Sarnia news

• Closing arguments heard in trucker's $4M cocaine smuggling trial

  18-06-2026 20:31 via theobserver.ca
  
  Closing arguments have been heard in a Toronto-area trucker’s $4-million Blue Water Bridge drug-smuggling trial.Ranjit Singh, 33, pleaded not guilty June 1 to importing cocaine and possessing cocaine for trafficking. The charges are linked to the discovery of 40 kilograms of the drug worth between $3.6 million and $4.8 million in two Home Depot boxes in a truck on the Canadian side of the bridge on April 26, 2024.Superior Court Justice Scott Pratt, who heard the evidence without a jury, s
  
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• Memorial splash pad unveiled in Sarnia's Kenwick Park

  18-06-2026 22:56 via theobserver.ca
  
  A splash pad at Kenwick Park will help people forge memories for generations, Sarnia’s mayor says.“That’s what’s going to happen,” said Mike Bradley.‘There will be generations to come who will make memories here, and this donation will be always in their minds.”About 100 people were on hand as Bradley and philanthropist Val Gladwish pushed a button turning on the jets and opening the new, $890,000 community attraction Thursday.The Pat and Val Gladwish F
  
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• Indigenous Outdoor Space at Lambton College officially opens

  18-06-2026 21:55 via theobserver.ca
  
  Marie Short’s thoughts were on future generations Thursday as an Indigenous Outdoor Space at Lambton College in Sarnia was officially opened.“Future children . . . will be able to go there and have a safe place,” said the college’s elder in residence. “It’s like home.”Planning for the $8 million outdoor space began 10 years ago and ground at the Sarnia campus was broken at a ceremony three years ago.Kyle White and Marcus Miskokomon, who both attended th
  
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• Humane society seeks right of first refusal for Sarnia park parcel

  18-06-2026 20:51 via theobserver.ca
  
  The Sarnia and District Humane Society wants right of first refusal if city council declares a 1.2-hectare (three-acre) parcel on the northern edge of Centennial Park surplus.In a message to supporters, shared with The Observer, society board chairperson Bob Farlow said the non-profit agency is fighting to “secure a permanent, safe, and loving future for animal welfare in our community . . . built on a foundation of absolute fiscal responsibility and emotional permanence.”He decline
  
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• Closing arguments heard in trucker's $4M cocaine Blue Water Bridge smuggling trial

  18-06-2026 20:31 via theobserver.ca
  
  Closing arguments have been heard in a Toronto-area trucker’s $4-million Blue Water Bridge drug-smuggling trial.Ranjit Singh, 33, pleaded not guilty June 1 to importing cocaine and possessing cocaine for trafficking. The charges are linked to the discovery of 40 kilograms of the drug worth between $3.6 million and $4.8 million in two Home Depot boxes in a truck on the Canadian side of the bridge on April 26, 2024.Superior Court Justice Scott Pratt, who heard the evidence during the three-
  
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• Coroner's office investigates human bones found at construction site

  18-06-2026 19:55 via theobserver.ca
  
  Human remains were found Wednesday at a construction site in Sarnia.A construction crew on Lakeshore Road reported finding what they believed were human bones and work stopped immediately, police said in a release.The coroner’s office was contacted and confirmed the remains as human. It is conducting an investigation with support from Sarnia police.“At this time, this investigation does not appear to be criminal in nature,” a release said. Driver charged in Highway 402 tractor
  
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• Lambton County policing grant expected to continue in 2027

  18-06-2026 16:51 via theobserver.ca
  
  A Lambton County grant to help its municipalities pay for policing may remain in place next year even though funding for it often comes up short.The annual $600,000 policing grant, shared by Lambton’s 11 municipalities based on their property assessment, was to be funded by fine revenue from the local provincial offences court Lambton has run since 1999.But that revenue, which also funds court operations, including rising security needs, has come up short in 12 of the last 18 years, a cou
  
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• Bright's Grove library branch and Gallery Lambton to close for renovations

