Home › Weekly digest › Oct. 12 to Oct. 18, 2026
This week in Windsor News
Oct. 12 to Oct. 18, 2026. 62 stories from the week, newest first, each with a one-line summary. Every story links its sources.
News
- Dougall Parkway ramps at Sixth Concession close Monday to Thursday
Heads up for your commute: the Dougall Parkway ramps at Sixth Concession close Monday to Thursday for paving. Dougall Parkway drops to one lane each way while crews work. Weather permitting.
- Windsor Police said 14 vehicles were stolen in a week. 5 were unlocked with keys inside
Windsor Police said officers took 14 reports of stolen vehicles in the past week. 5 were unlocked with the keys inside. 8 have been recovered. Turn it off, take the keys, lock it, even if you're not gone long.
- Donoso stops all 39 shots as Lancers blank Western 3-0
Max Donoso made 39 saves as the Lancers blanked Western 3-0 and are 3-0 in OUA play. Lancer women won 4-2 at York. Saints fastball swept Conestoga. Today: Lancers soccer at Waterloo 2 and 4:15, Saints soccer hosts Fanshawe at noon, Vipers at St. Thomas 6.
- 20 survivors meet the crews who saved them at EMS Survivor Day
20 people who survived cardiac arrest or trauma in 2025 were honoured Friday, with the crews who saved them, at Essex-Windsor EMS Survivor Day. In 3 of the rescues, a bystander grabbed a public AED. Learn CPR. Know where the nearest AED is.
- 526 overdose ER visits in nine months: what Windsor-Essex's 2026 numbers show
Opioid overdose emergency visits in Windsor-Essex from January to September 2026 already top the total for all of 2025. What the health unit's numbers show, the six overdose alerts this year, and where to get help.
- Fatal apartment fire on Lauzon Rd. displaces 15 people
One person died and two were hurt in an overnight apartment fire in the 2500 block of Lauzon Rd. in east Windsor, Windsor fire officials say. 15 people are displaced and the Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating.
- Windsor splash pads closed for the season; these park washrooms stay open all year
Windsor's splash pads are closed until May 2027 and seasonal park washrooms close by mid-November, the City says. Ten accessible park washrooms stay open all year, including Dieppe Gardens, Jackson Park's Sunken Gardens and Malden Park. List on the card.
- Frost advisory tonight in Windsor, then a sunny run to 18
Frost advisory tonight in Windsor: clear, low plus 2, Environment Canada says. Cover tender plants. Then sunshine: 15 Sunday, and highs of 18 Monday to Wednesday. Normal for this time of year is 14.
- Francis pledges to fund the Sandpoint Beach plan; Dilkens pledged to finish it
Pledge check: Fred Francis says he'd fund the Sandpoint Beach plan and swap the fencing for nicer barriers right away. Drew Dilkens pledged Oct. 1 to finish the same plan. Cost about $15M, about $4.6M budgeted. Campaign pledges, not City policy.
- University Ave. W. reopens between McEwan and Salter
University Ave. W. is open again between McEwan and Salter, with on-street parking and bike lanes back, the City says. Crews may still return for pole removals, sidewalks and landscaping. Final asphalt from Elm to Salter is expected in fall 2027.
- Spitfires rout Owen Sound 11-3 as both Lancers hockey teams win on the road
Spits rout Owen Sound 11-3 behind a Max Brocklehurst hat trick. Both Lancers hockey teams won on the road: men 4-3 at Western, women 5-2 at Nipissing. Today: Saints baseball OCAA semis at Fanshawe at noon, Lancer men host Western 7:30.
- Marathon closes tunnel, downtown Windsor roads Sunday
The Windsor-Detroit Tunnel closes to vehicles Sunday from 6:15 a.m. until as late as 10:30 a.m. for the Detroit Free Press Marathon. Ambassador Bridge open with lane limits. Riverside Dr. W. and downtown streets close from about 6:30 a.m.
