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Morning Brew: Rob Ford investigated over car magnets, new traffic timings, LCBO strike inches closer, cops eye illegally parked scooters, a cheeky rug heist, and UFOs

Rob Ford is under investigation by the city over an alleged bylaw infraction usually associated with overly keen cleaners and takeout joints. During an important community council meeting in Etobicoke yesterday, the mayor took time to stick magnets containing his home phone number to cars in the lot. City staff say they're acting on a complaint. Licensing bylaw 545-313 prohibits leaving handbills on vehicles.

Badly-timed Toronto intersections that leave road users waiting on red for traffic that never comes are going to get a tweak. The changes will hopefully improve the flow of roads with a high number of intersections. City staff say Adelaide and Richmond streets have already benefited from fewer interruptions and lower emissions. More than 1,000 lights will get tweaked over the next three years.

We'll likely know later today whether or not to panic buy liquor and wine from the LCBO. The stores could be closed as early as 12:01 am Friday if union staff and management fail to reach a deal over part-time and temporary workers. If they don't reach a deal and you're left without anything to drink, here's a list of places that sell beer and wine.

Police are cracking down on scooter riders who park their vehicles on public sidewalks. The traffic infraction attracts a $60 ticket. One understandably disgruntled rider interviewed by the Star was told the the fines were being issues under a new bylaw. In reality, it has always been against the rules to park motorized vehicles on the sidewalk.

What would you do for a $14,000 worth of carpet? Two well-dressed thieves appear to have planned and executed an elaborate ruse that involved arranging rental of two expensive rugs for a photo shoot then taking off with the loot. Cops are surprised no-one's recognized the two people from the CCTV.

Toronto Zoo's new pandas Er Shun and Da Mao will be officially unveiled later today. The pair arrived from China a month ago aboard a Fed Ex jet and were officially signed for by PM Stephen Harper. The public will get their first chance to see the animals on Saturday.

Did you see the strange object over Etobicoke last year? Someone did, and they called it in to Manitoba research group UFOlogy, which just released its annual report. People in Ontario saw the most strange aerial phenomena - 40% of Canada's total. For the record, the object seen over the city's west end had lights underneath and was moving erratically. Cue X-Files theme...

IN BRIEF:

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Tony Wei-Han Chen/blogTO Flickr pool.


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