Work is underway at Humber Bay Park East to restore a once prized neighbourhood beach.

A large strip of sandy beach was filled with large rocks in a shoreline restoration work that took place from 2016 to 2019 at the park.

“Many residents were left with the impression that existing beach area in Humber Bay Park East would remain an accessible public beach when the construction was completed,” according to a City report.

Hundreds of Humber Bay Shores residents signed an online petition protesting the changes and demanded their beach be returned.

A motion by Councillor Amber Morley for the restoration of the shoreline was adopted by council, who will dish out $155,000 for the project, which is expected to be completed early next year.

The report said a section of Humber Bay Park East has been resurfaced with large cobble stones and ‘the shoreline is no longer beach-like, and access to the water has been restricted.’

“It is also important to ensure that we are providing beautiful spaces for recreation and amenities in our parks that serve the residents who frequent them,” City staff wrote.

“Community members have raised concerns that something has been lost in Humber Bay Park East with the replacement of the former beach by the large cobblestone shoreline.”

The petition said the beach is cherished by the community as not everyone has the means to travel abroad or book a cottage to provide their families with a nature or a beach experience.

“Access to nature has been proven to have positive effects on mental well-being, and to interact with elements such as sand, trees and water,” said the petition. It ‘is integral to fostering a healthy and balanced community.’

A Long Branch group has thrown its support behind stiffer action against companies that violate City tree protection laws.

The Long Branch Residents Association Incorporated has banded with the Leaside Residents Association in calling on the city to toughen up by-law protected tree-cutting laws following a years old tree that was cut down by developers in  June.

The issue re-surfaced following public uproar after a long-standing by-law protected, mature honey locust tree in Leeside was cut down by a developer, with little penalty.

It led City officials to work on revised plans requiring additional variances to ensure the protection of the tree while facilitating the construction of new housing on the site.

The issue was considered and amended by City Council at its July 23, 24 and 25 meeting.

“Long Branch has lost many well-loved healthy, mature trees in recent years due to development when options exist for these trees to be preserved,” wrote Judy Gibson, chair of the Tree Canopy Preservation and Enhancement Committee.

“Changes are needed to strengthen urban forestry policy to better protect private trees and plantable space for these trees to grow to their full potential and to plant new large canopy trees.”

She agreed  the existing fines are often not enough of a deterrent to prevent illegal tree injuries and removals.

A motion before the City by Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin and seconded by Councillor Shelley Carrol  calls for a list of by-law protected trees to be kept on file to check against applications from developers before an application is approved,

“These recommendations link the culling of a well-loved mature honey locust tree at 712 Eglinton Avenue East in Leaside to much needed changes in urban forestry policy by the City,” wrote Geoff Kettel and Carol Burtin Fripp, of The Leaside Residents Association.

“These changes are needed to prevent such incidents from re-occurring and to protect the urban tree canopy,” the co-presidents said.

Staff said the policy can link forestry infractions and building permit permissions, which requires urgent action by the Ontario government.

A popular Etobicoke ice cream vendor named Dr. Cool is hoping his precious cream doesn’t melt in the heat as his truck is broken down with engine problems.

And he did what most people do these days and launched a Go Fund Me page, that has raised almost $9,000 in less than a week from ice cream lovers.

Louis Tsiktsiris wrote that his Dr. Cool ice cream truck needs major engine work.

The truck “has had a long run but now needs a new or rebuilt engine to continue,” he wrote on Go Fund Me, adding he was embarrassed to seek financial help.

“This is very humbling and embarrassing and I never thought I would be at a place like this in my life,” Tsiktsiris said “I am sorry. Thank you.”

Records show that he was at one time licensed by the City as a hawker, pedlar with push cart vendor.

There were more than 177 non-motorized food carts and 325 motorized refreshment vehicles, including 75 hot dog carts, licensed by the City in 2020.

Many truck owners have more than one ice cream truck. They said the business has gradually shifted its focus towards private or large events, rather than traditional street sales.

