North Toronto Daily Updates
A quick look at news, views and things to do locally
Suspects in break-in tracked down by police dog
The Phantom knows. Or in this case the police dog Phantom knew where the suspects in a break-in near Spadina and Kilbarry roads were hiding.
The K-9 officer was brought in last night after a residential alarm was tripped and security guards interrupted the break and enter in progress. The guards called police and in short order two suspects were caught, police say, thanks to Phantom’s nose.
Stabbing investigated at midtown homeless shelter
Police have arrested a 55-year-old man in a stabbing investigation at a temporary homeless shelter in the Yonge Street and Broadway Avenue area.
Police responded to the stabbing call yesterday at about 7 p.m. They allege a man stabbed a woman staff member at the shelter and brandished a knife at other staff. Security held the man and called police, according to a police ness release.
The woman was transported to a local trauma centre with serious injuries.
The man faces several charges including assault with a dangerous weapon.
Two homeless shelters for the homeless have been opened in the area by the city during the pandemic and have been the source of concerns from local residents over perceived crime and drug use.
Concern over Roehampton Hotel as a homeless shelter
Local businesses and residents have expressed concern over crime and drug paraphernalia seemingly on the rise in the community since the Mt. Pleasant Road hotel has been used as a physical distancing shelter for the homeless. The hotel joins housing for the homeless also recently opened on Broadway Avenue.
Locals and a city councillor are careful to say they are not NIMBYists and care for the most vulnerable during the pandemic, but are getting the city to address the public safety issue.
Read all about it and the mayor’s reply in Streeter news.
Two alleged gunmen arrested for car jacking near Yorkdale
Two men in custody and two others are being sought after a vehicle was hijacked shortly after midnight this morning. Police tweeted at 12:11 a.m. that two men car jacked a dark-coloured Range Rover at gunpoint and fled area, while two alleged accomplices fled in a black Kia.
Police and canines pursued the suspects on foot.
Minutes later they reported they had two men in custody and had recovered the Range Rover, to the delight of police Twitter followers. The police investigation is continuing.
NDPers back Toronto call to cut back construction noise
Toronto-St. Paul’s MPP Jill Andrew is among 12 opposition MPPs asking Premier Doug Ford to give Toronto back the power to limit construction noise. This comes after city council made a similar request, on a motion from councillors Josh Matlow and Mike Colle, and after residents and residents’ associations have complained about noise keeping them awake.
In April the province issued orders allowing “essential” construction projects to generate noise earlier and later than the city had previously allowed. Get the whole story.
Four evenings of slow traffic on Mt. Pleasant
Mt. Pleasant Avenue drivers may be used to delays due to Eglinton Crosstown construction, but they’ll be facing even worse north of Eglinton Avenue East over the next several days. From July 27 to 30, the northbound and southbound lanes of Mt. Pleasant will be partially occupied due to testing for roadway structural assessment, the city says. The work is to be carried out daily from 7 to 11 p.m. between Roehampton and Dawlish avenues.
Housing prices up in most central and midtown areas despite pandemic
The average price for a single-detached home in midtown and central Toronto for the first six months of 2020 is up over the same period of last year, according to a real estate report released yesterday.
The real estate districts including Cabbagetown, Forest Hill, Mount Pleasant and Lawrence Park, for example, have all experienced price increases of 10 to more than 55 per cent over a year ago.
However, a few districts — like those including Rosedale, Moore Park and Bridle Path — have seen prices drop from a year ago.
See the full picture and details in Streeter news.
Free outdoor programs for kids start Monday
The city announced today it is launching its ParksPlayTO initiative for kids up to age 12 and the Summer in the 6ix program for young people age 13 to 24 on July 20.
No registration is required for these drop-in programs in spaces across the city. In North Toronto, this includes Eglinton Park, Sherwood Park, Wanless Park, Ledbury Park and other local locations.
See the story and get the details in Streeter news.
Training on local sports fields gets the go-ahead
You should start to see teams and coaches practising, as the city has reopened outdoor sports facilities as of today. But you won’t be seeing soccer, baseball or other games taking place. The reopening comes with strict rules about physical distancing and the number of people on a field at any given moment — which severely restricts the kind of activities players can get involved in.
See the whole story about parks and fields reopening.
Crane hoisting to shut down Mt. Pleasant tomorrow
Mt. Pleasant Road between Erskine and Keewatin avenues is expected to be closed July 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The closure is to allow a crane to be hoisted by Superior Crane for local construction work.