  18-06-2026 16:28 via theobserver.ca
  
  The Bright’s Grove branch of the Lambton County Library and its upstairs neighbour, Gallery Lambton, are expected to temporarily close while their new home is constructed.Lambton County councillors, sitting as committee of the whole, backed a staff plan Wednesday that would see the library branch temporarily close during city-led construction of a nearly $5.9-million renovation and expansion of the site.While the branch is closed, staffing hours will move to the county library’s Cle
  
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• New Sarnia hospital nursery designation means less patient travel: official

  18-06-2026 16:17 via theobserver.ca
  
  An upgraded nursery designation at Sarnia’s hospital is good news for families with babies arriving and expected early.So says Thomas Lacroix, Bluewater Health’s chief of pediatrics, of the new Level 2B designation that lets Sarnia’s maternal, infant, child unit care for infants as young as 32 weeks gestation.Previously it was 34 weeks, with many families with newer arrivals, and women at risk of pre-term labour, having to travel to regional neonatal centres in London or Winds
  
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• Blue Water Bridge smuggling trial: Accused trucker finishes testifying in own defence

  18-06-2026 16:17 via theobserver.ca
  
  A Toronto-area trucker’s $4-million drug-smuggling trial is nearing its end as the accused finished testifying Wednesday.Ranjit Singh, 33, pleaded not guilty this month to importing cocaine and possessing cocaine for trafficking. Superior Court Justice Scott Pratt is hearing the case without a jury.The charges are linked to the discovery of 40 kilograms of the drug, worth between $3.6 million and $4.8 million, in two Home Depot boxes in a truck on the Canadian side of the bridge on April
  
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• Plan calls for moving overflow shelter beds to expansion at Good Shepherd's Lodge

  18-06-2026 16:11 via theobserver.ca
  
  An overflow shelter on Exmouth Street in Sarnia that has been the source of complaints from neighbours could be replaced by an addition to the permanent Good Shepherd’s Lodge on Confederation Street, under a plan by Lambton County.County councillors, sitting as committee of the whole, endorsed the proposal Wednesday that could see Lambton County grant about $989,000 from reserves to add space for another 42 beds at the Lodge, a permanent shelter operated by the Inn of the Good Shepherd.Th
  
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• $2M Agwazhe dome added to Aamjiwnaang's Bear Park for annual pow wow

  18-06-2026 16:07 via theobserver.ca
  
  Bear Park has a new look for this year’s Aamjiwnaang First Nation Pow Wow.A $2-million dome has been added to the park for the 63rd annual celebration Saturday and Sunday featuring food, dancing, and local artisans, said Sophie Solares, Aamjiwnaang’s culture and language program officer.“It’s been years in the making,” she said of the Sprung structure, built by BLT Construction Services.“It’s the only one that we know of . . . in Ontario on a First Nati
  
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• Give Canada Day a hand: Sarnia organizers need volunteers

  17-06-2026 15:03 via theobserver.ca
  
  Sarnia’s Canada Day organizers have put out a call for volunteers to help with what’s traditionally the city’s largest event.Typically, some 30,000 people turn out for the July 1 parade, multicultural food stands and other activities in Canatara Park in the afternoon and fireworks and live music in the evening at Centennial Park.“We’re looking for volunteers,” about 50 or so, to help with activities in the park and staff barricades during the parade, said Reb
  
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• Lambton residents invited to help shape Mitton Village mural project

  16-06-2026 22:37 via theobserver.ca
  
  The public is being invited to help shape a mural exploring birth and parenthood for display on Mitton Street in Sarnia.The first public engagement session for the mural planned for an exterior wall of the Radiant Community Centre at 109 Mitton St. S., will be held at the centre June 28. For more information , email [email protected] .The project, co-ordinated by nuSarnia and centre doula Javi Aviles-Saez, got $3,625 from Lambton County’s Creative County grant program.The four-panel
  
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• Blue Water Bridge smuggling trial: Accused trucker saw mystery man in yard

