City Council wants to speed up road safety improvements
Philadelphia spends millions of dollars annually on traffic safety efforts like speed bumps and bike lanes, road-narrowing projects, red-light and speed cameras, and educational programs for schoolchildren. Yet year after year, more than 120 people die in traffic accidents, a rate much higher than in most big U.S. cities.
Now, City Councilmembers are considering a major funding hike of $5 million for the city’s Vision Zero traffic safety program — and concerned that recent efforts have not impacted the numbers of deaths as much as expected. Continue reading …
Electricians union pays for actions of “Johnny Doc”
The powerful local electricians union IBEW Local 98 settled a case involving the actions of John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty, who was convicted of corruption charges in 2021, agreeing to pay a fine and register as a lobbyist. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• The federal firing spree continued with hundreds of IRS employees in Philly losing their jobs abruptly. [WHYY]
• Trump appointed Gov. Josh Shapiro and nine other governors to join the bipartisan Council of Governors. Since 2008, the group has worked on state-federal partnerships on national security, disaster response and military coordination issues. [6ABC]
• Pa. elections official Al Schmidt is among those across several states criticizing the Trump administration dismantling the nation’s defenses against foreign interference in voting. [Capital-Star]
• We take a look at the Museum of the American Revolution’s plans for the nation’s 250th birthday celebration. [Billy Penn]
• Pa.’s Auditor General proposes major cyber charter school funding reform after a three-year audit showed excessive reserve funds as a result of a funding formula that doesn’t reflect actual costs. [Chalkbeat]
• La Salle basketball coach Fran Dunphy will retire after a storied career. [WHYY]
• A newborn male little blue penguin chick at Camden’s Adventure Aquarium was named Saquon, after the Eagles star. [NBC10]
MAYOR WATCH
10:30 a.m.: Mayor Parker will join Senator Sharif Street (PA-3) and Philabundance to announce the fifth annual 30-day food distribution during Ramadan that will feed 7,600 people, at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 2221 W. Venango St.
11:15 a.m.: The mayor will join with the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation Board, and guests to celebrate this year’s One Book One Philadelphia selection, at Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.
6 p.m.: The mayor will attend the 10th Annual W.E.B. DuBois Day Black History Month Event to celebrate his legacy and impact, at Dobbins High School, 2150 Lehigh Ave.
ON THE CALENDAR
🧨 Lunar New Year events and activities
🫶🏾 Black History Month events
💿 Saturday, Feb. 22: Philly Record Freak Out Vinyl Fair
PhilaMOCA hosts sellers slinging vinyl, CDs, and tapes, with over 20,000 records and more for sale across musical genres. $10 early bird admission at 10 a.m.; $5 regular admission from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m..
🍁 Saturday, Feb. 22: Maple Sugar Day
Wissahickon Environmental Center’s TreeHouse hosts its annual Maple Sugar Day. Learn about how they turn sap into maple syrup! All ages welcome. Free. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
🪢 Saturday, Feb. 22: Knot Workshop
Learn how to make several interesting and useful knots, whether you’re planning a camping trip, doing first aid on the go or are on some other adventure. Supplies will be provided at Glen Foerd. $5 general admission. (1 to 3 p.m.)
🎶 Saturday, Feb. 22: PMAY Annual Showcase Concert
Join the students of PMAY Artists’ Initiative for the annual showcase, at Settlement Music School. Free with RSVP; post-concert potluck reception after. (6 to 9 p.m.)
🎙️ Saturday, Feb. 22: Babel Poetry Collective: Love Burns
For those who would rather spill their guts than write a love song, this open mic in Germantown is for Valentine’s haters who are also hopeless romantics. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.)
🎤 Saturday, Feb. 22: Karaoke Open Mic: Emo Edition
Sing or scream your heart out at Space KTV in Chinatown. $10 cash or Venmo at the door. 21+ only. (8 p.m.)
☕ Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 22-23: Winter Fest at Frankford Hall
Kick off at 8 p.m. Saturday with the Après Ski Party spinning live house music with snow machines, hot drinks, shot ski and more. 21+; No cover. Then on Sunday, Sip & Shop from 12 to 4 p.m. with local vendors selling jewelry, artwork, clothing, home goods and more! Free to attend.
🕺🏽 Sunday, Feb. 23: AFRVBZ: Afrodance Workout Session
A beginner-friendly workshop in North Philly’s One Art Community Center, that uses afrobeat music to get you active and fit! Ends with a meditation session. Every last Sunday! $10-15 sliding scale. (10:30 to 11:45 a.m.)
❤️ Sunday, Feb. 23: Souletri Sundays
Join Power Street Theatre every fourth Sunday of the month at Two Locals Brewing for an afternoon filled with raw emotions, laughter and inspiring performances. Express yourself and be supported by fellow artists. Free. (2 to 5 p.m.)
Catch up on the previous week
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