<![CDATA[NBC10 Philadelphia]]> https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com Copyright 2024 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/08/WCAU_station_logo_light_7d8feb.png?fit=278%2C58&quality=85&strip=all NBC10 Philadelphia https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com en_US Thu, 19 Sep 2024 04:54:09 -0400 Thu, 19 Sep 2024 04:54:09 -0400 NBC Owned Television Stations Philly mayor announces agreement for 76ers arena in Center City https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/mayor-announces-agreement-in-76ers-arena-plan/3973546/ 3973546 post 8822882 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2023/08/Sixers-arena-photo-3.webp?fit=300,169&quality=85&strip=all Mayor Cherelle Parker has announced that an agreement has been reached to bring an arena for the Philadelphia 76ers to Center City.

On social media on Wednesday afternoon, Parker announced that an arena would indeed be built for the Philadelphia 76ers in Center City.

“As your Mayor, I’m speaking from my City Hall office with a very important announcement. I am proud to share that I have made my decision, and an agreement has been reached to ensure that our Sixers are staying home,” Parker wrote on social media.

While she did not outline the exact terms of the agreement, Parker promised that it would bring “hundreds and hundreds” of jobs to Center City.

Also, she noted that her office would be “transmitting the related legislative package to our City Council of Philadelphia for its consideration where it must be approved.”

Through this agreement, Parker said the plan would bring more than $1.3 billion of private investment and will mean “hundreds of millions” in new tax revenue.

“It represents an unprecedented revival of Market Street,” she said.

Also, Parker took a moment to direct a comment toward the residents of the city’s Chinatown neighborhood — many of whom have opposed the arena plan — to say that she wants the agreement to help the “rich and vibrant” community thrive.

“I wholeheartedly believe this is the right deal for the People of Philadelphia. To the People of Chinatown, please know that I hear you. We have the best Chinatown in the United States, and I am committed to working together to support it. I’ll have a lot more to say in a formal presentation coming soon,” Parker said.

Shortly after Parker announced that an agreement had been made, in a statement, the 76ers said they were “grateful” for the mayor’s work.

“We are grateful to Mayor Parker and her team for their time and diligence in evaluating our proposal and look forward to advancing to the next steps with City Council,” the 76ers said.

Dan Hilferty, chairman and CEO of Comcast Spectacor said, in a statement, that regardless of the outcome of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment’s — the company that owns the 76ers — negotiations, the team was always welcome to remain in South Philadelphia.

“Regardless of the outcome of the City’s negotiations with HBSE, our door will always be open for the 76ers to join us in South Philadelphia if they ever conclude that is what is best for their team,” Hilferty said. “Alongside the Phillies, we are creating the dynamic and accessible destination for sports and entertainment that will create thousands of jobs, amplify our City, and create numerous community benefits. Either way, we always want what is best for Philadelphia.”

However, following the mayor’s announcement, a statement from the Save Chinatown Coalition argued that the “fight is far from over.”

Protesters gathered at City Hall shortly after the mayor’s announcement, saying they are ready to fight for their neighborhood. They believe a new arena will destroy Chinatown, and the fabric of that community.

The Save Chinatown Coalition has been fighting for months for the neighborhood.

“If you don’t have the decency to come to our community, and look us in the eye, and talk to us, that is disrespectful, that’s extremely disrespectful,” Debbie Wei, with the Save Chinatown Coalition, said.

Some sixers fans are dreading all the commotion a move like this could bring to the city.

“Traffic is going to be terrible, so not looking forward to that. It’s going to be interesting to see how many communities that’s going to disrupt too,” one Philly resident said.

Others are standing strong with the mayor.

“Best possible place for the Sixers to be at. Stay hometown. A lot of jobs. A lot of jobs are going to open up for us. We’ve been struggling with jobs and all that so,” another man said.

“Mayor Parker still hasn’t met with Chinatown after all this time, yet feels she can have a stance on whether our community should live or die. This was never about one person, and this fight is far from over. We are going to fight this, and we are going to the mat. It’s on,” said Debbie Wei, who was described as a longtime Chinatown community member and member of the Save Chinatown Coalition.

Hours after the announcement, City Councilmember Mark Squilla released a statement that reads, “Now that the Mayor has made a decision on 76 Place, CM Squilla remains steadfast in his commitment to circulate the package of bills to all stakeholders for at least 30 days.  During this time, we expect to consider all concerns and amend the legislation as needed.  Council will follow their legislative process and insure there are safeguards in place for the community stakeholders if legislation is introduced.”

IBEW Local 98 business manager Mark Lynch also released a statement to NBC10 showing his support for Mayor Parker’s announcement.

“IBEW Local 98 applauds Mayor Parker for having the political courage and vision to publicly state her support for the construction of 76 Place on East Market Street. Beyond the nearly 10,000 union construction jobs it will create over a decade, 76 Place will invite additional outside investment that will finally revitalize this dormant yet vital section of Center City,” Lynch’s statement said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Economic Development told NBC10 that Wednesday’s announcement by Mayor Parker will not deter the state from persuing the 76ers.

“We have put forward a thoughtful and aggressive proposal that makes clear that Governor Murphy and leaders across the state would welcome the 76ers to Camden with open arms, and nothing announced today changes our view that the Sixers should seriously consider New Jersey for their next home. We play until the final buzzer sounds, and we look forward to continuing to make the case for Camden and the Garden State,” NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan said.

State officials from New Jersey and Delaware are also looking to have the Sixers call their state home.

A spokesperson from the New Jersey Economic Deevelopment Authority said even after today’s announcement they still welcome the Sixers to Camden with open arms, “we play until the final buzzer sounds.”

This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as new information becomes available.

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Wed, Sep 18 2024 02:55:12 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 11:32:49 PM
13-year-old girl shot in the chest, killed inside North Philly house, police say https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/teen-shot-chest-killed-north-philadelphia/3974047/ 3974047 post 9895008 NBC10 Philadelphia https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/bailey-street.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 A young teenager is dead after being shot inside a home in North Philadelphia on Wednesday evening, according to a spokesperson with the Philadelphia Police Department.

Officers were called to a house on the 2800 block of North Bailey Street just after 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 18, police said. They were told a shooting incident happened in the second-floor hallway.

Police found a 13-year-old girl who had suffered a single gunshot wound to the right side of her chest, police explained.

She was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead just after 8 p.m., according to officials.

There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.

No weapons have been recovered and no one has been arrested yet in connection to this incident, police said.

The scene remains secured as investigators work to figure out what happened.

If you have any information, please call the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334. You can also call or text the Philadelphia Police Department’s tipline at 215-686-TIPS (8477).

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Wed, Sep 18 2024 09:01:15 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 09:19:24 PM
Procession honoring fallen Philadelphia officer Jaime Roman happening Thursday https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/philadelphia-killed-officer-jaime-roman-funeral-details/3973677/ 3973677 post 9876479 Provided https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/34338586229-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 On Thursday, Sept. 18, the city of Philadelphia will be saying goodbye to an officer who was killed in the line of duty.

The procession for slain Officer Jaime Roman is scheduled to begin at 5:15 a.m. from the John F. Givnish Funeral Home and make its way to the Philadelphia Public Services Building.

Then, starting at 6:15 a.m., Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel will join officers from the police department to march behind the hearse from the Public Services Building to the Cathedral Basilica.

As long as weather permits, you can watch the procession live in the player at the top of this article.

What roads will be closed?

  • Southbound on Broad Street from Callowhill Street
  • Westbound on Arch Street to the Parkway
  • Northwest on the Parkway to 18th Street
  • Northbound on 18th Street to the Basilica

From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. the public is welcome to participate in the viewing for Officer Roman at the Basilica of S.S. Peter and Paul at 1723 Race Street.

The funeral services for Roman will begin shortly after the viewing ends, but officials said that seating inside the church is only for family, friends, law enforcement and dignitaries.

If you would like to view the funeral, a Jumbo Tron will be set up outside of the church.

Following the service, the Executive Team, Command Staff, FOP Executive Team, 25th Police District, and other uniformed personnel will be stationed for Roman’s final honors.

The first of the two viewings for Roman took place on Wednesday, Sept. 18. He was remembered for his six and a half years spent with the 25th district, but most importantly, for his role as the leader of his household.

Officer Roman shot, killed

The Philadelphia police officer was shot in the line of duty in June during what officials believed to be a routine traffic stop.

Philadelphia Police Department Commissioner Kevin Bethel said at the time that the incident was a senseless shooting.

Bethel said that, after watching video from the event, he had seen nothing — no escalation or flared tempers — in the moments that led to the officer’s shooting.

Officer Roman passed away more than two months after a gunman — later identified as 36-year-old Ramon Rodriguez-Vázquez — fled a traffic stop and shot the officer in the neck, investigators said.

After the shooting, officials said, Rodriguez-Vázquez changed clothes and held a man hostage in his home all within the span of about 15 minutes in Kensington back on June 22, 2024.

Roman leaves behind a wife and two children — a 7-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son.

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Wed, Sep 18 2024 04:22:54 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 04:48:09 PM
The Federal Reserve just cut interest rates by a half point. Here's what that means for your wallet https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/business/money-report/the-federal-reserve-just-cut-interest-rates-for-the-first-time-since-2020-heres-what-that-means-for-your-wallet/3973472/ 3973472 post 9893628 Spencer Platt | Getty Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/108020484-1723658923878-gettyimages-2166779804-wallst469943_edroirns.jpeg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,176
  • The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate by a half percentage point, or 50 basis points, at the end of its two-day meeting Wednesday.
  • For consumers, this means relief from high borrowing costs — particularly for mortgages, credit cards and auto loans — may be on the way.
  • The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday it will lower its benchmark rate by a half percentage point, or 50 basis points, paving the way for relief from the high borrowing costs that have hit consumers particularly hard. 

    The federal funds rate, which is set by the U.S. central bank, is the interest rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another overnight. Although that’s not the rate consumers pay, the Fed’s moves still affect the borrowing and savings rates they see every day.

    Wednesday’s cut sets the federal funds rate at a range of 4.75%-5%.

    A series of interest rate hikes starting in March 2022 took the central bank’s benchmark to its highest in more than 22 years, which caused most consumer borrowing costs to skyrocket — and put many households under pressure.

    Now, with inflation backing down, “there are reasons to be optimistic,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com.

    However, “one rate cut isn’t a panacea for borrowers grappling with high financing costs and has a minimal impact on the overall household budget,” he said. “What will be more significant is the cumulative effect of a series of interest rate cuts over time.”

    More from Personal Finance:
    The ‘vibecession’ is ending as the economy nails a soft landing
    ‘Recession pop’ is in: How music hits on economic trends
    More Americans are struggling even as inflation cools

    “There are always winners and losers when there is a change in interest rates,” said Stephen Foerster, professor of finance at Ivey Business School in London, Ontario. “In general, lower rates favor borrowers and hurt lenders and savers.”

    “It really depends on whether you are a borrower or saver or whether you currently have locked-in borrowing or savings rates,” he said.

    From credit cards and mortgage rates to auto loans and savings accounts, here’s a look at how a Fed rate cut could affect your finances in the months ahead.

    Credit cards

    Since most credit cards have a variable rate, there’s a direct connection to the Fed’s benchmark. Because of the central bank’s rate hike cycle, the average credit card rate rose from 16.34% in March 2022 to more than 20% today — near an all-time high.

    Going forward, annual percentage rates will start to come down, but even then, they will only ease off extremely high levels. With only a few cuts on deck for 2024, APRs would still be around 19% in the months ahead, according to McBride.

    “Interest rates took the elevator going up, but they’ll be taking the stairs coming down,” he said.

    That makes paying down high-cost credit card debt a top priority since “interest rates won’t fall fast enough to bail you out of a tight situation,” McBride said. “Zero percent balance transfer offers remain a great way to turbocharge your credit card debt repayment efforts.”

    Mortgage rates

    Although 15- and 30-year mortgage rates are fixed, and tied to Treasury yields and the economy, anyone shopping for a new home has lost considerable purchasing power in the last two years, partly because of inflation and the Fed’s policy moves.

    But rates are already significantly lower than where they were just a few months ago. Now, the average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage is around 6.3%, according to Bankrate.

    Jacob Channel, senior economist at LendingTree, expects mortgage rates will stay somewhere in the 6% to 6.5% range over the coming weeks, with a chance that they’ll even dip below 6%. But it’s unlikely they will return to their pandemic-era lows, he said.

    “Though they are falling, mortgage rates nonetheless remain relatively high compared to where they stood through most of the last decade,” he said. “What’s more, home prices remain at or near record highs in many areas.” Despite the Fed’s move, “there are a lot of people who won’t be able to buy until the market becomes cheaper,” Channel said.

    Auto loans

    Even though auto loans are fixed, higher vehicle prices and high borrowing costs have stretched car buyers “to their financial limits,” according to Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds’ head of insights.

    The average rate on a five-year new car loan is now more than 7%, up from 4% when the Fed started raising rates, according to Edmunds. However, rate cuts from the Fed will take some of the edge off the rising cost of financing a car — likely bringing rates below 7% — helped in part by competition between lenders and more incentives in the market.

    “Many Americans have been holding off on making vehicle purchases in the hopes that prices and interest rates would come down, or that incentives would make a return,” Caldwell said. “A Fed rate cut wouldn’t necessarily drive all those consumers back into showrooms right away, but it would certainly help nudge holdout car buyers back into more of a spending mood.”

    Student loans

    Federal student loan rates are also fixed, so most borrowers won’t be immediately affected by a rate cut. However, if you have a private loan, those loans may be fixed or have a variable rate tied to the Treasury bill or other rates, which means once the Fed starts cutting interest rates, the rates on those private student loans will come down over a one- or three-month period, depending on the benchmark, according to higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. 

    Eventually, borrowers with existing variable-rate private student loans may be able to refinance into a less expensive fixed-rate loan, he said. But refinancing a federal loan into a private student loan will forgo the safety nets that come with federal loans, such as deferments, forbearances, income-driven repayment and loan forgiveness and discharge options.

    Additionally, extending the term of the loan means you ultimately will pay more interest on the balance.

    Savings rates

    While the central bank has no direct influence on deposit rates, the yields tend to be correlated to changes in the target federal funds rate.

    As a result of Fed rate hikes, top-yielding online savings account rates have made significant moves and are now paying more than 5% — the most savers have been able to earn in nearly two decades — up from around 1% in 2022, according to Bankrate.

    If you haven’t opened a high-yield savings account or locked in a certificate of deposit yet, you’ve likely already missed the rate peak, according to Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s credit analyst. However, “yields aren’t going to fall off a cliff immediately after the Fed cuts rates,” he said.

    Although those rates have likely maxed out, it is still worth your time to make either of those moves now before rates fall even further, he advised.

    One-year CDs are now averaging 1.78% but top-yielding CD rates pay more than 5%, according to Bankrate, as good as or better than a high-yield savings account.

    Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.

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    Wed, Sep 18 2024 02:00:17 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 03:56:17 PM
    Memories of the earliest Tupperware parties, from someone who was there https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/business/tupperware-bankruptcy-memories-from-earliest-parties/3973593/ 3973593 post 9894878 AP Photo/Ted Anthony, File https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/AP24262744974874.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,200 Sometimes something takes your thinking back to an isolated memory of decades ago. And without your bidding, other memories — memories of that era of your life — come flooding in.

    When asked what I remember about Tupperware parties, I pulled out some of my pieces of Tupperware from long ago. Along with finding the “Bacon Keeper” that I have used for perhaps 35 years to refrigerate deli sandwich makings. I located an entire part of my life.

    We didn’t have a dishwasher back then — what struggling young family did? When my two daughters were old enough. we made a deal. I would prepare the dinner. They would do the dishwashing and I’d be free.

    What made me remember that? The Tupperware pieces I was looking at were of the pre-dishwasher type plastic that has not survived the heat very well in the many years since dishwashers have been taken for granted. My later pieces have withstood the dishwasher onslaught. They still look new.

    In those days, we thought very little about most women’s designated roles in suburban society. Your husband went to work; you were home when the children arrived after school. Once in a while in the evening, you left the young ones in the care of their dad and went to a friend’s home for a Tupperware party.

    It was fun. You saw 10, maybe 20 friends and acquaintances who had also escaped for an evening. It never occurred to any of us that no men were there. We played little games and took home small Tupperware pieces as prizes.

    A representative demonstrated the “Tupperware seal”: how to make the containers airtight so we could serve the contents fresh and with pride. We shared coffee and cake provided by our hostess. Then we went home with renewed ability to face the next day and its chores.

    Is it still the same today? Now that so many women have taken their place next to men in the working world, do Tupperware parties still exist? Do they fill the same needs? Do men also attend? Are some of the newer items designed to solve gentlemen’s storage problems?

    Do we have Tupperware party equality at long last?

    ___

    Ann T. Anthony (1924-2018), wrote this story for The Associated Press in 1996 when she was 71. She was married in 1946 — the year Tupperware was introduced — and attended Tupperware parties for years. She remembers the parties as events where friends could get together and buy from someone they trusted.

    Tupperware Brands, the company that revolutionized food storage decades ago, filed for bankruptcy protection as it struggles to revitalize its business.

    Tupperware sales growth improved during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, but overall sales have been in steady decline since 2018 due to rising competition. And financial troubles have continued to pile up for the Orlando, Florida, company.

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    Wed, Sep 18 2024 08:35:36 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 08:35:46 PM
    Amazon's fall Prime Day sale is coming next month — here's what you need to know https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/amazon-october-prime-day-2024-dates-rcna171355 3972263 post 9889942 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-17-at-1.06.46 PM.png?fit=300,150&quality=85&strip=all Tue, Sep 17 2024 01:08:33 PM Tue, Sep 17 2024 01:08:33 PM Philly teen hoped to make bombs for terror group, planned LGBTQ parade attack, officials say https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/west-philly-teen-charged-weapons-mass-destruction/3973089/ 3973089 post 8836416 NBC10 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2023/08/FBI-raid-8-14-23.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 Law enforcement officials in Philadelphia, on Wednesday, provided an update to a case involving a teen boy who, officials claim, communicated with a group affiliated with Al-Qaeda and allegedly purchased materials online in an effort to obtain weapons of mass destruction.

    During an event on Wednesday morning, First Assistant District Attorney Robert Listenbee said Muhyyee-ud-din Abdul-Rahman, 18, of West Philadelphia, not only had bomb-making materials, that were found in the trash at his home, he had tested bombs in the woods behind his home and had likely considered an attack on Philly’s LGBTQ community.

    Back in August of last year, Abdul-Rahman was arrested and charged in an ongoing terrorism investigation following an FBI raid at a home along Woodbine Avenue.

