Rob Ford has released an open letter advocating for a casino in Toronto, calling the chance to build a major gaming facility a "golden opportunity." The letter, which starts "Dear Friends," was released this weekend ahead of a report by city manager Joe Pennachetti. Ford says the casino could create thousands of jobs and that "this opportunity shouldn't be judged on emotional or partisan rhetoric, but on facts."

He concludes saying the "$150 million" he expects for the city could be used for transit. The subways planned for Toronto typically cost between $1-3 billion. Is Toronto really missing a trick?

The Toronto senior doctor plucked from a ledge in an Arizona canyon this weekend says the experience was "quite an adventure." Dr. Elise HĂŠon, the chief ophthalmologist at Sick Kids, became trapped while on a hike without warm clothes or water. Her cries were heard by a local dog named Pebbles, whose owner called for help. HĂŠon says she didn't bring her cellphone because she thought she wouldn't have reception.

The Star has an interesting feature on a long-lost study into the effects of marijuana that never saw the light of day. In 1972, a group of 20 young women were thoroughly analyzed while smoking the drug at a downtown hospital in an attempt to determine the long-term health effects. So far, the report hasn't been released.

Looks like there could be a link between last summer's Little Italy shooting and a similar mob hit in Vancouver. Police believe both shootings were organized by 25-year-old drug lord Rabih Alkhalil who is wanted across Canada. Alkhalil is currently in jail in Greece awaiting extradition.

There will be more eyes on the streets of Weston in the coming months now Toronto police have confirmed they'll be installing two new CCTV cameras at Lawrence and Jane and Weston and Pine. The cameras are the first to be installed outside the core since 2007. Does more surveillance reduce crime?

The Asian long-horned beetle, terrorizer of maple, birch, elm, poplar and willow, is toast, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. The invasive creatures damaged trees in Toronto and Vaughan and were the subject of a years-long eradication scheme that involved cutting down more than 30,000 trees across Canada. The pests were last detected in 2007.

IN BRIEF:

• Toronto man charged in woman's death in Regent Park [Toronto Star]
• Four women wanted in alleged sex assault of 19-year-old man in downtown Toronto [National Post]
• Red Wings, Maple Leafs to meet in 2014 NHL Winter Classic [CBC]

FROM THE WEEKEND:

• Sound issues sabotage k-os at the Danforth Music Hall
• Get to know a Toronto startup: Epilogger
• This Week in Comedy
• This Week in Theatre
• 5 places to shop for shoes on Queen St.
• A brief history of Queen's Park in Toronto

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

Image: Jared Krause/blogTO Flickr pool.