Rhubarb love: gone from weed to spring treat, says Andrew Coppolino

You can eat rhubarb in a bunch of different ways, from raw with a bit of sugar, to baked into a pie. Food columnist Andrew Coppolino tracks down suggestions from local chefs on what to do with rhubarb.

3 new Ontario songs you need to hear this week

by Adam Carter

Check out brand new music from Blimp Rock, Munroe and Alanna Gurr & The Greatest State.

WEEKEND | More rain coming, fuel prices up, fun events

The weekend will bring more rain but temperatures in the 21 C range. Gasoline prices are up to an average of about $1.11 per litre.

Wastewater infrastructure gets a $3.4M makeover in Kitchener

by Flora Pan

Two Kitchener wastewater projects will receive $3.4 million in funding to repair just over a kilometre of roadways and sewers.

Rabid fox found in Wellesley Township

A fox found in the Wallenstein area of Wellesley Township has tested positive for rabies, according to Region of Waterloo Public Health.

LIVE BLOG RECAP Conservative leadership convention

The race to replace Stephen Harper as permanent leader of the Conservative Party ends this weekend in Toronto with a new person at the party's helm. Follow live coverage from the leadership convention as results are released Saturday.

3D printing research lab in Waterloo receives $27 million

by Flora Pan

A 3D printing research lab at the University of Waterloo received $27 million in funding from government and industry partners to investigate metals 3D printing.

Honeybees that groom better may repel deadly mites better, says researcher

About 85 per cent of honeybee colonies have a problem with tiny insect pests called mites, which can be deadly. But new research shows there may be a solution: breed more bees that naturally practice assiduous grooming.

Mayors call for national strategy to tackle opioid crisis

Mayors of the largest cities across Canada have released recommendations to tackle the opioid crisis and they're asking the federal government to act immediately.

Architects look to change employment standards

by Nicole Riva

A Kitchener architect wants to see changes to how his industry treats its employees and has presented his idea to the provincial body to make architecture a better place to work.

Andrea's Five Fun Things to Do This Weekend - May 27-28

by Andrea Bellemare

Visit a Kitchener neighbourhood and see some bands, bike through Guelph for a beer or take Fido for a fun walk.

$1,000 worth of turkey pot pie stolen from Ontario church

by Kate Bueckert

Members of St. James' Anglican Church in Ingersoll made turkey pot pies to sell as a fundraiser for repair work on their church. But last week, someone made off with more than 200 frozen pies, dashing the hopes of parishioners of using the savoury pastries as a fundraiser.

Next court date set for Cambridge man shot by police officer

The lawyer for Maurice Rivard - the Cambridge man shot by a Waterloo Regional Police officer in March during a traffic stop - says he expects to get more information about the case next month. Edward Burlew says the SIU is still actively investigating the case.

The case for BlackBerry at $45 US a share

BlackBerry Ltd. shares have been on a hot streak in recent weeks — rising more than 60 per cent — and one technology analyst thinks some of the company's new products have the potential to help push the stock to $45 US by 2020.

Hamilton's alleged Yahoo hacker appeals no-bail decision

Lawyers for Hamilton’s Karim Baratov, an alleged Yahoo hacker with ties to Russia, have filed an appeal of the decision to deny their client bail, and the next steps in the extradition process have been settled.

New trial ordered in sex assault case after Ontario judge refuses to explain her verdict

by Alison Crawford

Canada's judicial watchdog is initiating a complaint against Ontario Superior Court Justice Susanne Goodman after the province's court of appeal issued a blistering ruling that calls into question her very abilities as a judge.

Burlington activist to hold vigils to honour memory of pigs killed in crash

An Ontario woman recently found not guilty of mischief after giving water to pigs headed to slaughter plans to hold a vigil to honour the memory of pigs killed in a crash in Burlington last October.

Put all ice rescue courses on hold, jury says

The jury made 15 recommendations, none of which are legally binding, after systematic problems with safety training programs were exposed.

413 charges laid by Wellington OPP and Cambridge OPP over long weekend

It was a busy long weekend for Wellington County OPP as they laid 183 charges and investigated 18 vehicle collisions. Cambridge OPP also had their hands full as they responded to 212 calls and laid 230 charges.

Regional council approves location of new paramedic headquarters

The Region of Waterloo council has approved the location for a new paramedic services headquarters.

For sale: Mural-filled, historic church built in 1871. Price: $1

by Kelly Bennett

A historic brick church with hand-painted 80-year-old murals surrounding its nave is up for sale in Brantford, Ont., with an asking price: $1.

Meeting set to update residents on Cambridge TCE contamination

The Ministry of the Environment and Region of Waterloo will hold a meeting on May 31 in Cambridge to update residents on a long-standing trichloroethylene contamination in the Bishop Street community in Preston.

Local groups offer employers support to hire Syrian refugees

Local organizations, including The Working Centre in Kitchener, are offering employers help when it comes to hiring Syrian refugees. That could include a job coach who would help a new employee get settled at work or advice over the phone.

Waterloo Catholic board awarded for mental health initiatives

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board has received a national award for its contributions to mental health education and anti-stigma activities.

Refugees 'in the crosshairs' as Legal Aid Ontario battles for government funding, advocates warn

by Shanifa Nasser

Moves by Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) to slash services for refugees have immigration advocates sounding the alarm, saying the measures threaten to hold vulnerable asylum seekers hostage in the organization's fight for added government funding.

