Terrier survives three days down old septic tank

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Benny, a 4-year-old Wheaton Terrier is one lucky guy, all things considered. On Tuesday he fell 12 or 15 feet down an old well or septic tank beside his home and he’s been there until today. This afternoon (Friday, February 21, 2014) he was rescued by the fire department and animal control officers in a nearly three-hour project. Above we see Benny (left) with his much-relieved owner Audrey Fantauzzi. She was tipped to Benny’s location when a neighbor’s dog began digging at the site. The photo centre reveals Benny down the filthy hole, frightened and tired. The image was captured from video taken with a small camera belonging to CTV.  Fire personnel attached it to a pole and were able to spot the dog’s location. Right, a capture of Benny freshly out of the hole, still wearing the rigging used by rescuers to pluck him from the tank. Benny has now been fed, washed and checked out. All is well. This happened at 136 Spears St. near Weston Road and Humber Boulevard North. Nice job everyone. Dog owners and lovers are burning up Twitter with their joy. 

Sherwood Ave. home housed three generations

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97 Sherwood Ave. 
The sale in recent days of this unusual two-storey home at 97 Sherwood Ave. is drawing quite a bit of interest. It was listed for $1,324,000 and sold for $1,691,000. As many have noted, the real attraction is the lot. It is located just west of Mt. Pleasant Rd. in prime midtown and measures 44 feet by a stunning 179.4 feet. As a result, there was a bidding war with a number of offers coming from builders. The 100-year (plus) old home shows its age in the nicest of ways with that wide lot measuring well above the average of 25 to 30 feet elsewhere on Sherwood. According to the owner, the home was originally purchased in the 1930s for a $5,000. Since then, it’s housed three generations of the same family. Their understanding is that it was also the first home on the street, built where there was once a pear orchard.

Canada ready to beat the Swedes this Sunday

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Jamie Benn

Will Canada polish off the Swedes for breakfast Sunday morning? Could be. Team Canada’s job is clear after 24-year-old Jamie Benn of Victoria scored the sole goal in the game to win Canada its pass to the gold medal action this weekend. Game time is 6 a.m. Eastern. The classic Canada-U.S. contest revealed two teams very well-matched. Canada however effectively deployed that special defensive armor that has kept it in the hunt right along. So now its on to what everyone hopes will be a Swedish breakfast on Sunday morning. The Swedes beat the Finns earlier today. TSN Radio 

Chilling BBC account of Friday fighting in Ukraine

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Snipers are seen to fire on protesters (left) and some armed demonstrators were also reported to be firing towards security forces. BBC’s Gabriel Gatehouse said he saw what looked like a protester shooting out of a window at the BBC’s Kiev base, the Ukraine Hotel.  Right, partisan Ukraine legislators fight it out.

All-night Mac’s at 957 Mt. Pleasant robbed

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A man with a knife robbed the Macs Milk Convenience Store at 957 Mt Pleasant Road (at Erskine Ave.) at about 3 a. m. on Thursday, February 20, 2014. The clerk complied with a demand for cash and was not hurt.  The suspect fled the scene eastbound on Erskine. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, black, 6’, brown eyes, medium build.

Hockey titans collide as Canada meets USA

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Hang on South Bayview, here comes the men’s version of Canada versus the USA on ice. The news leads on Google this morning are full of stories about how today’s noon hour (Eastern) tilt will test the Canadians like no other recent match up. But in the U.S., there are plenty of writers ready to say that the Americans had better beware of the Canuck Country-Boy Act. They think we’re sneaky. As one writer said: USA always brings out the best in the team with the maple leaf on the crest. “Right now, they’re the team we have to beat to get the gold spot,’’ USA’s David Backes said. “We’re going to lay everything we have into that game.’’  A fascinating statistic out of this meeting is that 34 players in total will be plying against teammates in the NHL. The winner of this game will go on to meet Sweden for gold this weekend. They beat Finland earlier today. Meantime, everyone is laughing at this wonderful cartoon (inset) in which the Canadian coach begs his men to play like girls. For sure.

