DAILY UPDATES

Davenport Daily Updates

TTC employee stabbed at Dupont, man arrested, police say

A man has been arrested after a TTC employee was allegedly stabbed at Dupont Station this morning.

Police say shortly after 6 a.m. the on-duty employee was travelling south on the University line and asked a passenger to stop being disruptive. The man allegedly became aggressive, attacked and stabbed the TTC employee.

Officers responded to a call and arrested a 30-year-old man.

He faces charges of assault, assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm and having a dangerous weapon.

He is to appear in court Feb. 10.

pollinator garden thumbnailEven the bees and the butterflies hurt by COVID restrictions

Toronto’s BIAs have fallen behind in creating pollinator gardens on our main streets as small businesses have been preoccupied with staying afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic over the past couple of years.

The program  is expected to languish as long as the pandemic lasts, unless the city kickstarts it. See the full story.

Indoor attractions closed

Entertainment facilities, like the Paradise Theatre on Bloor Street West, are closed as of today as the province moves into Step Two of its “reopening” plan, the government has announced.

Indoor venues listed as being shut down by the recent rapid increase of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 include concert halls, theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and amusement parks.

LibraryLibrary branches to close temporarily

The Evelyn Gregory Library is among the library branches to shut down as of Monday. The Toronto Public Library has announced nearly half of its branches are closing temporarily due to staffing shortages during the COVID pandemic.

Also closing in the Davenport area are the Perth/Dupont and St. Clair/Silverthorn libraries.

Other local branches — including the Dufferin/St.Clair and Bloor/Gladstone libraries — will remain open with 50-percent capacity limits. See the full story.

what's open thumbnailWhat’s open over Christmas weekend in and around Davenport

Think you might need to pick up supplies sometime between Friday and Sunday over the holidays? Or pick up a prescription? Buy a last-minute gift? Or just get out of the house and go skating, visit a museum, or have some other fun?

Here’s our ever-growing list of what’s open over the Christmas weekend in this and other communities across Toronto.

MPP Stiles calling on government to keep schools open

Davenport MPP Marit Stiles, NDP education critic, is urging Premier Doug Ford to take steps to prevent further school shutdowns.

“As Ontario schools break today for the holidays, parents, kids and education workers are rightfully afraid they won’t be returning to in-person school as they should after New Year”s,” Stiles said in an NDP statement released today.

She charged the Ford government is scrimping on measures to prevent further school shutdowns.

“We must do everything possible to keep schools open — our children’s mental, emotional, and academic well-being depends on it,” Stiles said.

The NDP is pressing the government to take up a nine-part program to prevent shutdowns, starting with free rapid tests for all teachers and education staff to take home over the holidays, tests for all students and education workers to continue taking after the holidays, and an in-school vaccine blitz for students, including those age 5–11.

Two pedestrians seriously injured in separate incidents

Two people were rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being struck by vehicles in separate incidents within about an hour yesterday evening.

About 6:30 p.m., a female pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at Lansdowne Avenue and Dundas Street West in the Little Portugal area, police said. She was seriously injured and was taken to hospital by paramedics.

At about 7:30 p.m., a teenage girl was taken to hospital with possibly life-threatening injuries after being struck near Bathurst and Ulster streets in the Palmerston area, police report.

No other information about the incidents or the victims has been released yet.

Pickup sought after Dupont-Dufferin collision

Pickup truckPolice have released a photo of a pickup truck of the same make and model as a vehicle suspected of being involved in a collision yesterday.

On Dec. 4 at about 4 p.m., officers received a report of a collision at Dupont and Dufferin street. One of the two vehicles reportedly failed to remain at the scene.

It is described as a dark-coloured Lincoln Mark LT pickup truck with front-end damage.

Investigators would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the events or have security or dash camera footage of the area or incident.

Spenser in earlier photo
RECOVERED: Spencer, shown in earlier photo, was returned.

Arrest made after alleged dognapping

Spencer is back home after police arrested a 39-year-old man for allegedly stealing the dog.

Police reported a woman left her dog, a brown and tan Chihuahua mix, outside a store near in the Dundas Street West and Dovercourt Road on Nov. 24 at 10 a.m.