- Man, 42, charged after west-end stabbing
Windsor police charged a 42-year-old man after a west-end stabbing early Friday. Officers found a man with several stab wounds in the 1000 block of Campbell Ave. shortly before 7 a.m. Injuries not life-threatening. Tips: 519-258-6111 ext. 4830.
- Voting ID myths, checked against the City
Myth vs. fact, Windsor voting ID: you don't need photo ID, a wrong voter card does not block you, and free Transit Windsor rides to the poll do not require a voter card. Next advance day: Sat Oct. 17 Mic Mac Park drive-thru, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Spitfires host Owen Sound tonight at 7:05 (Fight Night)
Spits host Owen Sound tonight at 7:05 at the WFCU Centre (Fight Night, doors one hour early). Thursday: Sudbury 6, Windsor 2. McLaughlin and Havusic scored for the Spits; Havusic's first OHL goal. JC Lemieux had a hat trick for the Wolves.
- Seen an ENWIN van with cameras? Here is why
Seen an ENWIN van with cameras in Windsor? The utility is piloting AI-assisted pole inspections: photos from public roads help flag defects and plan work. ENWIN says it is not a replacement for on-site inspectors, and privacy rules cover the data.
- Unifor Local 444 strike authorization vote is tomorrow
Unifor Local 444 strike authorization vote is tomorrow at The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor (register 9 a.m., vote from 10). Results Mon Oct. 19. A yes lets the committee call a strike if needed. It does not start one. Plant down Oct. 19, 26 and Nov. 2.
- Lancers fall 96-94 to UBC at the Naismith Classic as Amherstburg blanks Walpole Island 7-0
Lancers men's basketball fell 96-94 to UBC Thursday at the Naismith Classic and face Victoria at 2 today. Amherstburg blanked Walpole Island 7-0. Tonight: Spits host Owen Sound at 7:05, Lancer men at Western, women at Nipissing, Wheatley at Lakeshore.
- Downtown Mission eyes move to H4
The Downtown Mission's board wants to move off Ouellette into the City's H4 at the old Water World, aiming for spring 2027, its executive director says. Not yet public: a council vote, the cost, or an operating agreement. Mayor Dilkens made the move a campaign pledge Oct 13.
- Showers and wind today in Windsor, frost risk tonight
Windsor today: 60% chance of showers, wind gusting to 60 km/h, falling to 11 this afternoon, Environment Canada says. Tonight: showers possible, then clearing, low plus 3 with frost risk. Sunny 11 Saturday, 16 Sunday.
- No place to ride: Windsor-Essex's lost race tracks
A 14-year-old was charged this week for a minibike stunt on Tecumseh Rd E. Windsor-Essex has no legal place to ride minibikes, karts or race cars since Checker Flag closed in 1992. Here's the region's racing history and where fans go now.
- Skipping class now costs marks in Ontario high schools: what students and parents need to know
Skipping class now costs marks in Ontario high schools. Attendance and participation are 15% of the final grade in Grades 9 and 10, 10% in 11 and 12. Miss more than about 2 classes a semester without an excuse and you lose top marks on that part.
- Windsor Police name the 5 intersections with the most collisions this year
Windsor Police list the 5 intersections with the most collisions this year: Banwell and E.C. Row, Ouellette and Tecumseh, Lauzon and Tecumseh E., Dougall and E.C. Row, E.C. Row and Walker. 910 crashes caused injuries, up 45.8%. 9 people died.
- Hiram Walker built a town, and homes, for his workers
Before Windsor's housing debate, one distiller built a whole town. Hiram Walker's Walkerville had worker cottages, St. Mary's church, a railway and a ferry. Owners have changed since 1926, but the distillery and much of the town still stand.
- Man, 40, charged after alleged sexual assault of teen
Windsor police charged a 40-year-old man after the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl. Police say she met him at a Langlois Ave. park Oct. 12 and went to his residence. Arrested early Oct. 13. Tips: 519-255-6700 ext. 4903.