Loblaws set to test online grocery shopping

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Loblaws has announced that it will conduct an e-commerce experiment which allow customers to pick and pay for items online and then collect them later at the store. This service has apparently been popular in the United Kingdom.  CBC 

Leaside Wildcats tourney March, 7, 8, and 9, 2014

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The Toronto Leaside Wildcats will be hosting its 35th annual tournament March 7, 8, and 9, 2014.  The Wildcats are the pre-eminent local girls and women’s hockey group and their long history (40 years since the first season) is a testament to its success.In the days to come, we’ll be telling readers more about the tourney. Here’s a charming and informative video telling families about girls hockey. Make sure you catch the self-assured young lady at the end of  the video as she admits that she is “so happy” that her dad enrolled her in the Wildcats even though she didn’t really want to go. It has become “one of my lives outside of school” she says with justifiable pride. 

Rush hour snow causes “bus-jam” on Eglinton E

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Tonight’s rush hour was a little surprise made of slippery slush as the late afternoon snowfall melted on main roads. This is the scene on Eglinton Ave. E. just west of Bayview Ave. where it seems that dozens of buses were piled up in the eastbound lanes. The picture was taken on the north side opposite Cleveland Street. It appears that they were stopped on orders of the TTC because of an accident, or maybe because they were unable to stop on the descent to Bayview. Toronto’s weather is set to see more such sloppy conditions as meteorologists warn of a “major storm” that is expected to bring snow, heavy rain, a risk of thunderstorms and strong wind gusts. The Toronto Transit Commission is encouraging customers to plan ahead and allow extra time for commuting during and following the storm. TTC spokesperson Brad Ross said there is not a lot that can be done by the organization in advance of the expected rain to try and limit its potential impact. Read more: http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/major-storm-expected-to-bring-25-to-50-mm-of-snow-and-rain-1.1695247#ixzz2tulDnQPF A rainfall warning effect for much of southern and eastern Ontario, including Toronto. Environment Canada says the storm could bring 25 to 50 millimetres tonight  and Friday. With the return of mild weather, melting snow is increasing concerns about flooding. 

Golden Girl from Quebec City savours victory

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Hey, you can do what you like when you score two goals to beat the USA. Here is a profile from Wikipedia: Marie-Philip Poulin (born March 28, 1991) is a Canadian ice hockey forward, now playing for the Boston University Terriers. Poulin was a member of the Canada women’s national ice hockey teams that won the gold medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, and had previously played for the Dawson College Blues. She has been referred to as the Sidney Crosby of women’s hockey for her high level of achievement at a young age. She also has the unique distinction of having scored the game winning goal in the gold medal games in both Olympics that she has competed in.

Doug Ford out of Ontario and City elections

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The mayor’s brother says he won’t run either provincially this Spring or next October to retain his seat as the member for Ward 2. Doug Ford made the announcement today (Thursday, February 20, 2014). Ontario is expected to vote within a few months and Mr Ford said he could not wear the hat of an MPP plus that of his brother’s campaign manager. Maybe. Or maybe the Ford brand is just too toxic for the Progressive Conservatives in this provincial general election.  Mr. Ford  talked about a role at City Hall which would be unelected. But being out of office also leaves him free to accept offers of opportunity. 

Canada beats USA 3-2 in sudden death OT

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Canada’s women’s hockey team has won Olympic gold for the fourth time in a row. And they did it by nearly scaring the country to death. Team Canada fell behind the U.S. team and were trailing 2-0 after two periods. Their skin-of-the-teeth come back began with Brianne Jenner potting a goal shortly into the third. Then in the closing seconds of regulation time it was Marie-Philip Poulin from Quebec City tying the game. That brought about sudden death overtime. Minutes into OT it was Poulin again who beat the overwhelmed U.S. goaler during a power play. Things had appeared dark for Canada and this victory, honestly won and deserved, will nonetheless be a bitter loss for the accomplished U.S.team.  Twitter  Globe and Mail