Image

July 13, 2016

Matt DeVries and Richard Woudwyk have seen some interesting things while digging up Petrolia Line, but what was on top of the sidewalk is what caught their attention Monday.

Just before 10 am, the Henry Heyink Construction workers watched as a fawn walked along the sidewalk near Heidi’s Independent Grocer. The baby deer attracted quite a bit of attention and a driver tried to capture a picture.

That spooked the creature, according to DeVries. “It freaked it out and the deer started jumping at the window (of the store),” he says. It made its way to the front doors which open automatically and was confined to the area the carts are stored.

DeVries and Woudwyk sprinted to the area and cornered the fawn, then scooped it up in their arms and headed back out the door.

The fawn was “screaming” like a goat and kicking. DeVries got head butted, but wasn’t hurt because of his hard hat.

One of the employees of the store had a pickup truck. She dropped the tailgate and DeVries, fawn in his arms, climbed on back heading for the nearby woods.

“As  soon as we got onto the tailgate and the lady from the grocery store started driving, it calmed right down,” says DeVries. As they drove down the street, he did get some looks and a lot of admiration for his now docile passenger. The fawn was released and it scampered off into the brush

The construction workers are glad the deer is fine. “It would have been a mess if it got into the grocery store,” says Woudwyk.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Firefighters, specialized equipment from St. Clair, local industry help put out ethanol plant fire in Chatham

September 16, 2026

The Independent Firefighters from Lambton County were among the first responders called to an early morning blaze at Chatham’s Ethanol Plant. Chatham-Kent firefighters were called to the Greenfield Global facility around midnight for a fire. By 3 am, firefighters from St. Clair Township, Borouge International – formerly NOVA – and Shell were on the scene to help with about 15

Read More

Image
Front Page

Enniskillen wants International Plowing Match info

September 16, 2026

Blake Ellis/The Independent The Township of Enniskillen will reach out to the Ontario Plowmen’s Association (OPA) to meet about plans for the International Plowing Match to be hosted in the township in 2027. During the Sept. 8 council meeting, Councillor Tim Williams questioned whether the township had been notified about the 2027 International Plowing Match. It was announced in April

Read More

Image
Front Page

Basement leak latest problem during Moore Sportsplex reno

September 16, 2026

The Independent Groundwater is seeping into the basement of the Mooretown Sports Complex It’s another problem uncovered during the renovation of the pool. Before the pool work began in April, council agreed to rebuild the change room. Contractors had found iron pipes in the walls were corroding. After finding some cash in the budget, council okayed that work. Then, in

Read More

Image
Front Page

Flags honour Nisbet, secure first win in home opener

September 16, 2026

Barry Wright/The Independent Casey Schouten scored four times, including a natural hat trick in the second period, to lead the Mooretown Flags toa 6-1 win over Walpole Island in the PJHL opener at the Moore Sports Complex last Saturday night. Jace Dupuis had a goal and three assists for the Flags while Wes Robertson had the other goal for Mooretown.

Read More