Police Chief James Ramer, City and Toronto Police Services Board officials were on hand to present 113 ecstatic and deserving students with graduation certificates from a youth in policing program.

The gymnasium at the Toronto Police College, on Birmingham Street, was packed last August 26 as the students celebrated the 16^th anniversary of the highly-successful Toronto Police Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI) summer graduation.

The eight-week program recognized 113 high school students, aged between 15 and 18, who represented 31 at-risk neighbourhoods in the city.

“Students were assigned to various units and divisions throughout our service,” Ramer said. “They gained job experience and life skills through their work with officers and members of the community.”

The students and officers were all smiles as they took selfies with colleagues and police to mark their graduation. Many plan to enter law enforcement or the military after school.

Staff Sgt. Brian Urkosky said the students were exposed to working with police, the public and in different communities.

“They have very bright futures planned,” Urkosky said. “Many plan to continue in law enforcement.”

Graduate Emmanuel Wegayeh was beaming as he showed his certificate.

“It was a good course that will help me as I work to become a lawyer,” Wegayeh said. “I also made a lot of friends who have the same interest.”

Stephany Oji, 17,  proudly showed her certificate to her assembled family and friends.

“I enjoy policing and plan to go into that career,” Oji said. “I plan to go into the military and then into policing.”

YIPI is part of the Government of Ontario’s Youth Opportunities Strategy to build stronger communities by establishing and expanding community programs that help youth achieve a brighter future.

The teens represented 31 neighbourhoods including: Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown; Elms-Old Rexdale; York University Heights; Black Creek; Regent Park; Flemingdon Park; South Parkdale; Crescent Town; Thistletown-Beaumond Heights; Rustic; Glenfield-Jane Heights; Thorncliffe Park and Weston-Pallam Park.

 

The historic Mimico Orange Hall which has seen better days helping members of the community for more than 100 years may now be facing the wrecking ball.

The iconic property at 46 Mimico Avenue has been listed for sale sending a shockwave to area residents in the fast-changing Mimico community. The Hall was opened in 1919.

Real estate company Avison Young has listed the Orange Hall at $1,525,000.

The realtor said the lot size is .12 acres and that it now operates as a Montessori day care centre.

The Hall was previously the Mimico Baptist Church, which held its services there starting in 1920.

The building remains as a reminder of the Orange Order that was well organized throughout Ontario and Canada in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

“Excellent commercial, residential location in close proximity to the Gardiner Expressway and Lakeshore Blvd,” according to the realtor. “Official Plan land use designation and zoning permit for future redevelopment potential and increased density.”

There are concerns by some concerned members of the community that another condo tower may be  built on the site.

Les Veszlenyi, co-chair of the Mimico Lakeshore Community Network, said in an e-mail the hall is not listed on the Toronto Heritage Register and there is “no upcoming application for development.”

“After any sale, the new property owner would have to deal with the City concerning heritage designations to sew what development opportunities exist,” he wrote.

The Grand Orange Lodge of British America, more commonly known as the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada or simply Orange Order in Canada, is the  Canadian branch of the Orange Order, a Protestant fraternal organization that began in County Armagh in Ireland in 1795, according to research by historian Michael Harrison.

“The Hall played a large part in the history of Canada with many prominent members including four Prime Ministers, among them Sir John A. Macdonald and John Diefenbaker,” Harrison wrote.

The Grand Orange Lodge of British America was established in Toronto in 1830, and it expanded to more than 20 lodges in 1860, 31 in 1880, and 56 by 1895.

That was a time when Toronto was nicknamed “The Belfast of Canada,” according to historians.  By 1844, six of Toronto’s ten aldermen were Orangemen, and in later years 20 of 23 mayors would be as well.

The building is dedicated to the memory of the men of Sir Edward Carson Loyal Orange Lodge of Mimico who died in World War I.

 

 

Friends and family members gathered at the graveside of Adrian Hurley, a well-loved community resident, who was shot to death one year ago.

Hurley was killed on August 27, 2021, two days before his 24^th birthday.

News of his death hit some members of the community hard since he was a father of a young son and had many friends, acquaintances and family members.

A Go Fund Me campaign last year raised more than $8,000 to help Hurley’s young son and family.

“Adrian’s passing hit the community hard,” said his friend Dayna Mainprize. “His sibling, mother, girlfriend, family members and friends and family will forever be missing a piece of their hearts.”

She said “he will never be forgotten and forever be celebrated.”

Police in a release said officers were called to the intersection of Thirty Ninth and James streets, south of Lake Shore Boulevard and Brown’s Line, after 6 a.m. August 27 for a medical complaint.

The victim was suffering from “obvious signs of trauma” and pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

A post-mortem determined that Hurley died from gunshot wounds.

Days later Zachary Barton, 37, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death. He is before the courts.

 

A fully loaded Beretta handgun with three rounds of ammunition was seized by courageous Toronto Police officers in a traffic stop at Kipling Avenue and The Gardiner Expressway.

Police said the seizure took place as a vehicle was stopped for checks around 7:10 p.m. on August 22.

