North Toronto Daily Updates
A quick look at news, views and things to do locally
Carbon monoxide in Bridle Path kills one, injures four
A man, 39, has been pronounced dead, while a woman and a child have been seriously injured in a Bridle Path-area home found to have high levels of carbon monoxide yesterday evening.
Two officers who rescued the two injured parties were also sent to hospital, police said.
Two more COVID cases uncovered in Loblaw-related stores
Loblaws grocery store at 3501 Yonge St. and the Loblaw-owned Shopper’s Drug Mart at 2528 Bayview Ave. have reported two staff tested positive on a presumptive test for COVID-19.
The stores each reported one case, respectively on Jan. 25 and Jan 19. The last reported working days for the affected employees were Jan. 18 and Jan. 19.
Seven COVID cases reported yesterday by chain in North Toronto
Yesterday was a bad day for coronavirus at Loblaw-related stores. Seven cases were reported at three stores in the North Toronto area on Jan. 20.
Three “team members” at Fortinos, 700 Lawrence Ave. W., tested positive for COVID-19, Loblaw reported on Jan. 20. The last days they worked in the store were recorded between Jan. 12 and 18.
Also on Jan. 20, two staff at Jason’s No Frills, 1951 Eglington Ave. W., were reported as testing positive on a presumptive test for COVID-19. Their last days on the job were Jan. 15 and 18.
And still on Jan. 20, two employees tested positive at Shoppers Drug Mart, 759 Mt. Pleasant Rd., their last days at work being Jan. 13 and Jan. 15.
Knife-wielding man reported in store
Images of a man who allegedly pulled a knife on a store employee last month have been released in an assault with a weapon investigation.
Police responded to the call at about 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 at a grocery store near Lawrence Avenue West and Allen Road.
It was reported a man had tried to leave the store with concealed merchandise when he was confronted by an employee. He had then allegedly pulled out a knife and pointed it at the employee before fleeing.
Security camera images of a man dressed in dark clothes and carrying a red bag were released today.
North Toronto drivers drew fewer ASE speeding tickets
Nearly 3,800 speeding tickets were issued by four photo radar stations in North Toronto wards over five months last year, according to figures released today.
That may sound like a lot but it’s actually a little lower than in other parts of Toronto. Across the city, 50 ASE devices issued a total of 53,090 tickets during the first round — an average of nearly 1,062 per location.
These tickets were from the first round of automated speed enforcement (ASE) devices from July 6 to Nov. 30, 2020. The devices, two in each ward placed mainly near schools, were moved to new locations beginning in late November.
Leading the count in North Toronto was an ASE station in Eglinton-Lawrence ward, while the North Toronto location with the smallest number of tickets issued was also in Eglinton Lawrence. Between them were the two locations in Don Valley West ward.
Results from the two locations in Don Valley West were:
- Ridge Hill Drive west of Old Park Road in Eglinton-Lawrence: 1,469
- Ranleigh Avenue east of Yonge Street in Don Valley West: 874
- Bessborough Drive north of Field Avenue in Don Valley West: 817
- Corona Street south of Claver Avenue in Eglinton-Lawrence: 622
We’ll see how local drivers do at the four new ASE locations: on Erskine Avenue west of Redpath Avenue, on Thorncliffe Park Drive near 79 Thorncliffe Park Dr., on Avenue Road near Castlefield Avenue, and on Bedford Park Avenue west of Yonge Street.
Woman reported assaulted by massage therapist in home
A 61-year-old Toronto man has been charged with sexual assault after a woman was allegedly attacked while receiving a massage in her home near Spadina road and Dupont street.
The alleged assault by a man working as a massage therapist took place on Jan. 7.
Police said they believed there may be other victims.
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. were mistaken, the TPL says.
COVID-19 case found at Deer Park drug mart
Loblaw Companies has reported today a staff member at Shoppers Drug Mart, 1507 Yonge Street, has tested positive on a presumptive test for COVID-19. The employee’s last day at work at the Deer Park-area store was Jan. 4, according to the company.
On Jan. 4, Loblaw reported more than 75 employees at its stores — including Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, No Frills, Fortinos and other stores — in the GTA had tested positive since Dec. 24.