A man took the dog and left eastbound on Dundas, police said.

Later the same day a man was arrested and charged with theft under $5,000.

He is scheduled to appear at court Feb. 2, 2022.

Spencer was recovered and returned to its owner.

Glen Long rink thumbnailLocal outdoor rinks to open next week

The city’s outdoor rinks at Wallace Emerson Park and Giovanni Coboto are set to open next week — Nov. 27 — along with 36 others across the city. The following week the rink at Campbell Avenue Playground will join them.

You won’t need a reservation to skate on the outdoor rinks as you did last year, but you will have to take the province’s pre-screening test first. See the full story.

York Civic Centre next to Housing Now siteEglinton West site chosen for next affordable housing phase

Parking lots by the York Civic Centre on Eglinton Avenue West may be turned into a site for affordable housing, as the city has approved expansion of its Housing Now program to four new locations across Toronto.

The sites were put forward as the third phase of the program, intended to to develop affordable rental housing on under-used, city-owned lands. See the story and map.

call for mural artistsYoung artists sought for street mural

Now FYI on Oakwood is looking for three young artists (age 12 to 29) who can paint or do street art to create a mural near Dufferin Street and Eglinton Avenue West.

FYI is an agency that has established a community space for youth at 504 Oakwood Ave.

Artists are to be chosen based on their connection to the community and portfolio of past work, with priority given to those who live or attend school in the Oakwood-Vaughan community.

Best news for young artists may be that materials and a $150 honorarium are to be provided.

Application deadline is Nov. 19. Email whitney@foryouth.ca.

Scifi film festival on tonight

A reminder to science fiction fans — and film buffs. The Great Canadian Sci Fi Film Festival is showing 17 films from around the world this evening at the Royal Theatre on College Street. See the listing for more details.

Volvo in firearm discharge investigation
Police are seeking the driver of this Volvo sedan in a firearms discharge investigation.

Firearm discharge investigation after shots fired at home and police station

Police said today they are looking for a man driving a Volvo after shots were fired at two locations widely separated across Toronto on Oct. 29 evening.

At 8:05 p.m., officers began an investigation when a man scattered a container of sharp objects at the entrance to the parking lot of 55 Division substation, 41 Cranfield Rd. near Bermondsey Road in the east end and fired shots at the building.

At 9:34 p.m., officers responded to a call for the sound of gunshots after gunshots were reportedly fired at a home near Gilbert Avenue and Eglinton Avenue West. The bullets broke windows and travelled through the home, police said.

Police have released images of a silver or light-coloured four-door Volvo sedan, with a sunroof and seven-spoke silver rims, seen fleeing both scenes.

No injuries have been reported in either incident.

pumpkin parade thumbnailLet your jack-o-lantern join the parade tomorrow

At least four parks are putting on pumpkin parades tomorrow evening in the Davenport area, including Earlscourt Park, Dovercourt Park and others.

Instead of throwing out your jack-o-lantern after tonight’s festivities, take it (and a candle) to the nearest park to become part of the parade. Then return in the evening to enjoy the event. See the Things To Do Listing.

FYI issues call for local artists

FYI (For Youth Initiative) on Oakwood is looking for three local artists to paint canvases for its youth centre. Artists must live or attend school in the Oakwood-Vaughan community, FYI says.

Paintings should reflect the artist’s personal connection to the community. Materials and honoraria will be provided to each artist.

To apply, send samples of work and ideas to whitney@foryouth.ca by Nov. 26.

FYI is an agency serving youth which has recently established a new community space for youth at 504 Oakwood Ave. in the Oakwood-Vaughan neighbourhood.

Donald Leroy "Smokey" Marson homicide victim thumbnailHomicide victim identified

The man who died of gunshot injuries on Oct. 23 has been identified by police. He is Donald Leroy (Smokey) Marson, 36, of Toronto, according to a police statement yesterday evening.

See updated story.

 

Driver hit hydro pole, fled scene

A vehicle hit hydro pole near Keele Street and Flamborough Drive, police reported shortly after 11 p.m. last night. Hydro and Toronto Fire staff also attended the scene.

The driver and vehicle fled the scene and an investigation is continuing, police said.

