Andrea's Five Fun Things To Do This Weekend - May 6-7

Take a ride to look at magnolias in Guelph, visit the Elora Singers' annual giant book festival, plant a tree or catch a concert in Waterloo region or Wellington county this weekend.

Rainfall warning continues into Friday, 70 mm could fall by weekend

Environment Canada has continued its heavy rainfall warning into Friday, stating that as much as 70 mm could fall in the region by Saturday night when the downpour begins to taper off.

Waterloo's Sandvine offers insight into growing popularity of Android boxes

by Sophia Harris

Forget illegal downloading; many Canadians are getting hooked on unauthorized streaming, according to a new study. This emerging type of piracy often involves a simple Android box loaded with special software that makes it easy to access pirated content.

Region starts search for builder of King-Victoria transit hub

The Region of Waterloo has launched its latest phase to build the King Victoria Transit Hub in Kitchener. It is inviting developers to submit a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) until June 30th.

Kitchener-Waterloo house prices soar 40 per cent

The average price of all homes in Kitchener-Waterloo broke a psychological barrier last month, climbing 40 per cent in a year to surpass the $500,000 mark.

Ontario's corrections adviser urges 'profound' changes to segregation practices

Ontario's corrections adviser is urging what he calls profound changes to segregation practices, but isn't calling for an end to it entirely.

GRCA issues flood watch because of rain, high water levels

The Grand River Conservation Authority has issued a flood watch for the Grand River Watershed, after recent rainfall has raised water levels in the area.

Analysis Marking 2 years as PC leader, Patrick Brown still largely unknown

by Mike Crawley

One year away from the provincial election campaign, PC leader Patrick Brown is struggling to win the attention of voters, even with Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne's approval rating at rock bottom.

Pay up or not? What to do in ransomware attack

by Olivia Stefanovich

Tech experts say you can usually negotiate a ransom with hackers, but there is no guarantee you will get your files back even if you give into their demands.

Ontario government, Toronto Real Estate Board at odds over foreign buyers

by Trevor Dunn

In a case of duelling data, the Toronto Real Estate Board and the Ontario government have their own conflicting calculations on the amount of foreign ownership in the Greater Toronto Area housing market and the effect it's having on skyrocketing prices.

Special Report K-W has younger demographic than national average: 2016 census

According to the 2016 census numbers released Wednesday, Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge had a slightly higher proportion of children and a slightly lower number of seniors than the overall national scene. Although the trend nationally is for suburbs to be going grey.

Slain Hamilton mobster was pursuing a new path, but couldn't escape past, friend says

by Adam Carter

Notorious Hamilton mobster Angelo Musitano was trying to turn his back on the years of crime that had defined his life, say those who knew him. But in the end, he was gunned down in his own driveway.

Detective on Musitano murder: Police 'trying to unravel' motivation for mobster hit

by Kelly Bennett

The shooting Tuesday interrupted a long stretch of relative quiet on the traditional organized crime front in the city.

Family, friends fill Kitchener funeral home to remember Melinda Vasilije

A Kitchener funeral home was full of family and friends remembering the life of 22-year-old Melinda Vasilije, who died from multiple stab wounds in her apartment last Friday. Ager Mohsin Hasan, 24, of Hamilton is a suspect in the case and remains on the lam.

2 detained in death of Ontario woman and American boyfriend in Belize: police

Two people have been detained in the death of an Ontario mother of two and her boyfriend after their bodies were found Monday evening in a sugar cane field, police say.

Proposed LRT route in Cambridge a no-go for Preston residents

by Kate Bueckert

Cambridge residents concerned about the proposed LRT route through Preston have started putting up lawn signs to attract attention to the issue.

Audio Wifi being piloted on three school buses in Guelph

Students travelling by bus between their homes in Fergus, Mount Forest and Drayton and St. James Catholic High School in Guelph can now access the internet through wifi during their long commute.

Kitchener widow fights feds over CPP benefits denial

by Jordan Press

Jilian Derksen was denied Canada Pension Plan survivor benefits after the death of her husband Daniel, because she was 10 weeks shy of the age requirement of 35. Now she must wait 30 years to collect his benefits, even though she needs the money now.

Residents fear new Lake Ontario regulations causing flooding

by Mary Esch

Four months after an international body approved a new plan for regulating Lake Ontario's water level, property owners who had claimed the rules favoured muskrat lodges over lakeside homes are piling sandbags against just the kind of floodwaters they had feared.

Unhappy Passat buyer tries to run over seller when he won't take car back

A 67-year-old Cambridge woman unhappy over her newly-purchased car faces charges after police allege she used it to try to run over the man who sold it to her.

Police update sudden death near Kitchener's McLennan Park

Police have updated the sudden death near Kitchener's McLennan Park after the body of a woman in her 30s was found behind an apartment building on Strasburg Road.

More wet weather this week could lead to flooding

Rain Thursday and through the weekend could lead to flooding in some areas, Environment Canada is warning.

Kathleen Wynne promotes budget to University of Waterloo students

Premier Kathleen Wynne was at the University of Waterloo Wednesday to promote her government's spring budget where focused on how the Liberals' pharmacare plan could benefit students.

LCBO recalls Bombay gin with over limit 77 per cent alcohol content

Ontario's Liquor control board is recalling Bombay Sapphire gin after it found that the alcohol content was much higher than the label said.

Queen and Charles closed as of this morning, as LRT closures return to downtown Kitchener

The intersection of Queen and Charles streets will be closed for the approximately the next three weeks as Grandlinq puts the finishing touches on the Ion LRT tracks and makes small repairs.

Funeral today for Melinda Vasilije, fatally stabbed last week

by Kate Bueckert

A funeral for Melinda Vasilije, the 22-year-old woman who died from multiple stab wounds Friday morning in a Kitchener apartment, will be held Wednesday.

