North Toronto Daily Updates
A quick look at news, views and things to do locally
Even the bees and the butterflies hurt by COVID restrictions
Toronto’s BIAs have fallen behind in creating pollinator gardens on our main streets as small businesses have been preoccupied with staying afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic over the past couple of years.
The program is expected to languish as long as the pandemic lasts, unless the city kickstarts it. See the full story.
Library branches to close temporarily
Locke Library at Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue is among the public libraries to shut down as of Monday. The Toronto Public Library has announced nearly half of its branches are closing temporarily due to staffing shortages during the COVID pandemic.
Others — including the North Toronto branches of Northern District, Deer Park and Mount Pleasant — will remain open with 50-percent capacity limits. See the full story.
Collision suspect fired at officers, police say
A man, 35, has been charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident scene — and with two counts of attempted murder for firing at officers after they found him.
The accident happened at about 8 a.m. on Christmas Day near St. Clair Avenue West and Bathurst Street, police reported. See the story.
What’s open over Christmas weekend in North Toronto
Think you might need to pick up supplies sometime between Friday and Sunday over the holidays? Or pick up a prescription? Buy a last-minute gift? Or just get out of the house and go skating, visit a museum, or have some other fun?
Here’s our ever-growing list of what’s open over the Christmas weekend in this and other communities across Toronto.
NTHA shuts down play amid latest COVID surge
The North Toronto Hockey Association is suspending all hockey activities as it faces unprecedented pandemic news.
“Almost hourly we are receiving notice of individuals and teams that need to self-isolate due to positive COVID tests or confirmed exposures and the modelling shows this will escalate exponentially in the coming hours and days,” the association said in a letter to North Toronto this morning.
“As a result and with great reluctance we have no choice but to suspend all House League, CDS and Select North Toronto hockey activities effective immediately,” it said.
The NTHA joins other leagues in the city and the GTA, including the North York Knights and the Leaside Hockey Association, that have reached similar decisions.
No date has been set for returning to NTHA play.
Prominent biker and author reported dead
Donny Petersen, writer and former president of the Hells Angels motorcycle club in downtown Toronto, has reportedly died at age 74.
The demise of Petersen, who was born in Toronto and went to North Toronto Collegiate, was mourned online by his fiends and fellow bikers. See the story.
First suspect in four-year-old Shermans murder case shown in video
Police have released video of a person they are calling a “suspect” in the murders of Barry and Honey Sherman in December 2017.
A man is shown in the video walking through the York Mills neighbourhood around the time of the killing of the billionaire couple at 50 Old Colony Rd. Get the whole story.
Man arrested after autopsy determines midtown death a homicide
The death of a man, 28, in a Redpath Avenue apartment Friday has been determined by an autopsy to be a homicide, police have announced.
A 30-year-old Toronto man has been arrested for second-degree murder. See the story.
A taste of the Mexican beach in midtown
Más Playas restaurant group opened its fourth Toronto location, Playa Cabana Bar Esquina, at Yonge and Eglinton during the pandemic and in the midst of a local construction boom, but its Mexican vibe has been well-received in the area, they say. Customers who placed takeout orders over the past year are now returning to enjoy the place’s fun atmosphere for indoor dining. See the story.
‘Suspicious drug’ caused two deaths, police say
Two men, age 33 and 53, died of overdoses caused by a “suspicious drug” at a party in the Deer Park neighbourhood on Sunday, police report.
Police warn the dangerous drug may still be circulating. Here’s what we know.
Escape to Europe — on Mt. Pleasant
Inspired by a mixed culture of Italian and French during a vacation on the Riviera, restaurateur Robert Prete is bringing a “European escape” to Mt. Pleasant with his establishment, Domaine MaMo.
He chose the area for his latest venture because he appreciates the sense of community here, he says. Get the story.
Brazilian bakery drawing lineups
Padaria bakery opened during a difficult time for businesses — in 2020 in the middle of a pandemic. But now Padaria, which means bakery in Portuguese, has lineups around the corner as they’ve been welcomed by both the Brazilian community and other cultures in midtown Toronto.