People love the sounds of a colourful ice cream truck. The successful drivers understand that location and timing are everything – hitting up parks during kids’ birthday parties, positioning near busy TTC stops during rush hour, or setting up at community events.

This may be good news for some motorists in a hurry.

City officials are trying to limit tickets issued by its 150 Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras to one per camera following complaints the devices are being used as a cash grab.

Council will consider at its July 23 – 25 meeting a plan to limit the number of tickets issued by the cameras to one  from a single location if the motorist has no previous infractions.

The proposal by the City Solicitor, and Transportation Services, has to be approved by Council.

The purpose of this report is to “assess the feasibility of limiting the number of ASE infractions an individual vehicle owner can receive from a single camera location prior to receiving their first ASE infraction in the mail.”

“The enforcement of regulatory offences, including those for red light cameras and ASE, are not designed to be revenue generation tools for municipalities,” according to the report. “The fines and penalties associated with these offences are for the purpose of deterring behaviour determined to be a risk to public safety.”

The proposed change stems from outcry following the early July vandalism for the sixth time of the City’s most productive machine on Parkside Drive, despite having its own security camera. That ASE has issued more than 66,000 tickets and generated more than $7 million in fines since being installed in 2022.

City staff said if the proposal is approved it can result in a potential reduction of almost 6,000 infractions, or some $520,000 in lost revenue. It is estimated to cost about $30,000 to make changes to the devices.

The Toronto ASE program was launched in 2020 with 50 cameras which has increased to 150 today. Some 126 are mobile and 24 are in permanent locations.

The first month of enforcement of the 150 cameras resulted in 94,250 tickets being issued to unsuspecting motorists, the report said.

“Higher speeds contribute to a higher risk of serious injuries and fatalities,” the report stated. “When collisions occur at higher speeds, the impact force has a high likelihood of causing a serious injury and fatality.”

ASE cameras are permitted in school zones and community safety zones, with a large volume of pedestrian activity, particularly children and older adults, who are the most vulnerable road users.

More than $34 million yearly are generated by the ASEs for the City.

Dozens of volunteers every Monday evening spend their own funds to feed more than 70 unhoused area residents at a local church.

The Hand in Hand charity donate dozens of hours and spend hundreds of dollars from their own pockets to purchase and  cook about 30 large foil trays of delicious, hot food to feed the needy at St. Margaret’s New Toronto church, on Sixth Street.

“Hand in Hand is a volunteer-run group of residents in South Etobicoke who come together to provide community care to neighbours in need, whether through a hot meal, a warm conversation and more,” said group organizer Kasia Okienska. Most group members met on social media and plan their weekly menu online.

The more than 20 volunteers this night set up a line of hot tables, containing vegetarian dishes as pastas, pizzas, curry and meat dishes as chicken, pork, meatball pasta and soups.

The well-behaved recipients are provided reusable bags to place their takeout food; including fruits and vegetables, breads, pastries, cookies, sandwiches, water, cutlery and other goodies.

Okienska said the recipients are also provided hygiene products, clothing and hot beverages.

“Hand in Hand isn’t just a place for the community to find a meal on Mondays,” she explained. “It’s also a place where stories are shared, a smile is given, eye contact is made, help offered, all in a peaceful and non-threatening environment.”

The group has partnered with St Margaret’s Anglican Church, Haven on the Queensway and local businesses, including Cobbs Bakery; which donates food.

Outside the church on tables are women and mens’ clothing, shoes, and other necessities that are provided free by Haven volunteers. Most of the items are snapped up by appreciative residents.

Okienska said many of their unhoused live in cars, bus shelters, apartment hallways or in the parks.  Volunteers said there is a huge demand for the meals since many people, including fixed-income seniors, who cannot afford food or pay rent at the same time.

“Quite a few of our unhoused friends face a lot of challenges,” she said. “We are supporting those who need it, whether is dropping off donations or visiting local schools to support nutrition programs.”

