Council picks election early in 2021 to replace Karygiannis

City Council has voted to hold a byelection early next year to fill the vacancy left by former Ward 22 member Jim Karygiannis. He was removed from Council last month after a lengthy court battle over his 2018 campaign expenses. The date for the byelection is not yet been set by but the earliest it could be held is Monday, January 11, 2021. The vote today was unanimous.

Food prices likely to rise as supermarkets squeeze suppliers

BNN says that Sobey’s is likely to raise fees to suppliers following decisions by Loblaws, Metro and Walmart to do so in previous weeks. The increases are seen by some as likely to cause suppliers to raise their prices. Sobeys next in line to hike supplier fees after Loblaw, Metro: Analysts

Paul Hellyer to guest at Manor Road United seniors Friday

Paul Hellyer will be the guest at Manor Road United Church Seniors and Allies at the Manor this Friday. The meeting runs from 1 to 3 p.m. at the church, 240 Manor Road. Among other topics, Mr. Hellyer will speak on his latest book, Liberated! The Economics of Hope. For Zoom coordinates and any questions, contact Manor Road: manorroaduc@gmail.com

Oxford vaccine results offer hope as winter darkness looms

Results released in recent hours reveal that the Oxford University lab has produced a prototype vaccine that looks like it will be a knockout blow to C-19. The federal government has ordered 20 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, which will be sold by AstraZeneca. Eric Sorensen tells this heartening story.

Road closure at Duplex and Craighurst for gas leak Tuesday

Emergency services are attending to a natural gas leak caused by a contractor near or at the corner of Duplex Ave and Craighurst Ave Tuesday morning. Police have closed roads in the area. 

Marci Ien wins Toronto Centre, Green’s Paul in good outing

Byelections are being held Monday in the downtown riding of Toronto Centre and in the North York riding of York Centre. In Toronto Centre, recently vacated by Finance Minister Bill Morneau, former CTV presenter Marci Ien is battling it out with the new national Green Party leader Annamie Paul. CBC

$14.2 million 649 jackpot winner bought ticket in Brampton

The OLG says that the weekend’s $14.2 million Lotto 649 ticket was sold in Brampton. An additional $1 million prize was also won by a ticket sold in Oakville. Stay tuned.

UK forces thwart hijacking of oil tanker in English Channel

British special forces have ended an apparent hijacking scheme by seven stowaways off the Isle of Wight.  Authorities seem uncertain about the ultimate purpose of the hijacking.

$14.2 million 649 winner in Ontario among Sunday news

A ticket holder in Ontario has won Saturday night’s $14.2 million Lotto 649 jackpot. The draw’s guaranteed $1 million prize also went to a lottery player in Ontario. The jackpot for the next Lotto 649 draw on October 28 will be approximately $5 million.

NDP win a majority in British Columbia

John Horgan’s NDP has won a majority in British Columbia. Horgan is now free to run the province without the support of the Green Party.  The victory may factor into BC’s position on the Trans Mountain Pipeline to the Pacific. The Green splinter members regularly threatened to bring down the government. With more than 80 percent of the polls reporting results, the NDP had won enough seats to form a majority government. The final count won’t be available for three weeks due to the record number of ballots cast by mail, which have not been counted. The New Democrats won 53 seats, the Liberals 27 seats and the Greens three. Four ridings were too close to call.

Lee Kun-Hee, driving force behind Samsung’s rise, dies at 78

Korean electronics magnate took Samsung from a two-bit firm to the world’s largest manufacturer of smartphones.  Euronews

 

Farm Boy, Staples to open in Art Shoppe Lofts on Yonge St

Signs have gone up at 2131 Yonge St where Empire Inc grocery franchise Farm Boy will share the street-level commercial space with a new Staples store. This is the Art Shoppe Lofts and Condominiums between Soudan Ave and Hillsdale Ave. The Sobey’s Urban Fresh location at 710 Mt. Pleasant in the Briton House building has closed. Sobey’s is also owned by Empire Inc and it appears staff will transfer to the new Farm Boy. Speculation among Davisville residents is that the retirement home won’t have a hard time finding a new tenant.

Mid-October cold front brings hail to Georgian Bay region

A mid-October cold front brought gusty rain and hail to communities from Lake Huron to Georgian Bay, Orillia  and northern Simcoe County late Friday. There was a tornado warning, since cancelled, for Barrie, Collingwood, Hillsdale, Midland, Coldwater and Orr Lake. Large hail smacked cars and homes. Listen to the drumming on Nathan Howes car roof. Among the most dramatic scenes occurred in Lake Huron communities such as Goderich (above) where the front appeared like a vision of doom.



Blinking lights at Bayview and Moore blinking again Friday

The traffic lights at Bayview Ave. and Moore Ave were blinking red again Friday, bringing traffic to a crawl in all directions. Cars on Moore were backed up to Welland Ave as drivers 850 meters away carefully tried to follow the flashing red protocols. Stop, wait, figure out what that guy turning left is doing, make a timid advance in case you’ve lost track of the dozen or so cars on the corner. Blinking lights. Guild electric made another of their regular visits and had things working again in about two hours.