Photo courtesy of Elsie Stevens, 8th PDAC.

The 8th Police District Advisory Council hosted their annual 8th District Police Appreciation Holiday Dinner Saturday, Dec. 3, at the district for three shifts of officers between 10 a.m. that day and 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning

The officers enjoyed additional entrees this year, due to the generosity of area caterers.  Also, as an added touch, the officers were presented with poinsettias courtesy of Lowes for them or their significant others. PDAC member Steve Faunce of Thunderbird Bowling Lanes on Holme Avenue also donated three Family Bowling Packages, which were raffled to an officer representing each of the three shifts. continue reading »

Winston Charleston

Winston Charleston’s charges will be handled in juvenile court and he’ll remain under court supervision until he turns 21. The ruling is the result of his involvement in a fatal car crash on Academy road in June.

Charleston took his mother’s car keys and drove around with friends, ultimately killing the 22-year-old passenger of a car at Academy and Willits roads. continue reading »

Legislation proposes red-light cameras for Woodhaven and Knights roads and Bybyerry and Woodhaven roads.

AAA-Mid Atlantic today announced its support for legislation that would bring two additional red-light cameras to the Far Northeast.

Two city bills sponsored by 10th District Councilman Brian O’Neill would add cameras to Worthington Road and Byberry Road, and Woodhaven Road and Knights Road.

“AAA Mid-Atlantic supports red light camera locations based on crash data, which is the case for these two intersections,” says a release from the agency. ” continue reading »

UPDATE — Police have identified the underage driver as Winston Charleston of the 7100-block of State Road in Tacony. He is charge with murder,aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter, homicide by vehicle, accident involving death-no license, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and unauthorized use of an auto.

A 14-year-old boy is facing charges after he caused a fatal car accident early this morning on Academy Road. continue reading »

The Far Northeast will get two additional red light cameras. That was one of the bigger announcements at last week’s Somerton Civic Association.

Councilman Brian O’Neill said two busy intersections — Grant Avenue and Academy Road and Bustleton Avenue and Byberry Road — will be among the many Northeast corners to have red light cameras.

Zoning and crime updates took precedence during the second half of the meeting. Those details are below. continue reading »

A historic building in the Northeast is now continuing its purpose centuries later.

The Lower Dublin Academy began as a one-room log cabin schoolhouse in 1723. The building developed from the will of Philadelphia’s own Thomas Holme who died in 1695. Holme was Pennsylvania’s first Surveyor General, working directly under William Penn. Before he died, he left specific instructions for his family.

“Holme gave four pounds towards the education of a child in the community,” said Fred Moore, president of the Friend of Lower Dublin Academy (Moore is also president of the Holmesburg Civic Association and is an active member of the Northeast Philadelphia History Network). “The will was not finalized until 1723 when his grandchildren decided they needed to take care of their grandfather’s wishes.” continue reading »

Delaware Valley Academy was set to reopen Monday under new management. But it didn’t.

Its 100 students reportedly had no idea their school, which trains medical and dental assistants, would close, though former staffers told Action News school officials had let on about recent money troubles. continue reading »

An Archbishop Ryan High School freshman died yesterday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle on Academy Road. Timothy Connors, 15, was struck around 3:30 p.m. outside the school.

“Timothy was an engaging student who had come to us from Our Lady of Port Richmond School and was a proud member of the class of 2014,” said Michael McArdle, President of Archbishop Ryan said in a statement released by the school. continue reading »

There are two cleanups this weekend in the Northeast, so if you live in Parkwood or Lexington Park, grab some equipment and help out your neighbors. continue reading »

Bruce Conner helps lead a meeting of the Northeast Philadelphia History Network last March, when the group split from the Historical Society of Frankford.

Bruce Conner passed away last week following a car accident late last month. In the passage below, his friend and fellow historian, Jack McCarthy, remembers Bruce.

The Northeast Philadelphia history community suffered a major loss with the recent death of local historian Bruce Conner. Bruce had been in a coma following an auto accident in late February and died on March 9th. The accident occurred as he was driving home from one of the many local history meetings he regularly attended.

continue reading »