Latest news with #EastEnd
CBC
10 hours ago
- General
- CBC
Raccoons invaded her walls amid a neighbour's reno weeks ago. Now this Toronto woman says she's fed up
For the past few weeks, Ariel Lukaniuk says she and her partner have been sleeping in their second bedroom. That's because her row house in Toronto's east end is connected to a building going under renovations two doors down, where raccoons have infiltrated the walls and made their way over to her bedroom wall. She says a family of them has been living there ever since, scratching and screaming through the night. On top of that, her dog is frightened by the noise and barks at the walls through the wee hours. "It sounds like a horror movie," Lukaniuk said. "It's psychotic, the sounds all night, and I can't sleep." Lukaniuk says she's been trying to get the city and the neighbouring building owner to remove the animals for weeks, but they haven't shown any urgency. WATCH | Raccoons making racket in Toronto woman's walls: Video shows raccoons in Toronto woman's bedroom wall 16 hours ago Duration 0:26 Ariel Lukaniuk says she and her partner haven't been able to sleep for weeks since a reno project down the road, connected to the row housing in which she lives, allowed raccoons to infest her bedroom wall. The city and building owner say they're working to remove the animals, but Lukaniuk says they're not moving quickly enough. She says she contacted the city through 311 about three weeks ago, asking them to remove the animals and ensure her neighbours — a housing non-profit — cut off access to the walls at the renovation site. Despite assurances that the problem is being addressed and multiple emails, she says the raccoons are still there. And she's fed up. "Every time you think they're helping, it's just like, snail pace," she said. "I'm just really tired." Lukaniuk says she first contacted the city about the problem on May 13 and was told staff would look into it. After emailing back and forth over the next 10 days, she says her caseworker told her the city still hadn't contacted the building owner. So Lukaniuk says she called them herself to ask what they could do. Building owners trying to trap raccoons The building under renovation, located on Main Street near Gerrard Street E., is owned by Community Circle LandTrust (CCLT), a non-profit housing provider. CCLT took over the building from Toronto Community Housing Corporation in 2022 to turn it into affordable housing. During renovations this spring, the back wall on the ground level was completely removed for several days, allowing raccoons access to the inner walls of the row housing, Lukaniuk says. CCLT CEO Alia Abaya says both the city and Lukaniuk contacted the non-profit on May 23. On May 24, the back wall was sealed and a pest control company was contracted to install a trap on the property, which was done on May 26. On May 27, Abaya says the trap was still empty and CCLT had a roofer check for other entry points. The roofer installed a one-way door at a possible entry to keep the raccoons from coming back. Two days later, the trap hadn't caught any raccoons and it was removed, she says. CCLT then issued a work order on June 2 to set a new trap and install one-way doors in between the attics of the properties, which Abaya expected to be completed that day. "While we can appreciate that it's challenging for our neighbours that we have not had success in catching the raccoons yet, we are working diligently to address the situation," Abaya said in an email. 'It's super frustrating and super exhausting' Lukaniuk says nothing's changed and the noise is beginning to impact her work as well as her sleep. She's worried the one-way door installed by the roofer has trapped the raccoons in the walls, saying she hasn't seen them leave since it was put in and the scratching and screaming has intensified. She's worried the raccoons could die in her walls, or chew a wire and start a fire. But the city won't adequately respond to her concerns, she says, or allow her to hire her own pest control since the problem originates on another private property. "They just keep saying the same thing: the situation is being addressed by [Circle Community LandTrust]. It's not being addressed," she said. "They're just like a robot.
Telegraph
a day ago
- General
- Telegraph
Chicken Adana kebabs with Turkish tomato salad
I love the simplicity of Turkish kebabs cooked over charcoal. Every time I make them – whether with lamb, chicken or offal – I'm taken back to my East End days, hanging out at Mangal Ocakbasi on Arcola Street. The tomato salad was another go-to: fresh, salsa-style and just as uncomplicated as the kebabs themselves. You can also skewer some wedges of red onion and long Turkish peppers to cook alongside the meat. They char up beautifully and make the perfect, smoky sidekick to those juicy kebabs. Requires chilling time. Overview Prep time 25 mins Cook time 10 mins Serves 4 Ingredients For the kebabs 600-700g chicken mince 2 tbsp chopped parsley 2 tsp chilli flakes 2 tsp sumac, plus extra for dusting For the tomato salad 3 medium tomatoes, finely chopped, seeds and all 1 medium red onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp chopped parsley 1 tbsp chopped coriander 1 red chilli, finely chopped 1-2 tbsp olive oil Method Step In a bowl, mix 600-700g chicken mince with 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 2 tsp chilli flakes and 2 tsp sumac and season. Step Divide the mixture into 8 portions and mould around skewers (preferably long, flat Turkish kebab skewers to make long, slightly flattened kebabs). Transfer to a tray, cover and chill for 1-2 hours. Step Transfer to a large chopping board and dice all the ingredients together, using a large sharp knife. You want to ensure the salad is finely diced. Put it back into the bowl, stir in 1-2 tbsp olive oil then season to taste. Step Heat the barbecue or a griddle pan set over a high heat. If you are using long, flat skewers, you can remove the grill bars from the barbecue and rest the ends of the skewers on the edges of the barbecue to cook directly over the coals. Otherwise, place your kebabs on the grill bars or in the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the kebabs are nicely charred, firm to the touch and cooked all the way through.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Melbourne CBD property with former cinema history hits market for $4.5m