Former Cambridge MPP Gerry Martiniuk has died

Former Cambridge MPP Gerry Martiniuk has passed away. He was 79.

Jurors from traumatic trials call for national counselling program

by Michelle Cheung, Julia Whalen

Jurors from about a dozen of the country's most horrific trials have added their voices to the call for a national program of support for people who are traumatized after serving on a jury.

Police investigate online post about Melinda Vasilije fatal stabbing

A person claiming to be a suspect in Kitchener woman's stabbing death wrote an online post Monday night about the death. Waterloo Regional Police are investigating the post's authenticity.

Mobster Angelo Musitano shot to death outside his home

by Laura Clementson

Angelo Musitano, a member of Hamilton's notorious Musitano crime family, was gunned down outside his suburban home Tuesday.

Canada made marijuana illegal 94 years ago and no one's sure why

by Colin Butler

A University of Guelph professor who penned a book on the history of illegal drugs in Canada says after nearly a century of marijuana prohibition, no one is really sure why it was made illegal in the first place.

Accused in London taxi murder hospitalized over heart surgery

by Amanda Margison

The man accused of beating 64-year-old taxi driver Vijay Bhatia to death is awaiting open heart surgery, which could delay court proceedings in the second-degree murder case.

Skippy peanut butter no longer for sale in Canada; fans stockpiling last jars

by Sophia Harris

Much to fans' dismay, Skippy peanut butter has been discontinued in Canada. It's still available in more than 60 countries. Owner, Hormel says it cut Canada due to factors like competition that hurt the brand’s profitability.

Grisly discovery: 20 coyote remains found in Norfolk County

Remains of 20 coyotes found in Norfolk wooded area.

Soldered brass box time capsule hidden in Guelph rec centre

by Jackie Sharkey, Joe Pavia

The City of Guelph took a trip back to 1974 Monday as they unveiled a time capsule discovered almost by accident in the corner stone of the Victoria Road Recreation Centre.

Wellesley, Ont., couple's horse State of Honor to race in Kentucky Derby

Penny and Manfred Conrad of Wellesley, Ont., have a horse in Saturday's Kentucky Derby. Their thoroughbred colt named State of Honor will run for the roses this weekend.

Just 10 minutes of meditation can help anxious people focus, study finds

A new study from the University of Waterloo has found taking 10 minutes to do breathing meditation before completing a task that requires a lot of attention can help people with anxiety focus on what needs to get done.

London to use ranked ballot system in 2018 Ontario municipal election

London, Ont., has made history as the first Canadian city to decide to move to a ranked ballot for its next municipal election. In 2018 voters will be able to mark their top choice for a candidate as well as alternatives.

Kitchener woman turns to psychedlic plant to treat painkiller addiction

by Malone Mullin

When other treatments fail, some opiate users turn to psychedelic plants such as iboga and ayahuasca to help them confront the mental and emotional roots of their addiction.

Schreiter-Sandrock Funeral Home now a downtown Kitchener medical centre

The former Schreiter-Sandrock Funeral Home in downtown Kitchener has been renovated and is now the Benton Medical Centre, which includes an urgent care clinic, a dental office and a pharmacy.

Hamilton man's 4-year complaint against CSIS dismissed

by Laura Clementson

The final decision from the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) came Monday, years after Hamilton's Ken Stone files complaint over unwarranted house visit by two CSIS agents.

Waterloo Regional Police ask fatal stabbing suspect to turn himself in

Waterloo Regional Police are asking a 24-year-old Hamilton man to turn himself in, after a 22-year-old woman was found dead. Police have issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for Ager Mohsin Hasan.

Accused cabbie killer in London, Ont. appearing in court Tuesday

by Amanda Margison

Cody Perkin is facing second degree murder charges in the death of 64-year-old Vijay Bhatia, a taxi driver who leaves behind a wife and family.

Explosion from hydro vault filled heart of Toronto's business district with smoke, shouts

by Laura Fraser

Toronto Hydro found rainwater had leaked into the hydro vault that exploded beneath the heart of the city's business district as thousands of employees were heading home for the day.

Sgt. Robert Dynerowicz remembered Monday in Kitchener, Ont.

The body of Sgt. Robert Dynerowicz was laid to rest Monday morning after family and friends gathered at the Henry Walser Funeral Home in Kitchener to pay their last respects.

Friends remember Melinda Vasilije, woman fatally stabbed in Kitchener apartment

by Kate Bueckert

Friends went online to raise money for the family of Melinda Vasilije, the 22-year-old woman who was found dead in a Kitchener apartment early Friday morning. They also remembered her as a 'kind, gentle, pure and sweet' woman.

Liberals drop some proposals, but seem ready to move ahead with reform to Parliament

by Aaron Wherry

The Liberal government is moving to break a month-old deadlock over parliamentary reform, dropping some proposals that had raised opposition concerns, but nonetheless seeming ready to make changes to the way the House of Commons works, with or without opposition support.

Parent of drug-addicted teen pushes for easier access to Suboxone

by Robyn Miller

An Ottawa father who raised concerns about teenage drug addiction and overdoses in Kanata is now pushing for easier access to Suboxone, a medication that helps addicts fight cravings and get through withdrawals.

Hamilton man faces second-degree murder charges in death of Kitchener woman

Waterloo Regional Police said 24-year-old Ager Mohsin Hasan is facing second degree murder charges in connection with the death of a 22-year-old Kitchener woman on Friday.

London Police investigate death of taxi driver in convenience store parking lot

A 23-year-old London man is facing a second-degree murder charge after police found the body of a 64-year-old taxi driver yesterday in a convenience store parking lot in London, Ont.