The group was recently awarded an Award of Merit by the LAMP Community Health Centre for their work in our community.

Hand in Hand does not accept cash donations but will accept food items. You can e-mail them at  handinhandcrew@hotmail.com

The TTC say they are the better and cleanest way to get around.

The transit company says by next year it will have a fleet of 400 zero emission e-buses making it the greenest large transit systems in North America.

A ‘Red Rocket’ Green Bus Program led to greenhouse gas emissions being reduced by more than 25 per cent with the procurement of 591 new hybrid-electric buses and 208 battery-electric buses.

“By the end of the first quarter of 2026, the current order of 340 e-buses will have grown the zero-emission fleet to 400, making the TTC’s bus fleet the greenest of large transit systems in North America,” according to a report presented at a TTC board meeting last month.

The company said more than 50 per cent of its ridership are served by electric and emission-free subway and streetcar systems.

It said the emission reductions are estimated to yield $460 million in avoided social costs of carbon and $2.8 million in healthcare costs avoided.

“This one action will reduce the TTC’s direct organization-wide emissions by 28% by 2030,” according to the report.

The transit company retired its fleet of Orion VII Clean Diesel buses last year phasing out its highest-emitting buses.  The diesel from buses includes; carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, sulfur oxides, and volatile organic compounds.

“Once our fleet is fully electrified, this transition is expected to avoid approximately 290,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and 125 tonnes of criteria air pollutant emissions annually between 2040 and 2050,” according to the TTC.

Staff said low-income and equity-deserving communities are often located near bus garages and high-traffic corridors, which exposes them to diesel exhaust and related health issues as asthma and cardiovascular disease.

“Electrifying bus fleets directly reduces local tailpipe emissions, delivering localized air quality improvements to neighbourhoods that historically bear the greatest pollution burden,” the report warned.

It noted e-buses have a shorter range than diesel/hybrid buses, and will require adjustments in scheduling, charging operations and fleet size.

The TTC is working with Toronto Hydro and others to develop charging infrastructure for the green fleet.

The transit company is the largest in Canada with 192 bus routes and last year had a ridership of about 420 million or about 1.5 million daily.

It took arson suspects four attempts and more than a month to torch Burger’s Priest fast food restaurant on The Queensway.

Police said the suspects attempted four times to burn the 1599 The Queensway, near Atomic Avenue, eatery from June 7 to July 15.

In three instances the suspects managed to gain entry into the business by smashing a window and tried to set the inside on fire with an accelerant, believed to be gasoline.

“The same restaurant establishment was involved in each incident,” police said. ”Investigators believe the incidents are related.”

The incidents are being investigated and descriptions of the wanted men have been issued.

Police said they were called for the most recent fire on July 15, around 3:20 a.m.

“A suspect broke into a restaurant and poured a liquid accelerant,” according to police. “The accelerant was ignited, causing significant damage by fire inside the restaurant.”

Police and firefighters were summoned days before on July 12, at about 4 a.m., for another fire call.

“Two suspects attended the area of the restaurant,” officials said. “One suspect poured an accelerant and caused minor fire damage to the outside of the restaurant.”

Emergency workers were again called on June 7, where suspects broke in through a window to enter and set a fire, which didn’t spread that much.

A few days after on July 9, two suspects went to the side door of the restaurant at 2 a.m., poured an accelerant and caused minor fire damage to an outdoor vestibule.

A list of suspects has been released with their descriptions by police.

Police are investigating to determine if there is some sort of fast food tensions taking place between fast-food restaurants.

Toronto Fire and police are investigating a suspected arson in which the popular Burger’s Priest burger joint was set on fire.

Yellow police tape sealed off the 1599 The Queensway burger joint as Ontario Fire Marshals investigators probed the blaze.

Emergency officials were summoned to a 3:20 a.m. blaze at the popular restaurant, which had its interiors torched.

Video security footage shows an individual smashing a window and climbing into the restaurant. Moments later they’re seen coming out and sprinting away as a fire explodes inside the building.

