A Toronto Police search is underway for a man who is accused of sexually assaulting a victim in Mimico after the person ceased dating him.

The alleged assault occurred in the Royal York Road and Mimico Avenue area in December last year, Toronto Police said in a release.

Officers said the suspect met the victim on a dating app in June 2021 and they dated for a couple months before the victim ended the relationship.

It is alleged on August 6, 2021 the suspect entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted the victim.

Alistair Olumuide Salako, 41, of Toronto, is wanted for sexual assault, break and enter and being unlawfully at large.

He is described as six feet tall with a medium build. Police believe that there may be more victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

An inmate of the Toronto South Detention Centre has been charged with manslaughter for allegedly killing a fellow prisoner.

Police allege on October 3 an inmate was assaulted by another man at the notorious maximum security prison on Horner Avenue that can house up to 1,650 inmates.

The victim sustained injuries and was taken to hospital where he died, officials said.

He has been identified as Euplio Cusano, 69, of Toronto.

Ivan Ademovic, 54, of Toronto, was charged with the death.

He appeared in Ontario Court of Justice on October 7.

A 2020 report found that inmates at the prison were subject to confinement, infrequent changes of bedding and clothes, outbreaks of diseases such as scabies, and undue stress caused by repeated lockdowns.

 

A Long Branch conservation photojournalist has made international headlines in being selected from 23,000 others as Bird Photographer of the Year in an image highlighting bird deaths.

Patricia Homonylo’s photo of 4,000 dead birds beat out thousands of others from around the world to win the sought-after distinction and prominence from bird lovers world wide.

The title, and about $6,000, were awarded on September 30 by the Natural History Museum in London, which can receive more than 30,000 images yearly for consideration.

“I am honoured, thrilled and overwhelmed having been awarded the Bird Photographer of the Year,” Homonylo said. It is “considered the most prestigious bird photography competition in the world.”

Her goal is to bring attention to the deaths of birds from flying into windows.

“It has been my mission to bring attention to the global and catastrophic issue of bird-window collisions,” she wrote on social media.

Her photo, called ‘When Worlds Collide,’ shows the birds arranged in a circular fashion. They were all killed by colliding with glass in Toronto.

Their bodies were collected and arranged by members of the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP), a charity where Homonylo volunteers, which helps birds injured in these kinds of collisions.

“Unfortunately, most of the birds they find are dead,” she said. “Those bodies are never left behind.”

She said each year more than one billion birds die in North America alone due to collisions with windows.

The image also netted gold in the competition’s Conservation category.

All the birds in her award-winning picture died preventable deaths, the Etobicoke conservation photographer said.

Homonylo began taking wildlife photography seriously about 10-years ago. Originally from Oakville, she has been living in Long Branch for many years and has taken part in the Bird and Tree Fests in the community.

She said the bird deaths can be prevented by making windows bird-safe by turning off the lights, and by demanding that governments create bird-safe building standards.

Environment Canada estimates as many as 42 million birds die from collisions with windows every year in this country. Already this year, FLAP has recorded 331,718 fatal bird collisions in North America.

Monday October 7 is the first-year anniversary of the war in the Middle East and Toronto Police are warning of more demonstrations, protests or violence.
Police Chief Myron Demkiw said there have been more than 1,500 demonstrations in Toronto since the attacks began in the Middle East.
“We know that the coming days and weeks will be a difficult time for many,” the Chief told members of the Jewish community. “Emotions are understandably running high and we recognize this is a moment of reflection and pain for many people.”
He said there has been more than 70 people arrested and charged with hate related crimes since the war began.

More officers will be patrolling around temples, mosques and other places of worship. There will also be a Major Incident Command Centre with dedicated officers on duty.
“We know world events always have an impact here at home,”Demkiw said. “This includes the potential for increased protest activity and acts of violence.”
He said three mobile command posts will be stationed in Jewish neighborhoods: one at Bathurst and Glencairn, another at Bathurst and Sheppard, and a third at Bathurst and Finch. A fourth mobile command post will be deployed to various mosques across the city.
Hate crimes have risen in Toronto, particularly targeting the Jewish community. This year 350 hate crimes have been reported to the Hate

Crime Unit – a 40 per cent increase since last year. The greatest increase has been against the Jewish community, by 69 per cent.
One woman was arrested at Pearson International Airport several days ago who was wanted for offences related to two separate demonstrations as she was trying to leave the country, police said.
Demkiw said demonstrators have become increasingly confrontational, and police have seen assaults on officers, including the use of weapons and physical attacks. More than 500 officers were injured on the job so far this year.
“Communities are hurting, and the trauma of the conflict is deeply personal for many,” he said. “For those who have family members directly affected by the violence abroad, the feelings of helplessness and frustration are real.”
Police warn that charges can be laid days or weeks after a demonstration has taken place.