Injuries are unknown. The hydro pole is being repaired.

police car at night thumbnailMan dies of gunshot wounds on Eglinton

A man, 36, became Toronto’s 69th homicide after being shot early yesterday morning in an Eglinton Avenue West apartment, police said in a news release yesterday evening.

Despite officers performing life-saving measures, the man was declared dead at the scene. Here’s what we know so far.

Get vaxxed at the station

Bathurst is among the six subway stations where vaccine clinics are operating over the next three days. You can get your shot at the station from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 21–23, the city announced today.

No appointments are needed to get your first or second dose. Other stations in the campaign styled as #VaxInTheSix are St. Clair West, Finch West, Islington, Kennedy and Union.

Shop and vax at the mall this weekend

The city and its public health partners are holding mobile clinics at 22 shopping centres and pharmacies across Toronto, including at the Dufferin Mall and Galleria Shopping Centre, on Oct. 16 and 17.

Called Shop And Vax 2.0, this effort expands on the similar campaign in late September, that vaccinated more than 1,000 people.

Local Shop and Vax sites include:

  • Rexall, Galleria Shopping Centre, 1245 Dupont St, Saturday 8 a.m.–9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., by appointment or walk-in.
  • TPH/TTC Bus Mobile Clinic, Dufferin Mall, 900 Dufferin St., noon–4 p.m., walk-in

Anyone born in 2009 or earlier is eligible to receive first or second shots.

Collision sends man to hospital with life-threatening injuries

A 49-year-old man has been rushed to hospital after a two-vehicle collision near St. Clair Avenue West and Caledonia Road, police reported at 2:19 p.m. today.

A vehicle was said to also have hit a hydro pole.

Police and paramedics were on the scene and took one man to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

No additional information is available yet. The area is closed for investigation, police say.

climate action thumbnailBecome a champion for local climate action

The city is inviting you to become a Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion. It’ll take four or five hours a month of engaging with the local community to develop neighbourhood-based projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

You’ll get training and support to empower you to support residents in developing projects that reflect the needs and values of their communities — and you’ll receive a modest honorarium. See more in our Things to Do listing.

Arsons investigated in Dufferin Grove

Police are investigating a number of fires in the Dufferin Grove Park area after they were called to a fire reported on Sept. 7 just before 5 p.m.

The fires caused property damage but no injury to people.

Anyone with dash-cam or surveillance video, or who saw something suspicious, or who discovered fire-damaged property is asked to contact police.

Mary McCormick Community CentreAffordable after-school care program comes to local centres

Tow local community centres have been chosen as locations for the affordable After-School Recreation Care program starting in September, Davenport Councillor Ana Bailão announced today.

The selected centres, Mary McCormick Community Centre at 66 Sheridan Ave. and Wallace Emerson Community Centre at 1260 Dufferin St., will provide after-school care for $2.88 per child. Families may also apply for further assistance and may qualify for free access, Bailão said in her announcement.

The ARC program was developed by the city to address the care and recreation needs of children six to 12 years old, providing programming from 3 to 6 p.m. for 30 school-age children at each location.

Pool hours extended during heat wave

The city is extending pool hours at seven outdoor pools, including Giovanni Caboto Pool at 1369 St. Clair Ave. W., after a heat warning issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada yesterday.

The selected pools will be open, weather permitting, until 11:45 p.m. tonight and may continue to have extended hours until the heat warning ends.

During the extended evening hours, from 8 to 11:45 p.m., pool access will be walk-in only and online reservations will not be available, the city said in a press release today.

Heritage Toronto to explore Junction Triangle

Heritage Toronto is back in business with in-person walking tours and has announced one of its new events is an exploration of the “Junction Triangle: A Neighbourhood in Motion.”

It takes place on Aug. 12 but you’ll have to register and pay $20 in advance. More information in our Things To Do listing.

Vaccination rates below average in Davenport

With 61.1 per cent of Torontonians completing their vaccinations for COVID-19, Davenport neighbourhoods have fallen below the municipal average. Only Dufferin Grove comes close, while the Earlscourt and Carleton Village communities, designated Weston-Pelham Park by the city, have the lowest vaccination rate in the area.