Police said no one was injured and that there are no suspects at this time.  No one was inside the building at the time of the fire.

Crews were called to the eatery at The Queensway, near The East Mall, on July 15 for an interior fire that had migrated to the roof.

All flames have now been extinguished and crews remain on scene monitoring hot spots.

A nearby business owner said last week there was another fire at the restaurant that appeared to be deliberately set.

“Last week it was like I was watching a Terminator movie,” he told CP24 on Tuesday morning.

“Two guys go along the building, go inside… light a fire and almost blew themselves up.”

Toronto Fire has not confirmed if they were previously called to a blaze at the restaurant last week.

The eatery serves 100% Canadian beef smashburgers, hand-breaded chicken sandwiches, fresh cut fries, old fashioned shakes and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

The popular fast-food restaurant has six stores in Canada.

 

Alderwood residents are breathing easier tonight with the Toronto Police capture of a suspect sought for murdering his mom and grandmother.

Joseph Ayala, 34, was slapped with handcuffs on July 14 by Homicide Squad officers and charged with two counts of double murder.

Ayala was nabbed in the afternoon in Etobicoke within the boundaries of 22 Division, police said.

They believe the suspect never left the community and that he was helped by others.

He appeared for a bail hearing on July 15 and was held for trial.

Ayala had been the subject of an almost year-long police search in connection with the horrific stabbing death of mom Sharon Fraser, 62 and grandmother Colleen Fraser, 82.

The double homicide took place on August 23, 2024, at a home in the Alderwood neighbourhood, near Sheldon and Silvercrest avenues. The home has since been put up for sale.

Police say they were dispatched to the residence after receiving a call from a concerned family member who asked them to conduct a wellbeing check on their relatives, who were found lifeless.

Police for months scoured remote area railway tracks, shorelines, bushes and forested areas without luck.
Residents were concerned that the suspected killer was on the run and installed security cameras and lighting to protect themselves and their property.

“It is about time that they caught him,” said Bill, an Alderwood resident. “People around here are relieved after living in fear for a year.”

This was Toronto’s 53rd and 54th Homicide of 2024.

Some South Etobicoke beach lovers are complaining about large shipping containers popping up as watercraft businesses on area beaches, including Marie Curtis Park.

They claim the eyesore containers block access and views of the beach and want to see them moved to the paved, parking lot area of parks.

City Council last November adopted a ‘Year-round Motorized Watercraft Storage Pilot,’ in which non-motorized watercraft and rental services will be allowed on some beaches.

Witnesses have reported four of the containers are now on the beache of  Sir Casimir Gzowski Park, at 1751 Lake Shore Blvd. W.,  and one on Marie Curtis Park.

The big, square metal containers permits the year-round storage of the watercraft equipment which will be available for rent at market rates negotiated by Park, Forestry and Recreation officials.

The Toronto watercraft companies, providing they support environmental concerns, will be offered a three year contract and can renew for an additional year, according to a City report.

The companies will from June to September yearly be able to rent paddle boards, sail boards, kayaks and other non-motorized flotation vehicles;  in addition to providing lessons and public storage of personal crafts, according to the City.

Staff said some operators, including Toronto SUP & Kayak Inc., have made requests for year-round storage of containers at sites.

“This would allow licensees to keep storage containers in place, causing less disruption to surrounding areas, and continuity of storage for customers,” the report stated, adding the rentals will only be available in certain locations based on terrain.

Area resident Stefanie Meligrana called the containers grotesque and that they be moved to the paved parking lot area.

“Our parks are our most precious waterfront access to the public,” she said. “Our beaches are now used for people to make a profit.”

Meligrana said the containers block access to the beach and water safety devices.

“I am not against encouraging people to use boats or other non-motorized watercrafts, however the location of these containers on the beach is not fair to the public,” she complained. “These containers are in a flood zone and are horrible to look at and sets a precedent.”

The pilot project with watercraft vendors will run until October and then pack up until next summer.