DAILY UPDATES

Lawrence West Daily Updates

Dangerous drugs reported stolen

Police have revealed a large amount of medication was stolen near Dufferin Street and Castlefield Avenue on Feb. 13.

Reported taken were 160 pills of Apo-Oxycodone CR and 300 tablets of Teva-Oxycocet.

The pills could be harmful or even fatal if ingested, especially by children, police say.

guns and ammo thumbnailTwo more arrested, including 14-year-old

A 14-year-old boy is the Oshawa youth to be arrested in connection with the shooting death of Malachi Elijah Bainbridge, 19, in this area last month, Toronto have police have announced.

The boy joins three other youths previously arrested in the investigation, plus a 19-year-old male who was arrested by the OPP the day before. Police also showed guns and ammo that have been seized. See the story.

police car file photo thumbnailOshawa teens charged in Bainbridge murder

A boy, 16, has been charged today with first-degree murder and two other teens—a boy and a girl—face other charges in the investigation of the death of Malachi Elijah Bainbridge.

Bainbridge was found dying of gunshot wounds in a car outside a fast-food restaurant at Ingram Drive on Jan. 22. See the full story.

Colle thanked by police after carjacking busts

Eglinton-Lawrence councillor Mike Colle received a shout-out from police during today’s press conference announcing carjacking arrests in North York.

After thanking various police forces that joined in Project Taurus, Staff Superintendent Lauren Pogue told media she wanted to acknowledge Colle’s help. “As many will remember, Councillor Colle has consistently called for government support from all levels and we appreciate his support,” Pogue said.

Project Taurus resulted in the arrest of five men, all in the 20s, and the recovery of 19 high-end vehicles, stolen mainly in Yonge Street area between Sheppard and Finch avenues, police said.

backyard hens
URBAN POULTRY: Hens have been allowed in local backyards as part of a pilot project.

Give your views on the backyard hens program

The city is asking for feedback on its pilot program allowing hens to be raised in selected wards, including Eglinton-Lawrence.

Residents here have been allowed to keep up to four hens in their yards for both enjoyment and the eggs.

Now members of the public can share their experiences and thoughts on the UrbanHensTO program, including considerations related to public health, nuisance, food security, veterinary care and animal welfare, the city has announced.

The deadline for feedback is Feb. 11. Feedback is to inform a final report to a city council committee in March.

To submit your observations, see the UrbanHensTO Pilot Program website.

 

Malachi Elijah Bainbridge19-year-old dead after early morning shoot-out

Police are looking for two men seen fleeing from the area of Keele Street and Ingram Drive early today.

Officers were responding to reports of a gun battle between occupants of two cars at about 12:40 a.m. and found one man dying from gunshot wounds in a car at a parking lot. Here’s what is known so far.

Uncleared snow forces two local schools to close

John Polanyi Collegiate on Lawrence Avenue West and Yorkdale Secondary School on Orfus Road are among six schools closed to in-person learning today after a private contractor failed to clear the snow there, the Toronto District School Board said in a tweet posted at 7:48 a.m.

Students at the school will continue studies via remote learning, the TDSB said.

Initially the school said as many as eight schools may be closed but the list was later reduced to six.

Asked online why it was so late in notifying parents and students, the board replied it was just finding out about the snow-clearing situation as staff arrived at schools.

what's open thumbnailWhat’s open over Christmas weekend in this area?

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 for a coffee, 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 Lawrence West, North Toronto and other Streeter communities.

Beltline trail thumbnailJoin up beltline trails over Allen Road, councillor urges

The city will study a proposal to build a bridge over Allen Road to connect the York and Kay Gardner beltline trails, at Councillor Mike Colle’s urging.

It’s critical to let hikers and cyclists travel an uninterrupted nine-kilometre path, Colle told a city committee. See the story.

Arrest in ‘suspicious vehicle’ case

A man was arrested yesterday in the investigation of a suspicious vehicle, whose driver allegedly approached a 12-year-old girl near Flemington Road and Blossomfield Drive. (See Dec. 11 item below.)

The 53-year-old Toronto man  faces charges of harassment by threatening conduct to other person, two counts of invitation to sexual touching under 16, and failure to comply with probation. He was to appear in court this morning.

suspicious vehicle police
SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE: Police have released this photo of a pickup truck they are looking for.

12-year-old girl approached by man in suspicious vehicle

Police have released images of a truck they are looking for after a 12-year-old girl was approached in Lawrence Heights.

