Big crowds take in Petrolia’s Canada Day finale
OPP charge North Middlesex man after teen’s death on a farm
October 9, 2025
A North Middlesex man is facing a criminal charge after a farming accident which claimed the life of a Thedford teen.
Sept. 20 Middlesex OPP, Lambton paramedics and local firefighters were called to a farm on Parkhill Drive in North Middlesex, northwest of Parkhill where the Thedford teen was found unconscious in a well on the property. The 15-year-old was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A GoFundMe page set up by family friends identified the teen as James Aaron Brown “an angel on earth— kind, gentle, and full of life.”
The OPP and the Ministry of Labour launched an investigation. Thursday (Oct. 9) Middlesex OPP said 58-year-old Cornelis Verheyen of North Middlesex has been charged with causing death by criminal negligence.
Verheyen is out on bail and will be back in court Dec. 18.
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Breaking the sod for the new $74 million Forest JK to Grade 12 school
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Big crowds take in Petrolia’s Canada Day finale
July 1, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent Young and old came together for the finale of Petrolia’s Canada Day celebration. The fields at Greenwood Park were filled with people on blankets and on lawn chairs taking in the music, including Ultrasonik, and watching the fireworks display.
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Highway 402 buckles near Reece’s Corner as temps hit 34 C on Canada Day
July 1, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent It appears the extreme heat is causing the concrete on Highway 402 near the Oil Heritage Road exit to buckle again. Around 5 pm Canada Day, Lambton OPP closed the westbound lanes of the highway at Reece’s Corners “due to hazardous road conditions.” Traffic was being directed down London Line to get back on Highway 402 at
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Petrolia soccer field officially opens
July 1, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent Petrolia Soccer Club Board Members Emily Atkinson, Angela Salaris and Stephanie Munro were trying to defend the goal against Tallulah Pettit, Sadie Atkinson, Remington and Daisy Pettit at the Tank Street Heritage Field in Petrolia Wednesday. The town officially opened the new soccer pitches at the Petrolia Y as part of the Canada Day celebrations. “Today is
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Celebrating Canada’s 159th in Sarnia
July 1, 2026
Cathy Dobson/The Independent Sarnia residents lined Lakeshore Road, finding as much shade as they could for the annual Sarnia Canada Day parade. The event is one of the largest in the region.
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