The South Bayview Bulldog

Self checkout challenge

Comments at Leaside Community Tuesday about the self checkout addition at Loblaws at 301 Moore have extended to concern about layoffs, expiration dates (?) and a preference for Longo’s (except those who say they’re “poor”). One post that rings true is that self checkout is seldom faster than standing in line, especially at 301 Moore. Those with fruit and produce have to plunge into search mode and hope they don’t select the fancy Anjou pears instead the blah Bartletts. As concern mounts among members about potential (and unknown) job losses caused by self checkout, one man meanly snipes that it’s a shame there are no more blacksmiths. Loblaws staff is represented by a pugnacious union, the United Food and Commercial Workers, which often talks about going on strike and sometimes does.

Mangled Jeep on Highway 400/@OPP_HSD

A man is gravely injured in hospital after a truck and a another vehicle hit his stalled Jeep on Highway 400 in Vaughan. The victim, 33, is from Scarborough. OPP say his vehicle stopped for unknown reasons in the left lane about 4 a.m. Tuesday.

A general “snow day” has been declared Tuesday in Toronto by both the public and Catholic school boards. It is said to be the first snow day for the Toronto District School Board in eight years. The last time TDSB schools were shut down because of snow was in 2011.

Issued at 15:18 Monday 11 February 2019

Winter storm with a combination of 15 to 25 cm snow and ice pellets, possible freezing rain, and strong winds expected Tuesday and Tuesday night.

Snow and blowing snow will begin early Tuesday morning. Strong easterly winds of 40 gusting to 70 km/h will cause reduced visibility in blowing snow. Stronger wind gusts up to 80 km/h are possible near the shores of Lake Ontario.

Visibilities should improve during the afternoon as the precipitation changes to a mix of snow and ice pellets in the afternoon. Easterly winds should remain rather gusty.

Total snowfall and ice pellet amounts of 15 to 25 cm are possible before ending Wednesday. There is also a risk of freezing rain.

This weather is associated with a Colorado low that will cross Southern Ontario Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas.

Winter storm warnings are issued when multiple types of severe winter weather are expected to occur together.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.

CITY OF TORONTO’S STORM PREPAREDNESS PLAN

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for a winter storm tomorrow with the possibility of 15 to 20 cm of snow, as well as ice pellets, freezing rain and strong winds. The City of Toronto has a comprehensive snow and ice response plan that prioritizes the safety and movement of residents. Toronto is a vibrant city with more than 5,600 kilometre of roads and 2.9 million people.

Proactive measures taken before the storm include:
• monitoring road temperature using sensors on salt trucks and pickup trucks
• co-ordinating more frequent access to weather forecasting and meteorologists
• activating nine road weather information system stations, including two new stations in East York and one in the York-Yonge-Bay ramp, and
• preparing for winter by maintaining roads, performing on-going pothole repair blitzes, replenishing salt and de-icer supplies, attending training and seeking new ways to address snow.

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Federal Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion will investigate allegations that the Prime Minister’s Office pressured former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould to help Quebec engineering firm SNC-Lavalin avoid criminal prosecution. The NDP asked Dion to look into the matter after the Globe and Mail published a report last week that alleged the PMO wanted Wilson-Raybould to direct federal prosecutors to make a “deferred prosecution agreement” — a deal akin to a plea bargain — to avoid taking SNC-Lavalin to trial on bribery and fraud charges. Dion informed the NDP MPs who requested the investigation Monday that there is sufficient cause to proceed with an inquiry into the actions of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on this matter. CBC

Four-vehicle mayhem at Avenue Rd. and Edmund Ave/Bulldog photos

Witnesses say speed on the part of the driver of a pickup truck may be the cause of a four-vehicle crash at the corner of Avenue Rd. and Edmund Ave. late Monday morning. The crash saw the truck finally plough into the front door of the South Hill Cafe in the Benvenuto building. The corner has traffic lights and its notable that the taxi and the black Honda were both slammed from behind. It’s not clear how the gray car beside them was damaged.

A bulldog doing agility is a marvelous sight pic.twitter.com/YboGlhp3hk

— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) February 10, 2019

Rudy the bulldog put on an incredible performance in the agility drill at the Westminster Dog Show on Saturday. A border collie named Verb won the agility contest at 32.05 seconds. Rudy finished at 46.63 seconds (officially 51.63 seconds after receiving a fault). Despite the loss, the internet was impressed by Rudy’s blazing speed. He’s a bulldog after all. They’re known to be dogged, not particularly fast.

Josh Matlow’s daughter Molly at Hodgson skate Sunday

Flags to make crossing safer to and from Maurice Cody School

Attention all heroes

Big House Pizza now closed

Family Day skating Feb 18

Family Day contest now until Friday

Upper left, Sunday’s annual skating party at Hodgson rink was certainly fun for Molly Matlow, daughter of Ward 12 Councillor Josh Matlow. We’re growing up. The skate is a combined neighborhood event of Mr. Matlow and MPs Carolyn Bennett and Rob Oliphant. At right, Cody kids (and parents) are urged to make crossing as safe as possible at intersections near the school. At the bottom, from left, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital reminds of the heroic work that can be done during the Capes for Kids drive in March. Then, it must be reported that a pizza favorite, Big House Pizza, at 952 Danforth, has closed. Finally, a reminder of Patrick Rocca’s family skate on February 18 and the East York Town Centre Family Day Contest.

The City of Toronto has issued an Extreme Cold Weather Alert Monday that is in effect until further notice. Extreme Cold Weather Alerts are issued when the temperature in the daily forecast is estimated to reach approximately -15 degrees Celsius or colder, or when the wind chill is forecast to reach -20 or colder. Those most at risk of cold-related illness are people experiencing homelessness or those under-housed, those who work outdoors, people with a pre-existing heart condition or respiratory illness, elderly people, infants and young children. People with heart problems can experience worsening of their condition up to several days after cold weather occurs. Tuesday’s high is forecast to be zero.

Former Finance Minister Michael Wilson has died at the age of 81. Wilson’s death was confirmed to CTV News on Sunday night by an employee of Barclays, where he was recently employed. Following a lengthy career, Wilson resigned from politics in 1993. CTV