Here’s a breakdown of Davenport-area neighbourhoods showing completed vaccination rates from highest to lowest, as of today.

  • 60.0% Dufferin Grove
  • 59.4% Little Portugal
  • 58.4.9% Dovercourt-Wallace Emerson-Junction
  • 52.6% Keelesdale-Eglinton West
  • 52.6% Caledonia-Fairbanks
  • 52.4% Parkwoods Donalda
  • 51.7% Weston-Pelham Park

These figures are derived from the neighbourhood map on the city’s website.

One man sought in two sexual assault investigations

sought in sexual assault investigations
Police image of man sought in sexual assault investigations.

A man believed by police to have been involved in sexual assaults on two days along Bloor Street is being sought. Images of the suspect have been released.

The latest incident occurred yesterday before 2:43 p.m. when officers were called to the area of Dovercourt Road and Bloor Street West.

It was reported a 24-year-old woman was followed out of a store by an unknown man who grabbed her from behind and assaulted her, before fleeing the area.

On July 17 officers had responded to a call near Park Road and Bloor Street East area.

A 45-year-old woman was walking down the street when she was approached from behind by stranger who allegedly grabbed her and assaulted her, before fleeing.

The man in both cases is described as 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10, 180–200 pounds with a medium to heavy build.

A man with a lighter sought after incidents at Ossington Station

Police are looking for a man who allegedly tried to set fire to people at Ossington Station yesterday afternoon.

At about 2 p.m., police were called to the station where it was reported a man approached three different people with a butane lighter and tried to set their clothes alight.

One person sustained minor injuries.

The man is described as in his 20s with a thin build. He was reported wearing a purple T-shirt with black sleeves, black jeans, a black trucker-style baseball hat with a white design on the front, and black and white shoes. He was carrying a grey sweater and a grey backpack with orange stitching.

man sought in stabbing investigation
Toronto police are seeking this man after a stabbing in a bar.

Images released after alleged bar stabbing

Photos of a man have been released by police investigating an incident at a bar near St. Clair Avenue West and Dufferin Street on July 7 at about 1 a.m.

It was reported that a man stabbed a 38-year-old man multiple times and was last seen walking eastbound on St. Clair.

The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries, police say.

The man  being sought is described as between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-10, with a medium build, short dark hair and a short beard.

He was seen wearing glasses and a red and white horizontal striped t-shirt.

Two-day pop-up vaccine clinic at Fairbank Public School

Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow, the Toronto District School Board and health partners are hosting a pop-up vaccine clinic at Fairbank Public School, 2335 Dufferin St., south of Eglinton Avenue West, today and tomorrow.

The clinic is open July 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for anyone 12 and over from postal code areas M4P, M4S, M4V, M5P, M5R, M5V, M6A, M6B, M6C, M6E, M6G, M6H, M6K, M6M, M6N and M6P.

Walk-ins are welcome. First doses will be available for anyone 12 and up. Second doses are available for those who received the first dose of Pfizer at least 21 days ago, Moderna at least 28 days ago and AstraZeneca at least eight weeks ago.

For more information call the York-Fairbank Centre for Seniors at (416) 651-8300.

Man hospitalized after stabbing

Paramedics took a man to hospital after a stabbing near St. Clair Avenue West and Dufferin Street early this morning.

Police had responded at about 1 a.m. after receiving multiple calls reporting a man had been stabbed, according to police on social media. No further details are available.

Little Italy roads blocked by soccer celebration

Roads around College and Clinton Street — the heart of Little Italy — were filled with hundreds of soccer fans celebrating Italy’s victory in the Euro Cup semifinals this evening.

The match against Spain ended in a 1-1 tie but Italy won in the penalty shootout to move on to the final. Italy hasn’t won the championship since 1988.

Police advised at about 6 p.m. for drivers to consider alternate routes of travel.

encampment thumbnailAttempt to clear camp leads to confrontation

Police and advocates for the homeless encampment in Trinity Bellwoods Park faced off today as the city tried to convince the camp’s inhabitants to leave.

Police and security staff erected fencing around the camp while protesters formed a human chain around the tents. Get the full story.

Break-in, car theft, gun pointing and collision began in Silverthorn neighbourhood

Two men are sought after a reported car theft led to a confrontation with a gun and a collision.

