Const. James Forcillo, the police officer charged with the second-degree murder of teenager Sammy Yatim, has been freed on $500,000 bail. Forcillo made a brief appearance at a downtown courthouse yesterday, during which there seemed to be a tense moment between cops and one of Yatim's friends. The police officer's lawyer said he wouldn't "run or hide" from the charges.

TTC CEO Andy Byford assured worried transit staff yesterday that the uniform designs leaked online - described by union boss Bob Kinnear as looking like a "Canadiens" uniform - are just one of several proposals. Replacements for the current maroon duds have been in the works for months and will be formally unveiled next year.

12 people have become ill after eating at the CNE last night and at least five were taken to hospital. The symptoms included stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. There are few clues yet about where the 12 people ate, or even if it was the same vendor, but the eyes of suspicion are on the cronut burger.

One place you (hopefully) won't find any nastiness at the Ex is inside one of the countless stuffed animals given out as prizes. The CNE has a dedicated worker from the province's Upholstered and Stuffed Articles Program (yeah, it's real) who regularly dissects soft toys to look for soiled, second-hand, or dangerous material. The nastiest thing Nancy Frost has found (not at the Ex, mind) was what appeared to be vacuum cleaner bag contents. Also poop in a cushion.

Doug Ford has been lending a hand with a constituent's flood repairs. During a house call Monday, Ford ended up helping Etobicoke resident Merle Anderson waterproof his leaky basement with sand and other supplies he seemed to purchase with his own money. "He did an excellent job. He really went all out for us," said Anderson.

What's 100 lbs, yellow, and looks like it could command a space station? Why, it's a butter sculpture of Chris Hadfield, of course. Continuing a long-standing CNE tradition of carving likenesses out of churned cream (last year there was a Rob Ford butter head,) the Hadfield sculpture will be on display until September 2.

IN BRIEF:

• Man wounded in shooting in downtown Toronto [CTV News]
• Toronto mom pleads for children's return from Afghanistan [CBC]
• New park named after slain York police officer Garrett Styles [National Post]
• Driver charged in fatal crash at Royal York and Lawrence [CBC]

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

Image: Mark/blogTO Flickr pool.