UPDATE (Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018): Police are still investigating the murder of four people, two men and two women, whose bodies were found Monday afternoon in the basement of a residence on the 5100 block of Malcolm Street in Cedar Park. All four were shot once in the head, according to police. The male victims, 28 and 31 years old, are reportedly cousins. One of the female victims is 20 years old, according to police. No names and no suspect information have been released as of 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20. Philadelphia Police Captain Derrick Wood tweeted shortly after the discovery of the victims that “it [was] the worst crime scene I have seen in my 20 years with the Philadelphia Police Department”:  Continue Reading

The Philadelphia Marathon returns this weekend, with two main events, the Dietz & Watson Half Marathon and 25th annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Marathon being held on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The city has announced road closures and other restrictions ahead of the event that brings thousands of people to the streets.

Streets will be closed in many parts of the city this weekend. Delays can be expected. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes, avoid areas along the race course, and allow for extra driving time. Due to increased security in the Parkway area, parking and traffic regulations will be strictly enforced. Street closures are implemented on a rolling basis and will occur as runners go by.  Continue Reading

Kung Fu Hoagies cart (archived image).

After more than six years of operation in Clark Park, Kung Fu Hoagies, the vegetarian and vegan friendly food cart, will close next month, according to an announcement on their Facebook page.

The cart, a partnership between Paul Davis and Steve Renzi, was launched in 2010 and first rolled out in Clark Park in March 2012. It had been inspired by Davis’ love of Kung Fu (he’s a martial arts practitioner).

The reason for closing is “some life and business changes.”

“It’s a tough decision that we have to make, but can say that we have had an amazing 8 years serving the Philadelphia vegan and vegetarian community,” the Facebook message reads. “It’s been a really great experience sharing our food and passion for Kung Fu, and having such positive reception from amazing customers.”  Continue Reading

Photos by Kyle Cassidy.

3675 Market Street is officially open. On Friday, Nov. 9th, building management threw an open-house party at the 14-story office tower, intended to be the new hub of the Science Center’s “uCity Square” planned community. Alongside the Science Center, several other building tenants including Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), Biolabs, Backstage Capital, and Wexford Science + Technology opened their doors to the public. All six floors of the event were packed solid for most of the evening as building tenants, sponsors and community partners welcomed guests for tours, drinks, live music, performance art and even the occasional impromptu dance circle.  Continue Reading

This fall, residents can again participate in the City’s Leaf Recycling program, which begins Monday, Nov. 5. The program is provided by the Streets Department and helps the City keep leaves out of the landfill. Here’s how you can participate in the program, which will run until Saturday, Dec. 15:

Bagged leaf drop-off will be offered city-wide on Saturdays (with the exception of Nov. 24) at 23 designated locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the duration of the program. Bagged leaves set out for pickup will be collected as trash. Leaf drop-off locations in West Philadelphia are the following:  Continue Reading

Developer Ryan Spak, left, discusses “5050 Baltimore” during a zoning meeting at the Calvary Center last night (Photo by West Philly Local).

A 12-unit residential building with ground-floor commercial that includes below-market units proposed for the corner of 51st and Baltimore drew overwhelming support during a Cedar Park Neighbors zoning meeting last night.

Proposed by West Philly-based developer Ryan Spak, “5050 Baltimore” would be a three-story building built on three oddly shaped lots at the triangular corner of 51st and Baltimore. The project needs zoning variances for an additional two residential units. Ten units is allowed by right. The project also needs a variance for a “group practitioner” – a mental health counseling non-profit – which is one of the tenants for the proposed commercial space.  Continue Reading