Upper left is the most touching of stories about a teacher who quietly had herself tested to see if she would be a match as a kidney donor to her pupil Lila. She was. Don’t miss this one. And then, to the right, a harrowing escape for a prison guard. The attempt to subdue him is caught on video. Lower right, Priscilla Presley cuts the ribbon and speaks at an expansion to the Elvis museum in Memphis. And finally, lower left is the CBC’s reprise of Donald Trump’s Canadian moment during a speech to Congress.
Rogers email hit and miss, vowing to resolve problem ASAP
by •
If you’re having trouble with your Rogers email account Thursday evening, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Rogers technical support writes, “We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with the email servers. Our technical team is aware of the issue though and working on having that resolved ASAP”.
Metrolinx in bitter fight to get new supplier for LRT trains
by •
Empty tunnels
Who will make LRT trains?
Metrolinx has had talks with a different transit manufacturer to ensure it gets the vehicles it needs to finish the Eglinton Crosstown LRT by the 2021 finish date. And the bitter legal argument in court seems to make clear that Metrolinx wants out of its deal with Bombardier. Canadian Press says the Ontario corporation filed a lengthy document in court, including affidavits, in response to an injunction filed last month by Bombardier. The Montreal firm appears intent on trying to stop Metrolinx from cancelling the $770 million contract for 182 vehicles. Thursday, Metrolinx said Bombardier has repeatedly failed to deliver a prototype vehicle on time for the scheduled opening of the $5.3-billion line.
METROLINX HAS “OTHER” REASONS
Metrolinx describes the Bombardier injunction as a tactic to force it into months of litigation that would make it impossible for another supplier to provide the vehicles in time. Bombardier has denied this allegation. The CP account says Bombardier claims Metrolinx’s has other reasons for wishing to end the contract which “have nothing to do with its ability to deliver.” But the story does not say — perhaps because Bombardier does not say — what these other reasons might be. Bombardier claims Metrolinx has refused to inspect the pilot vehicle since October and won’t use a dispute resolution process included in the contract.
BOMBARDIER FAILURE “WELL-KNOWN”
The Globe and Mail remarks on one especially juicy affidavit from Metrolinx which says: “Bombardier’s record of failure to perform its obligations on public infrastructure projects around the globe is well-known and publicized.” This damning remark is said to be authored by Metrolinx executive Mark Ciavarro. Wikipedia list nine other Canadian “rolling stock” manufacturers but it isn’t clear if they can build light rapid transit trains. They are ARS Canada Rolling Stock, National Steel Car (National), Canadian Car and Foundry, Urban Transportation Development Corporation, Montreal Locomotive Works – Toronto Transit Commission subway cars, Preston Car Company, Hawker Siddeley Canada, Ottawa Car Company – interurban cars, Arva Industries
Visiting for Heather MacLeod at Humphrey’s on Sunday
by •
Heather McLeod
Friends of Heather Lise Lyle MacLeod may pay respects Sunday, March 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Humphrey Funeral Home at Bayview Ave and St. Cuthbert’s Road. Heather MacLeod died Friday, February 24 in Toronto. She was a native of the Beach and attended Branksome Hall, the National Ski Academy and the University of Western Ontario where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. She went on to do post-graduate studies in medicine at Charles University in Prague Heather was an accomplished paddler at Balmy Beach Canoe Club and UWO. She ultimately joined the National Ski Academy then went on to coach skiing in Collingwood and Whistler. The funeral service will take place at Rosedale United Church, 159 Roxborough Drive on Monday, March 6 at 2 p.m. Obituary
Many skeptics as Premier pushes hydro cost into future
by •
There is widespread skepticism about the plan announced Thursday by Premier Wynne to reduce household hydro rates by pushing costs into the future. It will cost taxpayers even more because of the delay in paying for long-term green-energy contracts. These schemes have seen the cost of conventional power soar in recent years. All news leads are here.
Narrow structure on Leslie snaps like a reed in high wind
by •
High winds were too much for a narrow structure on Leslie Street south of Queen St. last night. The unfinished building snapped like a reed. Fire and police personnel were called to the home around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday for a report that a house under construction was swaying in the wind. The wood frame was “swaying back and forth,” Toronto Fire District Chief Stephan Powell told CBC Toronto.
