Pizza store owner Robert Rubino can’t wait to welcome his many customers on Friday to his Cellar Door restaurant in New Toronto.

Rubino’s popular wood-burning pizzeria at 3003 Lake Shore Blvd. W. can now welcome 60 customers indoors and on his lovely patio, instead of 30, now that the province has hit Stage 3 and reduced COVID-19 limits.

“We are thankful to be getting back to our normal capacity,” he says. “We are lucky in that we have had great support from the community. They have been great to us.”

The internationally-trained chef has owned the Cellar Door for seven years. The eatery has been receiving good reviews and hundreds of likes on social media. Area residents love the taste of the wood baked pizzas and pastas.

Pizza doesn’t monopolize Rubino’s wood-burning oven; he uses it to obtain smokey, meaty flavours in his produce as well. Instead of regular gnocchi, he serves wood roasted potato gnocchi with mushrooms cooked three ways, peas and truffle pecorino.

Rubino, who is from Etobicoke, studied cooking with master chefs in Italy, France, the U.S. and Canada. He developed his skills from the various countries and believes in hiring his staff from the community and outsourcing local food items.

One of his growers, he points out, cultivate food items in a small space in the Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Kipling Ave. area.

After graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University, he went to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York before heading to Italy where he learned to make fresh pasta at the Il San Domenico restaurant. He also has experience cooking in Buenos Aires and in France under Michelin-starred chefs Edouard Loubet and Joel Robuchon.

His staff of about six have been cleaning and shining the patio and inside the Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Ninth Street restaurant to get ready for their customers.

“People love our wood baked pizzas and pastas,” Rubino says. “They can taste the smoky wood flavour since it burns at a higher temperature and raises the crust.”

Orders can be placed by visiting their website at www.cellardoorrestaurant.ca. They can also be reached at 416-253-0303.

Nearby barber shops, salons and spas are also getting ready and pumped to open after a long closure to battle the virus.

Andrew Dinner, of Your Neighbourhood Barber shop, says he has been closed for months and is booked solid for haircuts from his returning regular customers.

Residents are again returning to bars to catch live bands and shows as days before the virus.

Darlene Simpson, a co-owner  of Dakotas Sports Bar & Grill, at 2814 Lake Shore Blvd. W., said they kicked off their live bands with The Grady Brothers on Friday at 7 p.m. to celebrate Stage 3 opening.

“It will be a great show,” Simpson says. “It has been a while and people cannot wait to see live entertainment again.”

 

 

A man is fighting for his life after being stabbed in the back inside a Walmart store near Sherway Gardens, police say.

Police officers have been probing the scene and conducting interviews at the busy store.

Police said a man in his 60s was taken to hospital after being stabbed on July 15 around 2 p.m., in the North Queen Street and The Queensway store.

The victim was apparently stabbed inside the store and it is unclear what sparked the incident, officers said.

Police have not released suspect information or details of the case.

It is believed that the suspect is at large.

There was a daytime shooting in September 2020 at a Walmart parking lot in The Junction that left one man dead.

It is unknown if any arrests were made in that case.

The stabbing investigation is being handled by officers of 22 Division.

 

Seniors are being warned by police to pay attention to their driving skills.

An 80-year-old woman is fighting for her life after trying to park her vehicle but instead accelerated into a concrete pole, police say.

Toronto Police said the senior was operating a 1997 Honda Civic in a parking lot at 600 The East Mall, near Rathburn Road, when the crash occurred.

“The woman sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital,” officers said.

An 85-year-old male passenger was also injured and taken to hospital.

This investigation is ongoing by members of Traffic Services. Police are asking local residents, businesses and drivers, who may have security or dash camera footage of the area or incident, to contact investigators.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1900, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.

Some tourists from South Etobicoke or elsewhere heading to Niagara Falls for a vacation or to sightsee at this time of the year are getting lost due to missing road signs.

Police say someone has destroyed or removed dozens of street signs from all over Niagara Region.

Niagara Regional Police said they are investigating more than 50 signs that were damaged, or removed, during a three day period, from July 9 to 12.

“A series of road signs that have been damaged or removed in the City of Niagara Falls,” police said in a news release. “The suspect, or suspects, are removing the signs and throwing them.”

The City of Niagara has replaced the signs.

Police do not have a motive as to why the expensive signs are being vandalized.

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying those responsible. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, ext. 1002200.

 

 

 

By JAY LLAVE

The Long Branch community has lost one of its unspoken heroes.

Patti Wright tragically lost her life to cancer on June 25. She helped everyone she met whether it was personal, professional, or philanthropic in nature. I was lucky enough to be affected by her energy.

Patti was the beloved wife of Jim Sanders, mother of Heather and her husband, Marc Arseneault, and Colin and his wife Katie Sanders. She died one month before her 65^th birthday.

Patti had retired from a long career as a lawyer and entrepreneur. She was a talented musician and passionate Rotarian devoted to supporting youth and education, among other causes.

