last time, many hugging each other and others shedding a tear or two. The company announced last August it would close the St. Arnaud St. facility this month and followed through, albeit a couple days earlier than anticipate

Family friend Pat Durance presents Lauren, Ty and Kierstyn Baillargeon as well as the rest of their family with a plaque during last Saturday’s fundraising dinner. Kids Curing Cancer’s final year included another big crowd at its pasta and music night on the weekend. A packed house of 250 people attended KCC’s fundraiser Saturday night at Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery in Amherstburg, with the Baillargeon family, their friends and supporters and the general public in full su

Invest WindsorEssex will get $500,000 for economic development “with a focus on Amherstburg and the surrounding area,” and an additional $500,000 is for “other community projects to support residents of Amherstburg"

Residents of Village Lodge in McGregor and congregation members of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church celebrated a 25-year partnership as part of last Sunday morning’s service. Following the service, everyone enjoyed a lunch together. A special service at a local church marked a milestone in caring for people in a McGregor residential home. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Amherstburg commemorated 25 years of ministry with the residents of Village Lodge in McGregor. Resident

Amherstburg Freedom Museum co-presents Windsor-Essex County joint kickoff event Teajai Travis plays the drums as part of the Windsor-Essex County Joint Annual Black History Month kickoff last Friday night. Black History Month is underway and a local museum had a hand in kicking it off in the region. The Amherstburg Freedom Museum joined the Essex County Black Historical Research Society (ECBHRS) and the Windsor-Essex Caribbean Association (WECA) in a Black History Month launc

Former employees, family members and the general public take a look at the “Small Town, Big Industry” exhibit during a busy opening reception last Friday night at the Gibson Gallery. An exhibit detailing the history of Brunner Mond, Allied Chemical and General Chemical has been unveiled by the Marsh Historical Collection. “Small Town, Big Industry: The Story of Brunner Mond Canada Ltd. and its Successors in Amherstburg” opened last Friday night with a reception and continued

Funding under HSWS will be used for Richmond St. sewer line

The Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club (BYCOC) held its annual chicken or rib fundraising dinner last Saturday night at the Columbus Hall in River Canard. The event raised $1,600 to help fund camp operations. The next camp at Bryerswood is Jan. 16 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Members of the Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club (BYCOC) were joined by people from the community in raising money for the camp over the weekend. The BYCOC, in co-operation with the River Canard Knights of C

The year 2025 has ended and here’s a sample of just some of the things we covered over the past 12 months. For further details on these stories and for even more information on the year gone by, visit www.rivertowntimes.com . JANUARY •Family and friends of Kathleen “Kay” Bertrand gathered to celebrate her 100th birthday. Bertrand has four children, ten grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Mayor Michael Prue, Councillor Diane Pouget, Essex

Volunteers with the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission helped serve 105 turkey dinners to people on Christmas Day. It is a labour of love for Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission president Tim McAllister and the team of volunteers. The Mission served its Christmas turkey dinner at noon on Christmas Day with 105 meals served both in-person and by take-out. The meal featured turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, carrots, sweet potatoes, gravy, mac and cheese, buns and de

Squirettes of Mary #1001 and McGregor K of C Council #2844 help with meal

Among the volunteers were the father and son duo of Mike and Dean McGowan. More photos are available on the River Town Times’ social media sites. The AAM Goodfellows looked for financial support in their newspaper sales drive, and the community provided it. AAM Goodfellows president Rick Murray said they raised in the area of $15,700 in this year’s two-day campaign. “We did good, around the same as last year,” he said. “A little over $15,000.” Murray said the volunteers raise

Music Ministry of New Life Fellowship perform at "Christmas at the Museum" Dec. 7 inside the Nazrey AME Church. The Amherstburg Freedom Museum also welcomed the Tanner-Price Singers as part of the annual event. An event that has become a cherished tradition to its organizers helped spread holiday cheer on the weekend. “Christmas at the Museum” was presented by the Amherstburg Freedom Museum last Sunday afternoon. The day included a performance by The Tanner-Price Singers, who

