16-year-old facing numerous charges after robbery in Kitchener

A 16-year-old boy was arrested Friday afternoon after Waterloo Regional Police interrupted a robbery at Ahrens Street and Young Street in Kitchener. Police believe he may be responsible for a string of robberies that happened last week.

Kitchener Market using MyPick program to prevent food fraud

With food fraud a growing concern among Canadians, the Kitchener Market is relying on the MyPick verification program to ensure customers get what they think they're buying.

Andrew Coppolino: Rising bread sales stoke artisanal bakeries

by Andrew Coppolino

Waterloo region has seen a resurgence of local, artisanal bakers and a rise in bread sales, says food columnist Andrew Coppolino.

Spring weather over, possible flurries this very windy weekend

On Saturday expect rain showers ending in the morning then mainly cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of flurries later in the day as the temperature falls to below zero. Sunny skies and warm temperature like midweek? Nope.

First ION LRT car has arrived in Waterloo Region: Take a look

by Jackie Sharkey

Bombardier and the Region of Waterloo gave the media a sneak peek at the first ION LRT train car to arrive in K-W.

3 new Ontario songs you need to hear this week

by Adam Carter

Check out new music from Public Animal, Morgan Cameron Ross and Mad Ones.

Video KW Titans suspend 2 players after melee in Saint John

Two KW Titans basketball players have been suspended indefinitely after a post-game altercation Thursday night in Saint John, N.B.

Ontario150 funding boosts 4 cultural events, counselling infrastructure

Provincial money from the Ontario150 program will be coming to help four cultural groups stage events in Waterloo Region, and one counselling service to repair its building in Kitchener.

FIFTH ESTATE Son of accused Canadian Mennonite pot smuggler wanted on U.S. drug charges

by Ronna Syed

Twenty-eight years after a Mennonite farmer from Leamington, Ont., fled to Mexico after being charged for smuggling marijuana into Canada, his eldest son has been indicted on drug charges in the U.S. and is a fugitive himself - this time from American law.

Offered cheap cheese? Police warn of shady sales from large dairy heist

Theft from Village Cheese Mill in South West Oxford Township included more than 145 kilograms of various types of cheese, according to police.

GRCA keeping close eye on Grand River amid potential rain

Conservation officials will keep a keen eye on the Grand River watershed this weekend as forecasters call for more rain and a potential thunderstorm Friday night.

Nuke resident weevil: radiation may prove more potent than pesticide for pepper pest

You may not have heard of the pepper weevil, but it's said to have cost Ontario farmers $83 million in crop damage in 2016. Now, scientists hope a blast of cobalt gamma radiation will prove more potent - and less problematic - than pesticides.

Liberals thank Kathleen Wynne at Queen's Park but will voters? - Robert Fisher

Liberal MPP's gave thanks to Premier Kathleen Wynne during the first session of the new year at Queen's Park with the hopes of improving public support for the Premier.

Habitat for Humanity to build homes in Wellesley Township in the spring

by Carmen Ponciano

With the help of 200 volunteers, Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region will build two units for local families for the first time in Wellesley Township.

Commuter train service 'back to normal' in southern Ontario

Commuter train service is "back to normal" on Friday afternoon following a temporary stoppage in service on Friday morning, Metrolinx says.

You can now get a $300 ticket for illegal dumping in Region of Waterloo

by Jackie Sharkey

The Region of Waterloo has changed the minimum fine for illegal dumping, allowing bylaw officers to issue $300 tickets on the spot, instead of having to go through the court system.

Province gets 'kickback' from inmates' collect calls, lawyer says

by Judy Trinh

Ottawa criminal lawyer Michael Spratt says the province is getting a "kickback" from commissions it receives on collect calls made from provincial jails. Inmates can only make collect calls, and nearly 300,000 phone calls are made each month.

Warm but windy, wet Friday in Waterloo region: 8 C

There's a thunderstorm and fog risk Friday morning, and showers that will change later to a 30 per cent chance of drizzle. It will be windy, east 20 km/h becoming south 30 gusting to 50 in the afternoon. Still warm, with a high of 8 C predicted.

Winterloo goes ahead despite lack of winter weather

It might not seem very wintery this weekend, but Winterloo is still set to get underway starting Saturday morning. While some events have had to change or be cancelled, organizers say there's still plenty to do.

Ontario's rebates on pricey electric cars draw fresh criticism

by Mike Crawley

The Ontario government's recent move to boost rebates for some electric vehicles is under fire, amid revelations that a senior Liberal staffer has been hired by electric car-maker Tesla.

Flood watches, warnings issued by GRCA in Waterloo region

Mild temperatures this week have rapidly melted a lot of snow in the Grand River watershed, prompting the conservation authority to issue flood watches and warnings.

City services restored in Cambridge as inside workers ratify agreement

Cambridge inside workers have ratified a new agreement with the City of Cambridge, and all city services are expected to be back to normal Friday.

Five fun things to do this weekend - Feb. 24-26

by Kate Bueckert

If you're looking for fun things to do this weekend, there's lots of activities whether you want to be inside or out.

Police seize fentanyl, guns, arrest 18 in Ontario and Quebec

by Solomon Israel

Police have arrested and charged 18 residents of Ontario and Quebec with firearms and drug-trafficking offences after an 18-month long multi-agency investigation that spanned from the Greater Toronto Area to Montreal and into the U.S.

