DAILY UPDATES

Riverdale-East York Daily Updates: January–February 2020

Garbage pickup to continue as tentative deal reached

It looks like garbage will continue to be collected and other public services provided in the east end for at least another week.

Negotiators for the city and union announced late yesterday a tentative deal had been reached to avert a work stoppage. It still has to be ratified by the union members next week.

Read the full story.

Will we get garbage pickup (and other services) next week?

Garbage, recycling and green bin pickup are being carried out as scheduled in Toronto communities east of Yonge Street today. But it could be the last pickup for a while if city-union negotiations don’t result in a deal before before midnight tonight.

A strike would mean losing several other public services in our neighbourhoods too. Read the latest news on the possible strike in Streeter.

Man arrested for sexual assault in Danforth-Coxwell area

Toronto police say they fear there may be more victims after they arrested a 23-year-old man in a sexual assault investigation. Police say a man and a woman were drinking at a bar near Danforth and Coxwell avenues on Jan. 24, after which the man allegedly assaulted the woman twice.

A man was arrested after surrendering yesterday to police. He faces two counts of sexual assault and appeared in court on Wednesday.

Local riders not happy about TTC fare increase

Most transit rides are going up in price as of March 1 but many commuters are upset at this ninth fare increase in 11 years. Especially when they have not seen a equal increase in TTC service. See what people are saying in the news story.

Arrest after police raid finds child sexual abuse material

A man was arrested on child pornography charges on Feb. 6 after police executed a search warrant near Kingston Road and Main Street, police announced today.

Police allege the man, 42, accessed, possessed, and made available child sexual abuse material. He appeared in court at College Park on Feb. 7.

Man injured in East York fire

A man was sent to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries on Feb. 12 after firefighters responded to a call for a fire in a garage behind a house on Durant Avenue. More details in Streeter news.

Peter MacKay lives in Beaches-East York

Did you know leading Conservative leadership contender Peter MacKay is an east-end resident? If not, you’re not alone. Most local residents seem not to be aware of the would-be prime minister making his home in this area. More about this in Streeter news.

Photo radar praised, criticized and stolen

Residents in Leaside and East York have long called for a crackdown on speeding — but they’re divided on whether the newly installed photo radar units will help. Give us more such cameras, say photo radar supporters. No, give us more police patrols, say their critics.

But love them or hate them, at least midtown and east-end cameras are not being stolen or wrecked, as they have been in other parts of town. See the full story.

Free screening of assisted dying film

Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith invites you to the Fox Theatre for a screening of the documentary Road to Mercy, as well as Q&A with experts, on Feb. 11. It’s free but you have to reserve tickets. See the listing for details.

Man dead after shooting at Danforth and Greenwood

Toronto’s ninth homicide victim this year was found by police near Danforth and Greenwood Avenues early this morning. Police say they responded at about 3 a.m. to reports of shooting in the area and located an unconscious man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police are seeking several persons who fled the scene.

See story updated later on same day.

Bike lane pilot project in Danforth Study

Bike lanes are in the Danforth Study now — a pilot project for up to two kilometres anyway — city staff said at the study’s second open house on Jan. 27. It was just one issue for the improvement of Danforth Avenue that the public was asked to comment on at the meeting that drew more than 200 local residents, businesses and workers. Read the full story.

Second open house on Danforth Study tomorrow

The second Danforth Study Open House takes place at Monarch Park Collegiate Institute on Jan. 27. The first open house on Nov. 7 drew about 400 east end residents and workers to discuss proposed development of Danforth Avenue.

More details in the Things To Do listing.

Time to make your Winterlicious reservations

Winterlicious gets underway with its affordable, fixed price menus on Jan. 31. And there are lots of east end restaurants — in Riverdale, East York, Leslieville and the Beaches — taking part in the two-week food fest. Here’s where to make your reservations for local eateries.

Untold story of Erie Canal shown at Todmorden exhibit

The exhibit “The Story of Water: The Erie Canal as a Site of Untold Stories” explores through cast clay vessels the marginalized histories that made the canal possible.

It’s free at Todmorden Mills starting today until Jan. 26. See the event listing for details.

Increased shootings and assaults, but few murders in east

Shootings may have increased dramatically in the city in 2019, according to year-end data from the police. But while shootings and shooting victims are up across Toronto, the number of fatalities and homicides is actually down.

In the east end, covered by the former 54 and 55 Divisions, only two murders were reported to have taken place both in East York, leaving Riverdale, Leslieville and the Beaches free of homicides last year.

The Riverdale and East York area, however, experienced a significantly high number of assaults. See the full story.

Photo radar installed on local streets

Fifty speed enforcement cameras are ready to take your picture if you’re driving too fast on streets across Toronto — especially near schools or parks where kids play. Drivers have already started getting warnings in the mail. Stiff fines are to follow.

See the main article to find out more about this, including where the cameras have been set up in East York and Riverdale neighbourhoods.

Free Friday skating begins at Brick Works

The fun begins at Evergreen Brick Works this evening with outdoor skating, food, beverages, and other family fun every Friday until Feb. 14. See more in our Things To Do listing.