Over 1,800 traffic charges laid on long weekend in southwestern Ontario
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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Over 1,800 traffic charges laid on long weekend in southwestern Ontario
August 7, 2026
The Independent West Region OPP officers laid 1,815 charges following 2,107 traffic stops across the region during the Civic Holiday long weekend traffic campaign. The campaign focused on speeding, failure to wear a seatbelt, distracted driving and impaired driving. Police also enforced Ontario’s Move Over Law which gives emergency responders the space they need conduct other work on the roadside.
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Toronto marathon swimmer crosses Lake Huron landing in Ipperwash
August 7, 2026
The Independent History was made in Lake Huron as a Toronto swimmer completed a trek across the Great Lake. Lev Goldberg aims to be the first trans athlete to swim across all of the Great Lakes. Last year, he made his way across Lake Ontario. Wednesday, he dove into the waters of Lake Huron off Port Sanilac, Michigan at 6:30
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Construction on Camlachie golf course condos may begin in 2027
August 7, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent A long-dormant plan for condominium in Camlachie has new life. LANDx Development officials say they hope to begin construction on the 76-unit project by 2027. The company came to Plympton-Wyoming council July 27 looking for an extension to a planning agreement reached in 2022, which was about to expire. The concept plan at Sawmill Creek Golf Course
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More traffic controls added in Watford during construction
August 7, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent Warwick Township council is taking more action to make sure detoured traffic isn’t causing problems. The intersection of Confederation Line and Nauvoo Road is being reconstructed. The work began five weeks ago and is expected to last until at least mid-August. As soon as the County of Lambton put up the detour signs, traffic began winding its
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