An accused knife killer has been arrested and taken off our streets as another sought for the slaying of two women is being sought by Toronto Police.

New Toronto residents are concerned following the death of one man and the wounding of another in a vicious knife attack at the intersection of Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Islington Ave.

Police said one man died from the stabbing, and another who was injured, was arrested a day later.

The incident occurred around 6:04 a.m. on September 12 between two groups of men who were arguing.

A video of the incident showed two men getting into a fight. They fall to the ground and only one man stands back up. One man said the victim was staffed numerous times with a shank, a home-made knife.

Some residents are mourning the death of Jesse Christian Halvorsen, 36, of Toronto, who was well known in the area.

Officers had the busy intersection sealed off and closed to traffic as officers searched for clues.

In one corner was about a dozen crime scene cones used to identify what appeared to be splats of blood.

No weapon has been recovered, no one is in custody, and police do not yet have an idea what led to the altercation, said Duty Insp. Dan Pravica.

An almost two-month search is also underway for

who disappeared with police on his trail for two counts of second-degree murder after the bodies of an 82-year-old woman and a 60-year-old woman in a home in the Sheldon and Silvercrest Avenues area, in Alderwood.

Police have arrested Shawn Downs-Abbott, 35, of Toronto, who has been charged with second degree murder in regards to the New Toronto stabbing.

He was slated to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on September 14, at 10 a.m., in room 106.

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.

You”ll be seeing  more Toronto Police officers in the community as a search intensifies for the cold-blooded killers of three people who are hiding in the area.

Police have launched a new search for the September 12 New Toronto slaying of a man and the wounding of another, who has not sought help.

No name has been issued for that offender and the wounded man suffered stab wounds, according to a video from the 6 a.m. incident at the intersection of Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Islington Avenue.

Residents said the fight broke out over $50 and claim it was a drug deal that went sour.

The victim was apparently stabbed several times on the ground by the suspect with a shank, one person said. A shank is a home made knife.

Some residents claim the victim is known in the area and may be homeless, as to why he has not sought help.

The second person sought Joseph Ayala, 33, who disappeared from sight almost two months now with police on his trail for two counts of second-degree murder after an 82-year-old woman and a 60-year-old woman in a home in the Sheldon and Silvercrest Avenues area.

Area residents said the deceased included the suspect’s grandmother and sister.

The suspect and the women were related, police say.

He is described as around 5-foot-11 with a shaved head. He is known to wear a cowboy hat, black cowboy boots, and a jacket with tassels on the sleeves.

 

 

A moment of mourning was held to mark the loss two year ago of Toronto Police Constable Andrew Hong, of Traffic Services.

Police Chief Myron Demkiw said Constable Hong was 48 years old and served our city for 22 years.

He was in Mississauga participating in a joint training exercise with officers from Peel Regional Police and York Regional Police when he was shot at close range, targeted by a lone gunman on a shooting rampage that killed two other men and injured several others.

His memory was remembered at a Police Services Board meeting on September 12.

“I want to offer my support to his wife, his two children and all his friends and co-workers who miss him every day,” the Chief said. “This was a devastating loss for the Toronto Police family and our entire policing community.”

He said the force is ‘very concerned that we are seeing a rise in officers injured in the line of duty.’

“Whether it’s carjackers ramming police cruisers, motorcyclists running officers over, or officers injured while trying to make an arrest,” Demkiw said. “In 2024 we have seen our officers suffer a significant number of injuries, some of which have been very serious and will require lengthy recoveries.”

He said two nights ago two officers were injured by demonstrators who resisted arrest at a downtown protest.

And previously an officer was struck by the motorcyclist near the Rogers Centre. The motorcyclist fled the scene, leaving the officer suffering with a very serious leg injury.

They are among the 555 officers injured while performing their duties. The injuries highlight the inherent risks of the job.

“We are also seeing a 10-year high in the numbers of assault peace officer offenses, with 245 charges laid year to date for assaults on our members. All of our members should be commended for their bravery and commitment.”

A remarkable example of this occurred when an officer attempted to stop a motorcyclist driving dangerously near the Rogers Centre in late August.

New Toronto residents on their way to work in the early morning had to steer around a vicious knife fight.

Many residents are worried following the death of one man and the wounding of another in a viscious knife fight at the intersection of Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Islington Ave.

Police said one man died from the stabbing, and another who was injured, took off and did not seek medical aid.

A suspect is also being sought.