Shermans’ son was asked to repay multimillion-dollar loan before murders: news report
Jonathon Sherman, son of murdered couple Barry and Honey Sherman, says his father was in a difficult financial situation and two weeks before the deaths had asked Jonathon and his business partner to pay back a loan of between $50 million and $60 million, according to Toronto Star reporter Kevin Donovan.
Donovan interviewed Jonathon Sherman in December, said the story posted on Toronto.com today.
Sherman denied to the reporter he killed his parents over the money however.
Eglinton East grocery store reports COVID case
Metro grocery stores have reported a positive COVID-19 test of an employee at its store at Eglinton Avenue East and Bayview Avenue. The employee’s last day of work at the store was recorded as Jan. 4.
Local child care free for essential workers
Columbus Early Learning Centres at 50 Claver Ave. (Dufferin Street and Lawrence Avenue West) is one of 35 child care programs approved to provide emergency care for the children of essential workers in Toronto communities during the current lockdown of elementary schools.
Families that meet Ontario’s definition of essential workers can apply directly to the approved centres for this free service funded by the province.
More COVID cases found at midtown Metro stores
The Metro grocery store at Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue has reported several cases of coronavirus among employees over the past two weeks.
Positive COVID-19 tests were reported at the 2300 Yonge St. store on Dec. 23, 29 and 31. The affected employees’ last days at work were recorded as respectively Dec. 17, 27 and 28.
The Metro store at 3142 Yonge St., at Lawrence Avenue, also reported a case on Dec. 23 with a last day on the job of Dec. 13.
60 charges in month after two stores robbed
Two stores on opposite sides of town were hit by an alleged group of robbers and three men were arrested on Nov. 21 and 22, followed a month later by the arrest of two boys, police reported today.
The stores were described by police as being in the Dufferin Street and Eglinton Avenue West area and in the Victoria Park Avenue and St. Clair Avenue area.
Together the five males arrested face 60 charges. See the full story.
Arrest for alleged murder of lawyer
A 62-year-old woman has been charged with first-degree murder after the death of a Toronto lawyer on Eglinton Avenue East.
The arrest came five days after a man identified as Scott Andrew Rosen, 52, was allegedly run down by a vehicle while walking in or near a garage on Eglinton, west of Mt. Pleasant Road, on Dec. 18.
Read the story in Streeter news.
Police treat death of lawyer on Eglinton as murder
A lawyer was reportedly walking in or near a garage on Eglinton Avenue East late yesterday afternoon when he was struck by a vehicle — in what police are investigating as a murder.
Officers found a man with no vital signs. Identified as lawyer Scott Andrew Rosen, 52, he was pronounced dead on the scene.
Witnesses said he has been stuck down by U-Haul van or pickup, which fled the scene eastbound on Eglinton. Here’s what we know so far.
CampTO and winter instruction programs cancelled
City-run holiday camps and skiing or skating lessons have been shut down by Toronto’s rising COVID-19 numbers.
The cancellations were announced today, following recommendations from Toronto Public Health and the city’s medical health officer, Dr. Eileen de Villa.
Midtown break-ins lead to 56 charges
Two people were arrested on a total of 56 charges and property was recovered in an investigation of a string of break-ins in 13 and 53 divisions. One man is still sought by police.
Homes were broken into at night-time while, in some cases, residents slept and were unaware of being robbed until morning, police said. See the whole story.
Help sought to save Little Jamaica
Two businesspeople from Little Jamaica appeared with MPP Jill Andrew at a press conference Monday to call on the provincial government for money and other support to keep the community alive.
The commercial strip on Eglinton Avenue West has been hit hard by both COVID and the pandemic shutdown and it faces extinction, they say. Get the full story.
Arrest in subway robbery investigations
After an investigation of gaming console robberies at Glencairn Subway Station, police have arrested a 22-year-old man.
Investigators from 13 Division identified a suspect for two robberies on Nov. 16 and, with the Emergency Task Force, executed a search warrant on Nov. 29, police reported yesterday.
Shevaun Lashorn Darby of Toronto, faces three charges including robbery with a firearm. He is to appear in court next on Jan. 21.
