The Bulldog

Man acquitted 45 years after convicted of killing wife

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John Salmon, 75, of Windsor has been acquitted and the Crown as apologized 45 years after he was convicted of killing his wife Maxine Ditchburn. The acquittal turned on evidence presented by forensic experts who testified that injuries sustained by Ms Ditchburn were consistent with Mr. Salmon’s claim that she received them from falling at home, rather from a beating. Mr. Salmon served four years and was paroled when doubt arose about the evidence but was wait until now for acquittal. Wateloo Record

Forecaster predicts warm July, August and Setpember

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Climatologist Dave Phillips of Environment Canada is suggesting that Toronto will have a warmer than usual summer. He is quoted by CP24 as saying: “Last summer June was pretty nice but then it went downhill. I think it will be the reverse. This year June was kind of disappointing, very not summer like, and I think July, August and September will be more like the kind of summers that we dream of and that we haven’t seen so much in recent years,” Phillips said. “I think most Torontonians would say ‘Hey, just bring on some of that beer drinking tank top weather’ and I think they won’t be disappointed.” He said last year the average daytime high in June reached 25.1 C but so far this month the city has only seen an average daytime high of 22.4 C with plenty of days failing to break the 20 C threshold.  “In Toronto July looks normal to warmer than normal and when you package July, August and September together it looks like it is going to be a warmer than normal summer,” he said. “You always have to be aware of the extreme weather, but I think there is a going to be good weather to enjoy in the Toronto area this summer.”

DNA of convict found in New York cabin near prison

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Authorities hunting escaped New York State convicts Richard Matt and David Sweat say they have found DNA.of one of the two men in a burglarized cabin less than 30 minutes from the prison. The discovery suggests the two have not made it very far from the prison at Dannemora New York where they pulled off their amazing escape two weeks ago. Monday the manhunt around the area near the Vermont border has hundreds of New York and Vermont police hunting and stopping vehicles in an attempt to catch the convicts.

Matlow and others to talk speed limits tonight

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The twelve members of the Downtown and East York sub-committee of City Council will meet tonight (Monday, June 22, 2015) at 6 p.m. to decide whether to reduce the speed limit on residential streets in the city’s the east-central neighbourhoods to 30 km/h from the present 40 km/h. The idea, which would affect 387 kilometres of local roads that fall within the Toronto and East York community council’s jurisdiction, is a project of  Josh Matlow (Ward 22). There is much interest and concern following the death of Georgia Walsh last July at the corner of Millwood Road and McRae Drive.  It is well-documented however that Georgia did not die in a high speed accident but rather one where the driver was inattentive. At the time, Mr. Matlow noted a 2012 report from the Chief Medical Officer of Health that suggested that pedestrians have a 20 per cent chance of dying when hit by a vehicle travelling at 50 km/h and only a five per cent chance of death when that vehicle is travelling at 40 km/h  Some reports say there has been criticism of the such a reduction but it has not caused much discussion by the public. Many parents like the idea lower speeds limits. A City staff report released last week has asked that no changes be made because they would probably not be very well obeyed. The cost of any such changes would have to be approved by the whole of City Council, which might be a stopper. Tonight’s meeting is at City Hall and gets underway at 6 p.m.

Loblaws employees getting ready for a strike, says union

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As many as 28,000 Loblaws employees in much of Ontario including Toronto are set to go on strike after a strike vote earlier this month. A meeting of Local 1000A of the  United Food and Commercial Workers rejected a tentative agreement between the union and Loblaws. Strike preparations are in order, with picket captains being trained this week, according the union local’s website.

Man rescued from “ice and snow” 12-metres down in cavern

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A harrowing entrapment and equally challenging rescue mission are told in the linked story. Barrie firefighters are said to have hung upside down as they drilled adequate passage to release a man from what might have become his grave in the Singhampton conservation area near Barrie. The 30-year-old is in good condition having been handed food and water by rescuers. He is now in hospital. But he was trapped 12-metres down in the cavern for several hours before other hikers heard his cries at about 8.30 last night and for help. Toronto Star

Much excitement about completed Queen’s Quay on Twitter

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One may say that even drivers should go down and take a look. They built some parking spaces into the amenities that have taken three years to finish. Mostly the tweets are paeans of love and triumph about cycling and that’s nice. Former Councillor John Parker has tweeted a link to the Toronto Star story by Shawn Michaleff in which the writer asks (honestly): “Are we allowed to have something this nice?” That’s what the man asked. And he replies to The Bulldog that he answered “Yes.” So we’re okay and he’s okay. Countless burghers will find the spirit to shake off wretched self-doubt and declare the new Queen’s Quay to be quite good enough for them. Enjoy. Twitter

Watermain, natural gas breaks hit St. Clair and Rexleigh

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Police say there is a terrible mess on St. Clair Ave East of O’Connor Drive where workers are dealing with a large watermain break plus a gas main break which occurred as repairs were being attempted on the watermain. The precise intersection is St. Clair E and Rexleigh Drive. Watermains have been known to break right here before. Officials say the closure will be extended. The 23 Dawes bus is diverting north on Plaxton.  Thanks to @dcrampton7919 for tweeted picture.

Two South Bayview homes selling quickly over asking

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The Toronto Star’s popular feature What They Got features two South Leaside homes. The first is 152 Hillsdale near Yonge St which sold for $1,330,000.  Its sale price in 2009 was $849,000. The semi-detached home is approximately 1,600 sq. ft. with a 600 sq. ft. finished basement  It sits on a 133-ft. lot with a single-car attached garage and  private drive  The home sold in seven days. Asking price was $1,299,000.

 279 LAIRD

279 Laird Dr. This semi-detached home north of Eglinton sold for  $787,015, a nice bonus on the asking price of $678,800. It is small place at 874 square feet but it is said to have three  bedrooms. It has no garage but there is a mutual drive with two asking spaces. Again, it sold very quickly being on the market seven days.