Ottawa Weekly Digest (2025-12-29 to 2026-01-04)

Pedestrian killed on Highway 401 — central Ontario

• What happened: A pedestrian was struck on Highway 401 eastbound near Cochrane Road in the Township of Cramahe (about 140 km east of Toronto). Officers responded at approximately 10:40 p.m. on Saturday.
• Victim: A 22-year-old from Chatham, Ont., was pronounced dead at the scene.
• Impact: Highway between Big Apple Drive and County Road 30 was closed for investigation; all lanes reopened by 5 a.m. Sunday. OPP continue to investigate.

Senators 4, Jets 2 — Chabot shines despite facial injury

• Score and context: Ottawa Senators defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-2; the Jets’ losing streak reached nine games (their record now 15-21-4), while Ottawa improved to 20-15-5. Drake Batherson’s second-period goal was the game-winner.
• Key players: Thomas Chabot scored twice; Claude Giroux added an insurance goal. Goaltender Leevi Merilainen stopped 20 of 22 shots; Connor Hellebuyck made 23 saves for Winnipeg. Kyle Connor scored his 19th of the season for the Jets.
• Injury note: Chabot, 28, took a puck to the face (mouth stitches), left and returned wearing a full bubble; said jaw wasn’t broken and he finished the game.

Raptors 134, Hawks 117 — Ingram and Barrett lead surge

• Result: Toronto Raptors beat Atlanta 134-117. Toronto improved to 21-15.
• Stats: Brandon Ingram 29 points and 9 rebounds; R.J. Barrett season-high 27 points (30 minutes); Scottie Barnes 20 points. Sandro Mamukelashvili: 13 points, 12 rebounds, career-high 8 assists off the bench. Dyson Daniels (Hawks) recorded 20 points and 12 assists. Trae Young missed with a right quad contusion.

Toronto Zoo giraffe dies after accidental entrapment

• Animal: Kiko, a 13-year-old male Masai giraffe, died after becoming caught in an opening door of a behind-the-scenes area on the afternoon of Jan. 1.
• Details: Staff responded immediately but Kiko panicked and sustained severe injuries; the zoo described it as a "very tragic and unfortunate incident." The statement noted Masai giraffes’ long, flexible necks and relatively delicate heads.

Ottawa proposes fines up to $1 million for foreign-influence registry breaches

• Measure: Draft regulations would let the federal government fine people and organizations up to $1,000,000 for failing to comply with a planned foreign influence transparency registry created by 2024 legislation.
• Scope: Regulations define key terms and what information must be filed when entering arrangements with foreign principals to influence Canadian political or government activity.

OPP stop truck on QEW — driver charged with impaired driving

• Incident: Multiple calls at about 11:20 p.m. on New Year’s Eve reported a pickup truck traveling on three wheels with sparks near Welland Ave (QEW). Vehicle stopped near Bartlett Ave in Grimsby.
• Charges: A 47-year-old Hamilton man was arrested and charged with impaired driving; he registered more than twice the legal blood-alcohol limit. Police found empty beer cans; his licence had been suspended since 2001.