East Danforth Daily Updates

Some pools opening early, some not

The city is opening 10 outdoor pools tomorrow for weekends and evenings, well ahead of its usual full-schedule start on June 30. Among them are several east-end pools, including Kiwanis Outdoor Pool at 375 Cedarvale Ave. and Monarch Park at 117 Felstead Ave.

The rest should open next weekend, the city says But not one of the east end’s favourite swimming facilities.

The city has decided to keep Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pools at 1867 Lake Shore Blvd. E. (Ashbridges Bay) closed for the entire season for critical repairs.

You can check each hours of operation for swimming pools and wading pools on the city’s Drop-in Swimming and Water Play page.

Bradford support spirals further, according to polls

It’s hard to know what to make of local councillor Brad Bradford’s standing in the race for Toronto mayor. His campaign seems to be geared to appeal to both centre-left and centre-right voters, but his poll results indicate he’s not drawing support from any constituency.

Yesterday’s Liaison Strategies survey has Bradford settled in seventh place with six per cent of decided voters, down one point from the previous week’s results and far behind leader Olivia Chow’s 34 per cent.

The latest Mainstreet Research poll, released today, has him dropping even further. Bradford scores a meagre three per cent in that survey. Mainstreet shows Chow with a comfortable lead over the rest of the field at 33 per cent.

Pickleball taking over our surfaces

City staff are scrambling to set up courts for pickleball — Toronto’s fastest growing sport and social activity.

Unused parking lots, ice rinks, tennis courts and other flat surfaces are all fair game for being converted to accommodate the growing numbers of pickleball players across Toronto.

Get the full story in Streeter news.

Jump in raccoon sickness, bites and scratches

A “significant increase” in reports of sick or injured raccoons and the number of people bitten or scratched has led Toronto Public Health to issue warnings against contact with wild animals in the city.

Eighty per cent of those people suffering bites and scratches have had to suffer further through the uncomfortable anti-rabies treatment, involving multiple vaccine doses, to fend off the potentially fatal infection.

See the full Streeter story, including tips on avoiding raccoon attacks.

Registration for summer programs begins June 6

Registration for the city’s summer recreation programs in this area begins tomorrow at 7 a.m.

Summer programs run from July 4 to Sept. 1.

You can register in three ways:

• By phone by calling 416-396-7378 from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• In person at one of five community centre locations (none in this area) on June 6 and 7 from 7 a.m. to noon.
• Online through e-Fun (the easiest way).

Find more information on the city’s summer recreation programs page.

Broadview-Woodbine subway line closed for weekend

Subway service on Line 2 between Broadview and Woodbine stations is shutting down early for the rest of this week and then cut entirely for the weekend.

From June 6 to 9 the Danforth line will close nightly at 11 p.m. “due to track work,” the TTC advises.

On June 10 and 11 there will be no subway service on Line 2 Bloor-Danforth between Broadview and Woodbine stations for the same reasons, the TTC says.

Shuttle buses are to operate along Danforth during the closures. See the TTC advisories for more information.

Subway east of Victoria Park closed for weekend

Subway service on Line 2 between Victoria Park and Kennedy stations is shut down on June 2 and 3 due to signal upgrades, the TTC has advised.

Shuttle buses will operate, stopping at all subway stations, and all stations will stay open for loading PRESTO cards, buying PRESTO tickets and connecting to surface routes.

Local house first to complete energy-saving retrofit to EnerPHit standards

In 2020 Tracy Johnson and her husband moved into their new house in the Pape and Danforth area.

Actually not exactly “new.”

The 80-year-old house had been newly retrofitted — the first in Toronto to meet the EnerPHit standards, using international passive house design principles that eliminate the use of fossil fuels and drastically cut energy costs.

See their story in Streeter news.

Two arrested, guns and drugs seized

Guns and drugs were seized when police searched a residence in the Main Street and Danforth Avenue area on May 26.

Police arrested two men and laid a combined 28 charges against them after a firearms and drug trafficking investigation, police reported.

See the story in Streeter news.

Arrest for spitting assaults at subway stations

A man faces several charges, including six counts of assault, in the investigation of spitting incidents at two local subway stations this month.