Residents of the Long Branch community are rallying to halt plans by a developer to obtain higher density for a massive and controversial Lake Promenade development.

Members of the Lake Promenade Tenants’ Association said the builders of a 220 Lake Promenade Development have appealed the application to the provincial Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).

“This means it has taken the decision out of the City of Toronto’s hands and given it over to what has typically been a developer-friendly tribunal,” said Association spokesperson Patti Pokorchak. “We have to stop this!”

She said the developers are seeking to increase the density of the mega-project by up to five times. It is estimated the amount of housing units at the site will increase from about 550 to up to about 2,000.

“There are no precedents in the city for this increase in density within a residential community that is not on a major thoroughfare,” Pokorchak said, citing Lake Promenade is a 10-minute walk to Lake Shore Blvd and 40 minutes to Kipling Station, which is hardly a transit-friendly location.

The proposal would see the five low-rise buildings on site demolished and replaced with modern buildings significantly significantly larger in size. The construction work can take up to 15-years of truck traffic, dust and noise for the small community.

Five towers are planned ranging in height from 12 to 30 storeys on the site. Two would contain rental suites and the others would be condos. Also proposed is a new public road.

Architectural drawings show a total of 2,021 suites, 548 of which would be rental replacement, 29 of which would be market rental, and 1,444 of which would be market condo suites.

Pokorchak said many of the residents are seniors on fixed income who have been living in the buildings for decades and will have to be relocated new neighbourhoods, which is promised to be conducted in phases.

The Association objects that the City has not released an official report on the development which is expected in December; and believe the case management conference on October 18 is premature.

Residents are encouraged to file complaints or a Participant Status Request with the OLT before October 8.  The link is: https://olt.gov.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Participant-Status-Request-Form.html

 

A Lake Shore Blvd. W. Avenue Study is underway to develop new by-laws relating to more density and taller buildings from Brown’s Line to Dwight Avenue.

A report from the City Planning officials outlining ways to improve and beautify the Lake Shore Blvd. W. Corridor will be handed over to the Etobicoke York Community Council for consideration, then for approval by City Council next year.

Planning officials are proposing that buildings in the Brown’s Line to Dwight Avenue Corridor be allowed to build higher than four storeys and can go up to eight or 11 storeys depending on the size of the property. They want to increase the density to attract more people into the area.

The study will provide a ‘framework for establishing a complete community that supports overall quality of life for people of all ages, abilities and incomes.’

“This will be achieved through encouraging a range of housing options and creating an accessible and vibrant public realm,” according to officials.

A report with final recommendations is targeted for 2025 with a recommended Site and Area Specific Policy, Zoning By-law, and Urban Design and Streetscape Guidelines.

The study area is approximately four kilometres in length and includes Mixed Use Areas and Apartment Neighbourhoods. There are two Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) along the corridor.

Planning and Housing Committee officials said mid-rise buildings of up to eight or 11 storeys should be allowed along the Corridor.

Staff noted that there are areas with sub-standard sidewalk widths, lack of street trees, angled, perpendicular or parallel on-street parking, and lack of street furniture as benches, waste bins, bicycle post and lock up rings.

The vision for the Corridor is to provide a widened sidewalk zone that is ideally six metres between curb to building face to achieve a balance of sidewalk improvements, tree planting and furniture zones.

This may include the addition of bike parking, widening of the pedestrian clearway to meet current standards, and patio and marketing space.

In certain sections a reconfiguration and reduction of commercial boulevard parking may be required to facilitate these improvements.

The study is made up of 20 key stakeholders within the study area as well as local residents that expressed interest in participating in a more in-depth discussion.

More green and visitor-friendly space were suggested, along with some residents who wanted a cycle track in the community.

The study will help develop new by-laws and built form policies that relate to density, height, and other considerations between Brown’s Line and Dwight Avenue, according to the City.

It has been almost three years since police have been hunting for a gunman accused of  killing two men and leaving a woman in life-changing injuries in a Thirtieth Street gunplay.