On June 11 in early afternoon, a home near Rogers Road and Regent Street was broken into and a car stolen, police say.

The car owner found it a short time later and confronted its two occupants, one of whom allegedly pulled a gun and pointed it. The two fled the area at a high rate of speed and became involved in a collision, before again fleeing.

One of the suspects, a 34-year-old Toronto man, is wanted for pointing a firearm, possession of property obtained by crime, theft over $5,000 and failing to remain at an accident.

He is described as 5-foot-5 and 149 pounds, and he has brown eyes and tattoos on his left forearm saying “2 DA 5TH.” He is considered armed, violent and dangerous, police say.

No description is available for the other man is being sought.

On-street parking enforcement to resume Monday

Be careful when and where you park after this weekend. During the lockdown months you may have gotten away with parking on streets longer than the city-wide three-hour limit or in front of your house without an up-to-date permit, as police have been been lax in enforcing these and other parking rules.

But that’s about to change. As the province begins to reopen and traffic increases, routine enforcement of on-street parking regulations is to resume, starting 12:01 a.m. on June 14, Toronto police announced today.

You’ll have a little more time to get your residential on-street permits in order though. Enforcement of those violations will begin on June 21.

snow clearing thumbnailSnow-clearing extended to all our sidewalks

After a two-year trial with new, smaller sidewalk plows in Davenport, Eglinton-Lawrence and other wards, Toronto is extending its snow-clearing program to all sidewalks across the city, council decided yesterday.

“Council’s approval today will ensure we can provide sidewalk snow removal across the city starting this winter,” Mayor John Tory said.  Get the full story.

Power out across midtown neighbourhoods

Power has been restored to hundreds of homes hit by an outage in midtown this morning, Toronto Hydro says.

Hydro reported the blackout appears to have hit an area between north of Eglinton Avenue and St. Clair Avenue, east of Allen Road.

But residents on social media also reported outages this morning in neighbourhoods further east, such as Moore Park, Sherwood Park and North Leaside.

fail to remain image
FAILURE TO REMAIN: Police image shows car suspected of having struck cyclist.

Car hunted after cyclist seriously injured

Police have released images showing a car that allegedly struck a bicycle on Ossington Street two weeks ago and left the cyclist with serious injuries.

At about 10:40 p.m. on May 15, a vehicle heading north on Ossington, north of Northumberland Street, struck the 25-year-old cyclist, police reported today.

The vehicle, described as a white Fiat 500, fled the scene, north on Ossington.

Investigators are asking anyone with information or with security or dash camera footage of the area or incident, to contact them.

11 Division police station thumbnail

Suspected shooter arrested, two others outstanding

A suspect in a shooting was arrested and two firearms were seized by police after a pursuit by car, a crash, and a chase on foot, police said today.

On May 19 after 7 p.m. officers responded to calls for shots fired into a building at 34 Pelham Ave., according to a report on the Toronto Police Service news page.

Later members of the 11 Division major crime unit members spotted near the scene a silver sedan that was reported to be involved. The same vehicle had also been reported by witnesses near gunshots at the same location two nights earlier, police said. See the full story.

Man shot outside home on Wallace Avenue

A man is in hospital after a shooting outside a home in the Wallace-Emerson neighbourhood late last night, police reported on social media.

At 11:38 p.m., officers responded to reports that someone had been shot, possible in a drive-by shooting, at 30 Wallace Ave., west of Dufferin and Bloor streets, and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound.

Paramedics took him to hospital in serious but non-life threatening condition.

Wallace was closed between Dufferin and Pauline Avenue for the investigation.

Outdoor recreationTennis, basketball and other outdoor recreations are back

Local tennis courts, basketball courts and sports fields should be busy with people getting their outdoor exercise again this long weekend, as long as they keep physically distanced.

Following Ontario’s go-ahead yesterday, the city is reopening its outdoor recreational amenities — albeit with public health restrictions in place — as of May 22.

Get the whole story.

Davenport-area shooting reported

Police responded to reports of a shooting near Davenport Road and Osler Street yesterday evening. When they arrived in the area around 9 p.m., officers found evidence of gunfire but no victims, police reported on social media.

