ACME Markets, a Philadelphia based company, has opened its newest store at 40th and Walnut (former Fresh Grocer location) this morning.

Here are some more details on what the new store includes:

• A Deli department featuring such meal solutions as sushi, Poke bowls, Asian hot bar, focaccia pizza, BBQ station, and ACME’s first ever Sally the Robot salad station
• A full-service Butcher Block featuring fresh cut meats prepared daily by on-site butchers and a full-service seafood department
• A bakery with freshly made pastries, hot Italian bread, cookies, and cakes for special occasions
• Natural, organic, and gluten-free products throughout the store
• A beer and wine section, featuring local craft beer options
• In-store Starbucks  Continue Reading

The City Council unanimously passed new regulations today limiting the use of consumer fireworks. The new legislation makes it illegal to set off fireworks after 9 p.m. except on federal holidays and when such use is in full compliance with the Fire Code. The legislation was introduced by Councilmember David Oh.

Oh drafted the legislation after hearing from distressed residents across the city.

“This is an issue that has impacted every single neighborhood in Philadelphia,” he said.  Continue Reading

Voters can now pick up or drop off their voted ballots at a new satellite election office in West Philadelphia. The new office has opened over the weekend at Alain Locke School (4550 Haverford Ave.). The hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Today is the last day for Pennsylvania residents to register to vote in the Nov. 3 general election. If you’re eligible to vote, but haven’t registered yet, you can also do it at the new election office. The deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is October 27th.

Another election office in West Philadelphia is located at Overbrook Elementary School (Annex Trailer), 2032 N. 62nd St. For information on other citywide election office locations, go here.  Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia announced a plan Wednesday that would allow public school students from kindergarten through 2nd grade to return to classrooms two days a week across the city beginning Nov. 30.

At each school, kindergarten through 2nd grade students will be sorted into two groups. One group will attend class in person on Monday and Tuesday and the other group on Thursday and Friday. All students will participate in remote learning on Wednesdays, according to the plan.

The plan is opt-in, so parents can also choose to keep students at home where they will participate in online direct instruction, independent learning and small group instruction. The hybrid plan could be scrapped for a particular classroom or school if the “vast majority” of students don’t opt in or if “significant numbers” of teachers are unable to teach in person, according to the plan.  Continue Reading

The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 general election in Pennsylvania is Monday, Oct. 19. If you’re eligible to vote, but haven’t registered yet, check out these four options. City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s team is also offering delivery of voter registration forms and mail-in ballot applications to 3rd District residents (West and Southwest Philadelphia).

To request an application, residents can call her office at 215-686-0460 or fill out this form.  Continue Reading

A 5-year-old boy was found unresponsive in a bathtub in an apartment on the 4800 block of Pine Street on Monday night, according to multiple reports. The boy was found by his father around 10 p.m. face down in the tub. He also had a cut on his neck, according to reports. He was rushed to the hospital and was pronounced dead about an hour later.

The boy’s 40-year-old mother was also found inside the apartment with cuts on her wrists, according to reports. She was taken to the hospital and was listed in stable condition. She was being evaluated by mental health experts on Tuesday. No charges have been filed yet.

Suicide Prevention Help: If you’re in crisis or know someone who is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, available 24 hours, at 800-273-8255 or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741).