The maintenance man standing trial for the rape and murder of a woman who lived in the building where he worked was found guilty on Wednesday of first degree murder and other charges and sentenced to life without parole.
Harris had worked in the building where Wright lived, but had been fired a week earlier, according to reports. He still had keys to the building when Wright was murdered. Police said his DNA and fingerprints were found at the scene. Continue Reading
Coffee Market (Facebook page), the locally-owned coffee shop at 45th and Pine, re-opened 10 years ago under new management, in the space where Sam’s Place used to be, one of the oldest coffee shops in the neighborhood! This Saturday (on April Fools Day!), owner Natasa Brkanin is inviting everyone to celebrate her shop’s 10th anniversary with all day long specials, events, and some delicious coffee sampling! Check out this flier for more details:
Great news for the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, the University City District’s program providing job training and job interview opportunities to West Philadelphia residents by connecting them with local employers. The program has recently received a major grant – $600,000 – from the Pew Charitable Trusts. The grant will help the Skills Initiative to expand its reach and impact in the area.
The nationally-acclaimed program, which recently turned 5 years old, boasts a 90 percent job placement rate for its graduates and has helped hundreds of unemployed West Philly residents since its inception in 2011. The Pew grant is the largest ever in the program’s history and is essential to its efforts to significantly grow its capacity over the next three years. These plans include expanding the number of program participants, both trainees and employers, and employment opportunities.
The program’s goal is to serve 500 individuals annually by the end of 2021.
For more information about the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative and current opportunities for job seekers, visit: www.universitycity.org/wpsi.
Police are investigating a home invasion and gunpoint robbery that took place early Friday morning on the 800 block of South 48th Street.
An 18-year-old male, reportedly a homestay student, was entering the residence at approximately 2:30 a.m. when he was approached from behind by three unknown young males. One of them pointed a gun at him, and then the men forced their way into the property, according to police.
Once inside, the men put the 18-year-old and two other people – reportedly the property owners – on the floor and robbed them. They took the 18-year-old victim’s wallet, cash, a debit card and cell phone. They also made the property owners open a safe, located on the second floor, and took $1,500 from it, according to a police report. Continue Reading
Here’s a great and unique volunteer opportunity this spring and summer in Southwest Philadelphia. The Bartram’s Garden Community Boathouse has few dozen open volunteer spots for its upcoming season. In exchange for helping run free boating programs, volunteers have access to the fleet of kayaks, canoes and rowboats on the lower Schuylkill River.
The boating season at Bartram’s begins on April 22 and ends on October 29, 2017. Volunteers are needed to help with the following programs: Saturday Free Walk-Up Boating, Tuesday Sunset Kayaking, weekday rowboating trips, monthly kayak tours, and more, as well as during special events at Bartram’s Garden, such as Tidal Schuylkill Boat Parade, the Philadelphia Honey Festival, Harvest Fest, and the Southwest Philadelphia Fishing Derby. Continue Reading
Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two “persons of interest” wanted for questioning in connection with last month’s murder of longtime Powelton resident, community activist and green space advocate Winnie Harris, 65. Police have also released a video that shows the two people walking near Harris’ house (one of them appears to be holding a gun):
Harris, Executive Director of UC Green, was found shot to death inside her house on the 300 block of North Holly Street in West Powelton on February 3. According to a more recent police report, she had multiple gunshot wounds (initially it was reported that she was shot once in the abdomen). Harris was found in a second-floor bedroom. She lived alone in her house.
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