    But, on Wednesday, Listenbee said, Abdul-Rahman had not only made bombs, but he had considered placing bombs in trashcans along the route of last year’s Philadelphia Pride March and intended to move to Syria in the hopes of becoming a bomb-maker for a terrorist group.

    “The defendant, who had a scholarship to attend college as a wrestler, decided that he wanted to become a bomb-maker,” said Listenbee. “He wanted to leave America and go to Syria an join a terrorist group. He developed bombs in his home and tested those bombs twelve to twenty times in his back yard and in the woods nearby.”

    He is also accused of communicating with Khatiba al-Tawhid wal-Jihad, or KTJ — a global terrorist group that is affiliated with Al-Qaeda.

    In detailing how far Abdul-Rahman was willing to go to achieve his goals, Listenbee said that he was ready to throw away everything in order to become a bomb-maker for KTJ.

    “He was ready to leave his family, his friends, his school and his wrestling team. He had no intention of going to college in the United States,” said Listenbee.

    He had obtained his passport, Listenbee said, and at the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of tactical gear, uniforms, radios, knives, and other military items that he intended to bring to Syria.

    Also seized at that time, Listenbee said, were two phones, and on them, he claims officials discovered “frightening searches” including focused searches on the Philadelphia Pride March.

    Listenbee said that these searches included the location and schedule of the parade, along with information about making “trashcan bombs” and the locations of trashcans along the route of the parade.

    “He was at least considering targeting the LGBT community and the pride parade,” Listenbee said. “That did not happen, but, at least, it was important as far as we were concerned that we acknowledge that that was one of the intense searches that occurred.”

    In an interview with law enforcement officials, Listenbee said Abdul-Rahman was upset about homosexuality and how it was “pressed upon children in the United States.”

    Along with these searches, Listenbee said officials found searches for nuclear power station locations across the region, army-navy football games and the parade, along with details about Fort Bragg and the Pentagon, as well as 40 other military bases and entities.

    Yesterday, Listenbee said a judge ruled that Abdul-Rahman would not be amenable to treatment in the juvenile justice system and he will instead be charged as an adult.

    He has been in custody since his arrest last year and his bail has been set at $5 million.

    Listenbee said that, at this time, no one else in the home Abdul-Rahman lived in with his family, are alleged to have been a part of — and were likely not aware of — the alleged activities that led to these charges.

    He has been charged with weapons of mass destruction, criminal conspiracy, arson and related offenses.

    Officials said Abdul-Rahman has not entered a plea.

    NBC10 reached out to his family to see if he had an attorney but was unable to reach them for comment.

    This is a breaking news story. it will be updated as new information becomes available.

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    Wed, Sep 18 2024 10:38:30 AM Wed, Sep 18 2024 05:37:45 PM
    Man sought after allegedly walking into home, attempting to sexually assault nanny https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/man-sought-after-allegedly-walking-into-home-attempting-to-sexually-assault-nanny/3973968/ 3973968 post 9894699 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/nanny-attacked-1.png?fit=300,169&quality=85&strip=all A woman is warning her neighbors after a man walked into her home in Overbrook Farms and tried to sexually assault her nanny.

    This took place Friday afternoon near Lancaster Avenue and Sherwood Road while Anisha Singha was working on the second floor of her home and heard her nanny scream downstairs.

    Singha said she ran downstairs to see a man she didn’t recognize walk out of her home.

    “I just like heard her shout and so I ran down and she said, ‘somebody came in the house,’” Singha said.

    She said her nanny was confronted by a man who casually walked into her home from the unlocked side door, and the nanny initially thought he was one of the contractors doing work outside the home.

    The man then allegedly asked for food and then asked to use the bathroom. That’s when she said the man tried to attack her nanny.

    “He tried to pull her into the bathroom, and he was pulling his pants down and he basically tried to grab her and said let’s go,” Singha said.

    Singha said the man calmly walked out of her home when she ran down the stairs and she was able to get a photo of him that she has shared with the police.

    In the photo the man is wearing a bright neon green vest over a gray hoodie and has on what appears to be a cowboy’s hat.

    Police are using the photo as part of their investigation.

    Singha also posted it to social media and a community list serve to warn others.

    Another neighbor claimed she also encountered the same man.

    Police say they have not received other calls of similar situations and have not found the man.

    “I would want my neighbors to not like lose the sense of community but maybe like just be extra careful…like don’t leave your door unlocked even if you’re running back and forth for just a second,” Singha said.

    Police say if you’ve had a similar encounter or have any additional information to contact them.

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    Wed, Sep 18 2024 07:32:18 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 07:32:39 PM
    1st sighting of giant, parachuting Joro spiders reported in Pa. burbs. Big deal? https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/critter-corner/1st-sighting-parachuting-joro-spiders-bucks-county/3973408/ 3973408 post 9062393 AP Photo/Alex Sanz https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2023/11/AP21302039513418-e1699562828163.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,200 Arachnophobes, look away — there’s a giant invasive spider that has reportedly arrived in the the tri-state area.

    Earlier this year, experts warned that Joro spiders could start showing up in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware this summer, spreading up from the southeastern U.S., where they have been proliferating.

    Joro spiders spotted in suburbs of Philadelphia

    Now, there is a report of six of the creepy invasive crawlers in southeastern Pennsylvania on JoroWatch.com. (Yes, that’s a real website powered by the University of Georgia and other academic and environmental entities.)

    Someone spotted the group of a half dozen or so colorful arachnids in the yard of a home in Warminster, Bucks County, on Sept. 5, 2024, JoroWatch said.

    What is a Joro spider?

    The yellow and black arachnids are native to East Asia, but the invasive arachnids have been around in Georgia for about a decade. A fall of 2023 peer-reviewed study conducted by David Coyle, a scientist and assistant professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation at Clemson University, found that the species is “here to stay” in the U.S. as it spreads rapidly around the country.

    As of October 2022, the species’ range spanned at least 120,000 square kilometers across Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee, according to the study. There were also reports of Joro spiders in Alabama, Maryland, Oklahoma and West Virginia. And the spiders are expected to make more East Coast states their home in the future.

    “(The data from the study shows) that this spider is going to be able to inhabit most of the eastern U.S.,” Coyle said. “It shows that their comfort area in their native range matches up very well with much of North America.

    “Barring some unforeseen circumstance, we expect the range of these things to continue expanding, likely to the north, and we’ve already seen that with some populations in Maryland.”

    Adding to nightmares, the spiders are light enough to travel through the air by a process called “ballooning,” making it even easier for them to spread. The “spiders move through the air by releasing gossamer threads to catch the wind and go airborne, at the mercy of air currents and electric fields, although human-mediated transport cannot be discounted,” Coyle wrote.

    What does a Joro spider look like, how big is it?

    Female Joro spiders, a.k.a. Trichonephila clavata, can have a body about 1 inch long and legs that span up to 4 inches, according to a 2022 Penn State Extension article. The females are brightly colored, whereas the males are brown.

    But there is good news: Even though its palm of your hand size tends to freak people out, the species is relatively harmless to humans and pets.

    Are Joro spiders dangerous?

    While Joro spiders may appear frightening to some, they are relatively harmless to people and pets, a University of Georgia study from last year said. In fact, that study found that Joro spiders “may be the shyest spider ever documented.”

    The spiders will only bite if they’re cornered and even then their fangs likely wouldn’t be large enough to pierce human skin, according to the University of Georgia study.

    “Our paper shows that these spiders are really more afraid of you than the reverse,” said Andy Davis, lead author of the study and a research scientist in UGA’s Odum School of Ecology.

    Another positive about the spiders: they don’t want to go inside homes, according to Coyle. They will instead spin webs on the outside of houses or other structures. If a Joro spider needs to be moved, Coyle suggests using a broom or stick to place it elsewhere.

    Might Joro spiders spread further in the Delaware Valley soon?

    The simple answer is maybe, but not to worry too much.

    “In their native range, Jorō spiders can be found in relatively cold areas – the average January temperature of northern Honshu, Japan is 25–32 °F, similar to most of Pennsylvania,” the Penn State article said. “So it is likely that they will be able to spread throughout eastern North America at least as far north as Pennsylvania and possibly further in warmer, coastal areas.”

    “Between 2014–22, Jorō spiders spread outward in all directions from the location they were initially found by 50–80 miles, or about 10 miles per year. At that rate, they may reach southeastern Pennsylvania in 35 years and northwestern Pennsylvania in 60 years. However, spiderlings are capable of moving tens to hundreds of miles via ballooning,” Penn State said. “Additionally, as they increase in numbers, the risk of human-mediated transport to new areas also increases. This means that the immediate risk of Jorō spiders appearing in Pennsylvania is relatively small but will increase year over year as they spread naturally, via high wind events, and through accidental human transport.”

    University of Delaware’s Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology entomologist Dr. Doug Tallamy has been downplaying a potential Joro invasion.

    “It’s possible but very low on the list of things we should be worried about,” he wrote earlier this year. Reached on Wednesday by NBC10, he wrote: “I think it’s a non issue that should not be blown out of proportion.”

    How did Joro spiders get to the U.S. to begin with?

    Joro spiders are native to East Asia. It’s believed the species likely made its way to the U.S. via a shipping container.

    Are Joro spiders orb-weavers?

    Joro spiders are in the family of orb-weavers, which spin large, orb-shaped webs. They look similar to garden spiders and banana spiders.

    Do Joro spiders fly?

    The pattern in which Joro spiders have spread “suggests it is primarily driven by natural dispersal mechanisms, such as ballooning,” according to Coyle’s study. Ballooning is when spiders move through the air like a parachute by releasing “sail-like trails of silk that lift them up and off into the wind,” per National Geographic. (Want to get a bit freaked out? Read the full Nat Geo story.)

    The study said human-mediated transport can’t be discounted, either, in regard to the spread of the species.

    What do Joro spiders eat?

    Joro spiders aren’t exactly picky eaters. Coyle said they “don’t seem to care what gets in their web.” The spiders eat mosquitoes, yellowjackets, stink bugs and even spotted lanternflies — another invasive pest.

    “They’re just as likely to eat brown marmorated stink bugs as they are to eat a Monarch butterfly,” he added. “To say they’re more beneficial than another spider is just simply wrong — they’re a spider — and if something gets caught in their web, it’s going to get eaten. And they don’t care if it’s a rare native pollinator and there are only a few of them left in the world or if it’s a brown marmorated stink bug.”

    An interesting find from Coyle’s study is that Joro spiders are displacing native species, along with having other negative impacts. But it’s unclear exactly why other species are being negatively impacted by Joro spiders.

    “These are not just benign spiders coming to catch and kill bad things; these are pushing out native species and catching and killing whatever happens to get in their webs,” Coyle said. “Are they bad or good? It’s very nuanced depending on your perspective.”

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 01:51:01 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 02:19:30 PM
    A wave of deadly walkie-talkie explosions sweeps Lebanon day after widespread pager attack https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/more-pager-explosions-lebanon/3973268/ 3973268 post 9892869 AP Photo/Hussein Malla https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/AP24261545215049.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,225 A second wave of device explosions hit Lebanon on Wednesday, killing 20, injuring 450 others and igniting blazes across the country a day after hundreds of pagers belonging to Hezbollah members detonated in an unprecedented attack on the militant group.

    Lebanon’s Red Cross said it deployed 30 ambulances across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley in response to the walkie-talkie explosions.

    Meanwhile, the country’s civil defense force said teams worked to put out fires “inside homes, cars and shops” that were ignited by the blasts.

    Al-Manar, a Hezbollah-affiliated news agency, reported that the wireless devices had exploded in people’s hands.

    The Lebanese Ministry of Communications identified the exploding devices as Icom V82s, a type of handheld transceiver, adding that they were not purchased through the official distributor and were not licensed by the ministry. Icom did not immediately return a request for comment to NBC News, but a sales manager for Icom America told The Associated Press it appears that explosive devices were knock-offs.

    Icom’s website lists the V82 as one of its most frequently counterfeited products and states that is has been discontinued.

    “Pay special attention to counterfeit IC-V80, IC-718 (currently produced model) and IC-V82 (discontinued model),” the website said. “Copies of these models are floating in the market.”

    ICOM IC-V82 (ICOM Inc.)

    The Associated Press reported that its journalists were in Beirut at a funeral for four people killed by exploding pagers Tuesday when they heard “multiple explosions at the site.”

    Ambulances arrived at the scene, the AP journalists said.

    On Tuesday, exploding pagers belonging to Hezbollah members killed at least 12 people and injured nearly 3,000.

    Two U.S. officials said Israel was behind the attack targeting Hezbollah, an Iran-back militia and political party that the United States considers a terrorist organization. The militant group and Lebanese officials also pinned blame on Israel, which has not taken direct responsibility.

    It was unclear why Israel carried out the attack when it did and whether it was an opportunistic operation or something more strategic that would be followed by other actions, the officials said.

    However, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday that he believed the country was in a “new phase in the war.”

    “The ‘center of gravity’ is moving north, meaning that we are allocating forces, resources and energy for the northern arena,” Gallant said, adding that they must allow residents to return home.

    Lebanon’s Public Health Minister Dr. Firas Abiad said that 12 people were killed in Tuesday’s attack, including an 8-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy. More than 2,700 were injured, with an estimated 10% in critical condition, according to National News Agency.

    Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he was visiting the public health ministry’s emergency operation center when news broke about the walkie-talkie explosions. He told reporters that he instructed the country’s foreign minister to call for a United Nations Security Council meeting to address the matter.

    “What happened is regrettable — it is a collective crime that defies humanity and human rights, targeting defenseless people in their homes,” Mikati said.

    Mikati and other Lebanese government officials have repeatedly said that they do not want the country to be dragged into a war, but stop short of condemning Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel.

    The Security Council is expected to meet Friday on the pager attacks and other communications device explosions in Lebanon following a request from Algeria, a U.S. official confirmed to NBC News.

    A spokesperson for U.N. SecretaryGeneral António Guterres said he was “deeply alarmed” by the device explosions in Lebanon and urged restraint from both parties.

    The U.S. was not involved in Wednesday’s incident, said John Kirby, the White House’s national security communications advisor. He declined to answer questions about Israel’s role or whether the U.S. deemed detonating wireless devices an acceptable form of warfare.

    Kirby said the U.S. believes the best way to prevent opening a war front with Lebanon is through diplomacy.

    “We still don’t want to see an escalation of any kind,” Kirby said. “We don’t believe that the way to solve where we are at in this crisis is by additional military operations at all.”

    U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. called for a “full accounting” of the attacks to Congress to determine “whether any US assistance went into the development or deployment of this technology.”

    The attack risked civilian lives as the devices detonated in “a slew of public spaces,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a post on X, adding that it “clearly and unequivocally violates international humanitarian law and undermines US efforts to prevent a wider conflict.”

    Also on Wednesday, an Israeli commander said troops near the border were “at peak readiness.”

    “The mission is clear — we are determined to change the security reality as soon as possible,” said the Israel Defense Forces’ Northern Command chief, Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin. 

    Hezbollah has been exchanging fire with Israel since October, aligning with Hamas after the Palestinian group’s Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

    International officials have worried for months that the exchanges over Lebanon and Israel’s border could widen the Israel-Hamas war and further destabilize the region.

    Thousands of civilians in southern Lebanon and northern Israel have been displaced by the exchange of fire between Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Forces.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Monday that he and his Cabinet have updated its list of war objectives to include the safe return of its residents in the north.

    The country’s officials have also warned the U.S., its closest ally, that “military action” would most likely be the only way to address mounting hostilities with Hezbollah.

    This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. More from NBC News:

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 11:57:00 AM Wed, Sep 18 2024 06:30:34 PM
    Teens arrested after robbing, stealing multiple vehicles around Philly https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/teens-arrested-after-robbing-stealing-multiple-vehicles-around-philly/3974031/ 3974031 post 9895246 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/Two-teenagers-arrested-for-carjacking-at-Abington-shopping-center.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 Two teens were arrested for a robbery and carjacking in Abington Township that ended with them crashing

    An 18-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy will be charged with robbery of a motor vehicle and related charges.

    At around noon, the Abington Township Police Department responded to a report of a robbery and carjacking that happened in the parking lot of the Abington Shopping Center at 1400 Old York Road, according to police.

    The victim, a woman, told police she parked her car in the lot and was walking towards a business in the shopping center when two males grabbed her from behind. They took her bag which had her keys and used her keys to steal her car and flee south on Old York Road.

    The victim was not injured during the robbery, officials said.

    Investigation revealed that the suspects had arrived at the scene of this crime in a Nissan Rogue, which had been carjacked an hour earlier in the Olney section of Philadelphia.

    Abington officers were able to locate the stolen car and followed it into Philadelphia where the suspects crashed the car along the 5200 block of Bingham Street and then fled on foot, police said.

    While attempting to elude the authorities, the suspects attempted to carjack another vehicle on Tabor Avenue. They were eventually apprehended after they were seen hiding in thick brush along the Tacony Creek Trail.

    An investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time.

    This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 08:31:45 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 11:43:06 PM
    Federal Reserve cuts key rate by sizable half-point, signaling end to its inflation fight https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/federal-reserve-interest-rate-cut/3972983/ 3972983 post 9880271 Stefani Reynolds | Bloomberg Creative Photos | Getty Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/107197199-1676935846024-gettyimages-1359344663-375259981_3da709.jpeg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,176 The Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut its benchmark interest rate by an unusually large half-point, a dramatic shift after more than two years of high rates that helped tame inflation but also made borrowing painfully expensive for American consumers.

    The rate cut, the Fed’s first in more than four years, reflects its new focus on bolstering the job market, which has shown clear signs of slowing. Coming just weeks before the presidential election, the Fed’s move also has the potential to scramble the economic landscape just as Americans prepare to vote.

    The central bank’s action lowered its key rate to roughly 4.8%, down from a two-decade high of 5.3%, where it had stood for 14 months as it struggled to curb the worst inflation streak in four decades. Inflation has tumbled from a peak of 9.1% in mid-2022 to a three-year low of 2.5% in August, not far above the Fed’s 2% target.

    The Fed’s policymakers also signaled that they expect to cut their key rate by an additional half-point in their final two meetings this year, in November and December. And they envision four more rate cuts in 2025 and two in 2026.

    In a statement and in a news conference with Chair Jerome Powell, the Fed came closer than it has before to declaring victory over inflation.

    “We know it is time to recalibrate our (interest rate) policy to something that’s more appropriate given the progress on inflation,” Powell said. “We’re not saying, ‘mission accomplished’ … but I have to say, though, we’re encouraged by the progress that we have made.”

    “The U.S. economy is in a good place,” he added, “and our decision today is designed to keep it there.”

