Top 10 local news stories of 2023

CTV Kitchener is taking a look back the biggest moments of 2023.

We’re revisiting the local stories that defined the year and changed our community.

Watch CTV Kitchener News at Six as we continue our countdown.

You can also click the links below to read our original reporting or watch the stories in the video player at the top of the page.

#1 - Stabbing at the University of Waterloo

It was a crime that horrified the community and shocked the country.

A man armed with a knife walked into a classroom at the University of Waterloo on June 28 and stabbed three people – two students and a teacher. All of them had serious but non-life threatening injuries.

It was later learned that the attack was planned, deliberate and hate-motivated, targeting a gender issues class.

Geovanny Villalba-Aleman remains in custody and is facing a federal terrorism charge in addition to 11 others.

The 24-year old was an international student had recently graduated from the university.

In the wake of the attack, a growing number of universities have changed their security measures.

The University of Waterloo, University of Guelph and Western University are just a few of the schools that will no longer make classroom locations, course details and instructor names publically accessible.

#2 – Crash kills OPP officer, school bus driver

An Ontario Provincial Police officer and a school bus driver were killed in a crash north of Woodstock on May 29.

Just before 7 a.m., an unmarked police car and a school bus collided at the intersection of Oxford Road 33 and Highway 59.

The police officer was identified as 35-year-old Det. Const. Steven Torangeau. He worked with the Perth County OPP Detachment. He was on duty at the time of the crash.

“In complete disbelief that something like this could happen to such a good person and such a staple to our community,” long time friend Evan Carrick said in an interview.

The bus driver, 71-year-old Dave Stewart, was remembered by those who knew him as a well-rounded man who was always smiling and loved his job and family.

“He was always above and beyond. He loved all his students who rode on the bus with him and all the students loved him,” Nicholas Irvine, whose son rode on Stewart’s bus, said.

A memorial has sprung up at the site of a double fatal collision near Woodstock, Ont. (Dan Lauckner/CTV News)

The intersection where the crash happened was known as being a dangerous location in the community. Safety upgrades were already in the works and were set to be added just a few weeks after the crash.

Oxford County says an all-way stop, red flashing lights, reduced speed limits, rumble strips, new line paint and electronic speed feedback signs have now been installed with the hopes of preventing similar tragedies in the future.

#3 – Brantford woman defrauds doulas

It was a case that that shocked and confused the community.

Earlier this month, a Brantford, Ont. woman who faked being pregnant to defraud doulas and obtain care under false pretenses pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including fraud, mischief and committing indecent acts.

Stories of what Kaitlyn Braun was doing began making the rounds among Ontario doulas earlier this year. She was arrested and charged in March.

In the days that followed, several doulas shared disturbing stories with CTV News. A publication ban now prevents them from being named.

In December, court heard details of how Braun deceived doulas and why their experiences with her left the birth workers traumatized.

#4 – House explosion rocks Kitchener neighbourhood

Neighbours rushed to help when a Kitchener townhouse exploded just before midnight on Jan. 18.

A man, a woman and two children who were inside the home were taken to hospital. The man, who police did not name, later died.

Investigators were quick to rule the blast criminal in nature. Police said they found evidence consistent with illicit drug production inside the home.

At the time, officials said charges were anticipated, but in late December, police told CTV News none have been laid.

Wreckage from the home is seen strewn across the yard. (Terry Kelly/CTV Kitchener)

The blast blew out the home's windows and doors and scattered debris across the yard. Neighbouring units also suffered significant structural damage and had to be evacuated.

“My boyfriend’s head flew back on the headboard – I kind of lifted up a little off of the bed,” said Shaina Nanco who lived next door. “All of the sudden I heard my daughter screaming from upstairs.”

Multiple neighbours identified the family who lived in the unit to CTV News as a couple with two daughters, one aged 11-year-old and the other an infant.

#5 – KW Symphony files for bankruptcy

The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony started the year off on a sour note by asking Region of Waterloo council for a one-time grant of $100,000, after they say the pandemic sank their potential profits. That request was denied, setting the tone for what was to come.

