Three young offenders are among four people arrested by Toronto Police accused of being guns-for-hire who waged war against unsuspecting tow truck drivers.

The 15 and 16-year-olds were arrested last month in connection to one homicide and 13 tow truck-related shootings that took place on Canada Day weekend, as others shot off fireworks.

A 17-year-old has also been charged after he allegedly opened fire on two parked tow trucks on May 15 near Markham Road and Steeles Avenue E. No one were in the vehicles.

Police said since January there has been 43 tow truck industry related shooting, arsons and firearm discharges in Toronto.

Glock weapon seized by police from teens.

Officers of a Tow Truck Task Force said a 15-year-old Oshawa boy, and 16-year-old from Stouffville, on July 15 were charged with first-degree murder in connection with what they say was a tow truck industry-related homicide.

Sulakshan Selvasingam, 28, was killed July 6 after being shot in a Scarborough parking lot.

Police allege the teens were responsible for 11 other shootings that took place between June 29 and July 14. Some 177 charges were laid in the arrests.

Detectives said gun crime decreased after the teens were arrested.

They also arrested a 33-year-old man from Oshawa, who police alleged paid the teen to commit the shooting.

They were paid by others to shoot the tow truck drivers or burn their trucks in an ongoing war in that industry.

Chief Myron Demkiw said shootings and firearm discharges in Toronto have increased by 50 per cent compared to last year and 14 per cent of that increase is due to an ongoing tow truck turf war.

Youth firearm arrests in Toronto have risen 161 per cent over the past two years, according to police data.

Many area residents are not happy with a plan by the City to install bike lanes on busy Parkside Drive citing gridlock caused by the lanes on Bloor Street W.

There is a plan to revamp Parkside Drive to include bike lanes with barriers, wider sidewalks, separate left-turn lanes, and reducing lanes from four to two; one in each direction.

A report by the City calls for the roadway will be reconfigured, upgraded and ‘support multi-modal travel options.’

Many motorists and small business owners complain the bike lanes and lane reduction on Bloor Street W., causes traffic congestion and loss of business.

Plans are also underway to install bike lanes on The Queensway to downtown linking with the Martin Goodman Trail.

Eventually the bicycle lanes will link most places in Toronto reducing lanes of traffic in an already congested city.

Police warn many motorists speed along Parkside Drive and an automated roadside camera there is one of the busiest in the City issuing thousands of tickets monthly.

There have also been many traffic accidents, including fatal, that have occurred on that strip of road due to speeding.

Still, others worry the changes will divert more traffic onto side streets, and create more traffic on a route that people take to Lake Shore Blvd. and the Gardiner Expressway.

There has been mixed reaction on social media about the impending bike lanes.

Some people note cyclists have also taken over High Park since traffic have been banned.

Others said speed bumps or other options can be installed to slow traffic down.

Some support of the idea of bike lanes before the street is fully reconstructed and congested.

One said Parkside is the only direct route to the highway in the west end with other streets in the area including High Park being more cycling and walking friendly.

The storm and flooding last month led to many peoples’ homes being flooded, including many residents in the South Etobicoke area.

Nine next door homes had their basements flooded which caused major drywall and other damages to the dwellings in the Judson Street and Harold Street area, near Royal York Road.

The stressed-out homeowners are still cleaning up and repairing damage or dealing with insurance companies to restore their homes, which they claim were built on a river bed.

“I believe something went terribly wrong with this underground waterway on July 16^th,” said long-time resident Al Moyseuk. “I believe the catch basin has been compromised and led or added to this tragedy.”

He said the residents have been seeking help from City officials with little luck. He took photos of the flood and damage to circulate to officials.

“The water was flowing like the Niagara River going over the Falls,” Moyseuk wrote. “The water continued to flow continuously even after the rain and flooding stopped.”

Resident Dan Irwin said his basement was flooded with almost a foot of water.

“Most of it has dried out now but there is drywall and other damages and it’s inevitable it will happen again,” said Irwin, who estimates from previous floods it will cost about $40,000 to rebuild and replace.

It’s a good day for wildlife.

September 4 is National Wildlife Day and Urban Nature Stores is taking a bold step to support Ontario’s diverse wildlife with their “Seeds of Kindness” campaign.

