As was reported earlier today, flames engulfed the Locust Medical Center building at the corner of 52nd and Locust Streets early this morning, shortly before 5 a.m. Fire crews had to battle the fire and tough weather conditions – strong wind and extremely low temperatures. The fire was put out around 6:30 a.m., but due to freezing temperatures the water quickly turned into ice. (Photos by @nazerbangs).

Locust Medical Center last year (Google Street View).

Here are a few important Presidents Day reminders.

• City offices, public schools and libraries are closed today and will reopen on Tuesday.

• Post offices are closed, and there will be no mail delivery today.

• There will be no trash and recycling collection today. Please set out your trash on Tuesday at your regular location. Collections will be one day behind for the remainder of the week.

• SEPTA trolleys and buses are operating on a modified weekday schedule (click here for more information).

Fire crews were battling an intense fire early Monday morning inside the three-story Locust Medical Center building located at 249 S. 52nd Street (see video below). The fire broke out around 4:45 a.m. and was brought under control around 6:30 a.m., according to reports. The building reportedly houses a pharmacy and several doctors’ offices. No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

Philippe Holland

The 20-year-old pizza deliveryman who was shot several times last April by plain-clothes cops who thought he was trying to run them over near 51st and Willows in the Cedar Park neighborhood is suing the city.

The officers reportedly approached Philippe Holland, who had just finished a delivery, on the sidewalk with their guns drawn. They were searching for a suspect in an earlier shooting. Holland contends that 18th District officers Mitchell Farrell and Kevin Hanvey approached him as he was getting into his car and that he thought they were robbers. Farrell and Hanvey opened fire as he tried to drive away. Holland was struck in the head, neck and leg.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey apologized to Holland soon after the shooting. West Philly residents raised money for Holland’s medical expenses and more than 100 signed a petition asking that the results of the investigation be made public. It was hoped that the shooting might prompt more transparency in police shootings, which spiked in 2012 and prompted Ramsey to request a federal review of the department.

One result has been the posting of some information from officer-involved shootings online.

Here is what the posting on that site says about the Holland case:

PS#14-15

04/22/14 On Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at approximately 9:56 P.M., two on-duty officers in an unmarked vehicle and in civilian attire heard gunshots in the area of 51st street and Baltimore Avenue. While surveying the area, the officers observed a male walking south on 51st street toward Willows Avenue, with his hands inside his pockets. The officers identified themselves as police officers and ordered the male to stop. The offender opened and entered the front passenger door of a Ford Taurus that was parked in the 5100 block of Willows Avenue. The offender positioned himself in the driver’s seat and drove the vehicle initially in reverse, and then forward toward the officers. In response, both officers discharged their firearms, striking the offender. The offender was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for treatment. There were no other injuries as a result of this incident. No weapon was recovered.

– Mike Lyons

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and many of our readers will be looking for something to do with their special someones. Check our round up of some of local happenings and events this weekend, for kids and adults alike, and please don’t forget that we have some great restaurants and bars in our area (many of them will be having Valentine’s Day specials and treats tomorrow).

We’ll start with a few reminders.

A Valentine’s Day Dance Party/Fundraiser will be held at 8 Limbs Academy (4542 Baltimore Ave, 2nd floor) on Saturday, beginning at 9 p.m. and featuring 90’s dance jams, ice cream, doughnuts, minigolf, and 8 Limbs t-shirts for sale. Atom and His Package, Everything Sux and The Ramonas will perform. Suggested donation is $5-$15. For more information visit: www.8limbsacademy.com.

If you have any Curio Theatre preview show tickets, here’s a great chance to use them. Othello officially opens at the popular neighborhood theater next Friday, but preview shows are presented this week and early next week. There are preview shows this Friday and Saturday, at 8 p.m. For more information and to buy tickets, go here. And please get there on time – there is no late seating for this production.  Continue Reading

We’re very sad to report that a two-year-old boy was struck and killed by a SEPTA trolley this afternoon. The incident happened at around 1 p.m. at the intersection of 51st and Lancaster and the Route 10 trolley was involved, according to various reports. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

The boy was reportedly with his family and ran in front of the trolley. Witnesses told police that the child’s family moved to the block just a few weeks ago.

SEPTA officials said that they’re also investigating the accident.