As they promised, Toronto police have updated their search and public appeal for the unknown drugs or substances that caused so much grief at the VELD concert over the weekend. Two people are dead and 13 others were hospitalized after ingesting what cops say was one or more of two items — a small brown pill and a small clear capsule containing a white substance. They had earlier urged anyone who may have bought the drug to turn it over to authorities so experts can analyze the substance. Det. Sgt. Peter Trimble says several people have since turned over the drugs. George Mammoliti (Ward 7) has said the city should consider banning Electronic Dance Music (EDM) events on public property. CP24
Teen boy 16 in BMW strikes boy 17 on bicycle
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Police have reported the tragic case of two young men, one driving a car and the other on his bike. Now the 17-year-old cyclist is dead. It happened Friday, August 1, 2014, at about 5 p.m. at Sheppard Avenue East and Neilson Road. The 17-year-old was riding a bicycle westbound on Sheppard and the other boy, 16, driving a BMW 323i westbound on Sheppard Avenue East. Thus it appears that the car and bike were traveling in the same direction and presumably were required to share the road in some fashion. It is among the most difficult and generally unpredictable situations in which motorists and cyclists can find themselves. The cyclist was struck by the BMW. The cyclist suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital, where he later died.
West leg of north-south subway shut by flood
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The western half of the Yonge-University-Spadina subway is closed between Spadina and Lawrence West stations tuesday (August 5, 2014) because of flooding at the St. Cl.air West station. Two to three feet of water has flooded St. Clair West station. It’s not yet known how long the cleanup will take. Best information is that a pump at the station which normally clears rainwater has failed.
China accuses couple of “collecting intelligence”
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Can it be as simple has having a view of the so-called Friendship Bridge from China into North Korea? Kevin Garratt and his wife Julia Dawn Garratt have a popular coffee shop in the border City of Dandong that overlooks this sole link to the Kim Jung-un worker’s paradise. So, is Peter’s Coffee House the reason why the Garratt’s are being accused of “collecting intelligence” about China? Their son, Simeone Garrett, 27, has told the BBC that his parents have not been contactable since Monday night. The couple previously taught in southern China for several years and then moved to Dandong. The Xinhua report did not say whether they had been detained. Photos: Kevin and Julia dawn Garrett with children Peter and Hannah. Friendship Bridge, which very few North Koreans get to cross. 2 dead, 15 ill from “party drugs” at VELD concert
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The case of widespread substance overdoses at the weekend VELD electronic music concert at Downsview Park is now back in the hands of Toronto Police, at least for the purpose of figuring how two young people obtained the “party drugs” that took their lives. The homicide squad has been called in for that job and at a news conference Monday night they said the dead music fans were a 20-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man. Altogether, 15 people were hospitalized after ingesting substances. Investigators say they believe the drugs were purchased at the festival and would like any concert goers in possession of substances to come forward. Police say they are not sure what particular drug led to the fatalities. The Special Investigations Unit has also become involved in the investigation. According CP24, the SIU interest was triggered because the male victim died after being restrained by police. A police officer was on duty at the music festival when he observed two people carrying the man. The officer requested an ambulance and while paramedics tended to the patient, he became violent and had to be handcuffed, the SIU said in a release. The man’s handcuffs were then removed while he was being treated in the ambulance, but he was pronounced dead while on the way to the hospital.
4 sheltering under tree in park hit by lightning
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Four people were taken to hospital Monday afternoon during the thunder and lightning storms that are rumbling across the City. The call came in from 360 Morningside Ave.about 3.20 p.m. Global News says the victims are conscious in hospital. A witness seen on CP24 said three adults and a child had been picnicking in Morningside Park and had huddled near or under a tree to escape the rain. Lighting struck the tree with some of the voltage impacting those under underneath it. Basic safety advice in lightning storms is to stay away from trees but not everyone knows this important information. There was apparently a second bolt which is believed to have struck an EMS vehicle but no one was hurt. Photo courtesy of Global News via Twitter.
