Latest news with #DanLauckner
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Fake bomb threat made against Waterloo Region Courthouse
The Waterloo Regional Courthouse in downtown Kitchener is pictured on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. (Dan Lauckner / CTV Kitchener) The Waterloo Regional Police Service is looking for the person, or people, behind a bomb threat at a Kitchener courthouse. Police responded to the threat at the Waterloo Region Courthouse in the area of Frederick Street and Duke Street on Monday around 12 p.m. Officers searched the courthouse, but were unable to find anything. Investigators determined the threat was fake and there was no risk to public safety.
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Everything you need to know about Waterloo Region's new garbage and organic cart system
Waste sits on a curb in Waterloo Region on April 11, 2021. (Dan Lauckner/CTV Kitchener) The Region of Waterloo will be moving to a cart-based garbage collection system in March 2026. The region said the new wheeled carts will bring some uniformity and efficiency to weekly waste collection. It will also make it easier and safer for workers, who lift hundreds of heavy bins and bags every day. The change will affect 161,000 homes, duplexes and low-rise buildings, as well as 8,500 multi-family units and townhouse complexes. The system is already being used by several neighbouring municipalities, including Guelph, Toronto, Peel Region, Simcoe County, Barrie, Halton Region and Kingston. Here is everything you need to know about the switch. New carts Residents will get one black cart, one green cart and one container for food scraps. All three will be provided for free. The region said the black cart fits the equivalent of three full bags of garbage. The measurements are as follows: Large black cart Dimensions: 69 cm (D) x 68 cm (W) x 111 cm (H) Volume: 240 litres Weight limit: 200 pounds (or 90.7 kilograms) Green cart Dimensions: 62 cm (D) x 48 cm (W) x 98 cm (H) Volume: 100 litres Weight limit: 85 pounds (or 38.6 kilograms) Food scraps container Dimensions: 30 cm (D) x 22 cm (W) x 24 cm (H) Alternatively, residents can swap out the large black cart for a smaller one. The region said it fits the equivalent of one full bag of garbage. Small black cart Dimensions: 62 cm (D) x 48 cm (W) x 96 cm (H) Volume: 120 litres Weight limit: 100 pounds (or 45.4 kilograms) Garbage black cart curbside collection green (Source: Region of Waterloo) Getting the new carts The new carts will be delivered to residents before March 2026. Choosing your size Each address will automatically receive one large black cart. There is no need to contact the region if this is the option you prefer. If, however, residents want to opt for the smaller black cart, they need to use the region's online cart selection tool. Residents are advised to use the address listed on their property tax bill. If the address does not appear, the region suggested clicking the 'Need Help' button or calling the contact centre at 519-575-4400. The form for the smaller cart must be filled out by Sept. 5. The green cart and food scrap container only come in one size. Changing your mind Black cart sizes are set and cannot be changed after Sept. 5. The region asks that residents use whatever size they receive for at least six months. After that time, they can decide if they want to size down or swap their smaller black cart for a larger one. Residents can exchange their cart once – at no cost – in fall 2026. Unsure what size you want? Various events will be held around the region to show off the new carts. waterloo region waste bin new 2025 2026 Waterloo Region will be rolling out new waste and organic bins by 2026, June 7, 2025 (Hannah Schmidt/CTV News). Displays have also been set up throughout the municipality. You can find a list of locations here. Collection day changes The region will move to a four-day curbside collection schedule on March 2, 2026. Garbage and food scraps will not be picked up on Mondays. 'This avoids most holiday pick-up days and gives flexibility by having a make-up day, if collections are delayed or cancelled due to extreme weather,' the region said on its website. The frequency of collection will not change. The region said an updated waste calendar will be sent out to homes in February 2026. Putting carts out at the curb When putting out the new carts, arrows on the lid will indicate which side must face the street. There must be two feet between carts or other large objects (such as trees, cars, etc.) Lids must be closed securely. Do not put the carts on top of, or behind, snowbanks during the winter. Protecting your carts All carts belong to the Region of Waterloo. Each one is given a unique ID, associated with the address it was assigned to. The region suggests writing your address on the side in permanent marker. What about blue bins? The region is not responsible for blue bin collection, thus there are no changes to recycling rules. Pet waste disposal Pet waste can be put into the green cart. The region said it must be bagged in a certified compostable or paper bag. End of double garbage days The Double Garbage Days program will end in March 2026. Other types of curbside collection Bulky items, yard waste and Christmas tree collection are not affected by the new system. The existing 'bag tag' program for excess garbage is also not affected. Additional carts Each residence will get one black cart and one green cart. No additional carts are available at this time. Reducing garbage bag waste There is no need to purchase garbage bags, waste can be put directly into the cart. What do to with the old bins? Residents are encouraged to reuse their old garbage bins as yard waste containers. Alternatively, they can be put out at the curb as a bulky item after the new system launches in March. Please secure a sign stating: 'Garbage please take.' Green bins, meanwhile, can be reused as storage for soil, mulch or winter salt. Unwanted green bins can also be returned to the region. A drop-off date will be announced at a later date. What's the cost of the new system? Emterra Environmental was awarded an eight-year contract for service in Waterloo Region, at a cost of $285 million.
CTV News
01-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Stratford Police say no shooting reported in the city
Stratford City Hall seen here on Feb. 4, 2021. (Dan Lauckner / CTV Kitchener) Loud noises were heard in a Stratford neighbourhood on Saturday but, according to officials, no shootings were reported to police. In videos posted to a public social media group, four bangs could be heard coming in quick succession. The poster said they came from a south-end street just before 4 p.m., followed about 10 minutes later by sirens. Stratford Police told CTV News they did not receive any reports of a shooting on Saturday. They said some kids in the area had been setting off fireworks the previous week and speculated it could have been a similar situation.
CTV News
07-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Three more measles exposure sites listed in Waterloo Region
WRHN @ Midtown was seen on King Street West in Kitchener on April 8, 2025. (Dan Lauckner/CTV News) Waterloo Region's public health unit has added three more locations to its list of possible measles exposure sites. They are: Waterloo Region Health Network @ Midtown (formerly Grand River Hospital) from 9:20 p.m. on April 26 to 4:20 a.m. on April 27 Waterloo Region Health Network @ Queen's (formerly St. Mary's General Hospital) from 8:15 p.m. on May 3 to 12:23 a.m. on May 4 Waterloo Region Health Network @ Queen's (formerly St. Mary's General Hospital) from 11 p.m. on May 4 to 9:50 a.m. on May 6 Anyone who visited these locations, during the times indicated, are asked to monitor for measles symptoms until at least May 26. Three other locations, previously posted, remain on the health unit's website: Kitchener Memorial Auditorium (The Aud) from 6 p.m. on April 24 to 1 a.m. on April 25 Conestoga Mall in Waterloo from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 22 Waterloo Region Health Network @ Midtown (formerly Grand River Hospital) between 9:20 p.m. and midnight on April 18 Measles is a highly contagious virus. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Even brief exposure to measles can result in illness. Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash. Other signs of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can cause brain inflammation and death. It usually takes between seven and 21 days for symptoms to show up. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the illness is asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If medical treatment is needed, people are urged to contact their health provider ahead of time to prevent measles from spreading to other patients.
