62-year-old facing assault charge after Brigden confrontation
The Independent nominated as best newspaper in Ontario
March 2, 2026
The Independent
The Independent of Petrolia and Central Lambton has been nominated in six categories, including for best newspaper, in the Ontario Community Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Competition.
The Independent has been nominated in the General Excellence category for best newspaper in the 1,500 to 8,000 circulation category with the Eganville Leader and the New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker.
Reporter Tara Jeffrey has been nominated for her story about the four female leaders of the First Nations in Lambton County.
Heather Wright has been nominated in the Best News Story category for coverage of the Dresden dump story and for police coverage for a story about the arrest of a suspected drug dealer in Petrolia.
Wright has also been nominated as Columnist of the Year and in the Best Spot News Photo category for a front page image of a barn fire on Canada Day.
The Independent’s sister paper, The Herald serving Thamesville, Dresden and Bothwell is also nominated in the photography for its Spot News Photo of the Jan. 2025 fire in Bothwell.
The Herald is also nominated in the General Excellence category for newspapers under 1,500 circulation.
The award winners will be announced in April in Collingwood.
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One charged in Saturday accident in St. Clair Township
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62-year-old facing assault charge after Brigden confrontation
October 27, 2026
The Independent A 62-year-old St Clair Township man is facing a charge of assault with a weapon after a confrontation in Brigden. Lambton OPP were called to Brigden Road near Jane Street in the community Friday around 1:30 pm. Police found there had been a fight and one person was assaulted with a weapon. Police say the injuries were minor,
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Front Page
One dead, another person arrested on Walpole Island
October 27, 2026
The Independent One person is dead and another is in police custody on Walpole Island. Lambton OPP were called to River Road around 1:30 am Monday for a disturbance. They found one person who was injured and pronounced dead at the scene. Officers arrested one person at the scene without incident. “Investigators believe this to be an isolated incident with
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Front Page
Agar returns as mayor of St. Clair Township
October 27, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent Jeff Agar will return as St Clair Township Mayor. He defeated newcomer Bruce Gibson with a margin of 3,625 to 1,114 votes. “It’s mind-boggling,” Agar said of the wait to find out if he won. “Even if you think you’re gonna win, it’s still is because you never know.” Agar says it was a very long campaign,
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Front Page
Entire Plympton-Wyoming council returns to office
October 27, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent The entire council in Plympton-Wyoming has been returned to office. Mayor elect Gary Atkinson defeated Tim Wilkins 2,061 to 1,633 in the polls Monday. Deputy mayor elect Netty McEwen got more than double the votes of challenger Brad Zantingh. Alex Boughen topped the polls for councillors with 2,446 votes; John Van Klaveren had 2,164 votes; Mike Vasey collected
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