Police have released a photo of Phillip Grant, 34, of Peel Region, who is sought for the bloody January 2022 murders at an office complex at 150 Thirtieth Street.

Detectives said they arrived at the scene to find to men suffering from gunshot wounds and a woman nearby with injuries.

The men died from their injuries in hospital and the woman sustained non-life injuries.

The deceased men have been identified as Minyali Wur, 24, and Chudier Reat, 20, both of Mississauga.

The slayings generated a lot of media and public interest due to the barbaric slayings.

If anyone sees him they should immediately call 9-1-1. Anyone offering him assistance in evading arrest may be considered an accessory after the fact and face charges. Some believe the suspect has fled the country.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

More than 500 nature lovers have signed a petition to halt, or for the reconsideration, of a massive but badly-needed shoreline maintenance work at Colonel Sam Smith Park.

The major project by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) will begin in October and last for three years.

Popular bike and walking paths in the park will be fenced off from the public until 2027 so large trucks can transport boulders to the job site.

Most of the work will address displaced stones of shoreline structures and bank erosion close to shoreline trails which can pose a potential hazard to park visitors and infrastructure, officials said. The work will help curb floods and water level rise.

Those against the project said the proposed construction access route ‘cuts right through the park, fencing in and closing popular paths, blocking the Waterfront Trail, and restricting public access to much of the eastern side of the park.’

“The proposed route poses a significant threat to many trees, some more than a century old,” according to the online petition. “It will be disruptive to the abundant wildlife that visits or resides in the park, including the sensitive pond area.”

The group said heavy trucks will ‘use the road by the Gatehouse and then turn onto the path just west of 13th Street, down by the pond to Whimbrel Point. ‘

The petition is asking the TRCA to change or reconsider the truck route through the park to prevent damage to nature or wildlife. They are also seeking a public meeting on the issue.

“It is urgent that the access route is reviewed ASAP so that this poor choice doesn’t commit the park and park users to three or more years of park restriction and disruption,” the petition state.

The TRCA in a release said major maintenance work will be along the outer shoreline of the park’s waterfront extension.

“Maintenance of several erosion control structures has become necessary due to severe weather events and wave action that poses a potential hazard to park lands and shoreline trail,” according to the Authority.

Some residents took to social media to express anger over the reduced use of the bike and popular walking trails.

The chosen corridor will be fenced off and unusable by the public for three years, Barbara McAndrew posted.

She said the bike route can only be used after 4:00 p.m. during the week and on weekends.

“For those who use this route, it will be an inconvenient to say the least,” she said.

Barbara Zylski was concerned about the huge boulders piled up on the shore at the bottom of Second Street and Prince of Wales Park.

“Total overkill if you ask me,” she wrote. “Waste of taxpayer’s money.”

The park is popular for Whimbrel Point, which for up to five days a year, Whimbrels use this area as a resting point on their migration to their breeding grounds in the Arctic. The park hosts a “Whimbrel Watch” every year to celebrate their return to Whimbrel Point.

All day traffic congestion has gotten under the skin of many Humber Bay Shores residents.

More than 300 residents have signed a petition asking Ward 3 Councillor Amber Morley to do something about the heavy traffic congestion in their area.

Residents said congestion in the Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Park Lawn Road area, is experiencing rush hour 24-hours and it is terrible for the people who live there.

The congestion issue is a priority for City officials as they tackle traffic gridlock through the use of heavy fines, more traffic agents and dash cameras.

The petition is calling for Park Lawn Road to remain a four-lane road from the south of The Queensway. City officials have a plan to make it a two-lane road with cycle lanes in both directions.

“Most people going west or north use Park Lawn and it’s already very congested,” it states.

The concerned residents are seeking the reconfiguration of the Gardiner Expressway ramps that connect to Lake Shore Blvd. W., at Brooker’s Lane so they connect to a new planned street.

They are also asking Morley and City staff to update their forecast of population in the area which is experiencing record growth.

Some residents said traffic will only get worst when construction of the multiple condos begin in earnest on the former Christie Cookie site, which will include a TTC and GO bus terminals.

Resident Kathy Penfold took to social media to note that the density is already overwhelming.

“There is insufficient support for current residents,” she wrote. ” Traffic is crazy and public transportation hasn’t caught up to the exploding population.”

Richard Verbeek urged the many condo residents to take the GO Train.

“Humber Bay Shores and surrounding neighbourhoods should not remain as rush hour conduit through the south-west corner of Toronto,” he wrote.

The petition can be found on change.org