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    • Feel-good stories of 2021: From life-saving animals to gold-medal wins

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    From life-saving animals to gold-medal-winning performances, 2021 saw its fair share of lighthearted and inspiring moments — in spite of a year still dominated by the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.

    Here are some of the moments from the past year that left Canadians smiling, laughing and proud.

    MAN'S BEST FRIEND

    Over the last four years, Will Finch of Mississauga, Ont., has raised more than $40,000 on his birthday to help rescue animals. The 11-year-old started the initiative, Good Will Good Karma, after losing his puppy Karma, a rescue, but decided to "turn that hurt into love."

    Over in the nation's capital, one woman was after suffering a seizure while walking her one-and-a-half-year old Maremma mix, Clover. Video from a neighbour's security camera shows Haley Moore collapsing while walking in her Stittsville neighbourhood, followed by Clover freeing her leash and blocking an oncoming truck. "If this ends up happening again, I feel 10 times safer and I know she will be there for me," Moore said.

    And just last month near Gimli, Man., a woman caught her on home security footage taking a golf cart in the yard for a joy ride before making a U-turn and smashing it into her truck. Titan walked away injury-free, while the truck suffered minor damage. "He still wants to go for golf cart rides so you'll still catch him sitting in the golf cart ‘cause that’s one of his favourite things to do," Mallory Kmet said.

    $60M JACKPOT WON FROM A DREAM

    Deng Pravatoudom of Toronto won a this year after playing the same lottery numbers for 20 years, which came to her husband in a dream. Pravatoudom and her 14 siblings immigrated to Canada from Laos in 1980 after she and her family were sponsored by a local church. She said she and her husband worked for more than 40 years as general labourers, saving what they could, before she was laid off from her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "All the hardship is over now," Pravatoudom said through a translator while accepting her giant cheque.

    ONLINE SENSATIONS

    A couple near Swift Current, Sask., woke up one morning to find a drawing had gone viral, garnering upward of 10 million views and attracting the attention of pop singer Halsey. Their daughter Bella was born with a genetic condition and has an immunodeficiency disease, along with a condition that had her on a list for a bowel transplant. Her mother, Kyla Thomson, has been sharing Bella's medical journey since she was born on a blog and social media.

    Out in Algonquins of Barriere Lake, a northern Quebec First Nation about 400 kilometres northwest of Montreal, nine-year-old Washiiyeh Jeannotte has made a name for himself with a series of Instagram videos showcasing his hockey skills. The NHL would eventually take notice and post a compilation of Washiiyeh's moves on its own Instagram page.

    Two-year-old Adia Leidums saw herself featured on CNN after her downhill skiing — and catchy phrases — were out on the hills of Fernie, B.C. "She's adorable. It's cute as anything," said her dad, Erich Leidums. "It steals my heart for sure." In another show of winter talent, snowboarding garnered millions of views on TikTok. Her father, Guillaume Barabe, said it all started when he rented a snowboard for her to ride during Christmas, and she immediately took to it.

    Meanwhile, one Winnipeg man has racked up millions of views for his TikTok channel of him simply smiling for the camera. Borzah Yankey challenges anyone watching his videos to "try not to smile." Yankey says he receives DMs from people all the time telling him their child couldn't get through without smiling. He says he wants to spread his smile to cheer up others during the pandemic.

    And one woman from Coalhurst, Alta., earned millions of views for a TikTok video of her life hack showing . Among those who liked her video was Dan Povenmire, one of the creators of the animated American TV series Phineas and Ferb, and voice of Dr. Heinz Doofenschmirtz. "People want me to be their mom, which is funny because I'm only 29," said Carol Larson.

    FALLING IN LOVE

    After hearing of a possible break-in at his Montreal barbershop, one of the owners of Savvy Barbershop decided to watch his security footage, only to discover that the broken glass at his business occurred after a couple fell through while kissing. The shop's owners said they were willing to pay for a night's stay in a hotel for the couple if they came forward and identified themselves. The shards of glass have since been framed inside the shop. "I think that there's something romantic about never finding out who it is. They just stay this mystery couple that'll be part of our history forever. It's kind of fun," said co-owner Mike Rose.

    SPORTS

    A 52-year-old woman from Vernon, B.C., made history as the first woman to win the Race Across America after cycling 4,800 kilometres in 11 days, three hours and three minutes. Leah Goldstein was one of just three people to complete the race this year after many cyclists dropped out due to the high temperatures. Her closest competitor crossed the finish line 17 hours behind her. "I always say it's 40 per cent physical and it's 60 per cent mental, so you have to have it up here before anything, that's where it really stems from," she said.