  16-06-2026 20:26 via theobserver.ca
  
  A trucker accused of smuggling $4-million worth of cocaine across the Blue Water Bridge testified Tuesday he saw a mysterious man in a company truck yard while his trailer was unattended for 10 to 15 minutes.Toronto-area trucker Ranjit Singh, 33, pleaded not guilty this month to importing cocaine and possessing cocaine for trafficking. The charges are linked to the discovery of 40 kilograms worth between $3.6 million and $4.8 million in two Home Depot boxes in a tractor-trailer on the Canadian
  
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• Sarnian charged with attempted murder: police

  16-06-2026 16:47 via theobserver.ca
  
  A Sarnia man faces attempted murder and other charges after a harassment and unwanted communication probe earlier this year, Sarnia police say.Officers arrested and charged a suspect with criminal harassment and harassing communication on May 11, a police release said. They were released with conditions barring any contact with the alleged victim.The same suspect was arrested after officers were called to a reported home break-in June 13, police said. Evidence of online communication and other
  
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• Special Olympics Sarnia raising funds to send athletes to national summer games

  15-06-2026 22:53 via theobserver.ca
  
  Sarnia athletes will be in the hunt for medals this August at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.Members of Team Ontario set to compete at the games being held in Alberta include Sarnia Special Olympics 10-pin bowlers Angela Sauve and Noah Pyke, and track and field competitors Chris Carpeneto and Joanna Edwards.“We’re very excited for them,” said Tana Manchester, community co-ordinator for Special Olympics community council in Sarnia.This year’s games run Aug. 11 t
  
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• Sarnia Lambton chamber of commerce head takes leave to run for city mayor

  15-06-2026 22:00 via theobserver.ca
  
  Carrie McEachran announced Monday she’s running for mayor of Sarnia.McEachran has taken a leave of absence from her post as chief executive of the Sarnia Lambton chamber of commerce, said campaign manager Katherine Walker.“I am honoured by the support and encouragement I have received from so many people throughout our community,” McEachran said in a statement.“Today marks the beginning of an important conversation about Sarnia’s future, and I look forward to speak
  
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• Sarnia-area home sales slow in May

  15-06-2026 16:39 via theobserver.ca
  
  Just like the weather, home sales in the Sarnia area started off cool in May.The 154 home sales recorded in May were 14 per cent lower than the total in 2025, and last month’s total sales volume of $18 million was 11.6 per cent behind the same month last year, said April Barnard, president of the Sarnia Lambton Association of Realtors.“We started off a little slower,” she said. The weather was cooler than expected early in the month, and that may have contributed to the slower
  
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• Sarnia to mull Centennial Park land sale as humane society eyes new shelter

  14-06-2026 23:22 via theobserver.ca
  
  A parcel of Sarnia’s Centennial Park could be up for sale.A report going to council June 22 recommends declaring a 1.2-hectare parcel on the park’s northern border surplus.The move is connected to Sarnia and District Humane Society plans for a new shelter, Mayor Mike Bradley said. “That’s what’s driving it.”The land parcel is beside the existing humane society site, built on parkland given for that project in the 1980s.It’s one of several parcels on the
  
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• Sarnia considering declaring surplus Centennial Park land parcel

  14-06-2026 23:22 via theobserver.ca
  
  A parcel of Sarnia’s Centennial Park could be up for sale.A report coming to city council June 22 recommends declaring the 1.2-hectare parcel on the park’s northern border surplus.The move is connected to Sarnia and District Humane Society plans for a new shelter, said Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley.“That’s what’s driving it,” he said.The land parcel is beside the existing humane society site, built on parkland given for that project in the 1980s.The parcel is als
  
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• Banners, lighting planned for Sarnia's downtown 'waterfront district'

  14-06-2026 21:39 via theobserver.ca
  
  Draft designs for banners for Sarnia’s downtown call it “the waterfront district.”“We just think the waterfront is such a unique part of our downtown and something we’d love to capitalize on,” said Mia Clarke, one of the chairs of a 50-plus-member downtown business collective.The group has $100,000 from the city, allocated in budget deliberations last fall, to put up the banners, string lights throughout the core, as well as add more flowers, and art wraps on
  