UPDATE: Man struck by bus in Deer Park area
Police have released more information on yesterday evening’s accident at Yonge and Heath streets that involved a man hit by a TTC vehicle. (See previous item.)
At about 6:35 p.m., the bus was being operated by a 29-year-old man, travelling north on Yonge Street approaching Heath Street East, in the curb lane, police say in a press release. A 41-year-old man, who had been standing on the east sidewalk of Yonge at a crosswalk north of Heath Street East, “for reasons being investigated” entered the road as the bus passed. He was struck near the rear tire area of the bus.
The man suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital, police report.
Man struck by bus in Deer Park area
Emergency responders found a man with unspecified injuries near Yonge and Heath streets yesterday evening, after responding to reports of a man being struck by a TTC bus. Police reported the incident at 7:27 p.m. and closed roads in the immediate area for about three hours. No other information is available at this time.
Time to resume your parking permit
If you’re parking on the street, you should be aware the free period due to coronavirus has come to an end. Beginning today the city is restarting its permit parking program. The office remains closed but it can be accessed by phone at 416-392-7873 or by email Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You can also renew an existing permit holders using the online renewal system or by mail, though you should call first before mailing in an application.
The parking permit renewal window will be open until Aug. 3, and enforcement is expected to begin again starting Aug. 14 at midnight. More information on applying for a parking permit on the city website.
67-year-old injured in three-way collision
A car, a TTC bus and a transport trailer were involved in a collision at a North Toronto intersection this morning. Police tweeted it at 10:10 a.m. and said a driver was reported to be trapped in the three-way accident at Bathurst Street and Glengrove Avenue. Toronto Fire and Toronto Medics assisted at the scene.
It was shortly afterwards reported that a 67-year-old man sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.
The transport truck had reportedly overturned during the collision and fluid was leaking from the vehicle. Police closed the area for an investigation.
Start signing up for CampTO tomorrow
Registration for the city’s new day camps initiative, CampTO, starts in this area tomorrow. Sign up by phone or online to send kids from age 6 to 12 for the camps that feature physical distancing, regular health checks and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Camp locations include lots of sites in the North Toronto area. Find out all about it on Streeter.
Wider reopening finally gets the okay
You can soon take the family out to a local restaurant or hang out in a local bar again. Take the kids to the pool or splash pad. Go shopping for more than groceries. Get a haircut or your nails done. All this and more as Toronto reopens businesses, cultural places and recreational centres in the move to Stage 2 of the province’s reopening plan.
Read more about today’s long-awaited announcement.
Valley slope being shored up to protect homes and lives
Three years ago, a heavy spring rainfall washed way part of the valley slope behind three houses at 30–36 Rose Park Crescent, just north of the St. Clair Avenue East bridge.
The slope failure created a risk to life and property, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority determined.
Now the TRCA is preparing to stabilize the slope.
Construction was tentatively planned to get underway this month and be completed by fall.
Child porn charges laid in Yonge-Lawrence case
A man has been arrested in the Lawrence Avenue West and Yonge Street area as part of an investigation of child pornography distribution, police say.
The Sex Crimes – Child Exploitation section searched a house in the area and on June 17 arrested a 55-year-old male.
He is charged with two counts of distribution of child pornography, three counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of accessing child pornography. He appeared in court the same day, police said.
North-end institution reported robbed by knife-wielding man
Police are investigating after a financial institution at Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue West was robbed this afternoon. The robbery was allegedly carried out by a man armed with a knife, according to a police tweet.
HOLD UP:
**4:51pm**
Bathurst St & Lawrence Av W
– a man entered a financial institution
– reports he was armed with a knife
– man fled on foot
– police on scene investigating
– no reported injuries#GO1108498
^lb— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) June 16, 2020
Farmers’ markets coming back?
Farmers’ markets, like those we used to see at midtown locations like Wychwood Barns, Dufferin Grove Park and June Rowlands Park, may make their reappearance this summer, if not earlier.
The city says it is working with the markets it operates to get them back up and running while complying with the new public health requirements. Read more about it.
Yonge subway line disrupted for next three weekends
Stretches of Line 1 running through midtown Toronto will be shut down on coming weekends, the TTC has announced.
- June 13 and 14: The subway line between Sheppard and St Clair stations is closed to accommodate Eglinton Crosstown construction and for maintenance.
- June 20 and 21: Again the line from Sheppard to St. Clair is to be closed for the same reasons.