After 78 years, in September, the symphony’s financial struggles forced them to cancel the 2023-24 season less than 24 hours before their first rehearsal. That included any scheduled concerts and its youth orchestra.

“It was extremely shocking, really not expected. They didn’t give us any warning,” said Kendra Grittani, a cellist for the symphony.

It left over 50 members of the symphony without work they had been banking on. But efforts from within expanded outward to help save the symphony.

Kendra Grittani, a cellist with the symphony, sits down with CTV's Jeff Pickel on Sept. 20, 2023. (CTV/Dan Lauckner)

Musicians were praying for a case of déjà vu. Over $2 million was raised in 2006, which successfully allowed the symphony to continue operating. This time, the musicians weren’t as lucky as the organization filed for bankruptcy.

The handling of the situation was deemed off-key by ticket holders who were told they would not be getting refunds.

“A sense of almost betrayal on behalf of a lot of people in the audience, including the musicians,” said Bill Poole, a symphony subscriber.

Now the push continues to fill the stage and seats at Centre in the Square – the symphony’s home for decades. Sounds of the symphony have made brief returns on an impromptu basis, with mini concerts or performances acting as a way for the musicians to keep playing.

#6 – Verdicts for Udo Haan, Ager Hasan and Juan Mendoza

Three high-profile trials in Waterloo Region finally came to an end in 2023.

Court heard that Juan Mendoza was “highly intoxicated” when he lost control of his vehicle on May 3, 2019, drove through the former Kitchener bus terminal and smashed into a concrete planter on Gaukel Street. Two passengers in the vehicle, Tia Luna and Mendoza’s wife Maria, were killed.

A van caught fire in the moments after it hit a pole on Gaukel St. (Courtesy: Alex Tamas)

On June 30, 2023, Mendoza was found guilty of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, two counts of dangerous driving causing death, impaired driving causing bodily harm, and two counts of impaired driving causing death. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, minus 74 days, on Oct. 20, 2023.

“It’s a joke,” Douglas Gomez, whose mother Julia survived the crash, said. “It’s a complete joke. Very disappointed. Our family is very disappointed about this.”

On Aug. 22, 2018, Edra Haan was found dead after her home at 56 Sprucedale Crescent in Kitchener exploded.

The CTV News chopper captures the devastating aftermath of a house explosion in Kitchener, Ont., Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018.

Her husband Udo Haan was also severely injured. Investigators later charged him with first-degree murder and three counts of arson, alleging he strangled his wife before the blast.

A judge found Udo Haan not criminally responsible in February 2023. He’s now being detained at the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care in St. Thomas, although he is allowed supervised outings in the community.

Six years after Melinda Vasilije was found stabbed to death in a Kitchener apartment, her ex-boyfriend Ager Hasan was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 16 years behind bars. He’ll be eligible for parole in 2033.

#7 – Answers in Lucas Shortreed case

Nearly 15 years after Lucas Shortreed was struck and killed while walking home from a party in Alma, Ont., two people pleaded guilty for their involvement in the fatal hit and run.

The hearing in September marked the conclusion of a decade and a half search for answers.

“I think that’s a big part, just having our day in court feels huge finally,” said Shortreed’s mother Judie Moore, speaking outside the Guelph courthouse.

“It’s just a sense of relief that this is finally finished.”

Lucas Shortreed, 18, was killed in fatal hit and run near Alma, Ont. in 2008.

Court heard details of what happened the night Shortreed was killed and how David and Anastasia Halliburton concealed the car for 14 years on their property just a few kilometres from the crash site.

The Halliburtons bought a nearly identical white Dodge Neon and switch the VIN numbers. They hid the original car, which was damaged in the crash, inside a trailer behind a fake wall.

Court also heard how the Halliburton’s decoy car was inadvertently used by OPP in a re-enactment of the hit-and-run.

