Two Ontario men face charges after alleged immigration fraud at Lambton College
Petrolia welcomes in 2014
December 31, 2013
Petrolia Mayor John McCharles will uphold an age-old tradition on New Year’s Day.
He’ll preside over the New Years’ Levee at Victoria Hall between 1 and 3 pm New Year’s Day.
Mayor’s Levee began in the 18th Century during the reign of King Louis XIV. To show he belonged to the people, he would invite gentlemen to enter his bedroom on New Year’s Day and watch him wake up to begin serving the public in the New Year.
The custom was brought to Canada by the Royal Governor of New France. He would sit on his doorstep at his Quebec home on New Year’s Day to greet citizen and usher in the New Year.
Today, levees are usually open houses held traditionally in the afternoon. The idea behind the levee is still show government’s role of public service with good cheer on New Year’s Day.
McCharles says it is a great way to ring in the New Year. “I think it is a wonderful event for town people to come and enjoy. There is really no talk about business or town issues, it is just getting together to say hello and welcome the New Year.”
McCharles says it is also a great time to catch up with people he may only see once a year. “It a mixed group of people, it’s not just the theatre people or the parks and rec people or the community center people, it’s a mixture. It’s really quite enjoyable.”
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Two Ontario men face charges after alleged immigration fraud at Lambton College
July 10, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was edited July 10 to include comments from the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Two men are facing immigration and criminal charges after Lambton College tipped authorities off about a student immigration scam. College officials called the Canada Border Services Agency in February 2025, about students who had dealt with immigration consultants.
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OPP look for missing Crime Stoppers sign in Thedford
July 9, 2026
The Independent It may not be a good sign for Crime Stoppers. Lambton OPP were called to the intersection of Highway 70 and Arkona Road after a large Crime Stoppers sign at the entrance of the community was stolen. It’s valued at $800. Police are investigating, adding if you have tip about the stolen Crime Stoppers’ sign, you can call
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Whoops: Local plowing match officials back track, confirms Brigden will host 2027 IPM after all
July 9, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent The Lambton 2027 International Plowing Match Committee says they were wrong; the 2027 event will be in Brigden. A local committee landed the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in April 2025. The group attracted hundreds of volunteers and planning was well underway. In late May, Ontario Plowmen’s Association (OPA) officials came to Brigden, working with the
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Integrity Commissioner dismisses complaint against Dennis’ ‘woke’ art tirade
July 9, 2026
The Independent The Integrity Commissioner says a Sarnia councillor’s comments about an Indigenous mural at City Hall were “a political argument” and has dismissed the complaint. In March, Sarnia unveiled a mural depicting the relationship between Sarnia-Lambton and The Council of Three Fires Confederacy; the Ojibway, Odawa, and Potawatomi people. The project included the $5,000 mural, a new wall honouring
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