New students get free bus rides ahead of first day of school
Kindergarten kids will get their first ride on a school bus in the upcoming days.
The First Rider program kicked off Monday at Alcona Glen Elementary School in Innisfil and Regent Park Public School in Orillia.
The First Rider program, run by the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC), offers its annual free ride on a big yellow bus, giving students who have never ridden a bus before a chance to practice before the first day of school.
"Our hope is that the program continues to help students and families be more prepared and have a better understanding of what to expect for the first few days of school," said Kim Malkamaki, CEO and general manager at SCSTC.
The program is free for all students in the region, said Malkamaki.
"There is no registration required," she said.
Both Simcoe County District School Board and Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board students are welcome to ride at any of the sessions at any of the schools listed below.
The schedule is on the SCSTC website.
First Rider Program
Mon., Aug. 22
Innisfil, Alcona Glen Elementary School - 9 & 10 a.m.
Orillia, Regent Park Public School - 6p.m.
Tues., Aug. 23
Collingwood, St. Mary's Collingwood Catholic School - 6 p.m.
Weds., Aug. 24
Midland, Huron Park Public School - 9 & 10 a.m.
Thurs., Aug. 25
Bradford, Fred C. Cook Public School - 9 & 10 a.m.
Angus, Our Lady of Grace Catholic School - 6 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 26
Barrie, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School - 9 & 10 a.m.
Mon., Aug. 29
Collingwood, Mountainview Elementary School - 9 & 10 a.m.
Tues., Aug. 30
Midland, Monsignor Castex Catholic School - 6 p.m.
Weds., Aug. 31
Orillia, Monsignor Lee Catholic School - 9 & 10 a.m.
Barrie, Terry Fox Elementary School - 6 p.m.
Thurs., Sept. 1
Innisfil, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School - 6 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 2
Alliston, Holy Family Catholic School - 9 & 10 a.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Another bumpy week ahead as Trudeau faces deadlines from Liberal MPs, Bloc
Another week, another raft of imminent challenges to Justin Trudeau's leadership of both the country and the Liberal Party.
Here's when you need to change your clock back
Millions of Canadians will notice their clocks turn back by one hour on Nov. 3, marking the end of daylight saving time this year.
How to make sure your used clothes go to the right place – and not to organized crime
Giving away used clothes for a second life feels like an act of charity – and it often is. But it’s become more complicated. A W5 investigation has discovered allegations that organized crime players are muscling in on charities to access their donation bins.
He lost a finger and survived a kidnapping. Then, this climber took on a 9,000-foot 'death-trap'
With jaw-dropping big wall ascents and a life packed with adrenaline and adventure, climber Tommy Caldwell has had a career worthy of – and captured by – a feature film.
B.C. election results: Recounts set to begin Sunday
Recounts will begin Sunday afternoon in two ridings where candidates were separated by fewer than 100 votes following the initial count in the B.C. election.
ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS Iran faces tough choices in deciding how to respond to Israeli strikes
How Iran chooses to respond could determine whether the region spirals further toward all-out war or holds steady at an already destabilizing level of violence.
Trump refers to CNN's Anderson Cooper by a woman's first name
Former U.S. president Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper with a woman's first name in recent days as the Republican presidential nominee focuses his closing message on a hypermasculine appeal to men.
Gold prices have surged in 2024. Here’s how to get in on the gold rush
Not all that glitters is gold, but the value of the precious metal has been surging this year.
Vehicle rams into crowd outside Mexico cathedral, injures 16
A vehicle rammed into a crowd outside a cathedral in Mexico and injured at least 16 people Saturday night, local authorities said.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Kitchener
-
Police investigating after Guelph home invasion
Police are investigating after a Guelph home was broken into early Saturday morning.
-
Fire at Waterloo waste management site
Fire crews responded to a fire at a Waterloo waste management site Friday evening.
-
Norwich retirement home announces closure
Trillium Care in Norwich, Ont. has announced they will be closing their facilities, citing “an emergency lack of financial resources necessary to sustain daily operations.”
London
-
Norwich retirement home announces closure
Trillium Care in Norwich, Ont. has announced they will be closing their facilities, citing “an emergency lack of financial resources necessary to sustain daily operations.”
