Most COVID-19 cases in Ontario, underground haircuts, missing snake: Top stories of the week
Waterloo Region logs most new COVID-19 cases in Ontario for third time in five days
With 53 new COVID-19 cases being reported on Sunday by local health officials, Waterloo Region has now logged the most daily cases in Ontario for the third time in the past five days.
On Wednesday, the region recorded 72 new infections, which garnered a warning that the area should not move into step two of the province's reopening plan when the rest of Ontario does.
On Friday, the move was put in even more jeopardy when local health officials reported 60 more cases. It was also confirmed that the Delta variant (B.1.617, first detected in India) had become the dominant strain in Waterloo Region.
COVID-19 by the numbers (as of June 20):
- Waterloo Region: 17,028 confirmed cases, 260 deaths, 16,227 resolved
- Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph: 8,079 cases, 123 deaths, 7,907 resolved
- Brant County: 3,387 cases, 20 deaths, 3,346 resolved
- Haldimand-Norfolk: 2,695 cases, 53 deaths, 2,607 resolved
- Huron Perth: 1,876 cases, 57 deaths, 1,805 resolved
COVID-19 vaccination efforts ramping up in Waterloo Region
In response to the rise COVID-19 case counts in Waterloo Region, vaccination efforts have been increase in the area, as it was announced that anyone who received a first mRNA dose on or before May 30 will be able to book an accelerated second dose appointment starting this Wednesday.
Accelerated second dose appointments will open on June 23 in Delta hot spot regions. That includes Waterloo Region, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, Halton, Peel, Toronto, and York, along with Hamilton, Simcoe, Muskoka and Durham.
Provincial officials also said there are plans to bring pop-up vaccination clinics to high-priority neighbourhoods in Waterloo Region. The clinics will likely accept both walk-ins and appointments, and will offer both first and second doses to eligible residents.
Growing concerns as 'underground' market for hair cuts takes shape
There are growing concerns in Waterloo Region about an underground market for hair cuts, with stylists choosing to work under the radar of the province's pandemic restrictions. Personal care services remain prohibited in Step 1 of Ontario's reopening plan, but some say they’re hearing stories of people taking the clippers and scissors into clients' backyards for a trim.
Allison Christie, owner of Chez Allison Organic Salon in Guelph, said despite her shop being closed she's still getting requests for underground hair cuts.
"I've also had people contact me for the very same reason, 'I'll give you one $100 cash if you come to my backyard and cut my hair,' and I've said no every time," she said. "It's a bit problem in the industry."
Meanwhile, the Ontario Hair Stylists Association is arguing its members should be allowed to open their shop doors. Tanya Hill, Vice President of the association, says her hair dressers should not be put under the same umbrella as other personal services because 80 to 90 per cent of their services are non-client facing.
She also argues that there is a mental health aspect to a customer getting a fresh cut, as well as benefits to their physical health.
Escaped snake still on the loose in Kitchener neighbourhood, now missing for over one week
Missing pet posters have started going up in the Chandler Drive neighbourhood in Kitchener, but the signs aren't for a cat, dog, or a pet you would expect - they're for a four-foot, six-inch snake.
“It was first reported to us missing on Sunday afternoon [June 14] on day four,” said Sarah Arndt, a volunteer with Ground Search and Rescue Kitchener Waterloo.
As of this Sunday, the adult female ball python named Little Lady has now been missing for more than a week.
The good news is the reptile is not venomous and does not pose a threat to the public.
“They're very timid creatures, they will not attack a human being, they're most likely hiding somewhere and very afraid,” said Anya Barradas with the Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth.
Little Lady, a ball python, has been missing for five days after escaping from a residence near Chandler Drive. (Supplied by Ground Search and Rescue KW)
A Better Tent City moves into temporary home in Kitchener
The temporary accommodations of A Better Tent City in Kitchener is getting mixed reactions from those that live nearby.
On Thursday, it was announced that the 50 residents, most who were previously homeless, would be moving to a space on Battler Road typically used for snow storage. The temporary space was provided by the city after ABTC had to leave their original home on the Lot 42 site following the sale of the property.
They had hope to relocate to a property on Breslau, but received push back from nearby residents and was ultimately not approved.
On Saturday, residents around the Battler Road location made a special delivery of 20 pizzas and a new fridge to the new residents.
However, in an email to CTV News, one nearby resident says they weren't notified of the move and that "the safety of our children, businesses, our homes, and reputation must be addressed."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Party's over: Coyotes play final game as Arizona franchise before move to Salt Lake City
Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.