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Keep Cameron Rd Bridge open say neighbours

July 16, 2026

Blake Ellis/The Independent People living on Cameron Road don’t want to see a unique bridge crossing the Sydenham River closed. But fixing it could cause financial headaches for the Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston. Recently, BM Ross Consulting looked at the Cameron Road Bridge as part of the community’s regular bridge maintenance inspections. It recommended between $1.25 million and $2 million in

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O’Hara’s medical leave extended until end of term

July 16, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent Petrolia councillors have extended the medical leave of one of their own until at least November. Ross O’Hara has been on medical leave since April, after attending only one meeting in 2026. The Petrolia-born O’Hara was first elected as a councillor in 1986. He spent 18 years on town council, the last nine years as mayor, before

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Cancellations and warnings as heavier smoke moves into Lambton Thursday

July 16, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent Lambton County’s skies are smokier Thursday as the wind shifts blowing smoke from wildfires in Northern Ontario to our region. The smoke moved into southern Ontario Wednesday, causing hazy skies and health concerns. Environment Canada has issued an Orange Air Quality Alert saying during heavy smoke conditions, everyone’s health is at risk regardless of their age or

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Petrolia aims chose builder for VPP reno this year

July 16, 2026

$2.5 million raised for elevator project Heather Wright/The Independent Petrolia council has given the green light to prepare to tender the $3.7 million additions to Victoria Hall. That could pave the way for construction on the first of two elevators and public washrooms possibly before the end of the year. In 2023, council gave Victoria Playhouse Petrolia approval to begin

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Energy Minister says proposed pipeline will protect Canadians, put Sarnians to work

July 15, 2026

Cathy Dobson/Local Journalism Initiative Ontario’s Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce was in Sarnia Wednesday rallying support for a new all-Canadian pipeline from Alberta to Ontario that would remove dependency on the U.S. for crude oil delivery.  The 3,300-kilometre Northern Shield Energy Corridor is proposed from Hardisty Alberta to Sarnia-Lambton’s refining hub, and would travel through Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northern

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Burn ban in affect in Plympton-Wyoming

July 15, 2026

The Independent Plympton-Wyoming has an open air burn ban in effect. The town’s Open Air Burn bylaw says burning isn’t allowed on poor air quality or smog days. Environment Canada has issued an orange air quality warning because of the smoke from wildfires in Northern Ontario. Officials say smoke from an open fire can further degrade the air quality. Town

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Former principal joins Petrolia council race

July 15, 2026

Second mayoralty candidate in Brooke-Alvinston Heather Wright/The Independent A former LCCVI principal has thrown his hat into the ring for Petrolia council. Greg Nemcek filed to run for a councillor’s position Monday. Nemcek retired last year and currently is the chair of the Lambton OPP Detatchment Group board. He’s one of five people running for the councillor seats – only

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St. Clair may host power domes

July 14, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent Three giant domes near Courtright’s CF Industries could be the solution to Ontario’s power needs. That’s according to Nick Didomenico of Originative Energy Solutions. It’s a partnership of five experts who have developed everything from natural gas power plants to wind farms. But Didomenico says the group has turned to a solution from Italy which uses CO2

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WM, ministry need to deal with Warwick’s landfill concerns says township legal team

July 14, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent Peter Pickfield says WM hasn’t addressed all of Warwick Township’s concerns about the expansion of the site and the Ministry of the Environment should be taking action to deal with the issues. Pickfield heads up the township’s peer review team which has been monitoring the landfill for the municipality since it opened 15 years ago. Now WM

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Courtright waste water upgrade begins this month

July 14, 2026

The Independent Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey, MP Marilyn Gladu, Mayor Jeff Agar, Deputy Mayor Steve Miller and Councillor Pat Brown were on hand with staff members John Rodey and Brian Black as the $48.7 million upgrade of the Courtright wastewater treatment plant began. Officials expect the expansion of the plant to serve up to 650 new homes and industry will

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Fire officials urge caution in wheat fields during extreme heat

July 13, 2026

The Independent Warwick Fire and Rescue is warning farmers to be extra careful in the wheat fields in the next couple of days because of the extreme heat. Environment Canada issued an extended heat warning with maximum temperatures of 30 to 37 C and minimum temperatures of 20 to 24 C and humidex values of 38 to 45. Tuesday will

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Many neighbours relieved affordable housing project is cancelled

July 12, 2026

Cathy Dobson/The Independent Tony Gioiosa says he speaks for about 50 neighbours when he says the Inn of the Good Shepherd’s decision to scrap an affordable housing project at the corner of Exmouth Street and Melrose Avenue is welcome news. The neighbours don’t like the shelter operation currently there and they also don’t want it replaced by affordable housing, said

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