Postmedia confirms this is Sarah McIver, the Alberta resident detained in China/Facebook

The third Canadian detained by the Chinese government is Calgary-based Sarah McIver, a travel-loving woman who was, until a day or two ago, teaching English in China. She is the third Canadian detained since the case of Meng Wenzhou emerged. The Huawei Electronics executive is on bail in Vancouver awaiting possible extradition to the US for alleged violations of sanctions against Iran by the firm. Two Canadian men have been detained by China in apparent retaliation. Justin Trudeau said Wednesday that the  case of Ms McIver does not appear to be related to the Huawei affair. Postmedia says that Sarah McIver is known as a “bubbly” and “approachable” person who has the travel bug. Her detention has said to have left her family members in southern Alberta traumatized and scrambling to reach out to Canadian officials for assistance. It appears McIver is expected to be returned before the New Year. However, officials at Global Affairs Canada did not confirm a timeline, and the situation could remain unresolved.

The government has handed over $385,000 to a newspaper lobby group called the Canadian News Media Association, an Ottawa website reports. Blacklock’s Reporter says the association’s grant application Call To Action proposed to seek endorsements from unidentified “high-profile Canadians, from traditional media ‘influencers’ to authors to politicians to business leaders, to showcase their passion for newspapers on their social media channels by asking them to share a photo of themselves on Instagram reading their favourite newspaper.”

Travis Pangborn

Eduardo Marmolejo and Conrad Gary

Dua Lipa

International promoter Travis Pangburn, left, is said to owe Sharon and Bram (once Sharon, Lois and Bram) some $15,000 from their recent British Columbia tour. Pangburn says the shows didn’t bring in enough but the performers say the places seemed packed. At centre, the death of two police officers is being mourned in Chicago. They apparently fell victim to the deadly deception of two trains passing. More than one person has died because he saw one train but not the other. Then at right, Dua Lipa can call 2018 her year as the young British-Albanian singer from Kosovo scores six hit singles in 12 months.

These takes by City News in recent hours are worth a look in South Bayview.

Jeff Yarlett has shirts for sale/J. Yarlett

Nick Mitchell to co-host Vinyl from the Crypt Wednesday night/Facebook

Caroline Spitzer/Kim Spitzer

Leaside Ladies Night Out

Pooch Parade December 22/BIA

58th Scouts

At left is tireless Leaside booster Jeff Yarlett. He has lots of Straight Outta Leaside shirts on hand for gift-giving or otherwise. Good stocking stuffer and $13 of the $20 price goes to HSC. Upper right, the many friends and Leaside High students of former English teacher Nick Mitchell may wish to tune in to Radio CIUT (89.5 FM) Wednesday at 8 p.m. Mr. Mitchell will co-host his son’s program, Vinyl from the Crypt. “When I was a pimply teen I fantasized about being a disc jockey and sharing my love of the top hits of the time. Well, I get to do this tomorrow. I am a bit nervous, but I’ll be alright on the night,” says Mitchell. Below that we find the admirable Caroline Spitzer, selfless collector of athletic shoes for Flemingdon kids in need. Caroline followed in the footsteps of her friend MacKenzie Bier by collecting 110 pair of shoes this year. She cleaned them personally, packed them up and delivered them to schools where kids need this gear to participate in athletic activities.

At centre left, an exciting new initiative, Leaside Ladies Night Out – Sew for Success is working in conjunction with TNO – The Neighbourhood Organization to support women in the Thorncliffe neighbourhood. “This will be a three-pronged approach; provide education on how to run a business, sponsor them to develop better sewing skills and to provide supplies needed to run their businesses independently. We also hope to encourage a liaison between the Leaside and Thorncliffe women in order to ensure their success.who will provide ongoing support to the women.” Key women are determined to keep the bond between Leaside and neighbouring Thorncliffe park alive. Thank you to Leaside’s Ann Brown, Becky White, Vanessa Rose, Bev Grainger, Lisa Lefebvre, Sandy Creighton and no doubt countless others. Ladies, please buy a ticket. Below that and to the bottom right are reminders of the Bayview Leaside BIA Pooch Parade set for Saturday and the 58th Scouts Christmas Tree lot at 111 Manor Road East.

Major natural gas leak after a car hit the Hazelton Place Retirement Residence on Avenue Rd south of Davenport Rd. Area evacuated, seniors sheltering in place. Very strong noise and odour, which I smelled about 1 km away. @Toronto_Fire has numerous crews on scene. @TPFFA pic.twitter.com/SPzSUIc7sC

— Jeremy Cohn (@JeremyCohnTV) December 18, 2018

What is seen in this video is a waterfall created by the fire department to diminish chances of an explosion. The water is falling on the black car which hit the gas main on the side of the Hazelton Place Retirement Home on Avenue Rd. south of Davenport Rd. It was reported that the residents had to evacuate but later information says they are sitting right in their units. According to police, two vehicles were involved in a collision on Avenue near Davenport shortly after 4 p.m. Surveillance video (below) shows a vehicle trying to make a left turn off of Avenue when a car speeding northbound smacks it and careers into the retirement home striking a gas line.

#UPDATE Video from jewelry store shows crash that led to a gas leak at Avenue and Davenport (🎥 Louro and Sons Jewellers) ⁦@globalnewsto⁩ pic.twitter.com/El9Bu9S0Hr

— Jamie Mauracher (@JamieMauracher) December 19, 2018

Francesca Jones, six months

CBC has prepared this report on a new test for a viral infection that can cause hearing loss. The test permitted physicians at the Hospital for Sick Children to intervene early and give six-month-old Francesca Jones a cochlear implant. In the companion piece at right, a mom sobs with joy as her child hears for the first time at the Cook Children’s Health Centre in Fort Worth.

A man has been shot near Bathurst St and Vaughan Rd about 10 a.m. Tuesday morning. Police tweet a bulletin of “multiple shots” and men seen fleeing. The victim has been taken and is subsequently said to have minor injuries.

Crash / Closure: The intersection of College St and St George is closed. Car vs Pole – Occupants fled on foot. @TPS52Div on scene. TTC on diversion. Wires down. pic.twitter.com/ps49UKk9ha

— Tony Smyth (@LateNightCam) December 18, 2018

Police are hunting for a driver of a car with no plates, possibly stolen, which slammed into a utility pole on College St. near St. George St. about 2 a.m. He was able to get out of the wreck and run off.

Ashley Rowe

Married Dan Greene recently

Former CTV Toronto reporter Ashley Rowe has signed a new three-year agreement with Buffalo ABC station WKBW and the management is giving part of the credit to her recent marriage to a local man, Dan Greene. Rowe was born to Canadian parents in the US and has citizenship in both countries. She co-hosts some of the Buffalo broadcasts with Keith Radford, another one-time CTV Toronto employee

A boy who fell from a staircase railing as he used it as a slide is said to be recovering from a nasty fall. He was admitted to the Hospital for Sick Children. This occurred Monday at Dundas Junior Public School at Dundas Street East and Boulton Ave.