The South Bayview Bulldog

Peter Wittek

Skilled mountaineer

Mount Trisul

Authorities in India continue to search for University of Toronto assistant professor Peter Wittek, 37, apparently swallowed up by an avalanche while in his tent during an expedition to Mount Trisul in the Himalayas. Friends say Mr. Wittek was lost in the avalanche around 7 p.m. Sunday. Wittek, a Hungarian national, has been an assistant professor at the U of T since 2018. He is considered one of the world’s leading experts in quantum-enhanced machine learning and artificial intelligence. CBC

The vicious practice of ransom attacks against corporate computers has hit Michael Garran Hospital on Coxwell Ave. where they’re now working in the ER without computers. It’s despicable. In Scotland, the legislature has abolished any and all excuses for using corporal discipline (smacking) on children. It’s still allowed in many places including Canada but with conditions. Below that, two people have died in a car-truck collision in Port Perry and parents are weighing the looming new burden that will hit home if CUPE workers strike Monday.

Toronto and area parents are once again facing a strike that will shut down schools. This time it’s CUPE support workers (cleaners, librarians, secretaries, lunchroom staff) who will walk off. The deadline set by the union is Monday. The issues as referenced by CUPE seem to bear on government cutbacks and potential job losses. Above is Toronto District School Board Director of Education John Malloy speaking Thursday.

Do we need sympathetic movie portrayals of terrifying killers to understand them? Is our freedom of speech violated if we decide such money-making bonanzas are mostly an incitement to bloodshed? Just asking.

A wife’s refusal to have sex apparently out of a genuine fear of the nature of intercourse has caused an Ontario Superior Court justice to sign a decree of annulment sought by a new husband. City News

Former mayor of Vaughan charged

A former mayor of Vaughan, Michael DiBiase, 71, has been charged by OPP with breach of trust and municipal corruption related apparently to his years in office. He was mayor from 2003 to 2007.  Mr. DiBiase is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 30. No further details have been released regarding the allegations.

Paul Magder dead

Paul Magder, 83, of Toronto, has died at Toronto Western Hospital. Mr. Magderis is remembered for his battle during the 80s and 90s to keep his fur business open on Sunday. It was a time of the Lord’s Day Act. Violation of the act was punished with heavy fines. It is said that Magder’s long battle against the forced closings led to the financial collapse of his business.

The weekend weather should be fine if not perfect for enjoyable local events. Take your pick or visit several. Also check the South Bayview Bulldog Bulletin Board.

Auston Matthews ready to fire home second goal/NHL capture

The Leafs defeated the Ottawa Senators 5 to 3 Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena in a game that saw Auston Matthews score twice. NHL highlights

John Tavares has been named the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to the season opener against Ottawa. Outside Scotiabank Arena, many fans expressed disappointment that Auston Matthews had not been chosen. But then, anyone who watches the other news already knew that Matthew’s chances grew very slim because of this incident.

Chrystia Freeland makes opening remarks and Green’s Tim Grant and NDP’s Melissa Jean-Baptiste Vajda look on

The candidate’s debate for the riding of University Rosedale at Rosedale United Church was a standing room only occasion Wednesday night. The large sanctuary of the old church at Glen Rd. and Roxborough Drive saw every seat filled both on the main floor and in the balcony. Only three of the four invited candidates were present. Conservative Helen-Claire Tingling was ill and unable to join Global Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, NDP candidate Melissa Jean-Baptiste Vajda and Green Party candidate Tim Grant. It appears that there are at least two others running in UR. They are People’s Party candidate Aran Lockwood and the Communist Party’s Drew Garvie. The debate was sponsored by five contiguous resident’s associations; North Rosedale, South Rosedale, Moore Park, Governor’s Bridge and Summerhill

Glass towers on two corner at Bay and Dundas/Google

No one has been hurt at Dundas St E and Bay St Wednesday at supper hour as glass is reported falling at the corner. There are tall glass towers on two corners. Pedestrians and motorists are asked to use caution as police and emergency services check it out and clean up.

CUPE sets full strike deadline for school staff but not teachers who are organized separately

Upping the ante is CUPE⁩ lead school staff negotiator Laura Walton (centre) announcing a five-day notice of a full strike by school staff (not teachers) which would occur October 7. The issues are typically fogged in language that leaves citizens wondering exactly what’s at play. Here’s the CBC description.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the government and the employers tabled a reasonable offer and expanded their offer through the negotiations with one interest in mind — landing a deal that keeps kids in class.

“We have offered proposals to address compensation, job security and funding for additional staffing.  A key issue that remains is resolving rising absenteeism rates, and the impact that has on students and schools,” Lecce said.

President of CUPE’s Ontario School Board Council of Unions Laura Walton told CBC News those proposals aren’t enough. The union walked away from the table because the sides are just too far apart, Walton said, adding that the job action won’t put student safety at risk.

“When you’re not able to provide language that ensures that boards do not have unlimited power to cut jobs, then we have a problem. Now it becomes just a stop gap measure instead of addressing the real need, which is minimum standards of services within our schools.”