Heathrow departures resume after “drone sighting” delay

London’s Heathrow airport halted departing flights for about an hour Tuesday night following reports of drone activity. Europe’s busiest airport responded to what was called a “drone sighting.” “As a precautionary measure, we have stopped departures while we investigate,” Heathrow said. “We apologize to passengers for any inconvenience this may cause.” The location of the sighting meant arrivals weren’t immediately affected, according to a spokeswoman. A passenger, Garth Hutchins, tweeted the picture below.

“Sitting on the runway at Heathrow. If you think a drone is annoying, wait until you’re stuck on a non-moving plane with my two and a half-year-old for more than an hour. Pray for us,” he wrote.

Funeral for Edna Beange Friday at Leaside United Church

J. Edna Beange, a pillar of East York and Leaside, has passed away peacefully Sunday night at her home in Leaside. She was 98. A funeral service will be held for Edna Beange on Friday, January 11 at 2 p.m. at Leaside United Church, 822 Millwood Rd. There will be a reception following the service.

5G to 8K is how big tech will do your thinking for you silly

The annual Consumer Electronics Show is underway in Las Vegas. Artificial intelligence is ready to fold your sheets and change your name to Larry Huawei. You got a problem with that?

Police seize replica gun from backpack at Willowdale school

Police have seized a replica handgun from a teen boy who apparently took the device to school in a backpack Tuesday. Toronto Police Operations tweeted an alert and then confirmed officers had seized a gun. This occurred at (or near) Avondale Secondary Alternative School at 26  Silverview Drive in Willowdale a short distance from Yonge St. and Cummer Ave.

She dies in cold stuck in donation box screaming for help

A woman has died early Tuesday after a horrifying ordeal stuck in the opening of a clothing donation box on Bloor St. near Dovercourt Rd.  Police say the woman could be heard screaming sometime before 2 a.m.  When found, her body was sticking out of the box. Clothing bin deaths now total six as man dies in Vancouver

Man drives car into Porsche dealer, goes amuk in showroom

Carl Hantske of 680 News reviews the damage done by a man, 20, Monday night. He was apparently nursing a grievance against a former girlfriend and said correctly enough “I’m having a bad day.”

Laptop, documents slyly stolen from bag on restaurant floor

A woman student, Gulay Kilicaslan, has had her laptop, SIN card and vital residency documents stolen from a bag she placed on the floor of a Bloor St. W. restaurant while she chatted with friends. It is mistake well known to police and savvy citizens. But the distraction of being with friends can often defeat our best efforts to keep property safe. In this case, the man seen with his back to Ms Kilocasian and her three friends turns slightly to his left and reaches into the victim’s bag. The centre photo shows the laptop in his hand. He slips it under the table to the woman with him. She then walks out (right) carefully holding the computer in front of her. The thief soon follows. Police say there is no safe storage for such possessions except in your lap, on the table in front of you or physically wrapped around one of your ankles. All of this occurred Saturday evening at the Future Bistro near Bloor St. and Brunswick Ave.

Babcock joins Flames to mark winning Movember donation

Leafs coach Mike Babcock joined the Minor Atom “AA” Leaside Flames for a practice to mark their winning $8,000 donation to the Movember charity. Babcock brought the whole coaching staff with him. Hockey heaven. More at GTHL site.

Passengers safe as GO train catches fire in Distillery District

Some 200 passengers were safely taken off a GO train Monday after the engine caught fire. This in the City’s Distillery District. Emergency crews were called to the area of Lake Shore Blvd and Cherry St. at around 10:20 a.m.

Seeking freedom, Fiji Water Girl and a very deadly manicure

Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun (left) is a Saudi woman who says she is fleeing an abusive family. She has gained temporary asylum from the Thai government as she battles to reach Australia. For reasons unknown, it is her destination of choice for a new life. Let’s hope she makes it. At centre, a Canadian model, Kelleth Cuthbert, is now known around the world as The Fiji Water Girl. Anyone watching the Golden Globes Sunday night will have seen Kelleth photo bombing endless stars. It is hilarious. CTV says she was working for a Canadian man who owns Fiji Water. At right, Krystal Whipple, 21, who is on the lam after running down a manicurist who tried to stop her from leaving without paying for a $35 nail job. This occurred in Las Vegas. So sad.

Home sales, listings, prices down against interest, stress test

After a strong year for Greater Toronto Area (GTA) real estate in 2017, 2018 saw declines across the board for home sales, listings, and average selling price. A new report from the Toronto Real Estate Board reveals pronounced declines in these categories, which is being partially attributed to increased borrowing costs as well as the new mortgage stress test. A total of 77,426 residential transactions were recorded in 2018, representing a drop of 16.1% when weighed against the 92,263 sales reported in 2017. Similarly, new listings entered into the MLS system dropped by 12.7%, with 155,823 recorded during 2018. Selling prices also took a hit, though not as much as transactions and listings, falling 4.3% year-over-year to $787,300 — Urban Toronto

Cannot inherit brother’s home, man fears eviction Monday

Toronto Island resident Ron Sampson has lived in the home 8 Omaha Ave. all his life but a legal snag threatens to see him evicted. Title to the home is in the name of his late brother. But the land is owned by the Toronto Islands Residential Community Trust Corp. When the trust was formed 30 years ago the rules of residency permitted a home to be bequeathed to a son or daughter, but not a brother. Go figure. The Star updates the story by saying the trust seemed to backing down on a threat to evict Sampson Monday. Will the 61-year-old marine mechanic get a reprieve to remain in the home where he was born? There is more to come in this fascinating tale.