Matt Hutcheson

Columbus

Regional News Anchor at CityNews Kitchener

Product Manager for Seed Consultants, Inc., Agronomist, Certified Crop Advisor, graduate of The Ohio State University. Opinions are my own.

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Articles

Drug checking program back in action after federal exemption

2 days ago | kitchener.citynews.ca | Matt Hutcheson

A vital service is resuming in Waterloo Region, aimed at reducing overdose deaths in the community. A federal exemption, through Health Canada, has allowed Sanguen Health Centre to begin using its drug checking machine again. The machine, which looks similar to a desktop computer tower, uses Raman Spectroscopy to identify the different chemicals contained in a drug sample. Leigh Wardlaw is the drug checking lead at Sanguen Health Centre.
Police will be ready if, when school resource officer programs resume

3 days ago | kitchener.citynews.ca | Matt Hutcheson

It appeared as though the school resource officer (SRO) debate had mostly been resolved in the province. School boards were left to decide for themselves and several, including the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB), which decided to end its program in 2021. That same year the Waterloo District Catholic School Board (WDCSB) opted to indefinitely pause its program.
Speed camera debate continues in townships that want control

4 days ago | kitchener.citynews.ca | Matt Hutcheson

The speed camera debate in Waterloo Region continues as the townships advocate for greater control over the placement of the devices. Last year, Kitchener paused the speed camera program for city streets as it looked for more control. North Dumfries has chosen to go on its own, opting to use a third party to administer a speed camera program.
Teachers' union says new legislation is a power grab from province

5 days ago | kitchener.citynews.ca | Matt Hutcheson

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) was swift to react to the education minister's announcement on May 29. In a statement that same day, it said: "ETFO strongly opposes the Ford government's latest legislative proposal that grants the Minister of Education additional powers to more easily place elected school boards under supervision and that forces the presence of police officers in schools.
Wilmot council to debate fireworks bylaw changes

5 days ago | kitchener.citynews.ca | Matt Hutcheson

The issue of private fireworks displays has come to Wilmot Township council. A staff report will be tabled at Monday's committee of the whole meeting that contains four recommendations to increase safety and reduce nuisance calls. The recommendations include: Limiting fireworks displays to the day of the holiday. The current bylaw allows displays on the days before and after the holiday. Adding a time frame for when displays are permitted.
Community comes through for Cambridge mom with cancer

1 week ago | kitchener.citynews.ca | Matt Hutcheson

A Cambridge mom believes the generosity of the community has left her spirit feeling renewed. Leanne Laur has been battling cervical cancer for several years, while caring for her two children as a single mom. It's been a very difficult few years with several setbacks including an overdose on chemotherapy but Laur was defiant and kept a brave face through all the struggles. When the roof on her home fell into disrepair, Laur wasn't sure how she could afford to replace it.
Rally for People and Planet takes over Carl Zehr Square, Saturday

1 week ago | kitchener.citynews.ca | Matt Hutcheson

A pair of divisive provincial bills will be the subject of a rally in downtown Kitchener on Saturday. It has been dubbed the Rally for People and Planet and it is in opposition to Bills 5 and 6. Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act is intended to fast track mining permits by circumventing or rewriting environments protections, including for endangered species. It also shirks consultations with Indigenous groups.
Volunteers needed for LemonAID 2025

1 week ago | kitchener.citynews.ca | Matt Hutcheson

Kids helping kids is one of the goals of the Family and Children's Services Foundation Waterloo Region (FCSF). It was with that in mind, LemonAID was created. FCSF provides all the materials but the volunteers man the stands and sell the lemonade, to raise funds to send kids to summer camp. In Waterloo Region, LemonAID 2025 is happening on June 7, and they're looking for helpers. Jill Stoddart, FCSF, Executive Director, was a guest on The Mike Farwell Show last week.
Pay-for-plasma clinic coming to Cambridge

2 weeks ago | kitchener.citynews.ca | Matt Hutcheson

For years, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) has operated on a voluntary donation system, meaning people made donations without expecting anything in return. In fact, Ontario has a Voluntary Blood Donations Act, making it illegal to pay someone for a donation. But, that is changing. Diminishing supply amid declining donations has forced CBS to put all options on the table to maintain the supply of plasma needed to make life saving immunoglobulins. Enter Grifols Biopharma and Healthcare Solutions.
Lack of parking forcing some GO riders back onto the highway

2 weeks ago | kitchener.citynews.ca | Matt Hutcheson

Anyone who has used GO Transit knows how busy the parking lots at the various stations can be. It's no different in Kitchener, where it is a regular occurrence to see the lots at the train station on Weber Street, near Victoria Street, completely full. James Abbott regularly uses GO trains to get from Kitchener to Mississauga or Toronto for work. He's been raising concerns about the parking at the Kitchener station for a few years, reaching out to multiple levels of government.