The incident happened around 6:04 a.m. on September 12 between two groups of men who were arguing.

A video of the incident is said to show two men arguing, then getting into a fight. The two falls to the ground and only one man stands back up.

The injured man was taken to hospital where he died and the injured man fled the scene and is still sought by officers.

Officers had the busy intersection sealed off and closed to traffic as officers searched for clues.

In one corner was about a dozen crime scene cones used to identify what appeared to be splats of blood.

No weapon has been recovered, no one is in custody, and police do not yet have an idea what led to the altercation, said Duty Insp. Dan Pravica.

“We are hoping to locate this person and help him get the medical help it is alleged that he needs.”

Pravica could not say exactly how many people were involved, except that it was “more than two.”

Police said a passerby made the initial call to 911 and it’s believed there were other witnesses, all of whom are being asked to contact police.

The ages of the victims are not known and police have not released any suspect descriptions.

A steady stream of onlookers were asking police who was killed and who is the killer.

There were a number of people in the area waiting on the streetcar to get to work. Many said they were surprised and shocked.

 

RELISH The Foodie Event, is rolling back into Cloverdale, with a feast for all senses!

Get ready to tantalize your tastebuds and embark on a gastronomic adventure as RELISH The Foodie Event, presented by The Clove, returns to Cloverdale! The two day, free-to-attend, food-themed event will take place on September 14 and 15, 2024 from 11 am to 7 pm, in the Centre’s north parking lot, rain or shine.

Now in its fifth year, RELISH The Foodie Event served up all things delish to over 12,000+ foodies in 2023, and this year promises to be even bigger and better.

With local food trucks serving up a variety of delish eats, artisanal market vendors selling their yummy wares, picnicking on the grass, food-themed workshops and activities for the big and the Little Foodsters with the Cheese Boutique and Metro.

There will be free pet and family portraits at The Clove Portrait Studio, a Little Foodies Play Zone, Food Art Fun with Arts Etobicoke, picking up fresh florals with Derêves.

Have fun with  outdoor pickleball fun with Fairgrounds Public Racket Club, and getting your jam on to the beats of live music and performances presented by Skygrid Construction, the event promises to offer something that will tempt your tastebuds and satisfy everyone’s cravings!

The iconic Toronto City Hall will be 59-years-old on September 13 and requires some tender loving care.

It still looks great considering construction of the building began in 1961 and it opened in 1965. The final cost for the New City Hall was estimated at $31 million.

City staff are now working on a plan to spruce up the Toronto landmark to lure more tourists and visitors to the area.

A plan is being looked at to install more parks and green space around City Hall, with additional benches and sitting areas. There are also calls to add more waterfalls and repair the ones that are not working in Nathan Philips Square.

A report is being called for by the General Government Committee by October 16 on how to refurbish and improve public spaces around City Hall and Nathan Philips Square.

“By addressing these concerns proactively, we can enhance the overall experience for the thousands of visitors who enjoy City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square, a vibrant space that reflects the heart of our city,” according to a letter by Councillor Paul Ainslie.

Work is also called for on the electronic display board at the south-east corner of the grounds and to improve the electrical grid to reduce cabling for events.

Ainslie asked the report on the status of the non-functioning water fountains and provide a timeline for repairs or replacements.

Nathan Philips Square has a number of fountains, and more should be added to improve the tourism experience. Thousands of tourists and locals visit Toronto City Hall yearly.

There will be a vote on the matter once a report is filed and considered by Council.

Toronto receives about three millions tourists yearly and placed seventh globally in international attendance, the only North American city in the top 10.

Many Mimico residents vow they have had enough of living with a giant gaping hole and unrepaired train station in the middle of their community for 10 more years.

A meeting on the stalled development is set for September 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mimico Centennial Library, at 47 Station Road, and also offered online by visiting the Mimico Residents Association (MRA) website.

The event is being put on by the MRA, in partnership with the South Etobicoke Community Land Trust (SECLT) and Community Benefits Association of South Etobicoke.

The town hall will discuss the twice-suspended “Grand Central Mimico” development and options for helping move the project forward in a community-oriented direction.

The MRA in a social media posting said the Grand Central Mimico development has entered receivership for the second time leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the community.

The group said ‘conversations with the receivership company and others indicate that current market conditions make it extremely unlikely that a third developer will pick up the project in the near future.’

“Despite an ongoing housing crisis – it is not considered sufficiently profitable to build housing directly atop a major transit line,” the MRA said. “We don’t understand it either.”