    Though the central bank now believes inflation is largely defeated, many Americans remain upset with still-high prices for groceries, gas, rent and other necessities. Former President Donald Trump blames the Biden-Harris administration for sparking an inflationary surge. Vice President Kamala Harris, in turn, has charged that Trump’s promise to slap tariffs on all imports would raise prices for consumers even further.

    Rate cuts by the Fed should, over time, lead to lower borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans and credit cards, boosting Americans’ finances and supporting more spending and growth. Homeowners will be able to refinance mortgages at lower rates, saving on monthly payments, and even shift credit card debt to lower-cost personal loans or home equity lines. Businesses may also borrow and invest more. Average mortgage rates have already dropped to an 18-month low of 6.2%, according to Freddie Mac, spurring a jump in demand for refinancings.

    In an updated set of projections, the Fed’s policymakers collectively envision a faster drop in inflation than they did three months ago but also higher unemployment. They foresee their preferred inflation gauge falling to 2.3% by year’s end, from its current 2.5%, and to 2.1% by the end of 2025. And they now expect the unemployment rate to rise further this year, to 4.4%, from 4.2% now, and to remain there by the end of 2025. That’s above their previous forecasts of 4% for the end of this year and 4.2% for 2025.

    Powell was pressed at his news conference about whether the Fed’s decision to cut its key rate by an unusually large half-point is an acknowledgment that it waited too long to begin reducing borrowing rates.

    “We don’t think we’re behind,” he replied. “We think this is timely. But I think you can take this as a sign of our commitment not to get behind. We’re not seeing rising (unemployment) claims, not seeing rising layoffs, not hearing from companies that that’s something that’s going to happen.”

    He added: “There is thinking that the time to support the labor market is when it’s strong and not when you begin to see the layoffs. We don’t think we need to see further loosening in labor market conditions to get inflation down to 2%.”

    The Fed’s next policy meeting is Nov. 6-7 — immediately after the presidential election. By cutting rates this week, soon before the election, the Fed is risking attacks from Trump, who has argued that lowering rates now amounts to political interference. Yet Politico has reported that even some key Senate Republicans who were interviewed expressed support for a Fed rate cut this week.

    Powell pushed back Wednesday against any suggestion that the Fed shouldn't cut rates so close to an election.

    “This is my fourth presidential election at the Fed," he said. "It’s always the same. We’re always going into this meeting in particular and asking, ‘What’s the right thing to do for the people we serve?’ We do that and we make a decision as a group and we announce it. That’s always what it is. Nothing else is discussed.”

    The Fed's move Wednesday reverses the inflation-fighting effort it engineered by raising its key rate 11 times in 2022 and 2023. Wage growth has since slowed, removing a potential source of inflationary pressure. And oil and gas prices are falling, a sign that inflation should continue to cool in the months ahead. Consumers are also pushing back against high prices, forcing such companies as Target and McDonald’s to dangle deals and discounts.

    The Fed’s decision drew the first dissent from a member of its governing board since 2005. Michelle Bowman, a board member who has expressed concern in the past that inflation had not been fully defeated, said she would have preferred a quarter-point rate cut.

    But the Fed's policymakers as a whole recognize that after years of strong job growth, employers have slowed hiring, and the unemployment rate has risen nearly a full percentage point from its half-century low in April 2023 to a still-low 4.2%. Once unemployment rises that much, it tends to keep climbing.

    At the same time, the officials and many economists have noted that the rise in unemployment this time largely reflects an influx of people seeking jobs — notably new immigrants and recent college graduates — rather than layoffs.

    “The labor market is actually in solid condition," Powell said. "Our intention with our policy move today is to keep it there.”

    This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 07:16:54 AM Wed, Sep 18 2024 03:38:02 PM
    Bad calls: Philly man pleads to making fake terror attack tips on fantasy football rival https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/philly-man-pleads-fake-terror-attack-calls-fantasy-football/3973370/ 3973370 post 9869863 Shutterstock https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/pelota-futbol.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 A Philadelphia man has pleaded guilty to charges involved after he made fake tips to various officials in order to falsely accuse a fantasy football rival of planning to commit terror attacks.

    On Wednesday, United States Attorney Jacqueline Romero announced that Matthew Gabriel, 25, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to two counts of interstate and foreign communication of a threat to injure after he targeted a member of his fantasy football group with false terror attack claims.

    According to the plea agreement, the calls began after Gabriel had an “online disagreement with a member of his fantasy football chat group” and learned that this individual planned to study abroad in Norway in August of 2023.

    On August 3, 2023, court documents note, while he was in Pennsylvania, Gabriel submitted an anonymous tip through the internet to the Norwegian Police Security Service, also known as Politiets Sikkerhetstjeneste, “claiming that a member of his fantasy football chat group was going to carry out a mass shooting in Norway.”

    As detailed by Romero’s office, Gabriel’s fake tip claimed his rival was working with others in order to “take out as many as they can at a concert and then head to a department store.”

    “I don’t know any more people then that, I just can’t have random people dying on my conscience. [H]e plans to arrive there unarmed spend a couple days normal and then execute the attack,” read a fake tip shared by Romero’s office “[P]lease be ready. [H]e is around a 5 foot 7 read [sic] head coming from America, on the 10th or 11th I believe. [H]e should have weapons with him. [P]lease be careful.”

    Romero’s office said that law enforcement officials in Norway and the United States spent “hundreds of man-hours” investigating and reacting to the threatened mass shooting over the course of a five-day period.

    When interviewed by the FBI, Gabriel admitted that he had submitted the false tip, Romero’s office said.

    But, Gabriel later made a second threat, Romero’s office said.

    On March 22, 2024, again as he was in Pennsylvania, Gabriel sent an email — while posing as another individual — to the University of Iowa with the subject line “Possible Threat.”

    “Hello, I saw this in a group chat I’m in and just want to make sure everyone is safe and fine. I don’t want anything bad to happen to any body. Thank you. A man named… from I believe Nebraska sent this, and I want to make sure that it is a joke and no one will get hurt,” read the email, according to court documents.

    The email, court documents note, included a screenshot from the fantasy football group of a message that stated: “Hello University of Iowa a man named [Victim 1] told me he was gonna blow up the school.”

    Instead, Romero’s office said Gabriel knew that the target of his claims had never intended to blow up the university and that the screenshotted message had been “sent in jest by another member of the fantasy football group regarding Gabriel’s prior threat.”

    Despite knowing that there was no actual threat to the University of Iowa, Gabriel sent that email knowing that the University of Iowa would view it as a true threat, Romero’s office said.

    “While already being prosecuted for one hoax threat spurred by, of all things, his fantasy football league, Matthew Gabriel inexplicably decided to send another,” said Romero in a statement on this case. “His actions were extremely disruptive and consumed significant law enforcement resources on two continents, diverting them from actual incidents and investigations. Hoax threats aren’t a joke or protected speech, they’re a crime. My advice to keyboard warriors who’d like to avoid federal charges: always think of the potential consequences before you hit ‘post’ or ‘send.’”

    Gabriel, Romero’s office said, faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment fee.

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 01:35:07 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 01:48:21 PM
    SEPTA parking fees to resume, customers can pay with new app or at kiosks https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/septa-parking-fees-resume-next-month-double-in-cost/3942678/ 3942678 post 6446814 NBC10 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2021/09/Less-Than-2-Weeks-After-Flooding-SEPTA-Rail-Line-Reopens.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 Many SEPTA riders may have been enjoying parking for free at stations throughout the mass transit system since the pandemic.

    But, that will soon come to an end.

    Last month, SEPTA officials announced that they will end free parking with a “phased approach” that is set to begin on Sept. 23, 2024.

    “These fees will help offset parking lot maintenance costs as we continue to do our part to generate revenue in the midst of a funding crisis,” said SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie Richards in a statement. “We understand how increasing fees could impact riders, but we hope they will still see public transit as an overall value – saving time and money compared to driving a vehicle.”

    In a statement on the move, SEPTA officials said the company’s board, earlier this year, awarded a $12.3 million contract to Flowbird America Inc. to develop “a new, state-of-the-art parking system that will streamline fee collection and improve customer convenience.”

    When parking fees are resumed, the cost to park at SEPTA-owned surface lots will increase to $2 from $1 and to $4 from $2 at three garages — Frankford Transportation Center, Norristown and Lansdale.

    SEPTA riders were surprised by the news, and some are thinking of ways to adjust.

    “It’s not good. I enjoy having the lot to park in, I feel safe parking here,” said Kendre Taylor a SEPTA rider.

    “A little disappointed. It was a nice perk coming back to work. It’s only a dollar a day, but it adds up coming in 4-5 days a week every week,” said Eric Ducharme. “Driving myself is an option. My wife also commutes, so maybe we might think about taking the same train instead of us both parking separately on the same day.”

    According to SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch, the new fees are expected to generate millions in new revenues for the mass transit provider.

    “We are estimating that revenue from parking will be at least $6 million annually with the new fees in place,” Busch said in a statement to NBC10.

    In 2019, Busch said SEPTA collected $4.7 million in parking revenue but that ridership since the pandemic has been down and has only gradually increased to 66% of pre-pandemic ridership.

    “Part of the reason we did not resume parking fees sooner was to try to attract riders back to the system, so it’s possible if we had resumed charging sooner, we could have lost some of the ridership that has returned,” Busch said in a statement.

    Parking at surface lots will remain free on weekends and major holidays.

    When the fees resume, riders will be able to use a SEPTA Park app to pay for parking, as well as using kiosks at parking lots or even pay by text message.

    Officials said there will be detailed instructions at parking lot locations to provide additional information once the parking fees resume.

    “$2 is not the worst amount and if it’s going to maintaining the lots and our safety, that’s good. But I would prefer free,” said Taylor.

    For a full schedule of the rollout planned to begin on Sept. 23, 2024, click here.

    This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

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    Tue, Aug 13 2024 11:16:21 AM Wed, Sep 18 2024 05:24:28 PM
    ‘Here to win': Girls flag football becomes sanctioned high school sport in Pa. https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/piaa-girls-flag-football-pennsylvania-sanctioned-sport/3973380/ 3973380 post 9893368 Eagles Girls Flag League https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/image-2024-09-18T134816.809.png?fit=300,169&quality=85&strip=all Girls flag football is officially a recognized sport in the state of Pennsylvania thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

    The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Inc. (PIAA) announced on Wednesday, Sept. 18 that the high school level of girl’s flag football is now a sanctioned sport.

    “We’re thrilled that we can offer another opportunity for girls to participate in interscholastic athletics,” PIAA President Frank Majikes said. “This is the second girls’ sport in two years to be approved.”

    The PIAA explained that a sport can be considered for sanctioning once it has adopted “a set of operational and safety standards set forward by a governing body.” Those standards must be used by members of the program.

    For girls flag football, PIAA required that there be at least 100 teams throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. That number was reached in April with 65 schools participating on the eastern side of the state thanks to the Eagles and 35 schools on the western side thanks to the Steelers.

    The Eagles and the Steelers worked together over the last three seasons to grow the flag football program in Pa.

    “When we launched our girls’ flag football league in 2022, we set an ambitious five-year goal to get the sport sanctioned in our state. Now, here we are three seasons later and two years ahead of schedule,” Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said. “The sport’s organic growth is a credit to the participants, administrators, coaches, officials, and parents who helped raise the profile of girls’ flag football. We thank the PIAA for their leadership in recognizing a sport that has the power to unlock new pathways and opportunities for girls of all ages in every community.”

    When the Eagles launched their flag football program, it started with just 16 schools in the spring of 2022 from the Philadelphia Public and Catholic Leagues. In 2023, it grew to 38 before reached 65 this year. There are currently over 1,600 girls playing on the eastern side of Pennsylvania.

    The Eagles have helped with learn-to-play support as well as coaching and officiating clinics and much more.

    The Birds also partnered with Operation Warm to design a new sports bra line called FLY:FWD specifically for young girls and women in flag football.

    The Pittsburgh Steelers are credited with starting their girls flag football in 2022 with just six schools before eventually growing to 36 schools this year.

    This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 02:07:07 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 06:01:59 PM
    Suspects break into West Philly pharmacy, leave with medication and cash https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/west-philadelphia-pharmacy-burglary-medication-crash/3973501/ 3973501 post 9893556 Philadelphia Police Department https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/Philadelphia-Police.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 Philadelphia police are searching for two suspects they said broke into a West Philadelphia pharmacy and stole prescription medication and cash.

    According to police, the incident happened on Sept. 9 at the Olive Tree Pharmacy located at 235 S. 60th St.

    Surveillance video released by police shows two people breaking into the pharmacy, forcing their way into the back, and stealing prescription medication and cash before fleeing.

    Police said the suspect fled in a blue Dodge Ram pickup truck.

    The suspects wore Nike and Under Armor clothing during the crime, according to police.

    According to police, if you see these suspects, do not approach them and contact 911 immediately.

    If you have any information about this crime or the suspects, you are urged to contact the Southwest Detective Division at 215-686-3183/3184.

    You can also submit a tip by calling or texting 215-686-TIPS (8477).

    This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

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    Wed, Sep 18 2024 02:43:42 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 05:46:32 PM
    Man, woman badly injured following violent assault in Center City, suspects wanted https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/man-woman-injured-violent-assault-center-city-suspects-wanted/3973724/ 3973724 post 9893923 Philadelphia Police Department https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/Assault.png?fit=300,200&quality=85&strip=all Philadelphia police are looking for two individuals they said violently assaulted a man and woman in Center City last week.

    According to police, on Saturday, Sept. 14, around 2:45 p.m., a 46-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman were on the 1000 block of Arch St. conducting a public ministry when two unidentified suspects punched them both in the face.

    Léelo en español aquí.

    The suspects fled the scene and were last seen going south on N. 10 St., police said.

    Both victims required treatment at a hospital, resulting in broken teeth, a broken nose, and a concussion, according to police.

    If you see these suspects, police said do not approach them and contact 911 immediately.

    If you have any information about this crime or the suspects, you are urged to contact the Central Detective Division at 215-686-3093/3094.

    You can also submit a tip by calling or texting 215-686-TIPS (8477).

    This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 04:28:50 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 05:40:07 PM
    Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, wife indicted for child abuse of teen daughter https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/politics/atlantic-city-mayor-marty-small-child-abuse-indicted/3973136/ 3973136 post 9419076 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/04/Atlantic-City-Mayor-Marty-Small-press-conference.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169

    What to Know

    • Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, La’Quetta, the city’s superintendent of schools, have been indicted on child endangerment and other charges for allegedly beating their teenage daughter on numerous occasions.
    • The indictment was made Tuesday by a grand jury that accused the couple of child endangerment.
    • Marty Small also was charged with assault and making terroristic threats. Prosecutors said both parents hit and emotionally abused the girl, who was 15 to 16 years old, on multiple occasions in December and January.

    Months after allegations of child abuse against Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small and his wife, La’Quetta Small, came to light, the couple was indicted on a child endangerment charge.

    The indictment against the 50-year-old mayor and his 47-year-old wife were delivered on Sept. 17, 2024, and revealed to the public by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office the following day.

    Léelo en español aquí.

    The charge both of the Smalls face is second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, the prosecutor’s office said. Mayor Small was also indicted for third-degree terroristic threats, and third-degree aggravated assault.

    What the Smalls are accused of doing

    “It is alleged that during the months of December 2023 and January 2024, the defendants physically and emotionally abused their 15/16-year-old-daughter on multiple occasions,” prosecutors wrote.

    The mayor was accused of repeatedly hitting his daughter in the head with a broom until she blacked out, and repeatedly punching her in the legs, court documents say. Her mother was accused of dragging her by her hair, punching her in the chest and face, and hitting her with a belt.

    The root of the conflict, according to the court document, was the Smalls’ disapproval of their daughter’s boyfriend.

    In a statement about the indictment, prosecutors laid out their case:

    “During one incident, on January 13, 2024, Marty Small, Sr. is alleged to have hit his daughter multiple times in the head with a broom causing her to lose consciousness. Another incident on January 3, 2024, alleged that Marty Small, Sr., during an argument with his daughter, continuously threatened to hurt her by “earth slamming” her down the stairs, grabbing her head and throwing her to the ground, and smacking the weave out of her head. Another incident involved Marty Small, Sr. punching his daughter repeatedly in her legs causing bruising.

    “It is alleged that La’Quetta Small, during one incident, punched her daughter multiple times on her chest leaving bruising. Another incident alleged that La’Quetta Small dragged her daughter by her hair then struck her with a belt on her shoulders leaving marks. Another incident alleged that La’Quetta Small punched her daughter in the mouth during an argument.”

    An affidavit filed in the spring by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office says the girl at one point acknowledged making up the accusations against her parents because she was angry they wouldn’t let her go out with friends.

    But in many other sections, the affidavit includes detailed claims by the girl that the abuse was real, and it said she photographed bruises she said were inflicted by her parents and sent them to her boyfriend, who shared them with detectives.

    The office of Prosecutor William Reynolds cited evidence including recordings of interactions between the girl and her parents; her statements to police, school personnel, a therapist and state child welfare investigators, and messages she sent to friends asking for help, saying she did not feel safe at home.

    The Smalls have asserted their innocence, calling the situation a “private family issue.”

    Their lawyer, Ed Jacobs, said in the past the mayor and his wife “are completely innocent of any wrongdoing and will ultimately be vindicated.” On Wednesday, Jacobs reiterated that this incident is a private issue between a mom, dad and child and has nothing to do with mayoral misconduct.

    Jacobs said that Small is an upstanding citizen and will ultimately be proven innocent of the charges.

    It could not immediately be determined if the girl is still living at home with her parents.

    Prosecutor’s have yet to reveal next steps in the case.

    Marty Small continues as mayor of Atlantic City, wife continues to lead city schools

    In his first public comments following the allegations of abuse coming to light in April, Marty Small said he would not be distracted from his duties.

    “We’ve all seen news accounts of what’s going on with myself personally,” the Democratic mayor said in a speech at the Hard Rock casino. “It’s just that: personal.

    “But I pledge to each and every one of you, it doesn’t change my commitment, number one, to my family, and it doesn’t change my commitment here to the great city of Atlantic City,” the mayor said.

    Marty Small has kept to the pledge and continued mayoral duties through the summer.

    La’Quetta Small continues to serve as the superintendent of Atlantic City Public Schools.

    Just last week, the principal of Atlantic City High School was indicted on official misconduct, child endangerment and other charges for allegedly failing to notify child welfare authorities that the Smalls’ teenage daughter had been hurt at home by her parents.

    The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, that the eight-count indictment against Constance Days-Chapman was made by a grand jury a day earlier.

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 11:09:14 AM Wed, Sep 18 2024 12:11:36 PM
    Montco officials unveil new efforts to provide election security https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/montco-officials-unveil-new-efforts-to-provide-election-security/3973159/ 3973159 post 9892239 NBC10 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/34498154552-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 Officials in Montgomery County have unveiled new tools that, they said, they hope to use to ensure the upcoming election is “fair and safe.”

