Scary video sparks debate on what went wrong on Hwy 401

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Highway 401 near Port Union Rd.
Speeding car hits pickup truck
Story says three people survived

Dashcam video from a tow truck waiting to remove a pickup truck shows a horrifying collision as a speeding car slams into the small truck. It appears from the narration that a father, mother and son from the truck escaped serious injury. Quite amazing. The video is presented as a lesson on why drivers should slow down at an accident scene. That makes sense as far as it goes. But many of those commenting on YouTube are focussed on the position of the pickup. It is angled out into the road in a way that is dangerous by definition. The report doesn’t say if the vehicle is there because it is immobilized. Video here.

Rain received variously, some trees down but Archie liked it

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Down on Molson St in Summerhill
Archie likes it
Calm before the storm

Monday’s rain was variously received. Some rain haters on Twitter were told by Joanna@jesna3 to send the rain to her parched Poland. The Rogers Cup was forced into a rain delay but it does not seem serious. Above we see a tree down on Molson St. thanks to Yonge and Roxborough News.  posted a picture of Archie loving it. Dan Landry@canuckdaneh tweeted the calm before the storm flora at right.

Woman in wheechair hit by garbage truck at Queen/Dunn

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A woman in a wheelchair hit by a garbage truck at Queen West and Dunn Ave. is said to be recovering. It appears the woman was crossing Queen when struck. This graphic video was re-tweeted by Sean O’Shea, the consumer reporter for Global News. He says it was shot by Rob Fairley.

Welcome rain falling on Toronto lawns Monday afternoon

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A welcome soaking of lawns and gardens occurred Monday after 3 p.m. as clouds rolled across Toronto Meteorologists warned of possible severe thunderstorms capable of producing wind gusts and hail but as of 3.30 p.m. South Bayview had seen only rain.

NE Ontario on fire as hot, dry weather lays across province

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The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources says that as of Sunday night 42 forest fires were burning in northeast Ontario, 19 of them out of control. Parry Sound 33, the fire that has burned for three weeks, is now  some 113 square kilometres, and remains the most dangerous. Hot, dry, windy weather this weekend helped fan the flames, however, despite the challenging conditions the ministry says crews made excellent progress in ringing most of the fire’s perimeter with hose lines.

Customers say Harvey’s at Wicksteed Home Depot will close

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Harvey’s restaurant at Home Depot Leaside

Customers of the Home Depot store at 101 Wicksteed Ave. say they have been told that the Harvey’s restaurant at the front of the store is about to be closed by Home Depot management. A decision is said to have been taken to use the Harveys space for other purposes. Harvey’s serves hamburgers and assorted fast-food dishes like poutine, salad bowls, fish and hot dogs to an apparently loyal clientele. It has been there since Home Depot opened in about 1990. The franchisee is said to be very upset. This news began emerging late last week. Tuesday will bring a new opportunity to learn more.

Vaughan cancels Soul of Calypso concert on short notice

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The City of Vaughan cancelled a concert of Caribbean Soca (Soul of Calypso) music Saturday evening on about two hours notice. It appears there were complaints to the City, or Councillors, but not to police. Vaughan issued a statement saying the organizers failed to comply with all conditions. No further explanation was given. Soca is a genre of music that originated within a subculture in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 1970s and developed into a range of styles by the 1980s and later. Soca was created by legendary Calypso musician and composer Lord Shorty who died in 2000. Machel’s Toronto concert cancelled after venue permits pulled

Driving devilry in the details as sharrow “sharing” still vague

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MacLennen and Garfield
Not much traffic

The so-called sharrow symbol has now appeared on supremely quiet residential streets in Rosedale and Moore Park. Above, the corner of MacLennen and Garfield Aves. would put most car-counters to sleep. But there they are, Shared Lane Pavement Markings, with implied instruction for both cyclists and motorists about how to behave when you see or are near one of the others. These are near the Whitney Public School zone. Sharrows are a reminder to share the road of course but any well-informed driver who has read the Highway Traffic Act knows that. What does the sharrow symbol mean in precise terms?  Driving devilry will be in the details. At corners like MacLennan and Garfield, does it mean cyclists can overtake cars to “occupy” the stop, requiring cars to line up behind? It seems clear that sharing does not mean that cyclists have to wait behind a car although that question is not asked nor answered in writings online. Bicycles are permitted to overtake cars for lots of reasons. Cars and bicycles are frequently seen in line at the narrow (sharrowed) portion of Moore Ave. approaching Welland Ave. Bikes travelling to Mt. Pleasant however are more likely just to mount the sidewalk at the end of the bike lane.

Toronto high of 33 Sunday, some Europeon cities, 47 and 48

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Toronto is hot but Europe is hotter. There is a predicted high of 32 here at home for Sunday but Lisbon and other Mediterranean capitals are hitting highs of 47 and 48.




Woman, 38, boy, 5, apparent drownings in Brampton pool

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A woman, 38, and a boy, 5, have apparently drowned under so-far unexplained circumstances at a backyard swimming pool on Hilson Court in Brampton. They were found Saturday night. The investigation continues.

She mows down utility poles on Bathurst Sunday morning

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Whoops/Arlene Berman Twitter

A woman is said to have escaped serious injury Sunday morning when her car jumped the curb at Bathurst St. and Bainbridge Ave. to take out two utility poles. The scene is opposite Earl Bales Park. Police are sorting it out. Photo tweeted by Arlene Berman.

Caribbean Carnival sunny, saucy, socko at Exhibition Place

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Saucy Cloglo, Dancing Queen/Instagram
Love these guys/Bigzooks Instagram
Gonna bite ya/Adrian Cheung CBC

The entertaining blow-out called Caribana — the Toronto Caribbean Carnival — took place Saturday at Exhibition Place. Carnival Invasion On The Lake goes on Sunday. Here are some photos and a video link to the talents of a saucy lady with the Instagram handle of Cloglo. Somewhat related is the appearance of Shaquille O’Neal appearing as a DJ on Polson St.