Annette Hitchins
Annette Hitchins serves as the municipal communications publisher for the Municipality of Lambton Shores in Sarnia-Lambton, producing and distributing official news, service updates, event notices, and public safety advisories. The role manages regular newsletters, social media posts, and meeting and facility notices to keep residents informed about council meetings, municipal services, local events, and emergency information. Communications also promote community initiatives and provide links to agendas, calendars, and municipal resources to support public engagement.
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Last updated on Apr 6th, 2026
Recent Activity
Grand Bend North Beach Posted for Elevated E. coli
Lambton Public Health posted a warning for Grand Bend North Beach on 2026-07-28 because E. coli levels are estimated to exceed Ministry of Health guidelines. Check water quality before visiting by texting BEACH to 226-909-3003, calling 519-383-3816 or viewing the inspection map at lambtonpublichealth.ca.
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Beach water quality update
As of July 23, 2026, Lambton Public Health reports there are no longer water quality warning signs posted at Grand Bend beach. Check the inspection map online or text BEACH to 226-909-3003 or call 519-383-3816 for the latest water quality information before heading to the beach.
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Council or School Board Nominations Open
Annette Hitchins announces that nominations to run for council or school board are open through August 21, 2026, with a link available for full election details and instructions. Prospective candidates should follow the referenced link to see which offices are open and how to file before the deadline.
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Official Plan Open House
The County of Lambton is hosting its first Official Plan Open House on 2026-07-20 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 9577 Port Franks Road in Thedford. Stop by to review updates to population, housing needs, employment projections, and land supply, and to speak with county staff about the review process. Visit lambtononline.ca/opreview to learn about future open houses.
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Decker Road culvert construction notice
Decker Road is closed for culvert construction beginning July 20, 2026, with the closure expected to last through July 31, 2026. The road will remain open to local traffic only, the work site will be impassable to through traffic, and Widder Station Golf, Grill & Tap House can be reached via Gordon Road.
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Road closure notice
Decker Road will be closed to through traffic starting July 20, 2026 for a culvert replacement, with work expected through July 31. Local traffic will still be allowed, and Widder Station Golf, Grill & Tap House remains reachable by approaching Decker Road from Gordon Road. Please drive carefully in the construction zone.
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Lifeguard service suspension notice
Grand Bend lifeguards are off duty on July 16, 2026 because heavy wildfire smoke has produced poor air quality. Municipal sports facilities remain open but organizers should be contacted to confirm activities, and Lambton Shores Fire and Emergency Services has suspended all open air burn permits until conditions improve.
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Regular council meeting announcement
Tonight at 7:00 PM the regular council meeting announced by Annette Hitchins will begin, and you can watch live using the agenda page link. The agenda page includes the meeting stream and documents so you can follow discussions and decisions as they happen.
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Municipal cooling centres list
The municipality has posted a list of staffed cooling centres during the Extended Heat Warning, including library branches in Arkona, Forest, Grand Bend, Port Franks, and Thedford, plus health centres, recreation centres, and municipal buildings. Check the Lambton Public Health page for specific hours and locations to find the nearest cooling centre.
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Regular council meeting July 14 at 7pm
The regular council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM with public access in person and online. The full agenda is available via the meeting calendar link, and a recording will be posted after the session for later viewing.
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July Municipal Update newsletter announcement
Annette Hitchins announced that the July Municipal Update was delivered to subscribers the week before this post, and invited readers to check it out and subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter. If you want a simple way to get municipal news by email, follow the subscribe prompt in the announcement.
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Seasonal by-law staff roles and contributions
Annette Hitchins thanks Lambton Shores seasonal by law staff for their summer work protecting public safety and welcoming visitors. The team partners with Beach Patrol to reunite lost children at Grand Bend Beach, responds to resident service calls, assists emergency services, and educates visitors about local by laws.
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Grand Bend Canada Day Celebrations
Grand Bend's Canada Day Celebrations light up Main Beach on July 1 with afternoon and evening live concerts followed by a fireworks show. The community run festival runs from 2 PM to 11 PM at the Rotary Community Stage and Main Beach, with additional family activities across Lambton Shores listed on the community calendar.
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Forest Canada Day Celebrations
Forest marks Canada Day with family friendly entertainment, food vendors, and a fireworks finale hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Forest Ontario on July 1 from 5 to 11 PM. The community events calendar groups this with other Lambton Shores celebrations, so you can craft a full day of nearby Canada Day activities.
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Canada Day Family Picnic at the Port Franks Community Centre
The Ausable Port Franks Optimist Club hosts a Canada Day Family Picnic at the Port Franks Community Centre on July 1 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with games, hot dogs, cake, face painting, and local vendors. It is a short, family friendly community gathering; check the Lambton Shores community events calendar for additional details.
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Safety Day for Families
Lambton Farm Safety Association hosts Safety Day for Families at the Shores on Thursday, July 2, 2026, covering animal safety, mental health, tractor safety, first aid, grain safety, and lawn mower safety. The event brings practical, family friendly safety guidance and demonstrations from local farm safety organizers.
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Lambton Shores Business Directory Announcement
Annette Hitchins announces the Lambton Shores Business Directory, a categorized resource to help residents find and support local businesses. Business owners can request inclusion using the Business Listing Request Form, and readers are encouraged to check the directory to discover nearby shops and services.
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Indoor walking track closure and alternate access
The indoor walking track at the Shores will be closed for Canada Day on July 1, 2026. The track reopens on July 2 with access through the YMCA between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM, so plan to enter via the YMCA during those hours.
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Forest baseball diamonds temporary closure
Annette Hitchins reports that the Forest baseball diamonds are closed on June 22, 2026 because of recent wet weather. Players and organizers are asked to avoid using the fields to prevent damage and help them recover more quickly.
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Lambton Shores Accessibility Award — 2026 recipient
The Forest Curling & Social Club was named the 2026 recipient of the Lambton Shores Accessibility Award for its accessible facilities and inclusive programming. The club provided an in service elevator, accessible washrooms, adaptive equipment, and hosted the Two Person Stick Delivery Provincial Championships during the 2025 to 2026 season.
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Ontario Street lane marking updates — June 17 start
Crews began lane marking updates on Ontario Street North and South in Grand Bend on June 17, 2026, with work expected to continue throughout next week. Motorists should expect crews and equipment near the roadway, allow extra time, and exercise caution when driving through the work zones.
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Regular council meeting
The regular council meeting takes place on June 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM, open for the public to attend in person or watch online. Review the full agenda beforehand at the linked council calendar to follow key items and decisions.
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Lambton Film & Food Festival
The Lambton Film & Food Festival features community events in Forest Ontario, including a Children's Chalk ArtFest on King Street W and a Street Fiesta referenced for March 30. Local schools and daycares took part in chalk art, and the Kineto Theatre is listed as a festival location; visit the festival page for the full schedule.
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Splash pad status update
Three community splash pads in Forest, Thedford, and Grand Bend are open as of May 29, 2026, with addresses provided for each site. Kaeden's Splash Pad in Arkona remains closed while a replacement controller part is on order; watch for a follow up when it reopens.
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Joint Compliance Audit Committee recruitment for 2026 Municipal Election
The municipality is recruiting experienced professionals for the Joint Compliance Audit Committee for the 2026 Municipal Election, charged with reviewing applications for campaign finance compliance audits and considering Clerk reports about apparent contraventions of contribution limits. Visit the municipal website for full role details and how to apply.