    According to a statement from the office of District Attorney Kevin Steele, the county has established an Election Day Tip Line — which is available at 610-292-2024 — to allow voters to report any suspicious activity around the ballot drop boxes, at polls on Election Day or threats to election and public officials.

    “To anyone thinking about disrupting this election in any way, I’m here to tell you that my office, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau and the entire Montgomery County law enforcement community, is standing together to make sure that we have a fair and safe election, not only on Nov. 5th, but also in the next 50 days leading up to it,” said Steele in a statement. “We will not tolerate abuse of public officials, threats to election officials or abuse of individuals helping out at the drop box locations. Period.”

    Officials said that anyone who has concerns of “something of an exigent nature related to the drop boxes such as someone attempting to break into a ballot drop box, vandalizing or damaging a drop box or otherwise doing something criminal, they should immediately call 911, then report it to the Election Tip Line of 610-292-2024.”

    Also, if a voter sees any suspicious activity around the ballot boxes, suspicious activity at a polling place or knows of any threat to a public or election official, they should report that information to the Election Tip Line, officials said.

    “Tips can include suspicious activity at ballot drop boxes, at polling locations on Election Day or threats to election officials or public officials,” officials said in a statement.

    Montgomery County Detectives will review tips for potential criminal activity or possible violations of the election code and, officials said in a statement, threat reports will be referred to the Montgomery County Detective Bureau’s newly launched Threat Assessment Management Unit.

    The Threat Assessment Management Unit, officials said, is charged with investigating “any threats against public officials, election officials, schools, houses of worship and any activity that endangers the community at large and individuals within the county.”

    The 18 secure ballot drop-box locations, spread throughout Montgomery County, will be available to drop off ballots beginning in early October and continue through 8 p.m. on Election Day.

    All ballot drop-box locations are under video surveillance.

    Addresses for secure drop boxes, as well as voting instructions, can be found on the county’s website at https://www.montgomerycountypa.gov/3587/Secure-Ballot-Drop-Box-Locations.

    First Assistant District Attorney Ed McCann Jr., Assistant District Attorney Jediah Grobstein and Montgomery County Detectives will work with federal, state, county and local law enforcement, as well as other government officials, to protect access to and the integrity of the Nov. 5, 2024 election.

    Reported violations of election laws will be investigated, and if appropriate, prosecuted.

    Any potential problems on Election Day, should be reported to the Election Tip Line at 610-292-2024, emailing jediah.grobstein@montgomerycountypa.gov or by calling the County Department of Public Safety Communications Center at 610-275-1222.

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 01:04:18 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 01:04:31 PM
    Eagles snap counts: How Eagles played it without A.J. Brown https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/eagles-snap-counts-how-eagles-played-it-without-a-j-brown/616201/ 3972473 post 9890578 USA Today Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/Covey-B-USATSI-24254005.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 The Eagles lost a heartbreaker 22-21 to the Falcons on Monday Night Football.

    They definitely missed A.J. Brown.

    The Eagles’ Pro Bowl receiver didn’t play in this game because of a hamstring injury suffered during the week and his status for Week 3 in New Orleans is now very much up in the air.

    So how did the Eagles divvy up Brown’s snaps? Here’s a look at how much the other receivers played and their production:

    DeVonta Smith: 71/71 — 10 targets, 7 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD
    Jahan Dotson: 56/71 — 1 target, 1 catch, 6 yards
    Britain Covey: 23/71 — 6 targets, 6 catches, 23 yards
    Johnny Wilson: 19/71 — 1 target
    Parris Campbell: 15/71 — 0 targets

    Obviously, Smith became the top receiving option in this game and had a good showing. He made some tough grabs and his touchdown catch in the back of the end zone showed off next-level body control.

    But without Brown, the Eagles didn’t play Smith inside as much in Week 2. In Week 1, Smith played 53.9% of his snaps in the slot. In Week 2, that was down to 33.3%.

    Of course, the Eagles need more out of Dotson. He got his first catch as an Eagle but it wasn’t even on a route. His one catch came on an orbit motion swing pass and went for just 6 yards. Dotson didn’t arrive until Aug. 22 so he’s still catching up but the Eagles had to give up a third-round pick in the trade to acquire him.

    Covey’s usage was surprising. He had just six targets in his NFL career before Monday night and then doubled his career total in one game for just 3.8 yards per reception. Wilson’s one target came on an off-schedule play; he was also flagged for a hold. Campbell spent a lot of the summer as the favorite to be the No. 3 wideout but was cut and landed on the practice squad; he didn’t see a single pass go his way.

    Other offensive notes

    • The Eagles bumped up their 12 personnel (two tight end) usage in this game a bit without Brown in the lineup. They had 24 plays (33.8%) in 12 personnel after using it just 25% of the time in the first game of the season. There are definite trickle-downs to Brown missing time. 

    But it’s not like the tight ends were super productive either. Goedert had 3 catches for 38 yards and Grant Calcaterra had 2 for 19. Goedert was targeted just four times in a game without Brown — that doesn’t seem like enough.

    • Jalen Hurts and his entire offensive line played all 71 snaps. A lot went wrong on Monday night but the offensive line looked solid again.

    • Saquon Barkley got 64 snaps and Kenny Gainwell got just 7. Will Shipley didn’t touch the field. Aside from his drop on a 3rd-and-3 (obviously a big mistake), Barkley had a productive night. 

    Barkley had 26 touches for the second straight week. He’s the first Eagles running back to have 26+ touches in the first two weeks of the season since LeSean McCoy in 2012. The only other player in Eagles history to do that was Herschel Walker in 1992.

    Defensive notes

    • The Eagles for the second straight week kept rookie Quinyon Mitchell on the field for every snap as an outside cornerback, along with Darius Slay. Both played 61. The Eagles ended up using a lot of nickel in this game, which means Avonte Maddox played 55 snaps.

    It seemed very strategic on the Falcons’ part to run as much 11 personnel as they did. That forced the Eagles into nickel for much of the game and then the Falcons gashed the Birds in the run.

    • Reed Blankenship and C.J. Gardner-Johnson played all 61 snaps, while Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean played 60 each.

    • At defensive tackle, Jalen Carter led the way with 46 snaps but was held out from the first series for disciplinary reasons, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. After Carter, Jordan Davis played 29 snaps, followed by Milton Williams (25), Moro Ojomo (17) and Thomas Booker (9). Booker played just nine snaps but had 3 tackles and 2 TFLs.

    • On the edge, Josh Sweat led the way with 40, followed by Bryce Huff (32), Brandon Graham (28) and Nolan Smith (23). Huff wasn’t dead last like he was in Week 1 but he definitely struggled in this game.

    Subscribe to Eagle Eye anywhere you get your podcasts: 
    Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | RSSWatch on YouTube

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 07:00:00 AM Tue, Sep 17 2024 04:11:12 PM
    Rutgers president explains why he plans to leave top job at NJ's flagship university https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/politics/rutgers-president-holloway-leaving-nj/3972375/ 3972375 post 9892227 Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/Rutgers-Johnathan-Halloway.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,202

    What to Know

    • Jonathan Holloway became the first Black president of Rutgers University when he took office in the summer of 2020. He said Tuesday that he will leave office when the academic year ends June 30.
    • Holloway plans to take a yearlong sabbatical and then return to the university as a fulltime professor.
    • The university president dealt with the first faculty strike in school history and received national scrutiny earlier this year from Republican lawmakers for Holloway’s decision to end a pro-Palestinian encampment through negotiations rather than police force.

    The embattled president of Rutgers University announced Tuesday that he will step down next year after a tenure that has included contending with the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing the university’s first-ever strike and surviving a no-confidence vote by the faculty senate.

    Jonathan Holloway, 57, who became the first Black president of New Jersey’s flagship institution of higher learning when he took office in the summer of 2020, said he will leave office when the current academic year ends June 30. He then plans to take a yearlong sabbatical before returning to the university as a fulltime professor.

    “This decision is my own and reflects my own rumination about how best to be of service,” Holloway wrote in a statement posted on the university’s website on Sept. 17, 2024. Holloway said that he notified the chairwoman of the Rutgers Board of Governors about his plans last month.

    “Serving as the university president has been an enormous privilege and responsibility,” he wrote. “Throughout my tenure, I have been appreciative of the former and respectful of the latter. I welcomed the opportunity to join the Rutgers community in July 2020 because I found inspiration in the possibilities that this institution represented: a belief that cutting-edge research could thrive in a university that was committed to making education as accessible as possible to a profoundly diverse student population. The reality behind this inspiration has been reaffirmed time and again during my tenure.”

    Holloway currently receives a base salary of $888,540 and bonus pay of $214,106 for a total of more than $1.1 million a year. He will receive his full salary during his sabbatical, school officials said.

    Holloway began his tenure in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, as students were returning to campus from lockdown, and also dealt with the first faculty strike in school history last year, when thousands of professors, part-time lecturers and graduate student workers hit the picket lines. He also faced a largely symbolic no-confidence vote by the faculty senate in September 2023 and received national scrutiny earlier this year from Republican lawmakers for his decision to end a pro-Palestinian encampment through negotiations rather than police force.

    Founded in 1766, Rutgers has nearly 68,000 students in its system.

    School officials said Tuesday that they plan to conduct a national search to find the university’s next president. They noted that during Holloway’s presidency, Rutgers broke records in undergraduate admissions, climbed significantly in national rankings and exceeded its fundraising goals.

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 07:39:47 AM Wed, Sep 18 2024 07:42:23 AM
    Donna Kelce is making her film debut in 2 Hallmark movies — football-themed, of course https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/donna-kelce-hallmark-football-themed-movies/3973122/ 3973122 post 9892584 AP Photo/Julio Cortez https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/AP24262464352666.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,201 Donna Kelce is the latest family member to make her mark on the world of entertainment, cameoing in two upcoming Hallmark Christmas movies that, naturally, are football-themed.

    True to form, she won’t be playing favorites between her sons, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and recently retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce. “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” revolves around a “fan of the year” contest for the team, while “Christmas on Call” features a die-hard Eagles fan who helps his love interest get to know Philadelphia, according to a release from the Hallmark Channel this week.

    While Mama Kelce is no stranger to the camera, having appeared in Jason Kelce’s documentary and many a gameday photo, the two movies mark her acting debut. In “Holiday Touchdown,” she plays the manager of a barbecue restaurant. And while it’s unclear whether she’s playing a character or herself in “Christmas on Call,” her role is to ensure one of the leads “orders her Cheesesteak the authentic way – ‘whiz wit.’”

    The cameo announcements follow Travis Kelce’s own forays into Hollywood — having hosted “Saturday Night Live” in early 2023, before his relationship with Taylor Swift sent his profile stratospheric, he’s now set to act in Ryan Murphy’s “Grotesquerie” and host “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?” He also earned his first producer credit this year.

    Jason Kelce, meanwhile, has joined ESPN as an analyst. He’ll also have a song in one of his mom’s movies: “Christmas on Call” will feature “Santa Drives an Astrovan,” by The Philly Specials — also known as Jason Kelce and Eagles players Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson — featuring Mt. Joy, the release said. It’s from an upcoming album from which proceeds will go to the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

    The Kelce brothers also recently inked a blockbuster deal with Amazon’s Wondery for their popular “New Heights” podcast.

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 10:33:21 AM Wed, Sep 18 2024 10:34:12 AM
    28 bunderful deals for National Cheeseburger Day https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/entertainment/the-scene/national-cheeseburger-day-deals-2024/3973001/ 3973001 post 9723990 Getty Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/07/GettyImages-1446965529.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,200 When it comes to burgers, the topping options are endless. But, somehow, classic cheeseburgers are still holding strong against the competition.

    On Sept. 18, burger lovers will celebrate National Cheeseburger Day, and many restaurants are firing up the grill and giving customers some juicy deals to bite into. Ready to join in on the celebration? Here are a plethora of discounts and freebies to choose from.

    Dog Haus 

    Dog Haus will run a buy one, get one free cheeseburger offer for rewards members on Sept. 18. The offer is available in the chain’s app.

    Eddie Merlot’s

    On Sept. 18, Eddie Merlot’s customers can order Eddie’s Prime Cheeseburger for $15 between 4 — 6:30 p.m. Pricing and participation can vary based on location.

    Farm Burger

    Grass-fed burger chain Farm Burger is running a build-your-own cheeseburger deal starting at $5 on National Cheeseburger Day.

    Farmer Boys

    Farmer Boys customers can order the chain’s Big Cheese cheeseburger for just $4 on National Cheeseburger Day between 2 p.m. and close at participating locations while supplies last. The offer can’t be combined with other deals, is limited to two burgers per customer and is available in restaurant or in the drive-thru.

    Very Important Farmer (VIF) loyalty members can also get an extra surprise when they scan their receipt.

    Friendly’s

    Friendly’s Fan Club members can save $2 on cheeseburgers between Sept. 18 — 20.

    Hat Creek

    Hat Creek customers who order the Little Hat Burger in the chain’s app will score the menu item for just $2 on Sept. 18.

    Instacart

    Instacart customers can get $10 off their $20 purchase from the National Cheeseburger Day product collection, which features meat, cheese, buns, condiments and more. The offer is valid at select retailers via Instacart. 

    Krystal

    Krystal is currently running a limited-time offer for 12 cheese Krystals for just $15.

    McDonald’s

    McDonald’s customers who order in the chain’s app can enjoy a 50-cent double cheeseburger on Sept. 18.

    Omaha Steaks

    Omaha Steaks is offering the following deals in honor of National Cheeseburger Day:

    Red Robin

    Between Sept. 17 — 19, Red Robin customers can get a Gourmet Cheeseburger, bottomless side and drink for just $10 (regularly $14.99 or more) while dining in at participating restaurants.

    Sonic

    For a limited time, Sonic customers can order a quarter pound double cheeseburger for just $1.99.

    Smashburger

    Smashburger customers can score $5 Classic Singles on National Cheeseburger Day in store, online and in the restaurant’s app using the code CLASSIC24. The offer includes Classic Singles, Classic Single Turkey Burgers and Classic Single Black Bean Burgers.

    Sullivan’s Steakhouse

    Between 3 — 6 p.m. on Sept. 18, Sullivan’s Steakhouse customers can order the restaurant’s signature beef burger sliders for just $10. Pricing and participation can vary by location.

    Wahlburgers

    Wahlburgers adult burgers will be 50% off on Sept. 18 at participating locations. The offer is valid in-store and online, and excludes doubles, triples, sandwiches and Smahlburgers. It’s limited to one per customer and can’t be combined with other offers.

    Wayback Burgers

    Wayback Burgers is running a buy one, get one free deal on its classic burgers on Sept. 18.

    Wendy’s

    Between Sept. 18 — 22, Wendy’s customers can get a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger for $0.1 with any purchase while placing an app order at participating restaurants.

    Whataburger

    On National Cheeseburger Day, Whataburger rewards members who place an app or online order for a patty melt, Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger or a Whataburger with cheese will be entered for the chance to win free Whataburger for a year. Winners will receive their prize in the form of 52 coupons, which can be redeemed at participating locations.

    White Castle

    White Castle is running a buy one cheese slider, get one free deal on National Cheeseburger Day. To score the deal, simply use the code SAYCHEESE in the restaurant’s app.

    In addition, customers can buy a sack of 10 cheese sliders for $7.99 ($8.99 in New York, New Jersey, Florida and Arizona) through November 10.

    This article first appeared on TODAY.com. Read more from TODAY here:

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 08:01:05 AM Wed, Sep 18 2024 09:16:53 AM
    Ultimate guide to Halloween 2024 in Philly: Haunts, ghost tours and spooky fun https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/entertainment/the-scene/halloween-events-guide-philadelphia-2024/3972276/ 3972276 post 9892585 Getty Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/GettyImages-1023185290.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,200 Calling all ghouls and goblins! As fall approaches, the Philadelphia region is slowly turning into a thrilling hub for Halloween enthusiasts.

    From haunted houses to ghost tours to trick-or-treating events, our guide has a little something for everyone during this spooky season.

    If you’re unsure where even to start, use the scare-o-meter below to choose your fright level.

    Scare-o-meter: 🎃 Night-mare free | 👻 A bit creepy | 🦇 Full terror (Leave the kids at home)

    Haunted Houses

    Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary 🦇
    📍 2027 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia

    Halloween Nights at the famous Eastern State Penitentiary features five thrilling haunted houses, all within the walls of a real, abandoned 10-acre prison. If you are not interested in the haunted houses, the Penitentiary offers historical tours, themed bars and lounges, and live entertainment. Visit www.easternstate.org to purchase your tickets.

    Fright Factory Philly 🦇
    📍 2200 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia

    Enter at your own risk… Fright Factory is an adult-themed haunted house that is so scary that it has been named one of the scariest haunted attractions in America. Inside a 120-year-old factory lies a basement of nightmares. But be warned, once you’re in, there is no telling if you will make it out. For more information and to purchase your tickets, visit frightfactoryphilly.com.

    Lincoln Mill Haunted House 🦇
    📍 4100 Main St., Philadelphia

    Featuring live scare actors, production-quality sets, animatronics, and special effects, the Lincoln Mill Haunted House is one you don’t want to miss. Rumor has it Viktor Kane, the former mill owner, still lurks in the shadows after he allegedly tormented and experimented on his workers. Check out lincolnmillhaunt.com for ticket information.

    Pennhurst Asylum Haunted Attraction 🦇
    📍250 Commonwealth Dr, Spring City, PA

    You might not sleep for days after visiting Pennhurst Asylum. Located right outside of Philadelphia the former mental hospital will have four haunted attractions that are set to test the limits of your sanity. Purchase your tickets at pennhurstasylum.com.


    Ghost Tours

    Dark Philly Adult Night Tour 🦇
    📍 Independence Visitor Center (1 N. Independence Mall, Philadelphia)

    This tour is for “mature audiences” ONLY. The guided dark history tour will take you through the most famous locations throughout Center City, detailing the best-kept secrets that made the city and the nation what it is today. P.S. Don’t forget your camera to capture all the moments and even perhaps a ghost! To book your tour, visit grimphilly.com.

    Philly Ghosts: Phantoms of Philadelphia Tour 👻
    📍 Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (217 W. Washington Square, Philadelphia)

    Discover why the city is known as one of the most haunted places on the East Coast with Philadelphia Ghost Tours. And if you want to learn more about what lingers in Philadelphia’s show, you can book an extended tour for “extra haunted spots and spine-tingling stories.” Visit phillyghosts.com for more information.

