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’s new Canada Day festival will return in 2027, organizers say

July 3, 2026 at 4:27 AM

Fort Erie’s first major Canada Day festival in years is set to become an annual town staple after roughly 3,000 people came out to Ferndale...

Fort Erie, Buffalo mayors renew Peace Bridge pledge

July 3, 2026 at 4:23 AM

Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop renewed a cross-border friendship pledge with Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan on Canada Day. The two mayors traded gifts Wednesday at...

Ridgefest returns to downtown Ridgeway July 10, 11 and 12

July 1, 2026 at 2:14 PM

Ridgefest is coming back to downtown Ridgeway July 10 to 12 for three days of music, vendors, classic cars and family activities. The annual street...

Town hosting open house July 14 for zoning bylaw review

July 1, 2026 at 3:46 AM

Fort Erie property rules are due for a full rewrite, and residents get their first close look July 14 before the town drafts the bylaw...

Where to keep cool in Fort Erie as heat dome grips the region

June 30, 2026 at 3:48 PM

A prolonged heat dome will bake Fort Erie this week with highs reaching 37 C, pushing the town’s four public cooling stations into front-line duty...

Where to see Canada Day fireworks in Fort Erie

June 30, 2026 at 3:40 PM

Fort Erie’s annual Canada Day fireworks are planned to light up the Niagara River near Old Fort Erie at 10 p.m. this Wednesday, June 1....

Fort Erie Pride festival fights U.S. politics seeping over the border

June 30, 2026 at 3:48 AM

Fort Erie’s Pride festival returned to the Leisureplex on Saturday for its eighth year, and its chair and opening performer used the stage to cast...

Under the Rainbow child care centre celebrates 30 years

June 30, 2026 at 3:42 AM

An Indigenous-led daycare in Fort Erie marked 30 years of service Friday evening and used the milestone to announce a leadership handoff and a plan...

GFESS says goodbye to Principal Louws, one vice-principal

June 29, 2026 at 3:12 AM

Principal Fred Louws is leaving Greater Fort Erie Secondary School (GFESS), closing a decade-long chapter at the helm of a school he helped build from...