On May 15, a man leaving a subway car at Coxwell Station allegedly spat at two passengers without provocation as they were boarding, police said in a news release.

On May 16, a man walking away from Main Station allegedly spat at a passenger without provocation as they were walking towards the station.

A 28-year-old man was arrested May 27. Police say there may be more victims.

Employee pinned by train, sent to hospital

A person has been taken to hospital with unknown injuries in what police are calling an “industrial accident” at about 8:40 a.m. today.

Little information is available yet but police said on Twitter they responded to “reports that [an] employee is pinned after [a] train rolled back” near Greenwood and Felstead avenues, which is where TTC train yards are located.

Bradford fading in mayor byelection polls

Since we last looked at the polling for the mayor’s race (see May 8 below), Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford’s support has fallen even further than previously noted. He now stands at a mere four per cent, down several points, according to the latest Mainstreet Research surveys.

That places him in seventh place among the 102 (!) candidates for mayor — far behind leaders Olivia Chow at 30 per cent, Ana Bailao at 21 per cent and Josh Matlow at 14 per cent.

See the full Streeter story on the poll and other election twists.

Ticketing rules relaxed for holiday

Parking enforcement officers will not be enforcing all on-street parking bylaws on Victoria Day, police say.

In particular they’ll be turning a blind eye on Monday to parking on rush-hour routes and in areas with Monday-to-Friday regulations.

Man arrested for arson with disregard for human life

What was reported yesterday as a deck fire in an alley near Main Street and Danforth Avenue has become a little more complex with an arrest today.

A 42-year-old man has been charged with eight counts of Arson – Disregard for Human Life in the investigation of what police are calling “multiple fires” that started in a dumpster and spread to businesses and residential apartments.

See the story in Streeter news.

Deck burns behind stores at main and Danforth

Firefighters put out a fire in an alley off Main Street just south of Danforth Avenue this morning.

The blaze burned a two-level wooden deck behind Danforth stores but was put out before spreading into the buildings.

See the story in Streeter news.

Victim injured in parking lot assault

The identities of three people are being sought by police after a man was assaulted in a parking lot on Danforth Avenue, just west of Victoria Park Avenue, on May 10.

The victim was walking from a nearby grocery store to his vehicle in the lot of Baitul Aman Masjid mosque when he was reportedly attacked by three people, one carrying a weapon.

The victim was sent to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said.

More details and images are available in the police news release.

Pothole-fixing blitz on tomorrow

If you’re out driving Saturday, watch for crews working on the roads. The city says it is launching a blitz to repair as many potholes as possible between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

It’s probably too late to get your favourite local pothole on the list for repair tomorrow, but call 311 or go to www.toronto.ca/311 to report it for future filling.

Man shot dead by police behind Shoppers World

A man, 40, died after an encounter with a police officer in the rear parking lot of Shoppers World at Danforth and Victoria Park avenues shortly after noon today.

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the fatal shooting.

See the full story in Streeter News.

McMahon backing Erskine-Smith’s run for Liberal leader

In the race to become Ontario Liberal leader, Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has got early support from his riding’s provincial rep.

Erskine-Smith’s campaign literature quotes MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon as praising his integrity and “no-nonsense approach” to the issues.

“Nate represents our riding with clear-headed leadership and passion that will translate seamlessly to his role as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party,” McMahon says.

Erskine-Smith gets jump on leadership race

Election-related news for another Beaches-East York rep: MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has announced he is running for the Ontario Liberal leadership.

So far he’s the only candidate to declare, as nominations don’t close until September and the leadership vote isn’t until late November.

See the Streeter news story.

Bradford falling behind leaders in mayor’s race

The latest polls show support for Olivia Chow surging, as the former MP and councillor pulls ahead of Toronto–St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow, former councillor Ana Bailao, and former police chief Mark Saunders, in the race to become Toronto’s next mayor.

You’ll notice one prominent name missing from that summary. Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford, once considered a top contender, has fallen to sixth place in two recent polls.

While poll leader Chow is scoring support percentages in the 30s, Bradford is stuck at about seven per cent. See the full story in Streeter news.

