Campaigning Begins

It's official, Canadians will go to the polls Tuesday, Oct. 14th. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who had fixed the next federal election date in law as October 2009, pulled the plug on his own government a year early. At 8:20am today Harper drove to Rideau Hall and told Governor-General Michaelle Jean he needed a new mandate. The governor-general, as was expected, agreed to dissolve the 39th Parliament and to launch the 40th general election in Canada’s history. In Sarnia Lambton riding, incumbent Conservative Pat Davidson is seeking a second term in Ottawa and faces challenges from New Democrat Andy Bruziewicz, Liberal Tim Fugard, and the Green Party's Allan McKeown.

Pedestrian Killed

A 34-year old Strathroy woman is dead. Lambton OPP says she was struck by a vehicle on Highway 21 around 11:40 Saturday night. Police and Northville Fire responding to the accident scene, near Ipperwash Road. Preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle, which was headed north, struck the woman who had been walking on the road. OPP say the investigation is in the preliminary stages. No names are being released until next of kin have been notified. Highway 21 from Army Camp Road to Ipperwash Beach Road was closed until about 4:45 this morning.

Student Exchange

A number of international exchange students, originally destined for the US, are in need of a host family here in Canada. Not enough spaces were available for the number of students who signed up in the States. Into Canada is the organization responsible for finding host families. Spokesperson Tracy Foubister says they're looking locally for five and ten month homes for about ten German students. Students pay their own way - a minimum of two hundred dollars a month. Interested families should contact Tracy Foubister (381-0617 or 466-1287)

Barn Fire

A three alarm barn fire in St. Clair Township early this morning. Crews from Brigden, Corunna, and Petrolia responding to the property on LaSalle Line near Brigden Side Road around 2am. Two teenagers, both males, were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is undetermined and the investigation is on-going. Damage is pegged at 60-thousand dollars.

Under the Microscope - Again

More investigations are planned at the Oil Heritage District Community Centre site in Petrolia. This time, the province's Environment Ministry will be looking into how the town decommissioned and removed historic oil tanks from that location. The MOE says the investigation could take a while. Charges may be laid and the case could end up in court. It's an investigation completely seperate from the MOE's on-going probe, looking at levels of contaminated soil at the site. Ministry results for that case are still in the lab. Private sampling confirmed the presence of contamination but deemed it to be too deep in the earth to pose a hazzard.