Top stories of the week: former principal sentenced, dealership on fire, and FloSports OHL streaming

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Former principal sentenced for student sex crimes

High-end vehicles set ablaze in Kitchener

Waterloo neighbours sound off on loud generator

Homeowners fight against pricey work at Waterloo townhouse complex

Streaming service secures the rights to Ontario Hockey League games

Former Kitchener, Ont., principal sentenced for sexual assault involving students

Rodney Eckert, a former elementary school principal in Kitchener, Ont., will spend 33 months behind bars at a federal penitentiary after he was found guilty of sexual assault, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching.

Two of the three incidents happened at Saint John Paul II Catholic Elementary School between 2021 and 2022.

In one, the 60-year-old touched a student’s penis and testicles. Court heard that while examining a boy after an accident, he laughed and commented, “Is it always that big?”

The second incident happened in a changeroom at the school. Eckert gave a student, who was muddy, a change of clothes. Court heard Eckert pulled down the child’s shorts from behind, exposing their buttocks, and said, “look at that white butt.”

The third incident, in 2023, involved an online conversation between Eckert, who was at that time retired, and a male student.

Eckert admitted in court he made some “blatant” errors and acted “impulsively.”

Justice Frances Brennan sentenced Eckert to 990 days, or 33 months, in a federal penitentiary.

In addition to his sentence, the judge imposed several conditions Eckert will be required to follow once he is released.

Eckert is also to have no contact with his victims or their families.

Additionally, he will be added to Canada’s National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR).

Kitchener dealership facing $250K in damages following arson

A Kitchener, Ont., car dealership is dealing with the aftermath of a fire that damaged six vehicles on the morning of Sept. 6.

“One of my employees called us and he said, ‘Somebody put the dealership on fire and the cars are burning,’” said Adnan Khan, co-owner of Xtreme Motors Ltd.

Security video from Xtreme Motors Ltd. showed a person dressed in black carrying a blue jerrycan and pouring liquid on and around vehicles at approximately 3:50 a.m. Moments later, the suspect ignited the fuel, setting six vehicles — and nearly themselves — on fire.

A Mercedes, a Mustang and a Maserati were among the cars destroyed. Damage is estimated at $250,000, according to Khan.

Khan said he believes at least two suspects were involved, with one acting as a getaway driver in a light blue Toyota RAV4, which was captured on surveillance video.

The business has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Neighbours have had enough of incessant humming from Bridgeport Plaza’s backup generator

People who live near the Bridgeport Plaza in Waterloo are fed up with constant humming from the building’s backup generator.

Kristen Jones, who lives on Brighton Lane, said it started on Aug. 29.

“You can hear this constant humming, even from our kitchen, you can kind of feel the vibration sometimes of the backup generator,” she said.

Tara Stevens is also frustrated with the incessant buzzing which her family hears 24 hours a day.

“Getting woken up through the night, not being able to fall asleep because of the noise,” she explained. “[My daughter’s] room is on the side of our house too, so having a five-year-old listening to this throughout the entire night is really disruptive.”

In an email to CTV News, bylaw enforcement for the City of Waterloo said: “We are aware of the issue and have been monitoring the situation closely. Our understanding is that there is damage to the electrical system at the property, which has required the use of a generator on a temporary basis. We have engaged with the property owner and remain in contact with Enova, who are also aware of the situation.”

CTV News reached out to First Capital, which is listed as the property management company for the Bridgeport Plaza, for comment. They did not respond by our deadline.

Waterloo residents fight to stop pricey renovations at townhome complex

Residents at the Westgate Towne Home Complex were told the windows and doors in every unit needed to be replaced. Despite their objections, they say building management is forcing them to go through with the work.

“The options we have been given is pay a $32,000 lump sum each or [they] are increasing condo fees another $200 a month to cover the cost of this, which is [for] a condo loan that they will take out on our behalf,” homeowner Chris Dedman explained.

For some people living in the 85-unit complex, it’s an expense that is simply too much too bear, especially considering homeowners were also asked to pay for a major sewer replacement project four years ago.

Many residents said they’re still trying to pay off that last loan for the sewage work. They worry if the windows and doors are done too, their condo fees will be unsustainable.

Dedman and Lamb said all of their windows and doors are in great working condition and residents were not consulted before the property management company announced the plan to replace the fixtures.

Weigel Property Management said staff do fully appreciate the feelings of townhome owners.

Staff said there are several upcoming townhall meetings where the concerns of residents will be discussed.

Waterloo-based FloHockey changing hockey streaming landscape

Some junior hockey fans may soon change how they watch their favourite teams.

FloSports, has acquired the streaming rights to the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League for the next seven years.

The company’s hockey division, FloHockey, is based in Waterloo and is eager to offer OHL and QMJHL coverage to customers.

“We can really set the tone for what we want to do with those leagues moving forward,” Derek Lebold, senior rights acquisition manager for FloSports, said.

Rogers, Eastlink and Cogeco will still be covering the OHL on television, but FloSports will carry those broadcasts on their service in addition to 23 other hockey leagues in North America.

The idea started with Mark Floreani and his brother. The former D1 NCAA athletes in track and field and wrestling started the company to try and bring better production to less commonly covered events. The company’s headquarters are in Texas, but when it bought Waterloo-based HockeyTech, it opened its Canadian headquarters and expanded on the ice.

FloSports also carries a variety of other sports that can be accessed with a subscription.