Sewer collapse restricts stretch of Yonge Street
Workers are repairing a collapsed sewer main that is causing traffic slowdowns on Yonge Street, between Ivor Road and Mill Street, in the Hoggs Hollow/Cricket Club area.
The work is expected to take place daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting today until Dec. 17, the city advises.
Two-alarm fire hits house under construction
A neighbour smelled smoke and called in the alarm for a fire that engulfed the basement of a partly constructed house on Glengrove Avenue West yesterday evening.
The cause of the two-alarm fire is unknown but is being investigated, fire officials say. Here’s what we know so far.
Hit-and-run driver sought after elderly woman struck
Investigators are trying to identify the driver of an SUV they say struck a 76-year-old woman before fleeing the scene on Oct. 8.
The woman was reported to be crossing the intersection of Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue West on a green light at about 2 p.m. when she was hit.
Arrests for gathering at alleged gaming club
Police raided a social club near Lawrence Avenue West and Marlee Avenue at 8:45 p.m. yesterday and charged 10 people for contravening the Reopening Ontario Act, which prohibits such gatherings during the current lockdown.
Also, the owner of the establishment was arrested for keeping a common gaming or betting house, and faces four other charges.
Officers executing a search warrant at the address seized 11 illegal gaming machines, police say.
Antonio Mazzei, 59, of Toronto, is to appear in court on Jan. 29.
Woman arrested but her alleged partner in store robbery still at large
A 35-year-old woman faces a charge of robbery with an offensive weapon more than four months after a store was robbed in the St. Clair Avenue West and Avenue Road area. A man, 38, is still being sought by the police holdup squad.
The identity of the man, who allegedly pulled a knife during the incident, is known, police say. His images have been released. See the story.
Night parking banned on North York streets to allow snow clearing
The North York Winter Maintenance by-law has been put into effect again, prohibiting street parking to let snow-clearing and emergency vehicles through.
The by-law prohibits parking between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. until the end of March, on streets in the old municipality of North York, excluding the following in this area:
- Woburn Avenue — first block west of Avenue Road (#431–488)
- Brookdale Avenue — north side from Avenue Road going east to the North York municipal boundary (#368–390 approximately)
Parking enforcement is to begin Dec. 4 at 2 a.m., according to police.
Double shooting in Glen Park investigated as homicide
A man is dead and a woman seriously injured after a shooting in a parking lot on Glen Park Avenue near Dufferin Street yesterday. Police have identified the deceased today.
The couple were said to be sitting a vehicle in the lot in mid-afternoon when another car approached and opened fire. Here’s what we know.
Scouts’ Christmas Tree lot open
If you’re near the Davisville area, it’s time to buy your Christmas tree from the 58th Toronto Scouts, Cubs and Beavers.
The Christmas tree lot is open as usual this year, with safe shopping protocols in place, although the troop is also offering contactless pickup or delivery this year, if desired.
Check the details in the Things To Do listing.
Police not confirming suspect in Sherman murders
Toronto police are neither confirming nor disconfirming they have a suspect in the alleged murders of billionaire couple Barry and Honey Sherman nearly three years ago.
A “clarification” has been released by the homicide squad after media reports that police had a “person of interest.” See Nov. 26 item below and see the new story in Streeter news.
Subway down on weekend
Subway service is suspended on the Yonge Street line between Lawrence and St. Clair stations on Nov. 28 and 29 for work on the Eglinton Crosstown LTR, the TTC advises. Shuttle buses will operate and stations are to remain open for the sale of PRESTO fares and for connection to surface routes.
Break in Sherman double-murder case?
Nearly three years after the deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman in York Mills, police have a “person of interest” in the case, they have confirmed to several media.
This is not quite the same thing as having made an arrest or having a suspect in the alleged double homicide, but it may indicate police are chasing down new leads.
The bodies of the billionaire couple were found at their home on Old Colony Road on Dec. 15, two days after their estimated deaths.
Crane crashes across site for Mount Pleasant LRT station
Crews are trying today to lift a crane that toppled yesterday evening. The mobile crane fell across the construction site where a secondary entrance for the planned Mount Pleasant Station is being built on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT line.
One man suffered minor injuries and Eglinton Avenue East has been blocked to traffic ever since. See the whole story.