HAIL IN BARRIE
North of Toronto in places like Barrie there were nasty hail stones falling on peoples heads. Twitter pictures are graphic
HAIL IN BARRIE
North of Toronto in places like Barrie there were nasty hail stones falling on peoples heads. Twitter pictures are graphic
Ford confirmed Thorncliffe, went to Scarborough
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Mayor Ford was notable by his absence at yesterday’s Thorncliffe Park Tenants Association BBQ. As reported by Meagan Ogilvie of the Toronto Star organizers were given an e-mail assurance the mayor would attend. Jeff Silverstein, the mayor communications director, said Mayor’s Ford’s absence was caused by a “mix-up in communications.” He is said to have attended a Scarborough Ribfest.
Man, 22, dies at VELD electronic music concert
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High-summer magic as Ontario peaches arrive
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Even the most casual of food shoppers will have noticed that the magic high summer moment when Ontario peaches hit the market has arrived. The splendid sweet and juicy bounty is on sale pretty much everywhere. So great for any kind of eating. Cut ’em up in wedges and gobble them down with your morning coffee. Or whatever. It gives a whole new meaning to buying produce locally. Of course the peach tradition runs deep in Ontario. This week sees the beginning of the annual peach festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Next weekend (August 9-10) NOTL’s Queen Street will be closed off through the heritage district so visitors can stroll the many farm stands. There will be peaches of course but also pies, jams, jellies, ice cream, drinks and more. Five bands will perform: The Toronto All Star Band, David Hoy, St. Catharines Pipe Band, Fort George Fife and Drum Corps and Ceol Cara. Saturday’s events run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Queen Street from Victoria to King streets. The evening celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. with live salsa music, wineries, breweries and tasty delights from the Signature Kitchens of Niagara-on-the-Lake. That event runs until 10 p.m. On Sunday, the fun continues at St. Vincent de Paul Church on Picton Street. Running from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. there will be face painting, crafts, balloon animals, live entertainment, barbecued fare. And peaches. In the evening, the Shades of Summer celebration returns with a large dinner party on Queen Street. There will be tables and chairs set up in advance with live music, gourmet picnic boxes available for purchase and more. Tables of eight are $240. For more information, contact the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber at 905-468-1950 — with The Spectator Rudy Limeback (rudy.ca) does Thorncliffe BBQ
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Political gadfly, naturalist and man of science Rudy Limeback (rudy.ca) has attended the Thorncliffe Park tenants association BBQ. Rudy is high on David Soknacki for mayor. See his observations and links to his Twitter posts below.
Milos Raonic beats fellow Canadian at World Tour
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Milos Raonic defeated fellow Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-1, 6-4, in what is proudly being called the first all-Canadian ATP World Tour in Washington. For those struggling with the alphabet soup of world tennis ATP is the Association of Tennis Professionals The 2014 ATP World Tour calendar comprises the Grand Slam tournaments (supervised by the International Tennis Federation (ITF)), the ATP World Tour Masters 1000, the ATP World Tour 500 series, the ATP World Tour 250 series, the Davis Cup (organized by the ITF) and the ATP World Tour Finals. Also included in the 2014 calendar is the Hopman Cup, which is organized by the ITF and does not distribute ranking points. — with Wikipedia. CP24
Thorncliffe BBQ popular event in great weather
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The Thorncliffe Park Tenants had a wonderful day for their Meet and Greet BBQ today (Sunday, august 3, 2014) and as predicted, many candidates were there looking for votes. For reasons not explained, Mayor Ford did not attend, even though he had been expected. John Tory, Olivia Chow, Karen Stintz and David Soknacki and Ari Goldkind were there. We know this because of the work of Leaside gadfly Rudy Limeback (rudy.ca) Click the image below to go to his Twitter assessment of the day. Rudy is quite taken with one of the many candidates running, Morgan Baskin, noting the old truth that youth matters. (Yes, but do they vote?) Candidates like John Tory were happy to have their pictures taken with local residents and to reinforce their multicultural credentials. (See link below). The topic of the day was the proposed five-per cent hydro increase, put forward by Toronto Hydro to the Ontario Energy Board last week. Other issues relating to Thorncliffe have been living underground during this campaign. The proposed Costco store is seldom mentioned by politicians because it is polarizing, especially on the west side of the tracks. In Thorncliffe Park itself, the Costco plan is wildly popular. It remains quietly before City Staff and that seems to be where almost everyone wants it to remain. Twitter search Thorncliffe BBQ
