Morning Brew: February 19th, 2008

Photo: "Untitled" by blogTO Flickr pooler Gabi~.

Your morning news roundup for Tuesday February 19th, 2008:

Remember the fire that ripped through and destroyed iconic, historic buildings in Barrie in December? Police have arrested two Toronto men and are charging them with arson, fraud, and obstruction of justice. Investigators now beleive the fire was deliberately set and that it was an attempted insurance fleecing. Not exactly as planned, gentlemen?

They'd hoped to have cleared all tracks and restored full Via and GO train service restored west of Burlington, but the cleanup of the 20-car freight train derailment is taking longer than thought. The commute should return to normal tonight if all goes well but if it doesn't, make sure you've got a good book with you.

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Yesterday, the first ever long weekend in February for Ontarians, felt great. I loved it. Now NDP leader Jack Layton wants Harper to make Family Day a national holiday. This got me thinking... were the tar sands open yesterday?

Toronto arcades are facing extinction. The popularity of home systems, the smoking ban, and difficulties with licensing are making the public video game dive a thing of the past. I blame video game makers. Once the games required more than 6 buttons to play, I lost interest. Much like Sam the Record Man, the Funland arcade just across the street has so much nostalgic significance to many of us.

The National Post has a great piece on one of Toronto's most toughest city blocks. George Street, also known as "crack alley" has been abandoned by the city and has worsening problems. It needs a serious fix (more than the drug addicts that live there do).