    During the Summer Games in Tokyo, Canada's women's soccer team emerged with an Olympic gold medal after coming out of a 1-1 tie in regulation to defeat Sweden 3-2 on penalty kicks. "I'm just like completely overwhelmed," said captain Christine Sinclair. "We had a goal here to change the colour of the medal and we landed on the top of the podium." On the men's side, a highlight reel finish from Alphonso Davies helped solidify Canada's 4-1 victory over Panama in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying play. The goal got the attention of Drake, who texted the 20-year-old Bayern Munich star after the game saying he wanted to meet.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    The president and CEO of New Brunswick-based Covered Bridge Potato Chips is taking an 'extended leave of absence' after being charged with domestic violence this past weekend.

    A memorial is growing outside a Walmart in Halifax after a 19-year-old employee was found dead inside an oven in the store Saturday night.

    A search has started at Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of two victims of a serial killer.

    He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

    Canada's discount airline is suspending operations to and from Saskatoon.

    A new report suggests that Canadians' exposure to a radioactive gas is increasing, putting millions of people at a higher risk of developing lung cancer.

    • Legend has it that on a dark evening in 1988, friends of Supt. Joe Atherton quietly buried his body on the site of the old provincial RCMP headquarters in Vancouver.

    • Since the record-breaking atmospheric river hit Metro Vancouver last Friday, 266 drivers have filed ICBC claims for water damage to their vehicles. In some places, flood water was so deep, cars floated away with the drivers still inside, and the engine running.

    • Brittany La Torre and her husband Marc moved into their West Vancouver home just six months ago, but after last weekend's storm brought a torrent of muddy water and debris into their basement, knocking out power, they're not sure whether they'll be living in it six months from now.

    • He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

    • Brampton is looking to the federal and provincial government to address the growing number of its vulnerable international students being exploited and trafficked.

    • A proposed inner-city apartment complex development by Anthem Properties is raising concerns for some residents of Hillhurst and West Hillhurst.

    • A new report suggests that Canadians' exposure to a radioactive gas is increasing, putting millions of people at a higher risk of developing lung cancer.

    • Speed was a possible factor in a Tuesday night rollover involving a semi-truck that left 17 cows dead. In a news release Wednesday, Calgary police said officers were called to the area of Stoney Trail S.E. and Macleod Trail S.E. around 8:10 p.m. for a reported rollover involving a semi-truck carrying 95 cattle.

    • NEW THIS MORNING

      NEW THIS MORNING

      The City of Ottawa is hoping to learn this week just how many residents in the capital are homeless.

    • One person has died and others have been injured after a two-vehicle collision involving a tractor trailer and a car on Highway 7 in eastern Ontario, according to police.

    • Homeowners with a variable rate mortgage in Ottawa can expect to see some savings thanks to a significant rate cut by the Bank of Canada.

    • A pedestrian is in critical condition after being struck by a car in Saint-Michel Wednesday evening.

    • Nigel Berkley and CRARR plan to file complaints with the police ethics commissioner and the human rights commission after Berkley was repeatedly stopped while driving his mother's car over four months.

    • Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante will not be seeking re-election.

    • An Edmonton tow truck operator has been charged after police say he refused to release a vehicle to its owner.

    • The City of Edmonton has a long road ahead to replace aging ice arenas as demand for ice time increases.

    • The leader of Alberta's Official Opposition rolled up his sleeves for his COVID-19 and flu shots today, opting to receive them in front of media because he's concerned about vaccine uptake.

    • A memorial is growing outside a Walmart in Halifax after a 19-year-old employee was found dead inside an oven in the store Saturday night.

    • The president and CEO of New Brunswick-based Covered Bridge Potato Chips is taking an 'extended leave of absence' after being charged with domestic violence this past weekend.

    • A volunteer treasurer is facing charges after funds went missing from Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston’s riding.

    • A search has started at Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of two victims of a serial killer.

    • A 59-year-old man has died following a crash involving three vehicles that started after a tire fell off a car on the Trans-Canada Highway Wednesday morning in the RM of Tache.

    • A Manitoba inmate who was released from custody by mistake has been arrested, according to Winnipeg police.

    • Former Saskatchewan Party MLA Gary Grewal is defending his conduct and disagreeing with a recent report from the Conflict of Interest Commissioner (COIC) – which found he broke rules that prohibit MLAs from being involved with government contracts.

    • Southey RCMP say drivers should expect delays on Highway 6 Wednesday night after a serious crash.

    • Regina police says officers will provide an update Thursday in its search for the suspect of a homicide that took place in the city during the summer of 2023.

    • Detective Robert Hofstetter examined Erb’s home after her death and came to several conclusions based on the blood stains he found there.

    • A psychologist who recently assessed Geovanny Villalba-Aleman believes he may have experienced a psychotic break before stabbing three people in a gender studies class at a University of Waterloo.

    • Things could be looking up for Waterloo, Ont.-based company and former tech darling Sandvine, after being removed from the U.S. Department of Commerce Entity List earlier this week.

    • The race to form government is heating up ahead of the provincial election on Monday. Both the Saskatchewan NDP and the Saskatchewan Party feel they have the momentum as each leader has been focusing on different areas of the province as the campaign trail nears its end.