-
Ontario government moves to extend 5.7 cent gas tax cut to June 2025
Ontario is moving to extend a 5.7-cent cut to the provincial gas tax until next summer.
-
As two roundabouts open in St. Thomas, one main intersection set to close for construction
Two new interchanges have opened in St. Thomas, Ont. but one main artery is set to close Monday for construction.
Windsor
-
One suspect arrested for armed robbery, Windsor police still seek three others
One suspect has been arrested after an armed robbery took place in Windsor.
-
Robbery by the railroad ends with arrest for Chatham man
Police have charged a man with robbery after an incident Saturday afternoon in Chatham.
-
Donations diverted from landfill at 2nd annual Green Expo
Donated and reusable household items piled up in trucks outside the Windsor Family Credit Union Centre Saturday afternoon in an effort to divert goods from the landfill.
Northern Ontario
-
9-year-old girl killed in ATV crash on eastern Ontario trail
One person is dead after a crash involving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in eastern Ontario. Frontenac County OPP responded to a crash involving an ATV on a trail in Ardoch, Ont., 30 km north of Sharbot Lake.
-
Ontario man tells police he harmed two family members, three found dead
Huntsville OPP and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are conducting a homicide investigation after three individuals were found dead in a Huntsville neighbourhood Friday evening.
-
Trump refers to CNN's Anderson Cooper by a woman's first name
Former U.S. president Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper with a woman's first name in recent days as the Republican presidential nominee focuses his closing message on a hypermasculine appeal to men.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Creditors bid to take ownership of northern Ont. properties held by insolvent companies
Creditors have moved to take ownership of most of the properties in northern Ontario owned by a group of 11 insolvent companies.
-
Northern Ont. police cleared in case of woman who was high on drugs bitten by police dog
Ontario Provincial Police have been cleared in the case of a woman who crashed her vehicle intentionally while she was high on drugs and fled into the woods earlier this year.
-
Union stops in Espanola, Ont., to warn of 'Trojan horse' of private heath care
The union that represents hospital workers across the province is used a symbol from Greek mythology Friday in Espanola to drive home its campaign about the perils of privatization in health care.
Ottawa
-
Players, fans reflect on season ahead of Atletico Ottawa's final home game
The Canadian Premier League (CPL) playoffs are underway and Atlético Ottawa is hosting York United at TD Place for their quarterfinal matchup.
-
Here's how you can watch CTV News at Six on Sundays during the NFL season
With CTV broadcasting NFL football games on Sundays this season, CTV News at Six will be broadcasting live on our website and the CTV News App.
-
Two facing charges for flashing imitation gun on Hwy. 401 during road rage incident
Two people are facing charges after a "high-risk" traffic stop on Highway 401 near Prescott, according to provincial police.
Toronto
-
Ontario government moves to extend 5.7 cent gas tax cut to June 2025
Ontario is moving to extend a 5.7-cent cut to the provincial gas tax until next summer.
-
More Torontonians can get the new COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. Here's what you need to know
More Torontonians will be able to get their doses of a new COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. Here's what to know.
-
Anand asks Ontario counterpart for a meeting to discuss growing problem of fraudulent car registrations
Federal Transport Minister Anita Anand is requesting a meeting with her provincial counterpart to tackle the rising issue of re-Vinning and fraudulent vehicle registrations.
Montreal
-
Seven people injured by a vehicle during a fight in Montreal
Police are searching for the driver of a vehicle that hit and injured seven people after a fight broke out at an event in Montreal early this morning.
-
Montreal dockworkers hold one-day strike to put pressure on employer
Dockworkers at the Port of Montreal walked off the job early Sunday for a one-day strike aimed at putting pressure on their employer amid difficult contract talks.
-
Montreal police investigating alleged voyeurism on metro as video surfaces online
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating an alleged case of voyeurism on the metro involving an 18-year-old woman, with video footage of the incident now circulating on social media
Atlantic
-
Nova Scotia Calls General Election for Nov. 26
With a provincial election announcement expected Sunday, Nova Scotia’s political party leaders have announced events.
