Waste Management plans to add to its Holmesburg facility. Image/Google Maps

As part of its contract with the City of Philadelphia, Waste Management already runs a single-stream recycling facility on a portion of its 42-acre site in Holmesburg.

Pending approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Waste Management will add a facility to the property to do something with the 20,000 tons per month in waste the recycling center brings in [zoning plan PDF].

Tara Hemmer, director of area recycling operations for Waste Management, brought the proposal to last night’s Holmesburg Civic Association, where she explained how the Process Engineered Fuel facility would work. Waste Management plans to build a 59,000-square foot building on its property, which extends east toward the Delaware River from Bleigh Avenue and Milnor Street. continue reading »

We often don’t notice the difference when an ambulance passes us on Oxford or Central Avenue, yet there is a difference.

Since 1933, the Burholme Emergency Medical Services has served the communities of Northeast Philadelphia. Founded by “Doc” Beaumont to service Burholme Park and the farmland of Northeast Philadelphia as the first EMS service in Philadelphia, it has grown as the Northeast has grown. continue reading »

Thrift shops on Bleigh Avenue, Oxford Avenue and Pine Road provide plenty of options for Burholme and Fox Chase shoppers.

The great recession continues as many still struggle with unemployment and disposable income reduces. As prices in retail stores continue to increase where does one turn for basic needs?

In Fox Chase, there are three options for those looking for a deal on clothing, household needs and art. The two main stays are The Jeanes Hospital Thrift Shop located at 7963 Oxford Ave. and The Medical Mission Sisters Thrift Shop located in the old boat house on the campus at 8400 Pine Rd.  The third, Ivy’s Vintage Shop, recently opened at 1105 Bleigh Ave. in Burholme  All of the shops accept donated items. continue reading »

Two officers were injured, one seriously, during a robbery arrest Tuesday night outside the Bustleton Avenue Target. The suspect fled the Target at Bleigh and Bustleton avenues when employees suspected he was shoplifting. He injured two officers before getting arrested. continue reading »

This is part of ongoing coverage in “District 172: The Politics of Change after State Rep. John Perzel,” a collaborative effort with Philadelphia Neighborhoods funded by J-Lab.

Change is relative. That seemed to be the message from long-time locals living and working near Frankford Avenue in Mayfair.

The heart of Mayfair, Frankford Avenue has certainly gained a few nail salons and lost a few retail outlets over the years, but not all locals believe these changes to be monumental — or even for the worse.

“People have all these memories of Mayfair as a golden age. It hasn’t really changed that much,” said Mike “Scoats” Scotese, president of the Mayfair Business Association and owner of Frankford Avenue’s Grey Lodge (as well as Fox Chase’s Hop Angel Brauhaus).

Joe Veneziale disagreed. “There’s no retail on the street anymore,” said the owner of Giggles Gifts. “Thirty, 35, 40 years ago, there was nothing but retail stores on the avenue. You could get anything you wanted.”
continue reading »

Police are investigating the shooting death of a man who was found dead in his basement Christmas Eve.

After returning home from a Christmas party, which he left early, the victim’s wife discovered his body in their basement on the 1700-block of Bleigh Avenue. continue reading »

Fox Chase Homeowners Association President Matt Braden

Nearly 40 people were on hand for last night’s meeting of the Fox Chase Homeowners Association and Town Watch meeting, and residents brought their lists of neighborhood concerns.

601 Rhawn St. The home at 601 Rhawn St. next to St. Cecilia’s Church has been for sale, and Councilman Brian O’Neill was at last night’s meeting to address rumors of what the buyers plan for their new home. O’Neill’s office has received letters stating the new owners have plans to convert the home to a Buddhist temple. Though O’Neill said he’s unsure of the owners’ intentions, he assured neighbors the property is not zoned for such use. continue reading »

In this two–part series, we examine the effects absentee landlords have on neighborhoods, and what residents are doing to fight them. In the first part, we hear from Mayfair residents.

During their patrols as Mayfair Town Watch President and Vice President, John Vearling and Len Roberts heard the same complaints from residents over and over again.

The owner of this property did not shovel his sidewalk when it snowed. This owner failed to maintain the lawn. The renters in this household would not put their trash outside at the proper time on the proper night. The sound of barking dogs and blasting music that came from this apartment never ceased, day or night.

Roberts said the gripes escalated as time passed. Some neighbors told him that certain properties on Cottman Avenue were known drug houses. Vearling heard from others that residents would move out in the middle of the night. continue reading »

A jury yesterday found Mustafa Ali guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of Joseph Alullo and William Widmaier.

Ali faced murder charges in the 2007 deaths of the two Loomis employees, who were shot outside a bank at Bustleton and Bleigh avenues while working. The 38-year-old was acquitted of attempted murder charges against a third guard who was in the armored truck at the time of the shooting.

It will now be up to the jury to determine Ali’s (formerly Shawn Steele) punishment. He faces the death penalty.

Trial proceedings will continue today in the deaths of Loomis employees Joseph Alullo and William Widmaier.

Closing arguments are expected today in the case against 38-year-old Mustafa Ali, who is charged with murdering the two former police officers at Bustleton and Bleigh avenues in October 2007.

If convicted, Ali could face the death penalty.