Their story began in Brazil — on Facebook. See the full story.
Online EcoFair starts this evening
The EcoFair that ran for many years at the Wychwood Barns is back online, starting this evening with the webinar “Nurturing Nature in the City” at 7 p.m. and running until Sunday.
You can register once for the four-day affair — including movies, games, bike rides, and more to inform and inspire greener and more sustainable choices in our communities.
See more about it at Streeter’s Things To Do listing. Get the full schedule at ecofairtoronto.org. And register for free at Eventbrite.
The long road to opening Eglinton patty shop
Peter Pham relates how he came to open his Phamilyeats shop, specializing in meat patties and pot pies, on Eglinton Ave. E. after surviving a long-distance romantic relationship, a family tragedy and the pandemic.
It was meant to be, he says. See the full story.
Arrest for seven weeks of alleged indecent acts
A 55-year-old man faces 10 charges after police investigated alleged indecent acts in the area of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue.
A man was reported to have exposed himself to businesses and community buildings and performed other acts between Aug. 1 and Sept. 23 in the area.
On Oct. 24 police arrested a man and charged him with two counts of indecent acts, two counts of mischief, criminal harassment, exposing genitals to a person under 16 for a sexual purpose, two counts of failing to comply with probation, and two counts of breaching an order from a sexual offence conviction.
He appeared in court Oct. 24 via video.
Good news if you enjoy dining next to traffic
The sidewalk and curb-lane patios that have been part of the experience of drinking and dining locally during the pandemic may become permanent features of Toronto life.
The city’s executive committee yesterday approved extending “for years to come” the CaféTO initiative, launched to expand outdoor dining areas for restaurants and bars affected by COVID-19. See the full story.
NDP star candidate to contest Don Valley West
Child and youth advocate Irwin Elman will run for the New Democrats in Don Valley West in the next provincial election. Elman is considered one of the NDP’s star candidates for the election expected by June 2022.
He’ll be vying for the seat currently held by former premier Kathleen Wynne who announced she is not running for re-election. The Liberals nominated Stephanie Bowman to replace her. (See Oct. 13 item below.)
Elman has been Ontario Child Advocate from 2008 to 2019, as well as manager of the Pape Adolescent Resource Centre and director of client service at Central Toronto Youth Services. He was presented the Stand Up For Kids Award by organizations by the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada.
“Young people have taught me over the years to strive to dwell in possibility. It is that possibility I have seen as I travelled across Ontario, that possibility I have seen in Don Valley West and that possibility I see in the NDP,” Elman said in a party statement. “I deeply believe we can be a province where every child has what they need when they need in order to thrive, and where the well-being of people is the motivation behind every single decision government makes.”
Elman was acclaimed as the NDP candidate at a nomination meeting today.
Parkette planned for Broadway lot
Midtown is getting some more green space but you might have to wait two years for it.
A new 775-square-metre parkette is planned for Broadway Avenue near Mt. Pleasant Road — an area that is park-deprived, says Councillor Jaye Robinson. See the story.
New theatre group founded, looking for volunteers
A midtown woman has founded a live theatre group, the Hillcrest Village Community Players, which is going into rehearsals for Anne of Green Gables, but is still looking for production volunteers.
If the name Krista Mihevc sounds familiar, there’s a reason for that. Get the full story.
Elderly 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.
Liberal candidate nominated to succeed Wynne as MPP
Liberals in Don Valley West have nominated financial services executive Stephanie Bowman to run as their candidate in Don Valley West for the provincial election expected next year.
The seat is currently held by former premier Kathleen Wynne, who announced almost a year ago she was not running for the seat again.
“Stephanie Bowman will make a fantastic MPP for Don Valley West and a strong addition to the Ontario Liberal team,” Ontario Liberal leader Steven Del Duca said in a statement yesterday. “Stephanie’s extensive experience, both in the financial sector and in Don Valley West, will help her get results for her community.”
Bowman was born in London, Ont. and has lived in Don Valley West, which she called a “wonderfully diverse and vibrant community,” for 27 years.
