The South Bayview Bulldog

The Ministry of Health reports 258 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday. It’s the lowest daily number reported since late March when testing was much less effective. The current figure was determined in a 24-hour period that saw 17,429 tests completed. Ministry

Aftermath of crash at Lawrence and Fern Meadow/Ryan Rocca Global News

A woman is dead after two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle in Toronto’s east end on Wednesday, officials say. Toronto police tweeted about the incident, which occurred at Lawrence Ave and Fern Meadow Rd east of Morningside Ave. around 10 a.m. Police said there were reports of two pedestrians who suffered serious injuries after being struck by a truck. The scene is on four-lane Lawrence Ave. where traffic controls are rare. The corner with Fern Meadow sits several hundred meters from stoplights at Bennett Rd. to the east and Manse Rd. to the west. Pam Seatle City News report details the tragic consequences of this incident

Dog’s hair a valued insulation at sparrow’s nest/Colin Mcconnell

Leslieville nature photographer Colin Mcconnell has posted pictures of birds picking up dog’s hair after a canine trim. He says the hair is used to line the nest. FB

The Ministry of Health reports 329 new cases of COVID-19 across Ontario on Wednesday, down from Tuesday’s 361. Recent days have seen daily reports average around 365, a number which seems to indicate a downward trend since March. Ministry website

Smaller sized used running shoes needed for Thorncliffe Running Shoe collection

A time-honoured and vital community act of kindness needs special help this year because schools are closed. It’s the Thorncliffe Running Shoe Drive. Every year this excellent project delivers hundreds of smaller sized shoes to kids in Thorncliffe Park so they can participate in the gym. Traditionally, the schools were the best place to send a message by word of mouth and collect donations. But this year the volunteer man-in-charge, Ryan Spitzer, is asking friends to make shoe drop-offs to the porch at 59 Hanna Road. See his FB post here. FB

Program started in 2014

The program was started in 2014 by Grade 9 Leaside student Mackenzie Bier after she learned that students at Thorncliffe Park Public School could not participate in gym class because their families could not afford the proper footwear. As seen in the 2018 picture below, Mackenzie was honoured for her selfless work.

Mackenzie was honoured in 2018 for her work

The Canadian National Exhibition has been cancelled this year because of the COVID-19 epidemic, the president of the CNE Association has announced. It is the first time the event has been cancelled since the Second World War. Speaking to the Toronto Star, John Kiru said the decision was difficult. “Summer won’t be the same without the sights and sounds of the CNE.” Mr.Kiru said the decision was made out of an abundance of caution to help prevent employees, volunteers, visitors, vendors and artists from contracting COVID-19.

The Ministery of Health reports 361 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday. Daily numbers have crept up this week from a recent low of 294 on Sunday. Ministry of Health

• A quarter of ex-transit riders won’t take the TTC again without COVID-19 vaccine, study says

Record May cold to recede this week

Record cold weather and frost-nipped annual plants have joined the coronavirus blues across South Bayview this week. Toronto awoke Tuesday to the coldest May 12th seen since the Great Depression. As of 4 a.m. on Tuesday, it was -3 C at Pearson Airport, beating a cold record of -2.2 C set back in 1939.

MP Rob Oliphant has published a constituency update which among many items includes Mother’s Day reflections on his parents. He and others will participate in  a “Tele Town  Hall” Wednesday, May 13 starting at 6.30 p.m. Full release

Begins Wednesday at 6.30 p.m.

MP’s mother and father

Mickey and Minnie allowed to defy social distancing/BBC

Among COVID-19 headlines Tuesday is the re-opening of Shanghai Disneyland, a decision that some health professionals are calling a “huge risk.” Back home, the Ontario Legislature will sit Tuesday — with social distancing — and is expected to extend the province’s state of emergency to June 2, while also holding question period again.

Lawsuit against Pickering care home

The appalling price paid by the elderly in nursing and retirement homes has prompted a lawsuit against the owners of Orchard Villa home in Pickering where as many as 72 people have died of COVID-19. And City News tells of a woman who says she believes she saved her father’s life by getting him transferred to the hospital from Downsview Long Term Care where an estimated 37 people have died.

The Toronto Star publishes a story from the courts Monday saying that a mother and her teenage daughter are suing Havergal College for $38 million, claiming the Toronto private school failed to protect the daughter from “relentless” bullying and dismissed her suicide attempt as “a contrivance.” The school has denied the claims. Twitter

• Dad sues Havergal College, says daughter has been bullied