Use 'common sense' when weighing evidence in Robert Badgerow murder trial, judge tells jury

by Kate Bueckert

Justice Patrick Flynn has started his charge to the jury before they begin deliberations in the first-degree murder trial of Robert Badgerow. The former steelworker is accused of killing Diane Werendowicz in June 1981.

'Free to do whatever they want': Why universities can punish students for off-campus behaviour

by Mark Gollom

Queen's University students who attended a controversial off-campus costume party could face disciplinary action for violating the school's code of conduct. But a Calgary-based lawyer who won a high-profile disciplinary case in 2012 warns many schools may be extending their authority too far.

Dairy farm cow tests positive for rabies near Listowel

A cow from a working dairy farm in Elma Ward, Perth County has tested positive for rabies, Perth District Health Unit says.

Hamilton pair create penis-themed adult colouring book

by Adam Carter

Connor Thompson and Chris Elphick are putting the finishing touches on their new colouring book called Cockadoodles. Yes, it is actually a colouring/activity book that’s full of penises.

1st light rail vehicle in final production stages, but may not arrive on time

by Jackie Sharkey

The first light rail vehicle for the Region of Waterloo's Ion LRT is in the final stages of production, but Bombardier is at risk of missing its delivery deadline, regional councillor Tom Galloway says.

Analysis Ontario's smart meters failing to cut electricity demand

by Mike Crawley

Smart meters — the $2-billion project to switch millions of Ontario households and small businesses to a differential hydro pricing scheme — are failing to accomplish the province's chief objective of curtailing electricity demand at peak periods, reports indicate.

Audio How staging 'West Side Story' opened politics and racism talks in high school

by Jackie Sharkey

Racial tensions between the "the Jets" and "the Sharks" of West Side Story took on new meaning for the student cast from Waterloo Collegiate Institute as they rehearsed for the classic musical during the peak of the U.S. election.

Kristie-Lee Leighton, 18, identified in fatal crash south of Belwood Lake

Provincial police have identified Kristie-Lee Leighton of Fergus as the 18-year-old who died in a head-on crash between a car and a transport truck south of Belwood Lake on Thursday night.

Final 5 candidates for next Canadian woman on banknote revealed by Bank of Canada

Poet E. Pauline Johnson and athlete Fanny (Bobbie) Rosenfeld are among five women on the short list to be chosen as the iconic Canadian woman to be featured on an upcoming banknote.

Highway tolls needed to 'tame the traffic beast,' Toronto mayor says

by Andrew Lupton, Andrea Janus

Toronto Mayor John Tory has announced plans to introduce road tolls for the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway, key highways that carry thousands of commuters in and out of Canada's largest city.

All lanes of Highway 401 have reopened after fatal crash

by Tania Mehta

A 30 year-old Guelph man is dead following a fatal two-vehicle crash on Highway 401 at Guelph Line in Milton.

Evidence points to Robert Badgerow, Crown says as Diane Werendowicz murder trial wraps

by Kate Bueckert

The Crown says it's no coincidence Robert Badgerow is accused of killing Diane Werendowicz in 1981. The evidence means 'we have the right man,' the prosecutor says in his closing arguments.

Former University of Waterloo vice-president charged with fraud

A former University of Waterloo vice-president has been charged with fraud in connection with allegations he took a number of personal trips under false pretences during his time at the school.

Noudga's house arrest allowed for baseball games and music festivals

by Adam Carter

Christina Noudga’s stint under house arrest included Blue Jays games, music festivals and nights out with friends, her social media feeds show.

Chapman's Ice Cream wants to buy town's school to keep it open

by Colin Butler

Chapman's Ice Cream says it wants to buy a small town elementary school to prevent the Ontario Liberal government from shutting it down.

Updated Opposition jumps on Glenn Thibeault's emotional response to bribery scandal

by Allison Jones

Emotions ran high at the Ontario legislature Wednesday as a Liberal bribery scandal boiled over from the political arena into the personal, with an accusation of "crocodile tears" and moral outrage flying across the aisle.

Norfolk, Haldimand counties want to give residents money for down payments and home renos

by Jackie Sharkey

Norfolk and Haldimand counties have money to spend which can help low- and middle-income residents to pay for renovations or down payments on a new home.

New charter to help Muslim residents feel safer in Waterloo region

by Jackie Sharkey

The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention council hopes adopting a new Charter for Inclusive Communities will head off anti-Muslim sentiments that appear to have jumped north of the border after the U.S. election.

Closed Marj's Restaurant in Alma fined $37,400 after failing to pay employees

Marj's Restaurant in Alma, which closed in January 2015, has been fined after failing to pay employees.

Traffic violation email a scam, police warn

A new email saying you're guilty of a traffic violation and you need to pay a fine is a scam. Don't click on the link and delete the email, police advise.

London, Ont. city council urges ban on police carding

Politicians unanimously agreed at Tuesday night’s council meeting to ask its police service to ban random street checks, also known as carding.

Ontario energy minister says he never asked for a bribe

A former MP who is now Ontario's energy minister was emotional as he denied allegations Tuesday that he asked for a bribe in exchange for running in a byelection for the provincial Liberals.

Photos Lawren Harris painting could become most expensive Canadian artwork ever sold at auction

by Jessica Wong

Canadians have largely kept Canadian art to themselves — so says British art historian Ian Dejardin. But there's definite potential for broader appreciation of Canadian art.

Christina Noudga pleads guilty for her role in Tim Bosma murder case

by Adam Carter

Christina Noudga has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge for her role in covering up evidence in the murder of Hamilton man Tim Bosma.

Ontario cap-and-trade won't limit emissions through 2020: environment watchdog

Ontario's upcoming cap-and-trade program will not limit the province's greenhouse gas emissions through to 2020, the environmental commissioner said Tuesday.

Other man killed Diane Werendowicz, defence claims at Robert Badgerow trial

In closing arguments at the Robert Badgerow trial, the defence said Tuesday that another man known to police is the more likely suspect in the 1981 murder of Diane Werendowicz.

Canadians' well-being trails economic growth, study finds

The gap between the country's economic health and Canadians' well-being has widened over a two-decade period, according to a new report released Tuesday.

​Kitchener will now get heritage advice before demolishing designated buildings

The City of Kitchener has approved a new policy that the city will get professional advice before making any decisions about tearing down an unsafe heritage property.

Kitchener passes bylaw amendment allowing backyard chickens

The city of Kitchener voted to amend a 28-year-old bylaw banning backyard chickens. Effective immediately, residents can now keep up to four chickens in coops.

Photos Yule see: 2016 Christmas tree installed at Kitchener city hall

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Kitchener city hall: the annual Christmas tree has been installed in Carl Zehr Square.

No ranked ballots for 2018 Waterloo Region municipal elections

Waterloo Region will not move to a ranked ballot system in time for the 2018 municipal election, according to regional Coun. Sean Strickland.

Closing arguments to begin in Robert Badgerow trial

Closing arguments are set to begin Tuesday morning in the first-degree murder trial of Robert Badgerow. He is accused of killing Diane Werendowicz in 1981. It is the fourth time he has been on trial for her murder.

Forest Hill Public School exchanges breakfast program for in-school healthy snacks

by Jackie Sharkey

Forest Hill Public School in Kitchener has expanded its homegrown healthy snack program to five days a week and teachers and staff are seeing positive results in students.

Analysis Why hydro bills are so high in Ontario

by Mike Crawley

With her promise to do more about the price of electricity, it looks like Premier Kathleen Wynne is trying to neutralize — or at least lessen — the damage that skyrocketing hydro bills are doing to her popularity.