All News News

  Oil Springs Ollie could be a hero the first time he makes an appearance. The groundhog will be the main attraction today as Oil Springs residents gather to find out if he’ll predict an early spring. The event is the brain child of Peggy Jenkins of Heaven’s Wildlife Rescue. She uses Ollie in her naturalist talks at schools and thought it would be a good idea to

Officials at Petrolia Discovery say in two months the problems, which have plagued the historic Fitzgerald Rig, should be fixed. But some local oil producers are questioning why it has taken so long and why other oil wells on the site have been idle. Discovery general manager Donna McIlmoyle and Foundation Board President Wendy Bratanek recently sat down with The Independent, concerned with the perception the historic oil site was “dilapidated.” A report from town staff in

Politicians, business people and hydro officials want to know what Hydro One is doing to make sure the power stays on. Oil Springs Mayor Ian Veen raised the alarm after the Jan. 20 power outage which affected people in his village, Enniskillen and Petrolia. The lights were out for as much as five hours in some places. Veen says in

Emily Murray uses her foot to move the puck during the Midget B’s game against North Halton Friday afternoon. The Oilers take on Grey Highlands at 12:45pm Saturday at the Clearwater Arena.   The Petrolia Midget Oilers are 2-0 in the Girls’ International Silver Stick in Sarnia this weekend. The Midgets, who have a record of 28-3-2 this season, started

Traffic was slow going on Highway 402 westbound near the Nauvoo Road exit this morning after a transport truck headed toward the Bluewater Bridge lost its rear axel. The eight back tires and axel from the trailer lay on the passing lane and about 100 meters away the truck came to a stop, upright, with the trailer doors open but

The president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association says if policing costs are causing financial hardships to municipalities, the province should help out. Jim Christie spoke to reporters from community newspapers across the province via teleconference this week talking about policing costs and the eight percent wage increase officers are receiving this week. The OPPA accepted a two-year wage freeze

As the winds pick up and the temperatures dip, the Lambton Medical Officer of Health has issued another Cold Weather Alert. Environment Canada predicts the daily, low air temperature will drop to -16°C today and -23°C tonight. The wind chill values over the next few days, especially at night, will feel extremely cold.The cold alert will remain in effect until Thursday

Driving conditions in Petrolia and Central Lambton can be challenging at times. Lambton County road crews are out in the ploughs but gusty winds are causing rapid drifting especially on secondary roadways. Oil Heritage Line (formerly Highway 21) is track bare in places but in open areas the road remains snow covered. The conditions are not likely to improve overnight

One of the proposed locations for a new Lambton County welcome sign   Lambton County may follow the lead of its neighbours by building a sign to welcome visitors to the area. County staff is looking into the idea of placing a gateway sign on the westbound 402 for Lambton in Warwick. Sarnia has it’s own gateway sign with a

Carolyn Gould Photo Dan Brown and Patrick Pineo want to open Petrolia Discovery opened up to tourists including campers. The pair came to Petrolia council Monday after reading in The Independent that the town wants to help turn the site around. Over the past few years tourist traffic has declined and problems with the on-site oil wells have lead to

  A respected Wyoming firefighter whom the community rallied around during illness has passed away. George Klazinga, a long-time Wyoming firefighter and active volunteer died in hospital Monday night. Two years ago, Klazinga began to feel weak. Just recently he was diagnosed with two rare blood disorders. His fellow firefighters and members of his church rallied around Klazinga and his

Lambton’s Medical Officer of Health is issuing a Cold Weather Alert for Lambton County. The latest weather forecast from Environment Canada predicts the daily, low air temperature will drop to -16°C tonight. The cold alert will remain in effect until Friday morning when temperatures are expected to climb above the alert threshold. Residents should take precautions during a Cold Weather Alert by