Exploring hidden gems in southern Ontario
CTV Kitchener is visiting hidden gems in our community – businesses and places that are beloved by our viewers.
Some of these spots may be new to you, or they could already be long-time family favourites.
Every Friday throughout the summer, Stefanie Davis will bring you a new hidden gem on CTV News at 6.
You can also watch all episodes in the viewer at the top of this page or click the links below to read the full story.
- Episode 9: Learning to roast fresh coffee in Woodstock
- Episode 8: Perth county farm offers unique wine and goat experience
- Episode 7: From livestock to lavender: One farm's journey to offering the picture perfect picnic spot
- Episode 6: Puslinch shop focuses on gut health
- Episode 5: This sanctuary gives donkeys and mules a new lease on life
- Episode 4: Nearly 800 memorial trees planted in Elmira forest
- Episode 3: Ayr store offering farm fresh bison and produce
- Episode 2: Rising Dough Scottish Bakery bringing traditional food to Waterloo Region for 28 years
- Episode 1: Stratford residents still lining up at Erie Drive In 53 years later
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CTVNews.ca Top Stories
5 rescued after avalanche triggered north of Whistler, B.C. RCMP say
Emergency crews and heli-skiing staff helped rescue five people who were caught up in a backcountry avalanche north of Whistler, B.C., on Monday morning.
Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say
RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder.
Bill Clinton hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says
Former President Bill Clinton was admitted Monday to Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington after developing a fever.
Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal
First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office.
UN investigative team says Syria's new authorities 'very receptive' to probe of Assad war crimes
The U.N. organization assisting in investigating the most serious crimes in Syria said Monday the country’s new authorities were “very receptive” to its request for cooperation during a just-concluded visit to Damascus, and it is preparing to deploy.
Pioneering Métis human rights advocate Muriel Stanley Venne dies at 87
Muriel Stanley Venne, a trail-blazing Métis woman known for her Indigenous rights advocacy, has died at 87.
King Charles ends royal warrants for Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever and Cadbury chocolatiers
King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a blow to the household names.
Man faces murder charges in death of woman who was lit on fire in New York City subway
A man is facing murder charges in New York City for allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a subway train and then watching her die after she was engulfed in flames, police said Monday.
Canada regulator sues Rogers for alleged misleading claims about data offering
Canada's antitrust regulator said on Monday it was suing Rogers Communications Inc, for allegedly misleading consumers about offering unlimited data under some phone plans.
London
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Blast of Ontario snow brings weather warnings, signs of white Christmas
A white Christmas is forecasted for parts of Ontario as winter weather and snowfall sweeps across the province Monday.
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91-year-old harness driver victorious at The Raceway in London, Ont.
A 91-year-old harness driver raced his way to victory on Friday night with his horse, Willy Strike.
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SIU concludes LPS was justified in striking a man in August arrest
Following an incident in August, the province’s police watchdog has concluded that a London Police Service officer did not commit a criminal offense.
Windsor
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Restaurant staff aid in rescue of two men that fell into the frigid waters of the Detroit River
Windsor police say that shortly before 9:00 p.m. on Dec. 20, officers were called after a man fell into the water while standing too close to the marina wall. A second man jumped in to help him.
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'It’s really an eye-opener': volunteers bring holiday meals to Chatham residents
For the second year in a row, a crew of volunteers is fanning out across Chatham, bringing holiday meals to those who need them most.
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Child luring investigation sees Windsor resident charged
According to Essex OPP, 45-year-old Shaun Ouellette is facing charges of luring a person under 16 years of age by means of telecommunication.
Barrie
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Several collisions reported along Highway 11 as driving conditions deteriorate
Highway 11 was closed briefly in Oro-Medonte on Monday afternoon as driving conditions deteriorated, causing multiple collisions.
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Theft, vehicle break-ins, and fraud top police reports during holidays
Police in Barrie are urging residents to be vigilant this holiday season, as theft, theft from vehicles, and fraud consistently rank as the most reported crimes during this time of year.
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Student charged, firearms seized after threats against school: police
Police say officers found several firearms during a search at a teen’s home after he allegedly made violent threats against a secondary school.
Northern Ontario
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Fatal snowmobile crash in northern Ont. near Parry Sound
A 30-year-old has died following a snowmobile crash near Parry Sound on Sunday.
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Teen passed out at coffee shop with bottle of booze on the table, northern Ont. police say
A 19-year-old from Blind River is facing several charges following incidents at a coffee shop and in jail.
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Man charged with damaging downtown Sudbury eatery
A man free on probation has been charged with causing significant damage to a restaurant on Elgin Street in downtown Sudbury over the weekend.
Sault Ste. Marie
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Northern Ont. hospital to close emergency department for Christmas and Boxing Day
A physician shortage is again forcing the closure of the emergency department at the Thessalon Site of the North Shore Health Network – this time for more than 48 hours over the holidays.
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Suspect charged with headbutting their parent, confining them to a chair in Thessalon, Ont.
A member of the family in the northern Ontario community of Thessalon is charged with a vicious assault and forcibly confining their parent.
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One injured in the Sault after lithium-ion battery starts house fire
Sault fire officials have determined a lithium-ion battery to be the cause of a house fire that broke out early this morning.
Ottawa
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Traffic dispute threatens to dampen holiday spirit on Taffy Lane
A visit to Ottawa's Taffy Lane in Orléans is a staple this time of year, but a dispute amongst neighbours over traffic congestion is threatening to dim the magic of the holidays for one neighbour.
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Ottawa mayor speaks on transit funding, federal turmoil in year-end interview
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe spoke with CTV News on a variety of issues, including transit, the city budget and political turmoil on Parliament Hill in a year-end interview.