It was reported a man driving a black pickup with an extended cab approached the girl near Flemington Road and Blossomfield Drive on Dec. 10 at 8:50 a.m.

The driver allegedly engaged the girl in an inappropriate conversation.

He is described as white, in his 60s, heavy set, and having brown hair and a beard. He was wearing a trucker’s hat and a black jacket.

Sold Over Asking thumbnailTax the speculators, councillor urges

Eglinton-Lawrence councillor Mike Colle is seeking a provincial tax on speculation and home flipping that is fuelling our escalating housing prices.

At the next city council meeting, he’ll move to ask the Ontario government introduce a tax against “investors” who are purchasing multiple homes and flipping them for huge profits, he says. See the story.

Vaccination clinic at east-end library today

The Lawrence Allen Centre is among the sites for vaccination clinics today as part of Toronto’s month-long Vax the Holidays campaign.

The walk-in clinic at the mall, 700 Lawrence Ave. W., is open Friday from 1 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The clinic offers first and second doses to anyone born in 2009 and earlier, and third doses based on eligibility.

For locations and hours of all Vax the Holidays clinics see the city’s COVID-19: How to Get Vaccinated page.

Glen Long rink thumbnailLocal outdoor rinks to open next week

Hard to believe it’s that time again. The city’s outdoor rinks at Ledbury Park and Glen Long Community Centre are set to open next week — Nov. 27 — along with 36 others across the city.

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.

Shop and Vax is back for anti-COVID doses

You’ll be able to get your first, second or third COVID-19 vaccination while you visit a mall over the next several days.

The city has released its schedule of Shop and Vax locations at 15 mall clinics across Toronto, including at the Lawrence-Allen Centre, 700 Lawrence Ave. W.

The Lawrence-Allen Centre clinic is just today, Nov. 11, from 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All doses at the clinic are available for walk-ins (without appointments).

Second man arrested two months after mall shooting

Another man has been arrested in the investigation of a shooting altercation at Yorkdale Mall more than two months ago.

Police say shots were exchanged between both two groups in the mall on Aug. 29.

Officers reportedly arrived immediately and, with the help of mall security, arrested one man nearby.

They also recovered a loaded Glock-19 firearm and ammunition.

On Nov. 2, a 23-year-old Toronto man was arrested in the Greater Sudbury area. He is charged with discharging a firearm with intent.

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

Shots fired at home tied by vehicle to east-end police station shooting

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.

UPDATE: 55 Division have also now released video of the vehicle.

Marco Mendicino thumbnailMendicino back in cabinet

Eglinton-Lawrence MP Marco Mendicino is back as a federal minister in Ottawa, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named and swore in his new cabinet today.

He is one of six Toronto MPs, plus GTA representatives, to be appointed. See more.

 

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.

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.

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 Lawrence Allen Centre and Yorkdale 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:

  • Lawrence Allen Centre, 700 Lawrence Ave. W., noon–5 p.m., walk-in.
  • Shoppers’ Drug Mart, Yorkdale Shopping Centre, 3401 Dufferin St., 11 a.m.–7 p.m., by appointment or walk-in.

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

ambulance thumbnailElderly woman struck by bus yesterday

An 86-year-old was rushed to hospital with serious injuries yesterday after being hit by a passing bus on Lawrence Avenue West, police say.

The woman was reportedly struck when she stepped into the road from the south sidewalk of Lawrence. Here’s what we know so far.

climate action thumbnailBecome a local champion for 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.

Shop and vax at the mall this weekend

The city and its public health partners are holding mobile clinics at five malls, including Yorkdale Shopping Centre at 3401 Dufferin St., this weekend.

First and second vaccines are to be offered Saturday and Sunday between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Clinics locations were selected as part a strategy to bring vaccines to residents in areas and settings that have low vaccination coverage, or who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19.

Besides the #ShopAndVax clinics, more than 25 additional mobile clinics are in operation across the city, as listed on the city website.

Yorkdale robbery suspects
Two of seven men police are seeking in robbery investigation.

Seven sought after boys reported robbed in Yorkdale

Police Service are seeking seven men for an alleged robbery in Yorkdale Mall two months ago.

On July 24 at about 7 p.m., it was reported four boys under 15 were walking through the mall when they were approached by a group of men who took their personal items and clothing.

Police have released surveillance camera images of seven males, all described as 18 to 20 years old.