More than a million restricted, prohibited guns in Canada

A year and a half after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government came to office promising to tighten Canada's gun laws, there are now more than a million restricted and prohibited firearms across the country.

Suspect in Melinda Vasilije stabbing death may be heading to Mexico, police say

by Kate Bueckert

Police say Ager Hasan, 24, of Hamilton could be on his way to Mexico. He faces a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of 22-year-old Melinda Vasilije of Kitchener.

'She should have been safe': Family searching for answers after woman dies by suicide in Windsor jail

by Dan Taekema, Derek Spalding

Delilah Blair is the first woman to die at South West Detention Centre since it opened in 2014. Her family is wondering why corrections staff couldn't keep her safe and is asking for help to get her home.

Ontarians are having their licences suspended without even knowing it: Ombudsman

by Trevor Dunn

Ontario’s government watchdog is launching an investigation into how drivers are having their licences suspended without even knowing about it.

As the school year winds down, get ready for summer camp

There’s only a few weeks left in the school year and some parents may still be scrambling to find some summer camp options for their children.

Death of 26-year-old man in Cambridge prompts SIU investigation

The province's Special Investigation Unit is investigating the death of a 26-year-old man that happened on May 22 in Cambridge.

After 10 years revitalizing the symphony, Edwin Outwater moves on

by Flora Pan

After a decade as conductor and music director at the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Edwin Outwater will step down after his final performance this Friday and Saturday.

23 people died from opioid overdoses in first half of 2016, data shows

A new opioid tracking tool shows morbidity and mortality rates for each region in the province. It shows in the first six months of 2016, 23 people in Waterloo region died from opioid overdoses. That's equal to all opioid-related deaths in the region in all of 2015.

Cambridge to sell five properties over unpaid property taxes

by Carmen Ponciano

The City of Cambridge is taking what it calls a last resort approach to collect unpaid property taxes: they recently listed five properties for sale ranging from $46,000 to $1.2 million.

Iconic Budds sign taken down from Kitchener storefront

The iconic Budds clothing store sign was taken down as work began inside the location to make way for restaurants and office space.

Region needs better rail service but high speed isn't only option, says advocate

Some transit advocates see the latest proposal for high-speed rail in Ontario as an overdue improvement to transportation in the region, while others see it as a flashy, expensive attempt to impress voters in next year’s provincial election.

Waterloo Regional Police officer charged with domestic battery in Vegas

A nine-year member of the Waterloo Regional Police Service has been charged with domestic battery after a family-related incident in Las Vegas.

Video One dead after dump truck and van collide in Guelph's south end

A 46-year-old Guelph man has died following a fiery collision in the city's south end that sent dump truck into business parking lot.

Liberal hydro plan to cost $45B but will only save electricity ratepayers $24B, says watchdog

by Allison Jones

Ontario's budget watchdog says the Liberal government will spend $45 billion over the life of its hydro plan to save people $24 billion on their electricity bills.

How to navigate new roundabout construction at Ottawa and Homer Watson

Stage two of the traffic circle construction project on Ottawa Street at Homer Watson Boulevard and Alpine Road is set to begin Thursday.

Toronto tech firms seeing more interest from U.S. job seekers — and not just because of Trump

by Kate McGillivray

Technology leaders say Toronto's growing momentum is a chance to 'reverse the brain drain and prevent it altogether' by attracting and retaining top talent.

Ontario workers should get a week of unpaid personal emergency leave a year: report

by Jessica Smith Cross, Allison Jones

All Ontario workers should get a week of unpaid personal emergency leave a year, government-appointed experts recommended Tuesday, though they stopped short of urging paid sick leave for every employee.

Dinosaurs survive fire at Flamborough landmark on Highway 6

by Adam Carter

You can rest easy, Hamilton — the massive dinosaurs that have been a fixture for years at Flamborough Patio Furniture on Highway 6 survived a fire that destroyed part of the business Saturday afternoon.

Invasive plant phragmites a strain on wildlife, local resources

As temperatures begin to climb, officials are reminding Ontarians to be aware of the increase in non-native wildlife and the impact invasive species have.

'Taken from this world too soon': Concertgoers mourned as more Manchester victims ID'd

A teenage superfan of American singer Ariana Grande, a primary school student "loved by everyone," a mid-20s man and a Polish couple were among the first people publicly identified as being among the 22 killed in an attack following a concert in Manchester, England.

'Fundamental shift' needed at MMIW commission, advocate says

The continued delays experienced by families wanting to participate in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has created a lack of trust and is re-traumatizing those families, Six Nations advocate says.

Guelph student union criticised for calling Lou Reed song 'transphobic'

The University of Guelph's student union faced a barrage of online criticism after referring to Lou Reed's classic rock song Walk on the Wild Side as transphobic.

Tri-Pride back with two weeks of events

Last year tri-Pride was at risk of dissolving its board and putting away its rainbow flag, but a group of dedicated community members came together to bring life back into the festival, which kicks off today.

'Everybody … screamed and started running' — search for loved ones follows Manchester concert blast

Friends and family have turned to social media to search for loved ones after a suicide blast claimed by ISIS killed 22 people at a Monday night concert by American pop singer Ariana Grande in Manchester, U.K.

It's the end of an era in Toronto as the Honest Ed's sign comes down today

by Lisa Naccarato

The iconic sign will be removed from the Bloor and Bathurst area storefront, refurbished and is expected to find a new home above Ed Mirvish Theatre.