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The Philadelphia Police Department has released surveillance video and is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying an armed suspect who they believe robbed two food trucks in the area on Monday.

The first robbery took place at approximately 6:30 p.m. when an unknown male entered the Halal food truck parked near the corner of 45th and Walnut Streets, armed with a black handgun, and demanded money. He took $500 and fled north on 45th Street toward Sansom. Surveillance video shows the suspect getting out of the passenger side and then getting back into a black sedan parked near the corner of 45th and Sansom.  Continue Reading

The seven candidates running for District Attorney are scheduled to attend a forum in West Parkside on Thursday (March 16) from 9-11 a.m.

Candidates Teresa Carr Deni, Tariq El-Shabazz, Beth Grossman, Joe Khan, Lawrence Krasner, Rich Negrin, and Michael Untermeyer will discuss issues ranging from mass incarceration to police oversight at the Philadelphia Business and Technology Center (5070 Parkside Ave). The Business Association of West Parkside is sponsoring the forum.

Craig Ey, Editor-in-Chief of the Philadelphia Business Journal, will moderate the forum. This will be the first official event with all seven candidates present. Attendees will also have the chance to ask specific questions.  Continue Reading

University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) continues offering job training and employment opportunities to West Philly residents. Now through March 24, WPSI is recruiting for a training program with Green City Works, University City District’s in-house landscaping operation.

WPSI is seeking applicants who possess a high school diploma or GED, are currently unemployed, and live in the West Philadelphia zip codes of 19104, 19131, 19139, 19143, or 19151. WPSI is seeking applicants with a track record of excellence in landscaping or related fields.

In addition to learning the skills needed to successfully connect to employment, program graduates are guaranteed an interview with the employer and receive a performance-based stipend during the training.

Interested applicants can visit www.westphiladelphiaskill.org to learn more about the program and submit an application, available under “Opportunities for Job Seekers.” Applications are also available here. Paper applications are available at First District Plaza, Suite 206 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The application deadline is March 24 at 5 p.m.

UPDATE (3/14/17, 1:20 p.m.): The snow emergency was lifted at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, and parking is again allowed on snow emergency routes.

Due to the anticipated winter storm a snow emergency will be in effect in Philadelphia beginning at 9 p.m. this evening, which means all the vehicles parked along streets designated as snow emergency routes should be moved. Enforcement, with ticketing and towing, will begin at midnight. Cars left on snow emergency routes will be moved to other parking spots to assist in snow plowing operations. If your car is moved, call 215-686-SNOW to find it (don’t call 911).

Here you can find more information about snow emergency routes and here is a map.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority has announced that they will not be enforcing meters or time limits on residential blocks during the snow emergency.

All trash and recycling collections will be suspended for Tuesday, March 14. If your collection day is Tuesday please hold your trash until the next week.  Continue Reading

UPDATE (3/14/17): All School District of Philadelphia schools will be open on regular schedules on Wednesday, March 15.

The School District of Philadelphia has announced public school closings on Tuesday, March 14 ahead of the forecasted winter storm “Stella.” All after-school activities scheduled for Tuesday are canceled as well. All District early childhood centers and administrative offices will also be closed.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the greater Philadelphia area, in effect from 8 p.m. Monday to 4 p.m. Tuesday. Eight to twelve inches of snow are expected in the city.

Stay tuned for more snowstorm-related announcements.

UPDATE (3/17/17): Great news: Gabriel is back home after being trapped in a humane trap provided by West Philly-based all-volunteer cat rescue organization Project MEOW.

Owners are looking for their large grey cat, Gabriel, that escaped from his home at 54th and Cedar last night, March 12. He is a large grey cat with a big head, grey collar, and pink tag.