O’Hara’s medical leave extended until end of term

July 16, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent Petrolia councillors have extended the medical leave of one of their own until at least November. Ross O’Hara has been on medical leave since April, after attending only one meeting in 2026. The Petrolia-born O’Hara was first elected as a councillor in 1986. He spent 18 years on town council, the last nine years as mayor, before

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Keep Cameron Rd Bridge open say neighbours

July 16, 2026

Blake Ellis/The Independent People living on Cameron Road don’t want to see a unique bridge crossing the Sydenham River closed. But fixing it could cause financial headaches for the Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston. Recently, BM Ross Consulting looked at the Cameron Road Bridge as part of the community’s regular bridge maintenance inspections. It recommended between $1.25 million and $2 million in

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LCCVI athletes win at Legion provincials

July 16, 2026

Barry Wright/The Independent Kallee Elliott is getting used to standing at the top of the podium. The LCCVI student, competing for the Sarnia Athletics Southwest Track and Field Club, has won back-to-back gold medals in girls’ U16 high jump events over the past two weekends. She leaped 1.55 metres to capture first place at the Royal Canadian Legion provincial championships

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Petrolia aims chose builder for VPP reno this year

July 16, 2026

$2.5 million raised for elevator project Heather Wright/The Independent Petrolia council has given the green light to prepare to tender the $3.7 million additions to Victoria Hall. That could pave the way for construction on the first of two elevators and public washrooms possibly before the end of the year. In 2023, council gave Victoria Playhouse Petrolia approval to begin