Photo: "Monotonix @ Sneaky Dee's" by nowhere3, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Your Toronto morning news roundup for Friday July 18th, 2008:

In today's edition of 'news you didn't expect', a report by Statistics Canada has found that not only is Toronto's crime rate going down, but our city actually has the lowest crime rate per capita than any other major metropolis in Canada. For the first time, I'm actually proud to be below Montreal and Vancouver in a national ranking.

Despite the study's assurances that our city is safe, two shootings dominate the headlines this morning: a man and woman were shot outside the By The Way Cafe in the Annex last night, while another man was shot and killed at an east-end highrise which was the scene of similar violence less than a week ago.

Next time your city councillor decides to take you out for dinner (what, that doesn't happen?), you might want to help pay for the meal: city council has approved new spending guidelines making it harder for councillors to justify expensing expensive meals and alcohol purchases.

A quick word of advice: if you're competing for a $1.25 billion contract with the TTC, make sure you play by the rules. The Commission tossed out two bids by TRAM Power Ltd. and Bombardier for the new streetcar fleet because of non-compliance issues.

All the drivers complaining about high gas prices can find some solace in the fact that crude oil prices are falling, and the effects of that will likely be seen at the gas pump. Or will they?

Whatever the price of gas ends up being this weekend, do us all a favor and make sure you don't gas and dash: gas theft is on the rise, putting strains on independent gas stations, and probably doing a bit to help raise our previously falling crime rate.

Think our weather is unbearable here? At least you didn't have to play golf in the rain (actually, that doesn't sound so bad). Ontarian Mike Weir braved the winds and drizzle at the British Open to finish yesterday's round two strokes back of the leader.

The Jays are sitting much more than two proverbial strokes back (trailing the Rays, Red Sox, and Yankees in the standings) and need something to shake up the lineup. Is steroid-tainted home-run king Barry Bonds the person to bring some much-needed change to our beloved Blue Jays?