Two Ontario men face charges after alleged immigration fraud at Lambton College
Petrolia inks deal for bank tenant
October 6, 2025
Heather Wright/The Independent
Lambton Rural Childcare is moving into downtown Petrolia.
The Sarnia-based non-profit is moving into a former bank on Petrolia Line.
Scotia Bank announced it was closing the Petrolia branch in Oct. 2023 moving services for its members to Bright’s Grove in March 2024.
The Town of Petrolia made a deal for the historic building in the heart of the downtown for $200,000. Officials suggested renting out some of the space almost immediately.
For months, the town has been working with contractors to create space for a tenant but also to allow community groups to use a room in the back of the building.
Some of the town’s historic artifacts will be housed there.
Sept. 22, councillors passed a bylaw which will see Lambton Rural Childcare move into the space in October. The organization helps staff child care centres in Sarnia-Lambton and Chatham-Kent and helps parents find care in home settings, centres or school-based centres.
Lambton Rural Childcare will pay rent of $2,100 a month generating about $25,200 a year in income for the town.
NEXT
‘This is very much a history of Lambton County as well’
PREVIOUS
Family fun at the Brooke-Alvinston-Watford Fair
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.
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More