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Region of Waterloo reports first daily single-digit COVID-19 case increase since October

Health officials are reporting nine new cases of COVID-19 in Waterloo Region, the first time the daily increase has been in single digits since October.

A helicopter crash near in Brantford has caused a number of rural roads to be closed off. (Source: David Ritchie) (July 25, 2021)

Pilot in hospital with serious injuries after helicopter crash in Brantford, Ont.

Rural roads have been closed off as investigators work the scene of a helicopter crash in Brantford, Ont. 1

The AIDAdiva cruise ship, on a 10-day trip from New York to Montreal, arrives in Halifax on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Brantford rearrest, buffets, vaccine status: Top stories of the week

A man released from prison in Brantford rearrested, a family denied a cruise because of mixed vaccines, and new requirements for university students in residences round out the top stories of the week. 5

Gymnastic club hit with two floods in past year

Woolwich Gymnastics Club looking to bounce back after two floods in one year

Even though they’re allowed to open up according to the province’s reopening restrictions, the Woolwich Gymnastic Club is struggling to do so. 1

Anne Innis Dagg stands in front of Spot the Giraffe in Waterloo, meant to highlight her many years of work studying and education people about the animal. (Jessica Smith/CTV Kitchener) (July 25, 2021)

Giraffe specialist brings unique initiative to Waterloo Region for a good cause

A local zoologist and giraffe specialist has started an initiative in Waterloo Region in hopes of bringing awareness to protecting animals. 1

Health-care worker Nalini Persaud looks at her clipboard in the dialysis unit as she audits different health units for hand hygiene and sanitization at the Humber River Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

'An alarming exodus': Ontario nursing sector slammed with staffing shortage as many rethink careers

After experiencing a pandemic on the frontlines of an understaffed and overworked health-care sector, many nurses are rethinking their careers.

Judy Gallagher, left, wears a mask as she looks through music at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop Monday, June 29, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. The Nashville Health Department has put in place a mask mandate beginning Monday to help battle the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Ontario reports slight increase in new COVID-19 cases, per cent positivity rate rises

Ontario is reporting just over 170 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday as the province's per cent positivity rate rises. 1

Some parents, child cares, call for updates to COVID-19 rules

Pandemic-era guidance for child care centres doesn't allow for group sensory play, such as water tables, and some aren't so sure that makes sense for a room full of toddlers.

Kitchener boxer Mandy Bujold. (Supplied by Mandy Bujold)

Kitchener’s Mandy Bujold loses opening boxing match at Olympics

Mandy Bujold’s Olympic journey has come to an end.

Travellers arrive at Terminal 3 at Pearson Airport in Toronto early Monday, February 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Why experts say dividing travellers by vaccination status at airports is a good idea

As Canada prepares to welcome non-essential international travellers, two international airports are implementing separate lines for arriving passengers based on their vaccination status. Here’s what experts have to say about the decision. 4

Canada's Margaret Mac Neil, Rebecca Smith, Kayla Sanchez and Penny Oleksiak show off their silver medals from the women's 4 x 100m freestyle relay during the Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, July 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Frank Gunn

What Canada did on Sunday at the 2020 Tokyo summer Olympic games

Canada saw success in the pool, securing its first two medals. Take a look at what Canada did on Sunday at the 2020 Tokyo summer Olympic games. 25

Specimens to be tested for COVID-19 are seen at LifeLabs after being logged upon receipt at the company’s lab, in Surrey, B.C., March 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

COVID-19 by the numbers: July 25, 2021

A breakdown of the COVID-19 cases from Region of Waterloo Public Health, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, Brant County Health Unit, Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and Huron Perth Public Health.

Former Kitchener Ranger player Francesco Pinelli.

Former Kitchener Rangers, Guelph Storm players selected in NHL draft

Three players who were once apart of the Kitchener Rangers organization, and one who laced up his skates for the Guelph Storm, are all headed to the big league.

An anti-consumption treatment services rally in Cambridge. (Carmen Wong/CTV Kitchener) (July 24, 2021)

Anti-CTS sites rally in Cambridge draws nearly 100, sparks counter-rally

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Kitchener’s Sarah Pavan wins opening beach volleyball match at Olympics

Sarah Pavan of Kitchener and teammate Melissa Humana-Paredes have earned their first win of the Tokyo Olympics.

A community garden is in the west end of Guelph gets watered by one of its users. (Jessica Smith/CTV Kitchener) (July 24, 2021)

New community garden in Guelph looking to make big expansion

The West Village Co-Op is looking to help its community create a sustainable and accessible food source one seed at a time. 1

The COVID-19 vaccine bus is heading to high-traffic areas and priority neighbourhoods in Waterloo Region. (Twitter: @RegionWaterloo)

Vaccine bus stops off at St. Jacobs Market, high priority neighbourhoods

A different kind of Grand River Transit bus is making its way to high-traffic areas and a number of neighbourhoods in Waterloo Region.

The heavy throwing competition gets underway at the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games. (Colton Wiens/CTV Kitchener) (July 24, 2021)

'Another virtual event essentially:' Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games welcomes back some competition

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games has been forced to scale back its presentation. 1

Patrons sit on the patio as waitress Paulina Pasierbek, left, takes orders at Joey Sherway, part of the Joey Restaurant chain during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Toronto and the GTA entered stage two of opening. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Ontario reports 170 new COVID-19 cases, over 8.4 million fully vaccinated

Ontario is reporting a slight decrease in new COVID-19 cases today from the previous day. 1

Michael Woods, of Canada, competes in the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (Tim de Waele/Pool Photo via AP)

What Canada did on Saturday at the 2020 Tokyo summer Olympic games

Michael Woods came agonizingly close to opening Canada's medal account on the first full day of competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Here's a roundup. 25

Another 14 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Waterloo Region, no change to variant totals

Region of Waterloo Public Health officials confirmed 14 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, but did not identify any cases as variants of concern.

A vigil in Vitoria Park to honour a teen who died of a drug overdose. (Krista Sharpe/CTV Kitchener)

Vigil in Kitchener's Victoria Park to honour teen who died of drug overdose

A vigil is taking place in Kitchener's Victoria Park Friday night to honour an 18-year-old who died of a drug overdose in February. 2

People wearing mandatory masks wait at their gate using physical distancing at Toronto's Pearson International Airport for a "Healthy Airport" during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Toronto Pearson Airport begins separating arrivals based on vaccination status

International passengers arriving at Toronto Pearson Airport will now be separated by vaccination status before heading through customs, the airport confirmed Saturday. 4

Man accused of committing indecent act in front of mom and child in Simcoe

Norfolk County OPP are looking for a man who allegedly committed an indecent act in front of mom and child in Simcoe.

Special weather statement upgraded to severe thunderstorm watch for Waterloo-Wellington area

Residents of Waterloo Region and Wellington County should be on the lookout for stormy weather conditions, according to Environment Canada.

350 vials of Moderna could be wasted at a Toronto pharmacy.

‘Simply immoral’: Ontario pharmacists poised to trash thousands of expiring Moderna doses as demand declines

Toronto pharmacies may be forced to throw out Moderna doses due to a decline in demand, due in part to skepticism about mixing and matching doses and misinformation about the brand. 1

The Region of Waterloo building seen on March 9, 2020. (Dan Lauckner / CTV Kitchener)

Strike averted for thousands of Region of Waterloo public service workers

A strike has been averted for more than 1,000 of Waterloo Region's public service workers, with CUPE 1883 reaching a deal and CUPE 5191 extending talks to next week. 3