It took 11-years but a plaque has been finally placed for friends and family to remember Toronto Police Const. John Zivcic.

Zivcic, 34, died of head injuries after his police vehicle was involved in a collision in November 2013 at the intersection of Bloor Street West and Neilson Drive.

The husband and family man was on traffic duty and was responding to an emergency call for an impaired driver with his lights and sirens on when he was involved in a collision.

The young officer had been stationed for more than six years at 22 Division, in South Etobicoke.

A group of family, friends and co-workers gathered on January 23 as a plaque was unveiled under a tree on Bloor St., near the crash site, in memory of Zivcic. The tree was planted prior in his memory and police dog was named Zee after the officer.

“This lilac tree planted in John’s honour is very significant and will have special meaning for many people,” police said then. “This tree will serve as a constant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice John made in protecting the citizens of Toronto.”

Police said the plaque unveiling brought together his family, friends, and fellow officers to honour his courage, dedication, and commitment to serving his community.

Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue said the tree and plaque serve as a reminder of what many police officers know well.

“I pass this place frequently and I think about John, his sacrifice, his courage and commitment to community, as many of you do,” she said. “This plaque ensures everyone who passes can reflect. And it offers us a place to gather to celebrate John and ensure he is never forgotten.”

Hamilton Police Service Chief Frank Bergen, who was serving as the 22 Division unit commander at the time of the tragic collision, said the loss of Zivcic was one of the most impactful moments of his career. He still carries his funeral card in his police forage cap.

Then Inspector Anthony Paoletta said Zivcic’s legacy lives on in his love for his family, commitment to policing and his love for the South Etobicoke community.

City Councillor Stephen Holyday, who helped make the plaque a reality, joined in the ceremony where a police bagpiper played Amazing Grace, and Special Constable Steven Cooper sang Bring Him Home as Mounted Unit officers stood as an Honour Guard.

An upcoming Ontario election was an open secret that will send more than four million of us to the polls later this month in the prime of winter.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford now high in the polls confirmed on January 24 that he is calling a snap election on January 29, that is set to take place on February 27.

It will be a cold call to vote for residents and hundreds of volunteers installing election signs or knocking on doors. The vote itself is expected to cost about $160 million.

The astute politician is taking an advantage of a lack of leadership in Ottawa, U.S. tariff threats and a booming economy to call a vote, as he is riding high in the polls.

Recent polls indicate 46 per cent of respondents expressed support for the reigning Tories versus 22 per cent for Bonnie Crombie’s Liberals, 19 per cent for the NDP, just 7 per cent for the Green Party and 6 per cent other.

The Premier has been scoring points lately from residents for a long list of reasons, one being his leading Captain Canada role in standing up to U.S. tariffs.

He claims he requires a large mandate from voters to stand up to President Donald Trump, in a tariff fight that could cost Ontarians ‘10s of billions of dollars.’

Ford’s popularity buoyed as many voters were happy with beer and wines now sold in corner stores, reducing some vehicle and gas taxes, pushing to remove controversial bike lanes from busy streets and now free money with a cheque of $200 being sent out to help qualified Ontarians at a cost of $3 billion.

He has also won the high-profile fight to move the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place and add a luxury spa with tremendous work now underway.

Crombie and Styles claim Ford is calling an election now to maintain and retain power to make his friends richer.

A search for a fast-fingered woman accused of stealing a luxury watch from a man while on a date led Toronto Police to a trove of high-end stolen goods at a Humber Bay Shores condo unit.

Police said their probe began after a female allegedly stole an expensive watch from a man she was on a date with on January 6 around 2 p.m. at a hotel in the Wellington Street West and Blue Jays Way area.

Detectives managed to identify the woman and that led to a search of an apartment in the Park Lawn Road and Lake Shore Blvd. W. area.

Several luxury items were seized at the address, according to police.

Bianca Azaria Bourne-Nikolajev, 30, of Toronto, is wanted by police for theft over $5,000 and possess property obtained by crime exceeding $5,000.

She is described as 5’8″ tall, 115lbs, thin build, with black hair.

