Top stories of the week: Power outages across Waterloo Region, winter storms, and Stratford Police offer $10K reward

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Winter wallop hits Waterloo Region

Ont. family seeks answers in cold case

Another tow truck driver dies after being hit by passing vehicle

Thousands without power across Waterloo Region, Enova investigates outages

Thousands of people in Waterloo Region were without power due to an outage last week.

According to Enova Power’s outage map, 15 outages were reported as of 5:50 p.m. on Dec. 28, leaving thousands of customers without electricity.

The effected areas were St. Agatha, Petersburg, Berlett’s Corners, Mannheim, the Forest Heights, Centreville Chicopee and Laurentian West neighbourhoods in Kitchener, Maryhill as well as areas surrounding St. Jacobs.

The power disruption also impacted the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium during a game between the Kitchener Rangers and the Erie Otters.

It was reported by fans that the power went out with under two minutes remaining in the third period of a tied game.

Backup lighting came on approximately 30 seconds later, but the game was paused. According to a Rangers’ social media post, the game resumed around 5:20 p.m.

Enova Power investigated the outages. Crews worked to determine the cause.

The outages were reported amid ongoing freezing rain conditions in the region.

Environment Canada issues multiple weather alerts for southern Ontario

Environment Canada issued multiple weather alerts for southern Ontario last week, including Waterloo Region, warning of freezing rain, heavy rainfall, strong winds and the potential for snow squalls in some areas.

A freezing rain warning was in effect for much of the region on Dec. 28, with ice accretion of two to five millimetres expected on some surfaces. The freezing rain hit the region on the morning of Dec. 28, and continued into the evening, before changing over to rain as temperatures rose above zero.

At the time, Environment Canada said roads and walkways would likely become icy and slippery.

A rainfall warning had also been issued. Total rain and freezing rain amounts of 30 to 60 millimetres were expected.

Officials warned the frozen ground would have a reduced ability to absorb the rainfall, which increased the risk of localized flooding. Motorists were advised not to drive through flooded roadways. Residents were also urged to avoid low-lying areas, stay away from rivers, creeks and culverts.

“Police want to remind the motoring public to watch for pooling water on our roadways and highways, and to be very cautious,” said Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Sgt. Ed Sanchuk in a video posted to X on Dec. 28. “Please, if you do not need to travel today or tomorrow, please stay home...freezing rain along with snow can create invisible ice, making braking, steering and stopping extremely unpredictable.”

Environment Canada also warned of strong winds on Dec. 29, with gusts of 70 to 80 kilometres per hour. The strong winds developed in the morning with the passage of a strong cold front and eased by the evening as they shifted to the northwest.

Officials warned of the potential for power outages and damage to roofs, fences, tree branches and other structures. Residents were advised to secure loose objects.

Meanwhile, parts of Huron and Perth counties — particularly areas closer to Lake Huron — were under a snow squall watch.

Wind gusts of 70 per hour or greater were expected.

The OPP urged motorists to plan accordingly, slow down and to “pack an ample amount of patience” for travel disruptions.

Reward offered for tips in Sebringville, Ont. man’s disappearance

The Stratford Police Service is offering a $10,000 reward for information that helps solve a cold case.

Derek Ritz, known as “Ritzy” to his friends, disappeared nine years ago from a home in Sebringville, a small community west of Stratford, Ont.

The 51-year-old was last seen on Dec. 31, 2016, around 1 a.m., but was not reported missing to Ontario Provincial Police until Jan. 7.

“He was known as a funny, caring guy,” his friend Shelly Smith told CTV Kitchener in January 2025. “Yeah, he had his demons, but he doesn’t deserve this.”

The investigation is now in the hands of the Stratford Police Service.

“The Stratford Police Service has conducted an exhaustive investigation into the disappearance of Derek Ritz, including interviewing over 100 potential witnesses and conducting extensive searches of various properties throughout the area,” they wrote in a media release on Jan. 1, 2026.

A private investigator with Please Bring Me Home Canada, a not-for-profit organization that helps with the search for missing people, was also pursuing potential leads in the case.