    Bloodletting and Burials at the Betsy Ross House 🦇
    📍239 Arch St., Philadelphia

    This is your chance to travel back to 1760 and learn about the city’s gruesome history. If you dare to take this tour, you will meet your guide at Betsy’s grave in the Betsy Ross House courtyard and uncover true tales about bloodletting, smallpox, yellow fever, and so much more. Then, you will head inside for a spooky, shadowy tour. Book your tickets here.


    Theme park Halloween celebrations

    Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest EXTREME 👻
    📍1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson Township, NJ

    If you are brave enough, check out Fright Fest Extreme at Six Flags Great Adventure on select nights this fall for a bone-chilling experience. Guests can expect rides in the dark, spooky scare zones, and haunted mazes. For more information and to purchase your tickets today, visit sixflags.com.

    Dorney Park Halloween Haunt 👻
    📍4000 Dorney Park Rd., Allentown, PA

    You better brace yourself for a screaming good time at Dorney Park’s Halloween Haunt. When night falls, hundreds of creatures from the underworld are expected to take over the park. WARNING: Your worst nightmares may come true. Visit dorneypark.com for more information.

    The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place 🎃
    📍 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA

    Have silly, not-too-spooky fun at the Count’s Halloween Spooktacular. Sesame Place will transform into a family-friendly Halloween haven featuring shows, trick-or-treating, and more. Guests are all also encouraged to wear a costume. For more information, visit sesameplace.com.


    Family-Friendly Halloween Fun

    Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo 🎃
    📍 3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia

    The Philadelphia Zoo’s annual Halloween extravaganza “Boo at the Zoo” encourages all to dress in your favorite costume, bring a bag and trick-or-treat through the park. You might even catch some animals munching on pumpkins and playing with Halloween-themed toys. For more information and to reserve your tickets, visit philadelphiazoo.org.

    Franklin Fright at the Franklin Institute 🎃
    📍222 N 20th St., Philadelphia

    On select weekends in October, the Franklin Institute is celebrating spooky season with trick-or-treating through the museum, Halloween-inspired live science shows and so much more. This event is free with museum admission, visit fi.edu for more details.

    Halloween celebration at The Please Touch Museum 🎃
    📍 Memorial Hall (4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia)

    The Please Touch Museum is set to host a day filled with spooky fun and surprises for kiddos to enjoy. The event features special performers, story times, and lots of Halloween-themed activities. Everyone is also encouraged to dress in their favorite costume. Reserve your tickets at pleasetouchmuseum.org.

    Spooky Mini Golf at Franklin Square 🎃
    📍200 N 6th St., Philadelphia

    Franklin Square will transform its 18-hole mini golf course with fog, lights, and music for some spooky Halloween fun. To buy your tickets, visit historicphiladelphia.org/

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 12:24:39 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 12:24:46 PM
    This Philly pizzeria was named one of the best in the world https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/top-pizza-in-world-ranking-philadelphia-pizzeria-beddia/3972148/ 3972148 post 9889771 Getty Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/GettyImages-1640563416.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,200 You don’t have to travel far to try one of the world’s best pizzas!

    An Italy-based pizzeria ranker released its list of the top 50 best pizza places in the world, and a Philadelphia restaurant made the cut.

    Pizzeria Beddia, located in the city’s Fishtown neighborhood, was ranked No. 13.

    You can find the restaurant, which specializes in not only pizza but also pizza parties and a hoagie room, at 1313 N. Lee Street.

    The “Hoagie Room” is a two-hour private pizza and hoagie-tasting experience for parties of 6, while the “Pizza Party” is a two-hour dining experience with a set menu for groups of 7 to 24.

    The menu has various pizza options, side plates, and a list of wines, cocktails, beers, and beverages.

    This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 12:38:44 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 06:40:50 AM
    Rapper and Philly native Eve making hometown visit to launch new memoir https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/entertainment/philly-live/eve-new-memoir-philadelphia/3973363/ 3973363 post 9893262 therealeve https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/Eve-1.png?fit=300,169&quality=85&strip=all Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning, Emmy-nominated rapper, actor, mother, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Eve is making a stop in her hometown of Philadelphia to launch her new tell-all memoir titled “Who’s That Girl?”

    The event will be hosted by Uncle Boobies Bookstore at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church located at 2800 W. Cheltenham Ave on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m.

    Eve is expected to have a captivating discussion about the memoir, her life and her incomparable career.

    Event organizers say all tickets to the event come with a signed copy of the new book.

    In the book, Eve talks about everything from growing up in West Philadelphia and Germantown to becoming the successful superstar she is today.

    For more information on the book event, visit unclebobbies.com/events.

    This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 01:26:57 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 01:33:51 PM
    3 medics hurt, ambulance flipped over in Roosevelt Blvd crash https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/3-medics-hurt-ambulance-flipped-over-in-roosevelt-blvd-crash/3972971/ 3972971 post 9716599 Getty Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/07/GettyImages-1185364077.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,200 Three medics were hurt when, police said, an ambulance they were in was struck and flipped onto its side in a crash on Roosevelt Boulevard in North Philadelphia early Wednesday.

    According to police, the incident happened at about 4:30 a.m., when an ambulance was at a red light at the intersection of Roosevelt Boulevard and Whitaker Avenue, when it was struck by a vehicle that ran the light.

    The impact caused the ambulance to flip onto its side, and officials said, the three medics inside were hurt in the crash.

    Law enforcement officials said there was no patient in the ambulance at the time of the crash and the medics only suffered minor injuries.

    The driver of the car that struck the ambulance refused treatment at the scene, according to police officials.

    The roadway at that intersection was closed for nearly two hours due to the crash, but the roadway was reopened as of about 6 a.m.

    An investigation into this incident is still ongoing, officials said.

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 07:27:35 AM Wed, Sep 18 2024 08:34:06 AM
    Dump truck crash closes Blue Route in Delaware County for hours https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/transportation-and-transit/dump-truck-crash-closes-blue-route-in-delaware-county/3972945/ 3972945 post 9892128 PennDOT https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/I476-dump-truck-crash.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,194 A dump truck was part of a multi-vehicle crash that had a stretch of the Blue Route in Delaware County closed for hours Wednesday morning.

    The wreck took place in the northbound lanes of Interstate 476 past Exit 9 – PA 3 – Broomall/Upper Darby just before 3:40 a.m. on Sept. 18, 2024, 511PA.com said.

    The crash — which involved a fuel spill — left I-476 closed up to Exit 13 – St. Davids/Villanova past 6 a.m. Rain was falling as crews continued to work to clear the scene.

    Delaware County dispatchers said there were no immediate reports of injuries.

    It took until nearly 9 a.m. for I-476 northbound to reopen.

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 06:14:16 AM Wed, Sep 18 2024 08:55:26 AM
    Who made the exploding pagers? A messy global trail emerges behind deadly Lebanon blasts https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/firm-in-u-s-ally-taiwan-says-it-did-not-make-pagers-used-in-lebanon-explosions/3972922/ 3972922 post 9890060 ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/GettyImages-2171810466_015a39.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,200 An electronics manufacturer in Taiwan said Wednesday that a company based in Hungary made the pagers bearing its brand that were used by members of the militant group Hezbollah and exploded simultaneously across Lebanon on Tuesday.

    At least 12 people were killed and more than 2,750 others were injured in the blasts, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. In a statement Wednesday, the Iran-backed Hezbollah said there would be a “severe reckoning” over the blasts, blaming Israel.

    Israel was behind the attack, two U.S. officials told NBC News. The United States and other Western governments are still gathering information about the attack and how it was carried out, two U.S. officials and a Western official said.

    It was unclear why Israel carried out the attack when it did and whether it was an opportunistic operation or something more strategic that would be followed by other actions, the officials said.

    The officials did not confirm reports about how the devices were possibly tampered with and designed to detonate.

    Israel has not commented directly on the explosions.

    Images circulating online show destroyed pagers in Lebanon whose features are consistent with those made by Taiwan-based Gold Apollo. The company’s founder and president, Hsu Ching-kuang, told reporters Wednesday that the pagers were made by another company licensed to use its brand.

    “There is an agent in Europe whom we have cooperated with for three years, they are the agent for all of our products,” Hsu said at the company’s offices in the northern Taiwanese city of New Taipei.

    “We are not a big company, but we are a responsible company that cares about our products,” he said.

    In a statement, Gold Apollo identified the other company as the Hungary-based BAC Consulting. The company is authorized to use Gold Apollo’s logo for product sales in certain regions, “but the design and manufacturing of the products are entirely handled by BAC,” the statement said.Reached by phone Wednesday, BAC Consulting Chief Executive Cristiana Bársony-Arcidiacono confirmed that her company worked with Gold Apollo. But when asked about the pagers and the explosions, she said, “I don’t make the pagers. I am just the intermediate. I think you got it wrong.”

    A spokesperson for Gold Apollo declined to comment further Wednesday, citing the ongoing investigation.

    Taiwan’s Economic Affairs Ministry said Wednesday that Gold Apollo had exported 260,000 pagers from 2022 to August 2024, primarily to European and American markets. In a statement, it said there had been no reports of explosions related to those products and that there were no records of the company exporting pagers directly to Lebanon.

    “Was this batch of goods actually modified? … Did another manufacturer produce them and simply label them with the Apollo brand? This part is still under investigation by the authorities,” a ministry spokesperson told NBC News.

    The explosions Tuesday come amid rising concern that tensions between Israel and Lebanon could spiral into all-out war. Israel and Hezbollah, which is based in Lebanon and opposes Israel’s military assault on the Gaza Strip, have been engaged in cross-border attacks since the start of the Israel-Hamas war last October, displacing thousands of people in both countries.The Lebanese Foreign Ministry condemned what it called an “Israeli cyber attack,” saying that it would lodge a complaint with the United Nations Security Council.

    Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon, said Tuesday that the explosions marked “an extremely concerning escalation in what is an already unacceptably volatile context.”

    State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Tuesday that the U.S. was “not aware of this incident in advance” and not involved in it.

    Videos suggest that explosive devices were integrated into the pagers, said N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director of Armament Research Services, a technical intelligence consulting firm.

    “The scale suggests a complex supply-chain attack, rather than a scenario in which devices were intercepted and modified in transit,” he said on X.

    Pagers are favored by members of Hezbollah who avoid using cellphones for fear that Israel could use them to track and monitor them. Lebanese officials warned the public Tuesday to stay away from their wireless communication devices pending further notice.

    Hezbollah said it was investigating the explosions and that there would be a “severe reckoning that the criminal enemy must face for the massacre it committed on Tuesday against our people, our families and our fighters in Lebanon.”The group said earlier that “a girl and two brothers” were among those killed by the explosions, some of which appeared to have been captured on closed-circuit TV video and shared on social media. Muhammad Mahdi, the son of Ali Ammar, a Hezbollah member of Parliament, was also reportedly killed.

    Hsu of Gold Apollo said he also felt he had been victimized and was considering filing a lawsuit.

    “I am a businessman,” he said. “How did I get involved in this attack?”

    This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. More from NBC News:

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 03:51:46 AM Wed, Sep 18 2024 09:16:09 AM
    Brandywine Valley SPCA expands to South Jersey to help more animals find forever homes https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/clear-the-shelters/brandywine-valley-spca-expands-new-jersey/3973075/ 3973075 post 9892513 Brandywine Valley SPCA https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/Mike-in-kennel-2-rotated.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=225,300 A local animal shelter is crossing the bridge!

    The Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) is expanding to South Jersey to become the first Animal Welfare Organization in the country to operate in three states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

    The shelter has partnered with the Animal Adoption Center (ACC) in Lindenwold “to expand life-saving initiatives in a unified effort and create positive change for animals in need across the tri-state area.”

    Currently, BVSPCA operates and cares for more than 17,000 lost, stray, owner-surrendered, abused, and neglected animals in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania, and the entire state of Delaware, all while maintaining a 93% live release rate.

    The organization’s no-kill initiatives will continue with the new affiliation with AAC.

    “We’re excited for the future, as we enter into this partnership to join the efforts of our dedicated staff and volunteers with the expertise of the Brandywine Valley SPCA to elevate our level of care for the animals we serve,” Kathryn Lambert, AAC Board Chair said.

    “We see a real opportunity for growth and a need in this area of South Jersey, and we are committed to taking the steps necessary to bring our proven track record as a leader in animal welfare, and progressive programs and services into this community where there is still work to be done,” BVSPCA and AAC Chief Executive Officer Adam Lamb added.

    Earlier this year, BVSPCA extended its life-saving initiative into Central Pennsylvania with a new partnership with the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area (HSHA), which serves Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry counties.

    Since the affiliation, officials from BVSPCA said HSHA has met the no-kill benchmark of more than 90% save rate for eight months in a row. BVSPCA’s work in Delaware also helped create the first no-skill state in the country.

    Find the nearest location to support all the adoptable animals at theaacnj.org and bvspca.org.

    ]]>
    Wed, Sep 18 2024 10:06:09 AM Wed, Sep 18 2024 10:06:16 AM
    Phillies fans can sign up for a chance to purchase tickets to postseason games at Citizens Bank Park https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-fans-can-sign-up-for-a-chance-to-purchase-tickets-postseason-games-citizens-bank-park/3972595/ 3972595 post 9868962 Getty Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/GettyImages-1696258537.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,200 In anticipation of the Phillies advancing to the postseason, the Phillies have announced a ticket opportunity for fans to attend a postseason game at Citizens Bank Park.

    “The atmosphere at the ballpark this season has been electric, thanks to the best fans in baseball,” Phillies Senior Vice President of Ticket Operations and Projects, John Weber, said. “We’re thrilled about the possibility of another Red October in Philadelphia. We encourage fans to sign up at phillies.com/postseason for a chance to purchase tickets to a postseason game at Citizens Bank Park.”

    Here’s what fans need to know:

    • Only eligible fans whose registration is selected in the random drawing(s) happening for each round will have the opportunity, subject to availability, to purchase tickets.
    • Registration for all potential rounds of the postseason on phillies.com/postseason will end on Saturday, October 12, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
    • Once registered, fans will be eligible for a ticket opportunity for all potential postseason rounds.
    • Entries randomly selected will be notified via email with an opportunity to purchase postseason home game tickets based upon availability.
    • Registration does not guarantee you the opportunity to purchase Phillies postseason tickets.

    “Given that our season ticket base has doubled to 20,000 in the past two years, ticket availability will be extremely limited through this opportunity,” Weber said.

    You can find a complete list of rules and terms and conditions here.

    Fans may also purchase Phillies postseason tickets via SeatGeek, the Official Fan-to-Fan Ticket Marketplace of the Phillies and Major League Baseball.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 05:54:39 PM Tue, Sep 17 2024 07:57:12 PM
    Vandals sought after being caught on video spray painting Center City building https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/vandals-sought-after-caught-on-video-spray-painting-center-city-building/3972834/ 3972834 post 9891733 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/image-2024-09-17T222713.958.png?fit=300,169&quality=85&strip=all Philadelphia police are looking for five individuals who were caught on surveillance video vandalizing a building in Center City.

    On Sept. 13, three unknown men spray painted graffiti on the side of a building along the 1500 block of Walnut Street at around 1:40 a.m., according to the police.

    The graffiti caused damage to the building estimated to be valued at $250.

    The police released video of the incident and still photos of the suspects.

    Officials said the offenders left the area walking north on 100 S 16th St.

    This is the second time vandals spray painted graffiti on this building along Walnut Street.

    On August 22, police said two unknown men also spray painted graffiti on the side of a building along the 1500 block of Walnut Street at 12:02 a.m.

    In this incident the damage was estimated at $500.

    Police also released surveillance video, still photos and descriptions of the two individuals seen in the video.

    The first suspect is described by police as a man with dark hair and a mustache who was wearing a gray hat, black t-shirt, tan pants and white sneakers.

    The second suspect is described by police as a man with a mustache who was wearing a red and blue hat, black jacket and black pants.

    If you have any information about this crime or these suspects, you can contact the Central Detective Division at 215-686-3047/3048 or submit a tip via call or text at 215-686-TIPS (8477).

    This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 10:47:56 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 08:16:19 AM
    Police chief candidate in Delco causes stir amid District Attorney's investigation https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/collingdale-delaware-county-delco-new-police-chief-investigation/3972428/ 3972428 post 9890556 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/image-2024-09-17T160326.071.png?fit=300,169&quality=85&strip=all A town in Delaware County was set to hire a new police chief Tuesday night.

    But, the person they have in mind is currently being investigated by the county’s District Attorney’s office.

    In Collingdale, a parking spot for the police chief has been empty since January of 2024.

    A plan to fill that spot was on the agenda for the town’s council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024.

    But, the meeting took a turn when members of the Delaware County Fraternal Order of Police tried to speak, but council president Ryan Hastings wouldn’t allow it since they weren’t on the speaking list or residents of Collingdale.

    The candidate in question is Rhaheem Blanden who has been with Chester City Police for more than 15 years. Most recently, he’s been a corporal detective of major crimes.

    Blanden showed up to the meeting and some did not like that.

    He stood face to face with one person before eventually stopping to talk to NBC10.

    “I don’t know anything about a criminal investigation with CID. That’s all I know and all I have to say,” Blanden said.

    The town’s council decided not to vote on the new chief but the FOP says they are not backing down.

    “I don’t know what their rush is to hire this individual so fast. They just posted the job posting on Thursday night,” Delco FOP president Chris Eiserman said. “I think the council president is arrogant, I think he’s going to do what he wants to do. I can tell you this, we’re going to be here next month, and we’re gonna be here with five hundred cops and like a thousand teamsters.”

    Eiserman claimed that back in April in Folcroft, Blanden allegedly tipped off a suspect who was wanted for attempted homicide five minutes before officers raided the house.

    The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office confirmed with NBC10 that they have a criminal investigation ongoing into Blanden.

    “He put every officer at danger by calling this individual and attempting to let them know that the SWAT team was coming to the house,” Eiserman said.

    Blanden is not a member of the Delco FOP but he is a member of the Chester City Fraternal Order of Police which did not respond to NBC10’s request for comment.

    NBC10 also reached out earlier on Tuesday, Sept. 17 to Blanden to give him a chance to share his perspective.

    He did not respond to our calls, text messages, or Facebook requests. Blanden also did not answer when our crews knocked on his door.

    Residents have mixed opinions.

    One woman who works in Collingdale told NBC10 that she thinks, “they should pump the brakes on electing him or giving him that power, because you don’t know who you’re putting in office now, which can jeopardize the whole community.”

    “I mean, he hasn’t been convicted. You know, in this country, should be innocent until proven guilty,” Collingdale resident Mike Robinson said.

    Collingdale Police says they are not commenting on this issue.

    NBC10 also reached out to Collingdale Mayor Donna Matteo-Spadea to ask why there is a rush to hire before the investigation is complete, but she also has not responded.

