The South Etobicoke News

Serving Humber * Mimico * Lakeshore Village * Long Branch * Alderwood

Police moving in on masked culprit accused of defacing their monument

by

If anyone knows this woman, tell her to get in touch with the cops.

Police have identified a woman, who they say, is a ‘person of interest’ in a June 20 defacement of  their cherished Ontario Police Memorial.

Investigators have released mages of a woman wearing a mask in connection with the vandalism.

On the same day anti-police demonstrators held a rally at Nathan Phillips Square and on University Ave. in front of the U.S. Consulate. Members of the OPP Queen’s Park detachment discovered the monument had been defaced with “BLM” scrawled in red spray paint.

The memorial to fallen police officers is located on the Ontario Legislature grounds in a park in the Grosvener St.-Queen’s Park Cres. E. area.

Unveiled in 2000, the memorial features twin bronze statues of male and female police officers flanked by a granite eight-panel wall of honour inscribed with the names of Ontario police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty over the past 200 years.

Police urge anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers.

Popular Tucker’s Marketplace chain falls after 44-years

by

The food was good and people loved the friendly place but in the end the virus killed it.

Another Etobicoke popular buffet restaurant, Tucker’s Marketplace, which graced the Airport
Strip area for many years has been shut down due to COVID-19.

The chain shut its well-liked restaurants in Etobicoke, Ottawa and Burlington last March after being hit hard by the pandemic.

“Unfortunately, it seems the undeniable reality is that COVID-19 will be with us for some time,” Tucker’s said in a statement. “Restaurants will be required to operate with capacity restrictions and to main physical distancing.”

The company was flying high just a few years ago and by 1984 had 21 successful locations across Canada and in the U.S. Midwest, officials says.

The company teamed up with a venture capital firm in 1994 to relaunch the chain as a buffet. By then it was down to three locations, and tried take-out without success.

“We have concluded therefore, that there is not a profitable path forward for our business,” Tucker’s officials say. “Sadly, we are writing to tell you that we will not be reopening our restaurants.”

The restaurant’s antiques and unfinished brick walls were a call back to the chain’s first incarnation, Mother Tucker’s Food Experience. The restaurant started in a 1920s warehouse in downtown Edmonton in 1976.

 

Coalition pushes for defunding of Toronto Police

by

The push for Toronto Police to be defunded is underway

City residents have their last chance to weigh in on virtual public consultations about police reform today.

This takes place as protesters plan to take to the streets demanding that the force be defunded.

The Toronto Police Services Board’s fourth and final town hall on “police accountability, reform and community safety priorities” is expected to take most of the day.

Late last month, city council voted against a cut to the force’s budget, but proposed a series of changes to policing including anti-racism measures and the implementation of body cameras.

But a group organizing the protest, called No Pride in Policing Coalition, says that doesn’t go nearly far enough.

The coalition sent demands to the police board some of which include: no body cameras; no to expanding the police budget; defunding the budget by 50%; demilitarizing the police; removing cops in schools; decriminalize poverty, drugs, HIV and sex work; and dismantling Special Constables and TTC Fare inspectors.

The NPPC is a group of queer and trans people formed in 2018 to support all the demands that Black Lives Matter Toronto raised at the 2016 Pride Toronto parade. They support BLM TO in their demand for a 50% cut to the Toronto Police Services budget.

 

Health Canada recalls a hand sanitizer sold in the area

by

Residents are being warned of a bad batch of hand sanitizers.

Health Canada have recalled a brand of hand sanitizers that was sold online in the community.

Blake Shaver, of Bread&Butter Designs, says “it has come to my attention that Visibly Clean Hand Sanitizer, manufactured by Brands International, which I sold to some of you through my website was recalled by Health Canada.”

“I have emailed everyone who purchased this product from me but I wanted to make sure that everyone knew about the manufacturer’s recall,” according to a posting.

He wrote that Brands International is responsible to exchange all lots of Visibly Clean remaining in the marketplace. They are offering an exchange for their 8-ounce Germs Be Gone with a pump top.

“If you still have Visibly Clean product and you didn’t receive my email please message me directly for instructions,” Shaver says.

For more info visit breadandbutterdesigns.com

 

 

 

Bicycle Safety Campaign is underway to protect us all

by

More people than ever it seems are peddling their way around town these days.

Toronto Parking Enforcement Officer Erin Urquhart is reminding cyclists and motorists of a Traffic Services Bicycle Safety Campaign which runs from July 13 to July 19 and focuses on community engagement, education and enforcement.

Police say a record amount of cyclists are out on the streets due to COVID-19, which led to Toronto’s ActiveTO’, which aims to safely get residents out of their homes and into the outdoors. There have also been lineups at bike shops in the community.

Throughout this week, police will be conducting traffic enforcement activities and connecting with people about issues that lead to cyclists and other vulnerable road users being killed or injured on city streets.

Last year some 64 people were killed on Toronto’s roads. Of these, 47, or 73%, were vulnerable road users, including one cyclist.  Traffic enforcement activities will focus of the “Big 4” driver behaviours that cause injuries to vulnerable road users – speeding, driving aggressively, driving distracted and driving impaired.

Cyclists are also being warned of ways to avoid “dooring incidents” that happen on our busy roads, as well as promoting the Toronto Police Bicycle Registry and other ways to prevent bicycle theft.

