Three men have been arrested in connection with overnight robberies at three Wawas in the area.

Around 1:15 this morning, a man with a gun entered the Wawa at Rhawn Street and Roosevelt Boulevard in Rhawnhurst demanding money. Just minutes later, the Castor Gardens Wawa on the 6400-block of Bustleton Avenue by a man who took off in a car with four other people. continue reading »

Captain Joseph Joseph F. Zaffino, Commanding Officer of the 7th District Police Department shakes hands with a representative of Target and accepts a check on behalf of the Captain of the 2nd District police department, Captain Michael McCarrick who was not able to attend tonight's festivities. In the background watching, is Community Relations Officer of the 7th District Officer Rich Simon.

Fox Chase Town Watch President Steve Phillips told NEast Philly Monday (you can catch the full story in Wednesday’s Metro newspaper) that the 2nd and 7th Districts were expecting about 2,000 people for Tuesday’s National Night Out event at Fox Chase Elementary. continue reading »

The former Blue Ox Bistro at 7980 Oxford Ave. in Fox Chase, where the Grey Lodge owner is expanding. Click to enlarge.

The horizon for the opening of Hop Angel Brauhaus, the re-imagined Blue Ox Bistro in Fox Chase from Grey Lodge publican Mike “Scoats” Scotese and partner Pat McGinley, has become clearer.

The project is on schedule and due for a soft opening in September and a grand opening in October, says Scoats. The pair has been leading cosmetic work to the historic 7980 Oxford Ave. location, which has nearly 330 years of history as a pub.

“The renovation will involve more sweat than cash,” Scoats says.

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Q: I am under contract to buy a single home in Fox Chase. My mortgage lender had an appraisal done and they required a couple repairs. The seller refuses to do the repairs, and wants to back out of the agreement unless I do the repairs myself before settlement. I don’t want to. I realize I will be eating my home inspection fee, but will I at least get my deposit back?

A: The seller does not have to automatically agree to do any repairs, even lender or casualty insurance required repairs. It sounds like you are using an FHA loan, because usually it is an FHA appraiser who will ask for repairs to be completed by the property seller.

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An arrest has been made in the burglary spree that took place Wednesday night in Fox Chase.

From the 7th District:

7th District residents in the area of 500 Arnold, be advised that an arrest has been made regarding the 3 burglaries that occurred yesterday morning.”

We received this alert today from 7th District Police:

7th District resident are once again reminded not to leave their residences with first floor windows unlocked or windows open with just a screen securing their property. Last night, there were 3 burglaries on the 500 blk of Arnold Street. Window was unlocked in one job, the screens were cut in the other 2 Report any suspicious activity if seen. DO NOT TAKE POLICE ACTION.”

Players assume defense positions for the Fok-Rok offense. Photo by Laura D'Alfonso.

In part one of a two-part series, NEast Philly examines what goes into making an athletic association successful, and what two neighborhoods are doing to keep kids active.

As youngsters, we rarely considered the time and effort that went into running the machine-pitch baseball teams we played for, much less the work it took getting us runts to play a remotely coherent seven innings. Looking at expansive youth athletics organizations like Fox-Rok Athletics Association, one wonders what has made this community staple tick for nearly 60 years.

Fox-Rok AA corresponding secretary Ken Warner said there is more to building a successful organization than might even come to mind for most.

“Without volunteers, we wouldn’t have an organization,” Warner admits. “You need to have community support.”

Warner remembers when he joined Fox-Rok’s board of directors as both the secretary and later webmaster. He reminds anyone new to the organization that everything they need is on the Fox-Rok website.

“They weren’t computer savvy and I happened to be at the time,” Warner recalled. “They had a lack of communication that maybe they didn’t realize. Written and oral communications is key today.”

Warner said there is even more at stake when getting a community athletics organization to operate effectively.

“You have to have a financial backing. It’s outrageous what this all costs us,” he said.

Warner says that Fox-Rok receives a good amount of its funding from local business sponsors. Some of which place their advertisements on team uniforms. While Fox-Rok girls softball coach Jon Doherty said agrees the financial aspect is important, he also thinks that there is even more that contributes to a successful community sports club. continue reading »

The Planet Aid donation box at Bleigh and Oxford avenues was set on fire over the weekend. Photo courtesy of Fox Chase Town Watch.

Fox Chase Town Watch President Steve Phillips sent us the above photo of a donation box in the area that was set on fire — a common occurrence recently. The box is located in the Rite Aid parking lot at 7418-32 Oxford Ave. continue reading »

Q: I want to buy a home in the Northeast near the train. I’ve narrowed it down to two neighborhoods before I start looking. Can you tell me which the better choice is: Fox Chase or East Torresdale?

A: Sorry, but only you can make that determination. Both neighborhoods have their pros and cons. I’m sure residents of Fox Chase and East Torresdale would choose their neighborhood over the other. But there are a couple ways for you to compare and weigh your options. continue reading »

The driver of a motorcycle died yesterday as a result of a collision in Fox Chase.

Reports said the motorcycle collided with a pickup truck on Rhawn Street near Ripley Street around 8:30 a.m. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. It’s unclear if the driver of the pickup was injured.

The cause of the crash is still being investigated.