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Teenagers arrested in West Philly High laptop heist

Posted on 01 March 2011 by Mike Lyons

Police have nabbed two teenagers in the Feb. 21 theft of  dozens of laptop computers from West Philadelphia High School after they tried to sell them on Craigslist.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that a man came forward after seeing a television news story about the stolen computers and told police that he bought a similar computer from an advertisement on Craigslist. Southwest Detectives then set up another buy last Thursday near 52nd and Market Streets where they arrested one of the teens.

Police found 28 more computers at the 17-year-old boy’s home. Another 17-year-old boy was arrested last Friday. One is a student at West Philadelphia High School and the other a student at University City High School, the Inquirer reported. Both are charged with burglary, theft and receiving stolen property. Some 60 laptops in all were taken and about 30 are still missing.

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All Around This World registration underway

Posted on 01 March 2011 by Mike Lyons

kidsRegistration is underway for the spring session of the West Philly-based interactive music workshops for kids “All Around This World,” named last year’s “Best Date With Your Kid” by Philadelphia Magazine. The session starts March 7 and will focus on music and dancing from East and Southeast Asia.

Participants 0-8 and their families can choose from Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday classes. The spring classes will run for 11 weeks. Click here for more information.

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Gunshots reported near 41st and Pine

Posted on 01 March 2011 by Mike Lyons

Police are investigating reports of multiple gunshots near 41st and Pine Streets early this morning. A Penn Division of Public Safety official told The Daily Pennsylvanian at about 2 a.m. that “No weapons were found, no suspects were found [and] no injuries were reported.” Residents near the area reported about four or five shots fired at about 1 a.m.

 

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Male Husky/Shepherd mix found near 49th and Cedar

Posted on 28 February 2011 by Mike Lyons

Male Husky/Shepherd mix found at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27th on 49th and Cedar. Please call 619-565-9137. Must be able to identify him with pictures or identifying marks for him to be returned as we want to ensure he is going to his real home.

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Article: McDonald’s at 40th and Walnut a scourge

Posted on 28 February 2011 by Mike Lyons

peta
A PETA protest at the McDonald’s at 40th and Walnut Streets in November. Penn officials would like to see the restaurant go. (Photo by West Philly Local)

Penn’s student newspaper, The Daily Pennsylvanian, has a story today on the McDonald’s at 40th and Walnut Street, which Penn officials characterize as a scourge in the neighborhood around campus.

The article’s author, Rachel Baye, writes:

Those involved with past and present development of the corner say McDonald’s is a hot spot for crime and a source of malnutrition. Getting rid of it, they say, will bring economic growth and make the neighborhood safer.

Baye quotes many Penn officials as saying that they would love to oust McDonald’s and add more upscale housing and shops. McDonald’s, apparently, is not interested in moving. The Daily Pennsylvanian included an article last week on the problems with public transportation near campus as well. Race and class, of course, are at the heart of the conversation in both stories.

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Windermere Court Apartments demolition began today

Posted on 28 February 2011 by Mike Lyons

windermereThe demolition of the Windermere Court Apartments at 48th and Walnut, which had been on hold, proceeded today.

Crews have begun to remove the top floors on the southwest corner of the four-story building near where the Jan. 10 fire began. The demolition had been delayed as residents pressured the building’s owners and the city to allow them to retrieve more of their belongings and giving stranded pets some additional time to be rescued or leave the building.

The West Philly-based feline rescue group City Kitties ended their rescue efforts inside the building on Feb. 19 as warm weather melted ice inside the building leaving the building more unstable. City Kitties, the Walnut Hill Community Association, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s office helped residents make their stories known throughout the region. City Kitties has set up a website – windermerefirepets.org – to help keep alive the concerns that came up in the fire’s aftermath.

Residents have also filed a class-action lawsuit against building owners, David and Sam Ginsberg, and management company, Windermere Court Management Corp. The suit alleges that the building was not equipped with the proper fire suppression equipment – sprinklers and smoke alarms – and that the building had not been regularly inspected.

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