They said the town hall will explore ideas for resolving the issue without waiting for yet another developer or the government to get involved.

South Etobicoke is one of the busiest sites in the City for birdwatchers as an estimated one million birds will fly over the area as migratory season begins.

The City has launched a campaign to turn off your lights to reduce migratory bird deaths.

The “Lights Out Toronto” is a public awareness campaign to reduce bird deaths at this time by encouraging residents and businesses to turn off unnecessary lights.

In Toronto, the spring bird migration occurs between mid-March and the beginning of June. In fall, migration occurs from mid-August to the beginning of November.

The campaign said during migration season, millions of birds travel through our city.

“The Toronto area serves as an important rest stop for migrating birds, many of whom fly thousands of kilometers between their overwintering sites and their summer breeding grounds,” according to the campaign.

The information said most birds migrate at night, guiding themselves with natural cues from the moon and stars. Night-migrating birds are drawn by city lights into urban areas where they often fatally collide with building windows that they cannot see.

Many of North America’s migratory bird species are facing significant population decline. Habitat loss, pesticide use, hunting by cats, climate change and collision with buildings are endangering the survival of countless migratory birds.

Turning off lights is an easy way for businesses and residents to make Toronto a safer place for migratory birds.

Birds are also essential to a healthy environment: they consume billions of insects daily (including mosquitoes), pollinate plants and disperse seeds. They contribute to our economy since birdwatching is a very popular leisure activity.

The campaign warned if a bird has collided with a window to place it inside a cardboard box or unwaxed paper bag with tissue to git the bird a perching spot; handle the bird as little as possible and do not give food or water.

You are advised to contact the Toronto Wildlife Centre.

It has been more than six weeks since two women were killed in Alderwood and a brutal killer is still at large.

Toronto Police have exhausted most of their leads in apprehending Joseph Ayala, 33, who is sought for two counts of second degree murder.

“The suspect just disappeared in thin air,” as one detective described the manhunt.

The police dragnet and media attention began just before 1 p.m. on August 28 in the Sheldon and Silvercrest Avenues when the lifeless bodies of an 82-year-old grandmother and 60-year-old sister were found in a home.

Officers had the home sealed off with police tape for several days as forensic evidence were collected from the scene.

For days there were dozens of neighbours and onlookers on the street observing the police activity.

Still police checks of neighbourhood parks, lakefront areas, ditches, ravines, backyard sheds and other structures proved to be futile.

The suspect has not been spotted anywhere, not even on security cameras, with his identity now well known.

Some residents have taken to locking their doors and leaving lights on at nights to stay safe.

Ayala is well known in the area and is described as a white male, 5-foot-11, with a shaved head.

Police said he is known to wear a cowboy boots, hat, a cowboy style jacket with tassels on the sleeve and black cowboy boots.

He was often seen by many in his cowboy gear walking on Brown’s Line. Many have seen him panhandling outside No Frills on Lake Shore Blvd. W.

No funeral details have been released.

If you see him call 22 Division at 416-808-2200.

New hi-tech smart garbage cans are now being rolled out on our streets.

The City is working on a plan to install electronic sensors on street garbage containers so workers can detect their fullness, where the bins are located or if near capacity.

This way collection of the garbage and staff can be scheduled and studies show the system saves on the cost of manpower and fuel.
A pilot project is now underway to test the smart sensor device on 250 litter bins across the City.

“The objectives of this pilot are to provide data, provide timely service, and optimize routes,” according to a City report.

The City said more staff will be hired to inspect litter bins, gather data and report overflowing and maintenance issues for a period of six months.

The new hires will be used to ‘define trends and recommendations for optimal collection frequency for each litter bin in Toronto.’

The City’s litter operations operate 20 hours a day, seven days a week. There are more than 50,000 collections of bins weekly and more than 99.9 per cent of them are done proactively. Most street litter bins are collected at night for safety and efficiency.

U.S. studies show the smart bin can relay to staff when and where to pick up cans, optimizing their routes based on demand. This is critical as government cuts funding and ask staff to do more with less, and with labor in short supply.

The smart bins alert sanitation teams to overflowing cans, but it also lets them keep tabs on trash receptacles. Location-tracking shows whether a can has been moved or stolen, allowing for reclamation or replacement of the missing bin.

Earlier this year new better-functioning easier-to-use bins were rolled out in Toronto to help improve the litter-ridding experience.