Penn has extended its spring break for a week for all students and is preparing to switch to virtual instruction for the remainder of the spring semester beginning Monday, March 23 due to the coronavirus-related health concerns, according to a message from the administration sent Wednesday to university students, faculty and employees.

Students who are currently out of town are asked to not to return to campus. Students who are on campus are asked to depart effective Sunday, March 15, according to the announcement. University staff will be assisting departing students. Students in health-related schools and programs, who have already had their Spring Break, will continue their clinical rotations.

For more information and details, read the full message here.

UPDATE (3/11/2020): The 2020 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, scheduled for this Sunday, March 15, has been canceled.

(3/10/2020): Mayor Jim Kenney and city health officials have announced the first confirmed new coronavirus (COVID-19) case in Philadelphia and advised city residents to avoid large events.

City officials didn’t disclose any personal details about the infected person, but said it’s an adult who had been exposed to a previously confirmed case of the virus. This person has been quarantined at home, according to the announcement. Several coronavirus cases were reported in city suburbs, including Montgomery County, over the weekend, and multiple cases in Pennsylvania.

Despite the coronavirus spreading, city officials said that they’re not canceling large events in Philadelphia, including this weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, but urged residents to avoid large public gatherings with more than 5,000 people.  Continue Reading

Photo by West Philly Local

The Fresh Grocer supermarket at 40th and Walnut, which has operated in that location since 2001, has closed its doors. It was reported last month that the store management had agreed to free the space this month after a four-year legal battle with the landlord – the University of Pennsylvania, which ended the Fresh Grocer’s lease in 2016.

Penn has signed a lease for 40th and Walnut with Acme Markets. The new supermarket is not expected to open until Fall 2020, according to a report by The Daily Pennsylvanian. The space will undergo renovations in preparation for Acme’s opening.

The School District of Philadelphia has sent out a message to parents and guardians about the coronavirus.

So far, there are no confirmed coronavirus disease cases in Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia residents are at low risk of becoming infected, according to the message. The School District is working closely with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and taking into consideration the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The School District of Philadelphia holds the well-being, health, and safety of students and staff as a top priority,” reads the message.  Continue Reading

A 39-year-old man was killed and another man was critically injured in a shooting Monday night near 52nd and Sansom Streets, according to reports.

The shooting happened shortly before 10:30 p.m. The 39-year-old victim was shot three times – in the head, chest and leg. He was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead shortly before 11 p.m., according to a report by CBS Philly. The second victim, a man in his 30s, was shot once in the chest. He is in critical condition.  Continue Reading

UPDATE: Democrat Roni Green won the special election with about 85 percent of the vote. Green told The Philadelphia Inquirer that she will focus on “education, job creation and programs to prevent gun violence.” The election allows Green to serve out the remainder of Movita Johnson-Harrell’s term, which runs through this year. She will be on the primary ballot on April 28 vying for a full two-year term.

Voters in the 190th state legislative district (see map) will go to the polls on Tuesday, Feb. 25 to elect a new state representative.

The special election features Democrat and union official G. Roni Green and Republican Wanda Logan (Facebook link), who is making her fifth bid for the seat and her first as a Republican. The seat was left vacant after Movita Johnson-Harrell stepped down following charges that she stole nearly $500,000 from her non-profit. She pleaded guilty and began serving a three-month jail sentence earlier this month. That will be followed by 8-and-a-half months of house arrest.  Continue Reading