AM640 Toronto News

Toronto Zoo Pandas Ready for their Close Up

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:49:00 GMT

The two giant pandas on loan from China are ready for public viewing. The long awaited exhibit opens Saturday after two days of media viewings.

Da Mao and his prospective mate Er Shun have been hidden from view while quarantined since March. The pair will inhabit the Toronto Zoo for five years before moving to Calgary.

Toronto Man Claims Link Between Missing Ex and Dellen Millard

Sat, 18 May 2013 03:38:00 GMT

There's a new twist in the Tim Bosma disappearance and murder case.

A Toronto man claims the last person his ex girlfriend called before she went missing last June was Dellen Millard.

Laura Babcock began a romantic relationship after her and Shawn Lerner broke up.

Millard is now facing first degree murder charges in the death of Tim Bosma.

Police are also investigating the suicide of Dellen's father, Wayne Millard, last year.

Rob Ford No Stranger To Controversy

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:52:00 GMT

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is no stranger to controversy.

During his mayoral campaign in 2010 and his subsequent time in office, he has been involved in no less than 13 scandals.

Here is a timeline of events:

Aug 19, 2010:

Ford holds a news conference to address being arrested in 1999 for marijuana possession in Florida.
He eventually pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and failing to give the police a breath sample.

June 2011:

Ford declines an invitation to attend either the gay pride parade or the flag-raising at City Hall to kick off Pride Week, saying he would be at the cottage. His decision broke with tradition that saw his three predecessors march in the parade.

July 26, 2011:

A Toronto woman accused the mayor of giving her the finger after she asked him to get off his cellphone while driving. The mayors response to the accusation was that the woman was misunderstood.

Oct 5 2011:

A second woman accuses Ford of talking and texting while driving. Amid calls for the mayor to hire a driver, Ford declines, describing the expense as a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Oct 25, 2011:

Ford makes 911 calls after being accosted at his home by a crew from CBC's "This Hour Has 22 Minutes".
Ford says the crew's presence made him feel threatened and alleges they scared his daughter.

Mar 12, 2012:

A Toronto resident launches a conflict of interest lawsuit against the mayor. The resident alleges that the conflict arose when he voted on a council matter involving his football charity. Ford was found guilty of conflict of interest when the matter went to court, but the ruling was overturned on appeal.

May 2, 2012:

Ford calls police after a confrontation with a Toronto Star reporter. Ford alleged the reporter was spying on him, while the reporter claims he was on public property. The reporter alleged the mayor threatened him with physical harm ... a claim the mayor denied.

Sept 19, 2012:

While on an official visit to Chicago, Ford misidentifes Windsor as Winnipeg.

Nov 6, 2012:

Ford comes under fire after a TTC bus was emptied of passengers and rerouted to pickup his football team. Police say an officer made the decision to commandeer the bus, not the mayor. Ford allegedly placed two calls to the head of the TTC when his team was made to wait.

Mar 8, 2013:

A mayoral rival alleges the mayor touched her innappropriately at a political dinner. Ford vehemently denied the allegations.

Mar 24, 2013:

Ford called into a radio show to complain about the defense tactics used in a high profile court case. Ford lashed out against the "not criminally responsible" defense of Richard Kachkar, who killed a Toronto police officer with a stolen snowplow. The defence lawyer called out the mayor as "prehistoric" and reprimanded him for speaking out as deliberations began.

Mar, 26, 2013:

Ford denies a Toronto Star report that he was kicked out of an offical dinner for being drunk. The paper also alleged Ford had a long-time drinking problem. Ford denied both allegations.

May 16, 2013:

Reports surface from US-based site Gawker alleging the mayor was seen on video smoking what appears to be crack cocaine.
The Toronto Star reported that Ford can also be heard making disparaging remarks about federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau. Ford calls the unverified video and the allegations that go with it as "ridiculous".

Councillors to Debate Casino Issue on Tuesday

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:17:00 GMT

On Thursday, mayor Rob Ford cancelled Tuesday's casino debate, saying the deal is a dead issue if the province won't come forward with a funding strategy.

Now, councillor Mike Layton says he and 23 councillors are prepared to table the casino debate on Tuesday, saying city council owes it to the city to hold a discussion on the matter.

Ford wanted to reschedule the debate for sometime in June.

Police Update 2012 Murder Case

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:48:00 GMT

Toronto Police are providing an update to the murder of Delano Coombs.

