First part of Petrolia water pipeline installed
File Photo
$6.2M expansion planned at Forest school
September 10, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent
A big addition is planned at Forest’s Catholic elementary school.
The provincial government has approved a $6.2 million expansion at St. John Fisher Catholic School.
It will include new classrooms for 92 students and 18 new child care spaces according to a provincial government news release.
A report by the St. Clair District Catholic School Board shows this will be the sixth edition to the Forest school since it was built in 1960.
The building currently should house 282 elementary school students. Enrollment in 2025 was around 344 students. Portables were brought in to ease the overcrowding.
With the addition, the building will house 374 students.
In a news release, officials said there will be a six-classroom addition, two classrooms will be renovated for child care and a kindergarten class will be upgraded.
Officials hope the construction could start next summer and will continue while school is in session.
If all goes well, students will be in the new classrooms by 2028.
Front Page
First part of Petrolia water pipeline installed
October 1, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent
Read More
Front Page
Lancers baseball team aims for regional title
October 1, 2026
Ryan Aarts/The Independent After a strong season last year, the LCCVI Lancers baseball team is looking to build on its success and make another run at a LKSSAA championship. The Lancers had just one loss last season, finishing 7-1 with that loss coming at an unfortunate time to Ursuline College in the LKSSAA final. Despite falling short, the experience has
Read More
Front Page
Henderson to be new leader of Lambton IPM
September 30, 2026
The Independent The Lambton County International Plowing Match has a new leader. Dave Henderson will lead the group bringing the massive farm show to Lambton County in 2027. The 2027 IPM was originally planned at the Brigden Fairgrounds. Planning was well underway when the local committee quit saying it would not host the event because a deal was not in
Read More
Front Page
Petrolia can’t afford bigger arena alone: candidates
September 30, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent If there is a new arena to be build in Petrolia, it only happen with help from the town’s neighbours. That’s the opinion of the people who are vying for councillor positions around the town council table Oct. 26 about a request for a double ice pad which came to council more than two years ago. Lisa
Read More