- Missed the Ojibway exit? OPP says do not turn around on the 401
Missed the Ojibway exit on the 401? Don't U-turn or back up. OPP says keep going to the toll booths, where Bridging North America officers let you out at Gate 72 before the bridge, no customs. 64 wrong-way drivers there since July, OPP says.
- Spitfires host 6-0-1 Sudbury tonight after Wheatley beats Mooretown 5-2
Spits host Sudbury tonight at 7:05 at WFCU. The Wolves (6-0-1) have not lost in regulation. Wednesday: Wheatley beat Mooretown 5-2, and Listowel's Thomas Paleczny had a hat trick in a 4-3 win at LaSalle. Lancers softball split with Western.
- Windsor police: September crimes against people down 8.6%
Windsor police September crime data: crimes against people down 8.6% from Sept. 2025 (256 incidents), property crime up 0.8% (1,021), other Criminal Code violations down 23% (154). One month of reported incidents, not a trend.
- Windsor police arrest man, 63, after Esplanade park sexual assault
Windsor police have arrested a 63-year-old man after Oct. 13 incidents near Esplanade Drive and charged him in connection with a sexual assault at an east-end park on Oct. 9. Public tips helped the investigation.
- What Fred Francis's housing plan promises
Mayoral candidate Fred Francis's housing plan: city land for mixed-use builds with neighbour-ranked benefits, no permit fees for affordable housing, no development charges in Ford City and Sandwich Town. No cost or timeline listed. Campaign pledge.
- Windsor area jobless rate falls to 7.3% in September
Windsor's jobless rate fell to 7.3% in September, from 7.5% in August and 10.4% a year ago, Statistics Canada says. About 11,300 more people are working than last year. But Workforce WindsorEssex says youth unemployment is near 17.6%.
- Manufacturing careers night for students and parents at Catholic Central
Students and parents: a manufacturing careers night is tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 15, 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Catholic Central High School, 2465 McDougall Ave. Meet local manufacturers and ask about career paths and jobs. Hosted by CAMM and the WECDSB.
- Windsor police seek suspect in suspicious $1M Ottawa Street fire
Windsor police seek a suspect after a suspicious fire did about $1 million in damage to a building in the 1200 block of Ottawa Street on Monday. No one was hurt. Have home or dashcam video from 3:30 to 5:30 a.m. Oct. 12? Call 519-255-6700 ext. 4330.
- Transit Windsor becomes a City department on Oct. 18: what changes
Transit Windsor becomes a City of Windsor department on Sunday, Oct. 18. Its board ends and council as a whole takes over. The City says routes and day-to-day service stay the same, and staff keep their ATU Local 616 contract.
- Report: Stellantis plans a 2028 Charger Hellcat; plant not named
Unconfirmed report: Automotive News says Stellantis plans a 2028 Charger SRT Hellcat with a supercharged HEMI V8, built from late 2027. It names no plant. Today's Charger is built at Windsor Assembly. Stellantis: "We do not comment on future product plans."
- Windsor goes from record 30 degrees to a sunny 12 by Saturday
From a record 30.1°C on Tuesday to a sunny 12°C on Saturday. Environment Canada's Windsor forecast: high 20 today, rain Thursday night, showers and wind Friday with a low near 2, then sunny and 16 on Sunday. Normal is 15.
- Heavy police presence near County Road 42 and Lakeshore Road 113
Update, 4:30 p.m.: OPP say officers have cleared the area of County Road 42 and Lakeshore Road 113 outside Belle River. OPP have not said what the investigation involved. Earlier, OPP had asked the public to avoid the area and people nearby to stay indoors.
- Essex 73's edge Blenheim 2-1 as Vipers and Sharks host junior games tonight
Essex 73's beat Blenheim 2-1 in PJHL play Tuesday. Tonight: LaSalle Vipers host Listowel at 7 at Vollmer, Wheatley Sharks host Mooretown at 7:30. Spits host Sudbury Thu 7:05 at WFCU.