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SNOWFALL WARNING
SNOWFALL WARNING Pre-Christmas storm forecasted in Ottawa with up to 20 cm of snow tonight
Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Ottawa and parts of eastern Ontario with a snowstorm in the forecast Monday afternoon and into the evening.
Toronto
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DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING Parts of Ontario under snowfall warning Monday as holiday travellers hit the road
Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region. Here are live updates on the situation in Toronto.
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Everything you need to know about what’s open on Christmas in the GTA
Here's what you need to know about what's open and closed in the GTA over the Christmas holidays.
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Pedestrian taken to hospital after being struck by vehicle in Forest Hill
A male pedestrian was rushed to the hospital after being struck by the driver of a vehicle in Toronto's Forest Hill area Monday night.
Montreal
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Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say
RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder.
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Guzzo Group says it wants to protect its 500 employees
Although the Guzzo Group is currently in turmoil, it is reassuring its employees and customers about the year ahead.
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Here's how much snow is expected to fall in Montreal by Tuesday morning
A weather advisory has been initiated for the Greater Montreal area, with 10 to 15 cm of snow expected to hit the ground.
Atlantic
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Court of appeal certifies class action lawsuit against health authority, former nurse
A New Brunswick mother who is the lead plaintiff in a court case has received an early Christmas gift after the province’s top court certified her class-action lawsuit.
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No need to dream, White Christmas all but assured in the Maritimes
An early nor'easter followed by a low-pressure system moving into the region all but ensure a Maritime White Christmas
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CTV’s Katie Kelly solves decades old mystery involving “anchor” tattoo
It’s been almost two decades since a 21-year-old man from New Glasgow, N.S., got a tattoo of CTV’s Bruce Frisko, but it’s a piece of Maritime history that hasn’t been forgotten.
Winnipeg
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An alleged sniper, pair of animal claims featured on MPI’s top five fraud list for 2024
From hitting animals that weren’t there to a sniper that didn’t exist, Manitoba Public Insurance has released its top five frauds of 2024.
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Manitoba government to make permanent cut to gas tax
Manitobans can expect to see a permanent change at the gas pump as early as next week
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Winnipeg police arrest corrections officer following sexual assault of a youth
A corrections officer at a “youth custody facility” has been arrested following a number of sexual assaults against a youth.
Calgary
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Low Canadian dollar a 'double-edged sword' as more Americans travel north: economist
A Calgary economist says the low Canadian dollar is a mixed blessing, with data showing that more Americans are travelling north to make the most of their spending.
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Taxpayers Federation unveils its annual spending 'Naughty and Nice List'
A media president and the Prime Minister have topped the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s annual 'Taxpayer Naughty List' for 2024.
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Roughriders acquire quarterback Maier's rights from Stampeders for '25 draft pick
The Saskatchewan Roughriders acquired the rights to veteran quarterback Jake Maier from the Calgary Stampeders on Monday for a 2025 eighth-round draft pick.
Edmonton
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'Serious safety issues': Edmonton building where security guard was killed evacuated
An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month has been evacuated.
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Oilers enter holiday break on an NHL tear
The Edmonton Oilers' victory on Sunday over the Ottawa Senators was the 11th in their last 13 games.
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City of Edmonton to lift Phase 1 parking ban Monday evening
The City of Edmonton will lift the Phase 1 parking ban on Monday at 5 p.m.
Regina
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'A nice way to connect': Christmas card exchange between Sask. friends spans 60 years
What started out as a little holiday fun between two Regina friends has turned into a tradition that now spans six decades.
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Dog lost in Saskatchewan during cross-country trip reunited with family
A family moving from Ontario to Alberta in November had a scare when their family dog got loose during a stop in Dafoe, Sask. and ran away.
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Estevan police officer arrested following SIRT investigation
An officer of the Estevan Police Service (EPS) is facing several charges following an investigation by the province’s police oversight agency.
Saskatoon
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Personalized license plates on the rise in Saskatchewan
You may have noticed a few more vanity plates on Saskatchewan roads in recent years, and every one of them comes with a personal story.
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'There are lines': In year-end interview, NDP leader says Moe went too far in election campaign
Saskatchewan’s two main political leaders had agreed before October's provincial election not to target the families of candidates during the campaign, says Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck.
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Sask. RCMP on the scene of rollover on Highway 40
The Saskatchewan RCMP said Highway 40 was closed Monday afternoon following a rollover just west of Hafford, a village just under 100 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.
Vancouver
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5 rescued after avalanche triggered north of Whistler, B.C. RCMP say
Emergency crews and heli-skiing staff helped rescue five people who were caught up in a backcountry avalanche north of Whistler, B.C., on Monday morning.
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YVR gears up for the busiest travel day of the holiday season
The holiday travel season is ramping up this weekend as many people head out of town to see friends and family.
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Court rules B.C. law to push through Vancouver housing project is unconstitutional
The B.C. Court of Appeal says a law passed by the provincial government to stave off opposition to a supportive housing development in the Vancouver neighbourhood of Kitsilano is unconstitutional.
Vancouver Island
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5 rescued after avalanche triggered north of Whistler, B.C. RCMP say
Emergency crews and heli-skiing staff helped rescue five people who were caught up in a backcountry avalanche north of Whistler, B.C., on Monday morning.
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Cleanup underway after rockslide derails train in B.C.
No injuries were reported after a rockslide derailed a freight train, sending railcars into British Columbia's Fraser River, on Sunday night.
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Court rules B.C. law to push through Vancouver housing project is unconstitutional
The B.C. Court of Appeal says a law passed by the provincial government to stave off opposition to a supportive housing development in the Vancouver neighbourhood of Kitsilano is unconstitutional.
