Sarnia all-candidates debate a revealing evening
‘Chimney repair man’ facing fraud charges
May 27, 2024
A Dawn-Euphemia man is facing fraud charges after a door-to-door scam which duped people in six communities.
Elgin OPP received a call from a homeowner Jan. 8, after a man stopped at their home and offered to fix their chimney. The man asked for a $200 cash deposit and said he would be back to complete the work. He never came back.
The investigating officer figured out the man’s identity and found that a number of other people in Petrolia, St. Clair Township, Brooke-Alvinston, Southwest Middlesex, Dawn-Euphemia and Quinte West lost money in the same scheme. Police believe more than $10,000 was taken as ‘deposits’ for work never completed.
On May 23, an Orillia OPP officer flagged a vehicle just west of the city after the Automated Licence Plater Recognition system showed a “Wanted Persons” alert.
The driver was taken into custody for the warrant for his arrest and sent to Elgin County.
Gary Clarkson, 50, of Dawn-Euphemia, has been charged with seven counts of fraud under $5,000.
He’s been released on bail and will be back in court June 18.
NEXT
Driver tops 178 km/h on 402
PREVIOUS
St. Clair Region Conservation Authority issues a weather statement on possible flooding
Front Page
Sarnia all-candidates debate a revealing evening
October 21, 2026
Cathy Dobson/The Independent With less than a week until election day, 28 candidates vying for eight council seats, spent four hours Tuesday trying to stand out as the right choice for Sarnia voters. They gathered at The Imperial Theatre in front of an audience of 200, with another 500 streaming the marathon event online. Compared to Monday night’s mayoral debate,
Read More
Front Page
St. Clair will be reimbursed for help at Chatham ethanol plant fire
October 21, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent St. Clair Township Councillor Brad Langstaff wants to know what it cost for the fire department to help fight an ethanol plant fire in Chatham. Sept. 16, 15 firefighters, the township’s two tower trucks and its drone headed to Chatham to help battle a massive fire at Greenfield Global. St. Clair was called on because it has
Read More
Front Page
Enniskillen rejects request for ATVs on township roads
October 21, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent ATVs won’t be allowed on Enniskillen roads. A request by Enniskillen Resident Mark Braet failed to sway Enniskillen Township Council to allow all terrain vehicles on township roads. Braet made a presentation to council on Oct. 8 along with representatives from the Tri-Shore ATV Club. Braet wanted to be allowed to drive ATVs on roads in the
Read More
Front Page
LAMBTON VOTES: Petrolia Candidate Surveys
October 21, 2026
The Independent sent a questionnaire to each candidate for Petrolia Council. Below are the unedited responses from the candidates: Work Experience: Policy Advisor, Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce; former Constituency Assistant to MPPs Bob Bailey and Billy Pang; former parliamentary intern with MPs Marilyn Gladu and Jake Stewart; former Town of Petrolia Parks & Recreation Summer Labourer; former Dietary Aide at
Read More