Toronto Hydro struggles with large blackout in Etobicoke

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Toronto Hydro continues to struggle with multiple power outages across Toronto. One large outage as seen on its online map as a large irregular section of  Etobicoke. It extends from nearly the Gardiner Espresseway to the 401.  The utility has pledged that crews will work continuously until power is restored and warned that in some areas the blackout may last until Monday.

 

Drone hits passenger plane but information sketchy

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A drone has hit a small passenger plane near Quebec City airport as it was landing. It appears to have been a recreational drone but the government has provided very little information about who was operating the drone or why it violated airspace. The minister, Marc Garneau, said  the drone was flying at a height of about 450 metres or 1,500 feet. That’s 150  metres above the legal limit. The drone was also violating the airport perimeter of 5.5 kilometres and heliport perimeter of 1.8 kilometres. Mr. Garneau said he’s “extremely preoccupied” by the incident. “This should not have happened. That drone should not have been there,” he said. He confirmed that the aircraft, a Skyjet plane carrying eight, sustained minor damage and said he was relieved that no one was hurt. He said that “it could have been much more serious” and that if the drone had collided with the cockpit or the engine, the incident could have been “catastrophic.”

Man slips out of car wrapped in wires with luck in Vaughan

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Man escaped power lines over car

City News tells one harrowing tale from today’s high winds in which a man who calls himself AJ blacked out after a hydro pole collapsed on his Mercedes in Vaughan on Sunday. AJ tells City News he was driving slowly down Rutherford Road when he spotted the pole starting to fall south of Islington Avenue. He tried avoiding it, but it landed on his car and smashed through the windshield. Read on.

Heavy wind downs branches in Leaside but no one hurt

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Simon Ostler
Simon Ostler
SUV crushed/Simon Ostler
Sandra Chiovitti
Sandra Chiovitti
Sandra Chiovitti
Outage map

Wind of gale force strength hit Toronto’s tree cover Sunday and the damage was considerable in Leaside. Happily it appears no one was hurt. Sandra Chiovitti tweeted these pictures from the Bessborough Dr. and Rumsey Rd. area. Simon Ostler also tweeted photos. Toronto Hydro says 25,000 people are without power. The outage map shows scattered pockets across the City. Purple shows areas where from 1,000 to 5,000 customers are without power. The gusty weather arrived as the GTA sat under a wind warning from Environment Canada.  Environment Canada said a cold front in the region could bring gusts of up to 90 km/h. The wind warning has since ended for Toronto. Winds will diminish as the day progresses.

Special warning predicts gusty, colder Sunday afternoon

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Strong winds are expected today. Strong southwest wind gusts of 70 to 80 km/h will develop this morning ahead of a sharp cold front. Occasional gusts to 90 km/h are possible, especially in exposed areas near the Great Lakes. These winds will shift to the northwest with the passage of a sharp cold front late this afternoon. Northwest wind gusts of 70 to 80 km/h are expected this evening. Winds are expected to diminish late this evening and overnight. The strong winds may cause some tree damage and isolated power outages, because many trees are still in partial to full leaf. Environment Canada

 

Toronto ranks 4th as Asians show world about safe cities

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A study of safe cities around the world has placed Toronto fourth in a list of 60 large municipalities. Ahead of Toronto are Tokyo, Singapore and Osaka as Asian discipline sets an example for civil behaviour. These are places where it is almost impossible to possess firearms unless one is in the armed forces or a police officer. They are also cities in small nations (Singapore is a city state) with no frontier mentality for example. The CBC makes the point that while Toronto is relatively safe it remains dangerous for those who fall victim to the depredations of gang and youth violence. The study will overlook many places in Canada that are safer than most of those shown in the list. Vancouver for example is doubtlessly safer than Caracas, but it isn’t mentioned. The survey is published in the Economist.  CBC

CNN says “orphans” were taken from parents for money

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Forest Hill cat burglar grabs pricey loot while victims home

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A cat burglar has made off with expensive watches and jewellery from two Forest Hill residences, one of them while the owners were at home but unaware of the theft. It appears a ladder was used in both cases to enter the homes. In the first break-in, the ladder was waiting for the thief laying beside the house. The burglar broke through a second floor window and took “items of very high value.” In a second case, a ladder was found and used to access a second-floor balcony off the master bedroom. Entry was made by an unlocked door and again loot of high value was taken. The residents were home at the time, however they were in another part of the home, and only became aware of the occurrence after the suspect(s) had already left  The two target homes are close together. Police are urging the public to take the following steps to help prevent further incident by locking all doors and windows each night and ensure all house alarms (if any) are active. They also recommend keeping porch lights and side lights on. Keep garage doors locked at all times and hide ladders away.

Avery Haines crosses mighty canyon between Bell, Rogers

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Avery Haines
Vanishng breed
Hidden disabilty buttons

Avery Haines will cross a media canyon as big as any when she ankles into CTV soon. The City News (Rogers) veteran will plunge into “long-form” work at CTV (Bell). Upper right, they’re complaining on Leaside Community Facebook about the vanishing species seen here. That would be the Yield sign at Millwood Rd. and Laird Drive. We see the last known example around here which is at McRae and Laird. Was this rip rip rip necessary? Down below, buttons created by Kate Welsh, a Toronto woman. They are intended to remind or perhaps embarrass TTC passengers into giving seats to those with hidden disabilities. Don’t be surprised if those offering a seat want to know the medical history.

Cyclist hurt in fail to remain at King West and Spadina

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Police say a hit and run vehicle failed seriously injured a cyclist and damaged a Beck taxi Saturday morning at King Street and Spadina Avenue.  The cyclist was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Police are looking for a white casrgo van.

Balloons paint sky in New Mexico at Albuquerque festival

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Charming report by NBC on this peaceful event.

Don’t get in way as Leaside stalwarts fling Bessborough axes

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Axe me anything
Scouts Apple Day
Ukulele magic
Monster Dash coming

The fearsome gent upper left is inviting you to attend the annual Men with Axes event at 6.30 p.m. Saturday at Amsterdam Brewery on Esandar Drive  It is to help Bessborough Elementary and Middle School purchase sports and musical instruments, library books and technology upgrades. In addition, the funds raised are used to ensure that all students have access to every school event regardless of their financial situation. Have look at this cutting edge (tee hee) event. Upper right, don’t forget it is Scouts Apple Day. These guys are asking your help outside COBs. Centre right, ukuleles for the Leaside United Church kids band. Gimme and Ukulele and You!  Below, some painted saintly loons are a reminder that the 2017 Monster Dash is set for Sunday October 30, 2016 starting at 4.30. This  year the dash is in support of the Science Centre’s Community Access Programs, including the Adopt-a-Class program which helps deliver unforgettable science learning and experiences to schools in underserved neighbourhoods in Toronto. Check start times and running options. Back to ukuleles below. Lucky LUC kids.