CTV News London’s top stories from this week
In case you missed it, CTV News London has compiled all of the top local stories from this week into one video.
Each story can be read through the links below.
- Pre-trial motions underway for five former World Junior hockey players accused of sexual assault
- Second sexual assault trial underway for former Woodstock mayor, Trevor Birtch
- Missing canoeist pulled from water in St. Thomas on Labour Day identified as Port Stanley man
- LHSC slashes dozens of senior administrative positions, cutting roughly $14 million in salaries
- Apparent daredevil stunt goes viral, appearing to show person dangling from downtown London construction crane
- Neighbours frustrated with state of former McCormick’s cookie factory
- Province’s liquor laws change, allowing alcohol sales in convenience stores
- Students across the region head back to school with new cell phone rules in place
- Eagle Heights Public School welcomes back students with $9 million expansion
- LHSC researchers reveal breakthrough in consciousness detection among comatose patients
- London Knights unveil new scoreboard ahead of the new OHL season
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CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada crashes out of world juniors in quarterfinals for second straight year
Canada has been eliminated from the world junior hockey championship with a 4-3 loss to Czechia in the quarterfinals.
Pickering pausing in-person meeting due to alt-right threats, mayor says
Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe says the city is pausing all in-person meetings, moving them to a virtual format, for the time being due to “alt-right” threats.
Athabasca 'chop shop' bust yields millions in stolen vehicles, heavy equipment: RCMP
RCMP have made what they call a "major recovery" of stolen property in Athabasca.
2 dead and 18 injured in Southern California plane crash
Two people died and 18 were injured Thursday when a small plane crashed through the roof of a sprawling furniture manufacturing building in Southern California where at least 200 people were working, police said.
Toys "R" Us Canada closing 5 stores, expand HMV and add play spaces to some shops
Toys 'R' Us Canada says it is closing five Ontario stores and revamping several others as it works to 'optimize' its business.
Wayne Osmond, singer and guitarist for The Osmonds, is dead at 73
Wayne Osmond, a singer, guitarist and founding member of the million-selling family act The Osmonds, who were known for such 1970s teen hits as 'One Bad Apple,' 'Yo-Yo' and 'Down By the Lazy River,' has died. He was 73.
Grieving orca mother Tahlequah carries dead baby for the second time
The famous mother orca who made waves around the world for carrying her dead calf for 17 days has suffered another tragic loss.
Former Liberal cabinet minister Marco Mendicino won't seek re-election
Marco Mendicino, a prominent Toronto member of Parliament and former minister of public safety and immigration, won't run in the next federal election, CTV News has learned.
U.S. soldier shot self in head before Cybertruck exploded outside Trump's Las Vegas hotel, officials say
The highly decorated U.S. army soldier inside a Tesla Cybertruck packed with fireworks that exploded outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas shot himself in the head just before detonation, authorities said Thursday.
Kitchener
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HART Hubs opening in Kitchener and Guelph after CTS locations close
New details have been shared about the province’s $378 million plan to create 19 HART Hubs across Ontario, including locations in Kitchener and Guelph.
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Township, mayor and residents react to Wilmot's proposed 50.87% tax hike
Wilmot Township is proposing a hefty 50.87% residential tax rate hike. We found out what's behind the big increase.
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2025 is a perfect square year: What makes that so interesting to mathematicians?
Mathematicians aren’t just ringing in 2025, they’re also celebrating the start of a perfect square year.
Barrie
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Traffic violation turns into long list of criminal charges for Alliston man: OPP
A driver in New Tecumseth is facing a long list of charges after allegedly failing to stop at a stop sign and attempting to evade police.
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Snow squall warning issued with up to 60cms of snowfall possible
Environment Canada has issued a snow squall warning for Barrie and surrounding townships.
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Springwater outlines interim plan to fill role of CAO
The Township of Springwater has confirmed its plan to temporarily fill the shoes of a top executive after a sudden resignation.
Windsor
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ESHC launches investigation following LaSalle family’s allegation of misdiagnosis
According to posts on social media by members of the Hawes family, doctors diagnosed the three-month-old with bacterial meningitis only one day after being sent home with a 'cold.'
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Canada crashes out of world juniors in quarterfinals for second straight year
Canada has been eliminated from the world junior hockey championship with a 4-3 loss to Czechia in the quarterfinals.