Parks washrooms opened—splash pads, fountains and pools next

The city has finished opening park washrooms today, its earliest date ever, the city has announced. Only six seasonal washrooms are still closed for repairs or construction.

Splash and spray pads are due to open by May 20, followed by fountains and bottle-filling stations by May 26.

Ten city-run outdoor pools are to open on partial schedules by June 17 with the rest of them by June 24. All outdoor pools and  wading pools are to be open on a full schedule by June 30.

This year’s East York Hall of Famers named

The East York Hall of Fame announced yesterday five inductees to be named to the hall this year on June 22.

Heading the list is the former East York mayor, MP and cabinet minister Alan Redway. Eighty-eight now, Redway has also won East York’s Agnes Macphail Award.,

Also to be honoured are award-winning journalist Peter Silverman, community volunteer Kam Babulal, Michael Garron Hospital’s manager Phillip Anthony, and Bob “Bottle Bob” MacDonald, known for his fundraising in Topham Park and across East York.

This is only the second year for the award—the first since the pandemic.

See the East York Hall of Fame website for more information and to buy tickets for the event.

Suspect identified in attempted break-in last month

A man, 24, is sought by police in the investigation of an attempted break and enter investigation near Danforth and Woodbine avenues a month ago.

It was reported on March 25 a man rang the doorbell of a residence, looked through the front window where the homeowners were sitting and tried to open the front door. Finding the front door locked and confronted by the homeowner, he allegedly walked to the back of the residence where he was asked to leave.

Police have released the identity and image of the suspect. For more details, see the police news release.

Washrooms are opening early in our parks

With this warmer-than-average spring, city staff are opening public washrooms earlier than usual. A quarter of Toronto’s seasonal washrooms have been opened already by mid-April, though most were originally scheduled for May.

If you’re planning an outing, you can look up the status of washrooms and drinking fountains in the park on a new interactive map from the city.

See the full story in Streeter news.

Bradford behind in race for mayor, poll says

A new Mainstreet Research poll has Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow leading the field in the race to succeed John Tory as Toronto mayor. But the most surprising news delivered by the survey may be that Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford has fallen behind.

Bradford sits in fifth place with less than six per cent of the vote, behind the top four who each scored between 10 and 15 per cent in the survey.

See the full Streeter news story.

Pedestrian struck by cars, seriously injured

A 61-year-old man is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after a collision on Doncaster Avenue near Main Street, police say.

The man was reported to have been walking behind a parked Subaru Impreza when a Honda Accord struck the Subaru, which then hit the pedestrian.

The victim was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries, police say.

See the police news release for more details.

Local baseball facility advances high-school players to next base

An East York facility that helps develop high-school baseball players is featured in the Toronto Observer today.

National Recruiters for Sports at O’Connor Drive and Bermondsey Road is staffed with current and former professional baseball players with collegiate-level playing experience.

The centre is giving student athletes the chance to train with experienced players while learning what it takes to reach the next level, the Observer reports.

Dentonia Park golf course opens tomorrow

The Dentonia Golf Course opens for the new season tomorrow, along with other city-operated courses. Tee-times for the 18-hole, par-three course, next to the station on Victoria Park Avenue, can be booked up to five days in advance, with reservations starting at 8 a.m.

Fees are about $31–34 for all 18 holes, less for nine holes, and discounted for senior and junior golfers. You can get more information and book online.

Also available at the course is fling golf, which combines elements of golf and lacrosse and is played with a fling stick that can be rented on site, according to a city news release today.

Double the tickets: more speed cameras coming

The number of automated speed enforcement cameras in Beaches-East York neighbourhoods is to be doubled from three to six, after city council’s recent approval of the installations.

Council unanimously passed a motion to have city staff look into increasing the ASE devices from the current 75 to 150, shared evenly by each of Toronto’s 25 wards.

This comes just months after a previous increase from 50 across the city.

Get the full story in Streeter news.

Scooter-riding group tries to rob local grocery store

It sounds like an April Fool’s joke. Police said today four people had tried to rob a grocery store near Danforth and Victoria Park avenues and made their getaway … on scooters?

