WM, Ontario Premier officially opens natural gas plant in Watford
Rita and Bert Veens, Debbie and Pete Geerts with Jeremy Veens and Curtis Geerts
Birnam Orchard honoured for innovation
March 6, 2025
An Arkona family is being honoured with the Sollio Next Generation Award.
Cousins Jeremy Veens and Chris Geerts took over Birnam Orchards from their fathers who started the business in 1985. The orchard has 200 acres of apples and grows peaches, sweet corn, pumpkins, gourds, and squash.
Guided by their fathers’ experience, Veens and Geerts “embraced innovation” including high-density planting and sustainable irrigation.
“The Sollio Next Generation Award plays an important role not only in recognizing entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated a farm transition or launched a new agricultural enterprise, but also in showcasing innovative farming practices across Canada,” said Casper Kaastra, Chief Executive Officer of Sollio Agriculture in a news release
Sollio officials added Veens an Geert’s ability to integrate modern techniques while preserving family expertise makes Birnam Orchards a model of succession planning in Canadian agriculture.
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WM, Ontario Premier officially opens natural gas plant in Watford
November 12, 2026
The Independent WM officially opened its $150 million renewable natural gas plant and pipeline Thursday. The methane produced at Twin Creeks – one of the largest in Ontario – already powers a nearby greenhouse complex. But only 40 per cent of what is produced by the 1.4 million tonnes of waste hauled to the site yearly is used at the
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LCCVI students held at school as OPP investigated weapons sighting
November 12, 2026
The Independent A few tense moments at LCCVI this afternoon. Students were held at the school until after the normal end of their day after the Lambton-Kent District School Board had students and staff in a “hold and secure” state as a safety measure. LKDSB Public Relations Officer Caress Lee says the school was alerted to an incident at the
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Flyers rollercoaster season continues
November 12, 2026
Barry Wright/The Independent It’s been an up and down season for the Petrolia Flyers. They are now 7-9-2 on the PJHL campaign after losses to Exeter and North Middlesex last weekend. It’s the fourth time this season the Flyers have lost at least two straight games. Friday, Logan Crummy and Ryan Nichols had a goal and two assists each in
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LCCVI, North Lambton bow out in Lambton-Kent boys volleyball finals
November 12, 2026
John Wright/The Independent John McGregor took down both Lambton County ‘AA’ schools in the LKSSAA boys volleyball finals Wednesday in Chatham. The Panthers beat North Lambton 25-20, 25-18, and 25-20 in the junior final. The match was the Eagles first appearance in a Lambton-Kent ‘AA’ championship game since moving up to the division last season. John McGregor defeated LCCVI 25-15,
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