“As I meet with more of the people across Don Valley West, I am committed to listening to residents to understand their challenges and their ideas around improving life in our community and our province and to represent them with sincerity and energy at Queen’s Park,” she said.
Fire destroys York Mills house under construction
The flames that gutted a mansion being built on Old Colony Road yesterday evening were visible from as far away as Highway 401, police said.
Emergency services were called at around 10 p.m. to the fire and had it under control by 3:30 a.m., although smoke was still rising from the roof at noon hour the following day. See the full story.
Become North Toronto’s 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.
Woman dies in condominium fire
A woman described as in her 80s has died after a two-alarm fire in a condominium building at 955 Millwood Rd. at Southvale Drive.
At about 1 a.m. firefighters responding to an alarm found fire and thick black smoke coming from a first-floor unit of the building. A woman was pulled from an apartment but died later. Here’s what we know so far.
Crazy for candy in midtown
A local couple has opened a new store, Kandy Krazed, on Eglinton Avenue West.
“I went from a business that made people healthy to a business that brings happiness,” is how the one known as Candy Man, describes the journey to opening Kandy Krazed. Taste the full story.
Man sought in Davisville assault investigation
A 32-year-old man is sought in a police investigation of an alleged assault of a woman 10 days ago.
Officers were called to the area of Yonge Street and Davisville Avenue on Sept. 14 where it was reported a man had forced a woman into a home and choked her. He then assault her with a variety of weapons before fleeing, police say.
Jahmar Drelle Sweet, 32, of Toronto, is wanted on 10 charges, including forcible confinement, assault causing bodily harm and three counts of assault with a weapon.
Oliphant wins his fourth term during Liberal sweep of Toronto
Liberal Rob Oliphant was re-elected for Don Valley West in yesterday’s federal election.
Oliphant is one of the midtown incumbents to win easily during the red sweep of Toronto, as his party won a minority government.
North Toronto subway line down for weekend
The TTC is advising subway service will be shut down between St. Clair and Lawrence stations on Aug. 28 and 29 to accommodate Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction.
The stations will remain open, however, for access to PRESTO machines and to surface route. Shuttle buses will also be running on Yonge Street in place of the stretch of subway line running through North Toronto.
DVP shut down for weekend
You can expect busier than usual streets in the area this weekend as the Don Valley Parkway is closed for annual maintenance. The city has announced the closure from Friday, April 6, 11 p.m. to Monday, April 9, 5 a.m.
People travelling around Toronto on the weekend should consider using public transit, such as TTC or GO Transit, the city advises.
Alternate routes suggested for drivers include Kingston Road, Victoria Park Avenue, Leslie Street, Bayview Avenue and Avenue Road.
Speed bump pilot program to cut collisions at intersections
The intersection of Mt. Pleasant Road and Merton Street is one of eight sites where the city is installing rubber speed bumps to reduce left-turn collisions.
“The Left-Turn Calming Pilot is one of these solutions that I’m confident will ultimately protect people walking and cycling by making them more visible to turning vehicles,” Mayor John Tory said in a statement today.
Left-turns are among the most prevalent causes of collisions in Toronto resulting in fatalities or serious injuries to pedestrians and cyclists, especially at wide intersections, the statement said.
The bumps are to be in place by the end of August.
Two suspected overdose deaths just the latest in the area
Two deaths from suspected drug overdoses bring the total to four such deaths in 53 Division over the past two weeks, police say.
The latest was reported at about 12:45 a.m. today when officers found a man and woman, both 39, dead in the Dupont Street and Spadina Road area.
The majority of recent suspected overdoses have been linked to fentanyl, according to police.
Twenty-one neighbourhoods COVID-free on latest city map
The city’s latest COVID-19 map now shows 23 neighbourhoods in Toronto — including Lawrence Park, Yonge-Eglinton and Deer 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.
Arrests for ‘hate-motivated’ assaults
A man was arrested on July 10 in the Deer Park area for the second of two Toronto assaults being called hate-motivated, police said today.
