Traffic was stopped for hours for motorists using the west-bound Etobicoke stretch of the Gardener Expressway due to a horrific car crash.

A 27-year-old man was pronounced dead following a tragic collision in the westbound lanes of the busy highway, near Royal York Road, shortly before 9:30 a.m. on February 3.

The man was driving a 2017 Honda Accord at a high rate of speed when he lost control and collided with a flatbed truck, according to Toronto Police.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Police are trying to determine how the man crashed into the flatbed.

No other injuries were reported.

All westbound lanes of the expressway were closed from South Kingsway to Islington Avenue for several hours because of the collision. The roadway was finally reopened around 2:45 p.m., about five hours later.

The investigation is ongoing by members of Traffic Services.
Police are asking anyone with dash cam footage from around the time of the collision to contact Traffic Services.

 

 

 

Motorists are being asked to have patience as a construction project is about to get underway that will cause traffic issues.

Long Branch residents and merchants are bracing up for at least four months of construction work and noise as a major watermain replacement project takes place on Lake Shore Blvd. W.

Some business owners are worried about suffering another financial hit as the Lake Shore Blvd. W. will be reduced to two lanes, with little or no parking for customers, in some areas. They are already hurting from COVID-19.

The construction activity will affect businesses and residents from Twenty Fourth Street to just west of Thirty Second Street, according to the City.

“First customers were staying away because of COVID-19,” a frustrated Long Branch merchant said. “Now the road will be reduced and no parking, which is great for business.”

The City in a January 25 Construction Notice said the watermain construction will begin on February 7 and end on April 1, which is roughly seven weeks.

“The City of Toronto will replace the watermain and the city-owned portion of substandard water services on Lake Shore Blvd. W. from Twenty Fourth Street to 56-meters west of Thirty Second Street,” according to the Notice.

The construction on the Lake Shore Blvd. W., will begin in less than a month.

City officials said the homeowner is responsible for the pipe that leads to their home from the watermain. The City owns from the end of the property to the watermain.

The Notice said if you live on Lake Shore Blvd. W., in the area where work is being conducted, your home was quite likely built before the mid 1950s and the pipes are made out of lead, which can be dangerous to your health and that of your family.

The lead pipes and other heavy work are being conducted by a team of City workers.

The City also sent out a Pre-Construction Notice on January 26 detailing a Sewer Upgrade program that will be taking place for 10 months affecting Twenty Fifth Street, Twenty Seventh Street and others.

“The project is part of the Council-approved Capital Works Program to renew aging infrastructure, reduce the risk of leaks and ensure continued long-term reliable sewer service,” the City said.

 

 

 

It appears as if gun-toting triggermen from Mississauga and Brampton brought their beef to a Long Branch business when gunfire broke out killing two men and injuring a woman.

Toronto homicide officers are hot on the trail of two suspects who are sought for a double killing, and wounding of a third person at an office rental business, at 150 Thirtieth Street, on January 3.

The bodies of Minyali Wur, 24, and Chudier Reat, 20, were found riddled with gunshot wounds. They were taken to hospital and pronounced dead.

Detectives also found a woman nearby suffering from non-life threatening injuries.

No motive has been provided for the gunplay, which reportedly occurred at a recording studio.

The facility was shut down for more than a week as police forensic experts searched for clues.

Police on January 31 released the identities of two young men, from Mississauga and Brampton, who are sought to answer for homicides 3 and 4 of 2022.

Sought are Darriel Thompson, 21, of Mississauga, for two counts of second degree murder and attempted murder.

Also wanted is Camarr Brown, 21, of Brampton, for being an accessory after the fact of murder.

Police are investigating the history of the two rival parties.

Investigators would like to speak with anyone who may have information concerning this investigation, information on the two wanted men, or have dash camera or video surveillance of the area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, 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).

 

Mimico residents can expect more gravel trucks on Royal York Road if this tall-standing project is approved.

A zoning by-law amendment application has been filed to City Council to permit a 36-storey mixed use tower at 266 Royal York Road, just north of Drummond Street.

The 121-metre tall building will have an eight storey self-storage building on site and a three level below grade garage, according to the plan.

The 36-storey building would contain 869 square metres of retail space at-grade and 826 residential units above.

There are already a number of major construction projects underway in that area of Mimico and traffic is usually backed up on Royal York Road, according to residents.

They said parking is also an issue in the area.

“The convenient and well serviced location of this development allows for the reduction in parking availability and supports the Official Plan vision,” according to the proposal.

LEA Consulting Ltd. (LEA) was retained by Fieldgate Urban to prepare a Transportation Impact Study (TIS), according to the application.

The company said the subject site is located within a 15-minute walking distance of Mimico GO Train Station and is adjacent to streetcar stops along Lake Shore Boulevard West.

