Province seeks public comment on Cargill’s request to ban development around Sarnia grain terminal
No Sydenham River race in Shetland in 2025
February 4, 2025
Heather Wright/The Independent
The annual spring tradition of canoes racing down the Sydenham River in Shetland has been cancelled.
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority Foundation holds the Ontario Canoe and Kayak Association sanctioned races. In the past few years, rainy weather, flooding and pandemic have halted the race.
But this year, insurance concerns have sunk the race.
In a letter to Dawn-Euphemia Township, the board of directors of the foundation said “There has been a number of changes to the safety and insurance requirements that we cannot adjust to in time to ensure that all participants remain safe.”
It’s not clear whether the race will return next year.
Councillors expressed surprise by the move.
The races have been a tradition since 1974. Last year, at least one family, the Craigs, marked 20 years of participating in the races unique to Lambton County.
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Province seeks public comment on Cargill’s request to ban development around Sarnia grain terminal
June 15, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent The Ministry of Municipal Affairs is asking for public input on Cargill’s request to ban development 300 meters from its operation on Sarnia’s waterfront. In late 2025, Cargill asked Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs to use a Ministerial Zoning Order to override plans for housing developments in the area, including the Tricar tower. Cargill’s letter to the
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Four departments respond to Petrolia Line house fire
June 14, 2026
The Independent No one has been injured in a house fire in Brooke-Alvinston. Around 10:30 pm Saturday, firefighters were called to Petrolia Line between Suitorville and Little Ireland Road for a fire in an older brick home. Bystanders saw flames shooting above the trees in the front lawn. Firefighters from Warwick, Watford, Brooke-Alvinston and the North Enniskillen departments were on
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Welcome Home: New Alvinston Legion officially opens
June 12, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent “I would like to welcome you to our new home,” said Alvinston Legion Branch President Jack MacDonald. After 56 years at its River Street location, the Alvinston Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion moved into its new home on Nauvoo Road at the beginning of 2026. The Branch 249 made it official with a grand opening celebration
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Plan calls for 1K of new affordable/supportive homes
June 12, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent Lambton County needs 1,096 affordable and specialized housing units in the next 10 years. That from Org Code Consulting which presented a 10-year Housing Plan for the county at Wednesday’s county council meeting. “Affordability concerns are now affecting more people, with rents rising between 38 and 42 per cent since 2020 and deeply affordable housing is also
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