It was reported a man walking north on Yonge Street near Glen Elm Street showed a drawing of a swastika on his chest, yelled anti-Semitic slurs and repeatedly punched a person who objected to his language.
Video of the attacks have prompted public response. Get the whole story.
Pilot project to remake Yonge Street begins
Installation of the ActiveTO Midtown Complete Street Pilot, which is adding bike lanes and curb-lane patios, as well as reducing traffic lanes, on Yonge Street, begins this weekend.
The first phase will see crews working on instalments along Yonge between Imperial Street and Woodlawn Avenue. The city is urging drivers to avoid taking that route this weekend as delays are expected.
The pilot project will eventually cover Yonge between Bloor Street and Davisville Avenue.
Subway line shut down this weekend
Subway service between St. Clair and Finch stations is being cancelled on June 19 and June 20 for work on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction project, the TTC says. It will also be carrying out track and signal maintenance work. Shuttle buses will operate.
At York Mills Station, the Old York Mills Road entrance will be closed, but you use the other station entrances.
At Lawrence Station, the automatic entrances at Ranleigh Avenue and Bedford Park Avenue will also be closed, though the entrances at Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue will be available.
Motorcyclist injured in crash
A man was taken to hospital yesterday evening after a vehicle and motorcycle collided near St. Clair Avenue and Inglewood Drive, police reported online at 8:22 p.m.
The injuries were described as serious but non-life threatening.
St Clair from Avoca Avenue to Mount Pleasant Road was temporarily closed for investigation.
Cannabis shops high over re-opening
Cannabis shops across midtown have survived the pandemic. Some have even benefited from it. In any case they all seem excited about soon being able to serve their clientele in-store.
The cannabis culture is ready to make a comeback too — with a few changes, they say. See the full 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.
Snow-clearing extended to all our sidewalks
After a two-year trial with new, smaller snow plows on narrow sidewalks in Don Valley West and other wards, Toronto is extending its snow-clearing program to all its sidewalks, 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.
We’ve restored power to many customers in the affected area at this time. Crews are on site and are working to restore power to the remaining customers as quickly and safely as possible. We thank everyone for their patience.
— Toronto Hydro (@TorontoHydro) June 6, 2021
Plan for Davisville condo towers disputed
City council has told its legal legal staff to get ready to fight the Times Group’s development at Yonge Street and Davisville Avenue.
They are opposing the developer’s application to demolish a row of 19th-century heritage buildings along Yonge and replace them with two condo towers. Get the full story.
Biggest drops in apartment rents during pandemic
The Deer Park and Summerhill neighbourhoods experienced Toronto’s biggest drop in condo and apartment rents since the beginning of the pandemic more than a year ago. A recent survey shows the area it calls Yonge-St. Clair saw rents decreased 39 per cent in the first four months of this year from the same period in 2020.
Rents have dropped right across the city, but there are signs they may be stabilizing and preparing to rise again, the survey found. Get all the facts.
Fatal police shooting goes to the SIU
The so-called police watchdog is investigating the death of a man in “mental distress” who was shot by police in a Davisville condominium building last night.
Officers said the man stabbed one of them with a knife and advanced toward them until he was shot by a police firearm. Now the SIU has taken over the investigation. Here’s what we know so far.
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. This includes clinics at North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, 200 Eglinton Ave. W., in midtown and East York Town Centre, 45 Overlea Blvd., in Thorncliffe Park.
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.
Golf, tennis and other outdoor recreations are back
Local golf courses, tennis courts and fitness areas should be busy with people getting their outdoor exercise again this long weekend, as long as they keep physically distanced.
Following Ontario’s go-ahead yesterday, the city is reopening its outdoor recreational amenities — albeit with public health restrictions in place — as of May 22.
Girl hit by SUV, seriously injured
A girl is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after she was struck by an SUV in the Lawrence Manor area.
At about 5:50 p.m. a 45-year-old man was driving a silver 2017 Toyota Highlander westbound on Fraserwood Avenue toward Shermount Avenue, when a girl ran across the road mid-block and was struck, police reported today.
Traffic Services is investigating.
