May celebrated its fifth annual May Fair on a sunny May Saturday along Frankford Avenue. Photo/Richard Kauffman

Mayfair residents had a reason to celebrate Saturday as they flooded a closed-off Frankford Avenue for the fifth annual May Fair.

The morning began early with the Fallen Heroes 5K Run/Walk to raise funds for the Hero Thrill Show, which helps educate the families of fallen officers, and also helps further rebuild the Mayfair Memorial Playground. At, organizer Mia Hylan held a dog pageant, helping draw attention to establishing a dog park in the Northeast.

“It’s taken years to get the Memorial Playground project underway, so I’m hoping we can get a lot of people behind the project,” Hylan said of the neighborhood’s latest cause. continue reading »

NET clients will maintain the Frankford Avenue corridor between Womrath Park (A) and the Frankford Transportation Center (B).

The Frankford Community Development Corporation has announced a partnership with NorthEast Treatment Centers to help keep Frankford’s commercial corridor clean.

Three days a week, the CDC will provide four NET clients with supplies to clean Frankford Avenue from Womrath Park to Frankford Transportation Center.

“The Frankford CDC is fortunate to have NET as a partner, and we are pleased to team up with them to work towards such an important goal,” CDC Managing Director Tracy O’Drain said in the announcement. “Clean commercial corridors are key to crime reduction as well as small business retention and attraction.” continue reading »

NEast Links: Bringing you additional Northeast news

Police in the 15th District shot a man last night who allegedly aimed his car at the officers in Tacony. The suspect was wounded during a pursuit on the 6300-block of Edmund Street [Philly.com].

A bicyclist was injured early Monday morning when he was struck by a pickup truck at Academy Road and Linden Avenue. The driver did stop and so far no charges have been filed [CBS3].

An elderly man died late Monday after being struck by a car at Frankford Avenue and Academy Road. Police are still investigating the crash and the driver, who did stop [Action News].

A summertime rally on Frankford Avenue drew Holmesburg residents opposed to a methadone clinic.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment  has overturned a proposal by Healing Way Inc., the applicant for a methadone facility on Frankford Avenue in Holmesburg. The ruling comes several months after the ZBA first convened following protests from legislators and residents over the summer.

“This extremely important ruling is the culmination of months of work, which has brought local residents together and strengthened our community,” Pa. Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-172nd, said.  ”I have been honored to be a part of that fight and am thrilled about this victory.” continue reading »

Photo courtesy of Mark Fiorino

A gun-toting Lansdale man has received a $25,000 judgment in his lawsuit against the city of Philadelphia. The information technology worker says he was tired of being stopped for carrying a holstered gun on his hip. Because he has a permit, it’s perfectly legal.

Mark Fiorino said he decided to sue the city after a heated run-in with police last year as he walked along Frankford Avenue in Upper Holmesburg, wearing his holstered weapon, he was stopped by a police officer. Fiorino used a recorder to document the confrontation:

Fiorino: Sir, you’re threatening me with lethal force.

Police: I’m not threatening you.

Fiorino: You’re pointing a weapon at me.

Police: I don’t know who you are, you’ve got a gun on you.

Fiorino: Would you like to see my license to carry firearms and my driver’s license?

Police: I need backup I’ve got a guy with a gun on him, he’s giving me a little trouble.”

(Tensions escalated further after the officer instructed Fiorino to get down on his knees.)

Read the rest of this story from our partners at NewsWorks.org.

Security footage, courtesy of the Philadelphia Police Department

Police in the 15th District are searching for the man who robbed the TD Bank at 6635 Frankford Ave. Monday.

The suspect took off on foot after handing the teller a threatening note around 3 p.m. He is described as white, 40 to 45 years old, 180lbs. and clean-shaven with a reddish, ruddy complexion. He was last seen wearing a black zip-up hoodie. continue reading »

Shamrock Shuttle 2010 outside McNoodle's. Photo/Mayfair resident and Civic Association board member Donny Smith

It’s that time of year again. The buses, the drinking, the public urination. The revenue for Frankford Avenue’s many bars and restaurants.

“The elephant in the room,” as Mayfair Civic Association President Joe DeFelice called it at last night’s meeting. It’s all coming back in March when the trio of annual bar-hopping events returns to Mayfair.

The Mayfair, Tacony and Holmesburg civic associations have already met to discuss finding a happier medium for the bars that participate in Shamrock Shuttle and the neighbors that deal with the aftermath. continue reading »

Rep. John Taylor and St. Matthews seventh grader Megan Vogler attend the St. Hubert's fundraiser at SmokeEaters Pub. Photo/Michelle Alton

In one of many weekend events, St. Hubert’s alumnae were invited to SmokeEaters Pub Friday to help raise money — more than $30,000 — to keep the school open.

Fundraising efforts began earlier this month after the Blue Ribbon Commission put the school on a list of four archdiocesan high schools to close at the end of the year.

Below, see the event slideshow from photographer Michelle Alton. continue reading »

UPDATE, Jan. 19 — Police have arrested Brandon Shields in connection with multiple bank robberies in the 2nd and 15th districts.

Philadelphia Police and the FBI are looking for a suspect believed to be responsible for robberies on Castor and Frankford avenues.

Most recently, the suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash from the Citizens Bank at 6537 Castor Ave. Jan. 6. In a similar incident Dec. 7, the suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash from the PNC Bank at 6855 Frankford Ave. In both cases, the suspect gave the teller a threatening note and fled on foot.

Surveillance footage from the Frankford Avenue robbery can be seen below. continue reading »

Just a year after taking state office, Rep. Kevin Boyle has announced his re-election bid for the 172nd District seat.