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!"

Treats, not tricks, at third annual Track-O-Lantern event

October 14, 2025 at 3:44 AM

About 800 children in costume trick-or-treated through Fort Erie Race Track on Thanksgiving Monday as live racing continued in one of the community’s final fall...

Dollarama coming to Ridgeway Centre in second construction phase

October 13, 2025 at 6:12 AM

Construction has begun on the second phase of Ridgeway Centre with work now underway on a Dollarama. “Dollarama is starting construction and we’re prepping for...

Crystal Beach 5K brings over 600 runners and walkers to Erie Road

October 12, 2025 at 6:07 AM

More than 600 participants filled Erie Road in Crystal Beach on Saturday morning for the 21st annual Crystal Beach 5K. The Thanksgiving weekend event brought...

Happy Days Sanctuary to host barbecue fundraiser on Saturday

October 10, 2025 at 3:50 AM

A Stevensville animal rescue will hold its first ever community barbecue Saturday to raise funds after taking in 54 cats from an overwhelmed senior during...

Red carpet rolled out for two Sunday ‘Cows Come Home’ screenings

October 8, 2025 at 3:49 AM

Small-town spirit filled the Meridian Centre for the Arts as residents turned out for two red carpet screenings of ‘Cows Come Home,’ the locally made...

Fleet Canada is hiring for 22 full-time positions in Fort Erie

October 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM

Fleet Canada is currently having a hiring blitz with 22 full-time job positions open at its Gilmore Road facility. The Fort Erie aerospace manufacturer is...

Thousands visit Safari Niagara’s first weekend of Boo at the Zoo

October 7, 2025 at 3:27 AM

Safari Niagara’s Boo at the Zoo wrapped up its first of two weekends after drawing thousands of visitors and more than 100 vendors to Stevensville...

Used book sale brings in record $4,000 for young readers

October 6, 2025 at 3:30 AM

More than 300 people attended the Crystal Ridge branch Saturday morning for a used book sale that raised just over $4,000 to support Fort Erie...

Walmart evacuated after smoke from freezer motor prompts fire response

October 5, 2025 at 9:34 PM

Shoppers were evacuated from the Walmart on Garrison Road on Sunday afternoon. Smoke originating from a faulty freezer motor resulted in the activation of the...

New bandshell at Sugarbowl Park soon open for community events

October 5, 2025 at 6:48 AM

A long-promised bandshell is finally becoming a reality at Fort Erie’s Sugarbowl Park. Approved in 2023, the $275,000 project brings a permanent stage to one...