Toronto Daily Digest — Feb 27, 2026

Heartbreaking court day: Haoju Zhou was sentenced to six years in prison after driving impaired and causing the Sept. 14, 2022 head-on crash that killed off-duty York Regional Police constable Travis Gillespie, 38. Zhou had a G2 licence, a blood-alcohol reading of 80 mg/100 ml, faces a 10-year driving ban and possible deportation, and — after 10½ months’ credit — has about 4 years, 7 months left to serve.

Major drug bust: Durham police say a 17-year-old was arrested after a Feb. 23 search in Toronto uncovered 325 kg of cocaine with an estimated street value over $7 million — one of the largest seizures in the force’s history; the youth cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Smooth LRT launch: Early data show the Eglinton Crosstown (Line 5) ran 98% of its scheduled service in the first two weeks after its early-February opening, helped by long underground sections — a stronger start than the Finch West line, which averaged 94%.

Raptors want steadier finishes: After back-to-back losses where Toronto blew double-digit leads (including a 116-107 loss to OKC), Brandon Ingram and coach Darko Rajakovic stressed better communication and fourth-quarter execution; the Raptors were 34-25 and fifth in the East as of Feb. 27, 2026, despite injuries to Collin Murray-Boyles and Scottie Barnes.

Premier pushes island-airport expansion: Doug Ford said he wants to extend the Billy Bishop runway to allow jets, citing a poll showing about 70% support; the airport’s lease runs to 2045 and any change would involve the city, the Toronto Port Authority and the federal government.

Cold case break: Using new DNA tools, Brantford police arrested a 39-year-old woman on Feb. 26, 2026 in connection with the 2005 death of a newborn known as “Baby Parker” (body found July 28, 2005); she’s charged with indignity to a body and concealing a child’s body and the case is before the courts.

Pedestrian killed in Mississauga crash: Peel police say a man in his 70s was struck mid-block by a westbound blue Chevy Trax near Lakeshore Rd. E. and Stavebank Rd. at about 7:10 p.m. on Thursday; he was taken to hospital and later died, and the Major Collision Bureau is investigating — no charges yet.

Provincial watchdog probes suspended Peel officers: The Law Enforcement Complaints Agency has launched a conduct investigation into three suspended Peel officers after Peel informed them of alleged ties to Project South, the York-led probe into alleged corruption among some Toronto officers; the review into policing practices across Ontario is also underway.

Lotto Max: $70 million up for grabs: The OLG says Friday’s Lotto Max jackpot is $70 million with ten $1‑million “maxmillion” prizes; tickets are available until 10:30 p.m. ET and draws run Tuesdays and Fridays.

Tkachuk slams fake White House clip: Senators captain Brady Tkachuk said an AI-altered White House TikTok that seemed to put insulting audio in his mouth was "clearly fake;" the clip followed a White House visit and State of the Union appearance, and Tkachuk later received a 10-minute misconduct after confronting a player during a 2-1 OT loss as Ottawa chases the playoffs with the trade deadline on March 6.

Deputy chief suspended in Durham: Durham Regional Police suspended a deputy chief with pay after he allegedly used a racially inappropriate term during a meeting of the service’s Afro-Caribbean Internal Support Network; an independent investigation has been launched.

Family barred from police-board presentation: The family of Ralph (who died after a 35-second 911 call on Aug. 30, 2024) says the Niagara Police Service Board refused to let them present their concerns and policy suggestions (like hearing tests and noise-cancelling headsets for 911 operators); the board says legal rules around active complaints prevent the deputation, and the family is frustrated.