62-year-old facing assault charge after Brigden confrontation
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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62-year-old facing assault charge after Brigden confrontation
October 27, 2026
The Independent A 62-year-old St Clair Township man is facing a charge of assault with a weapon after a confrontation in Brigden. Lambton OPP were called to Brigden Road near Jane Street in the community Friday around 1:30 pm. Police found there had been a fight and one person was assaulted with a weapon. Police say the injuries were minor,
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One dead, another person arrested on Walpole Island
October 27, 2026
The Independent One person is dead and another is in police custody on Walpole Island. Lambton OPP were called to River Road around 1:30 am Monday for a disturbance. They found one person who was injured and pronounced dead at the scene. Officers arrested one person at the scene without incident. “Investigators believe this to be an isolated incident with
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Agar returns as mayor of St. Clair Township
October 27, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent Jeff Agar will return as St Clair Township Mayor. He defeated newcomer Bruce Gibson with a margin of 3,625 to 1,114 votes. “It’s mind-boggling,” Agar said of the wait to find out if he won. “Even if you think you’re gonna win, it’s still is because you never know.” Agar says it was a very long campaign,
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Entire Plympton-Wyoming council returns to office
October 27, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent The entire council in Plympton-Wyoming has been returned to office. Mayor elect Gary Atkinson defeated Tim Wilkins 2,061 to 1,633 in the polls Monday. Deputy mayor elect Netty McEwen got more than double the votes of challenger Brad Zantingh. Alex Boughen topped the polls for councillors with 2,446 votes; John Van Klaveren had 2,164 votes; Mike Vasey collected
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