‘Suspicious incident’ investigated in Ledbury Park
At about 8 a.m. today, police were notified of a “suspicious incident” near Clyde and Bannockburn avenues. A commotion was reported involving a man and woman in a vehicle with the front passenger door open. A concerned citizen approached the vehicle and noticed a man who was driving and a woman who was the passenger were arguing. The vehicle left the area with both still inside.
Police would like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and are asking local residents, businesses, and drivers with security or dash camera footage of the area or incident to contact them.
The vehicle is believed to be a white Nissan Rogue with licence plate BVPA549. Security camera images have been released.
Where to go when you have to go
If you’re a person who plans your outings around available washrooms, here’s welcome news for you. The city is refitting and reopening washrooms in parks — like at June Rowlands Park or Sunnybrook — this winter.
It’s also adding portable toilets to new locations, along with keeping washrooms going in the usual places like libraries and recreation centres.
Glencairn robberies show danger of selling your game console online
Glencairn robberies show danger of selling your game console onlineGame consoles have sold out in retail outlets, driving transactions for the units online. But recent alleged robberies have led police to issue an alert about meeting buyers or sellers found on internet marketplaces.
Two such robberies were reported to have occurred near Glencairn subway station on Monday. See the full story and tips to protect yourself.
Year-old tattoo studio surviving
In its first year, Pine Ink Tattoos has faced and survived a pandemic shutdown and continual construction in the Yonge and Eglinton area. But owner Damon Han is confident Pine Ink Tattoos, with its novel, Asian-inspired designs, will make it in this youthful neighbourhood.
Read — and see — all about it.
Jaye Robinson returns to public meeting
Don Valley West councillor and TTC chair Jaye Robinson attended a virtual meeting of the TTC board today — her first such public appearance since her cancer diagnosis more than a year ago.
“It’s been a long and tough road,” Robinson told the meeting. “While I’m not quite at the end, I’m very close and I feel very fortunate to be here.”
Videos released in gunshots investigation
Police have released two videos in their investigation of gunshots in the Neptune Drive and Baycrest Avenue area on Friday. No injuries were reported but police are looking for two men.
One man is described as having a slim build and wearing a dark hoodie, black baseball cap with a white logo on the front, face mask, white gloves, dark pants and dark shoes. He was shown holding a dark handgun. The other man is described as having a slim build and was wearing a dark hoodie and face mask. He was holding a dark-coloured handgun.
The videos can be seen here and here.
Former customers and new pups returning to dog spa
Dogstar Boutique and Spa on Eglinton Avenue West, near Avenue Road, is back in the grooming business after the shutdown, the owners say.
Former customers, as well as puppies acquired during the pandemic, are keeping the place busy, while Dogstar takes all the anti-COVID precautions possible. Read all about it.
Assault causing bodily harm investigated
Toronto police have released an image of a running man in an investigation of an alleged assault causing bodily harm near Ridelle Avenue and Newgate Road yesterday.
A man was reported to have approached and assaulted a woman in the area of Ridelle Avenue and Newgate Road, before fleeing southward. See the story.
Employees at two Metro stores test positive
Metro stores announced today employees at two North Toronto locations — 2300 Yonge St., and 291 York Mills Rd. — have tested positive for COVID-19. The employee’s last day of work at Yonge and Eglinton was Nov. 7 and the last day at York Mills and Bayview was Oct. 31, the company says.
Eat restaurant foods without fear from Ghost Kitchens
A newly opened food service in midtown offers branded restaurant foods for pickup or through delivery services.
Ghost Kitchens opened last month at Oriole Parkway and Eglinton Avenue West in the midst of a pandemic, exactly when their service is badly needed, the owners say. Read all about it.
New locations for photo radar units
After three months of issuing tickets, the city’s photo radar units are being moved. All 50 automated speed enforcement (ASE) devices are to be moved to new locations starting this week “to address a greater number of areas with safety concerns and to encourage a wide-ranging deterrent effect,” the city said in a news release today.
In Don Valley West ward, the two new ASE sites are on Erskine Avenue, west of Redpath Avenue, and on Thorncliffe Park Drive, near 79 Thorncliffe Park Dr. Both are close to elementary schools.
