UPDATE: Protests and peaceful marches continued on Tuesday in West Philadelphia:

“When I say ‘Walter’ you say ‘Wallace’” hundreds marching peacefully down 5200 block of Pine toward 18th police district at 55th and Pine #WalterWallaceJr #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/PW2jFNnYPr

— West Philly Local (@WestPhillyLocal) October 28, 2020

Earlier today, members of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia marched to the 18th police precinct after #WalterWallaceJr was shot and killed by police officers Monday night in West Philly.

Protests are continuing in the city. Follow live updates here:https://t.co/A3sFDG95qX pic.twitter.com/vA0oC9Q1eV

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A tense scene on the 5200 block of Pine St. as police attempt to keep protesters moving. #WalterWallace #blacklivesmatter #phillyprotest

A post shared by West Philly Local (@westphillylocal) on Oct 27, 2020 at 6:56pm PDT

— The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) October 27, 2020

Hundreds of people took to West Philly streets on Monday night to protest the death of a 27-year-old Black man who was shot multiple times and killed by police on the 6100 block of Locust Street shortly before 4 p.m. yesterday.

The man, later identified as Walter Wallace Jr., was reportedly holding a knife when police arrived. He was shot outside his residence in front of his mother and many other witnesses, according to reports. His family said that he was suffering from mental illness and his mother reportedly pleaded with police not to shoot him.

Following the shooting, protests and civil unrest erupted in West Philadelphia. Around 8 p.m. a crowd started gathering outside the 18th Police District headquarters near 55th and Pine. Several officers were reportedly injured in a standoff near the building.  Continue Reading

If you were planning to vote early in the Nov. 3 general election, but didn’t get a chance to apply for your mail-in or absentee ballot, you can still do it until tomorrow. The deadline for application is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and you can apply for a ballot in-person at one of the City’s satellite election offices.

There are two satellite election offices in West Philadelphia – at Alain Locke School (4550 Haverford Ave.) and at Overbrook Elementary School (Annex Trailer), 2032 N. 62nd St.. Regular hours of operation are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. This Tuesday, all voters in line by 5 p.m. will be served, according to the Philadelphia City Commissioners Office:  Continue Reading

UPDATE (10/24/2020): Spruce Hill Community Association has launched a neighborhood Scavenger Hunt. Here are more details:

Spread throughout Spruce Hill are the 10 letters that spell “Spruce Hill.” All you have to do is find all 10 letters! Full instructions, along with clues and a submission form, can be found online, or you can print out a hard copy of the form and submit your answers in the mail slot at the Spruce Hill Center, located at 257 South 45th St. The first 100 entries with all 10 correct locations will receive a small prize supporting one of neighborhood businesses after the hunt closes. Deadline for submission is Sunday, Nov. 1 at midnight.

Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) has canceled this year’s Halloween Tot Parade, an event that had been held for 23 years. Instead, neighborhood residents are invited to participate in a virtual Spruce Hill Halloween Parade, which will take place online at www.sprucehillca.org. Submit photos of your Halloween costumes or decorations via email to shcahalloween@sharypic.com, or tag your Instagram or Twitter posts with #SHCAHalloween from October 30 to November 1 and you’ll appear in the virtual parade!

SHCA is also hosting a Spruce Hill neighborhood scavenger hunt, which will launch this weekend. There will be a bunch of great prizes to those that successfully complete the search.  Continue Reading

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