The Independent of Petrolia and Central Lambton has won four awards in the Ontario Community Newspaper Association’s provincial competition.

The Independent placed first for Best Police/Court series for articles about a the Lambton County & LDN Active Club which started placing posters in residential neighbourhoods in Petrolia. The group has ties to white supremacists groups. The judge commented on the ‘rigorous amount of work’ which was done to uncover a story which normally wouldn’t be known.

The Independent also won the Best Headline Writing Category.

The newspapers coverage of the Alvinston downburst in July placed second in the Best News Story category and the front page photo was awarded third place in the Best Spot News Category.

Heather Wright received an Honourable Mention in the Columnist category and for Best Feature Photo for the picture of a young girl at the Wyoming Splash Pad.

“We’re proud to be recognized for the work that we do,” said Wright, who is the publisher of The Independent. “Community newspapers serve an important role telling stores no one else does.
“As the media landscape continues to shrink, our job becomes more difficult, but also essential.”