“I started to arrange interviews with Derek’s closest circle; those initial interviews were troubling to say the least,” the investigator, who asked not to be identified, told CTV Kitchener in 2025. “We have had the privilege to speak with people who have had the courage to come forward and say, ‘I was there.’ Those individuals have really come forward after so much anguish, to say a group of people who are known in the community took his life in a horrific manner.”

The investigator also believes those responsible for Ritz’s disappearance have created a culture of fear in the community.

“99 per cent of these individuals are terrified to come forward because they think they will be the next one,” she explained.

On Jan. 1, 2026, Stratford Police announced they were now offering a $10,000 reward for “any individual who provides information that results in the confirmed whereabouts of Derek Ritz and the closure of this case; and/or the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible.”

They asked “anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem,” to contact police.

“Investigators remain committed to seeking the truth and bringing resolution to this matter,” they wrote.

Tips can be made to Det. Sgt. Mike Weyers at 519-271-4147, ext. 8184, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers.

Stolen credit card used to buy two bottles of wine worth $2K each

Guelph Police are looking for a thief with a taste for fine wine.

In November, a woman in her 70s was contacted by her bank after they noticed some unusual transactions on her account.

Police said the victim’s debit card was used to withdraw $3,500 in cash, while her credit was used at an LCBO store in the south-end of the city to purchase two bottles of Chateau Margaux wine. Each one was valued at $2,100.

On Dec. 30, police released photos of a man but did not say how he was related to their investigation, only that they were looking to identify him.

Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Layne Beaver at 519-824-1212, ext. 7607, or email [e-mail]. Anonymous tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers.

Tow truck operator killed in Wellington County collision

A tow truck operator has died after they were hit by a vehicle in Wellington County.

First responders were called to Wellington Road 26, between Sideroad 27 and Sideroad 30, on Dec. 27 around 9:15 p.m. The Ontario Provincial Police said the driver of a vehicle hit a tow truck operator while they were helping another driver.

The 39-year-old from Richmond Hill was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead two days later.

“I’m shocked, obviously, disappointed, angered at it,” said Gary Vandenheuvel, president of the Professional Towing Association of Ontario.

While Vandenheuvel didn’t know the 39-year-old, he said his death is another devastating loss for the tow truck community.

“It becomes extremely frustrating, angering for an industry that’s trying to do their job,” he said. “And when this happens twice within one month that we lose operators, it’s just not right.”

This incident comes as friends and family mourn the loss of a Kitchener tow truck operator who was killed in a hit-and-run on Highway 401 near Drumbo.

Last week, police charged a 32-year-old from Mount Hope, a community near Hamilton, for that incident.

“It is heartbreaking that we have had two such similar instances in a very short period of time in West Region,” said Staff Sgt. Carrie Trewartha with Wellington County OPP.

The driver of the vehicle that hit the tow truck driver was also taken to hospital, but their injuries were minor.

Police have not said if any charges have been laid.

Anyone with more information is urged to contact investigators.

In an email to CTV News, CAA confirmed the tow truck operator was one of their network drivers from a different company who was responding to a call.

In Ontario, motorists must, by law, slow down when passing a tow truck with flashing amber lights and move over if they can do so safely.

“Ontario’s highways are not only some of Canada’s busiest highways; for first responders and tow truck operators, it’s where they work. Such tragic accidents can be avoided if drivers slow down and, if they safely can, move over when they see first responders, construction workers and tow operators working on the side of the road. It is also the law,” the statement from CAA read.

“Reduced visibility during the winter months makes roadside work even more hazardous, and we urge all drivers to exercise extra caution.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the driver and his family during this difficult and uncertain time of recovery. This is a grim reminder of the importance of the Slow Down, Move Over Law – it can save lives and avoid life-altering tragedies,” the statement concluded.

Vandenheuvel is calling for stronger enforcement of the law and harsher punishment for those who refuse to follow it.

“We can’t afford to lose another life out there,” he said. “I think the only possibility is stiffer fines, possibly jail terms, driver suspensions.”

The Ontario Provincial Police urge road users to drive with care and keep an eye out for emergency vehicles.

“Especially at these times of the year when you have challenging weather situations that our operators, drivers need to be a little bit more cognizant of what they’re doing out there.”

The Professional Towing Association of Ontario said a procession will be held sometime in the new year to honour the life of the 39-year-old operator and remind drivers to be alert, slow down, and move over.