Back on May 10, 2012, Coombs, 27, was shot and killed in a laneway at 4020 Dundas Street West.

Investigators now believe Coombs was lured to that area by people who likely knew him. It's alleged Coombs was ambushed in his car before being murdered.

A black sweatshirt with an "STG Entertainment" logo was found at the crime scene.

Police also recovered DNA from the scene, but there is no match in the national database. However, a suspect description has been put together.

He is described as black, 20-year-old, 5'10" with a slim build, and may have been wearing his hair in braids at the time.

UPDATE: Mayor Responds to Gawker Allegations

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:43:00 GMT

Mayor Rob Ford has given a simple statement, following allegations made by the U.S. gossip site Gawker.

The website posted a story on Thursday night, making allegations that a video exists, showing Ford with a crack-cocaine pipe in his hands, while making derogatory comments about residents of Toronto, along with federal politicians.

During a very brief news conference on Friday afternoon, the mayor said "Like I said this morning, these allegations are ridiculous. It's another story with respect to the Toronto Star going after me."

The Toronto Star printed a story for Friday's paper, saying two reporters have seen the video in question.

Earlier in the day on Friday, Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday questioned the authenticity of a video, saying ``video can be altered'' and ``drug dealers can't be trusted.''

It should be noted, AM640 and Corus Entertainment have not seen this video, and cannot verify the information; Our company is simply reporting on the allegations made against the Mayor.

Highway Improvements Coming to the GTA

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:07:00 GMT

After announcing an expansion of Highway 427, the province has released a laundry list of highway improvements for the GTA, pending budget approval.

Some of the key improvements for the Toronto area include repaving the westbound 401 collector lanes between Keele & Kipling, along with repairing 14 bridges.

Six bridges will be repaired at the 401/400 interchange, with additional bridges to be fixed on the 403 in Burlington & Mississauga, and on the QEW in Hamilton.

A number of lane reductions will also be seen, with resurfacing on the 401 between Renforth and Highway 410.

All projects will begin when and if the provincial budget is passed, bringing more than 100,000 jobs to the region over a three year span.

Long Weekend Events

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:50:00 GMT

All Weekend

Giant Pandas Exhibit Opening Weekend - Zoo

Patti Smith: Camera Solo - AGO

Artfest Toronto, Spring Art & Craft Show - Distillery

Toronto International Circus Festival - Harbourfront Centre

Sherway Gardens Farmer’s Market - Sherway

YTV The Next Star Casting Call - Convention Centre

Toronto International Jewellery Festival - Royal York

Friday

The Ed Vokurka Jazz Trio - Playful Grounds

Joshua Radin - Mod Club

Friday Night Bike Rides - High Park.

International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia

Food For Thought: A Taste Of Mexico - 631 Crawford

Saturday

MEC Bikefest Toronto 2013 - Bellwoods Park

Dundas Street West/Ossington Food Tour - Dundas/Ossington Strip

East Asian Fashion - North York Central Library

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony - Sony Centre

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - Ricoh

Mississaga Pep Rally & Food Trucks - Mississauga Celebration Square

Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew

Sunday

GTA Sikh Marathon

Canada Lives Here Experience - CBC HQ

Chinatown Food Tour - Dundas & Spadina

Chinatown Food Tour - 3030 Dundas

Pirates & Princesses Family Adventure - Black Creek Pioneer Village

Monday

Brewer's Backyard: Queen Victoria's Secret - Brick Works

Blue Jays vs. Rays

Victoria Day at Fort York - Fort York

Earthquakes Canada confirms 4.8 temblor near Ottawa

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:15:00 GMT

An earthquake has struck a wide area west of Ottawa. Earthquakes Canada reports the 4.8 magnitude quake was centred in
Braeside, Ont., and struck at 9:43 a.m. It was felt in the GTA as well and callers to the AM640 Newsroom say they felt the shaking.

The OPP in Arnprior, Ont., not far from where the centre of the quake was located, say they have received no reports of damage.

LCBO Strike Averted With A Tentative Deal

Fri, 17 May 2013 02:21:00 GMT

Just two hours before a strike deadline, the LCBO and OPSEAU have struck a tentative deal.

Both sides say they're happy an agreement was finally reached but did not divulge any details of the new contract.

An LCBO spokesperson says its a fair deal to both taxpayers and the 67 hundred workers affected.

The board of directors and workers still need to vote on whether or not to accept the deal.