UPDATE (1/24/2015): A week later…

The state of the Spruce Street sinkhole. pic.twitter.com/JoHR9kZJ8B

— West Philly Local (@WestPhillyLocal) January 24, 2015

(1/19/2015): As of 8:25 p.m. on Monday, the sinkhole is still there. The cars that had been caught in it have been pulled out. We didn’t see any Streets Department crews working there when we stopped by on Monday night. Although the hole, which is on the eastbound lane, hasn’t been fixed, the block reopened to traffic (you have to get in the westbound lane to go around it). What makes it even more dangerous is that the hole is very close to the 46th and Spruce intersection. Please be careful when driving or biking on that block.

A large sinkhole opened up on the 4600 block of Spruce Street on Sunday under two cars parked on the block. A reader, Phil Gentry, tweeted this photo at around 4 p.m.

Photo by Phil Gentry.

The street surface there had problems over the weekend, and the Streets Department crews continued working on the block. A water main break closed the block to traffic on Saturday, and there was no water supply to nearby homes for several hours.

A police tow truck began pulling two cars off the edge of the hole at about 8:30 p.m.. The block is closed to all traffic and the Route 42 bus is on detour until 12 p.m. on Monday.

Photos by Mike Lyons / West Philly Local.

A 29-year-old woman was robbed at gunpoint by two or three males on the 4900 block of Spruce Street Friday night, according to police. The robbery happened at around 8:15 p.m. The men took the woman’s phone, according to police. The woman was not injured. Police say that later they arrested two suspects near 50th and Larchwood and recovered the stolen items and a BB gun.

UPDATE (Saturday, 12:18 p.m.): Police say both youths are from near 38th Street and Haverford Avenue. The alleged assailant now faces a homicide charge. Police are not releasing any names because both are juveniles. It is likely, however, that the alleged assailant will be charged in adult court and his name will be released later.

UPDATE (9:42 p.m.): Several media outlets are reporting that the 14-year-old boy died. 6ABC reported that the boy died at 8:55 p.m. at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

UPDATE (7:40 p.m.): Police say a 16-year-old boy, also a West Philly High student, has been arrested and faces aggravated assault and related charges. A confrontation between the two boys reportedly began earlier in the school day in the high school’s cafeteria.

6:24 p.m.: A 14-year-old West Philadelphia High School student was stabbed this afternoon three blocks from the school, according to police. The student was reportedly stabbed in the chest and is listed in critical condition this evening. The stabbing occurred near 46th and Market at around 3:25 p.m. Police are searching for another student, who reportedly ran up behind the victim while he was riding his bike and stabbed him.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is rapidly approaching, and there are many opportunities to volunteer and celebrate starting this weekend. An hour or two of your time is all it takes to make a difference on this special day. If you know of any opportunities or events not mentioned on this list please take the opportunity to share in the comments below. And go to www.mlkdayofservice.org to find more events in your area.

MLK Day of Service at Bartram’s Garden

54th and Lindbergh Blvd.

Jan. 19, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Your volunteering will make a difference at Bartram’s Garden, where you will be inspired by the Garden. You will also get a free T Shirt and Lunch!

To register email tgreenberg@bartramsgarden.org

“What’s in your mind? What’s in your hands?”

Organized by the Philadelphia Community of Leaders

Harambee Charter School – 640 N. 66th Street

Bartram High School – 2401 S. 67th Street

Jan. 19, from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

At these two locations you will find an organized community celebration with open discussion and teach-in, an opportunity to learn about the role people young and old play in creating awareness to social justice and consciousness raising. Everyone will be invited to learn about the legacy of activism by Dr. King. There will then be an opportunity to speak out about the agenda for increasing activism in 2015 as well as recognizing those who have been consistent in their efforts in our collective advancement and forward progress.  Continue Reading

The Leeway Foundation, which supports women and trans artists who create art for social change, has announced their newest grantees to receive a $15,000 Leeway Transformation Award. Three out of nine award recipients are long-term West Philadelphia residents: Annie Mok, Debora Kodish, and Ezra Berkley Nepon. The award celebrates their long-term commitment to art, the work they’ve been doing in the community, and their tremendous impact. The Leeway Foundation provided some more information about these wonderful artists and their work:

Annie Mok (Literary Arts and Visual Arts): Annie is a comic book creator who seeks to affirm the lives and experiences of trans women and survivors. Through her fictional and memoir-based comics, she aims to agitate, engage and encourage inquiry. Annie works to inspire personal and artistic confidence by breaking down feelings of isolation within her community. In her art, Annie explores themes of trans women’s identity, long-term effects of sexual abuse and disability stemming from mental illness. Annie creates space and prioritizes artists and readers who identify as trans female, disabled, queer, and/or people of color.  Continue Reading

Girl Scout pop-up cookie shop at Lil’ Pop Shop. January, 2014. (Photo by Amy Kwasnicki)

It’s Girl Scout cookie time again! The cookie sale season starts Thursday, Jan. 15, and local Girl Scout troops, Junior troop 91143, Brownie 93273, and Daisy 91569, are passing along information on their cookie table locations and schedule (see below). Cookies will be on sale from Jan. 15 to Jan. 25. All the classics are $4 a box, plus gluten-free Trios (peanut butter, oatmeal, and chocolate) will be offered for $5.

Orders of 12 boxes or more can also be delivered (please contact Amy at kwaszilla@gmail.com; cash only).

Eastern Mountain Sports
3401 Chestnut Street

Thursday, Jan. 15 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 16 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 17 2:30-5:00 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 22 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 23 4:00-6:00 p.m.  Continue Reading