In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses in school, reduce absenteeism and prioritize in-person learning after the winter break, the School District of Philadelphia will reinstate mandatory masking for students and employees for 10 days following the winter break – from January 3 through January 13, 2023.

This implementation is part of the District’s general COVID-19 protocol for the 2022-2023 school year that was shared in August.

District employees, students and families can pick up free at-home COVID-19 test kits at five school-based testing locations while supplies last. SDP testing locations will be closed on December 26 and January 2 in observance of the federal holidays.

Testing locations, the most updated COVID-19 data and more information can be found on the District’s COVID-19 Information Hub.

Lee’s Deli after the crash (Photo from GoFundMe).

Lee’s Deli, a neighborhood corner store operating on Baltimore Avenue for nearly 30 years, has been closed for more than a week after a U-Haul van crashed into it at full speed last Sunday. While no one was injured in the crash (it happened around 4 a.m.), the deli sustained significant structural damage. The van hit the main support beam of the store located at 47th and Baltimore, which caused a brief evacuation of the apartments on the 2nd and 3rd floor. And inside the deli, the van “destroyed nearly everything,” according to owner Scott Lee.

After the initial assessment of the damage and some clean-up, the Lee’s Deli team planned to reopen their business after Thanksgiving, but now they realize that is is no longer impossible due to the level of damage. Encouraged by “friends, neighbors, and strangers” who had approached them asking how they can help, the team decided to set up a GoFundMe page for the business. The goal is to raise enough money to reopen as quickly as possible and to support the employees while the business remains closed. Continue Reading

The Philadelphia Marathon, an annual event drawing thousands of guests to the City of Brotherly Love, is returning this weekend, with races happening on Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 19-20).

The Half Marathon will be held on Saturday from 7:00-11:30 a.m. The main Marathon event will take place Sunday, beginning at 7 a.m. Both races begin and end at 22nd St. and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

As always during both races, many roads along the course will be closed to accommodate the runners. Also, “No Parking” signs will be posted in the Parkway area and along the race course.

Street closures will be in effect for the Philadelphia Half Marathon and the Rothman Orthopaedics 8K on Saturday, from 2 a.m. until 3 p.m. Continue Reading

Philadelphia Fire Department deputy chief Charles Johnson speaks to reporters late Tuesday afternoon about a carbon monoxide leak at an apartment building at 48th and Chester (Photo by West Philly Local).

A man has died after a suspected carbon monoxide leak this afternoon at an apartment building at 48th and Chester.

The building, which includes 40 units, has been evacuated and will likely stay closed overnight. No one else was hospitalized, according to Charles Johnson, a deputy chief with the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Work was being done on the heating system in the building, according to Johnson, before the leak was discovered.

Someone from the building called 911 when the man was found unresponsive. When fire department officials arrived at the scene they discovered high levels of carbon monoxide in the building. The investigation is underway.

It’s General Election Eve and here are a few logistical things to keep in mind about the big day tomorrow.

Those who haven’t voted early, there are dozens of polling places around West Philadelphia; to find your polling place, go here. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. An ID is not required to vote unless you are voting for the first time or have recently moved. As long as you are in line by 8 p.m., you can vote.

Check your voter registration status here.

If you still plan to vote by mail, you can. Just drop off your ballot at one of the mail-in voting centers until 8 p.m. tomorrow. Here’s the info for that. Keep in mind that it’s too late to apply for a mail-in ballot and please note that polling places are not for dropping off your mail or absentee ballot. Continue Reading

Two West Philadelphia-based recreation centers have recently been awarded grants from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for much-needed repairs and upgrades.

A $2.75 million grant will be provided to the City of Philadelphia to support the Christy Recreation Center, located at 55th and Christian Streets. The project will involve renovating the existing center building and grounds, including ADA access to and throughout the facility. The facility will also become better lit and greener, with more efficient use of interior and exterior spaces. Better and newer equipment will be installed for the benefit of all ages, as well as more places to sit, eat, play, and recreate.

The grant was announced by Rep. Rick Krajewski representing the 188th Legislative District. This investment is in addition to $1 million that has been secured by Philadelphia Councilmember Jamie Gauthier to go toward the complete redesign project that is currently underway. Continue Reading