It’s time to replace those worn out overhead wires and tracks in the Center City tunnel, says SEPTA. The tunnel maintenance and construction project is scheduled for August 1-18, 2014 and here’s what it means for West Philly trolley riders:

SEPTA Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36 will not operate in the tunnel from 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1 through 4 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 18. Trolley service will begin and end at 40th and Market Streets and passengers are advised to use Market-Frankford Line for travel to and from Center City, as the repair work will not affect that service.

During the so-called “Trolley Tunnel Blitz,” SEPTA crews will work around-the-clock to complete numerous overhead wire, track and station improvement projects, which will help improve safety and service reliability of the trolleys that run through the tunnel, according to SEPTA’s announcement. Some of this work includes replacing nearly 24,000 feet of worn overhead contact wire throughout the tunnel, installing more than 14,000 feet of new rail on the eastbound track, and making numerous station repairs and improvements such as on stairs, lighting and platforms.

You can also say goodbye to the graffiti in the tunnel. The project includes graffiti removal, painting and heavy cleaning at all stations throughout the tunnel.

For more details on the maintenance and construction work scheduled during the Trolley Tunnel Blitz, visit SEPTA’s website.
 

Talking Headz’s new location at 4922 Baltimore Ave. (Facebook photo)

If you are heading to Talking Headz for a haircut, a trim or coloring, please take notice that the neighborhood hair salon with the motto “Rad Hair for Rad People” has recently moved a little further west on Baltimore. As of July 5, 2014, Talking Headz is operating in the heart of Cedar Park – at 4922 Baltimore Ave.

The salon first opened in 2011 in a small space at 4714 Baltimore Ave and quickly gained popularity for its friendly staff, awesome vibe, and reasonable prices (check out recent Yelp reviews and an older review by a neighbor and blogger West Philly Mama).

The new space seems great and has much more room. They have eight chairs now in comparison to just three at the old location and new staff was hired to keep up with the expansion. The salon has also added an extra day of operation. It is now open Monday through Sunday during the following hours: Monday 12 – 6 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Wednesday 12 – 8 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 12 – 5 p.m.

According to their website, the Talking Headz people can cut your hair “ranging anywhere from classic to wild.” The place is also kid-friendly (we can confirm) and they even have a kids play area. By the way, kids haircuts start at just $16. Prices for adult haircuts range from $21-$36 depending on the length of your hair. Walk-ins are welcome but not always available, so appointments are recommended. You can make an appointment by calling 215-729-2028.

For more information about Talking Headz, their services and pricing, visit their website.
 

UPDATE 2: Water came back on around 4:10 p.m., according to neighbors.

UPDATE: We spoke to the PWD workers on-site at around 2:40 p.m. and they said that the water main break should be repaired by 4 p.m.

City Water Department crews have responded this morning to a water main break on Osage Ave between 49th and 50th Streets. A number of households in the area lost water service due to the break. Neighbors reported that there was no water at their homes as early as 6 a.m. We’ll keep you posted when we have more information.

Photo by West Philly Local reader Daniel Chen.

Two cops rescued people from an overnight fire in the Mantua section. The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday on the first floor of a three-story standalone house on the 3900 block of Aspen Street, according to various reports. Two 16th district police officers, one of them a former firefighter, helped two people escape the flames. Reportedly, a firefighter sustained a minor injury in the fire.

Audio is available from the Fire Department call from the scene (below), presented by PhillyFireFeed.com (the address on the audio is wrong). 6ABC has a video from the scene.

A couple of West Philly residents are looking for information on a hit-and-run accident that took place early Thursday morning on 52nd St between Catherine and Walton. Here’s what happened:

A black Nissan Xterra SUV was parked on 52nd street Wednesday night and its owners discovered on Thursday morning that the back left side of the car had been smashed. “It was hit so hard that the car was pushed up onto the sidewalk,” writes Sarah, one of the car owners. The car that hit the SUV left behind its grill. The owners learned from neighbors that the car was hit between 2 and 3 a.m. by a reddish Buick. Reportedly, three women were in the car, and smashed into the SUV so hard that their airbags were deployed before speeding away.

The product numbers on the grill left behind indicate that the car involved in the hit and run is a Buick Park Avenue, possibly a 1997 make. The SUV owners contacted police about the incident. Their insurance will not cover the damage for the SUV that they have owned for less than a month unless they have a license plate for the other car.

The car owners would appreciate any information on this hit and run. Please email to: swanaj32@gmail.com

Here are the photos of the damaged SUV:

The back left side of this Nissan SUV sustained significant damage in the hit and run.

The car was hit with such force that it was thrown on the sidewalk. (Photos courtesy of SUV owners).

Philippe Holland

The Department of Justice and the Police Advisory Commission will hold a public forum tomorrow (Thursday, July 10) at City Hall to talk about officer-involved shootings. The forum comes three months after two undercover police fired 14 shots at pizza delivery driver Philippe Holland, striking him in the head, neck and leg.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey asked the Justice Department’s Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) office to look at the PPD’s training, policies and tactics related to officer-involved shootings. The COPS program is also examining the department’s transparency and investigative policies.

“Our goal is to use the review process as a framework for detailed public discussions around the use of deadly force by Philadelphia Police officers,” said Police Advisory Commission (PAC) Kelvyn Anderson.

We reported on the program in more detail following a public meeting with police last month related to the shooting of Holland.

Holland had finished his last delivery of the night on April 22 and was walking back to his car when the officers approached him during the investigation of a recent shooting in the area. Holland, who may have believed he was being robbed, ran to his car and drove toward the officers. They opened fire. Holland was in critical condition for several days.

Tomorrow’s meeting will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the City Council chambers on the 4th floor of City Hall. The PAC will also accept public comment on police-involved shootings from the last 18 months.