    The council in Delaware Co. does not have another candidate to recommend for Collingdale Chief.

    But, even if Blanden is exonerated after the investigation, Eiserman explained why he doesn’t think Blanden should be chosen.

    “I think, ethically and morally, what he did is wrong. So I don’t think he should serve in the position of chief of police,” he said.

    Collingdale’s town council says that it will meet again on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

    This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 04:28:48 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 07:47:02 AM
    Costumed Six Flags, Sesame Place actor arrested for sharing, creating child porn https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/nj-costumed-actor-six-flags-sesame-place-arrested-child-porn-pre-teen-girl/3972161/ 3972161 post 9582589 Getty Images/iStockphoto https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/05/tlmd-police.line_.123-6.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,200 A 19-year-old New Jersey man, who was employed as a costumed character at Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, and other venues, has been arrested and charged with sending sexually-explicit messages and photos to a preteen girl, police said.

    According to a Sept. 17, 2024, statement from the office of Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa Hilton, Don-Diego Parkman, 19, of Hamilton, has been arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault, manufacturing and possession of child sexual abuse material, endangering the welfare of a child and other charges after an investigation that began earlier this month.

    In the statement, Hilton’s office claims they were contacted by law enforcement officials in Missouri after a preteen girl there was, allegedly, found to have been chatting and exchanging child sexual abuse materials at the direction of Parkman.

    “An investigation was initiated and detectives discovered that, in addition to exchanging sexually-explicit messages and photos with the preteen girl, Parkman was directing her to take photos and videos of herself engaging in sexual conduct to send to him,” claims a statement from Hilton’s office.

    A search was conducted at Parkman’s Mercer County home last week, where, officials said, Parkman was taken into custody and “detectives seized multiple items of evidentiary value.”

    Officials said that during the course of this investigation law enforcement officials learned that Parkman has been employed as a costumed character and mascot by several companies including Six Flags Great Adventure, Somerset Baseball Partners, Devils Arena Entertainment, and most recently, Sesame Place in Bucks County.

    Hilton’s office has filed a motion in order to detain Parkman as he awaits trial.

    NBC10 is attempting to get comments from the venues where Parkman worked.

    A representative with Six Flags Great Adventure told NBC10 that they would not comment on an ongoing investigation, but they said Parkman had been hired by the company.

    “We can confirm this person was hired after passing a criminal background check but never actually worked,” the representative said in a statement to NBC10.

    Meanwhile, a spokesperson with the Devils Center told NBC10 that Parkman will not be returning as an employee.

    “Don Diego Parkman worked for the team for approximately six months last season in a part time role, and hasn’t worked here since April. He will not be returning this season,” Pete Albietz, senior Vice President of Communications and Team Ops with the Devils & Prudential Center, said in a statement.

    Also, on Wednesday, representative from Sesame Place told NBC10 that Parkman’s arrest was not related to his work there and that he had been fired.

    “Parkman is no longer employed by Sesame Place. His arrest is not related to Sesame Place, and any questions should be directed to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office,” a park representative said in a statement.

    Hilton is asking anyone with information about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children to contact the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit at (609) 989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at (888) 648-6007.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 01:25:00 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 12:26:30 PM
    Sean ‘Diddy' Combs indicted on sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy charges in NY https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/diddy-arrested-nyc-federal-indictment-attorney-marc-agnifilo/3971989/ 3971989 post 9889379 Getty Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/GettyImages-1780944464.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,200

    What to Know

    • Sean “Diddy” Combs, a hip-hop kingmaker and three-time Grammy winner who was arrested in New York City on Monday, has been indicted on federal sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges, according to court papers unsealed in the Southern District of New York on Tuesday. 
    • According to the indictment, Diddy “abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct.”
    • He allegedly used his media empire as a criminal enterprise, “whose members and associates engaged in and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.”

    Sean “Diddy” Combs, a hip-hop kingmaker and three-time Grammy winner who was arrested in New York City on Monday, has been indicted on federal sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges, according to court papers unsealed in the Southern District of New York on Tuesday. 

    According to the indictment, Diddy “abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct.”

    He allegedly used his media empire as a criminal enterprise, “whose members and associates engaged in and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.”

    Combs engaged in a pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals, the indictment alleges. At times, he allegedly manipulated women to participate in highly orchestrated sex performances with male commercial sex workers. He also allegedly made arrangements for women and commercial sex workers to fly to him.

    “As alleged, Combs used force, threats of force, and coercion to cause victims to engage in extended sexual performances with male commercial sex workers — some of whom he transported or caused to be transported over state lines,” Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said during a Tuesday press conference. “Combs allegedly planned and controlled the sexual performances which he called ‘freak offs’ and he often electronically recorded them. The ‘freak offs’ sometimes lasted days at a time, involved multiple commercial sex workers and often involved a variety of narcotics, such as ketamine, ecstasy and GHB, which Combs distributed to the victims to keep them obedient and compliant.”

    According to Williams, Combs would threaten and coerce his victims to participate in the “freak offs” and then “used the embarrassing and sensitive recordings he made of the ‘freak offs’ as collateral against the victims.”

    Physical abuse also allegedly was rampant, with Williams saying when Diddy didn’t get his way “he was violent.”

    “He subjected victims to physical, emotional and verbal abuse so that they would participate in the freak offs. Combs hit, kicked, threw objects at and dragged victims, at times by their hair,” Williams said, adding that the injuries sustained by the victims would last days and sometimes weeks to heal.

    Outside court Tuesday, Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo said Combs’ team “knew this was coming” and that’s why Diddy was in New York, to surrender to authorities at a time agreeable to the U.S. attorney’s office. He says he anticipates a long legal battle, but he also anticipates a good outcome for Combs. Read the full indictment here.

    Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) carried out the arrest in Manhattan on Monday, sources familiar with the matter told NBC New York. Combs was arrested in the lobby of a hotel, a representative told NBC News.

    In a statement released late Monday, Agnifilo said they were “disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution,” calling the entertainment star “an imperfect person but is not criminal.”

    “To his credit, Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts,” the statement from Agnifilo read. “These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”

    Combs is expected to be arraigned in Lower Manhattan later Tuesday.

    Spokespersons from Homeland Security Investigations declined to comment. Williams confirmed in a post on X Monday that “earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY.”

    Combs, 54, has been under federal investigation since at least March 2024 when HSI executed search warrants at Combs’ properties. At the time of those searches, NBC News reported that three women and a man had been interviewed by federal officials in Manhattan in relation to the aforementioned allegations against Combs.

    Those search warrants had also been part of an investigation led by the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

    HSI officials seized phones from Combs in Miami before he was scheduled to depart for a trip to the Bahamas, according to three law enforcement sources familiar with the warrants. Combs was in the Miami area when federal authorities executed the searches, sources said.

    In May, Combs apologized after a video, obtained by CNN, showed him beating his then girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.

    In a video apology posted to his Instagram, Combs admitted to the incident and said he took “full responsibility.”

    “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that,” Combs said. “I was f—ed up — I mean, I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses.”

    Combs initially denied Ventura’s allegations of assault and sex trafficking which she described in a federal lawsuit filed in November. The two settled for an undisclosed amount the following day.

    At the time of Combs’ admission of the assault, an attorney for Ventura, Meredith Firetog, said, “When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday.”

    I encourage anyone with information about this case to come forward and to do it quickly.

    Damian Williams, U.S. District Attorney for the Southern District of New York

    Firetog added, “That he was only compelled to ‘apologize’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation.”

    Ventura’s representatives declined comment on his latest arrest.

    The former music executive has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime. The district attorney is seeking pre-trial detention for Combs and has filed a letter of intention indicating their reasons, although Williams did not provide details.

    Although, the SDNY alleges that Combs used his media empire and workers as part of a criminal enterprise, it is unclear if anyone else will be charged as co-conspirators in connection to the investigation. However, the district attorney leading this case said it is possible given that the investigation continues.

    “We are not done. This investigation is ongoing,” Williams said during the press conference Tuesday. “I encourage anyone with information about this case to come forward and to do it quickly. Anyone with information can call 1-877-4HSI-TIP.”

    Chloe Melas of NBC News contributed to this report.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 07:38:08 AM Tue, Sep 17 2024 12:25:15 PM
    A guide to some of the family-friendly fall 2024 festivals, events in NJ, Del. and Pa. https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/fall-festivals-2024-new-jersey-pennsylvania-delaware/3970041/ 3970041 post 9891591 Getty Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/GettyImages-597060359.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,200 Spooky season is almost here!

    If you’re not into being scared but still want to enjoy some fun fall festivities, continue reading for our guide to what’s on tap this autumn.

    Philadelphia

    Free Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest

    Ensemble Arts is launching its 2024/2025 season with live performances and various showcases. A small ensemble from the Philadelphia Orchestra will perform and there will be a chance to design your own jewelry with the Carribean Community of Philadelphia.

    Events begin at the Commonwealth Plaza on Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. with more happening at the Perelman Theater starting at 11:50 a.m.

    Click here for more information.

    Mid-Autumn Festival

    Thousands of residents and families will head over to Philadelphia’s Chinatown neighborhood for the 29th annual Mid-Autumn Festival as the community gives thanks under the Harvest Moon on Sept. 21.

    The event runs from Noon to 8 p.m. on 10th Street from Arch to Winter streets.

    There will be lion dances, Chinese opera performances, carnival games and much more.

    Click here for more information.

    Midtown Village Fall Festival

    Midtown Village will be taken over by the community’s 17th annual Fall Festival from Noon to 8 p.m. on Sept. 28 with food, crafts and live music.

    Organizers say the footprint for the one-day festival is:

    • 13th Street – from Locust to Market streets
      · Sansom Street – from Broad to 12th streets
      · Drury Street – from Juniper to 13th streets
      · Chancellor Street – from Juniper to 13th streets
      · Chestnut Street – from Broad to 12th streets

    Click here for more information.

    Fringe Arts Festival

    The Philadelphia Fringe Festival is running until Sept. 29 and features theater, film screenings and immersive experiences.

    Click here for more information.

    Fishtown Festivale

    For the third year in a row, Frankford Avenue in Fishtown will be closed on Sept. 28 from Noon to 8 p.m. for the Fishtown Festivale.

    There will be a dunk tank and carnival games as well as over 50 local art and retail vendors.

    Click here for more information.

    Pennsylvania

    Fall Foliage Festival in Jim Thorpe

    Every weekend from Oct. 5 through Oct. 20, visitors to Jim Thorpe can check out the Fall Foliage Festival with train rides, crafts, food and live music.

    Click here for more information.

    Downington Fall Fest

    Great food, crafts and the Victory Beer Garden all come together to form the Downingtown Fall Fest on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    The event shuts down Green Street and East Pennsylvania Avenue in Chester County allowing vendors and visitors to enjoy the event.

    Click here for more information.

    Harvest Fest in Bethlehem

    On Saturday, Oct. 12 from Noon to 5 p.m. adults 21 and up can explore shops, restaurants and the festival grounds on Bethlehem’s Historic Main Street.

    Participants can try the food and “brews that make Bethlehem special.”

    Click here for more information.

    Octoberfest at Peddler’s Village

    For the eighth year in a row Peddler’s Village is hosting their Octoberfest bringing visitors a weekend stuffed with food trucks, entertainment and family-friendly activities.

    The event happens in Bucks County on Saturday, Oct. 12 and Sunday, Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    While you’re there don’t forget to check out their free Scarecrows in the Village tradition.

    Click here for more information.

    Fall Fest in Upper Gwynedd Township

    Fun, rides and games including a petting zoo and hayrides will take over at Parkside Place on Saturday, Oct. 19. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free.

    During the fest, former Philadelphia Eagle Hollis Thomas will make an appearance!

    Click here for more information.

    New Jersey

    Oktoberfest at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood

    The Mariner’s Pier will be open every Friday through Sunday from now until mid-October for its annual Oktoberfest. Live music as well as German-styled foods and beer will be on tap.

    • Fridays from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
    • Saturdays from Noon to 10:30 p.m.
    • Sundays from Noon to 5 p.m.

    Click here for more information.

    Mullica Hill Fall Festival and Living History Weekend

    For the 52nd year, Mullica Hill is hosting its annual Fall Festival with lots of family fun. Everything from live music to glass-blowing demonstrations and food trucks on Oct. 12 and 13.

    The living history part of the festivities will feature authentic Civil War camps and battle reenactments.

    Click here for more information.

    Tri-State Sunflower Festival and Pumpkin Fest at Dalton Farms

    You can pick you own sunflowers and pumpkins as well as enjoy live music, a corn maze and tractor rides at Dalton Farms in Swedesboro this fall season.

    • Tri-State Sunflower Festival runs until Oct. 27
    • Pumpkin Fest runs Sept. 21 through Oct. 27

    Click here for more information.

    Fintastic Pumpkin Glow at Adventure Aquarium

    A new sort of fin-friendly animal is taking over at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden this spooky season until Nov. 3. The aquarium said that super-sized aquatic animals made of pumpkins are all over for some fun.

    There will be underwater pumpkin carvers and other illuminating surprises for visitors of all ages.

    Click here for more information.

    Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags

    Family-friendly rides, a trick or treat trail and various boo fest-themed activities make up the Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure from now until Nov. 3

    Click here for more information.

    For the big kids, Six Flags is also hosting their annual Fright Fest.

    Delaware

    Fall Fest in Wyoming

    The pumpkins and apples are waiting to be picked at Fifers Orchards in Wyoming, Del. The farm will have family-friendly attractions along with homemade apple cider and kettle corn.

    Fall Fest runs from Sept. 21 through Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Click here for more information.

    Bridgeville Apple-Scrapple Festival

    Hundreds of vendors and local crafters will descend upon Delaware for the Apple-Scrapple Festival in October. There will also be carnival rides, a food court and a Little Miss Pageant.

    • Friday, Oct. 11 starting at 4 p.m.
    • Saturday, Oct. 12 starting at 9 a.m.

    Click here for more information.

    Punkin Ale Fest

    Food trucks and local vendors will be at the annual Punkin Ale Fest hosted by Dogfish Head at the Milton Brewery on Saturday, Oct. 12.

    Click here for more information.

    This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 09:18:33 PM Wed, Sep 18 2024 02:52:07 PM
    ‘Hear your heartbeat': New exhibits, upgrades to old favorites coming to Franklin Institute https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/franklin-institute-new-exhibits-hamilton-human-body-giant-heart-train/3972288/ 3972288 post 9890253 NBC10 Philadelphia https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/image-2024-09-17T144654.567.png?fit=300,169&quality=85&strip=all A beloved museum in Philadelphia is transforming in celebration of its bicentennial.

    Several brand-new exhibits are coming as well as a collections gallery that’s two stories at the Franklin Institute when it opens in November.

    Two of the new exhibits will surround the fan-favorite Giant Heart as well as the Baldwin Locomotive.

    The President and CEO of the Franklin Institute, Larry Dubinski told NBC10 that the Giant Heart is decades old. This upgrade will keep the heart the same, but the paper mache creation has been “fiber-glassed over.”

    “It has been cleaned up a little bit,” Dubinski said. “It will also have an exhibition in it which you’re going to hear your heartbeat coming from the Giant Heart.”

    The transformation at the Franklin Institute has been an 18-month project that has taken several years as museum leaders worked to reimage the experience for visitors.

    The Giant Heart closed back in May of 2024 as the museum began the procedure.

    The Hamilton Collections Gallery and the Body Odyssey are both scheduled to open on Saturday, Nov. 23.

    This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 03:20:37 PM Tue, Sep 17 2024 05:10:34 PM
    Shooting victim drives self, other man to hospital, but too late for one of them https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/double-shooting-homicide-drive/3971878/ 3971878 post 9888905 NBC10 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/North-13th-Street-shooting-police-tape.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 One of two men shot early Tuesday in Philadelphia’s Hunting Park neighborhood managed to drive the other to the hospital, but it was too late for one of them. Philadelphia police believe the two men could be family members.

    Police officers rushed to the 3800 block of North 13th Street — near West Butler Street — just after midnight on Sept. 17, 2024, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.

    Léelo en español aquí.

    As officers arrived, they saw an SUV speeding away from the shooting scene and they followed it to a nearby hospital.

    “It turned out it was a 48-year-old shooting victim who was shot twice in the abdomen and he drove himself and a second shooting victim — a 41-year-old male — to Temple Hospital,” Small said.

    The man who was shot twice in the abdomen was listed in stable condition at the hospital. The 41-year-old — later identified by police as North Philadelphia’s Gregory Heard — died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

    There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.

    Police began to investigate along 13th Street. Small said they found evidence that at least three shots were fired and that witnesses said they heard anywhere from three to five shots fired.

    Some family members told investigators that the shooting victims “may be related and they were here on the block visiting other family members,” Small said.

    Investigators hoped that numerous surveillance cameras on the block would help them track down the gunman. They called the motive for the shooting an argument.

    Deadly shootings are down about 40% in Philadelphia at this point in the year compared to 2023, according to Philadelphia Police data. However, at least 188 people have still been killed.

    A $20,000 reward for info leading to an arrest and conviction is being offered in the case, as happens in all homicides in Philadelphia. Anyone with info is urged to contact Philadelphia police.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 06:33:07 AM Wed, Sep 18 2024 10:05:54 AM
    School lunch changes sparks uproar in Upper Dublin Township https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/school-uproar-upper-dublin-school-district/3972408/ 3972408 post 9890637 NBC10 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/school-lunches.png?fit=300,169&quality=85&strip=all Many students in the Upper Dublin School District count on school lunches every day, but parents of kids in the district recently received news that hot lunches may not be offered, which has caused an uproar. But, school officials say there has been miscommunication.

    The district serves thousands of lunches a week, some hot and some cold, but soon, officials said a temporary plan will go into effect where students will be only offered several cold grab-and-go lunch options.

    School officials said this situation is due to the district experiencing significant staffing shortages.

    “Our intention was to be proactive so families know a plan was in place to pivot in staffing situations,” said Upper Dublin School District Superintendent Dr. Laurie Smith.

    The problem came when families were alerted to this change, which did not go over well on social media. There was anger, frustration, and concern for kids who didn’t already get hot meals at home, and even outcry over the food service staff shortage.

    Parents who didn’t want to be named said they were frustrated with high tax dollars, adding that all kids should have the choice between hot and cold lunches.

    The social media outcry prompted the district to send a new notification to families explaining the issue is short-term and in no way reflects the district’s ability to hire and retain staff.

    School officials told parents that the cold item selection would be what students typically see in the cafeteria, which includes sandwiches and salads.

