The South Bayview Bulldog

Weather system seen at 10 a.m.

A weather alert was issued about 5 a.m. Sunday calling for a major wind storm beginning near midday. “Very strong southwest winds with frequent gusts of 100 to 110 km/h will begin near noon in the wake of a sharp arctic cold front blasting across the region. Wind gusts of 120 km/h are likely in areas along the shores of Lake Ontario. The damaging winds will continue into this evening, then will gradually start to diminish overnight. Power outages are possible.” See weather radar live

A potentially damaging wind storm is expected to hit the GTA Sunday morning with Environment Canada issuing a wind warning for the region and all of southern Ontario. Hydro One is warning it could cause hundreds of outages across Southern Ontario. The difficult part is knowing how to prepare for such an outcome. It’s possible that gusts of wind of between 90 to 110 km/h might alter your life. But all residents can do is wait. “Very strong wind gusts near 100 km/h that may cause damage or power outages are expected late Sunday morning into Sunday night,” said the national weather service. See weather radar live

No injuries after the partial collapse of a house under renovation at Kingston Road and Birchmount in Sxarborough. #CBCToronto pic.twitter.com/gWJwNDBavl

— Michael Cole (@CameraMikeCBC) February 23, 2019

A home under renovation on Harding Ave. in Scarborough partially collapsed on Saturday morning causing a family to flee the stricken building. It ocurred mid-morning at the home near Kingston Rd. and Birchmount Ave. Homeowner Rick Saye told CP24 that he was about to get a shower when he heard some loud cracking. He says that he then heard his son calling out for him and ran downstairs. “I heard some cracking upstairs and then I heard my son downstairs and he yelled for me. I came down and then we just heard things start to move. Nothing had really fallen at that point, just cracks on the walls,” he said. Saye said that about 45 minutes after he and the rest of his family got of the house, the brick exterior on its north side collapsed.

A ticket holder in British Columbia won Friday night’s $25.9 million dollar Lotto Max jackpot. The exact location where the winning ticket was purchased was not immediately revealed. The jackpot for the next Lotto Max draw on Mar. 1 will be approximately $10 million.

A Special Weather Statement from Environment Canada Friday afternoon says that damaging winds with frequent gusts of 90 to 110 km/h are expected to develop Sunday morning after the passage of a sharp cold front. It says that areas near the Great Lakes are more likely to experience winds at the higher end of this range. A few gusts may reach 120 km/h near the east end of Lake Erie and over Prince Edward County on Lake Ontario. The very strong winds will persist through Sunday night and gradually diminish on Monday. Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur. Power outages are also possible. Flurries and blowing snow will develop Sunday afternoon. Local snowfall amounts in the 2 to 5 cm range are possible by Monday morning. Any fresh snow that falls will be whipped up by the very strong winds creating whiteout conditions in blowing snow at times, says the statement.

The annual benefit evening known as the Chief’s Gala has raised a record $674,420.38 for Victim Services Toronto.  Chief Saunders made the presentation at a ceremony Friday morning at police headquarters. The event last year saw 1,300 guests gather on November 1 at the Beanfield Centre (known since its opening in 1929 as the Automotive Building).

• Media Advisory, NHLPA Goals & Dreams Announce Hockey Equipment Donation To Toronto Police Service Youth Hockey Program, Friday, February 22, 2019, 1:45 P.M., Mastercard Centre, 400 Kipling Avenue

.

At Kreitmaker, 31, Industrial St., Thursday evening

The Road Salt Diaries of hard-pressed South Bayview residents contains an entry Friday that there are (or were) bags of salt at Kreitmaker Ltd. at 31 Industrial Street. The post says they are expecting more soon. So also, we believe, is Home Depot on Wicksteed.

Toronto begins a pothole blitz this weekend following a number of freeze-thaw cycles of recent days. It will be warm through Saturday and a lovely 9 degrees Sunday. Sparrows, Jays, Cardinals and other winter birds were heard in many parts of tree-covered Midtown at dawn Friday. Like the potholes, it is a sign of Spring. According to a news release, the blitz will be the first of several that will be staged between now and April. The City has filled about 13,000 potholes so far in 2019 but that number is expected to rise significantly in the coming days and weeks. Shauna Hunt (below) found a place where the pothole gremlins are storing wheel covers

The Auditor General has found that there is substantial fare evasion in the use of TTC subways, streetcars and buses. The matter is serious but the finding seems hardly surprising. Boarding a streetcar in 2019 is done largely on an honour basis. Masses of riders enter at all-door stops with no attempt or method of keeping track. A poll in 2016 indicated that as many as 21 percent of riders will evade paying if they can. Streetcar fare collection laughable shambles costing millions

PARKING TICKET REVENUE SLIDES

And parking ticket revenue continued to slide for the second year in a row in 2018. Parking officers issued about 100,000 fewer parking tickets in 2018 to total a decline of 222,000 since 2016. The Police Services board attributes this to a staff shortage. It says the Parking Enforcement Unit was “understaffed for the entire year” in 2018. There is no mention of the Green P app, an easy way for drivers to avoid tickets by topping up their time remotely. Many predicted that the arrival of the app would enable drivers to better avoid tickets received because time had run out.

Sneaker busts opens as heavy but nimble hoopster makes quick stop

Nike shares fell Thursday as athletes, coaches and the world at large began to ponder the “explosion” of a Nike sneaker worn by Zion Williamson during play Tuesday.