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Pandemic bounce back: pair of Windsor businesses survive and thrive
Not all businesses could stay afloat in the choppy waters of a historic pandemic, but a pair of Windsor businesses are proof positive of entrepreneurial perseverance after surviving the rigors of the public health crisis.
Northern Ontario
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Body of one drowning victim recovered in Temiskaming Shores, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police's underwater search and recovery unit has found the remains of one of two victims of Sunday's drowning in Temiskaming Shores.
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Possible scenarios that could play out in Ottawa as the Liberal government teeters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is said to be reflecting on his future over the holidays after the resignation of his top cabinet minister, Chrystia Freeland, in mid-December. The bombshell move prompted a fresh wave of calls for Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader from inside and outside the caucus.
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Charges after transport driver in northern Ont. fixed window with duct tape
A transport truck driver has been charged after a motorist alerted police about a commercial motor vehicle that had duct tape covering the driver's side window.
Sault Ste. Marie
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Anonymous tip results in charges and seizure of alcohol, lacquer in northwestern Ont.
Provincial police in northwestern Ontario have seized a significant amount of lacquer and alcohol from a vehicle travelling on Highway 596 following a traffic stop.
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Sault motorist stopped at green light charged with impaired driving on New Year’s Eve
A New Year’s Eve traffic stop in the Sault has led to impaired driving charges for a local resident.
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Suspended driver from Alberta charged with stunt driving in northern Ont.
A driver was caught speeding at more than 160 km/h on Highway 17 near Blind River, Ont., Ontario Provincial Police on Thursday.
Ottawa
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Ottawa police say safety measures always in place before big events in the nation's capital
Police authorities across Canada are assessing risk following the horrific New Orleans attack and Germany Christmas market incident. While the international investigations continue, the Ottawa Police Service says there no increased risk in Canada following the two separate attacks.
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ByWard Market restaurant closes after more than 35 years
Blue Cactus has closed its doors in Ottawa's ByWard Market after serving customers for more than 35 years. A sign on the restaurant's door at 2 ByWard Market Square says Blue Cactus will be "closing its doors effective immediately."
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4 youths facing charges following ‘multiple incidents’ in eastern Ontario: OPP
Four youths from eastern Ontario are facing multiple charges after they were involved in multiple incidents stretching from Smiths Falls to Cornwall, Ont. on New Year’s Day, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Toronto
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Former Liberal cabinet minister Marco Mendicino won't seek re-election
Marco Mendicino, a prominent Toronto member of Parliament and former minister of public safety and immigration, won't run in the next federal election, CTV News has learned.
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'Disgusting': Police say victim in Scarborough shooting may have been targeted because of his neighbourhood
Police have arrested two more people in connection with the deadly shooting of a 21-year-old Scarborough man who investigators say may have been targeted solely because of the neighbourhood he lived in.
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Man wanted in alleged break and enter of Leslieville business
Toronto police are looking for a man wanted for an alleged break and enter at a Leslieville business.
Montreal
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'Really disappointing': Organizer says Montreal New Year's Eve fireworks show interrupted by 'technical issue'
New Year's Eve is usually a time when spirits are high and everyone is in a celebratory mood, but if you spent the night at the Old Port in Montreal chances are you might have been let down.
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Quebecers waiting years to be reunited with loved ones due to family reunification delays
Nearly 40,000 people stuck in a backlog of family reunification applications in Quebec.
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Former Pointe-Claire mayor Bill McMurchie dead at 93
Bill McMurchie, former mayor of Pointe-Claire, died at 93 on New Year’s Day. He was elected as a councillor in 1990. He became mayor in 1998 and again in 2005, before retiring in 2013.
Atlantic
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Woman, father killed on New Year's Eve were victims of intimate partner violence: Halifax police
Halifax police are investigating three deaths that are connected – two of which they say were homicides resulting from intimate partner violence – in the city on New Year’s Eve.
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N.S. couple wins $2.5M over the holidays
A Cole Harbour, N.S., couple got a sizeable stocking stuffer over the holidays: $2.5 million.
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Man who barricaded himself inside Porters Lake home found dead: N.S. RCMP
A man who barricaded himself inside a home in the Porters Lake, N.S., area Thursday morning has died.