St. Arnaud Street plant. - Photo courtesy of Windsor Aerial Drone Photography. A ratification vote was held on the weekend to approve a deal between Diageo and Unifor Local 200, with the agreement putting the closure one step closer to happening. Unifor Local 200 president John D’Agnolo said the agreement was, in part, to approve new language in the contract but also to secure packages for staff still in the St. Arnaud St. plant once the plant closes in February. The curre

The Amherstburg Santa Claus Parade was held with thousands lining Sandwich St., Richmond St. and Dalhousie St. to watch the festivities. The arrival of Santa & Mrs. Claus capped the event, which ended at Toddy Jones Park. It was presented by the Windsor Parade Corporation. Santa & Mrs. Claus then met with children at the warming house in Toddy Jones Park. The Amherstburg Santa Claus Parade was held last Saturday night with thousands lining Sandwich St. N., Sandwich St. S., R

The countdown to Christmas is on in Amherstburg with a pair of festive events last Saturday night. Roughly 700 participants took part in the Super Santa Run, Walk & Wheel (above) and that was followed by the official opening of the River Lights Winter Festival. The Santa Claus Parade is this coming Saturday (Nov. 22) at 6 p.m. A record year for the Super Santa Run, Walk and Wheel has raised approximately $25,000 for local conservation projects. The annual run last Saturday ni

LEST WE FORGET Remembrance Day was once again well attended this year, with the public taking time to pay tribute to those who served and continue to serve. Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 organized and presented the parade and ceremony, with the parade leaving from the Dalhousie St. branch and head down Murray St., Sandwich St. S., and Richmond St. before arriving at the cenotaph in King’s Navy Yard Park for the 11 a.m. service. Names of the fallen that are on the

Tom Hogarth & Friends perform at Amherstburg Fights Cancer. Tom Hogarth & Friends perform at Amherstburg Fights Cancer (above) as does Bethany D’Alimonte (far right). Organizer Norm Mickle addresses the crowd (centre). A fundraiser in the fight against cancer was a success over the weekend and even astounded its organizers. Amherstburg Fights Cancer was held on Saturday night at the AMA Sportsmen Association with Norm Mickle, his wife Janet and a team of supporters and sponso

A new town hall will not be moving into the redeveloped building formerly occupied by General Amherst High School, as seen in the rendering from the Valente Development Co. While there may be a new Amherstburg town hall at some point in the future, it won’t be in the former General Amherst High School. Town council voted against having administration enter into negotiations with the Valente Development Corporation, the owners of the former high school at 130 Sandwich St. S.,

One of the potential options for a new town hall at the Valente site at 130 Sandwich St. S. is pictured here, as presented by the Town of Amherstburg. One option includes a civic theatre while another features a new public library within the space. The Valente Development Corporation received zoning bylaw approvals in July for its development at the former General Amherst High School and now a decision is forthcoming on whether town hall will be part of it. A 25-page report

The Grant home at 440 McLellan Ave. (above) features Slicer’s Roadkill Grill during weekends in October while The Shrine on Durango is available for viewing at the Anderson home at 17 Durango. Both are accepting donations for the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission. With Halloween fast approaching, decorations are going up at homes in Amherstburg and surrounding areas. Some of those displays carry a charitable twist to them. At least three local homes are decked out for H

OTF representative Tony Francis (left) stands with Windsor-Essex Bike Community (WEBC) directors James Braakman and Amanda Dywelska after...

Drumming was a part of the Truth and Reconciliation events held last Saturday in Navy Yard Park. National Day of Truth and Reconciliation...

Costume contests were held last Saturday and Sunday evenings, with the kids costume contest pictured above. For those who ventured to...

Retirees honoured at last Friday night’s Amherstburg Fire Department recognition banquet were (front row, from left): Capt. Nick Renaud,...

A rally was held outside the Diageo plant in Amherstburg last Wednesday afternoon to support the workers after the company announced Aug....

Plant closure planned to take place by February 2026

Art by the River was attended well for both days of the event at The Fort Malden National Historic Site. A popular end of summer...

Park House Museum curator Kat Bezaire points to damage that needs repair to the south side of the historic Pensioner’s Cottage at the...

The Essex County Steam & Gas Engine Show featured the annual tractor parade down Walker Road. The history of agriculture was on display...

A “river battle” was staged both afternoons of the festival. A look back at military eras gone by returned to Fort Malden National...