Police are trying to identify the suspects and released photos of three of them, two of whom are shown with scooters. The alleged robbery actually took place yesterday.

Three males and a female were reported as entering a grocery store, with two putting items into a shopping cart before trying to leave without paying for the items.

When a loss prevention officer approached them, one reportedly indicated he had a firearm. The officer got two bags of groceries back before the two people fled the store. A third allegedly assaulted the loss prevention officer, before fleeing with the fourth.

The four are described as in their 20s and 30s. One male and the female were last seen riding black scooters, while another male was said to be riding an electric scooter with a light on the front.

For more details, descriptions and photos, see the police news release.

Clean up our communities together, city urges

Toronto is asking communities to register local litter cleanups to take part in the city’s annual spring cleanup from April 21 to April 23.

We can register three kinds of cleanups:

• The 20-Minute Makeover on April 21 is for local businesses (BIAs, are you listening?) to clean up public spaces, like parks, sidewalks, ravines or beaches (though local residents can take part too).
• Also on April 21, students and staff of schools, colleges and universities can spend 20 minutes cleaning up their schoolyards or neighbourhood parks.
• On April 22 and 23, community groups, families and individuals are encouraged to visit local parks or other public spaces to help pick up litter.

Get more information and register for whichever cleanup works for you on the city’s Clean Toronto Together page.

Robbery at knifepoint on Coxwell platform

Two males are being sought after a reported robbery at knifepoint on the subway platform at Coxwell Station this afternoon, according to police posts on Twitter.

ROBBERY:
Coxwell Subway Stn
4:23pm
– reports of a robbery on the subway platform
– male victim reported he was robbed at knifepoint by two suspects
– no injuries
– police responding
– no TTC service to Coxwell Stn at this time#GO709690
^se

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) March 31, 2023

Later posts said service had resumed to Coxwell and gave descriptions of the alleged robbers.

Bradford finally announces: he’s in the race for mayor

Beaches-East York councillor has ended weeks of speculation, declaring himself a candidate to succeed John Tory as mayor of Toronto.

He’s running to be a “strong mayor of action” to make the city safer, more affordable, and easier to get around, Bradford said in Twitter and Instagrams posts this morning.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Brad Bradford (@bradfordgrams)

Feeding any wildlife, anywhere in city to be banned

On April 1 a new city bylaw comes into effect prohibiting the feeding of wildlife anywhere in Toronto.

And for good reason, according to wildlife experts. You may think you’re helping the animals but you’re not.

Even the traditional practice of throwing bread crumbs to birds is not helpful, the experts say.

Read Dennis Hanagan’s full story in Streeter news about the bylaw and the dangers of feeding the animals.

Homes evacuated after shed caught fire

Police reported on Twitter a shed was discovered on fire near Oakcrest and Beck avenues yesterday evening. Nearby homes were evacuated and the blaze was brought under control.

FIRE:
Oakcrest Ave & Beck Ave
– reports of a shed on fire
– police o/s
– officers evacuating people from homes for safety
– @Toronto_Fire o/s – advised fire is under control
– road closures in the immediate area
– no reported injuries#GO670068
^al

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) March 27, 2023

Knife-wielding man at Victoria Park station

A man was reported chasing TTC patrons with a knife on the westbound subway platform yesterday evening.

Police found the man and no injuries were reported, they said on Twitter.

Police report:

PERSON WITH A KNIFE: UPDATE
Victoria Park Subway
– No reports of injuries
– Officers have located the man involved
– Thank-you for your patience while we investigated this matter
^lb

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) March 22, 2023

Outdoor skating continues to Sunday — if the ice holds up

The city is encouraging skaters to enjoy the last few days of the official outdoor skating season at our local rinks. However, the weather seems poised to end the season earlier than the scheduled March 19 deadline.

Sunday evening is when the city starts to close its outdoor artificial ice rinks, natural ice rinks and skating trails and begin its annual conversion of spaces into skateboarding parks, tennis courts and pickleball spaces.

Meanwhile the forecast for the next four days calls for rainy and overcast days with temperatures mainly above zero.

