Police have warned east-Scarborough residents about a “sick coyote” seen Tuesday in the area of Military Trail and Morningside Avenue. This animal was seen to be coyote suffering from mange (a skin disease causing hair loss). It was described as having an injury to the left shoulder area It may be dangerous to the public if approached Anyone who sees it is asked to call 3-1-1, Animal Services.
Ontario to offer a gender anonymous X as well as M and F
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Ontario will offer those who wish to be anonymous in gender terms (so to speak) the chance to mark an X on drivers licenses and health cards. It appears that those wishing to announce their sex may still do so with the time-honoured (or whatever) F and M. Ontario will also launch public consultations this summer to develop policies on how the government collects, uses and displays sex and gender information on government forms and products.
AS ALWAYS, NUMBERS MATTER
The decision seems like a sop to a small fraction of the population. The number of people who might choose X would seem to be infinitesimal. It speaks volumes that the government didn’t simply eliminate M and F and declare that everyone should be an X. Such a decision — or a sudden preference for X by ten or 20 per cent of the population — would wreak havoc on government recording keeping in everything from crime prevention to health care.
Could “apology notes” be related to Missy home explosion?
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As a clue in Monday’s explosion, it seems like a long shot. But neighbours of the Hickory Drive home in Mississauga which blew up Monday afternoon are telling the CBC that they have found notes and letters which seem to apologize in advance for the actions of the writer. That’s the interpretation of either the neighbors or the writer. There are no such words quoted. Police have taken the papers as evidence. The CBC story says no one so far can tell in which home these letters were written. “There’s nothing to connect it to the actual house,” police said. “As you are aware, there are a lot of damaged homes. So we’re working on connecting it to wherever it belongs. We’re not specifying what’s on the paper, what the documents are. We’re just asking if you do find something, turn them over.” Residents who read the notes told CBC The letters say the describe being in pain and ask God for help. A second letter shown to CBC News also mentions health challenges and includes an apology for the writer’s inability to keep up with home maintenance and cleaning.
Suspect in local B&Es enters homes with owner there
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Police are warning residents of 53 Division that a brazen break and enter offender is operating in local neighborhoods. They report a noticeable increase in entries across midtown as well. In recent days there have three more reported break-and-enters, during the night hours, into unlocked homes in the Midtown/Rosedale areas. Video of the suspect has been captured by a security camera. He is described as 20 to 30 with a thin build. He was wearing a grey hoodie, baseball cap, white shoes, dark pants, and carrying a black backpack. The 53 Division Facebook page says this skinny perpetrator has been known to enter homes while the residents are inside. Questions may be directed to 53 Division Crime Prevention Officers Constables Timothy Somers at 416-808-5337 or Alex Li at 416-808-5308.
The three amigos — what would we do without them
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Prime Minister Trudeau is meeting with Barack Obama and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto at the North American Leaders’ Summit Wednesday in Ottawa. The three leaders are now known by the name of the 1986 movie The Three Amigos. Sometimes the slapstick conduct of Martin Short, Chevy Chase and Steve Martin seems to apply. But never mind. This time Canada got Mexico to open its market to Canadian beef and Mexico gets to send its citizens here without a visa. It is a decision that seems to have Immigration Canada bothered. IC recommended against lifting the visa restriction recalling masses of visitors who over-stayed and sometimes disappeared. Mr. Obama arrived Wednesday morning in Air Force One and many are saying, logically, it will be his last visit here. Too bad perhaps since he gets on so well with Mr. Trudeau. And then there is the vision of the next Three Amigos. Will it be Hillary Clinton (or Donald Trump) Justin Trudeau and an as-yet unnamed Mexican president? Among amigos, it’s all good.
MIXED AGENDA
The amigos assayed many topics, talking positively about clean air, LGBT rights and indigenous rights. all three warned of “demagogues” but none trumped the other to actually name the man to whom they were alluding. Prime MInister Trudeau appeared wearing a middle blue suit, red tie and what brown shoes. Maybe he needs a fashion consultant because he looked out of place beside the colour-co-ordinated Obama. Or maybe it doesn’t matter because it’s 2016. Does that line work with the phone bill?
