The South Bayview Bulldog

Malicious false calls to the police are frequently the work of juvenile minds who think it’s funny to terrorize innocent people.

No winning ticket was sold for the $17 million jackpot in Friday night’s Lotto Max draw. That means the jackpot for the next draw on Sept. 10 will be approximately $22 million.

The last two remaining locations of discount retailer Zellers will shutter its doors early next year, says Hudson’s Bay Co. The retailer expects to close the Toronto and Ottawa locations in January 2020. The Zeller’s in the East York Town Centre closed in 2012 followed by the disastrous Target adventure in Canada.

Walter P. Zeller started the chain in Waterloo in 1931

This story was posted first in 2011: The Hudson Bay company has provided a nice history of Zeller’s, the store chain which seems destined to disappear from Canadian streets after 80 years of business. Even though there is a plan to keep some Zeller’s stores operating, the writing seems to be on the wall about the end of the chain. Target stores of the US has bought most of the leases and it seems likely the rest will go shortly. In 1931, a Waterloo County boy named Walter P. Zeller (left) bought the 14 Canadian stores of American retailer Schulte-United. And so was Zeller’s born. Zeller called his concept the Store for Thrifty Canadians and even during the depression his plan worked. All during WWII and into the 50s and 60s the Zeller’s concept thrived and Zeller expanded, And Zeller proved to be a good employer which was unknown at the time, offering a company pension plan and competitive pay.

A local woman has posted compelling video (above) of the theft of her wallet from her purse at Pho King Fabulous restaurant at Yonge and Eglinton. She is unaware of the crime but her friend sitting opposite is suspicious about what has just happened. The woman bolts up in pursuit and catches the guy who throws the wallet to the ground as he flees. Below is video of the two perpetrators and at the bottom is video after the theft. The author is seen returning with her wallet in hand after it was dropped by the thief. In her post, she expresses natural remorse for having left her purse on the back of her chair. The first rule of keeping your purse and wallet safe is to keep them on your lap or any place you see them at all times. Leaside Community

Bike theft in progress. If you know him, please call police

Identifiable?

Have power saw, will steal bikes. The brazen man seen here was captured by taxi driver Moe Khan as he waited for a fare. The bike thief stole Ben James $1,500 bike from a stand near York and Queen Sts. at midday on August 24. Mr. Khan’s video may be seen here. It has been widely viewed since it was tweeted shortly after the theft. The thief is heard shouting: “It’s my (f-in) bike.” Sure.

Princess Charlotte has magically become four and this week entered Thomas’s Battersea School in London. She doubtlessly had first-day butterflies but in this Sky News report, her concern seems to be mostly with the state of her ponytail. Then, the OPP has decided to make crime documentaries. It’s an unusual undertaking for a police force. Below that, Robbie Robertson tells City News reporter Lindsay Dunn that he’s inspired by 19-year-old Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known as The Weeknd. Okay. Finally, the unknowns of the impending e-scooter onslaught. Where can we hide?

Don’t lose your phone

The Ontario government says it will begin to accept electronic proof of auto insurance as presented to authorities on a smartphone or other device. The Canadian Press story Thursday suggests that the intent of this development will be the ultimate elimination of the familiar pink paper certificates. Finance Minister Rod Phillips said the paper insurance slip will be around for at least a year during a phase-in of electronic proof. Mr Phillips says the electronic cards will feature safeguards that won’t allow them to be altered or edited, and privacy concerns are top of mind. Drivers will be responsible for making sure their phone can display the proof of insurance, even with a poor signal, drained battery or damaged screen. and oh yes, don’t lose the phone.

Police are alerting west-end parents to the discovery of used syringe needles in a parkette near Dundas West and Roncesvalles Ave Wednesday. The needles were picked by children from a nearby elementary school and at least one was apparently poked. All the children were treated at hospital as a precaution. Parents are reminded to have a conversation with children about the potential health and safety hazards of discarded syringes. Children should be advised to not touch syringes and to notify an adult immediately. Adults should then exercise caution if they decide to remove the syringe and call 311 to request a pick-up.

Volunteers take pictures of people at King St. closure/Readers Digest

It’s a headline written in Hollywood. “Diverting the King streetcar for TIFF is the price Toronto must pay for fame,” it huffs. In a town that regularly launches police operations against drivers who stop in front of Starbucks, Toronto Star writer Sean Micallef avows that somehow or other municipal greatness hangs on this notorious week-long annual transit disruption.