“The subject site is well-connected to the City’s cycling network via a multi-use trail along the waterfront and dedicated facilities along Stanley Avenue and Royal York Boulevard.”

Area residents are not that bowled over by the massive project that will tower over their homes.

“Won’t be long before they take the other two industrial properties and clean up that street with condos,” one man wrote on social media.

“Yet another case where I say taper down to the neighborhood environment, I don’t care what the proximity is to Mimico GO,” another concerned resident wrote. “This thing would stick out like a hilariously real bad sore thumb.”

Another local said the building was too bulky.

“The architectural expression facing Royal York is both bizarre and unbecoming,” the man said online. “The grade level with the all-glass, and excess height doesn’t work.”

The building has not been approved for construction and is being considered by City officials.

 

 

A hunt to find the smugglers of a family from India found frozen near the U.S. border has led police back to Toronto and Pearson International Airport.

The RCMP have confirmed that the family arrived in Toronto from India on January 12 and left soon after for Emerson, Manitoba.

It takes more than 19 hours to make the 2,120 km trip by car to Emerson in good weather.

“There was no abandoned vehicle located on the Canadian side of the border,” the Manitoba RCMP said in a release. “This indicates that someone drove the family to the border and then left the scene.”

Investigators are going back in time trying to determine how the family travelled from Toronto on January 12 to arrive in Emerson on January 18.

They believe someone may have picked up the family at Pearson and drove them to their deaths.

“With what we know so far of their activities in Canada, along with the arrest that occurred in the United States, we believe this to be a case of human smuggling,” the Mounties said.

They said “the Patel family moved around Canada for a period of time and we are looking for anyone that may have had encounters with them.”

Police autopsies have identified the family members as Jagdishkumar Patel, 39, his wife Vaishaliben Patel, 37, daughter Vihangi, 11,  and son, Dharmik, 3.

The family, from the Dingucha village in India’s western state of Gujarat, had travelled to Toronto on January 12, the  Mounties said. It is believed the adults had risked their lives for a better opportunity for their children.

Their frozen bodies were found in the snow, just metres from the border on January 19. A man on the U.S. side was arrested and charged with human smuggling and is before the courts.

It is believed the family was being smuggled into the U.S. in a blizzard when they froze. The smuggler took off.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Manitoba has confirmed that the cause of death was due to exposure.

The RCMP has been working closely with RCMP Liaison Officers in New Delhi, India and Washington, D.C., and have been in regular contact with Indian consular officials.

If you have any information on this investigation please call the Manitoba RCMP Major Crime Services at 431-489-8551, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

 

 

A woman was hospitalized after fatally hitting a senior who was walking along The Queensway.

Police said an 84-year-old man was walking eastbound on the north sidewalk of The Queensway towards Islington Avenue on January 28 around 3:06 p.m.

Officers said the driver of a 2013 Kia vehicle was exiting a private driveway from the north side of The Queensway.

“The 31-year-old female driver of the Kia motor vehicle made contact with the pedestrian,” police said in a news release. “The man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.”’

He succumbed to his injuries, police said.

Members of Traffic Services said the driver of the Kia was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

Police are asking local residents, business 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).

 

Two people are under arrest after the RCMP and border agents seized 28 kilograms of the hallucinogenic date rape drug ketamine being smuggled into Canada by air.

The busts stemmed from the seizure of a number of ketamine shipments from France that were bound for Toronto and intercepted in Montreal last August, police said.

The RCMP at the Toronto Airport Detachment said in a release they were advised of the interceptions and began an investigation with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

“Those who traffic in illicit drugs destroy lives, homes and communities.” stated RCMP Inspector Barry Dolan, Officer in Charge of the RCMP Airport Detachment. “I want to thank CBSA for their diligent partnership. Together, we work to keep Canadians safe from the damaging effects of illicit drugs”.

“CBSA officers work alongside the RCMP and our partners in public safety law to stem the flow of illegal commodities into our country,” said CBSA Quebec Regional Director Annie Beauseuour. “Our officers are committed to preserving the safety of Canadians and their communities.”

Pengfai Liang and Ling Yang, original of Toronto, have been charged with four counts each in connection with importing, conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance. They are before the courts.

Police said Ketamine, commonly known as a date rape drug, sells on the street for about $25,000 a kilogram and the seizure was worth almost $1 million.

 

FAMILY LUCKY to be alive.

A young family is lucky to be alive after a harrowing early morning fire at an Eighth Street apartment building that forced them to escape from a second floor window.

A quick thinking Tamara Harris was stuck inside a unit with her young daughter as smoke started filling the hallways of the apartment on Wednesday morning.

Harris managed to break a window to pass her baby to safety. She was treated in hospital for several cuts and bruises to her hand suffered from smashing the window.

There was no fire in her unit but there was smoke in the hallway.