The men are believed to be violent and dangerous and should not be approached, police said.

Marco MendicinoMendicino rides red wave back to office

In yesterday’s federal election Liberal Marco Mendicino was re-elected for Eglinton-Lawrence.

He’s one of the midtown incumbents to win easily during the red sweep of Toronto, as his party won a minority government.

Here’s what happened locally.

Allen Road closure this weekend

The city is fully closing Allen Road from Sept. 17 at 11 p.m. to Sept. 20 at 5 a.m., it announced today.

The road is to be closed for road improvements and repairs from Eglinton Avenue West to Sheppard Avenue West, including all ramps at Highway 401.

Drop-off hours expanded for waste at Ingram

You have a larger window for dropping off waste at the Ingram Transfer Station, 50 Ingram Dr., beginning Sept. 13. The city is announcing an expansion of public hours at the drop-0ff depot to 24-hour service from Monday at 6 a.m. to Friday at 9 p.m., as well as on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Residents can drop off general waste such as garbage, recycling, yard waste and renovation waste. Household hazardous waste and electronic waste can be left Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

dangerous driving police image
Image released by police in dangerous driving investigation.

Driver hit cruiser on purpose, police say

A damaged car and its driver are being sought after they allegedly ran into a police cruiser.

The incident began Sept. 5 at 5:34 p.m. when an officer motioned a vehicle to stop for a traffic offence near Dufferin Street and Lawrence Avenue West.

Police reported the driver then intentionally collided with the cruiser before fleeing the area at a high rate of speed.

The driver is wanted for dangerous driving and failing to stop for police. Images of the car and driver have been released.

The man, described as 35–45, was driving a silver Mini Cooper with a loud modified exhaust and a distinctive design on the passenger side. The car will have obvious front-end damage, police say.

Motorcyclist killed in collision

A motorcyclist died from injuries after a crash near Caledonia Road and Glengrove Avenue this afternoon, police reported on social media.

Three motorcycles were reported to be driving fast at about 3:30 p.m. when the collision occurred.

Officers on the scene found a rider unresponsive and requested a rush on paramedics, but the rider was pronounced dead on the scene, police said.

Roads were closed for several hours while Traffic Services reconstructed the collision.

suspect at synagogue thumbnailPolice seek man for spraying synagogue

A man is being sought by police after a synagogue near Eglinton Avenue West and Winnett Avenue was spray-painted with anti-Semitic graffiti yesterday.

Security camera images of a man have been released in what investigators are calling a suspected hate-motivated offence. Here’s what we know so far.

Twenty-three neighbourhoods COVID-free on latest city map

The city’s latest COVID-19 map now shows 23 neighbourhoods in Toronto — including Yorkdale and Glen Park — without any new cases of the virus over the past three weeks.

However, this is a drop from 31 communities a couple of days earlier, as the Delta variant spreads in Toronto. Get the whole picture.

No outstanding suspects in two North Fairbanks deaths

A homicide investigation is underway after two people died in a home at Whitmore Avenue and Dufferin Street yesterday.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m. on July 21, officers arrived at the home and found a man and woman with life-threatening injuries, police report.

Paramedics started life-saving measures but both people succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead.

Although homicide is being investigated, investigators said they do not believe there are any outstanding suspects.

Arrest after 6-year-old sexually assaulted in park

An investigation by members of the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre has led to the arrest for sexual interference.

On May 20, a six-year-old boy was allegedly sexually assaulted while attending Walter Saunders Park at 426 Hopewell Ave., near Dufferin Street and Roselawn Avenue, police reported today.

On June 8, a 33-year-old Toronto woman was arrested and charged with sexual interference with a person under 16 and sexual assault.

She is next scheduled to appear in court on July 21.

Investigators said they believe there may be other victims.

Assault by stranger walking a dog reported

A man was reported to have been kicked and punched in the head by a man he did not know near Lawrence Avenue West and Apex Road on July 7.

Police who got the call about 7 p.m. launched an aggravated assault investigation.

The alleged victim was reportedly in a parking lot of an industrial plaza when he was assaulted by a person unknown to him, who then fled the area.

Sought is a man described as white, 35–40 years old and 5-foot-7, with a slim build and unshaven face. He was said to be wearing a Polo-brand shirt and grey slippers. He was also walking a small black dog, resembling a pug, police said.

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.

