💡 Get Philly smart 💡
with BP’s free daily newsletter
Read the news of the day in less than 10 minutes — not that we’re counting.
Newsletter for Sept. 25, 2014
INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY
Addison Walkway at 12th & Lombard, via Instagram user @_its_liz.
RITTENHOUSE ATTACK SUSPECTS TURN SELVES IN; SOCIAL MEDIA DETECTIVES RISE AGAIN
Three Bucks County residents charged in the attack of two gay men near Rittenhouse Square earlier this month turned themselves in to police on Wednesday. Philip R. Williams, Kathryn G. Knott and Kevin J. Harrigan also saw their mugshots released — and social media took another prominent role in this case. (Recall: A crowdsourced investigation that took place via Twitter and Facebook led to a bevy of tips) Twitter user Scott Wooledge (@Clarknt67) plumbed Knott’s Twitter account and Storify-ed the less-than-flattering results. Knott, whose father Karl is the chief of police in Chalfont, was also suspended from her job at Abington Health’s Lansdale Hospital, where she worked as an ER tech — because, the hospital said, of reports she tweeted photos of patient X-rays.
BEDBUGS & SWEATY SUBWAYS: FAST EDDIE BASHES NYC FOR PHL
Ed Rendell is going to work. The former Pennsylvania governor and mayor of Philadelphia has been boosting the city’s efforts to land the Democratic National Convention in 2016 at the expense of New York. Specifically, the NY Post reports, Rendell has been e-mailing DNC members about all the Big Apple’s bedbugs, and noting just how sticky its subway platforms get. He also told a Post reporter that delegates need to think about their daily shlep, with the convention in Brooklyn and most hotels in Manhattan. Oh Ed, never change.
IT’S A LAW: CORBETT SIGNS BILL FOR CIGARETTE TAX, MILLIONS GO TO PHILLY SCHOOLS
It just got $2 a pack more expensive for Philadelphians to buy a pack of smokes. On Wednesday Gov. Corbett signed into law the measure that lets the city levy the tax, a much-needed boost of what supporters hope will be $60 million per year earmarked for the beleaguered Philadelphia public school system. “We’re thrilled and, for the first time while in Harrisburg, I’m actually smiling and celebrating,” said district Superintendent William Hite, alluding to a summer of struggles to get the law through the notoriously tough-on-Philly lawmakers. And that $60 million isn’t a firm number; officials admit that as much as 15 percent of that figure could drop as of city smokers slip over the county line for their fix.
FAMILY OF 10-YEAR-OLD KILLED BY SUV IN NORTHEAST PHILLY SEEKS MONEY FOR HIS FUNERAL
This month Mekhi Freeman, a Northeast Philly kid who was out for a bike ride, was struck and killed near the intersection of Loretto and Longshore Avenues. No charges were ever filed. Now his family is seeking donations for his funeral, and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is working with his elementary school to teach pedestrian safety, as well as advocating for traffic circles to slow drivers down.
TO DO: RALLY IN LOVE PARK TO CHANGE HATE CRIME LAW
WHAT: State Rep. Brian Sims organized a rally in support of the gay attack victims, and a call to draft new hate crime legislation. Pennsylvania law does not categorize the attack as a hate crime.
WHERE: LOVE Park, 1599 JFK Boulevard
WHEN: 2 P.M.
HOW MUCH: Free
DETAILS HERE
BILLY PENN LIKES
GET YOUR SKATE ON: HIDDEN CITY MAPS PHILLY’S ROLLER RINKS
This is just neat: Hidden City wrote a neat feature mapping Philadelphia’s many roller rinks, and the fascinating stories behind them. (Did you know the Daily News used to sponsor an annual skating competition?) But you should check out the nifty interactive map, as well, which shows you where they are — and what they used to be.
SHOCK AND AWE: WAWA ADDS PIZZA
What’s been missing from the food counter at Wawa? Pizza, of course. PhillyMag’s Foobooz has the scoop on this new addition to your corner routine. Apparently pepperoni, cheese and buffalo are the top three choices by consumers. It’s the first time Wawa has sold pizza since a short-lived experience selling Pizza Hut mini-pies in the ’90s.