Area resident Christina Murrie, who works nearby, said there were about 10 firetrucks, ambulances and
TTC buses at what turned out to be a two-alarm blaze around 7 a.m. on January 26.

“I didn’t see a fire or smoke but there was a lot of activity,” Murrie said.

Fire officials said at one point flames and heavy smoke were billowing from one of the windows.

Paramedics said a man in his 40s was treated for minor smoke inhalation. Five others were examined at the scene.

No one was in the unit where the fire broke out and it was contained to that apartment. However, smoke spread throughout the building.

The fire was quickly knocked down. It so happened that Toronto Fire Station 435, at 130 Eighth Street, is located across the street from the building.

One witness said it is believed the fire began after someone fell asleep with a cigarette burning.

They said two apartment units were engulfed in flames. One was gutted.

Financial help is on the way to small businesses, says Christine Hogarth.

The Etobicoke Lakeshore MPP has announced a series of supports for small businesses, workers, and families.

The aid includes a Business Costs Rebate Program, Cash Flow Program, Electricity Rate Relief Program, and a Small Business Relief Grant.

“Small businesses, job creators and the entrepreneurial spirit are the backbone of our local economy. Unfortunately, these businesses have been some of the most impacted by COVID-19, and many continue to struggle,” Hogarth said.

“With these new programs, our government will provide relief for many of our small businesses that create jobs for people in Etobicoke.”

Eligible businesses required to close or reduce capacity due to the current public health measures put in place to blunt the spread of the Omicron variant can apply for the new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program,” Hogarth said in a statement.

She said under the new program, the government will provide eligible businesses with a rebate payment of up to 100% for property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these restrictions.

“Eligible businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100% of their cost,” Hogarth said. “Those required to reduce capacity to 50%, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50% of their costs.”

The government is also improving cash flows for Ontario businesses by making up to $7.5 billion available through a six-month interest – and penalty-free period for businesses to make payments for most provincially administered taxes.

This penalty and interest-free period started on January 1. This supports businesses now and provides the flexibility they will need for long-term planning.

The government is providing 21 days of electricity rate relief to support families and workers spending more time at home, as well as small businesses.

To help Ontarians get through this difficult time, electricity rates have been lowered to the lowest price, the off-peak rate of 8.2 cents, 24 hours a day.

This change will happen automatically for anyone who is currently paying regulated rates set by the Ontario Energy Board and gets a bill from a utility, whether they are a Time-of-Use customer or a Tiered rate customer, according to the province.

Also announced was an Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for small businesses that are subject to closure under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. It will provide eligible small businesses with a grant payment of $10,000.

She said businesses will be required to submit proof of costs associated with property tax and energy bills as part of the application process.

All eligible businesses must submit an application to be considered, including those that received previous COVID-19 support payments.

More than $15,000 has been raised in a Go Fund Me page to help with the funeral services of local skateboarder Jordan Carter, who was shot and killed by a 13-year-old in East York.

Members of the South Etobicoke skateboarding community area are asking for the Eighth Street Skatepark to be renamed after Carter, 15, who spent many hours there helping younger children skate.

The arts student from Lakeshore Collegiate Institute was shot dead in an apartment parking garage in the Gamble and Pape Avenues area around 11:30 p.m. on January 19, according to police.

Officers said Carter died of gunshot wounds despite intense life-saving measures by paramedics to save his life. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police say.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, but appeared in court on January 21.

Two firearms and ammunition have been seized in connection with the case, police say.

Carter, who was always seen on a skateboard, had many friends who lit up social media to mourn his loss.

“He was a talented young man who loved skateboarding,” wrote fund organizer, Krista Langille. “He was a beautiful soul who was loved his friends and anyone who ever met him. We are all devastated by this loss.”

Langille said all funds donated will be used for “memorial purposes and given to his grandmother to cover the costs of his funeral.” Funeral details are being finalized.

Dejan Pavlovic said Carter helped her son Quentin to become a better skateboarder.

“He absolutely made a difference in people’s lives and those that were on the receiving end of his warmth will be better, more humble, more loving people simply by being by his side,” Pavlovic wrote. “Jordan is our friend and we miss him and are very sad that we won’t ever see him again.”

She said the Eighth Street Skatepark should be renamed after Jordan Carter in honor of the many kids he has helped.

“I’ll always remember him as the skateboard loving kid who would always share his board or scooter,” recalled Rose Dias.

Adrienne Costantino said she is devastated by the loss.

“Jordan was a bright, sweet kid with incredible talent and a creative soul,” Costantino said. “The news of his loss is absolutely devastating. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

“Will always remember Jordan as a smiling little boy with our pugs on his skateboard,” noted Marina Pacheco. ‘Always filled with love and light. We miss you.”

Donations towards his funeral can be made on Go Fund Me.