The campus life and student democracy/Ryerson University

Ryerson has terminated its 1986 operating agreement with the Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU). Vice Provost Jen McMillan says in a statement that the university “no longer recognizes the RSU as the official student government representing Ryerson students” and that the university has “lost confidence” in the RSU’s ability to represent and serve students. The crumbling credibility of the RSU began in 2018 with alleged misspending of student money, cash that was transferred to the union by the university to support independent activity known as “student democracy.” It’s a nice idea but the scandal has now included a police investigation and a judgement by Ms McMillan that the current RSU executive has failed to run the union responsibility. Ryerson Eyeopener

Paul Carreira Casuals at 1563 Bayview Ave. has posted signs Friday stating that the business is having a store closing sale.

Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for Toronto. It says that the City can expect  20 to 35 mm of rain, sometimes heavy, beginning Friday evening and continuing into Saturday. Then the rain will change to snow in the morning or afternoon. As is often the case, the Weather Network forecast does not conform to that of Environment Canada, calling instead for only five mm of rain between Friday and Sunday.

Sven Walker’s refrigerated backyard ice rink/Sven Walker

North Leaside ice rink owner Sven Walker is on Facebook these days looking for “additional adult hockey players to join our free weekly 3-on-3 Leaside shinny hockey group.” It sounds like fun. Mr. Walker is the fellow who hankered after a real refrigerated ice rink in his back yard. He could not resist. And now he has one. The gang plays on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week from 8 to 10 p.m. and helmets are mandatory. CBC

Colleagues of Andy Byford say it was a political tussle with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo that led the former TTC executive to quit the MTA after just two years on the job. Sources have told the New York Times that both wanted credit for the subway’s successes and that they clashed over management of the system. They disagreed over the plan to repair the L train, for example. According to colleagues, Mr. Byford did not believe that Mr. Cuomo gave him enough support to fix the floundering system, while Mr. Cuomo felt that Mr. Byford was reluctant to embrace new technology and did not understand the governor’s role as the elected official most responsible for the subway.

York Regional Police have released this cautionary video of the apprehension of a drunk driver. He is seen stumbling in a Tim Horton’s parking lot and when he denies drinking, police note the open beer cans in the back seat. Then they find a firearm.

O’Connor Drive was re-opened at about 11.30 Thursday after being closed during the morning.

Man struck by a car sent to hospital – between St Clair E. and Curity Dr. on O’Connor Dr – #TTC diverted road shut down for investigation – motorist remained on scene cooperating with #TorontoPolice pic.twitter.com/DnbmXnXlW6

— Jack Boland (@TorSunphoto21) January 23, 2020

A new traffic configuration began as early as Wednesday night at the intersection of Bayview and Eglinton Aves at the site of the Leaside LRT station. It appears to reinstall single lane traffic in all directions and will last through to the summer of 2020. It’s not stated whether this means the beginning, middle or end of summer.

Windshield destroyed as bus sped along 401/Metrolinx

Skilled driver stopped bus safely

On Highway 401 near Meadowvale Rd.

A potentially lethal slab off flying ice smashed the windshield of a GO bus Tuesday on Highway 401 near Meadowvale Rd. The ice flew off of a transport truck and struck the bus, reducing visibility to near zero. Go Transit is crediting the skill and steady nerves of the so-far unidentified bus driver in bringing the vehicle to a safe stop by the side of the road.

SUV roams Queens Quay streetcar tunnel

An SUV driver made an early morning visit to the streetcar tunnel under Queens Quay and made it all the way to Union Station, according to TTC officials. It is among the more amazing blunders committed over the years by drivers who don’t see the signs, lights and, more recently, gates, intended to stop cars.

And here's what an SUV stuck on the Union Station streetcar platform looks like. The concrete block is a walkway to the operator toilet. pic.twitter.com/7CQOt5oRpW

— TTC Media Relations 📰🚌🚋🚈 (@TTCNewsroom) January 22, 2020

CIBc at Danforth Ave. and Coxwell Ave.

A growing thread at the Leslieville Facebook page discusses what readers find to be remarkable security measures at some of the area banks. One says that the branch at Coxwell and Danforth Aves. has built “a temporary wall in the lobby.” Clients were required to show their CIBC cards to get in.