In Toronto-St. Paul’s, the new sites are on Ava Road, east of Westover Hill Road near a community school, and on Tweedsmuir Avenue, south of Heath Street West near a long-term care home.
In Eglinton-Lawrence, new locations are Avenue Road, near Castlefield Avenue, and Bedford Park Avenue, west of Yonge Street, both near early years learning centres.
The city reports 47,195 speeders were caught by ASE devices in the old locations, but the number of tickets dropped in the second and third months.
“The Automated Speed Enforcement program is working,” Mayor John Tory said. “Each month, fewer drivers were caught speeding in school and community safety zones where they’ve been placed, and they are helping to keep vulnerable people, especially school children, in these communities safer.”
North Toronto homes evacuated after gas line hit
Fifteen homes on Snowdon Avenue near Mt. Pleasant Road were evacuated this morning after a construction crew hit a gas line. A significant leak from a large line necessitated the evacuation of the west side of the street and the closing of the eastbound lane, Toronto police reported at 10:53 a.m.
Toronto Fire Services and Enbridge Gas were also on the scene. The damaged gas line was repaired and the roads re-opened by about noon hour, according to police.
Man sought for midtown assault and theft
Security camera images have been released to help identify a man wanted in the investigation of assault and theft at Yonge Street and Glebe Road.
Police say on Oct. 31 a man allegedly attended a spa in the area and assaulted two employees before stealing property from the spa.
He reportedly left and headed east on Glebe.
He is described as 20–23 years old, 5-foot-8, having a slim build and dark brown hair, and wearing a white or brown shirt.
Instead of trick-or-treating…
Instead of trick-or-treating…Costumed kids joined witches, wood fairies and spiders in Oriole Park on Oct. 31. They enjoyed interactive adventures in the magical forest at Creative Kids Halloween Quest, put on by a local dance troupe.
See the story and pictures of what transpired.
SUV thefts thought to be aided by electronic devices
Police in 53 Division are warning of an increase in SUV thefts, which may be carried out by thieves using electronic devices to compromise the vehicles’ security systems.
The thefts appear to be targeting SUVs, namely Land Rovers, parked in the driveways in the area of Lawrence Avenue West and Bathurst Street.
Investigators have notices an increase in car thefts in the area since Jan. 1. They urge the public to be vigilant with locking their vehicles, even in in their driveways and recommend using a locked garage or anti-theft device.
Residents should also take care to store vehicle keys in a secure location away from their front doors, police said in a news release today.
Halloween in the age of COVID
It’s been one scary year already, thanks to the pandemic, notes Toronto-St. Paul’s MP Carolyn Bennett.
She urges families to celebrate Halloween within their households and follow all public health precautions to help end 2020’s COVID-caused nightmare. See her Halloween column here.
Arrests for Shane Shannon Stanford murder
A man, 27, has been arrested for first-degree murder about three weeks after Shane Shannon Stanford was shot while driving his car in the Lawrence Manor area. (See Oct. 8 below.)
A 17-year-old girl has been charged with being an accessory after the fact.
The arrests came after police executed two search warrants in Toronto and one in Welland. Get the whole story so far.
Oriole Park residents set date for AGM
Directors of the Oriole Park Association have announced the group’s first virtual annual general meeting for Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m.
The AGM’s theme is planning, transportation and neighbourhood safety, with guests from Toronto planning, transportation services, Metrolinx and police taking part online to answer questions.
More information on the OPA website.
COVID-19 outbreak at Sunnybrook
Five in-patients in one care unit at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre have tested positive for COVID-19, the hospital declared today. This meets the definition of an outbreak set by public health.
Toronto’s ‘The Amazing’ Randi dead at 92
He became famous around the world as a magician, writer and paranormal investigator, but it’s often forgotten that James “The Amazing” Randi was born and raised in North Toronto (Bedford Park actually) and Leaside.
He died in Florida yesterday. We will have an obituary and recollection of his 2014 interview with Streeter shortly. (Update: See it here.)