Vaccine appointments available at city clinics for anyone 18 and up
The city has opened 120,000 new vaccination appointments at its immunization clinics — as the age of eligibility drops to 18 today.
In this area, North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, 200 Eglinton Ave. W., is a designated clinic.
Provided the vaccines are available, about 40,000 new appointments are now available across Toronto to book each week for the weeks of June 14, June 21 and June 28.
But hurry to book your vaccine appointment. Already in the first hour this morning, nearly 9,000 people booked a vaccine appointment at a city-run clinic.
Appointments can be made online on the city’s COVID-19 page or by calling the provincial booking line at 1-833-943-3900.
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 Erskine Avenue and Thorncliffe Park Drive in Don Valley West ward.
The new locations where you’ll have to watch your speeding in this area are:
- Blythwood Road near Blyth Hill Road
- Leslie Street south of Lawrence Avenue East
Briefs
- ANTI-ASIAN HATE CRIME: A man, 56, was arrested yesterday after an alleged assault in the Yonge-Eglinton area on May 10. At 8:20 a.m. a 28-year-old woman was walking near Yonge Street and Roehampton Avenue when an unknown man punched her in the shoulder and yelled a racial slur, police say.
Assault on man and dog led to two-and-half hour drama across town
It all started with the report of a man and a dog being assaulted near Bayview and Eglinton avenues, but it continued down Bayview and into Moore Park, and eventually popping back up in Don Valley’s Parkwoods area.
The trail of assaults and crashes committed by a suspect and the police off-and-on pursuit by car and on foot led across several Toronto neighbourhoods, ending in 10 charges. Read all about it.
Briefs
- ART SHOW: The Forest Hill Art Club’s online show and sale starts today and runs to May 30. See Streeter’s Things To Do item then head over to the group’s website. Attending the event is free, the art is affordable.
- SUBWAY CLOSURE: Service on between Sheppard-Yonge and St Clair stations will close May 15–16 for maintenance. Shuttle buses will operate. The Old York Mills Road entrance to York Mills Station and the automatic entrances at Ranleigh Avenue and Bedford Park Avenue for Lawrence Station will be closed but you can use other station entrances.
Briefs
- COVID-19 AT GROCER: Two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 at Loblaws, 3501 Yonge St., north of Lawrence Avenue, the company reported today. The last days the employees worked was recorded as May 2 and 4.
Collision leads to man and woman arrested, loaded firearm recovered
A man and a woman have been arrested after two people fled from a Porsche suspected of being involved in a collision near Bathurst Street and St. Clair Avenue West early this morning.
At 12:30 a.m., police began investigation of the collision and located a vehicle, a Porsche Cayenne, with extensive damage, they reported this afternoon. Both occupants allegedly fled the car but, with assistance of witnesses, officers found them both.
A loaded firearm, a Taurus 9mm with eight rounds of ammunition, was recovered from the vehicle, police said.,
Sy Nguyen, 27, of Toronto, faces 10 charges, including impaired operation and unauthorized use of a firearm.
Chi Mai Julie Nguyen, 26, of Vaughn, faces five charges, including unauthorized use of a firearm.
They were both to appear virtually in court today.
Vehicle flips over injuring two in two-vehicle crash
A woman and child are in hospital after two vehicles crashed today near Mt. Pleasant Road and Hillsdale Avenue East.
At 5:42 p.m., police said on Twitter they had reports one of the cars had flipped over, possibly trapping the occupants. Paramedics and firefighters were also on the scene.
Minutes later, police reported all parties were out of the vehicles and two were sent to hospital. A woman was said to have serious injuries and a child had minor injuries.
Two blocks of Mt. Pleasant were closed between Soudan Avenue and Manor Road East.
13 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.
New bins for your doggy doo
Three may not seem like enough to handle all the dog waste generated on the streets and sidewalks of midtown, but more just like them may start popping up in other parts of this canine-friendly area.
We’re talking about the dog waste bins the city has set up on Dunfield, Rosehill and Broadway avenues.
They’re part of a pilot project that’s placed 10 “Dog Poop” receptacles across Toronto — soon to ramp up to 30 and then 100 bins. Read all about them.
