By DAVE KOSONIC

Murray Young was deeply committed to education in Etobicoke for 31 years and served our country for five years during World War 11 including overseas as a bomber navigator.

Born Murray Macgillivary Young in Regina in 1921, Young passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Port Credit residence at the age of 99 on June 2, 2020.

Young was the founding principal of Silverthorn Collegiate Institute, located on Mill Road near Burnhamthorpe Road, which opened in September 1964.

He had recruited about 24 experienced teachers from numerous other secondary schools operated by the then Etobicoke Board of Education.

The late Stan Hamner was one of Young’s staff members and he was the geography teacher. From memory he could rapidly draw an accurate outline map of any country in the world on the blackboard while his students watched in awe.

Young later assumed a posting as an area superintendent and he played an important role in developing the Etobicoke School of the Arts.

He was a strong but also humble man who did not ‘advertise’ his service with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). He also saw action in the night skies as a navigator on bombers operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF).

According to military records the bomber navigators including Young played a crucial role in keeping the other aircrew members as safe as possible by pin pointing exactly where their aircraft were in relation to the enemy targets to be bombed. He belonged to the RAF 525 Squadron at the time.

After the war ended Young graduated from McGill University with an honors degree in history. After that he completed his teacher training when he graduated from the Ontario College of Education in Toronto and subsequently joined the Etobicoke Board as a classroom high school teacher.

During his retirement he was an active member of the First United Church. He and his wife Connie also did a lot of travelling which included spending winters as snowbirds in San Destin, Florida.

Because of his valiant military service Young was awarded in 2018 the prestigious rank of Knight of the French National Order of Honour for aiding in the Liberation of France in 1944.

 

A motorist who fled on foot following a fatal collision on the Gardiner Expressway has been arrested by Toronto Police.

Police said the accused was sought in connection with a deadly collision on October 3, at 1:32 a.m. in the Gardiner Expressway and Islington Avenue area.

He was arrested on October 21.

Detectives from the force’s Traffic Services in a release said a grey Nissan and white Audi R8 were travelling eastbound on the Gardiner at a high rate of speed when police allege the Audi struck the rear of the Nissan.

Police said the impact pushed the Nissan into the median guard rail where the driver lost control of the vehicle and it flipped trapping inside Norma Buendia, 58.

Buendia was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries. She was pronounced dead in hospital.

Her husband Roberto Carlos, 61, the driver of the Nissan, was more fortunate and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Following the collision, the accused allegedly pulled over on the right shoulder of the expressway and fled the scene on foot.

Kalyan Trivedi, 31, of Toronto, has been charged with dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death, dangerous operation of a conveyance causing bodily harm, leave of accident causing death and leave scene of accident causing bodily harm.

He was slated to appear at a Finch Ave. W. court on October 21.

 A five-year-old boy was taken to hospital after suffering serious but non-life threatening injuries after being struck by a pick up truck on Seventh Street, just south of Lake Shore Blvd. W.

A large crowd or concerned area residents gathered around the child and his mother as police arrived on the scene.

Police were called on October 21 just after 4:30 p.m. to calls that a ‘child was struck by a driver.’

Police said on Twitter that the child was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Witnesses at the scene said the child was taken for checks to the Hospital for Sick Children. It appeared the boy was hit in the head area by the truck near Seventh Street Junior School.

The driver of the vehicle remained on scene, police say.

Traffic was diverted in and around Seventh Street for several hours as police conducted their investigation.

It is unknown if charges will be laid at this time.

 

 

Toronto Police anti-fraud officers are warning the public of thieves who are going around trying to take over our bank accounts.

Four people are behind bars after Toronto Police cracked an identity theft and fraud ring in which thousands of stolen gift cards were seized.

Police have announced the ‘takedown of an organized hierarchy committing millions of dollars in identity theft and financial frauds, including the seizure of thousands of stolen gift cards.’
Dubbed Project Hydra, the year-long investigation led officers to identify a chain of people from “low-level identity thieves to counterfeit identification makers and distributors,” police said.

The four suspects arrested face almost 100 criminal charges.

The force’s Financial Crimes Unit – Corporate Section opened a case in September 2020 to look into “multiple occurrences of identity fraud and bank account takeovers.”

“Suspects would steal the identities and personal banking information of unsuspecting victims,’ detectives alleged. “Using this information, they would create fraudulent identification and then employ other suspects to enter the financial institutions for the purposes of taking over the accounts.”

