Keep Cameron Rd Bridge open say neighbours
Tom Cochrane heading down the highway to the Hard Oil Music Festival
May 17, 2024
The man famous for bringing the classic song ‘Life is a Highway’ is heading down the highway to Petrolia.
Tom Cochrane will headline the Friday night Classic Rock concert at the Hard Oil Music Festival in August.
Cochrane– a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician – is best known as the front man for the rock band Red Rider and for his work as a solo singer-songwriter.
Cochrane has won eight Juno Awards. He is a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, an officer of the Order of Canada, and has an honorary doctorate from Brandon University. In September 2009, he was inducted onto the Canadian Walk of Fame.
His solo ‘Life is a Highway’ was a huge hit for Cochrane and for the country group Rascal Flats.
The Hard Oil Music Festival is one of the main events of Petrolia’s 150th anniversary celebration. The concert series has also attracted Country’s Josh Ross for Thursday and The Sam Roberts Band for Saturday night.
Resident passes will still be available for a limited time at www.petrolia150.com
Front Page
Keep Cameron Rd Bridge open say neighbours
July 16, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent People living on Cameron Road don’t want to see a unique bridge crossing the Sydenham River closed. But fixing it could cause financial headaches for the Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston. Recently, BM Ross Consulting looked at the Cameron Road Bridge as part of the community’s regular bridge maintenance inspections. It recommended between $1.25 million and $2 million in
Read More
Front Page
O’Hara’s medical leave extended until end of term
July 16, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent Petrolia councillors have extended the medical leave of one of their own until at least November. Ross O’Hara has been on medical leave since April, after attending only one meeting in 2026. The Petrolia-born O’Hara was first elected as a councillor in 1986. He spent 18 years on town council, the last nine years as mayor, before
Read More
Front Page
LCCVI athletes win at Legion provincials
July 16, 2026
Barry Wright/The Independent Kallee Elliott is getting used to standing at the top of the podium. The LCCVI student, competing for the Sarnia Athletics Southwest Track and Field Club, has won back-to-back gold medals in girls’ U16 high jump events over the past two weekends. She leaped 1.55 metres to capture first place at the Royal Canadian Legion provincial championships
Read More
Front Page
Cancellations and warnings as heavier smoke moves into Lambton Thursday
July 16, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent Lambton County’s skies are smokier Thursday as the wind shifts blowing smoke from wildfires in Northern Ontario to our region. The smoke moved into southern Ontario Wednesday, causing hazy skies and health concerns. Environment Canada has issued an Orange Air Quality Alert saying during heavy smoke conditions, everyone’s health is at risk regardless of their age or
Read More