Identity of man sought after sexual assault

An image has been released by police seeking the identity of a man wanted in a sexual assault investigation.

The alleged assault occurred March 11 before 8:45 p.m. near Danforth and Victoria Park avenues, police said.

A man reportedly offered to help a woman who was shopping in the area but ended up attacking her, before fleeing the area in a silver SUV.

For more details and suspect description, see the police news release.

Arrest for crosstown bank robberies 20 minutes apart

A man was arrested yesterday after a bank robbery near Danforth and Coxwell avenues, police reported today.

It was the second such bank robbery of the day, they said. Twenty minutes before the East Danforth holdup, officers had responded to a holdup call near Bloor and Bathurst streets.

In both cases a man is alleged to have worn a mask and gloves while handing a teller a note saying he had a firearm and demanding cash. The man then fled the areas with the money, police said.

A 24-year-old Toronto man faces six charges, including two counts each of robbery and disguise with intent.

Developments to change the face of Danforth

The full scale of the transformation being wrought on East Danforth by multiple highrise developments was brought home at the community consultation yesterday.

The virtual meeting heard from three development teams on the eight buildings, ranging from 15 to 55 storeys, they propose to add to the existing buildings and to eight other towers already approved for the stretch of Danforth Avenue from Main Street to Dawes Road.

Little time was left at the meeting, however, for community feedback.

See Streeter’s full report on the event.

Man sought for spraying subway rider with noxious substance

A subway passenger was repeatedly sprayed with an unknown, pepper-like substance on the Bloor-Danforth line between Donlands and Greenwood stations on the evening of Feb. 28, police report.

Two men, unknown to each other, were travelling eastbound when, without provocation, one man sprayed the other man in the face, police said in a new release today. Each time the victim stepped away from the attack, he was sprayed again.

A man is wanted on three counts of administering a noxious substance. For more details, see the police news release.

Public consultation to be held on three massive Danforth developments

Thousands of residential units with several thousand more residences could be added if three planned developments on Danforth Avenue, between Main street and Dawes road, are approved.

A virtual community consultation on all three projects is being held on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. City planners and Beaches East York councillor Brad Bradford are scheduled to take part.

A total of eight new buildings, ranging from 15 to 55 storeys are being proposed.

For more on the projects and the online community meeting, see Streeter’s Thing To do listing.

Posters oppose Bradford’s mayoral run

Flyers have appeared on streets in Beaches-East York calling councillor Brad Bradford two-faced, headed “Deceive in the East” — a takeoff on “Believe in the East,” his slogan in the 2022 council race.

They have also popped up on social media, including on Twitter.

The posters are apparently intended to oppose Bradford’s expected campaign for mayor.

They purport to show his record of voting runs counter to the image he presents as a progressive politician.

CityNews covers the story.

Driver sought in interrupted sexual assault

Police are trying to identify a male who allegedly sexually assaulted someone in his vehicle in the east end on Feb. 25.

Police reported the incident began at about 3 a.m. when a man, described as in his 20s, offered a ride near Danforth and Greenwood avenues.

The vehicle was driven to a dead end street around Felstead and Lamb avenues where the victim was sexually assaulted, police said.

When another vehicle approached the dead end street, the man was reportedly startled and the victim escaped.

A description of the suspect and murky images of the suspect vehicle have been released. For more,

Summerlicious applications open

Winterlicious seems barely over and it’s already time for local restaurants to sign up for the summer edition of the fixed-price dining festival.

Applications to participate in the Summerlicious program will be accepted from today to March 22, the city has announced.

This year’s Summerlicious runs from July 7 to 23 and there’s good news for participating restaurants: the fees have been cut to less than half the pre-pandemic rates. The new fee is $550. The city says this reduction should “make it easy and affordable for restaurants to participate and will encourage more Toronto residents to dine out and celebrate Toronto’s diverse culinary scene.”

Restaurants can find more information on the City’s Summerlicious 2023 Restaurant Participation webpage.

Will he or won’t he run?

It appears more certain than ever that Brad Bradford will indeed try for the top municipal job — though he is still hedging his bets somewhat.

