A ticket sold in Quebec claimed Friday night’s $26.6 million Lotto Max jackpot. That means the jackpot for the next Lotto Max draw on Feb. 8 will be approximately $10 million.

Education Minister Thompson has backtracked on her position of three days ago which seemed to waffle on the future of all-day kindergarten. Friday she said the government is “absolutely committed to full-day learning” for kindergarteners. She released the statement, after days of increasing concern. During an event on Tuesday, Thompson revealed the government would be holding consultations to determine whether the policy was working. She would only commit to the program for the 2019-2020 school year.

Ron Joyce, a man born of serious poverty who became the first Tim Hortons franchisee and ultimately the firm’s owner, has died at the age of 88. Mr. Joyce is credited with the urban coffee watchword “double double” meaning double sugar and double cream. This report from Richard Southern is most interesting and well beyond the routine notices of Mr. Joyce’s death.

York Regional Police are asking that you take a look at this arsonist at work in the hope of identifying him. Then, fuel companies are scrambling to try to keep the tanks full at Toronto and area gas stations. Below, a CBC story on a young girl who took her own life in the UK. The cause and effect is sketchy although most parents know that a close up look at the world’s worst behaviour is not good for kids. Finally, it is 50 years Thursday since the Beetles gathered for a surprise rooftop session in London. It would be the last time that John, Paul, George and Ringo would play together.

A Leaside resident whose furnace went out last night is appealing on Leaside Community for the best place to get help. It is a harrowing notion when the heat or power goes off in conditions like these. The long thread contains a warning from one member not to call Enbridge or its service arm Enercare. He says they “act as a regulator and slap (red) tags on other equipment. Have cost me thousands.” Others have complained of this “red tag” mania.

Firefighters face another day of bitter cold as they try to clean up after the five-alarm fire that ripped through the Agincourt Recreation Centre on Glen Watkins Drive Thursday. Witnesses tell of people in swimming gear and shorts fleeing the centre late in the afternoon as smoke and flames erupted. The centre is now largely a frozen hulk although it is said there are still parts of it smouldering. Among the challenges for fire staff is frozen equipment and ice underfoot. Schools in the area have directed students to attend to other schools in Scarborough. As a result of the fire at Agincourt Community Recreation Centre, the entire facility is closed until further notice and all programs have been cancelled. City staff are looking at relocation options at nearby facilities and will contact all program registrants and permit holders by early next week with more information.

UPDATED: Fire at Agincourt Recreation Centre in Scarborough upgraded to a 4-alarm blaze, says Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg. https://t.co/r1kea3WID8 pic.twitter.com/aYqAjqrGql

— CBC Toronto (@CBCToronto) February 1, 2019

A four-alarm fire has roared through the Agincourt Recreation Centre on Glen Watford Drive in Scarborough. Fire personnel fought the fire in paralyzing cold after a call about 4.45 p.m. Fire Chief Pegg said his staff are trying to save the arena, a job made more perilous by flammable chemicals used in the pool and skating rink.

First game at Leaside Arena was MInor Novice North Toronto Green vs Avenue Road Ducks

Ducks bench at top, Green below

The Leaside Select Invitational Tournament began Thursday afternoon with the under nines North Toronto Green facing off against the Avenue Road Ducks in the Minor Novice Division. They played half-ice as mandated last year by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association. Friday will see the silent auctions open for bidding in the William Lea Room as well as the food concession. Many other concessions will fill the main hallway. Drop in and take a look.

Canadian Press says the Ontario government is considering allowing realtors to tell prospective home buyers the prices of other offers in bidding wars. Such a change would put an end to so-called blind bidding wars. This occurs when competing buyers guess at how much to offer bewcause they don’t know how much hs been bid. Queen’s Park launched a consultation Thursday examining the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act and that’s one rule they’re looking at changing.CP says the Ontario Real Estate Association has been pushing for a change to that rule and a broader review of the act, and they say they are thrilled consultations are underway.

Welcome to the service

Police graduation Thursday

PC Alain Arakaza (left)

The graduation of 55 new police officers took place at noon Thursday at Toronto Police College, 70 Birmingham Street in New Toronto. It was attended by Mayor Tory, police services board chair Andrew Pringle, Chief Saunders and others. One officer, PC David Hopkinson, tweeted saying he was “so proud” to be at the graduation of his friend Yoko Maliszewski. Well done Constable Maliszewski and all others. A news release says the graduating class is “representative of Toronto’s diverse cultural community and brings a superior level of varied knowledge and abilities to the Service, including language skills, previous military or policing experience and post-secondary education.”

Josh Matlow, Ward 12, has posted a Facebook assurance that the City intends to find a temporary home for the Senior Peoples Resources In Toronto (SPRINT) during development of 140 Merton St. and to return the service to that address on completion of the work. It is one of eleven sites allocated to affordable housing construction. Matlow says he has been able to “ensure that when 140 Merton Street is redeveloped, and no matter what is ultimately approved, SPRINT will continue to be there to provide vital seniors services to midtown residents for many years to come.”‬