Gun reported in fight at Yonge and Lawrence
Police are investigating a gun being seen in an altercation at Yonge Street and Lawrence Street East today. Reports of a fight between two men were received at about 3:30 p.m., according to a police Twitter post. One man reportedly produced a firearm, then left in a taxi cab. No further information has been released yet.
Arrest was made in child pornography investigation
A 71-year-old man was arrested in late September after the police’s child exploitation section searched a property near Eglinton Avenue East and Bayview Avenue, Toronto police reported today.
Michael Allan of Toronto was charged with possessing and accessing child pornography, police say. He was to appear in court Sept. 30.
Avenue-Eglinton group to meet virtually
The annual general meeting of the Avenue Road-Eglinton Community Association is to be held virtually this year on Nov. 16 at 7:15 p.m., the group says.
With the assistance of Eglinton-Lawrence councillor Mike Colle, the meeting will be held via the Webex video conferencing application.
More information will become available on ARECA’s website.
Allen Road to be closed three days
The entire length of Allen Road from Eglinton to Sheppard will shut down this weekend from Friday at 11 p.m. until Monday at 5 a.m., the city announced today.
The closure is to allow maintenance and improvements on the Allen, including bridge maintenance, guide rail repair, painting and marking, pot hole repairs, tree trimming and lighting inspection.
Alternate routes for drivers are Keele Street, Dufferin Street, Avenue Road and Bathurst Street during the closure.
Arrest in child porn investigation
Toronto Police Service’s child exploitation section searched a property near Bathurst Street and Eglinton Avenue West today as pat of an investigation into the possession of child sexual abuse material.
A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography and accessing child pornography, according to a police news release.
He is scheduled to appear in court today.
Man killed by gunshot in his car
A 33-year-old man died of a gunshot wound in the Lawrence Manor area last night. Police said they responded to a call for the sound of gunfire near Bathurst Street and Ranee Avenue and found a man inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Car on fire thought to be stolen
Police are investigating what is believed to be a stolen vehicle found on fire at Eglinton Avenue West and Oakwood Avenue last night shortly before midnight. Officers responding to reports of a car fire at 11:49 p.m. found a car had apparently hit a building and burst into flames in the intersection.
Firefighters were also called to the fire. No occupants of the car remained at the scene.
More public art coming to midtown
Lots more drab areas of Toronto-St. Paul’s would benefit from an artful sprucing up, Councillor Josh Matlow said after viewing the recent work done on Bell boxes over the summer.
He and community leaders are looking at redevelopments in the area to make public art a part of them, as well as in local parks and playgrounds, he said. See the whole story.
• Beaches-Leslieville • Central Toronto • Forest Hill • Don Valley • Leaside • Riverdale-East York
North Toronto among areas hit by latest COVID wave
A month ago it looked like we were almost free of the coronavirus. But recent figures from the city’s interactive map show we’ve been newly infected in the recent upsurge.
Worst hit in this area have been Englemount-Lawrence and Mount Pleasant West. Get the full picture.
Arts festival moved from the streets to online
Arts festival moved from the streets to onlineNuit Blanche, which has presented art installations in Toronto streets over the course of one night for the past 14 years, is now presenting a week of virtual experiences.
Funded by the city and the Government of Ontario, Nuit Blanche Online is running Oct. 3–10 this year in five online streaming programs. Find out more in Streeter Things To Do.
Local events cancelled or moved online in city announcement
Pumpkin parades and street fests are among the local events seeing their live activities shut down by the city this week. Some of them though will carry on as virtual or online happenings.
The city followed public health advice in cancelling all upcoming festivals and other large in-person gatherings held at outdoor sites managed by the city or at public locations, the city said in a news release on Wednesday.
See the story in Streeter news.
UPDATE: Arrest in case of syringes left at school
A 44-year-old man has been charged with mischief following the investigation of a package of syringes and other drug paraphernalia left by a midtown school at Eglinton Avenue East and Mt. Pleasant Road reported on Sept. 22.
One arrested, two to go for Deer Park home invasion
A 22-year-old woman has been arrested for assault and robbery two weeks after a home invasion near Avenue Road and St. Clair Avenue West — apparently only because she allegedly showed up at the victim’s workplace for another go at him.
Two males that police believe were also involved in the home invasion Sept. 4 are still at large. Police continue to investigate.