Midtown residents upset planned Yonge-Eglinton development ignores them
A proposed complex of five apartment towers covering the block southwest of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue threatens to help turn midtown into a bedroom community, residents’ groups warn.
Oxford Properties Group cites the open spaces offered by the development, but residents complain the developer ignored much of what they had said they wanted in the plan. Read the full story.
Join meeting today on Yonge bike lanes and patios project
A public meeting on the pilot project adding bike lanes and curb lane patios on Yonge Street between Bloor Street and Davisville Avenue is online tonight at 7 p.m.
You’ll get a project overview and a chance to give feedback. You should register ahead of time. See instructions and links.
Avenue Road lane closed
“Soil delivery” is shutting down the northbound curb lane of Avenue Road at Woburn Avenue for a few days, the city advises. Starting today, the lane should be closed until April 30.
Firefighter charged after collision on way to emergency call
Police have laid two charges, including careless driving, against a Toronto firefighter following a collision at Lawrence Avenue East and Mt. Pleasant Road.
On April 4 at about 2 p.m., a Toronto Fire Services emergency response vehicle was travelling north on Mt. Pleasant with lights and sirens activated en route to an emergency fire call, police say.
At Lawrence the fire truck allegedly turned right without stopping to go eastbound in the westbound lanes and hit two poles at the intersection.
One firefighter was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
After investigation, police charged the unnamed driver of the fire truck. The first court appearance is scheduled for June 3.
Police 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, 53 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.
Fellowship Towers bought by the city
With federal and provincial help, the city has bought the former Fellowship Towers seniors’ residence on Yonge Street, as one of two buildings purchased to provide affordable housing for women, Indigenous peoples, the homeless and others in need.
With thee purchases and more to come, the city is launching a program to provide housing and support services for 1,098 homes, all ready to be moved into this year, according to a city announcement.
University-Rosedale councillor Mike Layton praised the affordable housing initiatives in his ward. “I’m pleased that we’re able to open the doors of these new homes and welcome our new neighbours to our community.” See the full story.
Meeting planned for Yonge Street pilot
The city is to hold a virtual meeting on April 27 to get local feedback on the design of the Active Complete Street Pilot (see April 11 item below) that would create bike lanes, travel lanes and curbside patio spaces on Yonge Street.
See the Things To Do Listing for the event.
They are also surveying local business people for their feedback. See the online survey to be completed by May 3.
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.
Bike lanes, curbside patios okayed for Yonge Street pilot
City council on April 7 gave the go-ahead for a pilot project that will transform part of Yonge Street, as part of their ActiveTO and CafeTO initiatives.
The roadway between Bloor Street and Davisville Avenue is to be reduced to two lanes, have bike lanes added and see on-street patios installed in a pilot project this spring and summer. See the full story.
Reminder: Yonge line shut down for weekend
Not that you should be out and about this weekend anyway, but this is a reminder there will be no subway service on Line 1 between St. Clair and Finch stations on Saturday and Sunday. The closure is to accommodate Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction and work on the line’s signal system, the TTC says.
See April 5 item below for further details.
Car thefts up in this area
Do you have a Lexus, Toyota SUV or Land Rover? If so, maybe you’d better take some extra precautions, because these are among the favoured models for vehicle thieves in 53 Division.
The area is experiencing a hike in high-end car thefts, by thieves who use electronic methods, police are warning.
See the report and what you can do to protect your car.
More murder charges in laneway shooting
A second arrest for murder was made yesterday, about two months after a shooting in a laneway near Rosedale’s Mathersfield Drive left a man dead and a woman wounded.
A 20-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder, the same charges as those faced by another 20-year-old who was arrested March 30. Read the story in Streeter news.
All 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.
Part of westbound Lonsdale shutdown
The westbound lane of Lonsdale Road at Avenue Road, just where Avenue curves around Upper Canada College, is closed as of today, the city advises. The closure, expected to last until April 16, is due to construction on a Bell pit.
