A very lively and long thread on FB discusses the pros and cons of pet insurance. It is revealing no doubt to non-pet owners to see the staggering sums paid for pet insurance and pet care. Some pet owners say it is more affordable to put away $100 a month against a rainy day emergency with a pet. But others insist that paying as much as $245 a month in fees for a 15-year-old dog they can’t bring themselves to put down is worth it. One woman says “I have Trupanion for my two cats. I’ve made two claims and been denied both times. I’m paying $180 per month and wondering often why I’m bothering.” Another says “WOW, these are crazy prices!” Facebook 

It seems that there are no words too extreme to convey the sense of doom state officials feel as Hurricane Florence bears down on North Carolina. It’s a big one. Then, two packages on iPhone’s off-year offerings. Try to stay up with what they’re doing okay? Finally, the BBC seems to think trading sex for accommodation is a new thing.

Even those with longer memories were hard put to recall as much disruption as was seen Wednesday in the Ontario Legislature. The Ford government introduced for a second time the Better Government Act cutting the size of Toronto Council. That met a cacophony of shouting, desk banging and hurled abuse. Stated simply, it was the PC government asserting what it called the will of the people against impassioned shouts that Ontario was seeing “the end of democracy.” Enjoy.

Pickup truck hit school bus/Krista Sharpe

Three admitted, 12 more treated/Krista Sharpe

Some escaped from roof hatch/Krista Sharp

Three high school students remain in hospital and 12 others have been treated after the collision of a school bus and a pickup truck at the 4th line and Sideroad 5 of Innisfill Township about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday. Photos taken by weather person Krista Sharpe show the bus on its side. Witnesses say they helped teens escape through an emergency hatch in the roof.

Looking north from Merton St. with Texaco station on northeast corner where Esso now sits/Toronto Archives

Looking north from Balliol St. at the east stretch of Mt. Pleasant now site of Greenwood College

Mt. Pleasant looking north from south of Davisville 1951

Stark’s Studebaker dealership at 475 Mt. Pleasant opposite Davisvillle Park in 1951/Toronto Archives

These photos are found on Old TO, the Side Walk Labs site.

Pacific Mall has been confirmed by York Regional Police to be a place where counterfeit goods are sold widely at stores. YRP raided the mall in June and now officers are confirming what was suspected. They went to New York in August where they met with brand representatives from manufacturers like Adidas, Chanel, Dior and others. Company experts identified a large number of clothes, handbags, and mobile phone accessories as fake. Then, a moving story focussed on a survivor of the 9-11 horror. It is an atrocity that stirs anger in the hearts of decent people to this day. Below that, the inspiring story of a young student pilot facing her first airborne crisis. Finally, City News reports on the Draeger 5000 and whether it will really work to catch impaired marijuana users.

The Prime Minister has said that the federal government will not interfere in the Ontario government’s use of the Constitution’s Notwithstanding Clause to overturn Monday’s court decision reversing legislation to reduce the size of Toronto City Council. Analysts seem to agree that any use of federal power to disallow the Ontario act would cause a genuine constitutional crisis. The 36 hours since Justice Edward Belobaba handed down his bombshell have witnessed opposing volleys of political bombast. Charter rights (Belobaba) have been pitted against the will of the people (Premier Ford). Wednesday will see the Ford government re-introduce the Better Government Act in the Legislature. The scene will no doubt be chaotic but the PC government’s majority seems certain to prevail. Unpalatable as it may be, the finality of the Notwithstanding Clause will permit matters to proceed quickly toward an organized election October 22, the predetermined election day.

Strikes “Come From Away” note/BNN capture

Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland has struck a “Come From Away” note at her scrum in Washington at noon hour Tuesday. She spoke of Canada’s condolences on the anniversary of the 9/11 atrocity 17 years ago. Freeland is in high pressure talks to try to achieve a renewed agreement on NAFTA. On this subject, she spoke only of the sincerity and goodwill exhibited on all sides. The negotiations are not over until they are over she said. Media speculation in the US Tuesday suggested Canada would relent on weakening of its stringent “supply management” process by which Canadian dairy farmers are protected from foreign competition.

Guns drawn/David Katz Twitter @inyourfacebook

Parking lot of former Newbigging Funeral Home

Merchants buzzing

Merchants on Mt. Pleasant Rd. are buzzing about the police action and takedown Monday of three apparently armed men on the street north of Soudan Ave. The occurrence resulted from a pursuit, according to those on the street following a robbery downtown. The climax of the chase is said to have taken place in or near the parking lot of the former Newbigging Funeral Home, now a commercial lot. Mt. Pleasant was closed for as much as two hours from Soudan up to Eglinton, according to sources. Officers with their weapons drawn were posted outside businesses like Dollarama. Readers of The South Bayview Bulldog say there was a Hold and Secure in place at Northern Secondary School. This seems likely at Eglinton Public School as well. Police have yet to report on this matter.

Blocked at Soudan/David Katz Twitter @inyourfacebook

There is a growing thread on Facebook Tuesday reporting and discussing car break-ins. Two incidents are named — Bayview Ave and Broadway Ave and Glenavy Ave. and Roehampton Ave. There are recurring inquiries about whether the vehicles were left open or were locked when robbed.

Kiesingar Gunn is seen with his wife and children in Facebook photo

Police will offer a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer or killers of Kiesingar Gunn, 26, of Toronto, on September 11, 2016, at 4:04 a.m. outside a club in Liberty Village. They think Mr. Gunn was hit by a stray bullet not intended for him. Police are asking anyone who may have been at the scene or who may have cell phone video or photos to contact police. They as anyone who has a business or residence in that area with security video that may have captured video of the event is also asked to contact TPS Homicide.

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