-
Witches and warlocks take to the water across New Brunswick
The Westfield & District Recreation Association hosted its first Witches and Warlocks on the Water event Saturday, with costumed paddlers in pointed hats launching from Westfield Beach.
-
Canadian cities struggling to get past 'Whac-A-Mole' solution to homeless encampments
Canadian cities are struggling with the seemingly intractable problem of homelessness and trying various approaches to stop people from sleeping rough, often with mixed results.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg police search for suspect after machete attack
Winnipeg police are looking for a suspect after they say a man was attacked by someone with a machete early Friday morning.
-
'Did he live? Did he die?': A decades-old mystery stretching from Manitoba to Ireland
The mystery of a 100-year-old letter sent from Manitoba to Ireland is slowly unraveling thanks to the work of one amateur sleuth.
-
Convicted sex offender charged following U of M dorm attack
Winnipeg police have arrested and charged a man believed to be connected with an assault at a University of Manitoba dorm room.
Calgary
-
Stampeders finish tough season with 27-12 road win against Riders
A day of hope turned into a day of despair for the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday.
-
1 in hospital after motorized scooter and vehicle crash in mall parking lot
One person is in hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries after a crash between a motorized scooter and a vehicle.
-
The Lehman Trilogy explores one family's rise from immigrants to investment banking billionaires to out of luck
What could be more timely than an epic, award-winning (Pulitzer, Tony) American drama about money problems?
Edmonton
-
BREAKINGBREAKING ‘Armed and dangerous’ man taken into custody by Lac La Biche RCMP
Lac La Biche RCMP took a man they believed to be armed and dangerous into custody Sunday morning.
-
Homicide investigation leads to charges against four Albertans
Following an investigation, four Albertans have been charged in relation to the murder of a Manning, Alberta resident.
-
Worker killed at road construction site Tuesday
A worker was killed on the job in Stony Plain on Tuesday, one day after a worker was killed in northwest Edmonton.
Regina
-
No injuries reported in North Central house fire
No injuries have been reported in connection to a house fire in Regina’s North Central neighbourhood Saturday evening.
-
Roughriders fall to Stampeders 27-12 in final regular season game
The Calgary Stampeders picked up their first road victory of the season Saturday, defeating the Saskatchewan Roughriders 27-12 in the final regular-season game of the year.
-
What temperature did Saskatchewan peak at this summer?
Saskatchewan was one of the regions that experienced one of the hottest heat waves in Canada this summer, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon fire department investigating major house fire
Saskatoon fire crews responded to a major house fire on the 400 block of 24th Street West on Friday evening.
-
Police warn of lottery phone scam in Saskatoon
The Saskatoon Police Service is cautioning residents about a phone scam involving fraudulent lottery claims.
-
Roughriders fall to Stampeders 27-12 in final regular season game
The Calgary Stampeders picked up their first road victory of the season Saturday, defeating the Saskatchewan Roughriders 27-12 in the final regular-season game of the year.
Vancouver
-
B.C. election results: Recounts set to begin Sunday
Recounts will begin Sunday afternoon in two ridings where candidates were separated by fewer than 100 votes following the initial count in the B.C. election.
-
Evacuation order issued for 3 properties in North Vancouver
Three properties in the Deep Cove area of North Vancouver were ordered to evacuate Saturday night.
-
First NHL goal 'meant to be' for homegrown Vancouver Canucks winger Arshdeep Bains
Arshdeep Bains got a solid vote of confidence before suiting up for his hometown Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. election results: Recounts set to begin Sunday
Recounts will begin Sunday afternoon in two ridings where candidates were separated by fewer than 100 votes following the initial count in the B.C. election.
-
Tempers flare at B.C. ferry terminal as 'assured loading' customers bypass standby crowd
There were tense moments at a ferry terminal outside Victoria, B.C., on Friday after the lion’s share of standby spots on an early sailing were claimed by “assured loading” passengers – leaving regular customers who had been waiting for hours out of luck.
-
Island's first trauma-informed, Indigenous-specific child-care centre opens in Colwood
Hulitan Early Years Centre is a brand new, 48-seat childhood learning centre in Colwood. It was built to support Indigenous children throughout the capital region.