    Smith says she apologizes for all the confusion and adds that they have posted jobs in hopes of filling significant holes in the food service staff.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 05:23:08 PM Tue, Sep 17 2024 05:34:31 PM
    Miss dollar dogs? Flyers holding nights of cheap eats during 2024-25 season https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/philadelphia-flyers-dollar-dogs-promos-2024/3972108/ 3972108 post 9889619 Getty Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/Gritty-hot-dogs-Flyers.png?fit=300,169&quality=85&strip=all Summer is coming to an end without dollar dogs at the Phillies’ ballpark, however, with the change of season comes a chance for Philadelphia sports fans to gobble down on cheap meat on buns in another arena.

    🌭 The Philadelphia Flyers on Monday unveiled their 2024-25 promotional schedule for games at the Wells Fargo Center. Included among the theme nights and giveaways were two special nights dedicated to Dietz & Watson dollar hot dogs.

    Flyers Dollar Dog Nights are scheduled for Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, against the Colorado Avalanche and Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, against the Florida Panthers.

    $1 food includes more than just hot dogs this Flyers season

    The cheap food fun doesn’t stop with those games as fans can buy $1 Super Pretzels 🥨 during the Thursday, March 27, 2025, games against the Montreal Canadiens and grab $1 Turkey Hill ice cream 🍨 during the Saturday, April 12, 2025, game against the New York Islanders.

    What freebies can Flyers fans get?

    One buck too much? How about free?

    Giveaways during the 2024-25 season include home opener t-shirts on Sunday, Oct. 19, vs. Vancouver Canucks; Flyers fanny packs on Saturday, Oct. 26, vs. Minnesota Wild; a Coors Light giveaway on Thursday, March 13, vs. Tampa Bay Lightning; and a Flyers placemat on Saturday, March 15, vs. Carolina Hurricanes.

    The highlight (or maybe it’s just nightmare fuel) of the giveaways has to be the Gritty night light giveaway for fans during the Saturday, Feb. 22, game against Edmonton.

    Theme nights and community fun during 2024 Flyers season

    Fans of Star Wars (Nov. 16), Halloween (Oct. 31) and Marvel (March 8) all have theme nights for them.

    Community night include military appreciation on Monday, Nov. 11, Pride Night on Jan. 21 and the March 4 PAL game.

    There are plenty of other promotions set for the 2024-25 Flyers season. Click here to get tickets to the game you don’t want to miss.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 11:55:14 AM Tue, Sep 17 2024 12:04:12 PM
    Skimming devices uncovered at Delaware Wawas. Police say what to look for https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/wawa-skimmers-delaware/3971927/ 3971927 post 9889092 NBC10 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/Wawa-self-checkout-machine.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 If you recently zipped through self checkout at several Sussex County Wawa stores, Delaware State Police have a message for you: “review banking or credit card accounts.”

    Léelo en español aquí

    The reason? skimming devices were found on self-checkout kiosks at the following Wawa stores, police said:

    • 24930 John J Williams Highway, Millsboro, Delaware
    • 30155 Veterans Way, Wawa, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
    • 35436 Wolfe Neck Rd, Wawa, Rehoboth, Delaware
    • 17663 Dartmouth Dr, Lewes, Delaware

    “Anyone who completed transactions at the locations listed below between August 31, 2024, and September 14, 2024, is suggested to review banking or credit card accounts for any fraudulent transactions,” police wrote on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.

    Police didn’t reveal any further details about how the devices were found or how many were installed at each store.

    NBC10 reached out to Wawa for any comment, but had yet to receive a response.

    State police offer several tips to keep yourself from becoming a victim of skimming thieves, including checking for a camera, any tampering and the card slot wiggling. Tap-to-pay is “the most secure method of payment,” police said.

    Police asked that anyone with information contact Sergeant A. Morris at (302) 752-3806. Tips can also be submitted to Delaware Crime Stoppers and by messaging state police on Facebook.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 08:36:44 AM Tue, Sep 17 2024 04:44:00 PM
    Woman faces murder charges in elderly woman's beating death https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/wilmington-deadly-beating/3972341/ 3972341 post 5454717 Getty Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2020/09/Police-Tape-Generic-Police-Lights.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 A woman is jailed on more than $1 million bail after being charged with murdering an elderly woman inside a Wilmington, Delaware, home earlier this month.

    Murder charges were filed on Sept. 16, 2024, against 37-year-old Cynthia Viquez, Wilmington police announced Tuesday.

    Léelo en español aquí.

    Viquez was initially arrested on assault charges on Sept. 4 after police found 89-year-old Leonor Gonzalez-Ortiz dead inside a South Jackson Street home during a welfare check the night before, police said.

    It was later “determined that she had been assaulted, resulting in her death,” police said.

    Charges against Viquez were upgraded to murder and lying to police on Monday and a judge set bail at more than $1 million.

    It was unclear if Viquez had an attorney who could comment while she was behind bars.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 02:34:10 PM Tue, Sep 17 2024 02:42:04 PM
    3 men convicted in January slaying of man in Norristown https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/3-men-convicted-january-slaying-norristown/3971930/ 3971930 post 9234223 Montgomery County District Attorney's Office https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/01/Suspects-Norristown-Homicide-1-21-24.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,190 Three men have been convicted in the slaying of 35-year-old William Carter, who was shot and killed during a robbery that happened in Norristown on Jan. 20, 2024.

    As reported by NBC10’s newsgathering partner, KYW Newsradio, Damon Brantley Jr., 18 and Daquan Allen, 29, both of Norristown, along with Jerry Butler, 28, of Philadelphia were all found guilty by a jury for their roles in murdering Carter during a robbery that was set up with the help of the victim’s ex-girlfriend.

    And, according to court documents, the crime happened because the killers knew Carter had won $3,000 while gambling.

    According to law enforcement officials, Carter’s ex-girlfriend, Katherine Emel, 29, of Plymouth Meeting — who pleaded guilty for her role in this crime back in June — helped set up the robbery that ended with Carter dead on a Norristown sidewalk.

    Prosecutors claim, prior to Carter’s slaying, Emel placed a GPS tracker in the trunk of her car — the same vehicle Carter had driven the day he died.

    Then, on the day of the killing, investigators allege, she communicated several times with Allen, “telling him that Carter has recently won $3,000 gambling and provided the location where Carter was going to be on the evening of Jan. 20, 2024.”

    That day, as Carter left a friend’s home along Powell Street and was walking to his car, he was confronted by three men, all dressed in black.

    Prosecutors said Carter — a father of a one-year-old daughter — was attacked, robbed and shot in the head.

    Law enforcement officials said that an investigation into the incident uncovered surveillance video that showed that, after Carter was killed, Allen meet Emel at a business on N. Broad Street in Philadelphia.

    At that meeting, prosecutors claim, Allen paid Emil $700.

    Brantley, who prosecutors said pulled the trigger, was convicted of first-degree murder, while his co-conspirators, Butler and Allen were convicted of second-degree murder.

    As noted by KYW Newsradio, Allen and Butler face mandatory life in prison.

    Brantley was a juvenile at the time the crime occurred, and could be sentenced to serve between 35 years to life in prison when he is sentenced.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 08:42:21 AM Tue, Sep 17 2024 08:48:11 AM
    Paper carriers continue to deliver the news door to door in Delco town thanks to one woman https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/teens-newspaper-delivery-delaware-county-havertown-nancy-saul/3972002/ 3972002 post 9889330 NBC10 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/image_27566a.png?fit=300,169&quality=85&strip=all Remember when newspaper carriers used to be kids on bikes and walking on foot to drop off the latest headlines to your doorstep? Well, it’s still happening in Delaware County, thanks to one woman.

    Nancy Saul has been leading the paper carriers in Havertown for four and a half decades.

    The group consists of 21 kids and teens who have been hard at work pounding the pavement and delivering “The News and Press of Delaware County” across the town.

    “It’s been meaningful and rewarding to see the kids learn so much,” Saul told NBC10.

    Saul added, “They learn to manage money, maintain records, social skills, people skills, problem-solving, time management.”

    Dennis Donnely, one of Sauls’ carriers back in the 80s but now a police detective, says his time delivering newspapers was a good experience.

    “It was good for my life experience. Now, just because that’s I deal with people all the time now and I feel like that helped me in my career,” said Donnely.

    When Saul started the group, she said they had about 6,000 customers; now, they only have 480, which has motivated them to keep going.

    “I’ll be here. As long as the paper. The paper kids are here,” Saul said.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 10:28:35 AM Tue, Sep 17 2024 11:13:51 AM
    Man found shot to death in car in ditch on side of Delaware road https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/dover-shooting-car/3972055/ 3972055 post 9889470 Google Earth https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/East-Denneys-Road-map.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,185 Delaware troopers discovered a man shot to death in a car in the ditch on the side of a road Monday night.

    Troopers responded to a car in a ditch along the 400 block of East Denney’s Road in Dover around 6 p.m. on Sept. 16, 2024, to find a 45-year-old man dead in car from what appeared to be a gunshot wound, Delaware State Police said.

    Police didn’t reveal any details about the shooting and said the man wasn’t being named as they notified family.

    The state police homicide unit investigated the killing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective A. Bluto by calling (302) 741-2859. Tips can also be submitted to Delaware Crime Stoppers and by messaging state police on Facebook.

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 10:56:04 AM Tue, Sep 17 2024 10:56:14 AM
    Eagles grades by position after disastrous loss to Falcons https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/eagles-grades-by-position-after-disastrous-loss-to-falcons/616045/ 3971841 post 9888776 USA Today Images https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/Barkley-S-USATSI-24254776.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 The Eagles should be 2-0 but they collapsed down the stretch to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football.

    It certainly looked like the Eagles were going to walk away with an ugly win but ended up losing 22-21 and will now have to go on the road on a short week to face the red-hot New Orleans Saints.

    Let’s take a look at the grades:

    Quarterback

    Jalen Hurts: 23/30, 183 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 85 rushing yards, 1 TD

    The Eagles’ quarterback made some poor decisions in Week 1 but had a better game in Week 2. Sure, he threw an interception late in the game but it’s hard to fault him too much for trying to make a play as the clock ticked away. Still can’t get picked there but Hurts wasn’t the biggest problem in this game. Hurts threw for just 183 yards but looked really good running the football. He was decisive and fast and had more rushing yards than he did in any single game last season.

    Grade: B

    Running back

    Saquon Barkley: 22 carries, 95 yards; 4 catches, 21 yards

    For the second straight week, Barkley had 26 touches in the game. He was the best player on the field for much of the night. Even though he didn’t hit 100+ on the ground, he looked good toting the rock and was picking up yards that didn’t appear to be there. Sure, Barkley dropped the ball on 3rd-and-3 late in the game on a play that would have iced it. He’d love to have that one back. But you can certainly argue he shouldn’t have been in that position.

    Grade: B+

    Receiver

    DeVonta Smith: 7 catches on 10 targets for 76 yards, 1 TD

    There’s no doubt the Eagles missed A.J. Brown in this game. The offense is just very different without the Eagles’ best skill player. But Smith had a nice evening with one touchdown and he would have had another but Jessie Bates made a great play on the ball in the end zone. But after Smith, the other receivers combined for 7 catches for 29 yards. Britain Covey had 6 for 23 and Jahan Dotson had 1 for 6. Johnny Wilson had one target without a catch (and was called for a hold) and Parris Campbell wasn’t even targeted. Dotson was the No. 2 wideout in this game and he barely made an impact. The Eagles traded to get Dotson for situations like this and he had a quiet night.

    Grade: B-

    Tight end

    Dallas Goedert: 3 catches on 4 targets for 38 yards

    Without Brown in this game, it would have made sense for the Eagles to go to Goedert a lot and that didn’t happen. He just didn’t have a huge output. Grant Calcaterra had 2 catches for 19 yards but also got blown up on a few blocks.

    Grade: C

    Offensive line

    The offensive line was solid in this game. Hurts seemed to have a clean pocket for most of the evening and he was sacked just one time for a loss of 4 yards. The offensive line also blocked well for Barkley to pick up some big yardage. The only thing to clean up here are the ineligible man downfield penalties. Those are tough but the Eagles had three of them and that’s not a new problem.

    Grade: A-

    Defensive line

    Thomas Booker IV: 3 solo tackles, 2 TFLs

    The biggest concern about the Eagles right now is probably the play of the defensive line. They were absolutely gashed in the run game by Bijan Robinson (14 for 97) and Tyler Allgeier (9 for 53). The line also failed to get much pressure on Kirk Cousins, who was sacked just one time for 8 yards. That sack came from Milton Williams but it was one of a few pressures all game. Cousins was way too comfortable. Booker made some plays in this game but the edge rushers still don’t have a sack through two games.

    Grade: D

    Linebacker

    Zack Baun: 9 combined tackles

    Baun had 9 tackles in this game and Nakobe Dean had 7. Both made a few plays but gave up a few in this game. Dean was called for an illegal contact that wiped out a Brandon Graham sack in the second quarter. For how bad the pass rush has been, it’s a killer to take a sack off the board.

    Grade: B-

    Secondary

    Quinyon Mitchell: 3 tackles, 1 PBU

    Definitely a mixed bag from the secondary. The C.J. Gardner-Johnson hit stick on 4th down should have been the play everyone is still talking about but the Eagles ended up blowing the lead. The PBU from Quinyon Mitchell in the first half was a great play too. But the secondary missed tackles and Darius Slay gave up the final touchdown after he was beaten badly by Drake London.

    Grade: C+

    Special teams

    Braden Mann: 2 punts, 93 yards, 1 inside 20

    Mann had a good day punting the ball and also got down a high snap for a Jake Elliott field goal. Elliott made both of his field goals and an extra point. Will Shipley had a nice 27-yard kickoff return and Covey’s only punt return went for 9 yards. They also didn’t give up any big plays. Special teams was fine.

    Grade: B+

    Coaching

    Record: 1-1

    This is a game the Eagles should have won. They were the more talented team. But there were plenty of questionable decisions in this game, especially in the fourth quarter. Nick Sirianni deserves to be questioned for his decisions to throw the ball on third down and then to kick a field goal on fourth down with under 2 minutes remaining. Those are decisions that could have cost the Eagles this game. On top of that, the Eagles were penalized nine times in this game.

    Grade: F

    Subscribe to Eagle Eye anywhere you get your podcasts: 
    Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | RSSWatch on YouTube

    ]]>
    Tue, Sep 17 2024 07:00:00 AM Tue, Sep 17 2024 03:03:13 AM
    Mayor Parker taps former Project HOME VP to lead Philly's Office of Homeless Services https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/cheryl-hill-philadelphia-office-of-homeless-services/3972084/ 3972084 post 9889571 Office of Homeless Services https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/Cheryl-Hill-.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has selected Cheryl Hill as the new Executive Director of the Office of Homeless Services.

    The Parker administration said that Hill brings more than three decades of expertise in strategic leadership and housing, property, fiscal, and program management.

    Hill joins the Parker Administration after serving at Project HOME as a Senior Vice President of Supportive Housing Operation and earlier as Vice President, Property and Asset Management.

    During her time at Project HOME, officials said Hill demonstrated fiscally responsible management of a $20 million annual budget and worked tirelessly to create strategies that would not only support the residents but also support the 200 staff members she managed.

    “It is my privilege to appoint such an accomplished leader to head the Office of Homeless Services,” Parker said in a news release. “Cheryl’s deep experience developing and managing programs that help individuals and families — who are often at the lowest point in their lives — put a roof over their heads and thrive, will be an asset to the City of Philadelphia. She will lead OHS down a path of focused, improved, fiscally responsible delivery of service to Philadelphia’s most marginalized population.”

    Early in her career, Hill was a director of compliance for the Atlanta Housing Authority and was responsible for the annual audits of more than 100 project-based voucher and public housing communities.

    She also spent over a decade as an affordable housing consultant, leading diverse and complex projects such as developing a HUD-50058 data collection and reporting module, which helped prevent tenant evictions during the 2008 foreclosure crisis and emergency housing placement during Hurricane Katrina.  

    In her new role as Executive Dictoror of OHS, officials said Hill is expected to utilize her skills and experience to move the city’s homeless service division forward.

    Hill, whose first day in office was this Monday, is succeeding Interim Executive Director David Holloman, who led OHS since the departure of former Executive Director Liz Hersh back in November 2023.

    “I am honored and excited to take on the role of Executive Director of the Office of Homeless Services,” said Hill. “This is a critical time for our city, and I look forward to collaborating with David Holloman, our partners, and the community to develop strategies that build on our strengths to address homelessness in innovative, compassionate, and impactful ways that benefit all Philadelphians.”

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    Tue, Sep 17 2024 11:34:49 AM Tue, Sep 17 2024 11:41:40 AM
    Mom of ballerina Michaela DePrince died a day after daughter's death, family says https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/elaine-deprince-mom-of-ballerina-michaela-deprince-died-a-day-after-daughters-death-family-says/3971038/ 3971038 post 9886620 Jason Kempin https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/GettyImages-673545562.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,200 The mother of world-renowned ballerina and humanitarian Michaela DePrince died a day after her daughter’s death, a family spokesperson said.

    Elaine DePrince of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, died on Sept. 11, 2024, during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery, according to family spokesperson Jessica Volinski. Her death occurred the day after her adopted daughter Michaela died at the age of 29.

    “Michaela died before Elaine and Elaine did not know of Michaela’s passing at the time of her procedure. As unbelievable as it may seem, the two deaths were completely unrelated,” Volinski wrote. “The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child.”

    While Michaela’s death was publicly announced on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, Volinski stated that she passed away on Sept. 10, 2024. The family has not released a cause of death.

    “What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful,” Volinski wrote. “Grieving two family members who died within a 24 hour period is tragic and devastating. We continue to ask for privacy and appreciate you directing anyone sharing incorrect information and speculation to this post.”

    The life of Michaela DePrince

    Michaela DePrince was born Mabinty Bangura in Sierra Leone, Africa. After her father was killed by rebels and her mother died from disease and starvation, she was dropped off at an orphanage in Sierra Leone at the age of 3. While at the orphanage, DePrince spotted an image from a magazine that showed an American ballet dancer.

    “All I remember is she looked really, really happy,” Michaela told The Associated Press back in 2012. DePrince said she wished “to become this exact person.”

    Michaela also dealt with malnourishment, mistreatment and the skin disorder vitiligo.

    “I lost both my parents, so I was there (the orphanage) for about a year and I wasn’t treated very well because I had vitiligo,” she told The Associated Press back in 2012. “We were ranked as numbers and number 27 was the least favorite and that was my number, so I got the least amount of food, the least amount of clothes and what not.”

    Michaela told The Associated Press that she then walked shoeless for miles to reach a refugee camp after receiving word that her orphanage would be bombed. She, along with two other girls, were then adopted by Elaine DePrince and her husband, both of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, at the age of 4.

