UPDATE (2:10 p.m.): Police told NBC10 that they recovered the SUV suspected in the hit and run after the owner contacted them. The investigation continues.
UPDATE (1:35 p.m.): Police released surveillance video of the fatal hit and run in Kingsessing on Monday, April 13 and are asking for the public’s help to identify and locate the suspect.
Police are looking for a black Ford Edge with chrome front. They say the vehicle was operated by an unknown female. The City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office is offering a $20,000 reward leading to the arrest of the suspect. For more information, go here.
(4/14/15): A four-year-old boy was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Monday, April 13 in the Kingsessing neighborhood. Police are searching for a dark-colored SUV. The tragedy happened at about 6:30 p.m. on S. 57th Street near Litchfield, when the boy was crossing the street. An unidentified female driver was behind the wheel of the vehicle that fled northbound after striking the child, according to police.
Police say they have surveillance video of the fleeing vehicle from a nearby business.
Artist and West Philly resident Samantha Mayo and her partner Kevin Buttery have an interesting, West Philly-centered idea for the empty space at the corner of 45th and Baltimore, right across the street from Milk and Honey Market. They are planning to open “The Arty Bunker,” part art shop for local artists to sell their work to the community and part classroom for kids to take art classes during the day and for B.Y.O.B. painting classes for adults in the evening.
Samantha and Kevin have everything in place to start their business as soon as possible except for the funding, and are currently raising money that would help cover start-up costs and overhead of the shop and classroom. This past Saturday the pair went to Clark Park to spread the word (some of you probably saw The Arty Bunker flyers around the park), and next Saturday they are planning to set up a facepaint table in the park and talk to more people about their idea.
The fundraising goal is $12,000, and the money is being raised through Kickstarter. “No one would get charged until we reach our goal and we have until May 7 until our Kickstarter expires,” writes Samantha. “This is really West Philly community oriented so any support from the community helps!”
Samantha and Kevin say that they understand the risks associated with starting a business:
“We have the motivation and inspiration to overcome the challenges of starting a company. We are two, well-educated and passionate people who are determined to make The Arty Bunker a reality in West Philadelphia.”
The family that runs Manakeesh Café Bakery at 45th and Walnut are looking for their missing cat. The cat is described as a female ginger and white cat (pictured).
If you find the cat please call (215-921-2135) or bring her to Manakeesh. A free smoothie and half-dozen baklava are offered for anyone who finds her!
Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating two teenage girls who recently went missing in the area.
Lajaida Beverley
Lajaida Beverly, 15, was last seen on Thursday, April 9, at her residence on the 5800 block of Cedar Avenue. Lajaida is 5 feet 7 inches, 120 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing a black/gray leather jacket, black pants with leather front and white sneakers. She may have run away with other female juveniles, according to police.
Jannat Williams is also 15, and she is from the 5700 block of Delancey Street. She was last seen at school (Freire Charter, 2027 Chestnut Street), on Thursday, April 9, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Jannat is 5 feet 2 inches, 120 pounds, and has green eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing a gray shirt with white block writing, black jeans, a black hooded jacket, and multi-colored Muslim garb.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of these persons is asked to contact Southwest Detective Division at 215-686-3183/3184 or call 911.
As many of you know, the 115-year-old Frank Furness-designed church building at 47th and Kingsessing was saved from demolition last year and is currently undergoing renovation. Developer Guy Laren is planning to re-purpose the building by opening two local day care centers, Little Learners and Children’s Community School, in that location after the renovation has been completed. Rezoning is necessary for this plan to come to life, and the first community zoning meeting for the church conversion project will take place this week.
Community members are invited this Tuesday, April 14, at 6 p.m. to Kingsessing Recreation Center at 50th and Kingsessing to hear more about the project and provide their feedback. The meeting is being organized by the Registered Community Organization (RCO) for the area – Southwest District Services.
The project stakeholders also asked community members to show their support of the church conversion project by signing a petition last month. Over 250 people have so far signed the online petition on Change.org. Tuesday’s meeting is another opportunity to gauge the amount of support of the plan by the community.
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