Parkview-O’Connor Daily Updates
The latest news, views and things to do in Parkview and O'Connor neighbourhoods
Streeter news: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.
Arrest made in sexual assault case
A 39-year-old man has been arrested for the alleged sexual assault on March 18 in the Victoria Park Avenue and Parma Court area. (See March 19 item below.)
The man faces six charges including sexual assault and assault with a weapon. See the police news release for more details.
Two sought for robbery in Woodbine area
Two men armed with a firearm attempted to rob someone near O’Connor Drive and Binswood Avenue on March 14, police said today.
Shortly before midnight, four friends left a residence to go to a nearby store but were accosted by two men who pointed a firearm at them, according to the police account.
The group of four tried to flee but the men caught up to them, knocked one to the ground, struck him in the head with the firearm, threatened to shoot him and and tried to take his shoes and satchel, police said.
For more details and descriptions, see the police news release.
Sexual assault in Topham Park
A 39-year-old man is sought after an alleged sexual assault and assault with a weapon near Victoria Park Avenue and Parma Court.
The suspect was at the victim’s residence between March 3 and 6 and assaulted the victim while there, police said today.
See the police news release for more information, including a description and image.
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.
Man sought after gun pulled during altercation
A 24-year-old man is wanted in an investigation of an incident involving a firearm on the evening of March 4.
Two people got into an altercation near Victoria Park Avenue and St. Clair Avenue East, and one of them is alleged to have pulled a gun out of a bag to threaten the other, according to police.
The suspect fled before the police arrived. See today’s police news release for more details, including description and images of the man being sought.
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.
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.
Local home prices dropping, real estate board says
Home prices are down by 14.8 per cent from last year in this 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 “E03” area, including East York, Broadview North, Playter Estates, Danforth Village, O’Connor-Parkview, Woodbine-Lumsden and Crescent Town.
As of January, the average home here is now about $1.2 million, TRREB reports.
Single-family, detached houses have taken the biggest hit, dropping 16 per cent to about $1.3 million.
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.
Stabbing reported at O’Connor and Glenwood
A man was sent to hospital after a stabbing near O’Connor Drive and Glenwood Crescent at about 11:30 a.m. today, according to a police tweet.
STABBING:
O’Connor Dr &Glenwood Cres @TPS55Div
11:36 am
– @TorontoMedics o/s with a man who has been stabbed
-patient being transported to hospital
-police o/s investigating
-use caution in the area
-no suspect info
-anyone w/info contact police #GO362559
^sc— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) February 15, 2023
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.
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 Parkview-O’Connor 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.
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.
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 kills pedestrian on Danforth 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.
Toronto-Danforth 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 Toronto-Danforth is on Logan Avenue north of Wolfrey Avenue.
The new camera will join two existing cameras in the ward, currently located on Dundas Street East, west of Boulton Avenue and on Carlaw Avenue, south of Queen St. E..
See the full Streeter story on the new cameras.
Development of a favourite dish touted
A CBC.ca story today, based on a Metro Morning program, discusses the growth of diverse eateries in the O’Connor-Topham Park area in the northeast corner of East York, and picks the Nepalese restaurant Momozone at 979 O’Connor Dr. as a favourite.
Food writer Suresh Doss talks with owners Rupa Pautel and Babu Gautam, who is also the chef, about their long journey to opening Momozone and how they developed their signature dishes: Indian, Hakka and Nepalese momos, and a lot more.
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.
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.
TTC bus passenger reportedly attacked by youths
Toronto police tweeted reports of a man suffering minor injuries after being assaulted by a group of young people on a TTC bus today.
The alleged assault took place during evening rush hour near Pape and Cosburn avenues.
ASSAULT:
Cosburn Ave & Pape Ave
5:42 p.m.
– reports of a man assaulted by group of young people on board TTC bus
– @TorontoMedics took patient to hospital with minor injuries
– suspects fled the scene
– police o/s
– ongoing investigation#GO210795
^al— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) January 28, 2023
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-end 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 or close to the Parkview-O’Connor area include:
- Dentonia Park, 80 Thyra Ave.
- O’Connor Community Centre, 1386 Victoria Park Ave.
- O’Connor Public School, 1665 O’Connor Dr.
- Stan Wadlow Clubhouse, 373 Cedarvale Ave.
- Victoria Village Recreation Centre and Arena, 190 Bermondsey Rd.
For more information on the program and registration, see the Streeter calendar listing.
Letter to Ford opposes ‘strong mayor’ bill
Toronto-Danforth councillor Paul Fletcher is among 15 city councillors sending a letter today to Premier Doug Ford opposing the province’s Bill 39, the so-called Better Municipal Governance Act.
The Act would, under certain conditions, let the mayor of Toronto propose and pass bylaws with support of only one-third of city council, a move that critics have called undemocratic.
See full text of letter at Progress Toronto.
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