Ontario high school teachers reach tentative deal to extend contracts

Ontario's high school teachers have reached a tentative contract extension with the Liberal government, the last education union to do so.

Social implications of racism can impact physical health

Dr. Onye Nnorom wants Public Health Ontario to gather more race-based data to help doctors understand and deal with the mental and physical health impacts of racism.

Paris gravel pit water-taking appeal hears final arguments

An environmental review tribunal will hear closing statements today in a case that has galvanized the people of Paris.

Thursday another record-breaking warm day

Before 11 a.m., the temperature hit 13.8 C, topping the record of 12.9 C set in 1984.

Region of Waterloo, inside workers, ratify four-year contract

The Region of Waterloo and more than 850 inside workers have ratified a new contract.

Sahab Jamshidi set free, fined $36K for role in St. Lucian boy's drowning death

Hamilton man Sahab Jamshidi has been set free and will pay a fine of $36,444 for his role in the drowning death of a 4-year-old boy in St. Lucia in 2015. A court in St. Lucia handed down the sentence Thursday morning.

'Change,' reaching a diverse K-W, the focus for new Oktoberfest president Margo Jones

by Kate Bueckert

K-W Oktoberfest will need to inspire a younger generation to get involved if the annual festival is going to thrive, new president Margo Jones says. The regulars who attend and volunteer at the festival are getting older and change is in order.

Man charged after defibrillator stolen in downtown Guelph

A 33-year-old Guelph man is facing a number of charges after allegedly stealing an automatic external defibrillator from the Old Quebec Street Mall in downtown Guelph.

Cambridge inside workers reach tentative deal with city

Cambridge says it has reached a tentative deal with its inside workers. Both sides will vote on whether to ratify the deal later Thursday.

New French immersion system still a work in progress, UGDSB says

by Kate Bueckert

The Upper Grand District School Board has capped enrollment in French immersion this year, but the program will continue to be reviewed throughout the next school year trustees and administrators say. Some parents are frustrated with how the new system was rolled out.

Police investigate hateful vandalism at London high school

About 200 students arrived at B Davison Secondary School Wednesday morning to find the hateful messages on the front doors.

Special code means shoppers charged full price for sale items could get them free

by Yvonne Colbert

Have you ever bought an item on sale, only to get to the checkout and be charged the full price? Depending on the store and the cost of the item, you could be entitled to get it free under the Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code.

Wednesday's warm weather outshines record set in 1930

At 4 p.m., the temperature at the Region of Waterloo International Airport was 14.3 C, which beat the 1930 record 12.8 C.

Website falsely promises: 'Get your passport online fast and easy within 30 seconds'

by Stephanie Matteis

PassportOnline.ca markets itself as a quick and easy service for Canadians to get a passport, but critics say it's misrepresenting what it does and charging hundreds of dollars for service it doesn't provide.

Brantford-area 'anti-vaccine' teacher found guilty of professional misconduct

by Trevor Dunn

An Ontario high school teacher who disrupted an immunization clinic and discouraged students from getting vaccinated has been found guilty of professional misconduct, the Ontario College of Teachers has ruled.

Foggy, warm, windy Thursday with high 14

Thursday will begin foggy but will clear later in the morning. The southwest wind will be 30 km/h gusting to 50, but switching direction to be northwest 20 in the afternoon. High: another potential record-setting day at 14 C.

Cambridge Community Living worker charged after man assaulted

by Kate Bueckert

A woman who works for Cambridge Community Living has been charged after allegedly assaulting an elderly man with a developmental disability in the parking lot of a restaurant.

Brantford cops raid pot dispensary 1 day after it opens

Brantford police raided a pot dispensary Tuesday, a day after it opened, and arrested a 35-year-old Stoney Creek man.

New book gives 150 reasons to love living in Ontario

by Amanda Grant

A new book created in honour Canada's 150th birthday features 150 stories, told by 150 Ontarians, in 150 words or less.

First ever Escape Room Championships designed by WLU team

by Jackie Sharkey

A small team of gaming enthusiasts has been developing the perfect playing field for the first-ever Escape Room Championships, which take place in Budapest, Hungary in March.

It's the end of the road for the Fergus Truck Show

The board of directors for the Fergus Truck Show say they've ceased operations immediately due largely to finances.

Brantford-area teacher faces discipline for allegedly telling students they 'could die' from vaccination

by Trevor Dunn

A southern Ontario high school teacher allegedly tried to scare his students into not getting vaccinated for polio, diphtheria and other diseases, a discipline panel of the Ontario College of Teachers heard on Tuesday.

What parents, students and educators think of WRDSB's first town hall

by Adetayo Bero

Parents raised questions and voiced concerns at the Waterloo Region District School Board's first town hall session.

Commemorative $3 coin, designed by Guelph artist 'overflows with symbols of home'

by Jackie Sharkey

A commemorative coin produced to mark Canada's 150th anniversary features the artwork of Guelph artist Laurie McGaw.

Sound of gunfire heard near downtown Guelph

Police in Guelph are looking for a number of suspects after what investigators believe to be the sound of gunfire just west of the city's downtown early Wednesday.

Analysis Islamophobia motion gives Ontario PCs an opportunity

by Mike Crawley

The Ontario Liberals were clearly hoping to tangle the Progressive Conservatives up in knots with a motion condemning Islamophobia, but PC leader Patrick Brown isn't taking the bait.