The proudly Canadian retailer is pledging 10% of all bird seed sales to Ontario Wildlife Rescue Centers, (OWRC) which are vital lifelines for injured and orphaned animals.

Urban Nature Stores is leading the way in backing the invaluable work of the OWRC, which are mostly run by volunteers and receive no government funding and rely on public generosity to rehabilitate and release wildlife back into their natural habitats.

“Urban Nature Store is proud to support the Seeds of Kindness program to bolster the incredible efforts of Wildlife Rescue Centers throughout Ontario. The work these organizations do is nothing short of lifesaving for countless birds and animals in need,” said Paul Oliver, Founder of Urban Nature Store.

Urban Nature Stores has become a sanctuary for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts alike, with nine retail locations across Ontario, from St. Catharines to Kingston and throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

There will be in-store information on local rescue centers and ways the public can contribute to these organizations.

“This initiative underscores the importance of community support in preserving Ontario’s wildlife,” Oliver said.

The OWR collaborates with over 50 Wildlife Rescue Centers across the province, serving as a critical link between the public and these centers.

OWR also provides essential resources, including food, medical supplies, and veterinary care, ensuring that these rescue centers can continue their lifesaving work.

You can also visit their online store, www.UrbanNatureStore.ca, offering high-quality bird feed, feeders, premium binoculars, and an array of nature-inspired gifts.

For more information call 416-987-5826 or email: paul@urbannaturestore.ca

It’s almost fall and it’s a start of the pie making competitions.

A pie making competition is slated for August 25th outdoors at the Small Arms Inspection Building, 1352 Lakeshore Rd. E., Mississauga.

Pie makers are invited to drop off their pies the day of the contest before 11:30 a.m. and winners will be announced at 12:30 that day.

The three categories are Best Pie Sweet, Best Pie Savoury and Prettiest Pie.

There will also be a bookmaking craft with pie recipes from the Lakeview Farmers’ Market vendors and community members.

For more information you can email jo.yetter@creativehub1352.ca

Finally fans devoted to U.S. Krispy Kreme doughnuts can now get their fill.

The 16^th Krispy Kreme location and only “inner-city Doughnut Factory,” is opening on August 27 at 2458 Lake Shore Blvd. W., at Mimico Avenue.

“The doughnut shop is opening its first production site with a retail shop in Etobicoke later this month,” according to a release by the company.

Fans of the brand will get a chance to enjoy a bite or two of Krispy Kreme’s classic menu options while also getting a first-hand look at the doughnut-making process.

“We are delighted to expand with our newest location offering hot, freshly made doughnuts,” said Levi Hetrick, chief growth officer for Krispy Kreme Canada.

Those who visit on opening day will receive a free Original Glazed doughnut to enjoy. The new store will be open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

 

Residents of the William Punnett Housing Co-op (WPHC) are holding a food and cash-raising drive on August 31 in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank to help those in need.

The Co-op, at 3077 Lake Shore Blvd. W., is where the Goodyear Tire plant once stood between Kipling and Islington Avenues.

The residents of the 99 apartment and 29 townhouse units, are rallying August 31 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. to raise 500 pounds of food and $500 to support the food bank, on New Toronto Street.

“One of our seven core principles is concern for community, and we are very concerned about our neighbours ability to eat regular healthy meals and keep a roof over their heads,” said Sue-Ellen Patcheson, an organizer, in a release.

She said housing affordability and rising grocery prices are having a very dire effect on food bank usage.

Patcheson said there were over 350,000 visits to a Toronto food bank in one month alone and record amounts of people are using them.

A local blues band “Blue Dog Rodeo” will be performing. There will be raffles for prizes provided by local merchants, and fresh corn on the cob will be available.

For more information email friendsofwilliampunnettcoop@gmail.com.

 

It was just a matter of time.

Three old detached homes on Royal York Road, at Queen Elizabeth Blvd., in Mimico, are being demolished soon to begin construction of a massive three high-rise condo complex.

Etobicoke York Community Council approved the demolition of 514, 520 and 522 Royal York Road, at the Gardiner Expressway overpass, to make way for a 35-storey, 17 storey and mixed use buildings seven and nine-storey podiums.

The item was considered by Community Council last July 15 and was adopted with amendments.