David Halliburton, 56, pleaded guilty to failing to remain at the scene of an accident causing bodily harm or death, and obstructing justice. He was sentenced to two and half years behind bars.

Anastasia Marie Halliburton, 54, who helped hide the vehicle, pleaded guilty to obstructing justice and was given a six-month conditional sentence.

Speaking to CTV News a month after the sentencing, Shortreed’s family explained how they’d like him to be remembered.

Lucas Shortreed's family on Oct. 6, 2023. (CTV News/Stefanie Davis)

#8 – Teen Struck by LRT Train

A 16-year-old was hit by an LRT train on March 8 right outside of his Kitchener high school, before being airlifted to hospital and put on life support.

Waterloo regional police said Keelan Zondervan was trying to cross Charles Street when he was struck near Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute and then became trapped underneath the LRT train.

Officials at the site of an LRT crash involving a pedestrian in Kitchener on March 8. (Krista Simpson/CTV News Kitchener)

“He’s still in so much pain,” Keelan’s mother Melissa Irwin said days after the crash. “We’re just so fortunate that he’s still with us.”

Charles Street is a regional road, but according to City Councillor Debbie Chapman, it may be time to add more safety measures around the tracks.

“The only thing that comes to mind, that I’ve seen in some places like Toronto, are railings, so that you wouldn’t be able to pass mid-street.” 

Weeks after the collision, Keelan was up and walking around.

He thanked the emergency services crew who helped save his life.

Keelan Zondervan visits emergency crews on Mar. 24, 2023. (Submitted/Chris Davidson)

"Very happy, the outcome was very positive,” said Tom O’Hara, the Public Education Officer for Kitchener Fire, after Keelan’s visit. “I would say, probably the best case scenario for that type of accident with an LRT train."

In the spring, police said there were no updates in the ongoing investigation into the crash. CTV News reached out to police again in December. They did not provide an update on the investigation by publication time.

#9 – Christmas Market Cancelled

Local vendors were left scrambling in the weeks leading up to holiday markets after an event organizer gambled away all their deposit money.

Stacy Cliff, the organizer of It’s A Christmas Market and Shopalooza, posted to Facebook on Oct. 26 saying the events were cancelled and vendors would not get their money back.

Some were out a significant amount in deposits, plus the time and money spent preparing products for the markets.

“It’s hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of dollars I’ve spent that I was planning on making back before Christmas,” vendor Tricia Teves said in an interview.

Cliff confirmed she lost the money through gambling in an interview with CTV News. She said it was upwards of $30,000.

“I don’t know what happened,” she said. “It all just snowballed. I kept thinking that I’d spend a little bit – a hundred here, a hundred there – and be able to get a big win and be able to put it all back, but that never happened.”

A group of vendors, businesses and new organizers worked together to make sure both markets would still happen. They went ahead on Nov. 12 and Nov. 19.

On Nov. 12, Waterloo regional police arrested the 52-year-old Cambridge woman and charged her with fraud over $5,000.

Cliff made a short court appearance on Dec. 20 where she said she intends to apply for legal aid. Her next court date is set for Feb. 5.

#10 – Tiny Homes

The growth of the tiny home concept was a major topic of discussion in the Region of Waterloo, as community leaders tried to address the growing housing crisis.

A hybrid shelter for unhoused residents opened in the spring. The 50 small cabins at 1001 Erbs Road, which were equipped with a bed, mini-fridge, desk, heating and air conditioning, quickly filled up.

“I think, in Waterloo Region, we’re at least starting to make a difference,” said Joe Mancini, director of The Working Centre.

In October, 50 people experiencing homelessness found out they could continue living in the tiny homes at A Better Tent City in Kitchener. The city extended the community’s land use agreement to May 2025.

A Better Tent City is pictured in a file photo. (Stephanie Villella/CTV Kitchener)

Kitchener city council also passed a motion this year to allow tiny homes on thousands of properties in the city.

Communities continue to explore ways to address the growing housing crisis, using tiny homes as another tool to try and help its residents.