Kayaker missing near Grand Bend
Striking up the band (shell) for Petrolia’s big birthday bash
April 22, 2023
Petrolia is giving itself a big birthday present for a milestone year.
Town council has approved the construction of a new bandshell for Victoria Park in honour of the town’s 150th anniversary in 2024.
Laurissa Ellsworth, director of marketing, arts and communications, recently told council the Petrolia 150 committee looked for four things in a $200,000 legacy project; something available for everyone to use, accessible, something that would be a low or no cost facility not limited to just one age group and it must be prominently displayed in the community.
The new bandshell fit the bill, she says.
The stage will also house permanent accessible washrooms and a sound system for events like Christmas in the Park and Pizzafest.
Ellsworth says the bandshell is expected to cost about $250,000 with $200,000 coming from the town and the rest raised through commemorative clothing and coin sales.
Ellsworth says the current bandshell will be in use until the fall and the town hopes to have construction complete in early 2024.
Front Page
Kayaker missing near Grand Bend
September 5, 2026
The Independent The search continues tonight for a lost boater. Saturday, OPP received a report of an overdue boater near Grand Bend. By 7:40 pm that evening, police said search crews were looking for a man who was last seen in a solid blue kayak. Police say he was wearing a yellow life jacket. OPP are actively searching for the
Read More
Front Page
Over $8 million in Illegal tobacco, nicotine pouches seized at Bluewater Bridge
September 4, 2026
The Independent Over $13.8 million of illegal tobacco products have been seized at southern Ontario border crossings – including the Bluewater Bridge – in August. Canada Border Services Agency officers say the seizures were “significant quantities in commercial shipments” from the US. Officials say the cash generated from the illegal tobacco trade is often used to support and expand other
Read More
Front Page
Going down: Petrolia’s water intake pipe placed next week at Bright’s Grove plant
September 4, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent It is a moment Amanda Pepping – and a lot of people at Town Hall in Petrolia – have been waiting for. Pepping is a senior project manager at CIMA+ in charge of the $16 million replacement of the water intake at Petrolia’s historic – and still active – water treatment plant in Bright’s Grove. The moment
Read More
Front Page
A Knight to remember in Watford
September 4, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent He would have liked the ‘W’ but Evan Van Gorp was happy to be home. He and the London Knights were in Watford Saturday for an OHL exhibition game against Erie – a fundraiser for theAlvinston arena floor renovations. “It is great to play in front of them, unfortunately we weren’t able to get the win,” said
Read More