Doomed home teetering on edge of steep cliff

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Click to see video 

A luxury home is teetering the edge of a steep cliff on which it was built five or six years ago. Much of the $700,000 home has already fallen down the 75-foot cliff on the shoreline of Lake Whitney in Texas. The mansion slowly crumbled over the cliff in the last few days.  People across the lake from this home first heard a loud crash as the cliff gave way under the home at about 6.30 on Tuesday evening. They equated the sound of this cliff falling into the water to the sound of an “earthquake” or “blasting.” Connie Ash and Jacki McNamara said they could see a huge cloud of “stuff” billowing over the cliff. First they called 911 and then they got out the binoculars and were able to see the home’s slow demise in progress. The house was slowly crawling down the cliff. It was like the cliff was taking pieces off the mansion a little bit at a time. After darkness fell, the neighbors couldn’t see what was happening to the house, but could still hear noises from across the lake. The house was condemned after a crack was discovered in the cliff. Video here

New swing set for Merton-Cleveland play lot

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The tiny green corner of Merton Street known at the Pottery Playground will get a new swing set. City Council today approved a motion from Josh Matlow (Ward 22) and seconded by Jaye Robinson (Ward 25) to buy and install the swing. The park has some play facilities and a splash pad but no swing. The Pottery Playground is a former residential site that was re-purposed as a playground. It sits at 601 Merton a short distance west of Cleveland Street.

Matlow motion bids to try to buy bowling club

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The fate of Glebe Manor Lawn Bowling Club property was in front of City Council today on an emergency motion from Josh Matlow (Ward 22) seconded by Jaye Robinson (ward  25). The  valuable green space located at 196 Manor Rd. is up for sale by its members and there has been movement toward selling it to a developer. The developer in question intends to build townhomes. The motion directs the City’s Parkland Acquisitions staff to begin negotiations with the owners for the purpose of purchase by the City and report back to Council’s Executive Committee in August. Mr. Matlow says in a letter to constituents tonight that he will update them on the progress of this work and host a meeting on Wednesday, June 18 at 7 p.m. on this subject. 

Rush hour 4-way stop at Moore and Bayview

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Wednesday evening saw the lights flashing red at Moore and Bayview Aves. What else is there to say. Drivers fully topped up with testosterone from their charge up the extension were ready to honk and take chances. Down Moore the cars were piled up west of Welland Ave. Throw in a few joggers who like to take risks as a matter of course. No ambulance calls so far. 

Corruption charge over Qatar 2022 World Cup

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Is the World Cup for sale to whomever greases the right palm? That’s what many fans suspect and as the Cup gets ready to roll in Brazil, major sponsors are calling on FIFA to probe allegations that the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar was on the level.  Oil company BP and the maker of Budweiser beer have joined the ranks of World Cup sponsors calling for soccer’s rulers to tackle corruption allegations over this decision Videos Page. 

Barber shop bid for former Ron Sloan storefront

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An application will be heard at Committee of Adjustment tomorrow (Wednesday, June 11, 2014) to permit a barber shop at 1491 Bayview Ave. That’s the location where for so many years the Ron Sloan Racquet Specialist Shop did business. The tennis service closed one year ago this month after 38 years on Bayview and the space has been vacant that whole time. The application will address some of the onerous old Town of Leaside bylaw provisions — still applying — like the requirement for ten — (yes you heard it right) — ten parking spaces connected with the business. The applicant proposes zero. The committee gets underway at 10 a.m. at 5100 Yonge Street. 

Desperate last-minute race to solidify vote

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The phones are ringing late and early around South Bayview with calls from campaign workers seeking an edge for their candidate. The Glen Murray office has been especially busy in Moore Park. We are in the last frenzied few of the election countdown. Voters will cast ballots Thursday. Around the province, as noted by the National Post, rational debate is giving way to wild accusations against the opposition parties. The Post suggests the  Liberals are coming off as a little more desperate since Premier Kathleen Wynne got a 90-minute thrashing during the leaders’ debate on June 3. But the PCs are spinning madly too as the ad below indicates.

“How can we bust out of this joint wearing cuffs?”

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If it wasn’t so serious, the escape of those three drug bosses from Orsainville Prison could be a comedy. It now been revealed that the day before that green chopper landed inside the prison courtyard, the three convicts were given  relaxed  security which permitted them to remove the handcuffs they had been ordered to wear. Yves Denis, Denis Lefebvre and Serge Pomerleau escaped from the detention centre in suburban Quebec City on Saturday evening. The “questionable” decision to relax security has rocked Quebec and shaken the new Liberal government.  Deputy Premier Lise Theriault was peppered on the subject for more than 30 minutes in the National Assembly. She was asked several times by interim Parti Quebecois leader Stephane Bedard why the government did not appeal the judge’s decision.

Cruelty charges to be laid against dairy workers

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A secret video is said to capture animal abuse at Chilliwack dairy farm. Charges of animal cruelty are pending against eight workers at the farm, Canada’s largest dairy farm, after undercover video captured workers using chains, canes, rakes and fists to abuse dairy cows. The British Columbia  SPCA says Criminal Code charges were recommended for wilfully causing “unnecessary pain, suffering and injury” after their officers viewed the footage (shot by non-profit group Mercy for Animals Canada) and visited the farm last week. “The images in the undercover video are extremely disturbing and highlight an urgent need for better standards to protect farm animals in B.C. from abuse and neglect,” said Marcie Moriarty, the BC SPCA’s chief prevention and enforcement officer.