This came shortly after they also received reports of a man with a gun in Trinity-Bellwoods Park.

New locations for speed cameras

The city is moving its 50 automated speed enforcement (ASE) devices to begin a third round of ticketing in June.

The ASE devices, commonly called speed cameras or photo radar, have until recently been located on Laughton and
Ruskin avenue in Davenport ward.

The new locations where you’ll have to watch your speeding in this area are:

  • Dufferin Street near Waterloo Avenue
  • Concord Avenue north of College Street

Leslieville break-ins thumbSame man wanted for store break-ins in east and west ends

Today the police released information on a suspect in break-ins in the Queen Street East area last weekend  — and it turns out to be a man they were already seeking for a similar series of store break-ins on Dundas Street West and Ossington Avenue.

Images of the man being sought for both break-and-enter sprees were released by police. See the full story.

Vehicle sought in failing-to-remain investigation

A 70-year-old cyclist suffered minor injuries in a collision at Dupont Street and Campbell Avenue in the Junction Triangle area on May 1 at 3:30 p.m., police report.

Traffic Services are looking for a 2019-2020 Ford Fusion, coloured black with titanium trim, which allegedly made a left turn from westbound Dupont to southbound Campbell, striking a man on a bicycle and then fleeing the scene.

An image of the sought vehicle has been released by police.

Ford Fusion suspect vehicle

Arrest in hate-motivated assaults investigation

An arrest has been made a month after a series of assaults that police called hate-motivated. Between April 9 and 11, a man allegedly spit on people at Christie, Lansdowne and Wellesley subway stations and in one case was said to have yelled racial slurs. (See original story and images.)

O’Sullivan Martinez, 26, of Toronto was arrested on May 5, police report. He faces 21 charges including multiple counts each of assault, causing a disturbance, failing to comply with probation and breach of recognizance.

He was to appear at court virtually on May 7.

sexual assault suspect by police
Image released by police in sexual assault case.

Man sought in sex assault after bus ride

Police today have released images of a man being sought in the investigation of a sexual assault near Dufferin Street and Bloor Street West at about 1 a.m. on April 30.

A man is reported to have sat on a bus near a woman and approached her after she left the bus at the Dufferin Station.

After allegedly sexually assaulting he reportedly fled westbound through an alley.

The man is described as about 40 and wearing a red jacket, a grey-hooded sweater, dark pants, a black face mask, a dark blue toque with blue and yellow stripes on the brim. He was carrying a black backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

College-Ossington fire thumbnailRooftop rescue in three-alarm fire

A three-alarm blaze engulfed the top floor of a three-storey commercial building at College Street and Ossington Avenue yesterday afternoon.

Two people escaped the blaze, one having to jump from the third floor onto a second-floor rooftop and await rescue by firefighters. Here’s the full story.

Police chief James Ramer thumbnailPolice crackdown on gatherings starts today

If you’re getting together in our west end parks or on our beaches with friends or family who don’t live with you, watch out for the cops. They’re taking the latest prohibition against large gatherings — indoors and outdoors — quite seriously.

Like other divisions, 11, 12, 13 and 14 Divisions have even formed a special unit to find, break up and fine large groups flouting the rules. (The fines can surpass $10,000.)

Or better yet, give us all a break in the fight against COVID-19 — and don’t do it. See the full story.

hate crime suspect thumbnailSubway assaults were hate-motivated, police suspect

A spate of assaults at Christie, Lansdowne and Wellesley subway stations on April 9 and 11 are suspected of being a hate crime, police say.

They have released security camera images of a man they are seeking in their investigation of three incidents in which a man allegedly spit on another person and in at least one case is said to have yelled racial slurs. See the story and images.

Reports of shooting, victim not found

Police received reports that someone was shot in the stomach at about 3:30 p.m. today east of Bloor Street West and Ossington Avenue. On the scene, they recovered a firearm and took one person into custody, but half an hour later they still had not found the reported victim, police said in an online message.

The search included temporarily shutting down Bloor Street in the block between Roxton Road and Shaw Street.

Still no word on the apparently wounded victim. Anyone with information is asked to call police.