 

Sunset over highrise constructionPetition calls to cut construction noise

Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow and Toronto Centre’s Kristyn Wong-Tam have joined to launch a petition to reduce the hours construction noise is allowed in Toronto.

The petition, supported by community groups that have been concerned about excessive noise, protests the provincial government extension of the permitted hours of construction to 16 hours per day, seven days a week. See the story.

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.

 

Arrest two weeks after Lawrence Heights store robbery

A man was arrested yesterday for an alleged retail store robbery near Ranee Avenue and Dufferin Street on May 28, police say.

On that date a man reportedly entered a store and began taking items from the shelves and putting them in a bag. When a store employee approached him, he allegedly threatened to kill the employee, before fleeing on foot.

After an investigation by the holdup squad a 41-year-old Toronto man was arrested and charged with robbery and disguise with intent. He was scheduled to appear in court today.

snow clearing thumbnailSnow-clearing extended to all our sidewalks

After a two-year trial with new, smaller sidewalk plows in Eglinton-Lawrence, Davenport 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.

Celebration of stopping Spadina Expressway planned

Eglinton-Lawrence councillor Mike Colle is announcing today plans to mark the 50th anniversary of stopping the Spadina Expressway on June 5.

This celebration comes on the day the Allen Road, what remains of the intended expressway, is to be closed for vehicles by the city’s ActiveTO initiative.

The Spadina Expressway was intended to connect downtown Toronto to the suburb of North York but was cancelled on June 5, 1971 — after demonstrations and opposition from area residents — by Premier William Davis who instead built the Spadina-University subway line.

“The stopping of the Spadina Expressway was probably the most important decision made in the 20th century in shaping the future of the City of Toronto,” Colle said in a promotion for a press conference today. “By stopping the expressway, we not only said no to American-style expressways, but also saved Toronto’s ravines from becoming expressways.”

Allen Road to be partially closed to vehicles — but not yet

The city plans to close part of Allen Road to vehicles as part of ActiveTO, but not this weekend. The Allen’s northbound lanes between Eglinton and Lawrence avenues are expected to be closed on June 5 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., allowing pedestrians and cyclist full use of that stretch of road, free from cars and trucks.

ActiveTO road closures for the coming weekend have been announced as:

  • Lake Shore Boulevard East, eastbound lanes between Leslie Street and Woodbine Avenue, will be closed from May 29, 6 a.m. to May 30, 9 p.m.
  • Roads in High Park from May 28 about 11 p.m. to May 31 about 7 a.m.

The southern leg of Bayview Avenue south of Rosedale Valley Road is not on this list, as it has usually been for past ActiveTO road closures.

In a press release yesterday the city said a  “multi-use trail along Bayview Avenue, between Mill Street and Rosedale Valley Road, provides a safe and protected full-time space for people walking and riding their bikes every day, while also allowing Bayview Avenue to safely accommodate vehicles.”

Vaccines open to ages 12 to 17 at city-run clinics

As of Sunday 8 a.m. Sunday, Toronto is opening vaccination appointments at city-run clinics to youth age 12 to 17. The clinic cllsest to this area are at North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, 200 Eglinton Ave. W., in midtown and the Hangar Sport & Event Centre, 75 Carl Hall Rd., in North York.

Appointments can be booked online or by calling the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900.

Parents or guardians do not need to accompany youth to clinics as parental consent is not required, as long as the healthcare personnel administering the shots finds the youths capable of understanding the decision to be vaccinated, according to a statement from the city today.

 

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 — with public health restrictions in place — as of May 22.

Get the whole story.

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 Avenue Road and
Bedford Park Avenue in Eglinton-Lawrence ward.

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

  • Wilson Avenue west of Belgrave Avenue
  • Marlee Avenue south of Hillmount Avenue

Police car thumbnail13 charges after police chase man said to be armed

It began with police trying to stop a suspected stolen vehicle in the Yorkdale Mall area. Which led to a police car being rammed, a chase on foot, recovery of a gun and ammunition — and an arrest on 13 counts.

Get the full story.

Five More COVID-19 cases found at Fortinos site

Five staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at Fortinos, 700 Lawrence Avenue West near Allen Road, parent company Loblaw reported today.

The last days the affected team members worked at the location were recorded as April 21, 22 and 25.

On April 18 the grocery store at the Lawrence Allen Centre had reported “multiple team members” had tested positive then. (See April 18 item below.)

Bermondsey drop-off depot thumbnailTransfer stations shut down once again

Ingram transfer station has been closed to the general public, as part of today’s shutdown of Toronto’s depots for dropping off garbage and recycling.