Winnipeg
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St. Andrews heritage home a total loss following fire
A heritage home in St. Andrews dating back to before the founding of Manitoba is now a complete loss following an early morning fire on Thursday.
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Fiery crash after vehicle flees, rams RCMP cruiser
An RCMP officer and two women were sent to hospital after an attempted traffic stop ended in a fiery crash near Portage la Prairie on Christmas Eve.
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New controls at city arenas save energy and keep fans warm
The City of Winnipeg has a plan to keep the ice cool at the right time and hockey parents comfortable during games.
Calgary
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Vigil for Calgary homicide victim to be held Friday
A vigil for Calgary homicide victim Ania Kaminski is scheduled for Friday.
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'All you can do is tighten your belt': 2025 comes with changes to city fees
The high cost of living is top of mind for many Calgarians, and the new calendar year means a new set of city fees, but some people may see one bill decrease.
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Lawson Crouse scores twice, Utah Hockey Club snaps skid to hand Calgary Flames 5-3 loss
Lawson Crouse scored twice and the Utah Hockey Club snapped a five-game winless skid with a 5-3 comeback victory over the Calgary Flames on Thursday.
Edmonton
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Athabasca 'chop shop' bust yields millions in stolen vehicles, heavy equipment: RCMP
RCMP have made what they call a "major recovery" of stolen property in Athabasca.
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Albertans to see new provincial taxes alongside federal tax increases
Despite the end of holiday shopping, many Alberta wallets will still be feeling the pinch in the coming months.
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Alberta police watchdog clears officers in fatal shooting of suspected killer
Alberta's police watchdog says officers acted reasonably in the fatal shooting of an armed man suspected of killing his ex-girlfriend and stealing a truck.
Regina
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'A privilege and a pleasure': CTV Regina's 2024 Citizen of the year introduced
Dr. Chris Ekong, a retired neurosurgeon who remains active in the community, was announced as CTV Regina's 2024 Citizen of the Year.
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Regina Police Service swears in 7 new recruits, including twin sister of constable
The Regina Police Service (RPS) has officially sworn in seven new recruits, including the twin sister of a RPS constable.
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'Got some work to do': With one sellout in 2024, Riders focus is on attendance in 2025
Despite a home playoff game and a hot start to the 2024 regular season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders sold out just one game this past year, the Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Saskatoon
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Saskatchewan charities left with questions following tax season extension announcement
The Saskatoon Community Foundation (SCF) has its eyes on Ottawa after the federal government announced that the deadline for making donations in the 2024 tax year will be extended.
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Sask. RCMP investigating after two people killed in crash
Warman RCMP are investigating after two people were killed in a collision on Highway 12 Tuesday.
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Escaped Sask. prisoner faces new charges after fleeing from police
The Saskatchewan RCMP says an inmate who escaped from federal prison in Prince Albert faces new charges.
Vancouver
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Will NYE fireworks return to Vancouver? A corporate sponsor could be the savior
Thousands of people flooded downtown cores and landmarks in Toronto, Calgary and Seattle to ring in 2025 with a fireworks show, but B.C.'s largest city went without any public celebration.
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'She's quite strong': B.C. teen spends Christmas in hospital after nearly dying from avian flu
A young teen is currently in BC Children’s Hospital, where she spent Christmas after narrowly surviving North America’s first critical case of H5N1 bird flu.
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Pedestrian run over by transit bus at Metrotown, police say
A TransLink bus hit a pedestrian outside Metrotown SkyTrain Station Thursday afternoon, closing the bus loop and sending the injured person to hospital.
Vancouver Island
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Trying for a 'Dry January'? This tool from B.C. researchers may help
As many pledge to undertake a "Dry January" as a booze-free antidote to the excesses of the holidays, B.C. researchers have launched an online tool they say measures the costs of alcohol consumption and the benefits of cutting back.
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Holidays, avian flu cause egg shortages at some B.C. stores, but industry says supply stabilizing
If you noticed a shortage of eggs at your local grocery store over the holidays, you're not alone. The B.C. Egg Marketing Board says typical seasonal demand coupled with the effects of avian influenza on provincial flocks has led to reduced supplies at some stores.
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Highway crash kills 1, injures 3 others near Kamloops, B.C.
One person is dead and three others are in hospital after a two-vehicle crash closed the Trans-Canada Highway west of Kamloops, B.C.