A former silent cinema site in Melbourne's East End could be reborn as savvy investors circle a rare dual-frontage property on Bourke St. The ground floor and basement of 151 Bourke St, which opened in 1916 as the Empire Picture Theatre, has hit the market with a combined price tag of $4.5m. The site offers rare vacant possession and dual frontages to both Bourke St and Coromandel Place. Fitzroys agents Chris Kombi, Lewis Waddell and Ben Liu are handling the listing and said the space has already drawn interest from bars, gyms and luxury retailers looking to tap into the CBD's rising foot traffic. 'It's in that sweet spot between Bourke Street Mall and Chinatown, where things are buzzing again midweek and into the weekends,' Mr Kombi said. The ground-floor space spans 185sq m with over seven metres of Bourke St frontage, while the 364sq m basement is self-contained and separately accessed from the rear laneway. Both levels are being offered individually or together, and include toilets and airconditioning. While the cinema's original detailing is long gone, the site's century-long evolution adds depth and intrigue. The building first opened in 1916 as the Empire Picture Theatre, one of Melbourne's earliest purpose-built cinemas. It was later transformed into the Centenary Palace dance hall, and in the 1930s was remodelled by architects Oakley & Parkes, best known for designing the Shrine of Remembrance, into a Malcolm Reid department store. The listing comes as new Fitzroys analysis shows retail vacancies in the CBD have plunged from 14.1 per cent to 6.1 per cent in two years, driven by a surge in food, beverage and entertainment tenancies. Hospitality operators now make up 47.4 per cent of new Melbourne CBD retail tenants, up from just 34.1 per cent at the start of 2023. Mr Kombi said the East End of the Melbourne CBD had become a focal point of activity, particularly with the completion of nearby developments including the Maison Bâtard restaurant, Melbourne Place Hotel, and Merivale's proposed multi-level precinct. 'We're seeing strong pedestrian flows,' he said. 'Workers during the week and tourists on weekends. 'Vacant possession gives buyers flexibility, and that's rare in this part of the city.' The site is not heritage-listed at street level, making it easier for buyers to renovate or reposition the facade, and while no liquor licence is currently in place, Mr Kombi said the zoning allowed for a wide range of uses subject to council approval. Fitzroys has received enquiries from both local buyers and offshore investors, particularly from mainland China. 'There's no doubt the CBD is back,' Mr Kombi said. 'And buyers want to be part of what comes next.' Expressions of interest close 3pm, June 18.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Popular Orléans restaurant closing on Sunday after 25 years
An Orléans restaurant is set to close its doors after 25 years of serving customers in Ottawa's east end. Kozy Nest Restaurant on St. Joseph Boulevard is closing on Sunday. 'It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Kozy Nest Restaurant will be closing its doors on Sunday, June 1,' Sam Boushey said on Facebook. 'Our lease has come to an end and we must say farewell. This is not a goodbye forever, just so long for now. We are so grateful for your support these last 25 years and for allowing us to be part of your community and your lives. It has been a privilege and a pleasure.' Kozy Nest is a family run restaurant. Customers have flooded the Kozy Nest Facebook page with tributes to the staff. Another popular establishment in Orléans is set to close in June. Art of Bean Coffee says it will be closing on June 21 after 'three-and-a-half incredible years.' 'We couldn't have imagined the level of support and kindness that we have experienced here, and for that we will always be thankful,' the owners said on the Art of Bean website. 'Though our chapter in this space is ending, be sure to follow The Niche Ottawa Gallery for great things ahead.'
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Two additional suspects charged in Toronto double homicide
A police investigation is underway after two people died following an April 15 shooting in Toronto's Riverdale area. (Simon Sheehan/CP24) Two additional suspects are facing first-degree murder charges in connection with a double homicide in Toronto's east end last month. Police say 18-year-old Abdulrahman Zein and a 17-year-old male youth, both from Toronto, were arrested in Barrie on Monday on Canada-wide warrants. A 17-year-old male youth from Toronto was previously charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the April 15 shooting that left Quentin Caza, 18, and Jeremy McNeil, 20, dead. Police were called to the scene on Bain Avenue near Logan Avenue, a residential area in the city's Riverdale neighbourhood near The Danforth, for reports of gunshots shortly after 11 p.m. on April 15. Officers arrived to find Caza and McNeil with gunshot wounds. One was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police did not say where either victim died. They are the city's ninth and 10th homicide victims, respectively, of the year. A vehicle riddled with bullet holes was observed at the scene before it was removed by police for further investigation. Riverdale double shooting April 15 A vehicle with bullet marks in the door is seen at the scene of a double fatal shooting in Toronto's Riverdale neighbourhood on April 16. (Simon Sheehan/CP24) The first suspect, described as a 17-year-old male who cannot be identified under the terms of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder on May 3. Investigators identified Zein and a second 17-year-old male youth as suspects on May 15 and issued Canada-wide warrants for their arrests. Police were granted a court order to briefly identify the second 17-year-old suspect, but that authorization has since expired. Police say their arrests took place somewhere in Barrie with the assistance of Toronto police's homicide unit, as well as local and York Regional Police. Both are facing two counts each of first-degree murder. Investigators haven't said what they believe motivated the double homicide. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
