Photo/ANDREW PALAMARCHUK

Toronto Police Const. Gavin Jansz and members of the Yorkwoods community plant gardens at Grandravine Drive and Driftwood Avenue Aug. 28 as part of the City Beautification Program.

Photo/NICK PERRY

Ontario RCMP assistant commissioner Michel Seguin inspects his officers for the last time during a change of command ceremony at CFB Downsview Aug. 18. Mike McDonnell will take over as commanding officer for Ontario.

Photo/NICK PERRY

Assistant Commissioner Mike McDonell, left, is congratulated by Deputy Chief Jerome Brannagan of the Windsor Police after McDonell took command of the RCMP's Ontario division at CFB Downsview Aug. 18.

Photo/JONATHAN TAILLEFER

Charlotte Copas, 10 walks through the reflecting pool in Mel Lastman Square, which offered some cool comfort during the Eco Savvy Festival Aug. 16.

Photo/JONATHAN TAILLEFER

Rhea Dhar, 9, shows off a calender she helped design and draw pictures for at the Eco Savvy Festival in Mel Lastman Square Aug. 16.

Photo/JONATHAN TAILLEFER

Mohamad Ahmad grills up some corn during the Eco Savvy Festival at Mel Lastman Square Aug. 16.

Photo/JONATHAN TAILLEFER

Jonathan Sun attempts a shot in his match against Robert Azevedo during 2008 Canadian Cue Sports Championship play at Shooters Snooker and Sports Club Aug. 15.

Photo/JOHN RIDDELL

Toronto Fire Services Chief William Stewart addresses the casket of district chief Bob Leek during services held at the Prayer Palace Aug. 15. Firefighters came from across the country to pay tribute to their fallen comrade.

Photo/NICK PERRY

Pallbearers carry the coffin of District Chief Bob Leek during Friday's funeral service for the firefighter who died in the line of duty at the scene of the Sunrise Propane explosion in North York Aug. 10.

Photo/WILLIAM MEIJER

Residents from the area surrounding the site of the Sunrise Propane explosion and fire shout out questions to panelists during the public meeting held Thursday night at St. Norbert's Church.

BRIEFS

New bike-friendly routes available on the TTC

The TTC is now offering even more bike-friendly routes.

The following routes are running bike-rack-equipped buses:

35 Jane; 36 Finch West; 41 Keele; 46 Martin Grove; 60 Steeles West; 79 Scarlett Rd; 84 Sheppard West; 99 Arrow Rd; 101 Parc Downsview Park; 106 York University; 108 Downsview; 120 Calvington; 130 Middlefield; 131 Nugget; 132 Milner; 191 Hwy. 27 Rocket; 308 Finch East; 309 Finch West; 313 Jane.

The TTC now has 43 bike-friendly bus routes. The entire bus fleet will be equipped with bicycle racks by 2010.

For details about this service, call 416-393-INFO (4636). Visit http://www3.ttc.ca/Riding_the_TTC/Bicycles.jsp to view the TTC bike rack instructional video. Visit www.ttc.ca for details abou the TTC.

Authorities bust GTA drug network

Toronto Police have arrested and charged nine people following a six-week investigation of street-level drug dealing within the city's downtown core.

During their investigation, 51 Division's street crime unit executed several search warrants at downtown homes seizing a quantity of marijuana valued at $50,000. They also seized $3000 worth of ecstasy and a firearm.

This investigation led to the identification of some of the city's alleged top marijuana cultivators and distributors.

On Aug. 13, law enforcement officials also executed a series of search warrants at warehouses and homes in Toronto, Georgetown and Brampton.

During their searches, police seized $600,000 worth of marijuana, $16,500 relating to the proceeds of drugs, a firearm, ammunition and a Taser.

Police allege this network involved the dismantling of stolen automobiles within a North York warehouse, which resulted in the seizure of two stolen vehicles and automobile parts.

George Vlachos, 37, of Georgetown and Gary Calisto, 37, of Brampton, are alleged to be the network's main drug suppliers.

Vlachos and Calisto face a total of 14 charges, which are primarily related to the production and possession of drugs.

The names of the seven other arrested individuals are being withheld as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to call 416-808-5100 or contact Crimes Stoppers anonymously at www.222tips.com or 416-222-TIPS (8477).

School meeting Thursday to update parents after propane blast

An information meeting to update students, parents and staff of two public schools affected by the propane explosion on Aug. 10 will be held Thursday at Ancaster Public School, 44 Ancaster Rd.

Toronto District School Board staff and local school trustee James Pasternak will be in attendance at the meeting starting 7 p.m. in the school gymnasium to give a status report on Ancaster Public and Downsview Secondary schools.

"This is an excellent opportunity for parents of Ward 5 (York Centre) to have their questions answered about the status of the school repairs and the social support systems in place to help anyone who is still feeling the effects of the propane explosion," Pasternak said.

Board staff from the social work and health and safety departments will also be on hand to answer any questions.

Toy ride set for Sept. 7

Canada's oldest, continually held charity event hits Nathan Phillips Square Sept. 7.

The 30th annual Toronto Emergency Services and Salvation Army's Red, White and Blue Knights Toy Ride goes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Queen Street West and Bay Street.

The event kicks off with opening remarks by Toronto police deputy Chief Tony Warr at 10 a.m. at the Summer Stage and is followed by a day of activities including live bands, a fashion show, interactive emergency services displays, awards, draws and door prizes and a special performance by the Toronto Police Winged Wheels Precision Motorcycle Team.

Central to the festivities will be a police escorted motorcycle ride.

Admission is a new, unwrapped toy, which will be donated to The Salvation Army to help the city's underprivileged kids. Donations of money and food will also be accepted and donated to The Salvation Army. Visit www.redwiteandblueknights.com for details.

Expert unveils connection between sleeping disorder and diabetes

If you're a diabetic and also suffer from sleep apnea it may be more than a coincidence.

The relationship between the two ailments will be discussed at a meeting of the Jewish chapter of the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Dr. Jeffrey J. Lipsitz of the Sleep Disorders Centre of Metro Toronto will be on hand to share information about the connection between the two conditions and how to manage it.

The meeting takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m., at Shaarei Shomayim Congregation, Brotherhood Hall, 470 Glencairn Ave. The venue is wheelchair accessible and the meeting is open to everyone. People attending are asked to bring their Sobey's grocery tapes. Admission is $1.

Call the hotline at 416-363-0177, ext. 7403 or visit www.diabetes.ca for more information.

TOP STORIES

Basement flooding plan could cost as much as $195 million

The shape of a massive sewer and storm water makeover to prevent basement flooding in parts of...

Information on basement flooding plans available

As part of city plans to deal with basement flooding in North York, an Environmental Assessment...

Downsview couple slowly rebuilding their lives following propane blast

It's an understatement to say that it's been a tough past few weeks for hundreds of Downsview area...

NORTH YORK: City to take over cleanup of propane site

The City of Toronto will take over the cleanup of Sunrise Propane's site on Murray Road after it...

Surveillance images released in spring home invasion

Police have released security camera images of a man and a woman wanted in a home invasion in North...

  

more