DAILY UPDATES

Don Valley Daily Updates: 2019

Bungalow fire sends four to hospital

Four Pynford Crescent residents were saved from their burning bungalow and sent to sent to hospital, two in life-threatening condition on Nov. 9.

Firefighters responded to the call shortly after 3 p.m. and found a woman and teenage boy trapped in the fire but were able to get them out along with two other children, firefighters said. Read the story.

Ratansi aims for cabinet after winning re-election handily

In a general election in which the ruling Liberals were under increased pressure from opposition parties — and ended up losing their majority — Don Valley East MP Yasmin Ratansi actually increased her vote tally for the Grits. Ratansi won nearly 60 per cent of all votes cast in her riding’s election yesterday, about two per cent higher than in 2015. Her closest rival, Conservative candidate Michael Ma, was left far behind with 24 per cent.

In her victory speech last night the 68-year-old Ratansi more than hinted to leader Justin Trudeau that with her experience and her winning ways she deserved a cabinet post.

Ratansi has been a Member of Parliament since 2004 when she beat former East York mayor David Johnson.

Serious injuries in Parkwoods apartment fire

A man trapped in a burning apartment was rescued and treated for life-threatening injuries on Friday.
The seven-storey apartment building on York Mills Road was evacuated when firefighters were called to the fire on the fifth floor. See the story.

Don Mills teen in international ballet competition

Fifteen-year-old Don Mills resident Jacqueline Sugianto is one of 19 Canadians taking part in the Genée International Ballet Competition, starting today. It’s held in Toronto this year, the first time in Canada since 2008.

Sugianto is part of the third generation of dancers in her family. Read the story here.

Purses stolen from local hotels

Toronto police have released photos of two men being sought for theft over $5,000 after purses containing money were stolen last month from two hotels in the area, including one at Eglinton Avenue East and Wynford Drive.

See the story and photos in Don Valley news.

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Oliphant’s Canada Day celebration on July 1

Don Valley East and West reps hold their annual Canada Celebration tomorrow. MPs Rob Oliphant and Yasmine Ratansi, plus MPPs Michael Coteau and Kathleen Wynne host the event at Aga Khan Park, 77 Wynford Dr., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free food, drinks and entertainment are featured.

Celebrants are advised to bring a refillable water bottle, a chair, and/or umbrella and sunscreen. Free parking is available at Canada Post.

Two men charged in Parkwoods murder

Two men in their 50s are to appear in court today after being charged with first-degree murder, following the death by stabbing of a 61-year-old at a Parkwoods Village Drive building on June 28, police say. See more on this in yesterday’s story.

Lemonade stand puts squeeze on diabetes

If you’re in the area, stop at the lemonade stand at Lexus on the Park and Toyota on the Park, 1075 Leslie St., today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fifth annual Put a Squeeze on Diabetes fundraiser is a community-based initiative started by two Toronto boys: Jamie Cleghorn and Max Armstrong. It raises funds to send kids with type 1 diabetes to Diabetes Canada’s D-Camps where they can get the medical care they need while having fun at camp.

Work on four bridges planned for summer

Construction on four bridges over the Don Valley Parkway is set to begin on July 2 and continue to October, the city announced today. The bridges affected, all within the Don Valley East area, are at Don Mills Road, Spanbridge Road, Wynford Drive and Lawrence Avenue East. The work in intended to ensure the bridges meet current standards and remain in good repair and safe for all users, according to the press release.

The construction is expected to affect traffic on the DVP, closing some lanes, although two lanes in each direction are to remain open during peak travel times. For more information and maps, check construction updates on the city’s website.

Local MPP aims to take over Liberals

Don Valley East MPP Michael Coteau announced Sunday he is running for leadership of the provincial Liberal Party. Born in England, Coteau was raised in Flemingdon Park, attending Leaside High School and Carleton University. He won election for three terms as a school trustee and was elected to Queen’s Park three times, joining Premier Kathleen Wynne’s cabinet in several ministerial positions.

NDP candidate Laurel MacDowell

NDP candidate chosen in Don Valley West

Retired history professor Laurel MacDowell has been nominated as NDP candidate in the coming federal election.

MacDowell has lived in the area for more than 30 years and raised three children here. The biggest issue for her is climate change, which she calls “not only an ecological crisis but a human crisis.

MacDowell says she is looking for both financial support and volunteers in her campaign.

She will be challenging Liberal Rob Oliphant, who has been MP for the riding for seven of the past 11 years.

Watch Game 4 at Aga Khan Park

The Ismaili Centre, in conjunction with the Aga Khan Museum, is hosting Jurassic Night at Aga Khan Park, 77 Wynford Dr, near Eglinton Avenue East and The Don Valley Parkway, tonight. You can watch Game 4 of the NBA finals between the Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors and try some tasty treats, starting at 9 p.m.

Four Toronto streets voted among Ontario’s worst

Eglinton Avenue East has been ranked the worst road in Ontario by voters in a CAA poll. Voters cited crumbling pavement, potholes, traffic congestion and lousy signage in rating the street which is undergoing construction of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. See the story.