Police were able to identify the locations where suspects would pick up the fraudulent identification and six criminal code search warrants were obtained and served on September 2.

Seized in the searches were a $100,000 Porsche Panamera, $70,000 cash, fraudulent identifications, and electronic evidence including hard drives, cell phone and computer printers.

Investigators also discovered a business believed to be involved in the distribution of fraudulent gift cards. Officers recovered 37,000 gift cards, with potential values of $50 to $500 each, and 1,300 pre-paid credit cards, with an estimated value of $216,000.
The investigation into the seized gift cards is ongoing and more arrests and charges are possible.

Charged are Vladislav Tsyganok, 25, of Vaughan, Jamal Karama Sharif, 34, of Newmarket and Toronto, Asmerom Tsegay, 31, of Toronto and Nadia Campitelli, 46, of no fixed address.

The suspects face close to 100 fraud, identity theft, possession proceeds of property obtained by crime and dozens of other charges.

Fraud officers are warning the public never send your personal financial information through email, shred personal information before putting it in the garbage or recycling, never share your PIN with anyone and never click the link on text messages or emails from unsolicited sources.
Also be aware of postal mail not arriving as before, as there is the potential for identity thieves changing the address, only carry with you the identification you absolutely need and secure the rest, regularly check your credit rating with Equifax Canada or TransUnion Canada and  when purchasing a gift card, check the receipt at time of purchase and compare data on receipt to the numbers on the card.

A Toronto man who allegedly fled the scene of a tragic crash that killed one person and hospitalized another has been arrested by police.

Toronto Police said a man was arrested on October 20 in connection with the fatal accident.

Investigators say a Gold Pontiac Montana van and a black sedan were travelling westbound on Burnhamthorpe Road at a high rate of speed when the van collided with a Honda CRV that was going south on Shaver, causing that vehicle to flip over.

Police had been searching for a driver who fled the scene.

The driver of the CRV, a 59-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the van was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Shabiri Tull, 23, has been charged with dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death.

He will appear in court at 2201 Finch Avenue West on December 2.

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).

 

Toronto Police seem to be one step behind this woman who is sought for allegedly stealing booze from liquor stores.

Police allege between September 17 and October 2 the suspect attended multiple Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) stores throughout the city.

Officers claim that once inside the store the woman selected items and exited the store without paying.

Police have released a photo of Tamara Oimette, 28, of Toronto.

Detectives said the suspect is wanted for three counts of theft under $5,000, three counts of fail to comply release order and three counts of fail to comply undertaking.

She is described as 5-foot about, 105 lbs., thin build, medium length brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500, 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.

IF you like band music. Then you don’t want to miss October 24, at 2 p.m., at the Sixth Street mural for a musical tribute by the Military Alumni Band to mark the 100 Anniversary of the Toronto Scottish Regiment, sponsored by the Lake Shore Village BIA. ALSO Sunrise Remembrance Day ceremony in New Toronto poster at bottom.

ON October 31 the BIA’s traditional Halloween celebrations and giveaways take place at Sixth Street and Lake Shore Blvd. W.

Lest We Forget

SUNRISE REMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY IN NEW TORONTO

 

Toronto-raised celebrity Keanu Reeves is among 10 prominent Canadians being inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame next month.

Reeves, a top star who is said to be one of the most genuine actors in Hollywood, grew up in Toronto’s Yorkville area. He struggled in school and attended four different high schools in the city, including a private Catholic school and Etobicoke School of the Arts, on Royal York Road, from which he was expelled.

The actor, whose name means cool breeze in Hawaiian, said later that he was expelled because he was “just a little too rambunctious and shot my mouth off once too often.”

He is among fellow actor Graham Greene, retired Lt.-Gen. Romeo Dallaire, musician Bruce Cockburn, singer Jully Black, the late blues artist Salome Bey, Bret (The Hitman) Hart and Olympic decathlon champ Damien Warner to be memorialized in Canada’s Walk of Fame, on Simcoe Street, on December 4.

Reeves is a proud Canadian citizen, who was born in Beirut, where his mother, Patricia Taylor, a British costume designer and performer, met his father, Samuel Reeves. He and his sister were raised by a single mom. They lived in Sydney and New York City before settling in Toronto when Reeves was about seven years old.

He was a good hockey player and for a while wanted to become a professional player. The actor, who was a goalie for De La Salle Catholic College; was once voted the most valuable player and was dubbed “The Wall.”

