Northeast residents call on city to expedite public health centers
When officials announced plans for two new city health centers in Northeast Philadelphia last year, many residents were thrilled. They say this part of the city has become a “health care desert” for affordable and low-cost services.
But WHYY health reporter Nicole Leonard says these two new health centers may not open for another couple years as the projects move through a slow development process. Supporters also fear that opposition against the health centers from some residents could delay or derail plans even more drastically. Continue reading…
Despite recent sports success, does “negadelphia” still exist?
“Negadelphia,” which is generally defined as Philly sports fans’ inclination to expect the worst from their teams. Despite championship wins for the Phils in ‘08 and the Eagles in Super Bowl LII, BP contributor Jon Caroulis reports the spirit of “negadelphia” remains.
It all started 60 years ago this fall, with the colossal collapse of the 1964 Phillies, who were poised for a trip to the World Series with only 12 games left in the season. Then the unthinkable happened: the team lost 10 straight games, and the pennant. The legacy of that loss has informed Philly sports culture since. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Johnny Doc ally Michael Neill was sentenced to 13 months in prison for his role in a union embezzlement case. He is the first of the prominent labor leader’s allies to be sentenced. [Inquirer$]
• Kensington’s drug crisis needs to be taken more seriously than as fodder for “heroin chic” by people removed from the neighborhood, writes a resident. [WHYY]
• Vandals threw rocks through the stained glass windows of Mother Bethel AME Church, causing at least $15,000 in damage to the historic pieces, which had just received National Trust funds for preservation. [WHYY/BP]
• SEPTA Key cards will finally be able to pay for multiple riders, beginning Monday. [PhillyVoice]
• Philly Fashion Week is back for a 19th year. [NBC10]
• A horse seen running down I-95 Tuesday morning may have escaped from one of the city’s urban riding clubs. [6ABC]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.• Six gun shops in Philadelphia are among those listed as selling the most weapons later used in crimes. [USA Today]
• As guns rise to the leading cause of death among U.S. children, funding lags for research to help prevent and protect victims. [CNN via The Philadelphia Tribune]
• The voices of gun violence and school shooting victims are being recreated using AI technology in order to push for gun reform laws. [NPR]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 22: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 17 the week prior. [PCGVR]
- 133: Shooting victims as of February 19 were down 43% vs. the previous year. [PCGVR]
- 41: Year-to-date homicides, down 34% vs. last year’s pace; down 2% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker will join tourism leaders this afternoon to unveil 2023 tourism industry results and look forward to what’s expected for visitors to the city in 2024.
ON THE CALENDAR
🍌 Eat plantains and revel in the poetry of Melania Luisa Marte at Lillian Marrero Library while discussing how we learn to love ourselves, survive, and honor ancestors. Free with RSVP. (3 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21)
💮 Ask all your tattoo-related questions at the Chinatown Eddie open house while checking out art and artifacts as part of the Show Your Love for Chinatown series. Free with RSVP. (5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22)
🧶 Black artists and makers are featured at the next Art Star Pop-Up Market inside the Independence Visitors Center. Pay-as-you-go. (11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24)
Catch up on the previous week
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