The South Bayview Bulldog

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.

Police report a Christmas day theft of 48-foot refrigerated trailer containing a large shipment of veal from outside a commercial address at Signet Drive and Fenmar Drive. The thieves struck between 3 and 5 a.m. The trailer is described as a white, 48-foot-long refrigerated trailer with a blue “W” and “White Valley” on the side. The rear doors of the trailer are distinctive. The right door is white, the left door is stainless steel. The trailer has Ontario licence plates K5885K. Photographs of the company logo, as well as the packaging in which the veal is contained, are attached.

Car thief/OPP

Downtown Fergus

OPP in Wellington Country near Fergus have found a toddler who was taken probably unintentionally by a car thief on Christmas Day. The child’s mother left the car unlocked and running outside a store in the town of Fergus with the child sitting in a car seat in the rear. Cold weather probably influenced her judgement. Police say the thief and “his accomplice” stole the car, a Grey Chevrolet Impala, and left it abandoned on Highway 6 near Sideroad 19 and shortly after it was stolen. The child was unhurt. The thief is still at large.

Jen Sceviour @jenscev is tweeting Tuesday that the toboganning begins at 12.30 at Leaside High School hill. We’re guessing it starts whenever you get there. Bundle up. Patrick Rocca’s free skate begins at Leaside Memorial Community Arena at 12.30.

Cries of “Meghan, Meghan” set the tone for the arrival of the royal family at the Church of St Mary Magdalene at Sandringham Monday. Markle was wearing a light brown coat and brown hat, boots and bag. She walked arm-in-arm with fiance Prince Harry as they made the short journey from Sandringham House to the church. She seemed at ease as they smiled and chatted as they walked alongside William and Kate, who is pregnant with her third child. The Queen chose the theme of “home” for a highly personal Christmas broadcast in which she paid tribute to victims and young survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing and those of the Grenfell Tower fire. She highlighted how the “powerful identities” of London and Manchester “shone through over the past 12 months in the face of appalling attacks”. Her message was broadcast across Britain and the Commonwealth as the royal family welcomed Markle. She becomes the first unmarried partner to be invited to Sandringham for Christmas and was making her first public appearance with the royal family.

Kate’s tartan Miu Miu coat is still available in some sizes

Said to be valued at $4,500 Canadian

The recent column by Star writer by Martin Regg Cohn denouncing that one-stop wonder known as the Scarborough subway can be summarized as a whimsical hope that the NDP will hurl itself across the tracks. Cohn rightly concludes that the $3.3 billion dollar boondoggle is still alive because Liberals and Conservatives alike think they can win Scarborough in the next election if they promise subways for all. The NDP has no chance of getting elected so maybe they’d like to try to stop the subway in the name of good government. His column is headlined Could the NDP stop the Scarborough subway in its tracks?  The newspapering axiom that headlines in the form of a question may all safely be answered “no” seems to apply.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Toronto Mayor John Tory

Benjamin Netanyahu, president of Israel

Christmas messages are coming in but only three are available at post time. The prime minister released his good wishes Sunday and reminded Canadians that it is time to bundle up and be happy. He sneaked in a few plugs for his government towards the end. Mayor Tory spoke lovingly of the City and among other sentiments urged everyone to help those who may need help. The president of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, said he was proud to preside in a country that wishes Christians a Merry Christmas and said he would be offering pilgrims to that state a personal guide to places in the Holy Land. Queen reflects on past year’s tragedies, family in Christmas message

Toronto Police held a moving news conference Sunday at which the mother of Cheyanna Cooper, 24, pleaded for any information that might lead to the recovery of her daughter. The mom, Michelle Walker, said Cheyanna was last seen on December 13 at the Horizons For Youth Shelter on Gilbert Ave. near Eglinton Ave. She came to Toronto to “experience life” said her mother. That was early December. Cheyanna is a Cree woman from Saskatchewan.

Cheyanna Cooper, 24