First the Globe and now the Star — starting in early 2013, the most widely read newspaper in the country will implement a paywall. Details as to what a digital subscription will cost have yet to be released, though a note from publisher John Cruickshank explains that "most print subscribers to the Toronto Star will receive free full access to thestar.com's content, wherever and however they want."

Are you ready for Sandy? The massive storm that's pelting the east coast has already caused more than 400 flight cancellations at Pearson and will bring winds that could reach 100 kilometres in the Toronto area by this evening. Oh, and don't forget the rain. Meteorologists are calling for anywhere from 50 to 100 millimeters for the GTA over the next couple of days.

Check out Google's crisis map to track the storm. And if you're the worrying type, perhaps you should heed the warning from the Red Cross to stock up on 72 hours worth of food and water. I'd add wine to the list of crucial supplies — what better way is there to ride out a storm?

A plan to release bulls for a stroll down Bay Street as part of the Royal Winter Fair has been cancelled after animal rights activists called the safety of the stunt into question. Is this just Toronto being square or was the idea just poorly conceived in the first place?

Well, this isn't much of a surprise. In a recent poll by Forum Research, respondents showed strong support for the construction of a Downtown Relief Line. As for how the city should go about paying for it, that's another matter. While 61 per cent of those polled believe that a DRL is a higher priority than a Scarborough subway, opinion on whether a transit tax should be used to pay for such projects was divided.

If you're fascinated by crime or just curious what areas of the city have the highest rates of criminal activity, the CBC has got a nifty interactive map for you, which plots seven years worth of data over 140 "neighbourhoods" in Toronto.

And if you haven't already seen it, here's video footage of a brawl at a downtown pho restaurant from Saturday night that's racked up lots and lots of views on YouTube. This is all very rational and intelligent, guys.

FROM THE WEEKEND

• The best pet stores in Toronto
• What's to catch in Toronto theatres and comedy stages this week
• Highlights from this year's TEDxToronto conference
• A brief history of the O'Keefe Centre, one of Toronto's marquee music venues
• Toronto Fashion Week wraps up with VAWK, UNTTLD
• A brief history of disease and isolation in Toronto

Photo by Michael Mitchner in the blogTO Flickr pool