A long-time volunteer, she was very active and will be sorely missed by members of the Lakeshore Charitable Foundation, which was founded by the late accountant Philip Barker.

Since 2016, Patti has arranged up to 100 volunteers yearly to answer between 160 and 720 handwritten letters to Santa Claus from an elementary school in Mindanao, Philippines.

The letters to Santa were part of a school initiative. This involved preparing four letter templates, a suitable location, supplies, and managing several organizations.

Patti recruited the Etobicoke Collegiate Interact Club and Richview Collegiate Interact Club, the Rotary Club of Toronto West, the Rotary Club of Etobicoke and the Rotary Club of Willowdale to help the Foundation with this letters.

She also organized and fundraised for “Days for Girls Kits” to be distributed to girls at the school. “The Days for Girls (DfG) Pad” is a washable, reusable, menstrual health product that’s built to last and donated to girls in poor countries.

We met in 2014 during our Rotary President’s class trip to Illinois. She continued to have a passion for Youth Services and led that committee for the district of 55 clubs.

In the short time that I knew her, she has taught me patience, compassion, drive, and responsibility without saying a word. I am grateful to have met her and will try to continue her lessons in this gift called “life”.

Patti lived a vibrant and remarkable life filled with family, friends, travel, gardening, experimental cooking, good wine, and as much sunshine as she could find. Her loss has left a vacuum felt by all who were touched by her vivacious and philanthropic spirit.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Dorothy Ley Hospice (dlhospice.org) or to The Rotary Club of  West Charity Trust (canadahelps.org) in Patti’s name would be gratefully accepted. Private funeral service with public webcast on July 21 at 2p.m. Webcast and online condolences at newediukfuneralhome.com

Jay Llave is President of the Lakeshore Charitable Community and Lakeshore Accounting, at 3421 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

 

 

Cuddly pup Riggins, aka BigRigg, will have a happier life now thanks to some pet-loving cops.

Officers in the downtown area recently responded to a heart-breaking call in which a suspect “intentionally caused harm” to this cute little dog.

Officers from a busy 52 Division promptly arrested and charged a suspect for injuring the cuddly canine.

They not only saved the animal, but the touched officers dug deep and managed to raise $750 to cover part of the owner’s veterinary costs.

Riggins and its owners from now on will have a tender spot for cops.

The officers are part of a group with a hashtag #CopsWhoCare.

 

 

 

 

 

Thousands of police officers from across Canada attended BMO Field to pay tribute to Toronto Police Det. Const. Jeffrey Northrup, a 31-year veteran with the service and a father of three who died in the line of duty earlier in July.

Northrup, who was killed last week in the line of duty, was remembered at his funeral Monday as a ‘kind, gentle giant who loved his family deeply’ and was quick to lend a hand to colleagues.

The officer’s casket was draped in the Canadian flag and wheeled into the sports stadium in sombre silence just before 1:30 p.m.

His partner Detective Constable Lisa Forbes carried the slain officer’s hat as the pallbearers entered the stadium. Forbes was injured in the July 2nd incident that claimed Northrup’s life. His cap and a medal sat on pillows atop of the casket as the service began.

Northrup’s wife, Margaret, told the crowd that her husband loved life and life loved him back. She praised his kind heart and amazing work effort. Her voice strained with emotion as she talked of their children Brennen, 21, Samantha, 19, and Mitchell, 17.

“Jeff had two families. I never doubted his love and dedication to myself or our children,” she told an estimated 4,700 people, including cops from Calgary, Edmonton, Quebec and Vancouver. “Everything he did was for us. We worked as a couple in a team to raise our children to love, respect and have empathy to everyone who crossed their paths in life.”

She said Jeff’s second family with his police family. “As a court officer to police constable, he was always proud to wear and serve the uniform and badge.”

“Brennen, Samantha, Mitchell, your daddy loves you all so much,” she vowed. “He was proud of your dreams, goals and accomplishments. He would want you to continue loving and experiencing life to the fullest.”

The couple were married for 28 years.

The two-hour funeral service followed a procession along Lake Shore Boulevard West and into the Exhibition Place grounds. Officers lined Princes’ Boulevard as the procession approached BMO Field, accompanied by a marching band and mounted unit officers.

Premier Doug Ford, Mayor John Tory and Toronto Police Services Board chair Jim Hart were among the officials in attendance.

Northrup was killed July 2 when he was struck by a vehicle while responding to a report of a robbery in progress at an underground parking lot at Toronto City Hall. Investigators have since described the incident as an “intentional and deliberate act” and have charged a 31-year-old with first-degree murder in Northrup’s death.

Interim Toronto Police Chief James Ramer described the incident as an “intentional, deliberate attack.” “As a police officer, there is no greater burden and no greater honour than to bear witness to the bravery of a fallen officer lost in service to our city,” Ramer told the crowd.

