Delta variant, reopening, Elora Mills: Top stories of the week
'Trends are not improving': Waterloo Region officials warn of risk of Delta variant
Health officials in Region of Waterloo are warning of the risk of the Delta variant as case counts start to climb locally.
"We are concerned that our trends are not improving as they have in other communities in Ontario because of the Delta variant," Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Julie Emili said at the region's COVID-19 briefing on Friday morning.
The Delta variant, also known as B.1.617, was first detected in India. Dr. Emili said the region's weekly incidence rate has risen to 57 cases per 100,000 people.
Dr. Emili adds the variant is linked to an outbreak at a congregate setting, where officials have reported a "large number of cases over a short period of time when compared to other outbreaks."
On Sunday, the number of cases identified as the Delta variant jumped up by 15 to a total of 35, while the outbreak at a congregate setting had 73 cases connected to it.
COVID-19 by the numbers (as of June 13):
- Waterloo Region: 16,621 confirmed cases, 258 deaths, 15,890 resolved
- Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph: 8,042 cases, 123 deaths, 7,837 resolved
- Brant County: 3,366 cases, 20 deaths, 3,295 resolved
- Haldimand-Norfolk: 2,678 cases, 53 deaths, 2,591 recovered
- Huron Perth: 1,855 cases, 57 deaths, 1,779 recovered
Waterloo Region residents line up for retail stores, patios as they reopen under Step 1
People in Waterloo Region were lining up to head into retail stores and sit on patios as the area moves into Step 1 of Ontario's reopening plan.
Starting Friday at 12:01 a.m., patios could open with four people per table and non-essential retail could allow customers in at 15 per cent capacity. Essential retail stores, which can operate at 25 per cent capacity, no longer have restrictions on what they're allowed to sell.
Many stores had long lineups on Friday morning, including around 150 people waiting to get into Marshalls at The Boardwalk. Customers outside the store were excited to go shopping after months on curbside pickup and deliveries.
"For me personally, it's Father's Day is coming, so I have some things to shop for and a few other items I have to get at my favourite store," said Belinda Macklam. "I imagine it'll be a 45-minute wait, but I don't care."
'Abhorrent': Wellington County officials respond to video referencing targeted hit-and-run in London
Officials in Wellington County have issued a statement in response to a social media video they say makes “disturbing references” the targeted hit-and-run in London that killed four people earlier this week. A joint statement from Warden Kelly Linton and Minto Mayor George Bridge said the video was posted in Harriston on TikTok, and included "disturbing references" to the attack.
Four members of the same family were killed, and London police said they believe the family was targeted due to their Muslim faith.
“The anti-Muslim sentiment expressed in this disgusting video is abhorrent to the residents of Wellington County and the Town of Minto, and all efforts must be used to denounce hatred in all its forms. Islamaphobia and all forms of racism have no place in our community, and we must ensure that messages of hate and fear fall on deaf ears,” the joint statement from Linton and Bridge said.
The funeral for the family was held on Saturday.
London Police investigate the scene of a car crash in London, Ont. on Monday, June 7, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS / Geoff Robins)
City of Waterloo considers scrapping loose leaf collection program
The City of Waterloo is considering cancelling the loose leaf collection program following a review done in March 2021.The program collects leaves that residents rake to the curb in the month of November.
According to city staff, resources are stretched thin as the same crew that deals with leaves also handles snow removal.
“It is difficult to meet the needs of the public,” said Christine Koehler, the director of transportation services with the city. “We don’t know when the leaves are going to actually fall off the trees and we have no idea when the snow is going to come."
Leaves sit curbside in a Kitchener, Ont., neighbourhood on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. (Phil Molto / CTV Kitchener)
Elora Mill eyeing six building expansion along the Grand River
The owners of the Elora Mill are planning an expansion which could see six more mixed-use buildings added to the south side of the Grand River. Pearle Hospitality, which owns the hotel and spa, is asking council for a zoning amendment to the property purchased by the developer in 2012.
"The zoning has to reflect the mix of uses to reflect that property," said Kelly Linton, Mayor of the Township of Centre Wellington.
Linton said the proposal would see condominiums, a hotel building and some retail space.
Rendering of the proposed development of the Elora Mill. (Supplied by Pearle Hospitality)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.