The drop-off depots are closing on public health advice because the city’s solid waste management services have suffered an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, according to a news release yesterday.

Read more about it.

COVID cases found at local drug mart

Two staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at Shoppers Drug Mart at 770 Lawrence Avenue West near Dufferin Street, Loblaw Companies has reported today. The last day the employees worked was recorded as April 21.

Doctor arrested for alleged sex assault

A man, 77, faces charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation after an alleged assault on a 17-year-old boy who was a patient, police reported today.

The man was employed as a licensed medical doctor at a clinic in the Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue West area, police said.

Jacques Henri Dubins of Toronto, was arrested April 21 and is scheduled to appear in court May 25.

Police chief James Ramer thumbnailPolice crackdown on gatherings starts today

If you’re getting together in our parks or in your party rooms 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, 13 Division has 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.

‘Multiple’ COVID cases at Fortinos

The Fortinos grocery store at the Lawrence Allen Centre, formerly the Lawrence Square Shopping Centre, has had an unspecified
“multiple team members” test positive for COVID-19, Loblaw Companies reported today. The store at 700 Lawrence Ave. W. is not reporting the last days worked for the affected employees.

COVID outbreak at Lawrence grocery store

Four employees of the Metro store at 1411 Lawrence Ave. West have tested positive for COVID-19, the grocer reported yesterday. The Metro reporting site said the employees’ last days worked at the store on Lawrence at Keele Street were April 1 for one staff member and April 8 for three.

North Toronto Memorial Community Centre
VACCINE SITE: North Toronto Memorial Community Centre.

North Toronto community centre among vaccine clinics opening

The city is opening three more COVID-19 immunization clinics tomorrow, including at North Toronto Memorial Community Centre. The clinics are to vaccinate residents who are age 60 years or older or who are 50 years and older from COVID-19 hot spots.

This makes nine city-operated immunization clinics operating across Toronto.

Eligible residents can book appointments through the dark blue “Book a Vaccine” button on www.toronto.ca/covid-19 or by phoning through the provincial vaccine information line at 1 (888) 999-6488.

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.

More Bathurst work planned by city

Work on Bathurst Street is among the projects the city is scheduling for this year’s construction season.

Mayor John Tory this morning introduced $1 billion in work planned for roads, bridges, expressways, TTC tracks, sewers and watermains across the city.

The major projects planned for this year include watermain replacement on Bathurst between Ranee Avenue and Lawrence Avenue West for watermain replacement and road resurfacing, as well as geometric safety improvements on Bathurst Street at Brooke Avenue and Prince Charles Drive.

Avenue Road lane shut down

The southbound lane of Avenue Road at Cortleigh Boulevard, in the Lytton Park area, is to be closed today for more than a month, the city says.

The unspecified construction work causing the closure is estimated to continue until April 30.

More charges added in sexual assault case

A 54-year-old doctor arrested in a sexual assault investigation (see March 11 item below) now faces three more counts of sexual assault.

Police report a woman, 32, attended a medical clinic near Marlee and Glencairn avenues in 2012 and 2013 and was assaulted on three separate occasions.

This follows reports a girl and a another woman were allegedly assaulted at the clinic between 2016 and 2020.

George Polemidiotis is scheduled to appear in court on June 1 regarding the additional charges.

Doctor arrested in sex assault investigation

A doctor at a medical centre near Marlee and Glencairn avenues has been arrested, after a girl and a woman were reported to have been sexually assaulted over four years, police say.

Officers launched an investigation on March 4 when it was alleged a girl, 16, and a woman, 26, were assaulted when they visited the a medical clinic between June 2016 and December 2020.

George Polemidiotis, 54, of Kleinberg, faces nine counts of sexual assault and four counts of sexual exploitation.

He is described as a family practitioner at the medical centre for the past five years and also has a practice in Vaughan, according to police.

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 Marlee Avenue, south of Hillmount Avenue, and on Wilson Avenue, west of Belgrave Avenue. That’s when the city’s automatic speed enforcement (ASE) devices will be moved to these locations to catch speeding drivers in Eglinton-Lawrence ward.

This will be the third locations for the ASEs. They are currently snapping pictures of speeders and issuing tickets at the second round of sites, including in this area on Avenue Road near Castlefield Avenue and Bedford Park Avenue west of Yonge Street.

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.