The Beaches-East York councillor released a statement today in which he announced he is putting together an advisory committee, including some business and political heavy-hitters from across the Liberal-Conservative spectrum, seemingly in preparation for a run for mayor.

He says he’s building a “winning team … that will ensure any campaign I lead represents the broad diversity and perspectives found across the entire city.”

Asked directly by media whether this means he is in the race, he has replied he is considering it very seriously and talked of what he intends to do “if I am running.” See CP24 video for one such

Federal rep ponders what he could do as provincial leader

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith appears closer to declaring himself a candidate for the Ontario Liberal leadership, though he won’t make his final decision until next month when the party sets the rules for the race.

That’s what may be gleaned from a CBC story today in which the Beaches-East York MP, who has been touring the province for a possible run, touted his experience as an outspoken backbencher in Ottawa as showing he could bring democratic renewal to the Ontario political scene.

Man arrested for assault over parking ticket

A parking enforcement officer was issuing a parking violation notice for a car parked on Danforth Avenue near Kelvin Avenue on Tuesday afternoon when he was approached from behind, police report.

The approaching man allegedly slapped the officer’s hand and threw his device to the ground, before getting in the vehicle and driving away.

Later the same day a man was arrested and charged with assault. More details in the police news release.

Local home prices dropping, real estate board says

Home prices are down by 12 per cent from last year in this general area, according to figures recently released by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. The report indicates the year-over-year decrease for the real estate “E02” area, including Beaches, East End-Danforth and Woodbine Corridor.

As of January, the average home here is now about $1.3 million, TRREB reports.

Single, detached houses have taken the biggest hit, dropping 13.8 per cent to about $1.6 million.

Charges in ‘hate-motivated assault’ of child on local bus

A man has been arrested for an alleged assault near Danforth Avenue and Main Street, an incident that police are calling a hate-motivated offence.

It is alleged on Feb. 8 a man threatened several passengers on a bus near the Main Street Station, made racial slurs, and assaulted a 12-year-old. He reportedly left the bus and fled before police arrived. The child suffered suffered minor injuries, police said.

On Feb. 20 a Toronto man, 32, was arrested and faces three charges.

After consulting with their hate crime unit, police said the investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence. See the police news release for more details.

Parking restrictions eased for Family Day

Police have announced they will not be ticketing vehicles parked on the street on Feb. 20 on rush-hour routes and in areas with posted Monday–Friday regulations.

Erskine-Smith says he won’t run for mayor

Beaches-East York Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, whose name has also been tossed around as a possible contender to replace Mayor John Tory, appears to have taken himself out of the running.

Earlier he put himself forward as running for the leadership of the Ontario Liberals. On Twitter he says today he is “focused on serving my home community and Canadians in Parliament and bringing much needed change to the Ontario Liberal Party.”

As a voter in Toronto, I want more ambition at City Hall.

I will vote for a Mayor who looks after our most vulnerable, cuts red tape and builds more housing, and makes Toronto a global leader in sustainability and public health.

— Nate Erskine-Smith (@beynate) February 13, 2023

Bradford touted for mayoralty run

Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford says he’s received calls asking him to run for mayor, since John Tory’s sudden resignation, according to a Toronto Star article about possible candidates yesterday.

Bradford, who was supported by Tory when first elected to council in 2018, reportedly told the Star he hasn’t decided yet whether to run for mayor.

Skate Day is back at Ted Reeve

Beaches-East York’s city councillor, MPP and MP are joining together to host their annual Skate Day at Ted Reeve Arena.

It takes place on Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

See more information on this event at the Streeter Things To Do listing.

Report our potholes to be fixed

You may see repair crews out on the roads today as the city launches its first pothole-fixing blitz of the year.

Chances are, though, plenty of East Danforth potholes will remain unless they are reported. To get those car-wrecking eyesores filled, report them via the 311 Toronto mobile app, online at Toronto.ca/311 or by calling 311.

The city says most repairs are carried out within four days of potholes being reported.

Arrest made in pedestrian homicide

Police said today they’ve made an arrest in the investigation of the death of a pedestrian at Danforth and Cedarvale avenues on Feb. 5.

