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May 11, 2020

The staff at Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital say the thanks they received for doing their job has been a bit shocking. The hospital staff has been receiving praise and gifts for being on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic. Registered Practical Nurse Emily Anjema says everyday she would come into the hospital and another person or business had dropped off lunch for the entire staff. “As scary as it was in the beginning, we were still working and that sat heavy with me.,” says Anjema. Anastasia Carron, the interim manager of rural health care, agrees. “It was shocking. This is our job. This is what we do every day. It’s not something special or thank worthy; it’s not that we aren’t grateful, it is just shocking.” So Anjema felt hospital staff should help those who were being economically affected by the pandemic. She put out a box for donations to the Petrolia Food Bank and collected cash donations. Monday, Anjema and Carron handed over a box of food and over $700.

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Fair banner may not fly

June 14, 2025

The Independent The Moore Agricultural Society has some big plans for the 175th anniversary of the Brigden Fair. But not all of their plans may work out. The ag society has asked for and received several approvals from St. Clair Township council for special events at the landmark fair including allowing a low-level Canadian Armed Forces Flyby and helicopter landings

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Remembering Newell Hastings

June 14, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Sunday, Newell Hasting’s service to King and Country over a century ago was remembered in a peaceful church cemetery near Watford. Hasting was born in Petrolia and his family moved to Watford around the turn of the century. He signed up to serve in the miltia with Watford’s 149th Battalion before being called up for service. He

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Sidewalk projects around First Ave this summer

June 13, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Sidewalks along First Street in Petrolia will be getting an upgrade once school is out for the summer. It’s part of the latest large project to improve the town’s sidewalk system. In 2023, BM Ross and Associates completed a study on Petrolia’s sidewalk system and found it lacking. It suggested $1.5 million in sidewalk construction was needed

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Aamjiwnaang evacuates parts of community as INEOS decommissioning increases benzene levels

June 13, 2025

Leaders of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation are evacuating residents between Churchill Road and Tashmoo Ave after high levels of benzene have been detected in the area. Just before noon Friday, INEOS Styrolutions issued a notice saying hourly benzene emissions have been detected about 0.021 parts per million. The company is decommissioning the plant which is within eyesight of Aamjiwnaang’s band

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