Friday the 13th in Port Dover, concrete falls onto highway, Ford's promise: Top stories of the week
Over 100,000 converge on Port Dover, Ont. for Friday the 13th biker rally
Large crowds converged on Port Dover, Ont. Friday as motorcycle enthusiasts gathered for Friday the 13th. Bikers flock to the lakeside Ontario town whenever the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday – something that happens only once in 2022.
Police estimate over 100,000 people rolled into Norfolk Country for the rally this year. That’s a return to pre-pandemic levels, after only between 35,000 to 45,000 attended the unsanctioned event in 2021.
Police also responded to multiple crashes involving motorcycles in the area as thousands attended the rally. At least one of those collisions was fatal and in two others, a rider was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.
No injuries after concrete slab crashes onto Highway 403 in Brantford, Ont.
A section of Highway 403 in Brantford, Ont. was closed in both directions Monday after a piece of an overpass bridge broke off and fell onto the highway.
Police said a commercial motor vehicle, possibly carrying a front-end loader, hit the Wayne Gretzky Parkway bridge just after 1 p.m. on Monday. The collision caused the huge piece of concrete to fall, smashing through the guard rails as it crashed down onto the roadway.
No injuries have been reported.
Police said the concrete slab appears to be the bridge's strike plate, which is installed to protect the bridge in the event of a collision.
Police said this is the third time in half a year the bridge has been hit, but this time the strike plate didn’t stay up. Given the size of the slab and the speed with which the accident happened, police said it's fortunate no one was hurt.
Ford promises to build four-lane Highway 7 between Kitchener and Guelph
Progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford says his government will build a new four-lane Highway 7 connecting Kitchener and Guelph if his party is re-elected in the upcoming election. Ford made the announcement Thursday at a campaign stop in Kitchener, promising if returned to power, his government would finally build the long-awaited expansion of one of the region’s main connectors.
“Yes to a four-lane highway between Kitchener and Guelph,” Ford said. “Yes to a new bridge over the Grand River, we’re saying yes to building Highway 7 and connecting Highway 7 to Conestoga Parkway. Because local families and workers have heard ‘no’ for far too long.”
The promise is not a new one. The plan, as it’s stood since 2007, is to build a new four-lane highway just north of the current Highway 7 route. Specifics of the plan, like when construction will start or how much it will cost, have not been hashed out.
Progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford makes a campaign stop in Kitchener on May 12, 2022. (Chris Thomson/CTV Kitchener)
Waterloo landmark Sonny's up for sale
A Waterloo landmark has hit the real estate market. Sonny's Restaurant on Weber Street was put up for sale earlier this week, listed at $2,995,000.
The ad describes it as a "great property and business scenario," saying the "business generates serious profits and pays $72,000/year net rent."
Sonny's has been in operation since 1965.
Paul Noussis, who now owns the burger joint, took it over from the original owners 13 years ago.
"It’s a great feeling," he said. "It’s nice when you go out and people say: 'Hey, you’re the guy from Sonny's.' It puts a smile on your face, so I’m happy about that."
Noussis said he’s selling the Weber Street property because he wants to retire and spend more time with his children.
Sonny's is located 256 Weber St. N. in Waterloo. (Dan Lauckner/CTV Kitchener)
New $72 million theatre opens in Stratford
After two years of sitting dormant, the Tom Patterson Theatre in Stratford is officially open.
Construction of the $72 million theatre was completed in 2020, but pandemic restrictions meant its first show was delayed until Tuesday.
Following a ribbon cutting ceremony full of pomp and circumstance, at 2 p.m. actors hit the stage for a performance of Richard III.
The new Tom Patterson Theatre officially opened on Tuesday May 10, 2022. (Submitted/Scott Norsworthy)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.