Weekend subway shutdown on Yonge line
There will be no subway service on the Yonge Street line between St. Clair and Finch stations on April 10 and 11, the Toronto Transit Commission has announced. The shutdown is to accommodate Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit construction but the TTC will take advantage of the closure to work on the Automatic Train Control signal system project.
Shuttle buses will operate.
All affected stations, except North York Centre Station, will stay open for the purchase of PRESTO fares and connection to other subway and surface routes.
At the York Mills Station, the Old York Mills Road entrance will be closed. And at Lawrence Station, the automatic entrances at Ranleigh Avenue and Bedford Park Avenue will also be closed.
Four COVID cases at Yonge-St. Clair Loblaws
Four staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Loblaws store at 12 St. Clair Ave. E. — in the building at the northeast corner of Yonge and St. Clair — the grocery chain reported today.
The last days worked by the employees were recorded as March 21, March 22, March 24 and March 30.
Arrest for murder in Rosedale laneway shooting
Police announced today they have arrested a 20-year-old man for first-degree murder and attempted murder for an alleged shooting on Jan. 29 that left a man dead and a woman seriously wounded in north Rosedale.
The shooting took place in or near a laneway running beside and behind houses on Mathersfield Drive, in an area sometimes considered part of Summerhill. See the story.
City golf courses to open Thursday
Don Valley Golf Course at 4200 Yonge Street is among the city-run courses to open Thursday, several days ahead of schedule.
The city announced all five of its golf courses are opening for the 2021 season on April 1.
Guidelines have been developed in consultation with Toronto Public Health, including physical distancing between golfers and disinfection of equipment and surfaces, the city said in a press release today.
Tee times will be 10 minutes apart, starting at 7 a.m. and ending at dusk. Tee times are expected to sell out quickly, so residents are encouraged to book early. (Call Don Valley at 416-392-2465.)
Southbound Avenue Road closures
The southbound lane of Avenue Road at Cortleigh Boulevard, in the Lytton Park area, is to be shut down as of today for more than a month, the city says. The unspecified construction work causing the closure is estimated to continue until April 30.
Further down the road, the southbound lane at 620 Avenue Rd. is closed from March 23 to April 5, due to construction on a Bell pit.
Third COVID-19 case at midtown grocery store
The Metro grocery store in the Yonge Eglinton Centre reported a case of COVID-19 among its staff today, its third case in just over a week. The last day of work for the latest employee who tested positive is listed as March 11.
Previous positive tests were reported by the store at 2300 Yonge St. on March 15 and 19. Respective last days on the job for those employees were March 11 and 15.
Driver found after girl struck, leg broken in Davisville
Police have found a driver who left the site of a collision in which a seven-year-old girl suffered a broken leg yesterday.
The girl was allegedly struck by a vehicle in the Cleveland Street and Manor Road area.
The driver is reported to have remained at the scene briefly and spoken with the girl and her mother before he left the scene.
The girl was taken to hospital and diagnosed with a broken leg.
With the help of the public, police located the vehicle and identified the driver, they said. The investigation is ongoing.
Sunnybrook vaccinating 900 today
The Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is holding a clinic to vaccinate about 900 people against COVID-19 today. In line for shots are those who 80 or older, as well as Indigenous adults, community healthcare workers, hospital staff, long-term care staff, retirement homes staff, and adults who receive home care.
It’s one of Toronto’s 18 clinics operating today, including mobile teams and on-site vaccinations, to vaccinate groups identified by the province as priorities.
Lanes closed on Lawrence East
Eastbound lanes of Lawrence Avenue are closed at 755 Lawrence Ave. East, just west of Leslie Street, until May 31, the city says. The closure is due to loading and offloading of machinery and material for construction. Two-way traffic is maintained, using westbound lanes, during the closure.
City promises to revive Little Jamaica
City promises to revive Little JamaicaMayor 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 Blythwood Road, near Blyth Hill Road, and on Leslie Street, south of Lawrence Avenue East. That’s when the city’s automatic speed enforcement (ASE) devices will be moved to these locations to catch speeding drivers in Don Valley West ward. This will be the third locations for the ASEs. They are currently snapping pictures and issuing tickets from their sites on Thorncliffe Park Drive and Erskine Avenue.