- Advance vote today in Windsor: Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex
Advance vote today in Windsor: Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex (sports gym), 2555 Pulford St., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any eligible Windsor voter can use it. Bring ID with your name and address. Eligible voters ride Transit Windsor free.
- Asked and unanswered: 7 of 14 sets of Windsor News questions got no reply
Asked and unanswered, Oct. 14: Since Oct. 4, Windsor News sent 14 sets of on-the-record questions. 7 got no reply, including 2 due Oct. 13 at 5 p.m.: the City on its hospital levy and the Dilkens campaign. 4 got partial replies. 1 declined, 1 acknowledged, 1 not yet due.
- Windsor hits 30.1°C on Oct. 13, a record and the latest 30°C day on record
Windsor hit 30.1°C on Tuesday, Environment Canada's official high, a record for Oct. 13 and the latest date in the year the city has reached 30, The Weather Network says. The old latest was Oct. 8, 2007. A cold front brings showers today (high 20), then 12 Saturday.
- Windsor Police seek suspect after sexual assault at Esplanade Drive park
Windsor Police seek a suspect after a sexual assault at a park in the 9400 block of Esplanade Dr. shortly after 3 p.m. Oct. 9. Described as a Middle Eastern male, late 70s, bald, pushing a black wheelchair. Tips: 519-255-6700 ext. 4903 or Crime Stoppers 519-258-8477.
- Bright Lights Windsor 2026 opens Friday, Nov. 27 at Jackson Park
Bright Lights Windsor 2026 opens Friday, Nov. 27 at Jackson Park. Set-up starts today: the City is fencing the north end along Tecumseh Rd. E. and closing the service road north of the Sunken Gardens. The rest of the park stays open for now. More closures come in phases.
- WECOSS says 31 opioid overdoses were seen in Windsor-Essex emergency departments Oct
Overdose alert extended: WECOSS says 31 opioid overdoses were seen in Windsor-Essex emergency departments Oct. 4 to 10, 17 involving fentanyl, after 30 the week before. Don't use alone, have naloxone ready. Overdose? Call 911.
- Spirit 3, Spitfires 2 in a shootout at the WFCU Centre on Thanksgiving Monday
Ethan Garden and Beksultan Makysh scored for Windsor, which outshot Saginaw 36-25. Dima Zhilkin had the only shootout goal. The Spits (3-4-2) host back-to-back games Thursday and Friday.
- Ontario adds close to $4.9M for four Windsor-Essex manufacturers, 69 jobs planned
Ontario is adding close to $4.9M to $38.3M in investments by four Windsor-Essex manufacturers, with 69 new jobs planned, MPP Andrew Dowie announced in Tecumseh today. Dainty Foods, Omega Tool, Paskal Canada and Unique Tool and Gauge get the funding.
- CUPE Local 2974.2 members have ratified a three-year deal for 350+ Essex-Windsor EMS
CUPE Local 2974.2 members have ratified a three-year deal for 350+ Essex-Windsor EMS paramedics and support staff, the County of Essex said. Wages rise in four steps through Oct. 2028, with added mental-health supports. Council approved it Oct. 7.
- Kingsville: two charged after stolen vehicles hit a home and emergency vehicles
Kingsville: OPP say a stolen vehicle hit a home on County Rd. 20 Sunday and set it on fire, then a second stolen vehicle rammed two cruisers, an ambulance and a fire truck. A Leamington man, 28, faces 22 charges and a woman, 32, faces six. Charges are unproven.
- Laid-off Stelco worker: one week of pay, grievance ask, no CEO reply
A laid-off Hamilton Stelco worker reached out to Windsor News. Jordan Williams says he now expects one week of pay instead of the two he budgeted for, has asked USW Local 1005 to review a grievance, and has had no reply from Cleveland-Cliffs' CEO as of Oct. 13.
