The South Bayview Bulldog

Ice slammed into windshield/Millie Boella

$350 damage/Millie Boella

Millie Boella hold the chunk of ice/Mille Boella

A Toronto couple experienced a terrifying incident on the Allen Rd. Tuesday when a huge chunk of ice smashed through the windshield of their speeding car as they were on their way to some Boxing Day shopping at Yorkdale. The ice landed in the lap of Millie Boella in the passenger seat. Neither party was seriously hurt. Boella says she and her partner believe the chunk was thrown intentionally. The incident occurred at the underpass of Flemington Rd. on the Allen. The couple safely pulled the vehicle into the Nordstrom valet parking area to call for help. Damage was about $350.

City crews were repairing a watermain in sub-zero weather in St. Clair East between Welland Ave and Hudson Drive Wednesday. And Toronto firefighters had to deal with a kitchen fire on Glenrose Ave. the same day. The fire call came at 11.41 a.m. Dec. 27 for a kitchen fire at a three-storey brick house on Glenrose. The fire was out by noon. All very inconvenient in more than one way when it is too cold to even go outside.

Globe Quebec/Twitter

A group of nine Montreal co-workers who refuse to say just what they do for a living have claimed the latest $60 million Lotto Max grand prize. More than that, it appears that some of the group may already be fairly wealthy.  When asked about this, one winner, Julie Beland said “it depends on how each of us defines (rich).” She went on to say that in her view, some of the winners could indeed be called rich. Others were comfortable but not rich. It appears that they work together in an industry that handles money in some form. The Quebec Lottery agency called it “finance” but the winners said that might be misleading. They work in downtown Montreal. It seems likely that nine successful business people will be traceable back to their common employment by their names alone. They are Julie Beland, Haidar Abi Haidar, Robert Macri, Diane Dorele Fossouo Djuidje, Nathaniel Thomas, Darius Hozhabr Zandi, Peter Jewett, Randolph Dandan and Enzo Scattone.

Irv Weinstein

Irv Weinstein, the fast-talking, durable and popular television news anchor on both sides of the US-Canada border, has died at the age of 87 in California.  Weinstein worked for WKBW for 34 years, much of it at a time when his newscast was more popular with Canadians than the few home-grown channels available here. Weinstein followed the urgent ABC local formula known as Eyewitness News.  He uttered the same words — “Topping Eyewitness News tonight …” to begin every newscast. Also part of the Weinstein format was a public service one-liner which aired before the news began. “It’s eleven o’clock. Do you know where your children are?”  He took credit for creating that line. Weinstein retired on Dec. 31, 1998, a day that was proclaimed “Irv Weinstein Day” in Erie County.

Here is a Christmas story to love. When first baseman Pavin Smith was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the first thing he did with his signing bonus was to pay off his parents mortgage. He also wrote them a moving letter thanking them for the great childhood they had given him. Then a nice City News takeout on a family whose Boxing Day tradition is playing hockey. Gotta love it. Below that, two guys who have been friends for 60 years suddenly discover they are brothers. And finally, the miracle of puppies saved from certain death in the Alberta cold.

Waterloo Region Police have been given permission to release the name and picture of a 17-year-old in connection with the death on Christmas Day of Elizabeth Alder, 57. There is said to be a heavy police presence in on Falcon Drive in Elmira near Waterloo as they investigate.

Don Valley Parkway and Highway 401/Tony Smyth @LateNightCam

There has been an early morning fatality in the collision of two cars at the Don Valley Parkway and Highway 401. Emergency services were called to the scene just after 5:30 a.m. for what appears to have been a grinding crash in which one vehicle slammed into the driver’s side of the other.

Bronze tribute

Four Stanley Cup Championships

Johnny Bower has died at the age of 93 from the complications of pneumoia his family announced Tuesday. The much-loved Maple Leaf legend, admired as much for his humanity as his skill at hockey, led the Leafs to four Stanley Cup Championships. Twitter tributes Many will remember Bower’s appearance at the Lea Room at Leaside Arena in April, 2015

It is with great sadness that the Bower family announces the passing of @MapleLeafs legend #JohnnyBower after a short battle with pneumonia. (Photo courtesy of the Toronto Star) pic.twitter.com/FHayp8xE1t

— John Bower (@JBower_sports) December 27, 2017

Hailey Banayai, 10

A deeply moving appeal has appeared on a GoFundMe page for help to sustain the long battle being faced by 10-year-old Hailey Banayai, a Gledhill Junior Public School student who was diagnosed with leukemia on November 2. She will endure years of treatment and costs associated with this life-altering development. The story was posted to Leaside Community by the editor of the East York Chronicle. Hailey’s mom, Patricia Baranyai. has written on the GoFundMe page that “Hailey is my hero, for she has faced and continues to face her fears daily. Together, Hailey and I are facing fears and anxiety that, two months ago, we could not fathom having to face. Hailey has grown much since November 2nd. Much more than any ten-year-old should have to grow in such a short time. She is strong and sweet and continues to amaze me with her generous and bright spirit.” Patricia Baranyai goes on to hope that “when the sun shines a little brighter, we will pay forward our blessings by raising money for the Hospital for Sick Children and other families in need.” May the sun indeed shine brighter for Hailey. GoFundMe East York Chronicle

Premier Wynne was at City News Tuesday morning where she jousted a bit with Kevin Frankish about the minimum wage increases and how long she will actually continue to be Liberal leader. As ever, this sturdy political personality had nary a backward glance. “It can be done” was the fairly low-key opinion of the feasibility of the $15 an hour wage. The words sounded more reminiscent of the cabinet room than live television. Have a listen.

Premier Kathleen Wynne took the time to look back on 2017. https://t.co/pO2OTxTSfH

— Breakfast Television (@breakfasttv) December 26, 2017

CF Eaton Centre Tuesday

CF Eaton Centre

One Dundas

While many people shopped this Boxing Day 2017 and some were actually applauded (see video below) at least one fell victim to rage. He was seen brandishing a firearm in the underground garage at Yorkdale. But all other reports indicate the day went fairly well, although bone-chilled shoppers outside H&M at 1 Dundas must have had the odd second thought. Below is the pleasant welcome for shoppers at the Best Buy in the CF Eaton Centre.