 

For now most of our sports are on hold in the community

by

By REJEAN CANTLON

South Etobicoke gyms await Stage 3.

On July 13th the province announced that 18 of 32 regions within Ontario will enter Stage 3 to reopen which is slated to start on Friday, July 17th. Although South Etobicoke is not included in the group of 18, looking forward, some local sports minded citizens are anxious for what lies ahead for our local athletes.

According to provincial authorities, amateur and recreational sports could resume so long as they “do not allow prolonged or deliberate physical contact” between players.

So what does this exactly mean?

It means that contact sports like wrestling and judo are out, for now. South Etobicoke will remain in Stage 2 until it is safe to move on. Once we are in Stage 3, other sports with some form of contact like hockey, lacrosse or football maybe allowed as long as these sports can be modified to maintain physical distancing and as little contact as possible is made. The provincial directive goes on to say that recreational facilities in Stage 3 regions including, bowling alleys, gyms, play-ground equipment, and pool halls can open for business, as long as physical distancing (2 meters apart) is in place.

As South Etobicoke awaits the green light to move to Stage 3, government officials are clear to point out that despite much of the province opening up, it does not mean that life is back to normal. Officials state that restarting activities in stages will ensure we keep everyone safe, healthy and moving in a responsible way.

 

Indigenous artists sought to perform at summer camp

by

If you are an Indigenous artist, this may be an opportunity for you.

Lakeshore Arts is seeking to engage and hire two Indigenous artists for a week-long virtual At Home Summer Camp.

Artists are responsible for facilitating activities of their choosing and all interactions with campers will be virtual to uphold social distancing rules, according to Lakeshore Arts.

Responsibilities will include preparation work leading up to the camp, as well as hosting virtual workshops with youth over online video conferencing applications (Zoom) throughout the week of the camp.

The goal of Lakeshore Arts is to bring Indigenous arts and culture into the camper’s summer experience. If you are interested contact communityprograms@lakeshorearts.ca

 

No injuries as unattended cement truck crashes into pie store

by

It is not a good day for workers arriving at the New Zealand meat pie company at 107 Shorncliffe Rd., near North Queen.

It was just after 7 a.m. this morning when there was a huge boom as an unattended cement truck crashed into the pie company causing “significant damage,” according to police.

Police say no one was in the truck at the time of the collision. It is unknown if charges will be laid in the incident.

There were no injuries.

The crash caused extensive damage to the front of the building and the company’s website warn they will be closed until further notice.

Detectives from 22 Division are probing the incident and how the truck, without a driver, managed to smash into the popular pie store, which has been there for a number of years and has a devoted following.
The truck somehow ended up in the roadway, where it was blocking traffic in the area.

The area was shut to traffic as an investigation was being conducted and debris swept up. It is unclear as to the damages of the building and truck.

 

Tempers flare for electric vehicle parking spot at Sherway Mall

by

This is what some residents may call a first-world entitlement issue.

Social media is up in arms after video of a female motorist driving a non-electric car goes viral after she refuses to move her vehicle for a driver seeking legitimate electric vehicle parking at Sherway Mall.

Mall security officers had to be called to break up a fracas as the woman kept arguing and refused to move from the spot which was clearly marked for electric vehicles only.

The June 11 incident was captured on video and posted online where it has garnered hundreds of shares.

“She feels she is privileged to blatantly park there and defend her right to park there,” says Shelley Robinson. “The spots are designated for those with special need who need electric cars, or are handicapped or expectant mothers.”

Marjan Akhi says the spot is always taken for other cars that are non-electric and it is “’very disappointing.”

“They should get a ticket for that,” Akhi warns.

“This is very selfish behaviour all around,” writes Rita Dufresne.

“Unless it’s abuse or harm, a revenge or shaming video just drags you down to her level,” warns Atreyi Mukherji.

Paula Torres says humanity is going down the drain.

“This reminds me when stupid people park in spaces for disabled people because they think the regulations don’t apply to them,” she says.

James Porter says it is private property and if the woman does not like the parking she can shop elsewhere.
“All she cares about is herself,” says Cathy Nagy. “All she had to do was go drive around to find another spot.”

“The world is already going through so much and these ignorant people just have to make it worse for others,” says Michelle Verano Zorrilla.

 

 

Three suspects sought for South Etobicoke gunplay

by

Just as we thought the gunplay had subsided due to COVID-19, the bullets are flying again.

Police are busy investigating six shootings in Toronto on Friday and Saturday including one right here at Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Islington Ave.

Detectives are searching for as many as three suspects in connection with the 11 p.m. Saturday shooting in south Etobicoke in which two victims were found suffering from serious gunshot wounds.

Paramedics say one man has been taken to a trauma centre in life-threatening condition while a second man has serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The three suspects are described as a white male wearing a black hoodie, a second male wearing a dark grey hoodie and a third male wearing a black hoodie. All three were seen fleeing the original scene of the shooting in a black coloured four-door sedan.

Police said the shooting is believed to have taken place on Garnett Janes Road before the two drove themselves to where they were found by police and paramedics.

Police in a news conference say five people were also injured after another shooting around 10:20 p.m. Friday in the Jane St. and Woolner Ave. area. One person was left in critical condition in that gunfire.

Police say a small grey or silver sedan came to Woolner Ave., just before the shots were fired.

There has been no arrests.

If you have information call police at 416-808-2200.