- June 27 and 28: The line between Finch and Lawrence stations is shut down for maintenance.
Shuttle buses will be operating along each of the shut-down routes, the TTC says.
Popular midtown bar threatened with closure
The Rose and Crown on Yonge Street north of Eglinton has been a midtown institution for 41 years, but it may not survive the pandemic, according to a post on the bar’s Instagram account.
Fatal collision of car and motorcycle at intersection
A 29-year-old motorcyclist was killed yesterday evening after colliding with a car at Bathurst Street and Glengrove Avenue West, police report. Emergency responders arrived on the scene at about 6:30 p.m. They found the seriously injured man unconscious and rushed him to hospital where he was pronounced dead. The story in Streeter.
If you gotta go while in the park….
The washrooms in Edwards Gardens and Sunnybrook Park are scheduled to reopen this week. But for other public facilities in North Toronto parks, well, you’ll just have to hold it till next week. The city is reopening about 50 parks washrooms by June 6, with the rest of the 200 washrooms to open by mid-June, it was announced today. See the story.
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Du Maurier Boulevard fire sends male to hospital
A male was taken to a trauma hospital after an apartment fire in the Yonge-Lawrence area about midnight last night. The apartment unit where the fire took place incidentally looks out on the local firehall, just two doors away. See the news story.
Two struck by vehicle at Yonge and Davisville
Two females have been sent to hospital after being struck by a vehicle on Davisville Avenue near Yonge Street, police said on Twitter at about 7:30 p.m. today. The two pedestrians reportedly suffered non-life threatening injuries. The intersection was closed for less than an hour due to the collision.
A local resident posted video of the accident’s aftermath online.
Thank god they’re ok. What a relief. Thank you so much for the update.
I recorded the aftermath from my balcony, perhaps hoping it could help anyone involved. The video is “Unlisted” and I will remove it ASAP if requested.https://t.co/K2LYYTUMLL— Justin Leduc (@justincleduc) May 28, 2020
Pothole-fixing blitz continues today
If you run into traffic delays today, it may be because the city is on a massive project of fixing potholes on expressways, major roads and neighbourhood streets. Sixty-six crews and 162 workers are fanning out across the city today in the final round of pothole repairs for this month, the city has announced.
About 18,000 potholes have already been repaired in May — and 105,000 so far in 2020. But in case those numbers sound impressive, bear in mind they are only slightly ahead of last year’s pothole-fixing pace — and well behind the numbers racked up by May in each of the two previous years.
If your least favourite midtown pothole is not filled in by today’s blitz, you can report it online, by email or by calling 311. It will likely be be repaired within four days, the city says.
Some local libraries to start accepting book returns
Northern District Library is among a short list of public library branches to reopen their drop boxes for returned items on Monday. Other branches will follow on June 1 and curbside pickup of materials ordered online is to begin shortly after that.
Read the whole story on Streeter.
Yonge line south of Eglinton shutting down tomorrow
Not that you’re keen to ride the subways anyways these days, but there will be no subway service on Yonge Street line between Eglinton and King stations on May 23. The shutdown has nothing to do with COVID but is for installation and testing of a signalling system on the line, according to the TTC.
Replacement shuttle buses will run between Eglinton and Union stations, and staff will direct customers to and from the shuttles.
Head for the parks, but keep your distance
Toronto is following the province’s lead and opening more of the city’s parks facilities. Yesterday, Mayor John Tory announced skateboard parks and other facilities are opening immediately, followed by soccer fields, tennis courts, picnic shelters and other amenities by the weekend.
But no team activities are being allowed and physical distancing rules are still in place. Get all the details.
Photos released of vehicle in ‘suspicious incident’
Police are seeking the help of anyone who may be aware of an unspecified “suspicious incident” involving an adult and a young person at about 10:30 p.m. yesterday at the intersection of Avenue Road and Lawrence Avenue West.
The people involved in the commotion may have left the area in a white 2015–2018 Nissan Versa at about 10:40 p.m., police say. Security camera images of a vehicle have been released.
Police would like to talk to pedestrians and drivers who passed through the area and may have been involved in, offered assistance to, or spoken with the persons involved. They are also asking residents, businesses, and drivers with security or dash cam footage of the area or incident, to contact investigators.
Fraud and assault arrest in midtown
Toronto police arrested a man on 14 warrants issued by GTA police services after they responded to a call for a fraud in progress near Eglinton Avenue West and Spadina Road yesterday at 10:10 p.m.
