Author: Andrew Hawlitzky

Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"

Fort Erie Ukes debut holiday concert at Crystal Ridge library branch

December 12, 2025 at 4:29 AM

The Fort Erie Ukes played their first public holiday concert Thursday night at Fort Erie Public Library’s Crystal Ridge branch. The event started at 6...

Happy Days Sanctuary raises $11K in one day after fire kills 31 cats

December 11, 2025 at 4:48 AM

A fire at Happy Days Sanctuary led to 31 cats dying last Sunday, leaving the main house unusable and forcing the sanctuary’s founder Ann Swinson...

Emerging evidence clouds timeline in Fort Erie double homicide trial

December 10, 2025 at 3:05 AM

The Fort Erie double homicide trial could end next week or next year as new forensic evidence and autopsy findings deepen questions about what happened...

Frosty the Christmas Horse campaign collects food, $5K for COPE

December 9, 2025 at 3:41 AM

A sold-out 50/50 draw and carloads of food donations at The Plaice Bar and Grill on Saturday raised $5,000 for Community Outreach Program Erie (COPE)...

Ridgeway lights up for annual Christmas on the Ridge celebration

December 9, 2025 at 3:03 AM

Christmas on the Ridge brought families into downtown Ridgeway on Friday for children’s choirs, hot drinks and horse-drawn wagon rides before the holiday rush. The...

Hit and run SUV alleged to have nearly caused a head-on crash

December 8, 2025 at 3:02 AM

A Fort Erie woman is asking drivers with dash cameras to check their footage after another vehicle struck her car before speeding away. Around noon...

‘Significant’ fire kills 29 cats, injures more at Stevensville animal sanctuary

December 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM

A fire that started Sunday in the basement of Happy Days Sanctuary killed 29 cats and left others in critical condition, marking one of the...

Registration opens for Coldest Night brain injury walk

December 6, 2025 at 5:52 AM

Registration has opened for the 2026 Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walk supporting the Brain Injury Association of Fort Erie (BIAFE). Teams and individual...

Salvation Army seeks Christmas kettle volunteers

December 6, 2025 at 5:47 AM

The Salvation Army on Gilmore Road says its Christmas kettle campaign will fall short of rising local need without more volunteers at five grocery and...