Meridian credit union officially open in SmartCentre

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Police say “crossbow” killings tied to condo package scare

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Homicide detective sergeant Mike Carbone has confirmed a connection between the deaths of three people in Scarborough Thursday to the evacuation of a condominium on Queen’s Quay because of a suspicious package earlier in the day. The detective was feeling pressed by the need to pursue the investigation as he took time to talk to reporters on Lawndale Road in southeastern Scarborough near the scene of what has been described as three killings by crossbow. Two men and a woman are dead and fourth person injured — but details are slow to come. Carbone said police were processing the crime scene at 10 Lawndale to try to make sense of what had happened. He suggested the fourth person injured in the Lawndale incident may have serious injuries. He repeated his concern that police are “four hours into the investigation” with the intent of explaining why he does not have more information to share  

 

Visit from Penny beats plug in Michelin Guide at McSorley’s

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Penny Oleksiak sauntered into one of her occasional haunts Wednesday night with some pals. That would be McSorley’s Wonderful Saloon on South Bayview. Penny has been at the well-known saloon before and staff fully expect to see her again. She graciously agreed to some pictures. McSorley’s is known for the self-effacing humour of former owner Simon Hanlon. Service, Quality, Price — Pick Any Two is a giggle enjoyed by many. But a visit from Penny Oleksiak is better than a plug in the Michelin Guide. McSorley’s Wonderful Saloon is sold but Simon stays on

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WINDSOR: Homes damaged, 3 hurt as twister hits

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People are getting a good look by daylight after buildings were destroyed, trees uprooted and some minor injuries in a tornado swept into LaSalle from the Detroit River and touched down several times in Windsor on Wednesday evening. The Toronto Sun reports that at around 7:20 p.m. Kathy Hanson, a secretary at Manor Realty on Walker Road, was looking out the front window to see if the rain had let up as real estate agent Maria Franzoi was about to leave for an appointment. “I backed up to the desk and I saw a tree fly by and the front door blew open,” said Hanson.

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Toll in Italian quake reaches 250 and may push even higher

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As the death toll in the Central Italian earthquake stood at 250, with every expectation it will push even higher, survivors of Wednesday’s disaster were living through aftershocks. One reached 4.5 magnitude.. The shallow quake, estimated to have struck after 3:30 a.m. at a depth of six miles, was felt across a broad section of Central Italy, including the capital Rome where people in homes in the historic centre felt a long swaying followed by aftershocks. BBC reporter James Reynolds reports (above) from the badly damaged town of Amatrice near Rieti on the  desperate search for survivors. BBC before and after pictures  .

 

3rd quarter billions show banks know how to make money

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Third quarter results show again why so many people invest by buying Canadian bank stocks and then more or less forget about their money. Toronto-Dominion Bank has reported a quarterly profit of $2.6 billion, the Royal Bank announced $2.7 billions in quarterly profit and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce $1.44 billion.

Strollers recalled in Canada over possible falling hazard

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Health Canada is recalling 5,787 Step n Go Travel System strollers because a tray folding mechanism can partially disengage on one side when an infant car seat is attached. That represents a falling hazard says Health Canada. .Dorel Juvenile Canada of Mississauga, the distributor, has eight complaints about the trays disengaging but there are no reports of injuries. Health Canada says anyone who owns one of these strollers should stop using it with a car seat attached and contact the company for a free repair kit. Three models are affected, identified as 01451CCYA, 01451CDGI and 01451CDGJ. The numbers are on a sewn-in label at the back of the stroller.

RCMP to permit special-issue hijabs for Muslim PWs

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hijab feat

Toronto Police Service

It seems to be good news in several ways that the RCMP will permit female members to wear a specialized hijab if they choose. It will be easy for some to miss the point of this important change. They will construe it as merely as sop to Muslim society. It is much more than that. No woman — Muslim or otherwise — can be a Mountie unless she is mentally and physically ready for the job. And the job will require her to be entirely integrated, proactive and ready to deal capably with Canadians whose backgrounds may be different from hers. Perfect. It reveals in sharp contrast the narrowness of the world in which some of the sisters of these Muslim Mounties are living. It is their right of course. But how much better it is for Muslim women in tailored hijabs to be cops, hockey forwards (under the helmet) criminal lawyers and bicycle racers. In the RCMP case, the hijab option has been fully tested by the RCMP and any woman wanting to wear it must get permission.  And like the Toronto Police Service hijab, it must fit under a standard issue police cap.

Teen joins Canadian Scouts when rebuffed by U.S. Scouts

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Sydney Ireland, 15, is battling to get the Boy Scouts of America to change its boys only rule so she can join and earn an Eagle Scout badge. As Sydney tells in this report from WCBS, the badge is a powerful part of a resume. She and her dad have started a petition but the Boy Scouts of America still say no. In the meantime, Sydney is a member of the 80th London (Ontario) Scouts. Scouts Canada became coed in 1998.

Distraction fines, cycling space changes for HTA on Sept 1

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Changes to the Highway Traffic Act will take effect September 1, 2016. The venerable legislation has been updated many times since first enacted in 1923 and the latest ones reflect changing times. Distracted driving is already mentioned in the act but it is such a seductive and lethal infraction the fines will now go up from $200 to $490 if you get caught. There are also demerit points and suspensions on conviction. Pedestrian crossovers will now require drivers to wait until pedestrians have completely crossed the road at crossovers and school crossings before proceeding. It raises concerns about whether the last pedestrian has to have both feet on the sidewalk before a vehicle moves. Who knows. But no doubt the police will  be watching because it will be an easy one to catch violators. 

POLITE DANCE BETWEEN CARS AND BIKES

Passing cyclists will now require drivers to leave one metre of room wherever possible. Sanity seems to have insisted on the words “wherever possible” because other cars, joggers, lane width and God knows what else have a  way of breaking in on the polite dance which we all have as our dearest wish for cars and bikes. The so-called “move over law” will require drivers to slow and move into another lane when passing emergency vehicles. It’s a good idea but will also be easy to break because there are going to be lots of times when that rule requires a driver to  come to a dead stop in order to make a lane change. Just saying.  Finally, those caught driving under the influence of drugs will now face the same penalties as drunk drivers, the ministry said. Seems reasonable.

Canada recalls “Five-Star” oysters on salmonella concern

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is advising consumers to avoid oysters packaged as “Large Standard Oysters” and “Mixed Oysters.”  They are produced in by P.E.I.-based Five Star Shellfish. CFIA says the affected products are sold in 100-piece packages and display a harvest date of Aug. 13.

 

Army safely detonates mortar found at former Camp X

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A World War II mortar has been found the site of Camp X near Whitby, Sir William Stephenson’s paramilitary and commando training centre during that conflict. Police say armed forces experts safely detonated the device Wednesday. The shell was found by a man who was searching Intrepid Park for artifacts and coins with a metal detector Tuesday evening. Sgt. Bill Calder told the CBC that the man found a large metal object and dug it out of the ground by hand before taking a picture of it to send to a family member. The relative then told the man it was probably dangerous, according to Calder. Police say that’s when the man called in the mortar shell around 7 p.m. Tuesday. The area of Camp X is now known as Intrepid Park after Stephenson’s code name.

camp x

Mortar a reminder of wartime work at Whitby’s Camp X