Whole Foods pays $500,000 to settle overcharging case

Whole Foods Market Inc. agreed to pay $500,000 to settle an investigation that it overcharged customers for prepackaged food in New York City, resolving a spat that had hurt efforts to shed its “Whole Paycheck” image. The company said that there was no evidence of “systematic or intentional misconduct” but agreed to pay the fine to “put this issue behind us,” according to a statement on its website. In June, New York’s Department of Consumer Affairs announced an investigation into overcharging at Whole Foods after finding “thousands” of potential violations in a survey of about 80 different types of prepackaged products such as vegetable platters and cooked boneless chicken. Bloomberg News 

ISIS slave book sets out protocol for raping captured women

Reuters

Fire in Scarborough “halfway house” kills one, hurts 3

A person has died in an overnight fire on Birkdale Road near Midland Ave. and Ellesmere Rd.  Four were sent to hospital from the residence. One died soon after arrival.  Neighbors say the home was a halfway house, presumably used by those recently out of jail.  Of the other three injured, one is in life threatening condition and two are listed as serious. The call came before dawn for a fire in the basement. People also lived upstairs but they managed to escape. Two dogs have since died from smoke as well.

 

Buses on Eglinton at Bayview are in trouble on the hill

The miserable weather has slowed traffic to very nearly a stop through Eglinton Ave. East and Bayview Ave. Monday night and early Tuesday. According to Toronto Police Operations (TPS Ops) the large vehicles are sliding on icy roads and are stuck on the Eglinton hill.  The buses are unable to turn around.

TFS CALL: Fire on Rosedale Heights Drive at Sighthill Ave.

Toronto Fire Service is reporting a fire at a home on Rosedale Heights Drive near Sighthill Ave. in Moore Park. It has six units on the scene but the alarm level has not been activated indicating any fire is under control.

Snow and sleet tonight with forecast high of 6 Tuesday

2016 forecastThe Weather Gods seem to be offering a bit of a break for tomorrow (Tuesday, December 29, 2015) as we dig out of tonight’s sleet and snow. A high of six is forecast. After that it seems fairly clear right into next week according to the Weather Channel. The roads are very treacherous tonight. PC Clint Stibbe of Traffic Services tweeted about 10 p.m. that there had been 66 property damage traffic accidents since 3.30 Monday.

clint

Gloomy forecast calls for heavy snow and wind tonight

CBC 

New Yorkers hope to create large underground park

 

Police officer bitten by raccoon near Sherbourne and Bloor

A police officer has been treated for a series of nasty bites from a raccoon Monday. It happened during a call for an animal in distress in the area of Sherbourne and Howard around 12:18 p.m.  This is just south of Bloor Street and the Rosedale Ravine, one of many happy hunting grounds for raccoons. This animal was acting strangely and police have speculated that it might  be blind.

East York home develops crack on side during renovation

A semi-detached home at 77 Corley Ave in East York shifted during renovations and a large crack has appeared across the side of the home diagonally from top to bottom. Parts of the building at the rear have collapsed. But the Toronto Fire Service told CBC it appears that a total collapse is not likely. Corley is north of Kingston Rd and east of Woodbine Ave.

Brickwork for Heath St . home on former Worthington site

worthington inset Work has gone quickly on the construction of the large new home on Heath St. E. between Welland Ave. and Hudson Drive. This is in the short block of Heath just before it leaps the Moore Park ravine to Bennington Heights. The structure replaces the original stucco finished house (inset) which was the home for many decades of Peter and Yvonne Worthington. This one will be finished in an elegant brick which is already seen on the east side.

END OF CASH? Can’t seem to find anyone who refuses it

Far be it from The Bulldog to rain on anyone’s parade, but the end of cash as predicted by the credit card processor Moneris seems a bit over the top. It’s like General Motors saying cars are better than ever. The online survey of 1,000 people conveniently released during this slow news week has lots of broadcasters hopping on the Moneris wagon. The survey found that 77 per cent of respondents preferred to pay for purchases by debit or credit card and 65 per cent said they rarely buy anything with cash anymore. Is that so.

TAP HERE TO END YOUR CASH

Ask your cleaning lady and pedicurist what they want. Gift envelopes for kids? That would be real money and nothing but thanks a lot. A very nice Chinese restaurant has a way of saying the gratuity should be in cash. If they can get away with it, fine. You may be sure the owner doesn’t give Starbucks $100 in advance so he can tap to buy his coffee. Real men at the bowling alley or cineplex rarely venture there without at least a hundred dollars in paper money in their pocket. Thing is, while Moneris is making cash disappear, cash is the only thing you can be sure everyone will take. We will definitely let you know when we find anyone who refuses it.