COVID cases found at Dufferin Mall grocery store

Two team members at Andrew and Shelley’s No Frills, 900 Dufferin St., have tested positive for COVID-19, Loblaw Companies reported today.

The last days the employees worked at the store at the Dufferin Mall were April 3 and 5, according to the store’s parent company.

Riverdale CollegiateAll Toronto schools shut down

Only yesterday Toronto Public Health advised the closing of 20 schools across Toronto for COVID investigations. Today the rest of Toronto’s elementary, middle and secondary schools are shuttered on the orders of Toronto’s chief medical officer, Dr. Eileen de Villa.

Students are to transition to remote learning which is to continue until April 18 — although this end date may also be extended, TPH warns. See the full story.

assault suspectMan sought in assault investigation

Police released an image and security video clip today in an attempt to identify a man.

He is sought in an ongoing investigation into an alleged assault on March 29 at about 2:05 a.m. near Bloor Street West and Rusholme Road.

The man is described as being 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-7 and having a thin build. He was wearing a grey, hooded sweater with the hood up, a dark jacket, dark pants, and light running shoes. He was also wearing a black balaclava with the eyes and mouth cut out, police say.

Rash of COVID cases at Sobeys store

The Sobeys store at 840 Dupont St. has experienced four cases of COVID-19 among its staff over three days, according to the grocery chain’s online reporting.

Three of those cases were reported today at the store east of Ossington Avenue. The last days worked were March 19 for two of the affected employees and March 24 for the third.

This follows the report on March 25 of another staff member testing positive at this location, the last day on the job also being March 19.

Arrest for three store robberies

A man has been arrested after a police investigation of three retail robberies near Dupont Street and Davenport Road between Jan. 12 and March 24, police said today.

In each alleged robbery, a man with a mask on and a hood over his head is reported to have approached the checkout counter and handed the employee a note saying he had a gun and demanding cash. He fled on foot with cash.

Members of the holdup squad identified a man, carried out a search, and found the man in possession of clothing worn during the robberies, according to police.

Jeremy Gerard David, 38, of Toronto faces three counts of robbery and three counts of disguise With intent. He appeared in court virtually on March 25.

Man reported to have chased girls in park sought by police

image released in criminal harassment case
IDENTITY SOUGHT: Police released this image of a man wanted in a criminal harassment investigation.

Police are trying to identify a man who allegedly chased three girls around a park near Dufferin and Bloor streets on March 10 about 5:45 p.m.

The girls reportedly managed to run away from the man.

Police today released a security camera image of a man. He is described as being 5-foot and in his late teens to early 20s, with a slim build and short black hair.

He was last seen wearing a blue and black jacket, black pants and camouflage-coloured headphones, and he was holding a basketball.

The man is being sought in a criminal harassment investigation.

John Tory thumbnailCity promises to revive Little Jamaica

Mayor John Tory has promised at a virtual public meeting to give Little Jamaica the long-overdue attention it deserves.

Plans to rejuvenate the Eglinton West business and residential community were discussed by Tory, city councillors, local businesspeople and others at the March 4 meeting. Read the story about the meeting.

New locations coming for photo radar

You have until May to improve your driving on Dufferin Street, near Waterloo Avenue, and on Concord Avenue, north of College Street. That’s when the city’s automatic speed enforcement (ASE) devices will be moved to these locations to catch speeding drivers in Davenport ward.

This will be the third locations for the ASEs. They are currently snapping pictures of speeders and issuing tickets at their sites on Ruskin Avenue and Laughton Avenue.

Little Jamaica mural thumbnailPublic meeting to help save Little Jamaica

On March 4, Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow is hosting a public conversation to “meaningfully support the future of Eglinton’s Black-owned and operated businesses, and celebrate the character and identity of Little Jamaica.”

The commercial district, on Eglinton Avenue West, has struggled for years through the Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction and most recently from the COVID-19 public health lockdowns.

Get the full story.

How safe do you feel? Tell the city

The deadline is approaching to fill out the SafeTO survey. The city wants to know the level of safety and wellbeing you feel in your community, and your priorities for the SafeTO plan to guide social systems — like community services, healthcare, policing — in serving Torontonians.

