Here’s another symptom of the tough economy — long wait times at public health clinics. That’s the situation in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Donald Schwarz says adults looking for appointments at the city’s public health clinics are waiting longer.  He says there’s enough demand that new ones should be built.

“The first look at need that was taken, suggests that we may actually need as many as four (new) health centers in the Northeast,” said Schwarz.

A report issued last fall examined the need for more public health care centers in the Northeast, specifically around Lawncrest.

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

Q: I was supposed to make settlement tomorrow on a home I wanted in Lawncrest. We did the last-minute walk-through this morning and all of the seller’s furniture is still there! I have no idea why, but the seller never called movers and never had his stuff moved out. He now says he can’t get it all out by settlement tomorrow! I still want to buy the house, so I am planning to attend settlement tomorrow, but how long should I give the seller to get his stuff out of MY house?

A: Some of the craziest things can happen in a real estate transaction, and this is no exception. It is unfortunate this seller lacked what is considered obvious forethought and didn’t remove his possessions before settlement. continue reading »

Thomas Creighton School will not become a charter. Image/Google Maps

Supporters of seven struggling Philadelphia schools packed School District headquarters Thursday night to learn their futures.

Five-year old Diamond Waters was one of dozens of supporters who urged the School Reform Commission to spare Thomas Creighton Elementary School at 5401 Tabor Ave. in Lawnrest from conversion to a charter.

“I am in kindergarten.  I have been waiting to go to my sister’s school for a long time. Don’t take Miss [Link] from me,” pleaded Waters.

Most preferred an unorthodox proposal from Regina Feighan-Drach and other Creighton teachers to keep their school under District control.

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

A Lower Northeast District map marked with residents' opinions of neighborhoods assets and obstacles. Photo/Shannon McDonald

Seven tables, 14 city planners and seven maps marked up in blue, red, black and orange filled a Friends Hospital conference room last night.

They were signs of the first of three community planning meetings for the Lower Northeast District – the Philadelphia City Planning Commission’s distinction for Frankford, Northwood, Summerdale, Lawncrest, Oxford Circle and part of Castor Gardens. The district is one of 18 identified by the commission and is next on tap to develop ideas for future planning and zoning opportunities under the comprehensive Philadelphia2035 plan. 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

Lawncrest residents awoke to find a corrosive substance had been dumped on their cars. Police are investigating the incident, which involves several cars on the 600-block of Van Kirk Street [NBC10].

A Frankford man was shot early this morning in his home in front of his children. Two children witnessed the 4 a.m. home invasion and shooting on the 1900-block of Fillmore Place near the Whitehall Commons [CBS3]. continue reading »

James Goins, or "Cory Kastle" in his last match before the seizure that lead him to brain surgery. Picture courtesy of James Goins.

James Goins, otherwise known as “Cory Kastle” to wrestling fans across the United States, was getting ready for one of his biggest shows ever when his life took a sudden turn for the worse.

On the same day Goins was to take part in a Pro Wrestling card at the Reading Phillies game last August, the Lawncrest native had a seizure in the shower, fell and hit his head on the bathroom sink.

“Usually what I do is, turn the music up really loud and lock the door. I’m home alone normally,” Goins said.

Luckily, he did not have his music on, and the door was unlocked during the time of the seizure.  Goins said his mother happened to be home from work and found James wrapped up in the shower curtain on the floor, suffocating.  She immediately called 911. continue reading »

Philadelphia Councilwoman Marian Tasco, seen here at the 2011 Rising Sun Avenue Clean-up, announced City Council will hold a public budget hearing in Lawncrest. File photo/Ian Romano

Philadelphia City Council is coming to the Northeast.

On Tuesday, May 8, Council will hold a public budget hearing at St. William’s School in Lawncrest. Ninth District Councilwoman Marian Tasco made the announcement last night at the Lawncrest Community Association meeting. continue reading »

An evacuation drill has been scheduled at the U.S. Navy Depot for the week of March 19. Image/Google Maps

More than 6,000 people work at the U.S. Navy Depot in Lawncrest, and sometime during this, they’ll be pouring out onto the streets for an emergency drill.

Mark Mroz, community relations officer for the 2nd District, said SEPTA, police and the media have been notified of the drill, but residents should be warned too, as the drill will shut down streets around the facility.

The purpose of the drill is to see how long and evacuation would take if there should be an emergency. The drill will take up to 24 hours to complete, and no specific date has been set. continue reading »

NEast Links: bringing you additional Northeast news

The Tacony CDC and Tacony Civic Association are inviting volunteers to participate in their Philly Spring Cleanup event April 14. Participants will meet at the Tacony Library to clean up Torresdale Avenue from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers should call (215)501-7799 or e-mail at alex AT taconycdc.org [Tacony CDC].

A Parkwood woman who faked cancer to avoid going to prison has been found out, and will go to jail. Leah Moock will spend five years in federal prison for the scam, during which time she started a relationship, had a child and got cosmetic surgery [Daily News]. continue reading »