The South Bayview Bulldog

Closer look at the working fire on Cherry street. Roof has collapsed so you can see right through the structure pic.twitter.com/TaZGHlpzqJ

— Tammie Sutherland (@citytammie) May 25, 2017

That's why downtown smells like a bonfire. Crews battling massive fire at Polson Pier. https://t.co/mXyepmZ9WF #fire #polsonpier

— Tyler (@Tylersdaytoday) May 25, 2017

An enormous fire destroyed the Green For Life recycling plant on Cherry Street Thursday morning. Latest video from the scene as shot by Tammie Sutherland of City News seems to show the demolished operation as a soggy mess. The burned out plant is sending heavy smoke across the bay and has left downtown smelling of burning rubbish. The fire appears to have threatened a next door mattress storage. As many as 40 vehicles are on the scene as is the TFS fire boat. No one has been injured so far.

LakeShore near Jameson Ave. (Joe Fiorino/CBC by Twitter)

A boy has died while cycling with his granddad on Lake Shore Blvd. near Jameson Ave. Wednesday evening. Police say the boy, 5, somehow fell causing him to drop out of the bike lane and into vehicular traffic. He was hit by a car and died later in the Hospital for Sick Children.

A nasty threat to dogs has been posted in a few places in Leslieville. The notices are apparently aimed at people who don’t pick up after their pets. They read: “To the person that lets their large dog use this area for a bathroom and will not pick up after the dog. Please be warned we have dropped small treats in the grass that will make your dog REAL SICK.”

The BC Supreme Court has issued a rare order forcing two condo owners who intimidated their neighbours to sell their unit by June 3 or face arrest. The long horror story of shouted obscenities and threats from the Burnaby couple, Barry Linden and Ronald Thibodeau, has been in and out of court for more than a year. In 2016, the couple were told to stop their behaviour but to no avail. The condominium board issued fines which went unpaid. In one case recounted in court a resident said Linden would lurk outside her door and eavesdrop. The court heard Linden also followed her to a restaurant, stood a short distance away and stared at her. Thibodeau appeared in court in 2016 and claimed he and Linden were “well-liked” by the residents in the building, but neither defendant offered any evidence of that.  According to the judge’s decision, if the unit isn’t sold by June 3, the board will take over the sale and the RCMP will arrest Linden and Thibodeau. In the meantime, the pair were also restrained from vandalizing common property, yelling, screaming or singing past 8 p.m. and from leaving dog feces anywhere on the common property of the 95-unit building.

The City of Brockville on the St. Lawrence River was stunned to learn Wednesday that Proctor and Gamble will close its Swiffer products plant with the loss of all 500 jobs. The decision will remove millions of dollars from households, local businesses and charities in the community of about 22,000. The well-paid jobs will move to a so-called mega-plant in West Virginia. Employees received the news at a meeting Wednesday morning at the plant that the last work will be done in about three years time. “It’s a shock,” said Mayor David Henderson, who learned the news along with employees this morning. “It’s significant in our economy.”

Ramin & Rose, new owners of Millwood Shoe Repair

Clothing alterations

Alterations

Accessories

Key cutting

Watch battery replacement

After undergoing a speedy facelift, Millwood Shoe Repair at 706 Millwood Road is up and running under new management. Ramin and his wife Rose have added some services not previously offered. You can now visit the freshly painted shop for clothing alterations, watch battery replacement, key cutting services, skate sharpening and of course, you can get your shoes dyed or repaired.  Pop in and say hello!

Short term gain for long term pain

Premier Wynne

Stephen LeClair

Ontario’s budget watchdog Stephen LeClair says the Liberal government will spend $45 billion over the 30 year term of its recently-crafted Fair Hydro Plan to lower rates, but in the end the plan will save people just $24 billion on their electricity bills. It is a harsh reminder of the kind of straightjacket government must wear when it spends itself into debt. The financial accountability officer says this means there will be a net cost of $21 billion to Ontarians over the approximately 30 years of the plan in order to lower rates in the short term.  The $45 billion is mostly the cost of funding an eight-per-cent rebate that took effect on bills in January, but that assumes balanced budgets for the next 30 years. CBC 

The 18th annual Doors Open Toronto presented by Great Gulf is on this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday. Some 150 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across the City will be open to the public. Many of this year’s unique and unexplored spaces will host exhibitions, architectural talks and a music series. More than 10 walking tours are also available. Most venues will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A list of locations and hours is available at here. A few places nearby: Greenwood College School, Historic Don Jail – Bridgepoint Active Healthcare, Ismaili Centre Toronto, John Street Roundhouse, Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Tara Collum spotted this friend on the Don River Valley Trail

Rob Oliphant Esq

Morning Glory Elite Squad

Good Golly Miss Molly

Opening at 590 Mt. Pleasant

Join us June 1

Some findings of things near you this Wednesday. Tara Collum was on the Don River Valley Trail when she saw this deer. The pleasures of walking. To the right, Rob Oliphant and charming presence are at Agnes Macphail’s former residence, a duplex at Millwood Rd. and Donegall Drive. The great Macphail was celebrated at an LHS assembly on her imminent appearance on the new Canadian tens. She lived upstairs incidentally. Below that, a formidable group known at the Morning Glory Cycling Elite Squad who will take to the roads Saturday and have issued an invitation to join them. Below that, as noted by Chantal Vaillancourt, the Sofa Bed Store is getting ready to open at 590 Mt. Pleasant Rd. That’s at the old Eric and Susan Lamps location just north of Penrose Rd. To the left of that, Good Golly Miss Molly and also dad, Councillor Josh Matlow. This was snapped at the Apple Tree Markets Tuesday afternoon in Davisville Park. And then a final reminder of the Leaside Smokedown June 1 at Amsterdam Brewery. Proceeds go to the Holland Bloorview Hospital on Kilgour Road. So worthy.