The online survey, which should take less than 10 minutes, is to be completed before March 12.

gun control graphic thumbnailAs a new season of the gun shapes up….

We need strong gun control to help stop handgun violence that is once again terrorizing Toronto residents — in all parts of the city. And the federal government ban on military-style assault weapons, while welcome, is not nearly enough, Streeter editorial argues.

Read and comment on the editorial.

COVID rates mapDavenport neighbourhoods in middling range of COVID rates

The Davenport area has experienced COVID-19 rates lower than some suburban neighbourhoods but higher than many others in central Toronto, judging by the latest figures from the province. The city’s mapping of the COVID rates over a recent three-week period, for example, shows the joint Dovercourt-Wallace Emerson-Junction community with 248 cases per 100,000 population, while the Caledonia-Fairbank community has a rate of 482 cases.

These are both well below the worst-hit areas in Toronto with more than 700 cases per 100,000, but also well above areas with rates below 100 cases.  See how our neighbourhoods compare to other central, midtown and east-end areas.

Castleview sign where COVID-19 variant found (thumbnail)COVID variant found at long-term care home

An employee at the Castleview Wychwood Towers long-term care home has tested positive for a COVID-19 variant, the city revealed yesterday. The worker in the city-operated home, at 351 Christie St. in the Davenport neighbourhood, does not have direct contact with residents, according to a city news release.

All residents and staff who could have been exposed were tested yesterday and no one at the home has symptoms, the city said. Get the full story.

arson suspect policeWoman charged after arson suspect identified as male

A woman faces arson charges after multiple fires were set on College Street in the Palmerston area.

An initial police report said they were looking for a man wearing a red jacket, black and white toque, and dark jeans. Several images of a “suspect” were released. See the story.

Valentine's Day with mask thumbnail Celebrate Valentine’s Day at home

Special dinners-for-two and online social events are among the ways being offered to lovers to enjoy this Feb. 14 during the lockdown.

Order or sign up online now for a safe Valentine’s Day in Toronto. Here are some suggestions.

Starbucks thumbnailCoffee chain withdrawing from local neighbourhoods

Starbucks closures currently taking affect in Toronto are concentrated in central areas, including Davenport-area locations such as 1090 Bloor St. West at Gladstone Avenue and 900 Dufferin St. in Dufferin Mall.

It’s part of a Canada-wide cutback by the U.S.-based coffee chain as it moves to alternative, digital means of delivering all those Tall, Grande and Venti beverages. See the whole story.

COVID cases at local food and drug chains

Grocery stores and drug marts in this area have announced several positive tests for COVID-19 among their employees over the past week.

The Metro store at 735 College Street leads with three recent cases, reported on Jan. 14, 17 and 23. This store has also reported previous cases (see Jan. 12 and other items below).

Sobeys reported a single case at its 840 Dupont St. store on Jan. 19.

Caledonia drivers drew second-most ASE speeding tickets

More than 5,500 speeding tickets were issued by two photo radar stations in Davenport ward over five months last year, according to figures released today.

ASE device
TRAFFIC COP: ASE devices issued more than 53,000 speeding tickets over five months last year.

This is well above the numbers racked up in other parts of Toronto. Across the city, 50 automated speed enforcement (ASE) devices issued 53,090 tickets during the first round — an average of nearly 1,062 per location.

In Davenport, the camera on Caledonia Road, north of Rogers Road, caught 4,267 drivers — the second-highest number in Toronto.

The camera on Gladstone Avenue, south of Cross Street, issued only 1,271 tickets, but this is still above average.

These tickets were from the first round of automated speed enforcement (ASE) devices from July 6 to Nov. 30, 2020.

The devices, placed mainly near schools, were moved to new locations beginning in late November. See the full story.

Local libraries open for pickup and drop-off

Branches of the Toronto Public Library will remain open during the lockdown beginning tomorrow — but for pickup and drop-off of library materials only.

Current operational hours are being maintained. A previous communication that branches will close at 8 p.m. was mistaken, the TPL says.

COVID cases reported at Metro store

Metro grocery stores reported two positive COVID-19 tests in the area yesterday.

On Jan. 11, the store at 735 College St., found positive COVID-19 tests of two employees. Their last day of work was recorded as Jan. 8.