The overnight rain is moving east as shown by the Canada Radar capture at 9 a.m. Sunday will have sloppy conditions for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade (and everything else) with a high of 4 or 5º C.
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There was no winning ticket for the $9.7 million jackpot in Saturday night’s Lotto 649 draw. However, the guaranteed $1 million prize went to a ticket holder in Ontario. The jackpot for the next Lotto 649 draw on Mar. 13 will be approximately $13 million.
St. Patrick’s Day 2019 will see talk in both Ireland and Ulster of a possible union to avoid the devastating impact on trade between the two countries threatened by Brexit. The United Kingdom seems set to leave the EU at the end of March. Such action is permitted under the Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to the tumultuous decades colloquially known as “The Troubles.” CBC
Smoke reported on board an Air Transat flight forced an emergency landing at Newark airport Saturday where the 189 passengers were evacuated by emergency slides. Air Transat Flight 942 was on its way from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale when it reported a possible fire in the cargo hold and was diverted to Newark about 8:30 a.m. There’s no confirmation about fire or smoke on the Boeing 737 but Canadian Press says the airline will send another plane for the passengers. Some passengers have given vivid accounts of the unexpected instruction to assume bowed-head crash positions as the plan diverted. They say the landing and evacuation seemed to be normal but many were forced to leave valuables on board.
As a large weather disturbance rolls toward Toronto this evening, the conservation authority has warned that there is potential for flooding and hazardous conditions because of the rainfall. Environment Canada says that 15 to 25 millimetres of rain will begin falling late this evening or after midnight and continue until late Sunday morning or early Sunday afternoon. The rain will also be accompanied by milder conditions with a high of 6º C forecast for Sunday. To see the approach of the storm live go to the Canada Radar site and zoom to Toronto.
No winning ticket was sold for the $16.7 million jackpot in Friday night’s Lotto Max draw. That means the jackpot for the next draw on Mar. 15 will grow to approximately $25 million
A post at Leaside Community tells of an astonishingly brazen robbery attempt at a home on Cameron Cres. The perpetrators broke in at the rear door leaving it open as they went to get a “large white van” to loot the home. Before they got back, the family’s daughter, 12, arrived home and found the back door open. She locked it and then watched in amazement as the van backed into the driveway. A man dressed in black and described as “large” with a shaved head tried to enter at the rear. He was unable to do so and left. All quite frightening.
The co-owner of 53 Mallory Cres., Karen Fraser, has been given the 2019 Agnes Macphail Award for outstanding contribution to the community. Ms. Fraser and husband Ron Smith endured the unthinkable ordeal of learning that serial killer Bruce McArthur had used their home on Mallory Cres. in Leaside to hide parts of bodies. Fraser has responded by honouring the dead and moving to cleanse the site of its worst memories. A very nice feature in the East York Chronicle appeared Friday. It notes Fraser’s inspiringly indomitable attitude of resilience and positivity cited in several of the letters in support of nominating her to receive the 26th annual award. She will receive it on March 24 at the annual ceremony commemorating the late social crusader’s birthday. The event takes place in the True Davidson Council Chambers at East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave. at Mortimer, starting at 2 p.m.
One of many local events for International Women’s Day was held at John G. Diefenbaker School at 70 Dean Park Rd. in Scarborough where Assistant Superintendent Joanna Beaven-Desjardins spoke about her advancement in the Toronto Police. She is now unit commander at both 41 and 42 Divisions. She’s also the mother two teens. She is seen above with two students from left, aspiring hip hop singer Milayjah Tefanis and Karen McKenzie. To the Assistant Superintendent’s right are event host Sharon Stewart and school principal Franca Capano. Ron Fanfair
High levels of air pollution have developed in parts of Toronto says an alert from Environment Canada. “The observed Air Quality Health Index values for Toronto are generally in the moderate risk category, however light winds and stagnating weather conditions have resulted in increasing levels of fine particles and nitrogen dioxide in northern and eastern parts of Toronto. High risk AQHI values are expected to persist for several hours at these locations before improving later this morning.”
The Leaside Wildcats March Madness Hockey Tournament will see players, families and friends throng Leaside Arena Saturday and Sunday. Many will wish to check out the many raffle and silent auction items. Don’t leave it too late. Every player a champion at 40th March Madness next week
A cosy gathering of ladies on British television included Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex. Brash inquiries about “the bump” were handled with grace. Things seem to be going fine. Elsewhere, Friday was International Women’s Day. This City News report has the state things in that field from a number of capitals. And recent documentary hand-ringing about the messed up life of Michael Jackson has led to the suspension of his music in many places. Now 20th Century Fox Television has pulled the Michael Jackson episode of The Simpsons from circulation. It should be kept in mind that whatever Jackson’s transgressions, and they were many no doubt, the guy is dead.