Investigators are looking to identify owners of the luxury items that were seized during the search warrant. Contact police if you recognize the suspect or believe any of the stolen goods were yours.

It is not known if the woman met the men on a dating website and the alleged thefts occurred on a first date.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com

 

These alleged bank robbers chose to rob a bank about five blocks away from Toronto Police’s 22 Division.

Police in a release said the suspects are a man and woman who were nabbed by officers of a Public Safety Response Team after robbing a bank January 22 around 3:12 p.m. in the Bloor Street W., and Kipling Avenue area.

Officers said the crooks drove to the bank and one suspect entered wearing a mask to disguise their identity.

“They placed their hand inside their jacket and indicated they were armed with a firearm while making a demand for cash,” police said.

The suspect took a quantity of cash and fled to the awaiting vehicle which drove away.

Officers from 22 Division, at 3699 Bloor Street W., just blocks away received a robbery call and was there in a flash.

Sharp-eyed Response Team officers located and stopped a vehicle and arrested two people after a short foot chase.

Charged are Mohamed Bashir Salat, 37, and Afaf Shuayb Mohamed, 35, both of Toronto, for a slew of robbery offences including disguise with intent, possession of property obtained by crime and conspiracy to commit and indictable offence.

She (Afaf) was scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on January 23.

 

  Somewhere in Etobicoke there is a $60 million Lotto Max jackpot winner walking around.

And we hope the lucky winner is booking a vacation to someplace warm to escape the cold.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has announced the January 21 winning multi-million dollar Lotto Max ticket, for the first big win in 2025, was sold some lucky person in Etobicoke.

The OLD did not identify the winner or where they are from specifically in Etobicoke.

“The lucky winner from Tuesday’s draw now holds Ontario’s first major Lotto Max victory of the year,” the OLG said on its website. “The $60 million prize is a life-altering amount, making the ticket holder one of Canada’s newest multi-millionaire.”

In addition to the jackpot, there was also an Encore prize worth $1 million that was sold in Dufferin County.

In 2024, there were a record-breaking 11 jackpot wins in Ontario, totaling $525 million in Lotto Max jackpot prizing.

The winning numbers in Tuesday’s Lotto Max draw were 13, 15, 21, 35, 36, 42 and 47. Bonus: 38

 

A young offender accused of shooting to death a Long Branch man was part of one of the City’s worst gunfight in which more than 100 shots were fired.

The 16-year-old from Brampton is charged with the killing of professional poker player Matthew Bergart last April.

Toronto Police said the teen is among 23 people in custody on connection with a gunfight between two gangs in which two officers were trapped in the middle.

The gunfire erupted in the area of Queen Street West and Sudbury Street last November 11 at around 11:20 p.m.

Police were in the area for an unrelated investigation when the gunfire broke out.

Police said occupants of a stolen vehicle pulled up to a recording studio in the neighbourhood and three suspects exited the vehicle, opening fire on a group who had gathered outside the building.

“This brazen act of violence escalated into an exchange of gunfire between two groups,” police said.

The bullets struck an unmarked police cruiser with plainclothes police officers inside, she added.

Despite the barrage of bullets, no one was injured during the shootout, police said.

As the suspects attempted to flee the scene officers boxed in the stolen vehicle and one of the occupants was arrested after a brief foot pursuit.

So far 105 charges have been laid and warrants issued for nine others as part of Project Poppie.

“This incident was an audacious and reckless exchange of gunfire in downtown Toronto,” Supt, Paul MacIntyre told the media on January 23. “It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was injured or killed, including innocent civilians and our officer.”

Police seized 16 illegal firearms in garbage containers and other areas that were ditched as the gunmen fled the scene. Some of the firearms seized were modified in order to be capable of fully automatic fire.

The teenager nabbed at the wild shootout scene was charged with second degree murder into the death of Bergart at his Long Branch home.

He also faces five other serious gun related offences.

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the officers performing a bail compliance check were inside a cruiser “found themselves in the middle of a gun fight.”

“Their unmarked vehicle was struck multiple times, and we are very grateful that none of our police officers got hurt,” he said. “Gun fire in our public spaces must be recognized for the harm it causes not just for those involved directly, but for by-standers and the public at large.”

