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Newsstand: November 7, 2011
The bad news? It's Monday morning. The good news? Daylight Savings Time has ended. Good riddance antiquated system of incandescent lighting reduction, and hello, er, um...early darkness? Drat. In today's news: poppy box thief surrenders, alleged abductee's photo released, Toronto supports a congestion tax, the City supports car-free zones, and strippers and prints (not of the leopard variety).
The man caught on camera stealing a poppy box from a west end Pizza Nova last week has turned himself in. The 26-year-old box snatcher surrendered to police at 22 Division just before 4 a.m. He is expected to be formally charged at a court appearance later this morning.
A photo of the woman who was allegedly abducted from an underground garage at U of T has been released, and Toronto police are asking Torontonians to help identify the woman. While nobody has actually been reported missing, a university employee reported hearing a woman calling for help on Friday morning in a St. George parking garage, located next to the Rotman School of Business on the university’s downtown campus. The employee ran towards the cries to investigate and saw a woman being forced into a car. The university has beefed up security in their parking garages while they investigate.
More than half of Torontonians say they strongly or moderately support a congestion charge (a fee charged to drivers who wish to travel at certain times), with downtowners showing the strongest support. The poll also found that some 416ers, specifically Etobicoke and Scarborough residents, who averaged 46- and 47-minute commutes respectively, actually have longer commute times than those living in the 905. No word if the City’s head honcho provided feedback, but with his known opposition to tolls of this kind, Mayor Rob Ford would likely have some strong words if pollsters called him.
In other traffic news, City staff have recommended making Kensington Market’s Pedestrian Sundays a weekly, rather than monthly, event. If the plan goes through, it will have a more permanent feel as the rolling traffic blockers will be replaced with swinging gates complete with flower planters. It’s a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution!
If the Adult Association of Canada has it right, Toronto area erotic dancers will soon be fingerprinted when renewing or obtaining a licence needed to perform in strip clubs. This has been proposed in the Niagara region, and if the bylaw is approved, it is likely to trickle down to other parts of the province, too. A vote has not yet been set, but a proposed bylaw of this kind would be a first in Ontario.