“The driver was found to be in possession of a live shotgun shell,” police said. “Further investigation resulted in the recovery of a loaded Beretta handgun along with three rounds of ammunition.”’

Shane Bujan, 42, of Brampton, and Kristin Brock, 34, of Niagara Falls, jointly face more than a dozen charges relating to guns, storage and permits.

They are detained and are before the courts.

 

 

With registration for the upcoming municipal elections now closed, six candidates have now stepped forward to run for Councillor of Ward 3 in Etobicoke Lakeshore.

The contenders have paid their dues and are registered on the City’s election website. The election to elect councillors, and a Mayor, will take place on October 24.

Incumbent Mark Grimes, who had candidates guessing on if he will run again, registered on August 17. The 19-year councillor has faced many uphill fights for the ward since first elected in 2003.

Grimes has a team of volunteers and his machinery in place to hit the ground running.

He is now pushing, and tests being conducted, to have the Bloor Street subway extended to Sherway Gardens Mall, which has been sought by the community for a long time.

He is running against Amber Morley, who took a sizeable amount of Grimes’ vote in the 2018 election. Morley obtained a respectable 27 per cent of the vote in the last election, compared to Grimes who won with 40 per cent.

She has worked at Toronto City Hall in various Council support capacities and spent the last five years in various roles, one being the Constituency Assistant in Ward 4, Etobicoke-Centre.

Morley is a vocal champion for the expansion of accessible community spaces across Etobicoke, including the development of local community hubs.

Also making inroads in the race is Zeynel Ari, or Dino the Pizza store owner, who is known for feed the poor in the community with his pies.

Ari, whose pizza store was burglarized, is pushing for more police officers in the community.

Bonnie Hu is also seeking office, along with Mary Markovic, who is calling for more rights of seniors and accommodation for lonely and vulnerable seniors.

Also running is Marco Valle, of which little is known.

 

 

 

Concerned Long Branch businesses have taken to social media to locate a serial graffiti vandal who they say damaged more than $20,000 in property within hours.

Members of the Long Branch Business Improvement Association allege the unwanted graffiti artist goes by the handle BSK22.

“He tagged a bunch of buildings along Lake Shore Blvd. W., plus two billboards on the Brown’s Line overpass and Lakeshore and Thirty Sixth Street rooftops,” the BIA posted. “Over $20,000 in vandalism in a few hours.”

They claim the vandal was last seen August 15 at 9 a.m. tagging a billboard over Mr. Sub in Long Branch.

“He used a 10-foot step ladder to gain access to fire escapes and billboard ladders,” the post alleged.

A photo of the tagger has been posted online.

He is described as a white male, between 18 to 22 years old, with a thin build, wearing a black T- shirt and loose khakis.

You are asked to call 22 Division at 416-808-2200 if you have any information. The police report number is  T22075906.

Business or property owners are required to pay for the costs of removing the graffiti or can face fines from the City.

 

An Etobicoke man is in jail for a slew of human trafficking charges after being arrested by Peel Regional Police in Mississauga.

Police said a warrant was executed on August 18 to search a large apartment complex in Etobicoke, which has not been identified.

Officers said the suspect was bound by a court order to reside at the complex but was not located.

Then a foot chase began as police saw a suspect bolt.

“Toronto Police were alerted to a male running from the area,” according to a police release. “Swift response by police resulted in an arrest of a man away from the location.”

Officers discovered a secondary apartment connected to the suspect and a search of that unit revealed ‘evidence that will assist in furthering the human trafficking investigation.’

Officers said they had been probing the suspect since last June.

“The Halton Regional Police will be relentless in our pursuit to apprehend those who perpetuate this heinous crime,” said Deputy Chief Jeff Hill.

“This investigation is another example of our Human Trafficking Unit’s commitment to reducing trafficking networks and facilitating safety among victims and survivors,” Hill said.

Andre Davis, 29, also known as ‘Dre’ or ‘Dre Stax,” is charged with trafficking in persons, two counts of material benefit from trafficking in persons, withhold or destroy documents, advertise sexual services, procuring, trafficking a person under 18, assault and five other offences.

Police believe there are additional victims in regards to this investigation and are asking anyone who has come into contact with the suspect or has information to contact the Human Trafficking Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 4674.

The suspect was slated for a bail hearing on August 19.

By LAURA TAAL

District Coordinator

Some 20 energetic Etobicoke York residents were selected to compete at the Ontario Senior Games Association (OSGA) held in Peterborough earlier this month.

The Ontario 55+ Games is a celebration of active living that is held annually in winter and the summer.

“Winter and summer, the Games bring together people 55 years of age or older for competition and camaraderie,” according to the OSGA. “The Games Ontario Program is operated under the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries as part of its efforts to support amateur sport, physical activity and community development in the province.”

The Games attracted more than 800 participants who competed in 17 different sports and games from August 9 to 11. The event included opening ceremonies and two days of competition.

Etobicoke York, which is District 17 of the OSGA, hosted qualifying events in the spring to gather participants to compete in the Games. The contingent of 20 competed in the sports of pickleball, darts, bid euchre, golf and walking.

For more information contact Laura at 416-432-4686 or e-mail  etobicokeyork55seniorgames@gmail.com