Charges were stayed against eight people of 23 initially charged, police said.

Three of those sought on warrants are young offenders and the other are aged from 18 to 17 and are from Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto.

A virtual public meeting is being held on January 29 for area residents seeking input into the construction of a 43 storey tower across from the Long Branch GO Station.

Massive long-term redevelopment plans are in place for 3807-3815 and 3817-3829 Lake Shore Blvd. W., at Brown’s Line.

The plan is going through the application and hearing stages and will eventually be considered by City Council.

A small outdoor plaza containing a vacuum store, porn shop and convenience store will be demolished to construct the high-rise. The former pizza shop and some other businesses next door are also slated for demolition.

An 11 storey condo will be construction on the site of the former pizza parlour.

The proposed 43 storey tower will contain 549 housing units, 72 parking spaces, 10 spots for visitors and 436 for bicycles.

The meeting runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and you can join online on Webex or on the toronto.ca website. You can also voice your say by phone by dialling 1-416-915-6530. The meeting ID is 2634-443-0177. The passcode is 52953762.

Toronto’s heritage jewel the 126-year-old Old City Hall should be converted to a homeless shelter as its courthouse occupants are bailing out.

City Council is seeking suggestions for the use of the national heritage building at Queen and Bay Streets as its long-time tenants are moving.

The provincial and municipal courthouses that have been tenants of the building will be moving to new quarters in April. It has been leased to the courts since 1972.

The Provincial Courts have relocated to the new courthouse next to Toronto City Hall and municipal courts to St. Lawrence Market North.

“Old City Hall will be vacant with no further active uses planned,” according to a City report.

The historic building was built between 1889 and 1899 and is an example of civic architecture. It is a city landmark deemed a Heritage and National Historic Site.

Almost 1,000 people responded to an online survey and consultation in which they suggested possible uses including the iconic building be converted into a shelter for the hundreds of homeless in a Toronto housing crisis.

Other suggestions included use for food sales, event rentals, cultural programming and opportunities for local artists or businesses.

The most popular were calls for a Museum of Toronto, a TTC museum, a library or for use by Metropolitan Toronto University.

But City staff said the building is more than a century old and requires expensive restoration and maintenance.

In 2019 it was estimated that a full restoration and upgrade of the building would require approximately $225 million in 2020 dollars.

The report said given the historic and complex nature of the building, including an inefficient floor plan and heritage status, any future use will need to consider opportunities to improve, conserve and protect the heritage character.

The building was designed by local architect E.J. Lennox and took ten years to construct, from 1889 to 1899. Toronto itself was incorporated as a city in 1834.

About 100 concerned residents attended a meeting on the proposed 80-bed homeless shelter on Third Street.

A large room at the Maple Leaf House was packed with residents who wanted to know more about a planned shelter for the homeless on the site of a City parking lot on Third Street.

As usual there were many against the shelter and those who support the project, one of 19 proposed citywide to help the homeless population.

City shelters have to turn away hundreds of the homeless nightly in this freezing weather due to a lack of beds.

Many of those at the meeting were asking why there wasn’t public consultation on the upcoming shelter, which is expected to be completed by 2030.

“… everyone is honestly blown away there wasn’t a public consultation on it, and if there was, nobody knew,” one person asked on social media.

Others noted the silence on the issue by Councillor Amber Morley noting “that she has disappeared.”

City crews have already started to conduct surveys and pre-construction work on the project.

There have been hundreds of postings against and for the shelter on social media. There are more than 1,300 people who signed an online petition against the facility, citing it was close to schools and on a residential street. Less than 50 had signed a second petition in support of the project.

“ a mountain of arguments and opinions were presented to the people gathered there to garner support to reject the City’s well-intentioned and sorely needed plan to deal with the growing crisis of homelessness,” one resident said on social media. “… fear-mongering – “no” before we know. “

“it is unlikely that this site will remain parking long-term,” another person wrote. ” There is a serious risk that something deeply destructive to the community will wind up being proposed for this site if the shelter proposal falls through.”

No further meetings or public consultations are planned.