When it rains it pours.

Not only is Philly.com having trouble with its map again, but the reporters are still struggling with using the Castor Gardens’ whole name.

A news brief published March 19 about a car accident on the 1700-block of Cottman Avenue was set in “the City’s Castor section.” continue reading »

Bandit signs at Oxford and Rockwell avenues in Fox Chase before Town Watch member Mike Bobby removes them. Photo/Maryline Dossou

On January 26, Councilman Curtis Jones, D-4th, formally introduced a bill that would legalize the bandit signs that residents say litter the streets and create blight in their neighborhoods. The bill was co-sponsored by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, D-3rd.

“I can’t figure it out,” Councilman Brian O’Neill, R-10th, said. “We’re trying to do everything we can to get these signs down rather than trying to legalize them. They are blight, they lower the quality of light and they lower neighborhood values.”

The term “bandit signs” refers to signs posted on telephone and utility poles offering to buy house and cars, and provide various services. According to Philadelphia City Code 10-200, these signs are illegal and owners face fines from $75 up to $300 for each sign posted.

It has become increasingly difficult for the city to keep track of who is posting the signs, making it a challenge to enforce the fines.

After years of seeing the signs around, residents have taken it upon themselves to fight the issue. continue reading »

Northeast natives Mary Guarnieri and Scott Garvin in Central High's "West Side Story." Photo/G. E. Reutter

Northeast natives Mary Guarnieri of Lawndale and Scott Garvin of Chalfont shined as Maria and Tony in Central High School’s production of West Side Story on Saturday evening.

This production of West Side Story marks the second year that Central has returned to its musical theater roots and what has sprouted is a professional-level production. Actors, choreography, orchestra, set design, costumes – all punched up for this performance under the direction of Alan Bronstein and produced by Stephen Wilenski. continue reading »

NEast Links: Bringing you additional Northeast news

A 15-month-old child is recovering after falling from an apartment complex window Thursday. The toddler fell from a third-floor window on the 2300- block of Tremont Street and landed in a flower bed, ultimately being taken to Aria Health-Torresdale in good condition [Action News].

A police officers sustained minor injuries Monday night when he became pinned between two cars during an accident on the 1700-block of Cottman Avenue. The officer was treated at Jeanes Hospital and authorities are investigating the incident [Philly.com].

Two other officers were taken to the hospital Tuesday morning when their van flipped during a crash with another vehicle around 8:30 in Wissinoming. It’s not clear what caused the crash, which also sent two civilians to the hospital [CBS3].

A Mayfair Town Watch member had his tires slashed this morning on the 4000-block of Aldine Street. This latest incident is one in a string that’d damaged more than 30 cars [CBS3].

NEast Links: Bringing you additional Northeast news

More tires have been slashed, but this time in Tacony. Residents of the 7100-block of Erdrick Street awoke Sunday to find their cars vandalized [Action News].

Police are investigating a Sunday evening home invasion on the 1400-block of McKinley Street. Six men forced their way into a couple’s home and then stole $30,000 and a gun [CBS3].

A Burholme native is now helping a fifth person through her Sink or Swim Philadelphia project. Marion Leary, a nurse, started the project to raise money to help with ease the burden of some her most critically ill patients’ medical bills [Technically Philly].

We get it, Daily News. You don’t own an updated map and you don’t send reporters to the Northeast unless someone commits a crime or gets elected to office.

So allow us to explain, then, that Burholme is absolutely not in the Far Northeast (Far should be capitalized, by the way; it isn’t in your story).

The Far Northeast begins along Grant Avenue, north of the Northeast Airport. Burholme begins at Tyson Avenue which is roughly three miles south. continue reading »

Mayor Michael Nutter (hat) meets Heavy Hitta's boxing coach Lonnie Haile at the 2011 Philly Spring Cleanup on Rising Sun Avenue. Also pictured on left are clean-up organizers Kathy Wersinger of 9th District Councilwoman Marian Tasco's office and Matt Taubenberger of the Rising Sun Avenue Business Association. Photo/Ian Romano

The countdown is on for the fifth annual Philly Spring Cleanup, and residents can now register to volunteer for projects in their neighborhood.

“Thousands of volunteers, hundreds of projects and millions of pounds of trash and recycling have been collected over the last four years,” Mayor Michael Nutter said in his announcement yesterday in Kensington. “We’ve accomplished a lot, but I know we can do better this year.” continue reading »

Responder Lou Maldonaldo (L) and BEMS Managing Director Tim Hinchcliff (R) accept a check from Rep. Brendan Boyle and the state. Photo/G.E. Reutter

State Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-170th, brought good news from Harrisburg to The Burholme Emergency Medical Service Friday. Boyle presented a check for $5,679.61, a grant from the Office of Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner to BEMS Managing Director Tim Hinchcliff.

“I am proud to support a great EMS in my district,” Boyle said. “Programs like the grant from the Office of Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner are critically important for public safety in the Northeast and Montgomery County.” continue reading »

A Burholme resident and the retired supervisor of the Ryerss Museum and Library, Mary Louise Campbell died Jan. 10.

The 83-year-old began volunteering at Ryers in the ’60s, joined the staff in 1973 and retired 20 years later. Campbell is survived by her husband, three sons and five grandchildren. Her husband and son both have ties to the Philadelphia Inquirer, where you can read Campbell’s full obituary. 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 »