South Bayview Bulldog Admin

Hockey dreams writ large in Markham

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Markham Town Council has approved a financial partnership which will include multi-millionaire Rudy Bratty,  Graham Roustan of Bauer Sports and the Town to build a 20,000 seat arena near Highway 407 and Kennedy Rd.  Council voted 11-2 last night to borrow $162.5-million over 20 years. (That would buy an extra ice pad or two for Leaside Arena). Roustan and Bratty’s group is putting up the other half and Markham will own the arena.  Everyone is turning the sound down on an NHL franchise for Markham. How could the NHL do that after stonewalling Hamilton for decades?  But the sovereign NHL does whatever it likes. 

Royal diamond goes on sale at Sotheby’s

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A 34-carat Beau Sancy diamond which has been passed through many European royal families goes on sale at Sotheby’s next month. . Report by Katie Lamborn

Sunrise street robbery in Yorkville

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Toronto Police Service report: A 28 year old female reports that on April 20, 2012 at approximately 0615 hours, she was in the area or Yorkville Avenue and Hazelton Avenue when she was approached by a male suspect. The suspect produced a handgun and made a demand for cash. The victim complied. The suspect then fled the scene northbound on Hazelton Avenue. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, 26 to 32 years, 5’8” to 5’11”, 161 to 169 pounds, medium build, short black hair.

Endurosport at 941 Laird robbed

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Toronto Police Service report: Endurosport, 941 Laird Drive, reports that between 0600 hours and 1104 hours, April 23, 2012, entry was gained into the premises by forcing a door. Removed was a quantity of clothing items and a bike.

Mugging near Overlea and Don Mills

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Torponto Police Seervice report:  A 55 year old male reports that on April 21, 2012, at approximately 2055 hours, he was in the area of Don Mills Road and Overlea Boulevard when he was approached by two male suspects. The suspects took hold of the victim and hit him about the body before going through his pockets. The two suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction with the victim’s wallet. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, 25 – 35 years, 6’0”, medium build. Suspect #2: Male, 25 – 35 years, 5’5”, thin build.

Video as teen falls through rotting sidewalk

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Talk about crumbling infrastructure. A security camera was rolling as an unsuspecting teenager in China stepped on weak pavement and plummeted into a sinkhole. The girl is lucky to have escaped with minor injuries. It happened in Xi’an, northern China. Video report by Sam Datta-Paulin.

Gimme a Green Clean Frappuccino

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Workman paints outside of the Starbucks at Bayivew and Belsize Drive today as the coffee shop’s makeover goes on.  There is much work underway inside. Starbucks closed Monday and is expected to be open in a week. The plan is to refurbish Starbucks with new appointments and lighting. The baristas were suggesting that  customers could find their way to either of two new Starbucks, Mt Pleasant and Soudan, or Eglinton Ave at Laird Drive. Some may find that inconvenient and it appears that much business has gravitated to the Second Cup run by Hong Ngo just up the street. .   

See you in September: Dollarama worker

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For the first time since Shoppers Drug Mart moved out, workmen are back inside the empty premises on South Bayview constructing the new store for Dollarama. One of these men told the South Bayview Bulldog that it seems likely that Dollarama is shooting for a September (or late summer) opening of its new dollar store.  The unexplained delay in the Dollarama takeover of the property is that the lease held by Shoppers Drug Mart has continued on until now with Shoppers still paying rent.  

445 Bennington re-building underway

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Construction is underway at 445 Heath Street East in Bennington Heights where an original two-storey bread box house has recently been sold for well over $1 million. The new home will be much larger of course, making use of the deep Bennington Heights lot.  Previous post. 

Alberta Tories win majority, confound pollsters

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The Alberta Progressive Conservative Party has dumbfounded the pollsters and is on its way to a solid majority government in today’s General Election. Globe and Mail

Michelle: “From the bottom of my heart I’m so sorry”

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Michelle Yu and her family made a dignified and articulate expression of their thanks tonight for the outpouring of concern and the enormous effort that was  made to find the 18-year-old York Mills Collegiate student. Speaking outside the family home just before 10 p.m. Michelle offered her thanks to her family, friends, school officials, Girl Guide associates and the 33 Division officers of the Toronto Police Service. In particular, Michelle said that from the bottom of her heart “I’m so sorry for putting everybody through this.” She said it made her realize how much she was loved. Michelle contacted her family from Vancouver yesterday. It’s not clear how she got to that city but reports say she did not fly there and that she travelled alone. Yesterday, her father flew to Vancouver and reunited with his daughter before flying home with her, arriving Monday evening. Shortly after their arrival home, police visited to get whatever information was necessary to close the matter. Michelle and her parents answered all questions only with expressions of thanks and a plea for privacy. Michelle herself said she was very tired. Throughout the impromptu news conference it was evident that Michelle is a poised and intelligent person.

Thank you for your help: Michelle’s friends

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A message on the Facebook page created to co-ordinate the search for Michelle Yu carries a heartfelt message of thanks today:
Thank-you for joining us this past week in prayer and in action. This has been a difficult time for the Yu family and they have been overwhelmed by all the support and love they have received. We are ecstatic to let you know that contact has been made with Michelle. She is safe. The family requests that you respect their privacy at this time. Thank you again for all your help.
However Toronto police say they must speak with Michelle and establish that she is in fact okay before closing out their investigation. Michelle phoned her family yesterday and told them that she was safe. She is apparently in Vancouver. The family then contacted police and school officials at York Mills Collegiate. Michelle is graduating from Grade 12 at York Mills.