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• Banners, lighting eyed for Sarnia's downtown 'waterfront district'

  14-06-2026 21:39 via theobserver.ca
  
  Draft designs for banners for Sarnia’s downtown call it “the waterfront district.”“We just think the waterfront is such a unique part of our downtown and something we’d love to capitalize on,” said Mia Clarke, one of the chairs of a 50-plus-member downtown business collective.The group has $100,000 from the city, allocated during budget deliberations last fall, to put up the banners, string lights throughout the core, as well as add more flowers, and art wrap
  
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• Sarnia territorial acknowledgment not about land claims: working group head

  14-06-2026 16:48 via theobserver.ca
  
  Sarnia’s proposed territorial acknowledgment update is not about land claims, says the chair of a city working group.“When the territorial acknowledgment refers to rights, those are treaty rights which are enshrined in . . . Section 35 of the Constitution,” said Brad Brownlee, with Sarnia’s UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) committee.“So that’s what it’s referring to,” he said. “It’s not a case of
  
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• Sarnia territorial acknowledgment not about land claims: UNDRIP committee chair

  14-06-2026 16:48 via theobserver.ca
  
  Sarnia’s proposed territorial acknowledgment update is not about land claims, says the chair of a city working group.“When the territorial acknowledgment refers to rights, those are treaty rights which are enshrined in . . . section 35 of the Constitution,” said Brad Brownlee, with Sarnia’s UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) committee.“So that’s what it’s referring to,” he said. “It’s not a case of
  
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• PHOTOS: Arkona 150th parade

  13-06-2026 21:27 via theobserver.ca
  
  A parade was held in Arkona Saturday as part of 150th anniversary celebrations for the Lambton Shores community.Special events continue Saturday and Sunday and a full list can be found online at arkona150.ca .
  
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• Showcasing Sarnia-Lambton: Prospective new residents to tour area by bus

  13-06-2026 18:19 via theobserver.ca
  
  About 40 prospective new Sarnia-Lambton residents are visiting the area Wednesday.Partnering with the Newcomer Centre of Peel, the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is hosting an Opportunities in Motion bus tour of local career opportunities and amenities, said Cari Meloche, with the Lambton County economic development agency.Participants are skilled newcomers from the Peel area interested in relocating to smaller communities, and hopes are to entice them to Sarnia-Lambton, to staff hard-to-f
  
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• Bus tour showcasing Sarnia-Lambton to prospective new residents

  13-06-2026 18:19 via theobserver.ca
  
  About 40 prospective new Sarnia-Lambton residents are visiting the area Wednesday.Partnering with the Newcomer Centre of Peel, the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is hosting an Opportunities in Motion bus tour of local career opportunities and amenities, said Cari Meloche, with the Lambton County economic development agency.Participants are skilled newcomers from the Peel area interested in relocating to smaller communities, and hopes are to entice them to Sarnia-Lambton, to staff hard-to-f
  
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• Attempted murder of Sarnia cop trial: Accused thought police were aliens

  13-06-2026 00:44 via theobserver.ca
  
  Ryan Whiteway didn’t think there were two Sarnia police officers in his condo as he hid in his bathroom with the light off.He thought they were aliens there to abduct him.When the bathroom door flew open and a ray of light was shone on him, he attacked the “entity.”“I never intended for a violent assault on an officer of law,” Whiteway testified Friday.Whiteway, 37, was arrested Aug. 20, 2024, and charged with the attempted murder and aggravated assault of Karl Bro
  
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• Pilot-project 'renovictions' bylaw eyed in Sarnia

  12-06-2026 21:49 via theobserver.ca
  
  Sarnia is eyeing a year-long pilot project aimed at curbing bad-faith evictions in the city.City hall has been monitoring other cities’ “renoviction” bylaws since 2023 and council voted in March to seek public feedback, before potentially shoring up local protections against bad-faith evictions under the guise of renovations.Municipalities such as London, Hamilton and Toronto have passed bylaws requiring municipal licensing for landlords to use N13 eviction notices, to fill wh
  
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