    “They came to me sick and traumatized by the war,” Elaine DePrince told The Associated Press in 2012. “Michaela arrived with the worst case of tonsillitis, fever, mononucleosis and joints that were swollen.”

    Michaela said her time in the orphanage impacted her for years. However, remembering how inspired she was by the ballerina image from the magazine, she soon found comfort and inspiration through dance.

    Michaela began training in various competitions before attending the Rock School for Dance Education, a prestigious ballet school located in Philadelphia.

    “I’m a little bit in disbelief. I have not really processed the enormity of the loss, not even to myself, but the entire field of classical ballet and certainly to the Rock School,” Director of the Rock School Peter Stark told NBC10. “Michaela’s story is really a remarkable tale of human perseverance and you almost have to wonder if there wasn’t divine intervention.”

    During her dance journey, Michaela said she experienced racial discrimination.

    “When I was 8 years old this teacher said, ‘You know, we don’t put a lot of effort into the Black ballerinas because they all end up getting fat and having big boobs,’” Michaela told NBC News back in 2017.

    Michaela was undeterred however and continued to rise in the world of ballet. At the age of 17 she was featured in a documentary film and performed on the TV series “Dancing With the Stars.” She graduated from high school and the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and worked at Dance Theatre of Harlem where she was the youngest principal dancer in the theatre’s history.

    She also performed in her first professional full ballet back in July 2012 in South Africa.

    In 2013, she joined the junior company of the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam and joined the Dutch National Ballet as a student in 2014. She continued to rise through the ranks and break new ground while inspiring a generation of Black and brown girls.

    Her celebrity continued to grow when she performed in Beyoncé’s 2016 musical film “Lemonade.” Pop superstar Madonna was also in talks to direct a biopic based on DePrince’s memoir back in 2018.

    Michaela later joined the Boston Ballet in 2021 as a second soloist and danced the leading role in the 2021 ballet film “Coppelia.”

    In addition to dance, DePrince was also a humanitarian who advocated for children impacted by conflict and violence. She also served as the ambassador for War Child Holland, an independent non-governmental organization that works to ensure children have access to protection, education and psychosocial support.

    “The survival of classical ballet is dependent on diversification. It’s dancers like Michaela DePrince that are literally paving the path forward for the continuation of this artform,” Stark said. “We cannot survive without trailblazers and courageous women like Michaela and her loss is a devastating blow.”

    This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

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    Mon, Sep 16 2024 12:00:37 PM Mon, Sep 16 2024 08:40:06 PM
    Democrats run unopposed to fill 2 Pa. House vacancies in Philadelphia https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/decision-2024/democrats-2-state-house-vacancies-philadelphia/3971805/ 3971805 post 3565385 NBC10 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2019/09/Pennsylvania-Voting-Election-Generic-Voting.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169

    What to Know

    • Philadelphia voters are filling two vacant seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. In both cases the Democratic candidates are the only ones on the ballot.
    • Tuesday’s special elections are for positions vacated this summer when state Reps. Donna Bullock and Stephen Kinsey resigned.
    • Keith Harris is seeking Bullock’s seat, and Andre Carroll is in line to succeed Kinsey. Harris and Carroll also face no opposition on the ballot in November for full two-year terms.

    Philadelphia voters on Tuesday will fill two vacant state House seats in special elections, and in both cases a Democratic candidate is the only person on the ballot.

    Keith Harris is seeking to replace Rep. Donna Bullock, while Andre Carroll is in line to succeed Rep. Stephen Kinsey. Bullock and Kinsey both resigned in mid-July. Bullock took a job with Project HOME, a nonprofit that works to address homelessness, while Kinsey, who had not been planning to run for reelection, moved up his departure date and took another job.

    Neither Harris nor Carroll has an opponent in the Nov. 5 general election, where they are seeking full two-year terms.

    Harris, 63, is a Democratic ward leader and community activist who has worked to clean up graffiti in Philadelphia. The district is in the northern area of the city.

    Carroll, 33, has worked in city and state government. The northwest Philadelphia district has overwhelmingly Democratic voter registration and is older and less affluent than the state as a whole.

    The House has a 102-101 Democratic majority, counting the Bullock and Kinsey seats.

    Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Click here to find your polling place.

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    Tue, Sep 17 2024 07:31:16 AM Tue, Sep 17 2024 07:31:24 AM
    Virus that causes paralyzing illness is spiking in the U.S., wastewater data shows https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/virus-that-causes-paralyzing-illness-is-spiking-in-the-u-s-wastewater-data-shows/3971871/ 3971871 post 9888162 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/Hospital.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 A respiratory virus that sometimes paralyzes children is spreading across the U.S., raising concerns about another possible rise in polio-like illnesses.

    Wastewater samples have detected a significant escalation in an enterovirus called D68, which, in rare cases, has been linked to acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM. The illness affects the nervous system and causes severe weakness in the arms and legs. This most often occurs in young children. 

    “We are detecting EV-D68 nucleic acids in wastewater across the country now, and the levels are increasing,” said Alexandria Boehm, program director of WastewaterSCAN, a nonprofit monitoring network and a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University.

    That’s the first clue to suggest that the nation might see an increase in AFM this year, said Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and author of “Crisis Averted: The Hidden Science of Fighting Outbreaks.”

    Courtesy WastewaterSCAN

    “The second clue,” she said, “is that the time of year is right.”

    Historically, September has been the biggest month for AFM cases.

    Anyone who’s ever had the sniffles probably had an enterovirus; they’re that common. Most of the time, the viruses cause mild symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, headache and generalized feelings of “meh.”

    The D68 enterovirus strain started causing more serious problems in 2014, when the U.S. saw, for the first time, a spike in pediatric AFM. That year, 120 kids were diagnosed.

    There’s no cure or specific treatment for the paralysis. Even with years of intensive physical therapy, many are left with life-altering disabilities.

    A viral mystery

    Though a few dozen cases have been reported every year since then, larger waves of AFM have followed an every-other-year pattern, spiking again in 2016 (with 153 cases) and in 2018 (with 238 cases).

    The pattern stopped in 2020 when the nation went into lockdown because of the Covid pandemic, drastically reducing viral spread. That year, just 32 cases were logged. The spread of D68 picked up again in 2022 as lockdowns were lifted.

    Curiously, a rise in AFM cases didn’t follow.

    “We saw the virus that was previously driving the AFM cases, but we didn’t see the AFM cases associated with it,” said Dr. Kevin Messacar, an infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, who treated some of the earliest AFM cases in 2014.

    It’s a mystery that any virologist would appreciate. While experts try to predict how viruses will behave, the bugs are always working to stay a few steps ahead.

    It could be that the virus itself has changed, or that more people in the U.S. have been exposed and now have a level of immunity to D68. “We’re still trying to figure it out,” Messacar said.

    So far in 2024, 13 AFM cases have been confirmed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since 2014, 758 cases have been logged.

    The implication is that hundreds of families and their children have been left with lasting, life-altering paralysis because of a virus.

    Some recovery after years of physical therapy

    The Kagolanu family in Los Altos, California, was in a heated game of Monopoly one Friday night in November 2014 when 7-year-old Vishnu’s head began, inexplicably, to tilt to one side. Vishnu admits that even though he was losing the game, this wasn’t attention-seeking behavior.

    “My dad was like, ‘Hey, what are you doing? Move your head back straight,'” Vishnu, now 17, said. “I just thought, I can’t do that.”

    Within an hour, Vishnu lost all ability to move his arms and legs. “I couldn’t get myself off the floor,” he said.

    Vishnu was one of the first to be diagnosed with AFM in 2014. At that time, no one had connected the dots between D68 and the “mystery illness.”

    “We didn’t understand what was going on. Even the doctors couldn’t find out what was going on,” said Saila Kagolanu, Vishnu’s mother. “That was the worst experience of my life.”

    Doctors warned Vishnu’s family that he might never regain function of his arms and legs. The poor prognosis crushed Vishnu. He’d always thrived as “king of the playground” when it came to sports and other physical activities.

    “Seeing my legs go progressively smaller every day” was devastating, he said. “I couldn’t move.”

    Vishnu spent years undergoing physical therapy to regain the ability to walk. That was successful. Otherwise, there’s not much doctors can do. His right shoulder remains limp.

    Testing a possible treatment

    “We all get really frustrated every time we get to this point, and we don’t have antiviral medicines that are readily available,” said Dr. Buddy Creech, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. “We don’t have much to offer these kids.”

    Creech and his colleagues are working toward a solution. They’ve begun safety studies of a monoclonal antibody that would, ideally, stop D68 in its tracks.

    “In mouse studies, it prevented infection that would lead to AFM,” Creech said. The study is expected to take years before the treatment is considered safe and effective.

    Meanwhile, young people like Vishnu Kagolanu are attempting to move on and even inspire others with AFM. In recent years, he started a nonprofit called Neurostronger, which works to raise funds for and increase awareness of kids with neurologic conditions.

    “Growing up with AFM is hard,” Kagolanu said. “But at the same time, there are ways to get around some of those obstacles. There are ways to find joy.”

    This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. More from NBC News:

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    Tue, Sep 17 2024 05:23:47 AM Tue, Sep 17 2024 02:30:10 PM
    Funeral details announced for fallen Philadelphia Police Officer Jaime Roman https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/funeral-details-announced-officer-jaime-roman/3971020/ 3971020 post 9876479 Provided https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2024/09/34338586229-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 Philadelphia Police Officer Jaime Junior Roman will be laid to rest on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, following a funeral ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul of Philadelphia.

    Roman died on Sept. 10, 2024, two months after he was shot during a traffic stop in Kensington.

    In an online memorial, Roman was remembered as a devoted husband to his wife, Jazmin Hernandez and a doting father to his seven-year-old daughter, Evelina Roman and 4-year-old son, Jaime Roman.

    “In his free time Jaime enjoyed spending time outdoors, running or biking, long drives while listening to country music, and building Lego sets with his son, but above all his greatest joy in life was his family,” the memorial reads. “Jaime was known for his ability to sense when others needed help. He consistently prioritized the needs and wellbeing of others. Jazmin describes him as the most selfless person she has ever met. He will be remembered as a cherished husband, father, son, brother, grandson, and friend. Jaime will live on in the hearts of all who loved him.”

    Also, Roman, the memorial noted, graduated from Philadelphia’s Nueva Esperanza High School in 2011, and srved as a Philadelphia Police Department officer for nearly seven years.

    “During his time on the force, Jaime forged countless friendships within his police family,” notes the memorial. “He will be fondly remembered for his honorable dedication to others, magnetic sense of humor and his deep devotion to serve.”

    Philadelphia’s City Council has cancelled its planned meeting for Thursday in order to allow councilmembers to attend the funeral. Also, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker is expected to attend the services on Thursday, as well.

    According to the Philadelphia Police Department, since 1828, more than 260 Philadelphia Police officers have given their lives in the line of duty.

    Roman’s friends and relatives are invited to Jaime’s Life Celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at John F. Givnish Life Celebration Home of Philadelphia, located at 10975 Academy Road.

    An additional viewing will be held on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul of Philadelphia, at 1723 Race Street, from 8 to 11 am with his Funeral Mass to follow at noon.

    Also, police officials said that there will be a procession from the Philadelphia Public Services Building at 15th and Callowhill Streets, to the Cathedral Basilica beginning at 6 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.

    Police officials said that Mayor Parker, Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel, officers from the 25th Police District, and the Philadelphia Police Department’s executive team will be escorting Police Officer Jaime Roman to the Basilica.

    Interment will be private, officials said.

    To share memories of Jaime, please visit www.lifecelebration.com or call 215-281-0100.

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    Mon, Sep 16 2024 11:53:50 AM Mon, Sep 16 2024 08:31:45 PM
    4 men accused of stealing meat, alcohol, seafood from trucks along NJ Turnpike https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/4-philadelphia-men-charged-nj-turnpike-cargo-truck-thefts-service-area-alcohol-seafood-meat/3971228/ 3971228 post 2415746 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2019/09/road-generic-1.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169 Four Philadelphia men are accused of stealing meat, alcohol and seafood from trucks at service areas along the New Jersey Turnpike.

    Shaun Coleman, 23, Salahudin Reddy, 37, Hanif Tucker, 31, and Rashan Clark-Reddy, 26, all of Philadelphia, are charged with numerous offenses in connection to at least nine burglaries, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General announced on Monday, Sept. 16.

    During the two-month “Operation Beef Bandit,” New Jersey State Police investigated break-ins at parked and often occupied trailers at NJ Turnpike service areas in which high-valued goods — including meat, alcohol and seafood — were stolen.

    The suspects were also connected to similar thefts over the past three years across the tri-state area in which merchandise worth millions of dollars was stolen, according to officials.

    On Sept. 13, 2024, around 1:25 a.m., New Jersey State Police spotted two vehicles enter the Molly Pitcher Service Area on the NJ Turnpike. They then spotted four suspects stealing boxes of meat from a parked and occupied truck, investigators said.

    The responding troopers arrested one of the men, later identified as Hanif Tucker, officials said. A second suspect, Shaun Coleman, tried to run away on foot but was captured shortly after, according to investigators.

    The other two suspects, Salahudin Reddy and Rashan Clark-Reddy, tried to flee in a stolen vehicle and intentionally crashed into an occupied and unmarked police car, officials said. They were then captured after damaging two marked state police vehicles during a brief chase, officials said.

    Three state troopers suffered minor injuries during the arrests. Only one of the troopers was hospitalized and later released.

    Coleman is charged with receiving stolen property, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit cargo theft.

    Reddy is charged with receiving stolen property, possession of a stolen vehicle, conspiracy to commit cargo theft, possession of burglary tools, burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, resisting by flight and criminal mischief.

    Clark-Reddy is charged with eluding, receiving stolen property, possession of a stolen vehicle, criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools, burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to commit cargo theft and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

    Tucker is charged with receiving stolen property, burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit cargo theft and possession of burglary tools.

    All four men are lodged in Middlesex County Jail pending a bail detention hearing. While they are all in custody, police continue to investigate.

    Anyone with information on the cargo thefts or similar thefts should call the New Jersey State Police Troop “D” Moorestown Station Detective Bureau at (732) 522-4295, extension 3226. Tips can be anonymous.

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    Mon, Sep 16 2024 02:17:14 PM Tue, Sep 17 2024 07:46:57 AM
    WATCH: ‘Somebody Knows Something: The Disappearance of Dulce' https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/investigators/somebody-knows-something-the-disappearance-of-dulce/3641507/ 3641507 post 8913701 https://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/2023/09/Somebody-Knows-Something-newest-lead-photo.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=300,169

    On Sep. 16, 2019, Noema Alavez was sitting in her car scratching off a lottery ticket while her two kids played at a nearby playground in Bridgeton, New Jersey. A few minutes later she went to check on them. She then realized her 5-year-old daughter Dulce María Alavez was gone. Some people on the basketball court next to the playground told Noema that Dulce ran behind some sheds at the same time two men were walking by and that perhaps one of those men took her. Noema then called 911. 

    A police search ensued — with help from state and federal authorities. Despite what the girls on the basketball court said, police stated they did not have evidence of an abduction—a requirement for an Amber Alert. 

    “Through the early morning, we were still hoping to find the child was maybe in the brush or had gotten tangled up,” the Bridgeton Police Chief said. 

    As the hours ticked by, Noema begged officials for an Amber Alert. Then, 29 hours after police arrived on scene, an Amber Alert was issued, describing a suspect and the car Dulce was believed to be taken in. But without cameras in the park, police couldn’t corroborate the witness statements that led to the Amber Alert. 

    Police have continued to investigate tips—going across the country and to Mexico. Local law enforcement officials have also kept a close eye on Dulce’s family—executing a search warrant at her home years after she went missing. But to this day, Dulce remains missing.

    In September 2023, four years after Dulce’s disappearance, NBC10 investigative reporter Claudia Vargas took a fresh look at the case. She retraced Dulce’s last known steps and spoke with the girl’s family and case investigators. 

    “Somebody Knows Something: The Disappearance of Dulce” premiered Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, on NBC10 and the NBC10 streaming channels. In the days leading up to the special, NBC10 aired the following stories: 

    Since 5-year-old Dulce María Alavez went missing from Bridgeton City Park in 2019, law enforcement officials have been following up on hundreds of tips — from tracking down red cars to checking out psychic readings. Police have also traveled across the country and to Mexico in search of answers to Dulce’s disappearance. But Dulce has yet to be found. And last year, police executed a search warrant at Dulce’s family’s home — indicating that police still believe her family may know more than what they are letting on. 

    The playground at Bridgeton City Park was not equipped with surveillance cameras when Dulce María Alavez went missing in September 2019. And so, police did not have video capturing what happened to the little girl that led to her disappearance. Based on the witness accounts of a young child and someone older, Dulce was taken by a Hispanic man who police have yet to track down. Since then, Dulce’s mom has been asking city officials to install security cameras at the playground. In late 2020, the city agreed to install several surveillance cameras throughout the park. We tested some of the cameras to see just what it captures. 

    Dulce María Alavez went missing from the Bridgeton City Park in Bridgeton, NJ, when she was 5-years-old and just starting Kindergarten. Presuming she is alive, her face most likely changed as she got older. At the two-year mark of her disappearance, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) issued an age-progression composite of what they thought Dulce would look like at 7-years-old. The hope is that someone in the public will recognize her. The forensic artist who drew it used family pictures of Dulce to get a feel for the girl’s feature traits. But Dulce’s family did not think the composite looked anything like Dulce. Now, four years after her disappearance, a forensic artist at NCMEC has created a new rendering and officials released it on Thursday, Sept. 14.

    The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) released a new age-progression composite photo of what they believe Dulce María Alavez would look like today at the age of 9.

    When Noema Alavez called 911 to report her daughter, Dulce, missing, she told police that some people on the basketball court said they saw her daughter running behind some sheds at the same time as two men were walking by. Noema shared on the line that the girls at the court said one of the men may have taken her. When police arrived on scene, they intensely searched the woods, expecting to find her lost in there. At the same time, because Dulce was under the age of 13, the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office activated its Child Abduction Response Team. But even through the next morning, the Bridgeton Police chief said there was no evidence of an abduction. Still, Dulce’s mom asked police to issue an Amber Alert. It wasn’t until 29 hours after police arrived on scene that New Jersey State Police issued an Amber Alert detailing Dulce’s suspected abduction and abductor. Questions remain if the delay hindered the investigation.

    Dulce’s family gathered at the park in Bridgeton, New Jersey, on Monday, Sept. 16 for a vigil to bring awareness to the missing girl. They were joined by the mayor, police chief and community members who held yellow balloons. Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly led a prayer asking for help as the search continues.

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    Fri, Sep 08 2023 07:03:27 PM Tue, Sep 17 2024 08:30:08 PM