City Council has delegated authority for this matter to Community Council and therefore, the decision is final.

This development, which will be near a major highway, will have a combined 967 residential units along with commercial, retail uses.

It will offer a total of 1,000 square metres of non-residential floor area and 5,000 square metres of non- employment-industrial floor area.

The proposal includes 646.5 square metres of outdoor open space with frontage on Queen Elizabeth Boulevard. The development would have a total gross floor area of 86,602 square metres.

The City in 2023 received a Zoning By-law Amendment application for 2, 7 and 10 Queen Elizabeth Boulevard, 506, 514, 516, 520 and 522 Royal York Road and 3, 5 and 15 Sinclair Street to permit a mixed-use development.

The plan was first refused and appealed that led to the demolition of the homes for space.

Community residents have argued against the development claiming there will be too much noise and pollution as the site is near one of Canada’s busiest highway.

The developer has been ordered to install a fence around the demolition project, remove the garbage and plant grass after the project is completed.

One person in Mimico is dead after a home was burnt in a fatal fire.

Fire crews were called to a large two-storey home on Miles Road, south of Lake Shore Blvd. W., near Royal York Road, around 6:41 p.m. on August 17.

“There was visible flames through the front window. Crews managed to get the fire under control very quickly,” Deputy Fire Chief Paul Fitzgerald said.

Firefighters located one person inside the burning home and rescued them. Toronto police said the resident had no vital signs and was pronounced dead at the scene.

“We’ve notified the Ontario Fire Marshal, and they’ll work together with Toronto police to determine a cause and the circumstances and origin leading up to the fire,” Fitzgerald told CP24.

Ironically, Miles Road was named after Undertaker Arthur William Miles, who operated a public zoo on the grounds of his Mimico estate that took up most of the road.

He was the Undertaker of many of Canada’s top politicians and citizens including Prime Minister Mackenzie King, Sir William Muluck, Sir Joseph Flavelle, Sir Henry Pellatt and Sir William Hearst.

Miles also arranged the 1914 mass funeral of 109 Torontonians on the Empress of Ireland that sank in the St. Lawrence River, in what is considered Canada’s worst maritime disaster, which took the lives of an entire Salvation Army Band.

The animal lover travelled the world collecting animals for his collection that contained a beloved elephant named “Tootsie,” two camels, two giraffes, about 40 donkeys, several monkeys, ostriches, and other exotic birds.

His workers erected a large wooden pier in Lake Ontario which held a number of swans.

The zoo was eventually forced to move by the City following complaints from neighbours

Police are mystified over the third smash and grab theft targeting a Long Branch Filipino restaurant of its delicious and spicy pork belly meats.

B’s Sizzling Kitchen, on Horner Avenue, was back in business hours after the August 15 theft of two large pork bellies which were being seasoned in the kitchen area. The barbequed meat was to be sold the next day.

Security camera footage show a man entering the building and walking back to the kitchen area.

Employees of the popular restaurant said the thief knew exactly what he wanted and where to find the expensive meat, which they estimated as worth about $500 or more.

They said the damage to three window frames and smashed glass cost in the thousands of dollars.

One of the owners of the Kitchen said there have been no arrests in any of the pork belly thefts.

“We know our food was good but we didn’t know it was that good,” owner Benedict Lucido, better known as Chef B, wrote on social media.

The eatery is known for its signature Cebu Lechon and kamayan menu of fresh seafood and grilled meats.

“I know our food is good, but really, there’s no need to break in,” according to the chef. “You could save us the hassle and anxiety of cleaning up, replacing the door, etc., — just ask nicely next time.”

The place was busy with customers when we visited. The food does look and smelled tasty.

Also broken into recently was a hamburger restaurant on Brown’s Line, near Evans Avenue. There has been no arrests in that incident.

There were a similar rash of thefts last year when about a dozen small businesses were robbed in similar smash and grab type burglaries.

The thefts are similar since they usually involve the smashing of a glass door pane. A security camera obtained images of a suspect who is being tracked down by police.

Some area residents are whispering about the timing of the pork belly thefts and if the meat was possibly for resale at a Taste of Manila festival that wrapped up August 18 in the Bathurst Street and Wilson Avenue area.