Co-founder of Lambton Concert Band retires
The Independent among top newspapers in Canada
September 18, 2024
The Independent
The Independent of Petrolia and Central Lambton has won four national awards at the Canadian Community Newspaper Awards.
Newspapers of similar circulation size compete against each other and are judged by a panel of industry experts in 27 categories.
There were nearly 800 entries this year.
The Independent placed second in its division in the prestigious Best All-Around Newspaper. The Mountaineer from Alberta placed first. The Gulf Islands Driftwood from BC placed third.
The Independent took home top honours for the Best Front Page in the country, third place in the Best Editorial page and third place for its two-page photo essay from the 2023 Alvinston Pro Rodeo.
“We’re excited to be acknowledged as one of the best newspapers in the country,” said Publisher Heather Wright.
“The people at The Independent work hard to tell the stories of our community which we know our readers appreciate. And it is also gratifying to see our peers appreciate our efforts as well.”
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Front Page
Co-founder of Lambton Concert Band retires
June 9, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent For 82 years, Norm Sutherland has immersed himself in his passion of playing music and performing with various bands. May 24, the 92 year-old Petrolia man gave his last performance with the Bluewater Wind Ensemble, a group he has been playing with for the past two years. Sutherland joined Petrolia’s White Rose Junior Band at the age
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Front Page
Operation Talk 2 Me Johnny hands out $25K
June 8, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent Operation Talk 2 Me Johnny handed out over $25,000 to groups supporting people with mental health issues. The organization held its annual Family Fun Day at the Brigden Fairgrounds last Saturday. Operation Talk 2 Me Johnny was launched in May 2023 by the family of Canadian Armed Forces veteran Sergeant John Little of Wyoming, 18 months after
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Front Page
Killer Bees sign more home-grown talent
June 8, 2026
Barry Wright/The Independent Watford’s Kyle Brothers is the latest area talent to return home to play senior hockey for the Alvinston Killer Bees of the Northern Premier Hockey League. The 32-year-old has played professionally in Europe for the past eight seasons. He played junior hockey in Alvinston, Lambton Shores and Chatham before skating for four seasons of NCAA hockey at
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Front Page
Deputy chief, civilian also suspended in workplace harassment investigation at Sarnia Police
June 8, 2026
Board chair says “multiple people” have come forward Heather Wright/The Independent The chair of Sarnia’s Police Services Board says “multiple people” have come forward in the workplace harassment investigation. That’s has led to more suspensions of the department’s top administrators. The board released a statement announcing Deputy Chief Ron Hansen and an unnamed civilian employee had been suspended Monday morning.
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