Why a former Philly councilmember just got 3.5 years in prison
Former Councilmember Bobby Henon was sentenced yesterday to 3.5 years in prison plus 3 years supervised release, along with community service and thousands in fines.
- Found guilty of taking bribes from IBEW Local 98 leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty — the judge described him as Doc’s “minion” — Henon apologized and maintained he never meant to break the law.
The 42-month sentence was on the shorter end compared to similar corruption prosecutions in the past, Meir Rinde reports.
→ How Henon got in trouble and what’s next
Real art project mirrors ‘Abbott Elementary’ Mural Arts episode
The latest episode of “Abbott Elementary” features Mural Arts, and the storyline mirrors a recent project at show creator Quinta Brunson’s former school.
- The gym at West Philly’s Alexander Hamilton used to be “dark, heavy, and gloomy,” said the former principal there. In 2018, she managed to connect with artist and educator Shira Walinsky.
Together with the students and community volunteers, the muralist worked with donated paint to transform the space, BP intern Kira Wang reports.
→ Art imitates life, and students benefit
- Sen. John Fetterman will be out a few more weeks as he continues treatment for clinical depression at Walter Reed. Staff said he’s “on a path to recovery.” [NBC10]
- Seven Democratic mayoral candidates participated in last night’s forum on public safety we cohosted with WHYY and CeaseFirePA. (Neither Jeff Brown nor Amen Brown attended.) The forum airs May 2 on TV-12. [Billy Penn]
- Another mayoral forum takes place tonight, this one on arts and culture. Useful related resource: A week-by-week calendar of candidate events. [Kimmel Center/10k Independents]
- As the grad student worker strike at Temple continues, the faculty union is meeting to consider a no-confidence vote on President Jason Wingard and other university leadership. [BP/Temple News]
- Good news for those with a furry friend: The Bridge Clinic, a low-cost veterinary service provider and nonprofit based in Bensalem, is expanding to Philly. [WHYY]
- The twice-annual “Walk Around Philadelphia” event to explore the perimeters of the city wrapped its winter edition last weekend. It’ll happen again this fall. [JJ Tiziou/Hawk News]
- Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni apparently threw back a few shots with fans at an old school South Jersey bar last weekend. [TMZ]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney makes his final budget address to City Council, presenting the FY2024 budget and the city’s 5-year financial plan (10 a.m.). You can review the documents here and watch the presentation on PHLgovTV. We’ll have a summary of takeaways tomorrow.
ON THE CALENDAR
🎨 Portraits of iconic women in the arts by Philadelphia painter Nataliya Yermolenko are featured in this month’s Maker Series at the Hyatt Centric Center City. Meet the artist at an opening reception with free snacks. (6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 2)
📐 Printmaking is alive and vibrant in a digital age. That’s the theme behind the inaugural printPHILLY, a free all-day fair hosted at UArts with over 50 artists, print shops, and nonprofits showcasing work. (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 4)
🖼️ A new show at the Barnes called “Tell Me What You Remember” showcases South African painters Sue Williamson and Lebohang Kganye, who join the curator for a preview conversation about their work. (10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 4)
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