There has been an early morning fatality in the collision of two cars at the Don Valley Parkway and Highway 401. Emergency services were called to the scene just after 5:30 a.m. for what appears to have been a grinding crash in which one vehicle slammed into the driver’s side of the other.
Toronto Maple Leaf legend Johnny Bower dead at age 93
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Johnny Bower has died at the age of 93 from the complications of pneumoia his family announced Tuesday. The much-loved Maple Leaf legend, admired as much for his humanity as his skill at hockey, led the Leafs to four Stanley Cup Championships. Twitter tributes Many will remember Bower’s appearance at the Lea Room at Leaside Arena in April, 2015
It is with great sadness that the Bower family announces the passing of @MapleLeafs legend #JohnnyBower after a short battle with pneumonia. (Photo courtesy of the Toronto Star) pic.twitter.com/FHayp8xE1t
— John Bower (@JBower_sports) December 27, 2017
East York family shaken by leukemia diagnosis of Hailey, 10
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A deeply moving appeal has appeared on a GoFundMe page for help to sustain the long battle being faced by 10-year-old Hailey Banayai, a Gledhill Junior Public School student who was diagnosed with leukemia on November 2. She will endure years of treatment and costs associated with this life-altering development. The story was posted to Leaside Community by the editor of the East York Chronicle. Hailey’s mom, Patricia Baranyai. has written on the GoFundMe page that “Hailey is my hero, for she has faced and continues to face her fears daily. Together, Hailey and I are facing fears and anxiety that, two months ago, we could not fathom having to face. Hailey has grown much since November 2nd. Much more than any ten-year-old should have to grow in such a short time. She is strong and sweet and continues to amaze me with her generous and bright spirit.” Patricia Baranyai goes on to hope that “when the sun shines a little brighter, we will pay forward our blessings by raising money for the Hospital for Sick Children and other families in need.” May the sun indeed shine brighter for Hailey. GoFundMe East York Chronicle
Premier Wynne year-end remarks at City News Tuesday
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Premier Wynne was at City News Tuesday morning where she jousted a bit with Kevin Frankish about the minimum wage increases and how long she will actually continue to be Liberal leader. As ever, this sturdy political personality had nary a backward glance. “It can be done” was the fairly low-key opinion of the feasibility of the $15 an hour wage. The words sounded more reminiscent of the cabinet room than live television. Have a listen.
Premier Kathleen Wynne took the time to look back on 2017. https://t.co/pO2OTxTSfH
— Breakfast Television (@breakfasttv) December 26, 2017
Shoppers out in force, Boxing Day rage incident reported
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While many people shopped this Boxing Day 2017 and some were actually applauded (see video below) at least one fell victim to rage. He was seen brandishing a firearm in the underground garage at Yorkdale. But all other reports indicate the day went fairly well, although bone-chilled shoppers outside H&M at 1 Dundas must have had the odd second thought. Below is the pleasant welcome for shoppers at the Best Buy in the CF Eaton Centre.
Trailer with shipment of veal stolen in northwest Toronto
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Police report a Christmas day theft of 48-foot refrigerated trailer containing a large shipment of veal from outside a commercial address at Signet Drive and Fenmar Drive. The thieves struck between 3 and 5 a.m. The trailer is described as a white, 48-foot-long refrigerated trailer with a blue “W” and “White Valley” on the side. The rear doors of the trailer are distinctive. The right door is white, the left door is stainless steel. The trailer has Ontario licence plates K5885K. Photographs of the company logo, as well as the packaging in which the veal is contained, are attached.
Wicked stretch of sub-zero weather runs into New Year’s
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Toddler safe near Fergus after thief takes car left running
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OPP in Wellington Country near Fergus have found a toddler who was taken probably unintentionally by a car thief on Christmas Day. The child’s mother left the car unlocked and running outside a store in the town of Fergus with the child sitting in a car seat in the rear. Cold weather probably influenced her judgement. Police say the thief and “his accomplice” stole the car, a Grey Chevrolet Impala, and left it abandoned on Highway 6 near Sideroad 19 and shortly after it was stolen. The child was unhurt. The thief is still at large.
Toboganning and free skating on tap for Boxing Day 2017
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Queen Elizabeth pays tribute to Manchester and London
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Cries of “Meghan, Meghan” as royal family attend church
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Cries of “Meghan, Meghan” set the tone for the arrival of the royal family at the Church of St Mary Magdalene at Sandringham Monday. Markle was wearing a light brown coat and brown hat, boots and bag. She walked arm-in-arm with fiance Prince Harry as they made the short journey from Sandringham House to the church. She seemed at ease as they smiled and chatted as they walked alongside William and Kate, who is pregnant with her third child. The Queen chose the theme of “home” for a highly personal Christmas broadcast in which she paid tribute to victims and young survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing and those of the Grenfell Tower fire. She highlighted how the “powerful identities” of London and Manchester “shone through over the past 12 months in the face of appalling attacks”. Her message was broadcast across Britain and the Commonwealth as the royal family welcomed Markle. She becomes the first unmarried partner to be invited to Sandringham for Christmas and was making her first public appearance with the royal family.
Writer hopes NDP will hurl itself in front of 1-stop wonder
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The recent column by Star writer by Martin Regg Cohn denouncing that one-stop wonder known as the Scarborough subway can be summarized as a whimsical hope that the NDP will hurl itself across the tracks. Cohn rightly concludes that the $3.3 billion dollar boondoggle is still alive because Liberals and Conservatives alike think they can win Scarborough in the next election if they promise subways for all. The NDP has no chance of getting elected so maybe they’d like to try to stop the subway in the name of good government. His column is headlined Could the NDP stop the Scarborough subway in its tracks? The newspapering axiom that headlines in the form of a question may all safely be answered “no” seems to apply.
