Your morning news roundup for Monday March 19th, 2007:

This afternoon the Conservative government will announce the federal budget. Highlights are expected to include tax cuts, and more money for the provinces. Election buzz is peaking even though the party leaders are claiming that they don't want one.

City hall councillor spending and salary numbers are out. Interesting tidbits: Mayor Miller and Joe Pantalone are big spenders all around, Howard Moscoe invests a lot in people but skimps on office supplies, Rob Ford spent zero of the allowed $53,100 for office expenses, and Adam Giambrone spent all but $8 of that same allowance.

Residents of the Beaches have a lump in their throat for an old neighbourhood house and are trying to save it from demolition. It doesn't have any official designation and was already sold to developers, so I say bring on the wrecking ball or move it.

What would you do if you found a box containing an egg timer attached to a circuit board and a block of grey plasticine labeled "US Army C4"? The bomb squad was called in to deal with a fake bomb on Sunday, forcing the closure of the Yonge subway line and delaying the tail end to the St.Patrick's Day parade. CSI should spend time on this one.

(photo: blogTO Flickr pooler Derek Flack)