Two Ontario men face charges after alleged immigration fraud at Lambton College
The Independent nominated for nine Ontario awards
February 14, 2025
The Independent of Petrolia and Central Lambton has been nominated for nine awards in the Ontario Better Newspaper Competition.
The Ontario Community Newspaper Association host the awards for community weekly newspapers to recognize the outstanding quality of work produced each week newspapers.
The Independent was recognized for its stories about Mississauga developer York1’s plans to reopen the derelict Dresden landfill and the Chatham-Kent politicians who courted the developers since 2019 with a nomination for the Best Investigative News Series and the Best News Story. Wright also received an honourable mention in the Stephen Shaw Award for Reporter of the Year in part for that coverage.
“We’re very proud to be recognized for the work we did telling our community about the possibility of a mega dump on Lambton’s border,” says Publisher/Editor’s Heather Wright. “Our stories were the most comprehensive in the region. Because residents knew the plans from reading our articles, the community banded together to force a full Environmental Assessment on the project.”
The Petrolia newspaper has also been nominated for Best Editorial called Cyber Wake Up Call which called on all levels of government to invest in cyber security after a massive data leak at Bluewater Health.
Wright’s story about the impact changes to international student visas at Lambton College has been nominated in the Education Writing division.
Cathy Dobson and Glenn Ogilvie’s series Hungry in Lambton, which examined food insecurity in rural areas, has been nominated in the Best Feature/News Series.
A photo spread featuring the action at the Alvinston Pro Rodeo has been nominated in the Best Photo Layout category.
Tyler Viscount, a graphic designer who worked for The Independent in 2024, has been recognized for a two-page Christmas feature for the Petrolia Volunteer Business Association.
And The Independent’s Petrolia150, 1874 replica newspaper which was sent to every home in the town during its anniversary year, was also recognized in the Community Service category.
The winners will be announced April 11 in Niagara on the Lake.
Front Page
Two Ontario men face charges after alleged immigration fraud at Lambton College
July 10, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was edited July 10 to include comments from the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Two men are facing immigration and criminal charges after Lambton College tipped authorities off about a student immigration scam. College officials called the Canada Border Services Agency in February 2025, about students who had dealt with immigration consultants.
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Front Page
OPP look for missing Crime Stoppers sign in Thedford
July 9, 2026
The Independent It may not be a good sign for Crime Stoppers. Lambton OPP were called to the intersection of Highway 70 and Arkona Road after a large Crime Stoppers sign at the entrance of the community was stolen. It’s valued at $800. Police are investigating, adding if you have tip about the stolen Crime Stoppers’ sign, you can call
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Front Page
Whoops: Local plowing match officials back track, confirms Brigden will host 2027 IPM after all
July 9, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent The Lambton 2027 International Plowing Match Committee says they were wrong; the 2027 event will be in Brigden. A local committee landed the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in April 2025. The group attracted hundreds of volunteers and planning was well underway. In late May, Ontario Plowmen’s Association (OPA) officials came to Brigden, working with the
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Front Page
Integrity Commissioner dismisses complaint against Dennis’ ‘woke’ art tirade
July 9, 2026
The Independent The Integrity Commissioner says a Sarnia councillor’s comments about an Indigenous mural at City Hall were “a political argument” and has dismissed the complaint. In March, Sarnia unveiled a mural depicting the relationship between Sarnia-Lambton and The Council of Three Fires Confederacy; the Ojibway, Odawa, and Potawatomi people. The project included the $5,000 mural, a new wall honouring
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