? Want this daily digest emailed to you? Sign up for the free Billy Penn newsletter and it’ll land in your inbox every morning.
RECAP: Looking back on the week that was
• Special elections coming as mayoral race heats up
With last week’s resignations by former members Derek Green, and Cherelle Parker, who are tossing their hats in the ring for mayor, Philly City Council currently has four vacancies. That’ll be reduced by half after Nov. 8, when special elections will be held for the two empty district seats — but not the at-large ones, per Council Pres. Clarke’s decree. [BP x 3]
• Rec center staffer tragically caught in crossfire
Investing in rec centers is considered an anti-violence initiative — kids are less likely to get into trouble if they’re engaged and off the streets — but even those safe havens are feeling precarious right now. On Friday afternoon, mother and Parks & Rec employee Tiffany Fletcher was shot and killed while working at Mill Creek Recreation Center when a gun battle broke out. It was one of many shootings across Philly last week as the crisis continues to rage. [WHYY x 2/PCGVR]
• Hailing the Ben Franklin Bridge climber
A person successfully climbed the Benjamin Franklin Bridge last weekend and stood atop one of its 382-ft. towers before descending and being detained. Why’d he go up? It may have been to spread the ashes of a friend — an act Philebrity thinks would have been met with approval by the bridge’s namesake. [Billy Penn/Philebrity]
• Eagles avoid bees in the bonnet
A wayward bee — maybe it got lost on the way to the Philadelphia Honey Festival — threatened to derail the Eagles season opener today when it stung wide receiver A.J. Brown, who is allergic. Happily, an epiPen was administered and the Birds will be at near full strength to take on the Lions. Need a primer to keep up with the chatter? Check our guide for the casual fan. [WHYY/NBCS Philly/Billy Penn]
How Philadelphia news covered 9/11 when it happened
Memorials are being held around the region today to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the September 11 attacks. We looked back at how local news covered the tragedy. The day started with a 50-cent paper reporting on policing, tax cuts, neighborhood renewal — and no inkling of what was to come. [CBS3/Billy Penn]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• PPD leadership shakeup?
Personnel changes are likely in Philly police leadership this week, but it’s unclear what they’ll be. Local TV had reported the resignation of Deputy Commissioner Christine Coulter — the department’s first woman commissioner, in a brief 2019 stint — but that news was walked back. Current PPD Commish Danielle Outlaw denied the rumor that the two had gotten into a verbal spat. [@WilliamsSharrie/BP 2019/Fox29]
• Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off
Hispanic Heritage Month runs Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Why those dates? Eight Latin American countries celebrate their independence during that period: Belize, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua. We’ll be publishing a bilingual guide to this year’s events around Philly, which include a cool book sale, Dine Latino Restaurant Week, and more. [Visit Philly/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce]
• ‘Tis the season for PSLs and Oktoberfests
Fall technically doesn’t begin for a few more weeks, but that hasn’t stopped the autumnal specials and events from starting to appear. On the beer side, you can celebrate all things lager at Oktoberfest events on North 5th Street in Kensington or at East Market in Center City. On the coffee tip, if you’re looking for a pumpkin spice latte that’s not Starbucks, our guide has you covered. [Eventbrite x 2/Billy Penn]
