Riverdale Daily Updates: January–February 2023
Homicide suspect surrenders to 52 Division
A man has been charged with manslaughter after he surrendered to 52 Division police today, about a month after the death of Douglas (Michael) Finlay, according to a police news release.
Finlay, 73, was seriously injured in an apparently random attack on Danforth Avenue near Jones Avenue on Jan. 24 and he died a week later.
See the Streeter story for more details.
Councillors pressing Metrolinx about Ontario Line plans
Toronto-Danforth’s Paula Fletcher is among three city councillors pressing for answers from Metrolinx, which they say has been too secretive about building the Ontario Line.
Along with Spadina–Fort York’s Ausma Malik and Toronto Centre’s Chris Moise, Paula Fletcher won the support of Toronto and East York Community Council to create a sub-committee to press Metrolinx for information.
See the CBC story on the issue.
Three humps or four: east-end speed humps get go-ahead
Toronto and East York Community Council today approved speed humps as traffic-calming measures at the following locations in Toronto-Danforth ward:
- Greenwood Avenue, three humps between O’Connor Drive and Plains Road
- Langley Avenue, three humps between Carlaw and Pape avenues
- Sparkhall Avenue, three humps between Hampton and Logan avenues
- Warland Avenue, four humps between Donlands Avenue and O’Connor Drive
One-star reviews for local eateries called fake
Two east-end restaurants are trying to remove one-star online reviews (the lowest possible reviews allowed by Google) that they say were not posted by customers, according to a recent story in blogTO.
TuckShop Kitchen Leslieville on Queen Street East and Papyrus on Danforth Avenue were each bombed with multiple one-star reviews thought to be the work of a disgruntled delivery driver.
Local home prices dropping, real estate board says
Home prices are down by seven 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 “E01” area, including Riverdale, Blake-Jones and Greenwood-Coxwell.
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 9.2 per cent to about $1.5 million.
Flames from fourth-floor apartment
A fire broke out yesterday evening in an apartment building near Pape Avenue and Queen Street East. Police tweeted at about 6:30 p.m. flames could be seen on the fourth floor.
Toronto Fire attended the scene and the blaze was quickly put out, police said.
Get ready to walk on the Coldest Night of the Year
The Coldest Night of the Year charity walks to serve the hurt, the hungry and the homeless take place on Feb. 25, with the Toronto Danforth edition hosted by Kennedy House Youth Shelter.
The local walk starts at St. Barnabas on the Danforth Anglican Church, 361 Danforth Ave.
To sign up for the walk, to donate or just to find out more, see Toronto Danforth’s Coldest Night page.
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.
Subway rider stabbed in face with broken bottle
A man is sought by police after a subway passenger suffered facial injuries from being stabbed in the face with a broken bottle three days ago, police said in a news release today.
Police were called to Chester Station at about 1 p.m. on Feb. 12 but the suspect had fled the scene, they said.
See the police news release for more details and images.
Family Day fun planned at Todmorden Mills
Todmorden Mills is one of seven Toronto History Museums planning Family Day activities. It’s free to drop in for crafts and games in the Papermill Gallery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Todmorden Mills Heritage Site is at 67 Pottery Rd.
For information about the Family Day programming at history museums across Toronto, see the Streeter Things To Do listing.
Robbery at Broadview-Danforth store
A woman is sought after a robbery at a store near Broadview and Danforth avenues on Jan. 29 at about 2 p.m.
The woman was caught shoplifting but fled with the merchandise after being asked to return it, police say.
See today’s police news release for more information and images.
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 Riverdale 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.
Trees to be cut down for Ontario Line kept from two MPPs
The Toronto Star is reporting the provincial government instructed Metrolinx to leave two Toronto MPPs off a notice to politicians about trees in their ridings to be cut down to make way for the Ontario Line subway.
Toronto Centre’s Kristyn Wong-Tam and Toronto-Danforth’s Peter Tabuns, who have both been critical of the Metrolinx plan, sent a letter to Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney asking why they were deliberately excluded.
Local romances
Many restaurants across town are offering special Valentine’s Day menus and romantic atmosphere for Feb. 14, including Riverdale’s The Real Jerk at 842 Gerrard St. E., 7 Numbers at 307 Danforth Ave. and Mocha Mocha at 489 Danforth Ave.
But spaces are filling up everywhere, so get your reservations in as soon as possible.
Community consultation on development scheduled for Feb. 15
A virtual community consultation meeting is to be held Feb. 15 to hear the plans and get feedback for a development at Pape and Danforth avenues.
A proposal has been made for a 49-storey tower, including a five-storey commercial podium, on the northeast corner where several retail and office buildings now stand.
See the Streeter Things To Do listing for more information.
Memorial at pub for Danforth homicide victim
A memorial for Michael Finlay, who died after being attacked on Danforth Avenue near Jones Avenue on Jan. 24 (see Feb. 3 and Jan. 28 items below), is to be held at Gabby’s, 729 Danforth Ave., starting at 4 p.m. on Feb. 21.
Finlay is reported to have lived in the area and frequented the bar. The event is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
For updated information on the fatal assault and the planned memorial, see today’s CP24 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.
Councillor seeking rethink on 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.
RiverdaleMac closing after 27 years on Danforth
RiverdaleMac has announced it is closing its Danforth Avenue location as of Dec. 31.
The longtime Apple sales and service centre has moved its RiverdaleMac staff to BeachMac on Queen Street E. and its Roncesvalles Apple Specialist at Bloor and Dundas streets west, according to its website.
View this post on Instagram
Man sought after woman punched in face
Police are looking for a 40-year-old man after a woman was allegedly punched in the face early afternoon Friday near Queen Street East and Booth Avenue.
See the police news release for more information and an image of the suspect.
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.
Arrest made in Broadview purse-snatching case
Police are thanking the public for helping them find a man wanted in robbery after a purse was taken at Broadview station. (See Jan. 25 item below.)
A 44-year-old man has been arrested and faces charges of robbery, failing to comply with judicial release and failing to comply with probation, according to a police news release today.
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.
Purse snatching reported at Broadview Station
Police are seeking the identification of a suspect in a robbery investigation after a man was reported to have snatched a purse in Broadview Station.
The victim’s purse was grabbed, causing her to fall down the stairs, on Monday at about 7 p.m., police say.
The suspect was then seen fleeing with the purse.
See the police news release for more information and video.
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.
Start making reservations for Winterlicious
Winterlicious is back, set to offer prix fixe lunches and dinners from Jan. 27 to Feb. 9.
Riverdale-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 The Real Jerk on Gerrard Street East.
You find the entire Toronto list on the city’s Winterlicious page.
January 17
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 and around the Riverdale area include:
- Earl Beatty Community Centre, 455 Glebeholme Blvd.
- Main Square Community Centre, 245 Main St.
- Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Arts Centre, 67 Pottery Rd.
- Withrow Park and Clubhouse, 725 Logan Ave.
For more information on the program and registration, see the Streeter calendar listing.
Letter to Ford opposes ‘strong mayor’ bill
Toronto-Danforth councillor Paula 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.
