Update (April 17, 11:36 a.m.): We have received information that the other dog, which was taken to ACCT Philly, was euthanized due to injuries suffered in the shooting.

Update (8:13 p.m.): Police responded to a report of vicious dogs. One was shot and killed on the scene, police said. The other has been taken to the animal shelter on West Hunting Park Ave.

8:00 p.m.: Police reportedly shot two dogs on 48th Street between Pine and Osage. A reader who lives across the street reported hearing two loud pops just before 7 p.m. and then saw two dogs lying on the street surrounded by several police officers.

“I heard two pops and saw the direction of where people were looking. I went to the window and saw two dogs down. One not moving and the other wounded and moving only the head area. Six cop cars were already there so it is safe to assume that they may have shot the dogs. Cops have streets blocked off. The other dog’s movements have almost stopped. Dogs have no leashes nor do I see a visible owner or owners of the dogs.”

By the time we got to the scene (around 8 p.m.) the police were gone and the street was cleared.

If you happen to walk by the Baltimore Pet Shoppe window and see a pair of cute beady eyes looking at you, don’t be surprised; the store that has always helped our feline friends find homes is now hosting adoptions of small animals. In addition to cat adoptions, Baltimore Pet Shoppe will occasionally have hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits available for adoption.

Currently, there are a pair of hamsters waiting to go to their new homes, so stop by the shop to meet them. Check out the Baltimore Pet Shoppe website or Facebook page for more information.

Little critters like Strawberry, a female calico guinea pig that got adopted the day she arrived, are available for adoption through ACCT Philly. You can meet them at Baltimore Pet Shoppe.

Rep. Roebuck presents Ms. Hills (center) with a citation. She is joined by granddaughter Bridgette Jones, and neighbors Joan Spellman and Angela Shomate (left to right). Shomate said: “[Rosetta] told me she was here so long because God has a plan for her and she hasn’t did it yet.”

When Rosetta Hills moved here from Georgia in 1951, Philadelphia was a flashy destination. The Eagles were coming off two straight league championships. The city hit a peak population of 2.07 million people, placing behind only New York and Chicago. A few years earlier a young man named John Coltrane made a similar journey from North Carolina to North Philly.

Ms. Hills celebrated her 100^th birthday with a warmhearted party Friday afternoon at Renaissance Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center near 47th and Chester, where she has stayed since January. She was joined by her family and friends, as well as workers and residents of the center.

Ms. Hills with granddaughter Bridgette and great granddaughter, Tavonna Jones.

“She’s 100 years old and feisty as ever,” said her granddaughter, Bridgette Jones, who traveled from North Carolina to celebrate. “She said the reason why she’s still here is because she speaks her mind and don’t hold nothing in.”

Ms. Hills received a citation from State Representative James R. Roebuck, recognizing “the momentous occasion of her 100th birthday” and contribution to “the enrichment and betterment of succeeding generations.” The Georgia native, who moved to Philadelphia with her husband to look for work, was visibly teary-eyed and seemed overwhelmed with joy. She was also presented with a decorative “Happy 100th Birthday” cake.

“I speak it. I can’t hold it,” echoed Ms. Hills, a long-time resident of South Philadelphia. “If I have something to say, I’m gonna say it and it comes from the heart.”

– Annamarya Scaccia

The state has finally signed a lease and now the “premium” Wine and Spirits Shop proposed for the strip mall at 43rd and Chestnut that sparked some controversy in the Spruce Hill neighborhood last year is about three months away from opening.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) approved the project last June, but many residents began wondering if the 5,000-square-foot shop would ever become a reality. Barry Grossbach, who heads up zoning for the Spruce Hill Community Association, said renovation has begun on the end units – formerly a check cashing spot and Risque, an adult video store (pictured) – and will take about 45 days. State officials say it will take another 45 days to get the store stocked and ready to open.

Several residents who live near the proposed location, including Muslim residents from the nearby Masjid al-Jamia mosque, opposed the store. Their opposition was met with support from scores of other residents, which made for a contentious ZBA hearing last summer.

The Wine and Spirits Store at 4301 Chestnut St. will be a a “premium collection” store similar to the ones near 12th and Chestnut and 19th and Chestnut, which feature a broader selection of products than other stores and do not sell small package items such as pints and half pints. This will be the first premium store in West Philadelphia.

The new location will take some pressure off the store near 50th and Baltimore, where lines have swelled since the closing of the shop near 41st and Market in January 2012.

– Mike Lyons

Philly 311, the pretty awesome city service that will help you get information and help from City Hall, is hosting a Twitter chat on Thursday as part of its Neighborhood Liaison program.

Here’s how it works: Deputy Mayor/Managing Director Rich Negrin (@RichNegrin) and Deputy Managing Director Rosetta Carrington Lue (@Rosettalue) will be on Twitter to field questions, concerns and share ideas about how the city government can help empower neighborhoods. The hashtag for the chat is #Philly311NLP.

Specifically, the chat will address six questions:

• How do you define a “community hero”?
• How can city government empower community heroes?
• What can neighborhoods do to keep their communities safe and clean?
• The Philly311 Mobile App now translates to 16 different languages. How could this help unify neighborhoods?
• How can the city’s youth be inspired to keep their communities safe and clean?
• How should the city government communicate its services to Philadelphians without access to technology?

The Neighborhood Liaison Program is designed to connect Philly311 and City Hall to neighborhood organizations by creating a network of volunteer liaisons who can relay community concerns about everything from a pothole to a blighted property.

Two turkeys strolling through Bartram’s Garden last summer. (Photo by West Philly Local)

Some people have written us with concerns about the turkey that has been spotted strolling around the neighborhood in recent days. As suspected, the turkey appears to be from Bartram’s Garden.

The turkey apparently got into a territorial dispute with his brother and took off. Spokeswoman Kim Massare said the Bartram’s Garden staff is interested in getting updates on the turkey, but other than that there is not much that can be done.

“They are federally protected birds and they generally have a wide territory,” said Massare. “If it’s in good health and seems happy there’s no reason to be concerned.”

If the bird does appear to be injured, she suggested contacting the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge or the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, which operates a wildlife rehabilitation clinic.

Otherwise, you can help document the bird’s whereabouts by snapping a photo, leaving a comment here or visiting the Bartram’s Garden Facebook page here.

A turkey, possibly one of those in the photo above, rambling down 50th Street near Springfield. (Photo courtesy of @kayasinfo on Twitter)