Police are searching for a driver of a white or silver vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident near 52nd and Spruce that left a bicyclist critically injured. Police say that the crash happened at around 2:20 a.m. on Tuesday. The victim, a 46-year-old man, was thrown off his bike after the impact with the vehicle and sustained head and body injuries. He was listed in critical but stable condition at the hospital where he was rushed after the incident. The vehicle that struck the man never stopped, according to police.

Police say there were no witnesses to this crash. They’re currently reviewing surveillance videos from the area.

This is the second hit-and-run accident involving bicyclists in West Philadelphia in the past month. Last month, a 27-year-old man died from his injuries after a hit-and-run crash near 45th and Market. The driver who struck him still hasn’t been found.

On Wednesday, May 18, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is organizing a Ride of Silence to commemorate Philadelphia-area cyclists killed in collisions with motor vehicles.

As we mentioned earlier, this year’s Fringe Festival is expanding into West Philadelphia neighborhoods and is currently seeking venues and artists who would like to be part of this great shebang planned for Sept. 9 – 24.

Tonight, there is a chance for interested artists and venue managers to meet each other in an informal atmosphere during a West Philly Venue and Artist Mixer. The event will be held from 5 -7 p.m. at Dock Street Brewery (50th and Baltimore).

Here’s some more information from the event’s Facebook page:

“Are you a VENUE? Do you have an awesome space in West Philadelphia? Are you interested in hosting some rad performances in this year’s Fringe Festival?

Or are you an ARTIST looking for a location to perform your work in this year’s Fringe Festival?  Continue Reading

After a year-long hiatus, a popular local Mexican eatery, Guacamole Mex-Grill, has reopened its Woodland Avenue location. The restaurant, owned by the De Luna family, shut its doors last may for the summer with an intention to re-open in late August or September, but had to postpone its opening due to its manager Rony De Luna’s moving out of town. During this time, Guacamole opened a spot at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Despite being closed to customers, the kitchen at 4612 Woodland has been operational. The business also has a food truck, El Guaco Loco, that services Temple University and goes to events.

The restaurant is open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. and is currently closed on weekends (until mid-August).

For more information, go to: www.guacamolemexgrill.net

The owners of an orange tabby cat, Francis, is making a plea with the community to help them find their pet after he escaped the deadly fire on the 4700 block of Hazel Avenue on May 7. The cat was reportedly spotted outside of the building after the fire, but is now lost. If you find the cat please call Rechelle at 620.719.0816 or Sean at 316.993.0695. Here’s a flier with more information:

It’s this time of year again when Penn students are leaving their dorms in a big two-day move-out event, which prompts the closure of a large section of Spruce Street to all traffic except for emergency vehicles. Here’s a traffic advisory for this Tuesday and Wednesday from Penn’s Public Safety Division:

“Spruce Street will be closed between 34th and 40th Streets on Tuesday, May 10th and Wednesday, May 11th between 7 a.m.-8 p.m. for student move-out.

No taxi cabs will be permitted access. Vendors will be permitted access to enter the street prior to the 7 a.m. street closure. Bikes will need to be walked on Spruce Street while the streets are closed to traffic. Septa Route 42 will be re-routed. Emergency vehicles and hospital patient transport vehicles will be permitted access. Access will be provided to the Ryan Vet Hospital.

During this street closure: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Wistar Institute and Ryan Vet Hospital deliveries will be allowed to enter Spruce Street at 38th Street. Garage 14 will be open and accessible throughout move-out.”

UPDATE (May 8, 2016): Police say 59-year-old Calvin White died in the fire. Our deepest condolences to Mr. White’s family and friends. 

One person died and one person was injured after a morning fire on the 4700 block of Hazel Avenue. The blaze broke out at about 7:35 a.m. on the first floor of the three-story twin building at 4714 Hazel Ave.

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer told 6ABC that a man died trying to put out the fire, reportedly with a fire extinguisher.

Eight people escaped the blaze thanks to a fire alarm in the building. One of them, a 64-year-old man, was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with injuries and was listed in stable condition.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The fire marshal noted no suspicious circumstances, according to a police report.

@WestPhillyLocal Woke to this😥💓 pic.twitter.com/6UmzMrc34p

— Spyral Storm (@juliemurphyarts) May 7, 2016