Nurse Sue Berger was reunited with Amanda Scarpinati 38 years after she held Amanda as a badly burned infant. It is just a simple meeting but a deeply moving moment.
Hurricane Joaquin expected to track east and out to sea
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Tracking through the warm ocean waters of the Bahamas, Hurricane Joaquin exploded in intensity while becoming a dangerous Category 4 storm Thursday. But, at the same time, the forecast track for Joaquin shifted markedly east and it is now very likely the storm will remain out to sea rather than slamming into the East Coast. While Joaquin may remain offshore, parts of the East Coast remain at risk for flooding from a predecessor surge of moisture streaming up the eastern seaboard Friday into Saturday.
Nine including shooter dead in Oregon college gun slaughter
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There has been another obscene mass killing by automatic weapon in the United States. The president has spoken and said the country is numb from such outrages. The U.S. lives in its own terrible and strange space compared to other civilized lands. It seems genuinely insane. Washington Post
Create Your Own Taste “blows up the front counter”
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They’ve closed the McDonald’s at Bayview and Eglinton but maybe that was just in time to open a new one in South Bayview featuring the Create Your Taste Kiosk that the company is rolling out across North America. Yes, it’s burgers by the button. But why? Some insist this is about reducing staff but McD’s denies it. The kiosk requires table service. Some, like the CNBC business commentators in this video, say that by letting the public add elements (priced separately) they can get the price of a burger up to ten bucks. It is coming to Toronto for sure, according to McDonald’s Canada president and CEO John Betts. He says the firm will hire 15,000 people in the process. Best quote? “We’re basically blowing up the front counter,” said Betts. Wow can we get a picture of that?
Lawyer targeted by package bomb a profile in courage
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Maria Mitousis
Lawyer Maria Mitousis has become a profile in courage since that day three months ago when a package bomb sent to her office blew off her right hand and burned her badly on the face, arms, chest, thighs and left hand. This week Mitsousis spoke publicly thanked police and EMS personnel who helped her and to say that she will not be sidetracked by her injuries. She had been targeted by the estranged husband of a woman she was representing. Speaking to reporters at the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service’s training academy, Mitousis thanked the first responders and her law office staff who helped her in the moments after the package exploded. “They’re the ones who got me through that morning, and I wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to share with Winnipeggers that I believe that we’re truly fortunate that we have these people, with their expertise and integrity, right here among us, and our city’s well-equipped to manage all forms of crisis,” she said. Mitousis, who was right-handed, said she has had to adapt to using her left hand in daily life. As well, she is dealing with extensive burns from the blast.
Glass bottomed suspension bridge thrills in China
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Could you walk it?
Thorncliffe Park elevator bandit armed with kitchen knife
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Toronto Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who has been robbing people of their cell phones in elevators in Thorncliffe Park. It happened first on August 12 when a man boarded the elevator at 53 Thorncliffe Park.Drive. The thief was also on the elevator and produced a kitchen knife.He demanded the man’s cell. He got off at the fifth floor and escaped. Then on Friday, August 28, 2015, at 2:10 p.m. a 21-year-old woman has a similar experience at 27 Thorncliffe Park. She was followed in by an unknown man who threatened her with a kitchen knife and stole her phone. He is described as in his 20s, bearded, with short black hair, 5’8″-6’0″, thin build. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
Ford Canada will recall Oakville Windstar vans again
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Ford Canada will recall as many as 60,000 older Windstar minivans in Canada as part of a safety notice related to a previous recall for a rear-axle repair that possibly did not take. The latest recall covers around 342,000 vans built at Oakville from 1998 through 2003 and sold in both Canada and the United States.
City to UBER: “Cease operations until new rules written”
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Spooky intruder strips to shorts in Deer Park B and E
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A spooky intruder who apparently undressed down to his underwear was discovered in a home in the Oriole Parkway and Lonsdale Rd. area yesterday. He was found by the lady of the house as she returned home about 2 p.m. The individual was dressed only in boxer shorts and a shirt. He is seen in security video within the same time frame (inset) fully dressed. He fled presumably taking his clothes with him when the woman came in. Police say things were tampered with The family dog had been let out of its crate and had its collar removed. Pictures of adults had been turned face down while pictures of children were left standing. Cigarette butts and a body impression on a bed were discovered in the children’s bedrooms. Police released a photo of a suspect Wednesday afternoon. The man is described as black, in his mid-30s, approximately five-foot-three, skinny, with short black hair. He was last seen wearing a red hooded sweater with white on the left sleeve, dark parks, and was carrying a blue Puma bag. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).CP24
Bayview regular Raymond Ratchford found dead at home
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A familiar regular on South Bayview has died. Raymond Ratchford, a happy and friendly presence on his motorized scooter passed suddenly at the age of 57. Mr. Ratchford was known for his role as a backup singer to the late Rita MacNeil and his friendship with the maritimes singer. He was found in his Davisville home September 27, 2015. Ray Ratchford’s Facebook page with pictures
Bitter fruit of Arab Spring as Russia begins bombing in Syria
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Russia launched air strikes against targets in Syria on Wednesday in the Kremlin’s biggest intervention in the Middle East in decades. It has told the U.S. air force to steer clear. Russia says that it is bombing ISIS but it seems to also be bombing Syrian opponents to Bashir al Assad. It is a galling time for the Americans and for the world. But many will say this bitter outcome is absolutely made in America and in the West. The Russians have done what the democratic governments have not been able to do.
RUSSIA CHOOSES BETWEEN TWO EVILS
It has made a choice between what it sees as the lesser of two evils. It prefers Assad to ISIS. No European power nor any western government has been able to stomach that decision. It is the failure of policy that misread entirely the limited capacity of the middle east and much of North Africa to function in an orderly, much less civilized way, without a distasteful strong man at the top. It began with feckless babble about an Arab Spring and ends with Russia, of all countries, trying to restore order.