Ryan Andrews, 24, of Toronto was arrested yesterday and has been charged with first-degree murder.

‘Hate-motivated’ assault reported on bus near Main

And the reports of violence on the TTC keep coming. On Feb. 8 police were called to Main Street Station after a girl was reportedly assaulted on a bus near Main Street Station.

Police are calling it a hate-motivated crime because a racial slur was allegedly made.

See the police news release for details and images.

East York auto thefts reported on the rise

A story in the Toronto Observer today says East York is seeing a major increase in reports of auto thefts, counting nearly 200 incidents in January alone.

This reflects figures from Toronto as a whole which has experienced a nearly 50-per-cent increase in the crime over the past year, according to the article.

Local romances

Local 1794 at 1794 Danforth Ave. in East Danforth is one of many restaurants across town offering a special Valentine’s Day menu and romantic atmosphere for Feb. 14.

But spaces are filling up everywhere, so get your reservations in as soon as possible.

Victim identified, more details in pedestrian homicide

Police have identified the man struck and killed by a vehicle on the sidewalk at Danforth and Cedarvale avenues as Gabriel del Castillo Mullally, 25, of Toronto.

They have also provided more details of the events leading up to the alleged homicide.

Get more of the story at Streeter news.

Vehicle on Danforth kills pedestrian on sidewalk

Early this morning police were called to an apparent hit-and-run accident in front of Tim Hortons at Danforth and Cedarvale avenues. The victim died after being rushed to hospital and police started treating the incident as a homicide.

Get the full Streeter news story.

Danforth assault now a homicide case

The 73-year-old victim of an alleged assault on Danforth Avenue (see Jan. 28 item below) has died and police are now seeking a man for manslaughter.

The deceased has been identified as Douglas (Michael) Finlay, a former CBC journalist and producer.

The man being sought has been identified as Robert Robin Cropearedwolf, 43. His photo has been released.

See the full story and image on Streeter news.

This ward soon to have three cameras to catch speeders

The city is adding 25 automated speed enforcement cameras, one for each ward in Toronto. The most recent ASE site in Beaches-East York is on Main Street south of Swanwick Avenue.

It joins two other such cameras in the ward, currently located on Wolverleigh Boulevard, west of Glebemount Avenue, and on Gerrard Street East, east of Beaton Avenue.

See the full Streeter story on the new cameras.

Councillor seeking rethink of CafeTO charges

Toronto-Danforth councillor Paula Fletcher says the proposed changes to the CafeTO program, which created curbside patios on streets like Danforth Avenue and Queen Street East, are “too big and too fast” for many businesses that are still reeling from the impact of the pandemic.

She has sent a letter to city council’s executive committee asking that the proposed re-introduction of charges for the program be replaced by a more modest participation fee.

Restaurants Canada representatives have also told Mayor John Tory and the executive committee that 60 per cent of restaurants would be unable to participate at the higher rate. The plan goes to city council on Feb. 7.

Two arrested in alleged home invasion

Three days after a reported home invasion near Woodbine and Norway avenues (see Jan. 29 item below), the man and woman suspects have been arrested, police say.

Police received information from the public that led to finding the two in the area of Danforth and Cedarvale avenues, according to a news release.

Arrested on Jan. 31 at about 7:30 p.m., the Toronto man, 38, and Toronto woman, 3o, face a total of 14 charges, including breaking and entering, robbery with an offensive weapon and assault with a weapon.

For more details, see the police news release.

Taylor Creek Trail is now repaved

In case you haven’t noticed it under the snow, the repaving of Taylor Creek Trail is completed and open for walking or cycling, the city says — though some locals have noted construction notices are still posted.

The new pathway is raised higher than the previous pavement to prevent the flooding that previously covered stretches of the well-travelled trail.

Have you spotted the orange pigeon?

Social media is reporting an unusually orange pigeon hanging around with other normally hued birds in the east end — notably outside Shopper’s World on Danforth Avenue at Victoria Park.

If you see it, tell us. The world wants to know.