Structural Collapse: Leslie St south of Queen St. House under construction leaning to one side. NB road closed except TTC. SB open. pic.twitter.com/fVL5BgzBO4
— Tony Smyth (@LateNightCam) March 2, 2017
North Leaside traffic discussed Wednesday evening
by •
A meeting to discuss traffic calming and volume in North Leaside was held Wednesday night at the William Lea Room in the Leaside Arena. The meeting was organized by the Leaside Property Owners Association. It heard from Traffic Consultant Gene Chartier of Paradigm Traffic Solutions and from the chair of the North Leaside Traffic Committee, John Gaitanakis. Paradigm has advanced a series of concepts presented in previous meetings which include radar cameras and red light cameras (but only a few because of the cost). The main staples are prominent crosswalks (laddered stripes on the road) raised crosswalks which provide visibility for pedestrians, elongated “traffic cushions” (which narrow the street and slow cars) and signs which announce to drivers that they are entering a controlled area. Much of this attempts to harness psychology. A proposed speed reduction is also on the table. The meeting heard from residents of streets such a Glenvale, Broadway, Donlea and others about traffic volume and the presence of cars owned by outsiders. Among these are those who drive to midtown to park for free on the streets before taking transit downtown. Residents of east-west streets said drivers were avoiding construction on Eglinton. Others speculated how traffic will find its way to as-yet unopened places like Whole Foods at 1860 Broadway, 660 Eglinton (Sunnybrook) and the Overlea Costco. Mr. Gaitanakis said all planning is for the purpose of a traffic plan which will be made permanent only if residents agree.
BCBG Max Azria closes in Canada and US bankruptcy move
by •
Women’s wear retailer BCBG Max Azria has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US and Canada. It will close all its 51 stores in Canada. Court documents obtained by Canadian Press indicate BCBG is “exploring alternatives” to closing its boutique presence inside Hudson’s Bay stores. The end was seen to be coming earlier this year as BCBG began closing stores — 120 out of its 550 were locked. At the time, it blamed poor sales in recent years to a “general shift away from brick-and-mortar to online retail channels” a trend it says has negatively affected many similar retailers. BCBG was founded in 1989 in Los Angeles and employs 4,800 workers.
Error causes Toronto property taxes to double for some
by •
About 44,000 Toronto property taxpayers who pay their taxes using pre-authorized payments saw an unexpected dip in their bank accounts Wednesday because of a banking error took out twice their March 1 tax installment. In total, $87 million in un-owed property taxes was withdrawn. But city officials say that by the end of the day the matter should be resolved. “If they checked their bank balance this morning they would have seen their bank account was less than they expected it to be but by the end of today customers will see their accounts reversed with a credit amount, that will bring the accounts back into balance,” said Casey Brendon, Toronto’s Director of Revenue Services. The error occurred between Toronto and its banking service provider, Royal Bank of Canada, said Brendon. “There were two files produced, and both were sent.” — InsideToronto Toronto News Release
Metrolinx show and tell Tuesday on Leaside LRT Station
by •
Work in earnest at Leaside Station
Photos by Bob Arsenault
Metro lot holds secondary entrance
Sunnybrook Plaza
There will be a Metrolinx information meeting to discuss the Leaside LRT Station being built at the corner of Eglinton Ave. E. and Bayview Ave on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. It will be held at the William Lea Room in the Leaside Arena Millwood and McRae beginning at 6.30. Photos by Bob Arsenault
Bid to build a 98-floor residential tower at Yonge, Gerrard
by •
Cresford Developments hopes to build a 98 storey tower — Toronto’s and Canada’s tallest building — on the southeast corner of Yonge and Gerrard Sts. Urban Toronto
Flying pickup truck in Louisiana a Youtube sensation
by •
Convict loses it during escape attempt
Who knew that Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks could fly? As a prison escapee at the wheel of this one learned, they don’t fly too far. It happened in Webster Parish, Louisiana as police chased Kevonte Dekorey Austin. The story is here on the local TV station