Michael Cooke, the managing editor of the Toronto Star, said on CP24 this evening that editorial employees of the Star think that one of the three tapes in the possession of a drug dealer is a “sex tape.” The drug dealer is alleged to be trying to sell the tapes for “six figures.” Mr. Cooke said that “if this is true” it would be the end of the mayor. Being in a sex tape however does not appear to be a legal basis for removing a mayor from office.
Where are the detectives of Project Brazen?
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If it is possible for Globe and Mail reporters Robyn Doolittle and Greg McArthur to detail the things they say they know, then it seems the police might also know them. There is a duty on the police to now establish, if they can, reasonable and probable cause to act on clearly illegal activity.
Tory calls on Ford to resign immediately
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John Tory has called on Rob Ford to resign. Tory said he is relieved that the mayor will seek treatment for condition Karen Stintz has made a statement in which she said Mr. Ford has again revealed his bigoted and misogynous behaviour. Josh Matlow (Ward 22) appeared by phone on CP24 in which he also called on the mayor to resign.
“Smoked crack cocaine in sister’s basement”
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The Globe says that Mayor Ford is seen on a video smoking crack cocaine in his sister’s basement last Saturday morning. Globe and Mail drug revelations
Ford makes disgraceful comment about Stintz
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Don Peat at of the Toronto Sun is publishing details of the audio tape from a bar in which Mayor Ford has apparently disgraced himself in a manner as yet unseen. In this stream of comments Ford is quoted as making scurrilous remarks about Councillor Karen Stintz. Twitter
CP24: “Video may show mayor with drug”
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This link has the Globe’s version of the “mayor to take a break” story being discussed Wednesday night But beyond this, reporter Katie Simpson appeared tonight to be referencing a story that the mayor is in or has been placed in a “compromising position.” As the evening goes on, other reporters have described “video and well as audio” recordings which place the mayor in a situation of some type. Simpson said later that the video “may show the mayor with some sort sort of drug.” No other explanation was given for the use of these words. Globe and Mail
Toronto mayor on tape talking rubbish again: Sun
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Mayor Ford has apparently has been caught on audio tape in yet another public outburst which reporters at the Toronto Sun have described as offensive. They the behaviour is not unlike that seen in the video made at the Steak Queen Restaurant where a clearly disoriented mayor made shameful remarks about the chief of police. Joe Warmington, a reporter for the Toronto Sun, told CP24 that the mayor has said he will be taking a leave of absence to somehow or other deal with his disturbing habitual conduct. The Toronto Sun story will say that Ford was recorded by patrons of a bar earlier this week. The recording or recordings were apparently made without the mayor’s awareness but publicly.
HMV puts live music in Toronto store cave
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HMV, the struggling music and video store, is trying an inventive addition to business — a live music venue in the basement. All of this is occurring at the HMV on downtown Yonge St. not far from the roots of the retail music industry of the 60s, 70s and 80s. HMV Underground is an intimate (cave-like?) 140-person space. Managers say they hope to produce at least one performance a week. HMV is now owned by Hilco U-K which bought the 87-year-old retailer out of bankruptcy last year. HMV evokes its very old past with the words behind its name — His Master’s Voice was the motto given to the lifelike sound to be heard in the earliest phonograph recordings. HMV is said to need to get people into the store. Free music might do it. The company has shrunken in recent years. Recently, the large HMV in Eglinton Square closed. On 15 January 2013, HMV Group entered administration. Deloitte were appointed to deal with the administration of the company. On 16 January 2013, HMV Ireland declared receivership, and all Irish stores were closed. A week later, on 22 January 2013. On 5 April 2013, HMV was bought out of administration by Hilco UK for an estimated $150 million. 
Bennington Rolph Soccer wants kids to play
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Spring 2014, and time to alert everyone that spots are available in all age groups for play this fall in the Bennington Rolph Road Soccer Association. BRRSA is a community-based volunteer-run soccer house league for girls and boys aged five to 13 years, a great league for those who aren’t available for summer soccer! The season runs for six weeks in the fall, starting the first week of school. A tournament is held for all but the youngest age group at the end of the regular season. Games are played on the school fields at Rolph Road and Bennington Heights. The registration deadline is June 10th. Application forms and more information are available by contacting organizers here.
British actor Bob Hoskins dead in London at 71
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Word has come from London that actor Bob Hoskins has died at the age of 71. A family statement released this morning (Wednesday, April 30, 2014) by agent Clair Dobbs said Hoskins died in a hospital after a bout of pneumonia. Hoskins was a much appreciated character player whose skills elevated him among most. His Cockney background was an endearing distinction. He is remembered for such classics as “The Long Good Friday.” He specialized in tough guys with a soft center, including the ex-con who chaperons Cathy Tyson’s escort in Neil Jordan’s 1986 film “Mona Lisa.” Hoskins was nominated for a best-actor Academy Award for the role. His Hollywood breakthrough came as a detective investigating cartoon crime in the part-animated 1988 hit “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” He also played the pirate Smee in Steven Spielberg’s 1991 Peter Pan movie “Hook.” In 2012 Hoskins announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was retiring from acting.
Rain today with sunny days to come tomorrow
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City and Ontario authorities are warning of high water levels in rivers and streams. Here in South Bayview the record yesterday’s rain was not enough to trigger the traditional flooding seen on lower Bayview from time to time. Traffic is still clear through there. The intense storm system which spawned swarms of tornadoes in the U.S. Midwest and South gradually shifted a vast supply of energy toward southern Ontario Tuesday. Extremely heavy rainfall began to fall over the GTA and we will get more of it today. Tomorrow (May 1, 2014) sunny weather returns and stretches into next week.
Budget to tax “high earners,” cigarettes, air fuel
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The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star are both reporting that the Ontario government will be increasing taxes in the forthcoming budget on tobacco and aviation fuel. It will also, say the reports, increase income taxes on “high income earners.” It isn’t known just what that means but the Star has used a figure of $150,000 or more annually. Globe and Mail.