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PPA removes parking ticket option, director ousted
The PPA, whose executive director’s last day is today after the board voted to kick him out, removed a convenient way to pay your parking ticket online, the agency confirmed to Billy Penn.
- Before last fall, you could use your license plate number to look up and pay your violation, but no longer. Now you have to take extra steps or visit the PPA office in person to avoid late fees.
Despite frustrated residents, the change was because of concerns about “internet fraud,” a spokesperson told Asha Prihar.
Highly anticipated Ben Simmons return is a bust for Sixers
The city was buzzing yesterday as Ben Simmons made his first return to the Wells Fargo Center since being traded to the Nets.
- Simmons, on the bench, was loudly booed, but nothing was thrown — and the Sixers also caught flak from the crowd as they were badly whooped by Brooklyn, 129-100.
It was only one game, so there’s still a chance this season will be the culmination of “The Process,” Robby Brod writes for Billy Penn.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- President Biden will be in Philadelphia today, speaking to House Dems during a two-day retreat where party leaders will discuss the upcoming 2022 race. [Capital-Star]
- Masks will be required on SEPTA and other public transportation through at least April 18, per yesterday’s update from the TSA. [NBC10]
- Responding to last month’s report of widespread lead contamination at Philly public schools, Councilmember Gym introduced legislation to speed up installation of water filtration stations, upping the total from 1,300 to 2,100. [PennPIRG/WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
- Philly was the first major U.S. city to mandate African American history in 2005. The curriculum is being revamped this year to trace the “intellectual genealogy” of the African diaspora, Black leaders, and Black resistance. [Chalkbeat]
- Broad Street Ministry is ending its Sunday religious sermons to focus more on its social services mission. [Inquirer$]
- Christa Barfield started FarmerJawn in 2018 to inspire Black farmers in urban settings. A few locations and experiments later, she’s ready to plant new seeds in Germantown and beyond. [Billy Penn/Grid]
- The 1300 block of 24th Street has been named “Dorothy D. Allen Way,” after the Point Breeze community activist known for starting an affordable summer camp and food program in the 1970s. [South Philly Review]
- Many people were disappointed the Harriet Tubman statue at City Hall was only temporary, so Mayor Kenney’s administration has commissioned a permanent one. By the same artist, it’ll be even larger and more prominent. [Billy Penn/WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
Nothing published on Mayor Kenney’s public schedule for today, but he’s been promoting the Philly Spring Cleanup, which happens Saturday, April 2. Sign up online here.
ON THE CALENDAR
? Billy Penn event: Join us for pub trivia about the city you love. Our monthly Philly Quizzo night is back at Jose Pistola’s in Center City. Free RSVP, happy hour specials, and prizes for the top score. See you there. (6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23)
? The Ukrainian League of Philadelphia hosts a food and baked goods fundraiser to support humanitarian aid for people affected by the war in Ukraine. (1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 13)
⛓️ Get your goth on at Tattooed Mom as the South Street tavern hosts a vendor showcase and social with local artists and crafters. (5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 15)