One of Reeves’ first professional gigs was working as a correspondent on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) TV youth program Going Great. The show focused on child prodigies who were able to accomplish amazing things at a young age.

His acting roles picked up after moving to Hollywood in 1986, including the teen crime drama “River’s Edge” in 1986 and “Permanent Record,” where he played the best friend of a teen who commits suicide.

His big break came in 1989, with “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” Fresh off a role in period drama “Dangerous Liaisons,” Reeves’ turn as stoner genius Ted earned him instant acclaim.

His credits included surf-driven crime thriller “Point Break” in 1991 to Gus Van Sant’s 1991 critically acclaimed Indie drama “My Own Private Idaho,” which garnered Reeves huge fame.

“The Matrix,” a 1999 sci-fi action film is arguably one of his most iconic movies. Directed by the Wachowskis, the film tells the story of a computer hacker enlisted to take down dystopian overlords.

While subsequent spin-off films weren’t as successful, “The Matrix” franchise made Reeves a household name and a very rich man. There are many stories of him and his generosity with money.

He received a star on the Hollywood walk of fame in 2005.

Reeves hasn’t forgotten his pre-famous days of pounding the sidewalks on Royal York Road in the snow. He doesn’t brag or revel in his celebrity status, which is why so many people love him worldwide.

 

 

Many fans are devastated to learn the loss of Lakeshore teen star Neil Hope, best known as Derek “Wheels” Wheeler of the TV series Degrassi Junior High, who grew up in the Long Branch area.

Hope, who once lived on Twenty Third Street, would have been 49 years old last September, but he died in 2007. His death was only discovered earlier this year.

For millions, Neil Hope was “Wheels” a lovable, troubled onscreen teen with that feathered blond hair and huge glasses.

Hope played Wheeler on the teen drama series Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High from 1987 to 1991. Previously, he had portrayed the character Griff in the series The Kids of Degrassi Street from 1985 to 1986.

After reprising his role for two episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation, Hope it has been confirmed died 14-years-ago and very few knew of his death.

The troubled star was private, transient and kept to himself. He suffered bouts of substance abuse.

Hope would often watch television with his father and siblings for dinner, which led him to develop an interest in the behind-the-scenes aspects of TV production. He took a television training course at the Etobicoke School of the Arts and had professional photos taken of himself.

Hope made his acting debut in the Kids of Degrassi Street episode Martin Meets The Pirates. He would tell interviewers that television had been an escape from his problems, and being involved in the medium would make that escape a reality.

Hope was the child of alcoholics and was vocal about his own struggles with drinking. He discussed his parents’ alcoholism in an episode of the documentary series Degrassi Talks.

Hope also made a documentary about children of alcoholic parents, called The Darker Side, which featured contributions from his co-stars Bill Parrott and Rebecca Haines. Hope’s father died in 1987 from cirrhosis of the liver.

Police have confirmed that Hope was found dead on Nov. 25, 2007 in a Hamilton rooming house. That shocking revelation was made known to friends and family only this year.

“Neil made an important contribution to our lives, to the lives of our television team, who are like a family to us and to the lives of many Canadians and others around the world,” said a statement from executive producers Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn.

“His life was not an easy one, but the time he spent with us was a shining example of determination, hard work and hopeful optimism and he is sorely missed.”

From its original iteration as The Kids of Degrassi Street in 1979 to the still-running Degrassi: The Next Generation, the series is one of Canada’s prime television success stories. It developed a cult following, was picked up in the U.S. and is now watched the world over.

 

A suspect on the run from Toronto Police has been arrested and charged with eight counts of making false fire alarms and eight counts of mischief that allegedly took place in the Humber Bay area.

Police accused the suspect of committing as many as 10 Break and Entries in the last 14-months in the Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Parklawn Road area.

Police in a news release said the crimes occurred from August 6, 2020 to October 15, 2021.

Detectives allege the man, who roamed the area topless, broke into a commercial building by smashing a window.

“Once inside he caused extensive damage to the building and personal property,” according to police. “He turned the water on flooding a unit overnight.”

The suspect entered a number of high-rise condo buildings committing crimes, officers say.

Investigators believe the same man is responsible for the incidents.

Milton Garcia-Perez, 41, of no fixed address, has been charged with break and enter, eight counts of mischief under $5,000, eight counts of false fire alarm and mischief over $5,000.

He appeared at a Finch A. W. court on October 19.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200, 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).