From the search for a missing Kitchener resident to dozens of dogs dumped in a rural area of southwestern Ontario, here are some of the top stories of the week. More than a dozen dogs dumped along rural road in southwestern Ontario An investigation is underway after more than a dozen dogs were dumped in a rural area between Innerkip and Bright. Ground Search and Rescue KW crews were called to the Concession 8 area on Nov. 1 after someone spotted dogs running loose along the side of the road. In total, 14 dogs up to the age of four-years-old were rescued. Rescuers said they may be a Shih Tzu mix and were found near private land. Another dog was found dead at the site of the road. Crews are still searching for four more animals that may be missing in the nearby fields and wooded areas. Rescue crews from Ground Search and Rescue KW and Pawsitively Furever Dog Rescue said the dogs they have found so far were infested with ticks, their fur was matted with dirt and debris and, overall, the animals were in poor condition. The Ontario Provincial Police said the incident was reported to Ontario’s Animal Welfare Service and they had taken the lead in the investigation. Anyone who knows where the dogs came from, or how they ended up in the area, is asked to contact the agency at 1-833-926-4625 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Foul play suspected in Eli Wood’s disappearance Friends and family are desperately searching for information about the disappearance of a Kitchener resident. Eli Wood lived in the rear unit of a home on Major Street, which went up in flames on the morning of Oct. 19. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal. The home has been fenced off and restoration equipment surrounds the property. “We are dealing with the arson portion of the investigation as well as the missing person. We still work in collaboration with the Ontario Fire Marshal as well as Kitchener Fire,” Const. Chris Iden of the Waterloo Regional Police Service said. On Oct. 22, the Waterloo Regional Police Service announced the Major Street fire was an arson investigation. They also asked the public for help finding Wood, who was only described as a missing person. “Investigators believe there are suspicious circumstances surrounding the disappearance and that this is a targeted incident,” police told CTV News at the time. Wood was described as approximately 4’10” and weighing between 85 lbs. and 95 lbs. Wood has green eyes, partially white eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as white hair. Wood also has left forearm tattoos of a flower and seahorse tattoo and an upper right arm tattoo of a rainbow. Wood was a student at Wilfrid Laurier University in the social work program. On Tuesday, police confirmed foul play was suspected but did not explain why. “Investigators have obtained enough information and enough grounds to determine that there was foul play involved in the disappearance of Eli,” said Iden. “Just to maintain the respect and the integrity of the investigation, we’re unable to really explain or disclose any of that information.” There’s been no word from investigators on any suspects in the arson or the disappearance. Dutchie’s Waterloo closes after more than 15 years in business A grocery store in Waterloo has closed its doors after more than 15 years in business. In a social media post, Dutchie’s Fresh Market in Waterloo announced Nov. 1 was its final day of operations. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce Dutchie’s Waterloo will be closing,” the post said, in part. “Our family has been dedicated to serving this community for many years, and we have been truly blessed to get to know so many of you personally. We will miss you deeply!” The message also reflected on the company’s past, from its early days at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market to team trips to Canada’s Wonderland. It also thanked staff, suppliers and customers for their loyalty, adding that Dutchie’s aimed to provide quality products at affordable prices for the community. The post said the closure of the Waterloo store would allow its owner, Michael Renkema, to focus on his health and other commitments, including honouring his promise to former employees and suppliers. Some of them previously went public with allegations of unpaid work, setting off a slew of similar allegations against the grocer. Dutchie’s and Renkema were sentenced in June after more than a year of allegations, protests, orders to pay and court delays. Renkema pleaded guilty to 13 counts of wage theft under the Employment Standards Act in December 2024. On June 20, a joint submission was filed by the Crown and the lawyer representing Dutchie’s and Renkema. It recommended a $25,000 fine for Dutchie’s as a corporation and an additional $7,500 for Renkema alone. According to Renkema’s lawyer, Rachel Goldenberg, 13 former employees involved in the case have been paid. She said more than $10,000 in fees also went to the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Finance. Dutchie’s Fresh Market also operated a Kitchener location for several years before its closure in August of 2024. Father speaks out after arson attack on family vehicle A father in Guelph, Ont., says he fears for his family’s safety after their vehicle was set on fire on Nov. 2. Police said officers were called to a home on Montana Road near Woodlawn Road East around 1:40 a.m. A red Mazda SUV was engulfed in flames by the time fire crews arrived. “The vehicle was destroyed by the fire and there was also some minor heat damage to the residence itself, but luckily, no injuries reported,” said Scott Tracey with the Guelph Police Service. Jonas Buhendwa said he was asleep inside the home when he heard his neighbour banging on the window. “I looked outside - I see the car completely [burst] into flames,” he said. Buhendwa said he evacuated his family, which included his two-year-old son, and called 911. “The car kept burning,” Buhendwa recalled. “Explosion after explosion. It was really scary.” Buhendwa said he immigrated from Congo 17 years ago for a better life in Canada and a safe home in Guelph. “When you come here, you have a sense of security,” said Buhendwa. “And we are really losing that.” According to police, the fire is suspicious and is being treated as an arson. It’s not clear if the incident was random or targeted. “There’s video surveillance of the area that depicted a person approaching the vehicle shortly before flames were seen,” Tracey said. “That person is a very serious danger for us and for the community,” said Buhendwa. The suspect is described as having a medium build and was wearing a puffy jacket with the hood up, a baseball cap, and possibly a face mask at the time of the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers. Robert Munch donates personal archives to Guelph Public Library Beloved Canadian children’s author Robert Munsch has decided to donate his personal archives to the Guelph Public Library. Library representatives said the collection will include original drafts of his stories, notes from publishers, letters from fans, photographs and works in various formats, as well as over 75 published picture books and artifacts from his 40-year career. Munsch is best known for his books “Love You Forever,” “The Paper Bag Princess” and “Mortimer.” The 80-year-old also inspired a love of reading in generations of children as an enthusiastic and animated storyteller. “I write books for kids, I talk to kids, and I listen to kids,” he explained on his website. In a New York Times profile published in September, Munsch discussed his decision to apply for MAID (Medical Assistance In Dying) after being diagnosed with dementia. He also described watching one of his brothers slowly succumb to the disease and Munsch didn’t want to prolong his own suffering. Munsch announced his own dementia diagnosis in 2021, but no date has been set for when he may follow through with the MAID process. Canadian law requires all MAID recipients to actively consent to the procedure at the time of their death. In response to the New York Times article, his daughter shared an update on the official Robert Munsch Facebook page. “My dad is doing well but of course with a degenerative disease it can begin to progress quickly at any point,” she said. The library said Robert and Ann Munsch approached them in 2024 to discuss the donation. “We are excited to have the archives of Robert Munsch added to the Guelph Public Library,” the Munsch Family said a media release. “The library has been a large part of our family’s lives. When our children were young, Robert would take the kids every week to pick out new books. Robert Munsch is happy to continue to inspire kids and adults alike through the archives.” The collection will be added to the library’s archive at its new Central location, which is set to open sometime in 2027.