Northrup started his career in Court Services in 1989 and had spent more than 31 years with the Toronto Police Service at the time of his death, including the last 13 as an officer with 52 Division in busy downtown Toronto.

He was also an active member of the Brampton community, having volunteered as a Scout leader, as a coach with various lacrosse teams and with the Special Olympics.

Prior to Northrup’s funeral on Monday a procession was held from the Kane-Jarrett Funeral Home in Thornhill, Ont., to the stadium.

Northrup is the first Toronto police officer to be killed in the line of duty since the murder of Sgt. Ryan Russell in January 2011.

He will be buried at a private ceremony attended by close friends and family.

 

 

Expect some traffic slowdowns in the downtown area as the funeral service for Constable Jeff Northrup takes place at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 12 at BMO Field, at 170 Princes’ Boulevard.

The general public may choose to observe the procession as it travels from the funeral home to Exhibition Place. W.

Police are asking that members of the public tp practice social distancing, wear masks and complete a COVID-19 screening form. Please do not attend if you fail the screening.

Members of the public are encouraged to view the proceedings via the Toronto Police Service live internet stream on the TPS YouTube channel or on local television stations.

Road closures will begin at 9 a.m. around the Exhibition grounds for this solemn service.
The procession will begin about 10:30 a.m. but is subject to change. At Lakeshore Boulevard and Ontario Drive, police officers will march eastbound along Lakeshore, turning left onto Canada Boulevard and proceeding onto Princes’ Boulevard.

Officers will position using both sides of Princes’ Boulevard to honour the funeral cortege as they pass through. Chief James Ramer will salute the cortege before it continues to Gate 5 of BMO Field for the ceremony.

Gate 5 will also be the entrance for any VIPs. The Mounted Unit and pipers will be staged at this entrance, as well as the family awaiting the arrival of Constable Northrup.
CP24 will provide multiple-camera coverage; including exterior, interior and drone shots.

A Toronto Police Service photographer will be inside the BMO Field taking photos on behalf of the Service. Other TPS photographers will also be outside taking photos on behalf of the Service.

Real-time social media posts will be responded to and created on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for the Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation, Run to Remember and Canadian Police & Peace Officers Memorial accounts.

A live broadcast of the ceremony will be shown on a screen in Lot 2 for police members that are unable to be inside BMO Field due to COVID-19 capacity protocols.

The Service is expected to conclude by 2:30 p.m., but this may change.

At the conclusion, 52 Division will leave the stadium through Gate 5 and form an Honour Guard. The cortege will then be piped out of the stadium through the Honour Guard. The Chief will conduct a final salute and the cortege will head west through the Exhibition grounds.

There is limited parking on site. The roads surrounding BMO Field and Exhibition Place will be closed by 9 a.m. and anyone arriving after the closure time will not be able to gain access to the site in a vehicle.

 

 

And you try collecting a legitimate EI benefit cheque.

A Markham woman is back in court on August 4 after being charged by the RCMP for her alleged involvement in defrauding the Canadian government of more than $1 million in Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.

Officers of the RCMP GTA Transnational Serious and Organized Crime Section have charged the suspect with two counts of fraud over $5,000.

Police allege the suspect, who has been identified as Xueting Xu, 37, operated a company suspected of submitting fictitious Records of Employment (ROE) and medical notes, leading to EI benefits being claimed unlawfully.

Police said the company, C2S2 Consulting Inc., located at Finch Avenue East, and operated by the suspect.

“It is alleged the (suspect) submitted fraudulent documentation to Service Canada for EI benefits on behalf of hundreds of clients,” the Mounties said in statement.

“These criminal charges send a strong message to the Canadian public that the RCMP is committed to protecting the integrity of Canada’s Federal Government programs and that frauds against the government will be investigated and prosecuted,” said Staff Sergeant Ken Derakhshan.

The suspect is scheduled to appear at the Scarborough Court on August 4.

Police said if you have any information about a fraud or wish to report other criminality, you can contact your local police, the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.

 

The situation could have been worst.

It was short and tense standoff for police on an Oakville GO Transit train last Saturday.

Halton police were called on July 10 after a person with a knife was reported on a GO Transit train in Oakville, officers said.

The male then ran onto a stationary Oakville Transit Bus at the GO Station. The bus was evacuated and officers were able to de-escalate the situation and take the male into custody without injury.

There was a brief standoff which led to the suspect’s arrest.

Police said the man had attempted to steal a person’s bicycle earlier then ran into the train and barricaded himself.

A 34-year-old man is being charged and held pending a bail hearing for the following offences:

• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
• Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
• Theft Over $5000
• Obstruction of a Police Officer
• Possession of Break & Enter Tools
• Possession of Property Obtained By Crime Under $5000
• Possession of a Weapon Contrary to Court Order
• Fail to Comply With Probation (2 Counts)
• Possession of Fentanyl

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Halton Regional Police Service’s non-emergency number (905) 825-4747.