Summerhill residents in effort to beat parking pad appeal
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The ABC residents association in Summerhill is gearing up for the Ontario Municipal Board hearing on Thursday, July 8, 2016 at 10:00 am at OMB offices downtown (16th Floor, 655 Bay Street, 16th Floor Toronto ON M5G 1E5). The hearing will deal with the appeal of the owner of 67 Roxborough St. West for a variance to permit a parking pad on her front lawn. The request was previously turned down by Toronto Committee of Adjustment. ABC is asking that as many members as possible attend to show opposition to the parking pad idea. Councillor Wong-Tam, the City’s legal department and City planners will be opposing the request. Two residents of Roxborough St. West. Daniel Owen of 71 Roxborough St West and either Sean or Deborah Spokes of 60 Roxborough St West, will speak for residents opposed to the parking pad. ABC asks that if members cannot attend they send e-mail to ABC containing name and address and a statement giving consent and expressing support.
COMMENT ON THIS POST
Reader Linda McLean has written to say the property’s owner, Ms Ivey Bannock, really just wishes to restore a “driveway” which was there in a previous incarnation of the residence. Just where the driveway went is not clear but with the home in its present form the net effect of the proposal apparently seems like a parking pad to some. It is reported that there is a rear lane with a garage connected to the property. It is also said Ms. Ivey Bannock is expected to have neighbours who support the parking pad in attendance to speak at the hearing. The decision may have wide-ranging repercussions in other parts of the City. The house being renovated next door to 67 Rox seems to be holding a space for a front yard parking pad. Roxborough parking pad appeal could set wide precedent
Beer Store introduces Beer Xpress online orders, payment
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The Beer Store permit pre-ordering and payment for beer with a new application called Beer Xpress. The launching of Beer Xpress will take place on Wednesday where details will be unveiled.
Cosburn closed at Wadlow Park for July 1 celebrations
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Police are reminding East York residents about closures on Cosburn Ave. between Cedarvale Ave.and Oak Park for Canada Day celebrations. This is for Friday, July 1, 2016. Stan Wadlow Park is at 373 Cedarvale Ave. Full closing for parade:
East York’s Canada Day
• Cosburn Avenue will be closed from Cedarvale Avenue to Oak Park Road.
• Virginia Avenue will be closed from Cedarvale Avenue to Cosburn Avenue.
• Gledhill Avenue will be closed from Holborne Avenue to Cosburn Avenue.
These closures will be in place Friday from 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Other Canada Day closures are noted here.
3 suicide bombers kill at least 36 at Instanbul airport
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Analysts say the terrible attack on Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport late Tuesday (June 28) is sign of a certain desperation among ISIL ranks as they face defeat in Irag and Syria. If so, the price of crushing these radical elements is high. As many as 36 people — mostly travellers — are dead and many more wounded in the suicide-bomber attack on the undefended departure area the airport. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım pointed to death-cult bombers of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. He said three attackers arrived in the airport in a taxi cab. They were equipped with automatic weapons. There is video of one suicide bomber running down a concourse. He is shot and falls down, his rifle skittering away from him. He is seen to roll on his side and begin working on the mechanism of the bomb strapped to his body. It takes him about 20 seconds before the bomb goes off. Video here discretion advised. All the attackers died.
Car jumps curb at Sunnybrook Plaza, hits building
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Car jumps curb at Sunnybrook Plaza and hits mattress store
A car jumped the curb at Sunnybrook Plaza Tuesday and slammed into the mattress store beside the CIBC. It appears any injuries were minor. Two similar occurrences in January of 2016 and in 2013 are linked here. Photos courtesy Bob Arsenault.
Iceland (pop. 330,000) defeats England in Euro soccer
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Electronics store fire burns stubbornly on Warden Ave.
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Electronics plant on Warden near Upton now three alarms. Via Twitter
Roof collapse at a commercial building on Warden. Kevin Misener 680 News
Fire on Warden Ave is visible far to the west. Courtesy Ian Godfrey
Building on #fire in Scarborough – south of Comstock on west side of Warden Avenue. @ScarbTO @CityNews pic.twitter.com/AbBXeAX0Vl
— Kevin Edward Proulx (@kevineproulx) June 28, 2016
A stubborn fire in an electronics store containing a lot of old equipment has proven a challenge for firefighters Monday evening. The fire seemed manageable in the beginning but ultimately spread and forced TFS personnel away as walls began to fall. The fire broke out at the business on Warden Avenue near Upton Road at around 7:35 p.m. Fire officials said the building was old — maybe 50 years — and seemingly quite flammable. Apparently there have been no serious injuries.