A man had allegedly presented fraudulent prescriptions at several pharmacies in Toronto, police said today.
After to the call, police arrested a 25-year-old Toronto man. He is charged with 14 counts including fraud, assault with a weapon and uttering threats.
He was scheduled to appear in court today.
Where to take your garbage, recycling and yard waste
The Ingram Transfer Station on Ingram Drive is probably the closest drop-off depot available to most North Torontonians, after the city reopened to the public two of the facilities in Toronto. The other is on Bermondsey Road.
But, starting today, the Ingram depot is open to the public only on weekday evenings and nights —from 6 p.m. to midnight and from 12:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. Following public health guidelines, payment must be by debit or credit card and a two-metre distance must be kept from others. A face mask or covering must be used when physical distancing is not possible, as in interactions with transfer station staff.
See more details on the city’s COVID-19: Changes to City Services site.
Midtown residents group backing homeless building on Broadway
The Republic Residents’ Association is organizing donations to help homeless people live in the buildings at 55–65 Broadway Ave. After some initial reservations, the group is supporting the city’s project along with Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow. Read the story.
Arrest made in Balliol homicide case
A 27-year-old man has been arrested after the homicide investigation that arose from the fire in the Balliol Street apartment building. See the latest story.
Salsa on St. Clair among latest coronavirus victims
Salsa on St. Clair and the Toronto Chinatown Festival are among the latest summer events to be cancelled, as the city has extended its cancellation of permits for major festivals to the end of August. Mayor John Tory announced the cancellations in his daily press briefing today.
See the latest news on what’s been cancelled, postponed and moved online.
Balliol homicide victim identity released
The apparent homicide victim whose body was found as firefighters put out a laundry room fire on Balliol Street yesterday has been identified and his picture released by police. See the story in Streeter news.
Homicide suspected in Davisville fire
The fire in a Balliol Street laundry room early this morning was small and put out quickly, but then firefighters found a dead body.
Police are investigating the incident as a homicide. Read the latest on this developing story.
City program sets up shops online
The city has joined with BIAs and other partners to offer a free program to set up independent businesses and artists with online stores. Up to 3,000 small businesses are expected to take up this offer, allowing consumers to shop online, ordering delivery and arranging pickup at places offering curbside service. Read all about it.
Demand is up at food banks but they’re coping
With so many unemployed during the pandemic, food banks in midtown and east-end wards are facing long lineups and big changes to how they serve those in need. But, so far, most are dealing with it well. See the full story and photos.
Three vehicles collide at Yonge and Davisville
A male was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries after a three-vehicle collision at Yonge Street and Davisville Avenue shortly after 8 p.m. today, police report on Twitter. One vehicle crashed into the Starbucks at the corner. The injured person was the driver of one of the vehicles. The intersection was closed for investigation.
In-store shopping at some garden centres
Getting the go-ahead from Ontario premier Doug Ford, some local garden centres are throwing their doors open to shoppers, while others are sticking to curbside pickup and delivery. But all are promising to observe social distancing and other safety considerations. Here’s the rundown.
Mother’s Day brunch without taking her out
Some local restaurants are offering Mother’s Day brunches on Sunday for pickup or delivery. But you may have to order now. Check them out.
Garden centres opening with curbside pickup
With the Ontario government’s go-ahead, many garden centres and nurseries are open and operating as online businesses. Here are some local places you can place an order for delivery or pickup.
Images released after catalytic converter cut from truck
Police have released images of a man carrying a device to a car after an emission control device was allegedly cut and stolen from a truck near Dufferin Street and Bridgeland Avenue. They are asking the public’s help in identifying the man. See the story and photo.
Canada Day leads latest list of local cancellations
The city has cancelled all in-person Canada Day celebrations — the latest events to fall victim to the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing well into summer — although a virtual celebration is in the works. See the full list of local cancellations, postponements and moves online.
You can continue putting your waste out, city says
With a record amount of yard waste being generated while residents are stuck at home, the city has decided to resume its collection. Yard waste pickup was cancelled early this spring but brought back in April for a four-week trial. The trial must have been a success, because now the city says yard waste is returning for the season. Just when garden centres and landscapers are also reopening their businesses.
See the full story in Streeter news.
Support local businesses, Toronto-St. Paul’s MP urges
With help from Forest Hill BIAs, MP Carolyn Bennett is asking residents to support small businesses however we can, in her column sent from her home. She also discusses the programs the federal government has hurriedly launched to help Canadians get through the COVID-19 crisis. See the column and photo.
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