Two Ontario men face charges after alleged immigration fraud at Lambton College
Housing in Thedford warehouse needs MOE’s approval
June 19, 2026
The Independent
A developer’ plans to build apartments in Thedford will have to wait.
Robert Hewitt owns a former Grand Trunk Railway warehouse on Pearl Street and wants to create apartments upstairs. Lambton Shores council isn’t opposed, but says benzene has been found on the property.
The amount is small and doesn’t affect the commercial use of the property, but, since Hewitt wants to add apartments, the Ministry of Environment requires a Record of Site Condition or RSC. Hewitt says condos built across the road along the same rail spur did not need it.
Councillor Ron Wilcox, who has apartments in Thedford, tried to convince council to allow the residential building to go ahead without the record, suggesting Strong Mayor’s powers could be used.
“We get calls weekly for people looking for someplace to live. We have homeless people living in Thedford…We got to have some lower income housing.”
But CAO Steve McAuley said other apartment buildings, including one in Forest, went through the process and so should this property. Council agreed, allowing a zoning change but putting a hold on residential construction until the RSC is complete.
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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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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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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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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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