Surveillance footage of the Jan. 25 pharmacy robbery in Holme Circle. Image/Philadelphia Police

Northeast Detectives are on the hunt for a suspect wanted in a series of robberies, the most recent of which took place in Holme Circle.

On Jan. 25, the suspect held up the pharmacist at Circle Pharmacy on the 2800-block of Holme Avenue, fleeing the scene with multiple medications. He was last seen around 7 p.m. jumping over the fence at the rear of the property, and is wanted for several other robberies that began Dec. 10. continue reading »

With repairs to the Holme Avenue Bridge complete, the Holme Circle Civic Association has turned its attention to the rest of the avenue, specifically, the Circle.

Serving three major roads and connecting the pockets of Winchester Park and Ashton, the Circle has seen better days. By PennDOT’s estimate, 40,000 vehicles pass through it everyday, prompting the HCCA to want a better impression form the neighborhood.

Talks of a beautification project began late last year when the bridge reopened, but HCCA members Joe Razler, Elsie Stevens and Mike Gould are now weighing their options for first steps.

“We haven’t set a fixed dollar amount yet to raise,” Gould told members. continue reading »

Q: I made an offer on a property in Holme Circle that is a “short sale.” It has been six months and still NO REPLY from the seller’s bank! The real estate agent told me it could take awhile, but now I feel like she is not doing enough. Is she giving us the run-around? How do I know if the bank ever really got my offer? How long is this really supposed to take?

A: Despite its name, a “short sale” is anything but short. The short part of short sale means the seller is not paying off the entire loan, and lenders don’t easily approve of that. For the buyer, it would be more accurate to call it a “Take-forever-and-even-then-you-might-not-get-it Sale.” That is the main reason why these homes are priced much less than others in the market. continue reading »

The re-opening of the Holme Avenue Bridge was one of the main discussion points at the October Holme Circle Civic Association meeting. Photo by Stephen Schultz.

The Holme Circle Civic Association held its annual “Meet the Candidates Night” during its monthly meeting on Wednesday at St. Jerome’s School Hall.

The local candidates in attendance were City Councilman Brian O’Neill and Democratic challenger Bill Rubin; Democratic at-large Councilman Jim Kenney represented by his aide, John DelRica; Republican candidates Denny O’Brien and Michael Untermeyer; and Republican candidate for City Commissioner Al Schmidt represented by his aide, Steven Boc. Each candidate was given five minutes to expound on their platforms culminating with questions from the 40 member audience. continue reading »

The Holme Avenue Bridge re-opened the afternoon of Oct. 25. Photo by Stephen Schultz

Months of work and detours culminated at 2 p.m. yesterday when the Holme Avenue Bridge re-opened.

Work on the Holme Circle bridge began earlier this year with partial lane closures, but by the end of June, both lanes on either side closed for good after PennDOT and Buckley Construction found structural deficiencies.

PennDOT assured Holme Circle residents the bridge would re-open by Christmas — a long time, given commuters hadn’t expected it, but far sooner than if repairs had continued with partial lane openings, as was the original plan. continue reading »

Jodie Rizzo,(right), of Holme Circle at Occupy Philly

Occupy Philadelphia is preparing to enter its second week and Tuesday’s noon-time crowd numbered a little more than 100 people.

Plain clothes police, reporters and the homeless mixed with activists on the plaza at City Hall. A number of Northeast Philadelphia residents joined the protest, all with different reasons.

Earl Refsnider of Lawndale is protesting the harsh treatment of the homeless by the government. “I am protesting the government screwing over people,” he said. It is getting harder and harder, as there are continued cuts in funding.” continue reading »

Toy guns are being sold from an ice cream truck in Holme Circle parked across the street from Pollock Elementary School.

The policy on toy guns at Robert Blair Pollock Elementary in Holme Circle is simple: they’re not allowed.

But a parent called Fox29 recently when his child showed up to school with a toy gun the parent says was sold to the student by the ice cream truck driver at Welsh Road and Tolbut Street. continue reading »

Seen here Sept. 28, the Holme Avenue Bridge is expected to reopen by the end of October.

Four months after closing and two months ahead of schedule, the Holme Avenue Bridge is expected to reopen by the end of October.

“October 31 if everything goes well,” PennDOT’s Harold Windisch specified.

Windisch brought the welcome news last night to the Holme Circle Civic Association meeting. More than 20 people attended to hear firsthand the news announced Monday on Facebook. continue reading »

Michael Susten, far right, and dancers from Xhale Dance Company warmed up before practice.

The annual Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe brings thousands of performing artists from around the world to the city to showcase their acts and talents. For some, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and for others, it is a yearly affair. Many of the artists are from Philadelphia and two, in particular, are from the Northeast.

Michael Susten, a director and dance instructor at Xhale Dance Company, is from Rhawnhurst. His middle-class upbringing meant he did not have the means to participate in other activities.

“I went to a local dance studio…and dance was our whole life,” Susten said. continue reading »

Though it’s been more than “a week or so” since PennDOT said the new traffic lights at Ashton and Willits roads would be activated, the change has finally be made.

Left-turn lanes have been painted and green arrow lights have been installed to help keep traffic flowing during the Holme Avenue Bridge repairs. The bridge shut down unexpectedly in June, blocking off the chunk of Holme Avenue between the circle and Convent Avenue/Pennypack Street. continue reading »