Sarnia interim police chief on the job
Former Squire among Legionnaires new coaching staff
July 27, 2025
Barry Wright/The Independent
A little less than two months after being hired as a special advisor and director of player development for the Sarnia Legionnaires, Mike Bondy has now also been named the new head coach of the team. He replaces Brian Irwin who recently resigned in order to return to in-person work in the Maritimes.
The 53-year-old Windsor-area product played junior hockey in Kingsville, Sarnia and Strathroy in the 1990’s and had two seasons of service with the Petrolia Squires between 2002-04.
He also has coaching and managerial experience with the Strathroy Rockets, most recently as coach and general manager in 2017-18.
Bondy will be joined on the bench by associate coach Dan Gibson who has three decades of experience including time holding the position of general manager and director of hockey operations for the Rockets for the past two decades. And Dalton Jay joins the Legion as an assistant coach. He has professional playing experience as well as junior and collegiate stops in the US. He played with the Strathroy Jets of the Ontario Super Hockey League last season.
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Sarnia interim police chief on the job
June 10, 2026
The Independent Sarnia’s interim police chief is on the job. Police Services Board Chair Kelly Ash says Mike Federico was sworn in Monday, the same day Deputy Chief Ron Hansen and a civilian were suspended. The two suspensions are linked to the workplace harassment investigation lodged against Chief Derek Davis May 19. Eight days later, after the board reviewed the
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Co-founder of Lambton Concert Band retires
June 9, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent For 82 years, Norm Sutherland has immersed himself in his passion of playing music and performing with various bands. May 24, the 92 year-old Petrolia man gave his last performance with the Bluewater Wind Ensemble, a group he has been playing with for the past two years. Sutherland joined Petrolia’s White Rose Junior Band at the age
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Operation Talk 2 Me Johnny hands out $25K
June 8, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent Operation Talk 2 Me Johnny handed out over $25,000 to groups supporting people with mental health issues. The organization held its annual Family Fun Day at the Brigden Fairgrounds last Saturday. Operation Talk 2 Me Johnny was launched in May 2023 by the family of Canadian Armed Forces veteran Sergeant John Little of Wyoming, 18 months after
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Killer Bees sign more home-grown talent
June 8, 2026
Barry Wright/The Independent Watford’s Kyle Brothers is the latest area talent to return home to play senior hockey for the Alvinston Killer Bees of the Northern Premier Hockey League. The 32-year-old has played professionally in Europe for the past eight seasons. He played junior hockey in Alvinston, Lambton Shores and Chatham before skating for four seasons of NCAA hockey at
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