The 140-year-old Eastbourne Pier has been destroyed by fire. It was the scene of countless parties, picnics, weddings and family outings through the decades. The blaze is said to have broken out in one of the arcade buildings and spread quickly. Experts in fire protection noted the vulnerability of many of the U-K’s entertainment piers. Fire on a pier is hard to fight because it is usually inaccessible. There is also a view that piers are often built or repaired in a shoddy fashion.
Board cuts Bill Blair loose after 9 years as chief
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Maybe it’s time for Chief Bill Blair to go, but maybe not. He has been chief since 2005 and the Police Services Board has voted not to renew the contract. So be it. Blair will serve into next year when a new chief will be appointed. Problem is, the board continues to behave in a clubby way that sheds very little light on what its reasons might be. Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37) has been the most talkative but frankly he has said almost nothing. He is quoted as complaining the chief didn’t do enough to control costs within the force. Really councillor. Would you mind rhyming off a few items for the public’s education? Board Chairman Mukherjee is also talking in obscurities.
Toronto Police have not forgotten the case of Nicole Morin
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Nearly 30 years after she vanished in her own apartment building, police have still not forgotten the case of 8-year-old Nicole Morin. They have released a re-enactment video (right) on the 29th anniversary of Nicole’s abduction with the hope of finding new leads in the case. Nicole was last seen leaving her family’s apartment at 627 The West Mall in Etobicoke around 11 a.m. on July 30, 1985. Police say she had made plans to meet a friend in the lobby of her building to go swimming and was never seen again. “We have received leads continually since 1985,” said Detective Sergeant Madelaine Tretter during a press conference on Wednesday (July 30, 2014). “We have received leads as currently as this year. We’ve never lost hope in finding Nicole.” Video on the left is of an international video conference held earlier this year in which Toronto police were spreading word about the case.
We’re ready to die for our lands say chiefs
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Never let it be said that our aboriginal chiefs don’t have a flare for the melodramatic. A group of First Nations chiefs say their people are prepared to lay down their lives “to protect their traditional lands from any unwanted development.” Those at high levels who meet with the chiefs will tell you this seems reflective of the tone of their meetings. First Nation persons are said to claim their reservations must be treated like Switzerland.
Revenue down seven percent at Toronto Star
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Advertising is fleeing print and the Toronto Star is showing it again today. Reuters
Mixed-use proposal expected for Newbigging site
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Business on Mt.Pleasant Rd. will be in for a bit of a disruption when it is finally decided what will be done with the Newbigging Funeral Home property at 733 Mt. Pleasant. The funeral home site has been purchased by a developer. Word from Josh Matlow (Ward 22) is that the buyer specializes in retail-oriented development. He reports that the new owners have met with him, the South Eglinton Ratepayers (SERRA) and the Mt. Pleasant Village BIA to consult on the future use of the site. There is no application in to City Planning at this time, says Matlow, but he anticipates a mixed-use proposal with retail on the ground level and mid rise residential above. The community will be consulted once an application is submitted. Humphrey and Newbigging funeral homes to merge
U-K research finds blood test that detects cancer
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United Kingdom researchers at Bradford University say they have developed a blood test which seems to predict with near 100 percent accuracy whether a patient is suffering from cancer. The limited test done so far is very preliminary but its results are “powerful” say doctors. It sorted out those who were ill, or potentially ill, from the healthy patients with precision. The test is based in the newer science of genetics and shows once again the enormous power given to medicine by the mapping of the genome. The blood test is so far designed to detect melanoma, colon cancer and lung cancer. It relies on the examination of DNA of the white blood cells under ultraviolet light. The rigours of fighting cancer apparently reveal distinctive damage to the cells, researchers say. The test has the potential save time as well as difficult and invasive exploratory surgery. MailOnline
Cops take aim at distracted driving addicts
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It is no exaggeration to say that texting while driving is easily as dangerous as Russian Roulette. This comes to mind as Toronto and York Region Police along with the CAA launch a six-week campaign against distracted driving. The police feel drivers are just not getting it. It isn’t hard to see the problem every day. People try to drive while they juggle everything from mascara paraphernalia to English Toy Spaniels. As a group, we are one crazy race. So the police have got the idea to hurt drivers in the pocketbook. The violation of the hand-held device legislation ranges from $155 to $250 on conviction. “We urge you to talk to your family and friends about the dangers and consequences of distracted driving and to focus on what’s important, driving and arriving safely at your destination,” said Teresa Di Felice, Director of Government & Community Relations & Driver Education, CAA SCO. “When operating a motor vehicle, drivers must focus on the task at hand; distractions regardless of its form put everyone’s life at risk including your own. Make the right choice to not drive distracted, make the promise to focus on the road” said Acting Superintendent Suzanne Redman of Toronto Police Service Traffic Services. Here is a story from the archives of the South Bayview Bulldog that should shock any texting nut out of the habit. Eternity separates texting loversHarry pulls “serious intent” photobomb at games
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That royal rascal Prince Harry is having fun at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. His latest exploit is to photobomb with serious intent a nice three-person shot of some pals at the games. The inset pictures show Harry mugging in the background as former Olympic boxer Trevor Shailer (top middle), New Zealand rugby sevens coach Gordon Tietjens (left) and sports psychologist Gary Hermansson are happily getting snapped. Mr. Shailer posted the image to his Facebook page on Monday. Closer shot of the princely problem-making is in the centre. The news service also notes that Prince William can be spotted a few seats beside his brother, watching the events at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre. William’s wife, Kate, is seated between them but not seen in picture. Last week, Queen Elizabeth photobombed two hockey players taking a selfie at the Commonwealth Games, proving that humor, and a love of the camera, runs in the royal genes. Canada is still in fourth place standing at the games. A doubly heroic gold medal was won by Perth, Ontario’s Sultana Frizzell (inset bottom) in the hammer throw. She triumphed despite having lost her luggage on her way from a Portugal training camp to Glasgow. “I didn’t have my hammers or my throwing gear. Or underwear,” Ms Frizzel said dryly. Royson James sentimental journey to “Flemmo”
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Star writer goes home and finds among other things that transit isn’t so bad. We get that. Royson James, Toronto Star
Weekend break-in and robbery on Coldstream
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TPS report — A resident of Coldstream Avenue reports that between 2 p.m. Friday, July 25, 2014 and 7.24 p.m.Sunday, July 27, 2014, entry was gained into the premises by forcing a door. Removed was a quantity of jewellery, a laptop computer, and cash.
Cutting down concrete at Bayview and Millwood
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All the utility poles on Bayview Ave and into the Ward 22 side of South Bayview are being replaced with tree-top high fir timber beauties. We’re told they will last many decades. Now how to remove those old rotting concrete poles? Apparently it’s necessary to cut them in half. This lineman was the focus of many sidewalk sightseers and would-be foremen as he methodically sliced through this pole on the northwest corner of Bayview and Millwood Rd. beside Wild Wing. It took about 30 minutes with stops and starts to get the job done. Note the sparks flying in picture at the left.