    • Canada's discount airline is suspending operations to and from Saskatoon.

    • The Saskatoon civic election is drawing closer, with mayoral candidates outlining their visions to keep the city competitive and attract businesses.

    • A Sudbury jury has found Felicity Altiman guilty of second-degree murder in the December 2020 stabbing death of a Sudbury man.

    • It only took minutes for North Bay pharmacist Brian Chute to be out $1,500 after fraudsters deceptively swapped his bank card with another.

    • The president and CEO of New Brunswick-based Covered Bridge Potato Chips is taking an 'extended leave of absence' after being charged with domestic violence this past weekend.

    • Under tough cross-examination at the London courthouse on Wednesday, Rachel Johnson, 21, was asked a number of times why there was a delay in calling 911

    • A 27-year-old man is miraculously alive after his pickup went over Hawk Cliff near Port Stanley. Fire fighters estimate that from the top to bottom of the embankment is around 270 feet.

    • OPP have confirmed that a transport truck driver crashed into a historic home just southeast of London this morning.

    • A haunted house in the Town of Innisfil is causing a real scare for some people a week before Halloween.

    • Barrie police conducted a search on Wednesday of the last place Autumn Shaganash was seen in hopes of giving her family some answers to her mysterious disappearance.

    • A 34-year-old motorcyclist has died following a collision in Barrie’s south end on Tuesday.

    • Windsor Fire and Rescue Services has been working to prepare for heightened HAZMAT risk ahead of relaxed restrictions around the transportation of some hazardous materials across the Ambassador Bridge.

    • As hospitals elsewhere in Ontario reintroduce mask mandates due to rising respiratory illnesses, Windsor hospitals are taking a more measured approach.

    • Now that production is set to begin at Windsor’s battery plant, NextStar is looking for some employees to make that production happen.

    • Two B.C. RCMP officers won’t face criminal charges for their use for force that left a man who had been arrested for public intoxication with a concussion, a torn shoulder and a chunk of his hair missing – but they could face professional discipline.

    • When 16-year-old Kaydence Bourque was struck and killed in a crosswalk on Cedar Hill Cross Road in Saanich in 2021, the community was shaken to the core.

    • A man who fired at least 19 gunshots at an RCMP detachment in northern British Columbia, narrowly missing officers inside, has won a reduced prison sentence from the province's highest court, which ruled the sentencing judge failed to fully weigh the man's mental illness at the time.

    • Dave Lindsey began growing giant pumpkins to bring a bit of magic to his grandkids' Halloween.

    • A U.S. District Court judge in Montana has sentenced a 27-year-old man from Kelowna, B.C., to 18 months in prison for using fake names to buy guns with the aim of selling them in Canada.

    • Nearly two years after a man was stabbed to death in downtown Kelowna, RCMP have made an arrest in the case.

    • Graduate students looking to become mental-health professionals will have more opportunities to study in the University of Lethbridge’s Master of Education Counselling Psychology program.

    • A dazzling light display is making its return to Lethbridge this holiday season.

    • As part of anniversary celebrations, the City of Lethbridge is inviting the community to see VisitLethbridge.com Arena like they never have before.

    • The lack of 24-hour public washrooms has been a long-standing issue in the Sault, especially considering the rise in homelessness.

    • The union representing the fire rangers with the Ministry of Natural Resources says money won’t fix the systemic problems in the workplace.

    • Rallies by a group called Voices Against Violence took place across the country on Monday, including Sault Ste. Marie.

    N.L.

    Local Spotlight

    He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

    A meteor lit up our region's sky last night – with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

    Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

    A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

    A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

    A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

    Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.

    Looking for a scare with good intentions this Halloween season? The ghosts and ghouls of Eganville, Ont. invite families to tour the Haunted Walk at Lekbor Manor.

    The image of a sleepy Saskatchewan small town with 'not a lot going on' is a well-known anecdote. However, one Saskatchewan company is hoping to change that – and allow communities both on and off the beaten path to share their stories and advertise what they have to offer.

    Politics

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    • Vancouver Fire Rescue Services received its first shipment of new firefighting gear on Wednesday, advancing the department's plans to reduce cancer risk for its members.

    • A meteor lit up our region's sky last night – with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

    Entertainment

    Business

    • Canada's discount airline is suspending operations to and from Saskatoon.

    • Things could be looking up for Waterloo, Ont.-based company and former tech darling Sandvine, after being removed from the U.S. Department of Commerce Entity List earlier this week.

    Lifestyle

    • A new resident at a Manitoba animal rescue has waddled her way into people's hearts.

    • Lonely Planet’s top places to go in 2025

      Grab your passport and your sunscreen, Lonely Planet has just revealed its 30 must-visit destinations for 2025 as well as a brand-new rundown of top 10 travel trends.

    • The Radium Hot Springs in British Columbia's Kootenay National Park has undergone a $29-million makeover.

    Sports

    Autos

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