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OPP urge drivers to come to a full stop

June 22, 2026

The Independent Lambton OPP and officers across the province want to reinforce the importance of fully stopping at regulated intersections. Rolling stops may appear to save time, police say, but it significantly increases the risk of a collision. “Every time a driver approaches a stop sign, they are making a decision that impacts not only their own safety, but the

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Marking 150 years as the community of Arkona

June 22, 2026

The Independent Arkona residents marked 150 years as a community last Saturday. Arkona was founded in 1836, built around a mill built by Henry Utter. Originally named Smithfield in 1851, the village was renamed Arkona in 1857 and officially incorporated as a village on June 10, 1876. The highlight of the 150th anniversary was the parade which attracted the Forest

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Bright’s Grove library construction expected to start in July

June 22, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent Construction on the $5.8 million upgrade at the Bright’s Grove Library will start a little in sooner than expected. And that means the Gallery in the Grove will close Saturday. Since 2017, Lambton County, which provides staff and operates the library, and the City of Sarnia, which owns the building, have been talking about expanding the library.

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One scrappy Hometown Hero

June 22, 2026

Blake Ellis/The Independent The young man they call the P-Town Scrapper was among four people honoured by the Toastmasters of Petrolia as Hometown Heros. Cathy Tong presented the awards to four people whose dedication to the community and volunteerism may not otherwise be recognized. She organized the contest saying she wanted to honour people in Petrolia and area who do

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Community to raise $5M for Grand Bend centre

June 22, 2026

The Independent Lambton Shores council has given the okay to draw up building plans for the proposed Grand Bend Community Centre project. The $15 million centre project was given the green light by council in May with a request for staff to come up with a way to fundraise for some of the cost. Staff suggested, and council agreed, to

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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,

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IODE honours elementary leaders

June 19, 2026

The Independent The IODE in Petrolia presented the Margaret Stokes Award to the best all-round student at each of the elementary schools in Petrolia and area. Recipients not only had high academic standards but were active in their school and a leader in their school and their community. The students recognized from left to right are William Edgar of St.

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St. Clair Township projects shut out of new power contracts

June 19, 2026

IESO chooses battery storage projects over natural gas powered electricity plants Heather Wright/The Independent Mayor Jeff Agar dream of St. Clair Township becoming “the gas turbine capital of Ontario” is not going to happen. The province put out a call for large power projects in 2025, saying Ontario will need 75 per cent more electricity by 2050. Companies interested in

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$650K damage in Petrolia Line fire

June 18, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent Brooke-Alvinston Fire Chief Steve Knight says $650,000 in damage was done in a house fire on Petrolia Line. Around 10:30 pm Saturday, firefighters were called to Petrolia Line between Suitorville and Little Ireland Road for a fire in an older brick home. Bystanders saw flames shooting above the trees in the front lawn. Knight says the family

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‘Together we have built something remarkable’

June 18, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent Twenty-five years ago, as Plympton Township prepared to join with the Village of Wyoming, then Mayor Pat Davidson admitted they had no idea what the future held for the new municipality. Davidson read from that speech Saturday as Plympton-Wyoming marked its 25th anniversary. “I quote; ‘We know the answers to many questions and can control them. Some,

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LCCVI evacuated after alarm in tech wing sounds

June 18, 2026

The Independent Morning classes were disrupted at LCCVI Thursday when the students and staff were evacuated. The fire alarm at LCCVI was activated after 9 am. The Petrolia/North Enniskillen fire department was searching through the tech wing for about 45 minutes. School officials say an alarm company was called in to return the system to normal operations. There was no

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Retirement, training deadlines leave Oil Springs without fire chief on July 1

June 17, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent The retirement of the Oil Springs/South Enniskillen fire chief and new training regulations are creating a unique situation in Oil Springs. The Oil Springs/South Enniskillen Chief Mike Cumming is retiring on June 30. Monday, Oil Springs council appointed John Berdan as the new chief. But Berdan is in administrative limbo because of new training regulations and cannot

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