Man and woman sought in home invasion investigation

Investigators are looking for a 38-year-old man and 30-year-old woman after an alleged home invasion, police said yesterday evening.

In the early hours of Jan. 28, two people armed with knives allegedly broke into a residence near Woodbine and Norway avenues and attacked a tenant. The tenant suffered serious injury, police said.

More information and images of the suspects are available in the police news release.

Town hall budget meeting for east-end residents

Have your say at the town hall meeting on the city’s 2023 budget, co-hosted by Toronto-Danforth and Beaches East York councillors. The meeting’s on Feb. 3. See more about it in Streeter’s Things To Do listing.

Identity sought in assault investigation

Police are looking for a man shown on security cameras after an alleged assault near Danforth and Jones avenues at about 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 24.

The victim fell to the ground and sustained serious injuries, police say.

The police news release provides an image and more information.

New CafeTO fees to hurt local eateries: Fragedakis

Local restaurants may be hit hard by the changes to the city’s CafeTO program this year, says Mary Fragedakis, executive director of the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA. She was talking to John Moore on Newstalk 1010’s Moore in the Morning program today.

City council is considering a staff report that proposes charging new fees for restaurants participating in CafeTO.

“Many small businesses are struggling terribly right now … and this is another stressor,” Fragedakis said. She predicted the new fees would put CafeTO out of reach for many of them.

Hear the interview on iHeart radio, including Mayor John Tory’s defence of the fees.

Gas leak shuts down part of Main Street

Hope United Church and nearby at Danforth Avenue and Main Street have been evacuated after discovery of a gas leak, according to a Toronto police tweet shortly after noon today. 

No injuries were reported but Main north of Danforth was temporarily closed and subway stops at Main Station cancelled.

Sexual assault on subway near Woodbine

A man reportedly masturbated near passengers and assaulted a woman on a subway train westbound from Woodbine Station during morning rush hour, Toronto police say.

He is described as 35–45 years, having a heavy build, being unshaven, and wearing a black toque and all black clothes.

An image of the man and more information are given in a police press release.

JAN. 25 UPDATE: Police have issued a new press release stating “Upon further investigation, it has been determined that no criminal offence was committed.” They have also deleted the image.

Start making reservations for Winterlicious

Winterlicious is back, set to offer prix fixe lunches and dinners from Jan. 27 to Feb. 9.

East York-area restaurants participating in Winterlicious Toronto include Papyrus, 7 Numbers, Megas, Soula’s, Tapas at Embrujo, Rodeo Brazilian Steakhouse, and Il Fornello — all on Danforth Avenue — as well as California Restaurant on Pape Avenue.

You find the entire Toronto list on the city’s Winterlicious page.

Second arrest in 2021 homicide in East Danforth area

More than 17 months after an alleged homicide in the East Danforth area, Toronto police have charged a second person.

The victim, 77-year-old John Manion, died in hospital on Aug. 29, 2021, three weeks after being critically injured in a fight near Danforth and Walpole avenues, police said.

A man, 28, turned himself in to police on Sept. 4, 2021 and was charged with manslaughter.

And now police report a woman, 42, has also been arrested and charged.

Get the full story at Streeter news.

CampTO registration set to open

It’s time to start planning the kids’ summer camp activities at local parks and centres this summer. The city has announced its CampTO programs are online for your consideration, ready for registration beginning Feb. 11.

Some new programs have been added to the CampTO lineup for the programs that run from July 4 to Sept. 1.

Camp locations in the East York area include:

• Dentonia Park, 80 Thyra Ave.
• Dieppe Park, 455 Cosburn Ave.
• Earl Beatty Community Centre, 455 Glebeholme Blvd.
• East York Community Centre, 1081 Pape Ave.
• Main Square Community Centre, 245 Main St.
• O’Connor Community Centre, 1386 Victoria Park Ave.
• O’Connor Public School, 1665 O’Connor Dr.
• Stan Wadlow Clubhouse, 373 Cedarvale Ave.
• Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Arts Centre, 67 Pottery Rd.
• Victoria Village Recreation Centre and Arena, 190 Bermondsey Rd.

For more information on the program and registration, see the Streeter calendar listing.