- Essex-Windsor EMS staff have until noon Tuesday to vote on their tentative deal
Final hours: Essex-Windsor EMS union members vote until noon today on the tentative deal, the local's president told AM800. It covers 300+ paramedics and support staff. The County ratified Oct. 7. Terms stay private for now.
- Windsor Police charged a paralegal in Oct 2024 over $995,610 in alleged fraud
Horney fraud case: Windsor Police charged a paralegal in Oct 2024 over $995,610 in alleged fraud. Records show she used at least three names: Kaili Horney, Kaili Rachelle Horney and Kaili Chedore. Court records list a trial date of Nov. 16, 2026. Charges are unproven.
- Estate theft and financial abuse of older adults happens in Windsor-Essex too
Estate theft and financial abuse of older adults happens in Windsor-Essex too, and it's often someone they trust. Seniors made up 40.3% of fraud losses reported to the CAFC in 2024. Signs to watch and where to get help on the card.
- Four hospital levy questions, one deadline: the City reply is due Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Reply clock: we asked the City four on-the-record questions about the 1% hospital levy, including its final year and what comes after. Reply due Tuesday, 5 p.m. Any answer, or non-answer, goes on our Questions page.
- Local Inspirations: Stacey Robert-Tobin turned her own infertility struggle into support for 800+
Local Inspirations: Stacey Robert-Tobin couldn't find a local infertility support group, so she started Fertility Friends in 2017. It now has 800+ members. This year she received the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship.
Things to do
- Rough night, nicer weekend: rain and gusts tonight, sunshine Saturday and Sunday
Rough night, nicer weekend. Environment Canada (3:30 p.m.): rain tonight 10 to 15 mm, thunderstorm risk, gusts to 50 late then 60 by morning. Friday windy with showers, down to 11. Frost risk overnight Friday (low +3). Then sunny: 11 Saturday, 16 Sunday.
Witching Hour
- Witching Hour - Legends: The legend of the red dwarf across the river
Witching Hour - Legends Detroit's founder is said to have met a grinning red dwarf in 1701. An 1883 folklore book says Cadillac was warned to appease the Nain Rouge and hit it with his cane instead. He was later sent off to Louisiana.
- Witching Hour - Legends: The widow's curse on Peche Island
Witching Hour - Legends A widow's parting words still hang over a Detroit River island. Ordered off Peche Island in 1883, Rosalie Laforet is said to have cursed it: no one will ever do anything with it. The Walker mansion there burned in 1929.
- Witching Hour - Strange History: The Amherstburg warship sent toward Niagara Falls
Witching Hour - Strange History Built at Amherstburg in 1813, the warship Detroit was captured in the Battle of Lake Erie. In 1841 showmen bought her old hull to send over Niagara Falls. She ran aground in the rapids and broke up before the drop.
- Witching Hour - Legends: The lighthouse keeper's dog named Sailor
The story goes that a Newfoundland dog named Sailor won the Hackett family the Bois Blanc Island lighthouse job in 1836. Lighthouse historians say it may not be true, but Hacketts kept the light until 1924.
- Witching Hour - Dark History: The night raiders took Windsor
Witching Hour - Dark History Before dawn on Dec. 4, 1838, about 140 raiders crossed from Detroit, burned a militia barracks and a steamer, and took Windsor. Militia routed them in the orchard behind the Baby House. Prisoners were shot without trial.
- Witching Hour - Legends
Witching Hour - Legends For decades, people said a tunnel in the basement of Abars on Riverside Drive East ran under the Detroit River to the U.S. No one ever proved it. The 1904 building came down in July 2016, and the tunnel question went with it.
- Witching Hour - Mystery: the Windsor Hum, real, measured, never pinned down
Witching Hour - Mystery For years, west Windsor and LaSalle residents reported a low rumble at home. A 2014 federal study found the Windsor Hum real, likely from blast furnaces on Zug Island, Mich. Other data pointed elsewhere. No source was confirmed.
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