NEast Links: Bringing you additional Northeast news

Robert J. Wilkins, one of Philadelphia’s deputy fire chiefs, has been suspended with intent to dismiss after failing to report to authorities the charges he pleaded guilty to last month involving an incident with his wife. Wilkins, of Rhawnhurst, was not charged in 2010 when he shot an intruder in his home [Inquirer].

The family of a teenage boy struck by a hit-and-run driver in Somerton is seeking justice. The Montgomery County teen was struck Friday night on the 200-block of Tomlinson Road and has body and brain injuries. A 10,100 reward is being offered for information leading authorities to the driver [Fox29].

George Washington High School senior Zach Morales enjoys reading. That’s not always common in Philadelphia’s public schools. Morales was profiled this week in the Notebook/NewsWorks’ series on reading in schools [Public School Notebook].

City and school district officials have  reached an agreement to keep gyms and theaters in public schools open on afternoons and weekends. Cost-cutting plans announced amid the district’s $61 million shortfall included closing the facilities at the end of the school day.

Forty-eight schools will keep their extra-curricular doors open after hours through Saturday, March 17, according to Thursday’s announcement from the city. Twenty-five of those schools are in the Northeast: continue reading »

GWHS grad Aaron Wilmer now plays as quarterback for Delaware Valley College. Photo by Bill Achuff

Aaron Wilmer, a product of George Washington High School, is now the quarterback for Delaware Valley College in Doylestown.

Recently named the Middle Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, Wilmer led his Aggies team to a perfect 10-0 regular season record, its fourth consecutive conference championship, and the team’s third straight berth in postseason playoffs. continue reading »

Courtesy of Flickr user xnedski.

Here’s a treat for a snowy Friday: Philebrity tracked down a slideshow of photos from the 1982-83 Washington High yearbook.

Students from Swenson Arts & Technology High School were among the many honored at Tuesday's Prime Movers closing ceremony.

More than 15 high school journalism programs from across the city were honored Tuesday in a ceremony at the National Constitution Center. Among them were five Northeast schools.

The event was the closing ceremony for Prime Movers, a program designed to bring journalism to the high school level, getting students involved in writing, photography, broadcast and other forms of media. continue reading »

Marc Collazzo is “a civic by nature.”

That’s what the Republican candidate for State Representative in the 17oth District told Burholme residents last night.

Collazzo — a Bustleton native — told the more than 20 residents who attended the monthly Burholme Civic Association and Town Watch meeting “we live in rare times.”

What’s rare about it, he said, is the recent behavior by state and city governments to  support tax increases and “out of control spending.”

Collazzo, who attended Baldi Middle School and George Washington High School, told Burholme residents: “The most important thing you can ever do is help your neighborhood.” continue reading »

Here’s a summary of the week’s Northeast news we didn’t cover. See others here.

New Jersey State Police detectives arrested 39-year-old Joseph Baer after he was spotted at an Atlantic City casino Tuesday morning. Baer is the man who robbed the PNC Bank on the 6800 block of Frankford Avenue on April 13.

Baer, also a suspect in the April 16 robbery of a TruMark Bank in Center City and the robbery of a Citizens Bank on Monday, is considered a serial robber and was previously convicted of bank robberies in 2004.

Keep reading for news on a Frankford High School teacher in a film, a quick string of 7-Eleven robberies and more. continue reading »

Police are still investigating a shooting that occurred Wednesday night outside Washington High School that left a 19-year in the hospital [map].

The 19-year-old victim was standing outside the school when he was shot in the back just before 9 p.m. Wednesday. He then ran into the lobby of the school, where a fashion show was taking place with more than 300 people.

The victim was rushed to Aria Health-Torresdale, and is expected to make a full recovery. Though authorities don’t believe the shooting was connected to the school event, it’s not known yet if the uncooperative victim is a student at Washington, or if he knows the shooter.

FOX29 has video, which you can view below: continue reading »

Here’s a summary of the week’s Northeast news we didn’t cover. See others here.

Aquan Spearman will soon go to trial after being charged with the sexual assault of three eighth-grade girls from Cooke Middle School one year ago. The assaults took place in December 2007 and January 2008, though Spearman is still awaiting trail for committing statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl in June 2006 in the Northeast.

Keep reading for news on a Washington High football player, police news and more. continue reading »

Here’s a summary of the week’s Northeast news we didn’t cover. See others here.

George Washington High School alums John Dunlop and Chris Reid coached against each other Thursday during the  PIAA Class AAA boys’ soccer city championship game, with Reid managing his alma mater, the Public League champion, and Dunlop coaching the Catholic League champion, Father Judge, against his former Eagles. NEast Philly will have photos of the matchup.

More links below, including a prison sentencing, political victory and more. continue reading »