Friends and family members gathered at the graveside of Adrian Hurley, a well-loved community resident, who was shot to death one year ago.

Hurley was killed on August 27, 2021, two days before his 24^th birthday.

News of his death hit some members of the community hard since he was a father of a young son and had many friends, acquaintances and family members.

A Go Fund Me campaign last year raised more than $8,000 to help Hurley’s young son and family.

“Adrian’s passing hit the community hard,” said his friend Dayna Mainprize. “His sibling, mother, girlfriend, family members and friends and family will forever be missing a piece of their hearts.”

She said “he will never be forgotten and forever be celebrated.”

Police in a release said officers were called to the intersection of Thirty Ninth and James streets, south of Lake Shore Boulevard and Brown’s Line, after 6 a.m. August 27 for a medical complaint.

The victim was suffering from “obvious signs of trauma” and pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

A post-mortem determined that Hurley died from gunshot wounds.

Days later Zachary Barton, 37, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death. He is before the courts.

 

A fully loaded Beretta handgun with three rounds of ammunition was seized by courageous Toronto Police officers in a traffic stop at Kipling Avenue and The Gardiner Expressway.

Police said the seizure took place as a vehicle was stopped for checks around 7:10 p.m. on August 22.

“The driver was found to be in possession of a live shotgun shell,” police said. “Further investigation resulted in the recovery of a loaded Beretta handgun along with three rounds of ammunition.”’

Shane Bujan, 42, of Brampton, and Kristin Brock, 34, of Niagara Falls, jointly face more than a dozen charges relating to guns, storage and permits.

They are detained and are before the courts.

 

 

With registration for the upcoming municipal elections now closed, six candidates have now stepped forward to run for Councillor of Ward 3 in Etobicoke Lakeshore.

The contenders have paid their dues and are registered on the City’s election website. The election to elect councillors, and a Mayor, will take place on October 24.

Incumbent Mark Grimes, who had candidates guessing on if he will run again, registered on August 17. The 19-year councillor has faced many uphill fights for the ward since first elected in 2003.

Grimes has a team of volunteers and his machinery in place to hit the ground running.

He is now pushing, and tests being conducted, to have the Bloor Street subway extended to Sherway Gardens Mall, which has been sought by the community for a long time.

He is running against Amber Morley, who took a sizeable amount of Grimes’ vote in the 2018 election. Morley obtained a respectable 27 per cent of the vote in the last election, compared to Grimes who won with 40 per cent.

She has worked at Toronto City Hall in various Council support capacities and spent the last five years in various roles, one being the Constituency Assistant in Ward 4, Etobicoke-Centre.

Morley is a vocal champion for the expansion of accessible community spaces across Etobicoke, including the development of local community hubs.

Also making inroads in the race is Zeynel Ari, or Dino the Pizza store owner, who is known for feed the poor in the community with his pies.

Ari, whose pizza store was burglarized, is pushing for more police officers in the community.

Bonnie Hu is also seeking office, along with Mary Markovic, who is calling for more rights of seniors and accommodation for lonely and vulnerable seniors.

Also running is Marco Valle, of which little is known.

 

 

 

Concerned Long Branch businesses have taken to social media to locate a serial graffiti vandal who they say damaged more than $20,000 in property within hours.

Members of the Long Branch Business Improvement Association allege the unwanted graffiti artist goes by the handle BSK22.

“He tagged a bunch of buildings along Lake Shore Blvd. W., plus two billboards on the Brown’s Line overpass and Lakeshore and Thirty Sixth Street rooftops,” the BIA posted. “Over $20,000 in vandalism in a few hours.”

They claim the vandal was last seen August 15 at 9 a.m. tagging a billboard over Mr. Sub in Long Branch.

“He used a 10-foot step ladder to gain access to fire escapes and billboard ladders,” the post alleged.

A photo of the tagger has been posted online.

He is described as a white male, between 18 to 22 years old, with a thin build, wearing a black T- shirt and loose khakis.

You are asked to call 22 Division at 416-808-2200 if you have any information. The police report number is  T22075906.

Business or property owners are required to pay for the costs of removing the graffiti or can face fines from the City.

 

An Etobicoke man is in jail for a slew of human trafficking charges after being arrested by Peel Regional Police in Mississauga.

Police said a warrant was executed on August 18 to search a large apartment complex in Etobicoke, which has not been identified.

Officers said the suspect was bound by a court order to reside at the complex but was not located.

Then a foot chase began as police saw a suspect bolt.

“Toronto Police were alerted to a male running from the area,” according to a police release. “Swift response by police resulted in an arrest of a man away from the location.”

Officers discovered a secondary apartment connected to the suspect and a search of that unit revealed ‘evidence that will assist in furthering the human trafficking investigation.’

Officers said they had been probing the suspect since last June.

“The Halton Regional Police will be relentless in our pursuit to apprehend those who perpetuate this heinous crime,” said Deputy Chief Jeff Hill.

“This investigation is another example of our Human Trafficking Unit’s commitment to reducing trafficking networks and facilitating safety among victims and survivors,” Hill said.

