People were treated to the wonderful sight of orcas on Wednesday afternoon in the city’s most inner waterway. The Vancouver Aquarium said this is the first reported sighting of killer whales in False Creek since it began collecting data in 2000. Jeff Wilson tweeted a fabulous photo documenting his “epic” day. More

Epic day in False Creek today 1430 pic.twitter.com/9dyStroEzZ

— Jeff Wilson (@JeffRollout) June 12, 2019

Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 15) has published a handy round-up of local developments in her recent newsletter. You can view it below — click images to enlarge. Or visit her website and get updates via her interactive local development map.

Also included in the Councillor’s newsletter is a list of improvements planned for our local parks.

Fire has torn through the nearly 760-year-old medieval Catholic cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. The devastation to both the building and its contents seems beyond calculation. The tower familiar to millions collapsed late Monday afternoon Paris time. French media quote the Paris fire brigade sources saying the fire is “potentially linked” to the renovation work. France 24 English LIVE. Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral or simply Notre-Dame, is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France. The cathedral is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. (Wikipedia)

Coincidentally, a fire broke out at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem just as flames ravaged the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Footage showing smoke and fire emerging from the roof of a structure known as the Marwani Prayer Room, or Solomon’s Stables, could be seen on social media. The Palestine News Agency, the official outlet of the Palestinian National Authority, cited a guard as saying Monday that “the fire broke out in the guard’s room outside the roof of the Marwani Prayer Room, and the fire brigade of the Islamic Waqf handled the matter successfully.”

Issued at 10:33 Wednesday 03 April 2019

Strong winds today. The passage of a cold front is ushering in strong westerly winds this morning. Widespread wind gusts to 70 km/h are expected with isolated wind gusts to 80 km/h. The wind will begin to ease later this afternoon. Isolated power outages may be possible.

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Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.

See later post

See later post above

Issued at 12:46 Friday 08 March 2019

Risk of freezing rain Saturday night followed by 15 to 25 mm of rain. Gusty winds Sunday. Rain will begin late Saturday evening or after midnight. In areas where temperatures remain below the freezing mark, this precipitation could fall briefly as freezing rain before temperatures rise above zero. Rainfall amounts of 15 to 25 mm are expected before the rain tapers off late Sunday morning or early Sunday afternoon. Ponding of water on streets with blocked storm drains and in low lying areas is possible.

In addition, southwest winds gusting to 70 or 80 km/h will develop on Sunday and continue for much of the day. The rain and wind are associated with a Colorado Low that will track through Northeastern Ontario on Sunday.

New school safety zone signs have popped up guarding the perimeter of Maurice Cody Junior Public School as part of Toronto’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan.  The two signs pictured above include eye-catching flashing beacons.  The Vision Zero Road Safety Plan is a comprehensive five year (2017-2021) action plan focused on reducing traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on Toronto’s streets. With over 50 safety measures across our six emphasis areas, the Plan prioritizes the safety of our most vulnerable road users, through a range of initiatives.  September 2018 saw newly painted zebra crossings surround Maurice Cody school.

Zebra stripes on Cleveland St. as Vision Zero hits Davisville

 

TDSB and TCDSB have cancelled all permits in school facilities tonight, February 27th. As a result, all recreation and aquatic programs in school-based facilities are cancelled. Recreation and aquatic programs, and all facility bookings in City of Toronto facilities will continue as scheduled. Visit the Recreation Centre Closures page for facility-specific information. After-School Recreation (ARC) and CLASP programs will continue as scheduled, parents are encouraged to pick up their children as soon as possible.

Due to snowfall expected this afternoon & into this evening, Continuing Education classes (Adult ESL, night school classes, community programs/Learn4Life, International Languages after school programs) and school permits are cancelled as of the end of the regular school day.

— Toronto District School Board (@tdsb) February 27, 2019

Due to inclement weather, all permits for this evening, Wednesday February 27, 2019 are cancelled.

— Toronto Catholic District School Board (@TCDSB) February 27, 2019

OPP say between 50 and 70 vehicles piled up on Highway 400 southbound south of Mapleview near Barrie in whiteout conditions Monday. Miraculously, no serious injuries were sustained. Kerry Schmidt of the OPP said that about 10 people were taken to hospital with minor injuries as a precaution.

Vehicles have all been removed from #Hwy400 SB south of Mapleview Drive. Highway remains closed for plowing and road repairs.
Updates to follow #Barrie #PileUp #WinterStorm #WhiteOut pic.twitter.com/fqOunoH7MX

— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) February 25, 2019

Multi vehicle pile up on #Hwy400 SB south of Mapleview #Barrie #PileUp #WinterStorm #WhiteOut pic.twitter.com/LYR8H9mlFt

— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) February 25, 2019

Toronto Fire Services to the rescue!  Three firemen are holding their hats in the wind as they try to secure the metal flashing that has been dislodged by the strong winds this morning.

Look out below!! Piece of metal on the roof of 1519 Bayview is flapping around in the wind. Pedestrians should keep an eye out for flying debris today 😖 #stormto pic.twitter.com/fivJZMJ9B8

— SBayview (@SBayview) February 25, 2019