Are you a champion for climate action in the neighbourhood?
Could you help educate and collaborate with local residents to develop climate action projects reflecting the needs and values of your midtown neighbourhood?
If so, the city wants you. To become a Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion.
Being a local champion will take about four or five hours a month and it won’t pay much — a $500 honorarium. But you’ll get free training and the satisfaction of helping fight climate change. Read all about it.
Images released after alleged sexual assault
Another incident in the Eglinton-Mt. Pleasant area. Police have just released security images of a person they are seeking in connection with an alleged sexual assault of a man in his room in the area.
It is reported that on Aug. 14 between 5:30 and 6 a.m. a 42-year-old man was asleep when another man gained entry to his room and assaulted him. When confronted, he fled the area, police said.
The man is described as 30 to 40 years, about 5-foot-8, having a slim build and a shaved or bald head. He was clean shaven and was wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.
Anyone who can identify the man is asked to contact police.
Drug paraphernalia left at local school
Police have reported a package of syringes and other drug paraphernalia were dropped off this morning near Eglinton Junior Public School at Eglinton Avenue East and Mt. Pleasant Road.
Yes, just a few doors down from the Roehampton Residence for the homeless on Mt. Pleasant, which some local people have charged with drug materials being found in the area, though police have drawn no connection with this incident.
Police have released an image of a man on a bicycle seen leaving the area. Here’s what we know so far.
Be a tourist in our own communities
How well do you know the Mount Pleasant East or the Lawrence Park South neighbourhoods? Walking tours of the areas are part of Toronto’s StrollTO program, announced today. Self-guided tours are presented in all 25 wards, with self-guided tours pointing out culturally and historically significant local sites.
It’s part of an overall ShowLoveTO initiative to encourage residents to discover shops, stops, places and spaces on local streets, the city says. Get the whole story and links to local tours.
Projects completed ahead of schedule, city says
Here’s something you don’t hear often. A major road work project was finished early.
Watermain replacement, road resurfacing and laneway reconstruction on Yonge Street from St. Clair Avenue to Woodlawn Avenue was completed four weeks early — just one of many construction projects completed on time or ahead of time this summer, the City of Toronto says.
The city accelerated work on as many important construction projects as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release today. Crews were reportedly able to take advantage of lower traffic volumes during the shutdown to work on infrastructure projects at a faster pace. More infrastructure projects are planned for fall.
Resurfacing work on more than 170 local roads roads has also been completed in the summer, with work on 323 more on track to be completed this fall, the city says. Plus, sewer upgrades on more than 100 streets to protect basements from flooding are proceeding on schedule.
BigArtTO scheduled for local wards
Lawrence Heights Community Centre and Leaside Memorial Gardens Arena are two of the sites to be used as canvases for art projection in Toronto’s just-announced BigArtTO initiative.
BigArtTO features free access to more than 200 hours of temporary public artworks created by Toronto artists, projected and illuminated on buildings and landmarks across Toronto’s 25 wards.
Get the schedule and see the full story.
COVID-19 case reported at grocery store
The Metro store at Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue West reported today an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee’s last day of work was Sept. 11, the grocery chain said.
MP Bennett on going back to school in 2020
Toronto-St. Paul’s MP Carolyn Bennett recalls when she and her sister had their first school day in 1957. What a difference for school kids in the middle of the 2020 pandemic.
The former “Minister of Handwashing” talks about the government and local support needed by children, parents and teachers as they return to school. Read her column, “Back to school, not to normal.”
Construction to shut down lanes at St. Clair and Avenue
Expect delays at St. Clair Avenue West and Avenue Road today as construction is scheduled to close two westbound lanes, according to Toronto’s Traffic Management Centre. The work on utility maintenance is expected to take place between 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Six hit by gunfire on Eglinton Avenue West
Six people sheltering from the rain in front of Spence’s Bakery in the Oakwood Village area were injured by gunfire about 2 a.m.
A black SUV with multiple occupants pulled up in front of the 24-hour West Indian bakery and shots were fired in what’s being called a “gang-related and targeted” attack. But the store and most of the victims were not targeted but innocent bystanders, police say. Get the full story.
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