Lawncrest’s 2011 Fourth of July event. Photo/Bill Achuff

Ever wanted to sink a librarian into a dunk tank? What about a cop or a pastor? All three and more have volunteered to risk a dip in the tank at Lawncrest’s annual July 4th celebration in the name of community spirit.

The festivities are ready for the 98th year, capped off with the neighborhood’s signature fireworks display. The only things missing are more donations and more volunteers.

“We can only get to 100 [years] if everyone works together,” said Kathy Wersinger. Wersinger, who attends the monthly Lawncrest Community Association meetings and will appear in the dunk tank again this year, works for the office of Councilwoman Marian Tasco, D-9th. “It was so hot last year, people wanted to get in.” continue reading »

A parent was ticketed for parking in a school zone while he carried his injured daughter into the building at Carnell School. Image/Google Maps

Philly residents’ contentious relationship with the Parking Authority is no secret.

And it’s frequently the subject of Ronnie Polaneczky’s Daily News column, as it was yesterday when she documented the experience Kevin Mills had while dropping his daughter off at Carnell School in Oxford Circle. continue reading »

St. Joachim Pastor Fr. Steven Wetzel was honored for his service after Sunday’s mass. Photo/Haniyyah Sharpe

The 15th Police District Advisory Council and the Frankford Civic Association honored St. Joachim Pastor Father Steven Wetzel Sunday for his commitment to the community. But the celebration was bittersweet, as the congregation prepared to bid farewell to the church and a pillar in the community.

The oldest Catholic parish in Northeast Philadelphia, St. Joachim is one of 27 churches scheduled to close July 1 as a result of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s initiative to merge parishes.  St. Joachim and Mater Dolorosa in Frankford will merge with Holy Innocents in Juniata and St. Joan of Arc in Harrowgate. St. Leo and Our Lady of Consolation in Tacony will merge, as well. continue reading »

Image/Mayor’s Office of Transportation & Utilities

At 56.99 million annual trips, the Market-Frankford El tops SEPTA’s list of the 10 highest-used lines by annual ridership.

The information is visible in one of five graphics designed by the Mayor’s Office of Transportation & Utilities to show SEPTA usage based on the Fiscal Year 2012 ridership report. continue reading »

Photo courtesy of Seth Kaplan, Somerton Civic Association

A sign welcoming people to Somerton has been stolen for the second time since it was installed about six months ago.

The “Welcome to Somerton” sign at Trevose Road and Bustleton Avenue likely went missing some time Monday evening. continue reading »

Red-light cameras at Byberry and Worthington roads will be activated June 10. Image/Google Maps

Northeast Philadelphia will have a dozen red-light camera intersections as of 12:01 a.m. Monday.

The cameras at Byberry and Worthing roads will be activated then, kicking off a 45-day warning period. Starting July 24, drivers who violate the red-light laws will be subject to $100 fines.

The city now has 111 red-light cameras at 25 intersections, according to the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and 12 of those intersections are in the Northeast. continue reading »

NEast Philly File Photo/Shannon McDonald

NEast Philly reports on neighborhoods like Holmesburg and Somerton every day.

But it’s a much rarer occasion to see Northeast Philly neighborhoods get citywide attention. But both got the chance this weekend when the Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer, respectively, reported on stories in those neighborhoods. continue reading »

Two suspects are wanted for the May 18 robbery of a Frankford Avenue 7-Eleven. Image/Philadelphia Police

Two suspects are being sought for the May 18 robbery of the 7-Eleven at 9901 Frankford Ave.

They entered the store just after 4 a.m. carrying guns, and forced their way behind the counter. They fled in an unknown direction with $300 and a case of cigarettes. continue reading »

Police are looking for the man who robbed a Holmesburg 7-Eleven May 24. Image/Philadelphia Police

Police in the 15th District are looking for the suspects who burglarized a home in Sandyford Park and robbed a 7-Eleven in Holmebsurg.

The burglary happened overnight Monday into Tuesday on the 3000-block of Guilford Street. The residents were asleep in the house when the suspect entered through an unlocked window and left with credit cards, keys and laptops. Around 2 a.m. Tuesday, one of the credit cards was used at the 7-Eleven at 3301 Tyson Ave. in Mayfair. continue reading »

This suspect is wanted in a Tacony bank robbery. Image/Philadelphia Police

Police in Northeast Philadelphia are looking for two different suspects wanted for bank robberies this month.

The most recent robbery took place Saturday in the 8th District at the Bank of America at 2439 Welsh Rd.  The suspect, also thought to be the man who robbed a Bridesburg bank earlier this month, fled without money after handing the teller a demand note. continue reading »