Arrest for child pornography
A man was arrested yesterday after a home near Bathurst Road and Lawrence Avenue West was searched by the Toronto Police Service’s Child Exploitation Section.
Police say child pornography had been uploaded to the internet and child sexual abuse material was found at the residence.
A 23-year-old appeared in court on March 2 and faces four counts of possessing and accessing child pornography.
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.
COVID case at Sobeys
Sobeys grocery store at 81 St. Clair Ave. E. reports today a positive COVID-19 test of an employee. The employee’s last day at work was recorded as Feb. 21.
Bayview bar and grill back in (takeout) business
Leaside’s popular McSorley’s Saloon and Grill re-opens on Bayview Avenue today after temporarily closing in January, following a 10-month period since the first pandemic lockdown.
“All McSorley’s patrons can rest assured that their signature dishes are still available for takeout and delivery by third-party apps, with direct delivery from the saloon in the future,” general manager Avery Barker says. Get the full story.
As 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.
Lawrence Park among neighbourhoods with lowest COVID-19 rates
Lawrence Park appear to be one of the safest areas in Toronto, judging by the latest figures from the province. In fact, the city’s mapping of the COVID rates over a recent three-week period shows Lawrence Park South to have experienced only 59 cases per 100,000 population — the lowest rate in Toronto.
Other midtown areas getting good news are Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills with 65 and Yonge-St. Clair with 80 — well below the worst-hit areas in Toronto with more than 700 cases per 100,000. See how our neighbourhoods compare to other central, midtown and east-end areas.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at home
Special dinners-for-two and online social events are among the ways being offered to lovers to enjoy this Feb. 14 during the lockdown.
Order or sign up online now for a safe Valentine’s Day in Toronto. Here are some suggestions.
Local Starbucks among those shut down
The Starbucks at 1909 Yonge St. at Davisville Avenue is among the 25 locations shutting down over the recent weekend and today in Toronto.
It’s part of a Canada-wide cutback by the U.S.-based coffee chain as it moves to alternative, digital means of delivering all those Tall, Grande and Venti beverages. See the whole story.
Bridle Path fire reported
About 10 a.m. today, fire and police services have reported a fire at a home near Lawrence Avenue East and Park Lane Circle in the Bridle Path area. Medics are on the scene but no injuries have been reported yet. All occupants are said to have exited the house. More to come on this breaking story.
• Beaches-Leslieville • Central Toronto • Forest Hill • Don Valley • Leaside • Riverdale-East York
More details of deadly shooting released
More information about Friday’s shooting, including the identity of the homicide victim, has been added by police. A description of a vehicle that sped away from the scene is also included in a statement released late yesterday afternoon. See the updated story.
COVID-19 found by local drug mart
Today the Shoppers Drug Mart at 1860 Bayview St. (at Broadway Avenue) is the latest to report an employee testing positive for COVID-19. The team member’s last day worked was Jan. 28, the store says.
Shooting leaves man dead, woman wounded in Rosedale-Summerhill laneway
One person is dead and one critically injured after a shooting yesterday evening in a neighbourhood variously described as being in North Rosedale or in Summerhill.
After calls reporting gunshots, police found the two suffering from wounds near Mathersfield Drive at about 8 p.m.
The shooting is thought to have taken place in a laneway running between houses on Mathersfield and the railway tracks barrier. Here’s what we know so far.
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.
Yonge Street Metro stores report positive COVID tests
Three Metro grocery stores have recorded a total of five COVID-19 cases at Yonge Street locations over the past week:
- On Jan. 11 and 18, the store at 3142 Yonge St. reported positive tests of employees whose last days of work were Dec. 15 and Jan. 13.
- On Jan. 12 and 17, the store at 2300 Yonge St. reported positive tests of staff whose last days of work were Jan. 6 and 10, respectively.
- Also on Jan. 12, the 444 Yonge St. store reported a positive COVID-19 test of an employee who was last on the job in November.
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 St., 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.
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