Two Ontario men face charges after alleged immigration fraud at Lambton College
The Lambton Attack were one of two local teams that won at the Walter Gretzky tournament last week.
Sports Briefs: Local teams nab Gretzky Cup wins
February 25, 2026
Barry Wright/The Independent
Corunna’s Blake Barnes has recorded his first Ontario Hockey League goal.
He scored with 9.8 seconds left in the third period to give the Saginaw Spirit a 2-1 win over Sudbury last Thursday in Michigan.
Barnes is a graduate of the Lambton Jr. Sting program.
He was drafted by the Spirit in 2024.
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The Lambton Attack and Mooretown Lady Flags, below, came away with championship banners from the 44th annual Walter Gretzky girls’ hockey tournament last weekend in Brantford.
The Attack went 6-0 and only allowed one goal against in capturing the under-18 B title and Mooretown was undefeated in winning the under-11 house league championship.
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The Petrolia Oilers Four Counties under-11 squad won its division at the Martin Van Gool Memorial hockey tournament on the weekend in Port Colborne.
The Oilers went 5-0 including a win over the Cayuga Stars in a battle of two undefeated teams in the final game.
And, Petrolia’s Everett Gilliland backstopped the Sarnia Sting under-12 BB squad to a championship at the Doug Jarrett Memorial tournament in West London on the weekend.
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LCCVI will host a pair of Lambton Kent high school hockey championship contests this week at Greenwood.
The girls take on Wallaceburg on Feb. 25 and the boys skate up against Dresden’s Lambton Kent Composite on Feb. 26.
Both games are scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
The hockey season is over for both the girls and boys hockey teams at North Lambton.
Tavin Fletcher had the shootout winner as Dresden’s Lambton Kent Composite beat North Lambton, 4-3 in boys’ A/AA hockey semifinal action at the Shores Recreation Centre in Forest Wednesday.
Max Taylor, Cam Sherman and Carter Neve scored in regulation time for the winners.
Ben Willemse, AJ Wilson and Colten Peters replied for the Eagles.
And on the girls’ side; Wallaceburg topped North Lambton at The Shores in Forest 3-1 Feb. 18.
Emma Wilbur, Sophia Burgess and Tanya Murphy had the markers for the Tartans.
Emmalee George had North Lambton’s sole goal in the A/AA semi-final game.
Meantime, Wyoming’s Ella McCallum of the Lancer girls squad has committed to the Western Mustangs women’s program beginning with the 2027-28 campaign.
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Corunna’s Barrett Hands has been selected fourth overall in the recent Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League draft by the Brampton Excelsiors.
It’s the second time in the past three years that a former Sarnia Pacer has been taken in the top five.
Ryder Haynes was chosen by Kitchener fourth overall in 2024.
It’s also the sixth straight draft dating back to 2020 that the Pacers have had a player chosen in the proceedings.
On his recruiting page, the St. Patrick’s student says he is a dedicated two-way player.
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.
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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
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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
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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
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