OPP trial of “laser dart” scheme that tracks wanted cars

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The OPP is running a pilot project of laser-aimed darts which are now in use in Delta, BC and were profiled in The Bulldog in January.  When a motorist fails to stop or drives off away after being stopped pursuing police can fire an electronic dart which sends a signal back to police. Previous in The Bulldog

Dart sticks to car
Launched from front of cruiser
Tag, Track, Apprehend

Leaside United does Broadway at home Thursday, May 25

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Leaside United Church will hold a Broadway musicial fundraiser Thursday, May 25, 2017  featuring the Chancel Choir, lead singers and the Junior Choir. Selections will be heard from a wide range of productions with renderings from Jesus Christ Super Star, Oklahoma, Show Boat, Annie, My Fair Lady, Sound of Music, Les Miserables, Aspects of Love, Matilda and more. Check the interactive poster in the gallery above.

Always lots of excitement at the Moore Ave free-for-all

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Fiat and truck will make up the rules as they go
Fiat has been waiting a while
Watch out for U-turns

There’s nothing more invigorating than a visit to the Moore Ave. Loblaws and TD-Rexall Plaza east of Bayview where motorists are well advised to keep their eyes — especially the ones in the back of their heads — wide open. Some call it the Moore Ave. fee-for-all. The rules are few, it seems. It’s where the two exits to Loblaws odd-shaped lot (both of them in and out) meet the Bayview extension traffic on the stub of Pottery Rd (exiting left and right) and the exit of the TD-Rexall plaza. There is frequently a raging mind-set among motorists leaving the Bayview extension. This can be exciting if you’re heading out onto Pottery at the south end of the Loblaws lot. There is zero line of sight of approaching vehicles. Many drivers are so keyed up they don’t stop at Moore. Back at the west end of the quirky Loblaws lot, drivers are known to exit in the eastbound lane and instantly U-turn around a traffic island to go west.

Premier revives elusive dream of high-speed inter-city trains

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High speed train dream
Premier with Steven DelDuca and MPP Deb Mathews Friday
David Collenttte

Premier Wynne has resurrected the concept of a high-speed inter-city train for Southwestern Ontario. The dream of such rapid rail transport has been shared by generations of Canadians everywhere. The vision comes from David Collenette, a former Liberal MP who was a cabinet member for 20 years until 2003, during which he was Minister of Transport. He is presented probably quite fairly as a transportation expert. Friday at a London news conference Ms. Wynne told of a modern train service from Toronto to Windsor built by private interests at an estimated cost of perhaps $20 billion. Design work is said to actually be in process with a $15-million environmental assessment aimed at trains in revenue service by 2031. The premier talked about the advantages of such a service. It would offer an alternative to Highway 401. The timing of the concept will not be lost on those who watch the calendar for elections. Nor does the geography seem politically accidental. The Ontario Liberals have a large job of repair work in vast areas of the southwest where the march of the hated wind turbine has alienated many.

Shoppers footbridge consigned to history starting tonight

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The pedestrian bridge between The Bay/Saks and Toronto Eaton Centre will come down this weekend. Queen Street West between Yonge Street‎ and Bay Street will be closed to vehicles from 11 p.m. tonight until 5 a.m. Monday. Eastbound traffic on Queen Street will be diverted at Bay Street while westbound traffic will be diverted at Yonge Street. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times, however there will be periodic stoppages during crane hoisting work. Fashionable new footbridge to tie Eaton Centre to Bay, Saks

Virtual Sidewalk Supers can read about Laird excavation

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Sidewalk Superintendents of the virtual kind may find interest in the linked details of how excavation work is being done at the Laird LRT station site at Laird Drive and Eglinton Ave. It’s described as the sequential excavation method (a mining technique) suitable apparently to digging out the space needed for underground platforms and concourse levels. Metrolinx says this means “once the excavation is complete for the station entrances, a total of two at Laird, we will start mining sideways under the roadway to make room for the platforms and concourse. In contrast, the cut and cover method means excavating vertically from the road.” Going deep into the ground at Laird Station.  Ah yes, but will the cars be green or red?

Inspiring teen from Peterborough is honoured in London

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Mature beyond her years
Faith Dickenson, 14

An inspiring 14-year-old girl from Peterborough has received the Princess Diana Award from the hands of Prince William for her compassionate efforts to comfort those suffering from cancer. Faith Dickenson was off to the ceremony honouring 20 young people for similar selfless decency at St. James Palace in the British capital this week. It happened almost without a word being said to her friends at school. Many thought Faith was off school because of illness. Faith has spent much of her young life repeating a kindness done for her sick aunt. She made the woman a blanket to ward off the chills that accompanied treatment for Stage 4 breast cancer. That was five years ago and as reported by the CBC, Faith has since sent 3,500 fleece blankets around the world through her non-profit organization, Cuddles for Cancer.