Dennis leaves all-candidates forum before it begins
Temporary shelter opens in Sarnia because of ‘dramatic’ rise in homelessness
March 3, 2023
Lambton County and the Inn of the Good Shepherd will be opening a special shelter as a winter storm makes its way through the region.
Valerie Colasanti says an Out of the Cold emergency shelter has been set up at the former Laurel Lea-St. Mathews’ Church on Exmouth Street in Sarnia. It can house up to 28 men.
The Inn will be managing the service while workers from Lambton’s Social Services department will be on hand to provide support services and helpthose coming in from the cold find a more permanent place to stay.
The county recently approved the Out of the Cold Shelter because there has been a “dramatic” increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness. The county estimates there are 253 people and families without a home right now. About 53 are sleeping outdoors. In the last three months, officials estimate that up to 70 people were outside at night.
If you know someone who needs housing help, they can call the Inn of the Good Shepherd at 519-344-1679.
NEXT
‘Real progress’ in funeral home reconstruction coming
PREVIOUS
Tundra swans make a stop in Petrolia
Front Page
Dennis leaves all-candidates forum before it begins
September 23, 2026
Cathy Dobson/The Independent An abrupt departure by Bill Dennis at a youth-led all-candidates forum Wednesday means the five Sarnia mayoral candidates have not yet faced off during this municipal election campaign. Numerous people witnessed a verbal altercation between Dennis and a youth prior to the event held at the Lambton College events centre. He left shortly after, according to Michelle
Read More
Front Page
OPP looking for information after reports of a man in the St. Clair River under Bluewater Bridge
September 23, 2026
The Independent Police are looking for a man after calls about someone going into the St. Clair River near at the Bluewater Bridge. Lambton OPP received a call around 6 pm, Wednesday, saying a man was seen entering the water at the Bluewater Bridge. Police says he was last seen wearing blue swim shorts and a grey sweater. Sarnia Fire
Read More
Front Page
Good news – for now – at Village Green
September 23, 2026
Cathy Dobson/The Independent The nine tenants remaining at Sarnia’s Village Green townhouse complex are feeling some relief today after their landlord withdraw his application to have them evicted during renovations. “It’s some comfort for us. I was kind of shocked,” says Robyn Johnson who has been fighting what she calls a renoviction since receiving an N-13 notice last winter. N-13s
Read More
Front Page
MTO planning snow hedgerows along 402 to improve safety
September 23, 2026
It’s filed notice to expropriate 36 parcels of land on the north side of the highway Heather Wright/The Independent The Ministry of Transportation is planning to plant 30 km of snow hedgerows along Highway 402 in London and Middlesex. And it’s served notice it may use expropriation to claim the land it needs for the project. “The Ministry of Transportation
Read More