Andre Davis, 29, also known as ‘Dre’ or ‘Dre Stax,” is charged with trafficking in persons, two counts of material benefit from trafficking in persons, withhold or destroy documents, advertise sexual services, procuring, trafficking a person under 18, assault and five other offences.

Police believe there are additional victims in regards to this investigation and are asking anyone who has come into contact with the suspect or has information to contact the Human Trafficking Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 4674.

The suspect was slated for a bail hearing on August 19.

By LAURA TAAL

District Coordinator

Some 20 energetic Etobicoke York residents were selected to compete at the Ontario Senior Games Association (OSGA) held in Peterborough earlier this month.

The Ontario 55+ Games is a celebration of active living that is held annually in winter and the summer.

“Winter and summer, the Games bring together people 55 years of age or older for competition and camaraderie,” according to the OSGA. “The Games Ontario Program is operated under the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries as part of its efforts to support amateur sport, physical activity and community development in the province.”

The Games attracted more than 800 participants who competed in 17 different sports and games from August 9 to 11. The event included opening ceremonies and two days of competition.

Etobicoke York, which is District 17 of the OSGA, hosted qualifying events in the spring to gather participants to compete in the Games. The contingent of 20 competed in the sports of pickleball, darts, bid euchre, golf and walking.

For more information contact Laura at 416-432-4686 or e-mail  etobicokeyork55seniorgames@gmail.com

 

 

Beware of scammers who are impersonating Toronto Police officers in a scam that is preying on the elderly.

The Toronto Police Service (TPS) have issued a warning of an ongoing telephone fraud investigation.

“There have been several instances over the last few weeks where members of the public have received telephone calls from individuals who identify themselves as police officers,” according to the TPS.

The force said a suspect calls a resident by telephone stating that they are a police officer.

“The suspect informs them that there have been residential neighbourhood break-ins in the area and that criminals have been watching their homes,” police said in a release.

Officers said “the suspect persuades the resident to hand over cash to them for safe keeping.”

The thieves disappear once they’re received your money.

Investigators believe the suspects are targeting the elderly.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

 

 

Police are warning seniors and other homeowners of a house repair fraud scam preying on unsuspecting victims in the area.

Police believe the suspects are intentionally targeting seniors.

The fraud involves contractors travelling door-to-door selling services that are unsolicited by a costumer.

Halton Regional Police in an alert said the suspect will provide quotes with prices lower than market value and once a deal is reached, will request a large cash payment.

“Based on complaints, initial work may start, however the work will be sub-par and/or incomplete,” according to anti-fraud officers.

After this initial work, the consumer may be approached to provide more money for supplies or to complete payment for the project, police said.

“Once this additional or final payment is received, the contractor disappears and phone calls and text messages will go unanswered leaving the consumer with a damaged or partially completed project,” officers said.

In two cases, the suspects are described as two white males with Irish or possibly Scottish accents.

One suspect is about 25 to 35 years old, approximately 5’9” – 6’0” tall with a heavy build and dark black hair.

A second suspect is also 25-35 years old approximately 5’9” – 6’0” tall with a heavy build and short light blonde or light brown hair. This suspect was also wearing a mustache.

In both cases the suspects had a younger man with them claiming to be a son of one of the suspects.

Police advise homeowners to get recommendations from other people you trust, do your research, do not be pressured to make a quick decision, get multiple written estimates, ensure the contractor is insured and get everything on writing and on paper.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Halton police at  905-465-8741.

 

 

 

Many South Etobicoke residents are applauding the beloved late pianist Oscar Peterson for being honoured on a Canadian $1 coin.

Peterson, who with wife Kelly once lived in Mimico, is said to be one of the greatest pianist Canada and the world have seen.

He was a proud to represent Canada on international stages performing with some of the best during his six decade career.

The Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a one-dollar circulation coin to honour the great musician. The coin, of which there are two kinds, started circulating on August 15, which was Peterson’s birthday.

Mint president and CEO Marie Lemay says Peterson is both the first Black Canadian and the first musician to be featured on a circulation coin.

The Mint is issuing three million coins depicting Peterson, known as “the man with four hands,” playing the piano.

Peterson, who was born in 1925 and composed more than 400 pieces, during the 1960s lived at Amadeo Garden Court Complex in two apartments overlooking Lake Ontario, according to local historians and residents.
“For years Peterson frequented the mom-and-pop stores along the Lakeshore,” and according to Kelly “loved spending time by the water.”

He was often seen in Marie Curtis Park, which he loved, before moving to Mississauga.
The portrait of Peterson made it into Lakeshore Legends due to his love for the area and its residents, according to the Lakeshore Village BIA, which sponsored the artwork.

Kelly says the illustration also includes the final notes of his 1962 composition, “Hymn to Freedom,” which was embraced as an anthem of the civil rights movement.

Pianist and composer Thompson Egbo-Egbo paid tribute to Peterson with a special performance at the unveiling in Toronto.

Born in Montreal in 1925, Peterson is widely regarded as one of the foremost jazz pianists of his generation, winning numerous Juno and Grammy Awards over his 60-year career.

He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame before dying of kidney failure in 2007 at the age of 82.