NEast Links: Bringing you additional Northeast news

Three people were injured Wednesday morning in a Morrell Park fire. It took firefighters 20 minutes to extinguish the blaze on the 3200-block of Cromwell Road, and three residents – including a toddler – were taken to Aria Health-Torresdale for smoke inhalation [CBS3].

The Frankford Gazette has published another print edition. The March 2012 edition is out now and also available in PDF form [Frankford Gazette].

A $7,500 reward has been offered for the suspects wanted in the recent Mayfair tire slashings. The Fraternal Order of Police has offered $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and $2,500 for and arrest and conviction [Philadelphia Police Department].

The Serviceberry tree is one of eight species TreePhilly offers residents. Photo/Jennifer Klimowicz

UPDATE — Still haven’t gotten your tree? Philadelphia residents have until March 31 to apply for trees they can get in April.

Philadelphia’s Department of Parks & Recreation has begun its TreePhilly program, and two Northeast neighborhoods are part of its target.

Frankford and Morrell Park are part of the handful of neighborhoods singled out for their need of trees. They –  along with West Oak Lane, Tioga, Old Kensington, South Philadelphia, Whitman and Haddington – have the most tree canopy needs and are in the Philadelphia Water Department’s combined sewer-overflow area.

Rhianna Clark runs her photography business from her home on Red Lion Road in Morrell Park.

Taking a good photo is not something everyone can do. Some are good at it, some are not, but photographer Rhianna Clark said she always knew.

“I always loved taking photos and asked for the next best camera for my birthday,” Clark said. “But never once did I consider this as my career.”

Clark’s business, Rhianna Clark Photography, began by chance. After her husband was laid off in 2008 before the holiday season, she picked up a job at a mainstream portrait studio. She excelled quickly and many clients asked that she photograph events outside of the studio.

Read more on this story on our partner site, Philadelphia Neighborhoods.

A 50-year-old woman was rushed to Aria Health-Torresdale Thursday night after she crashed her car in Morrell Park.

According to reports, the woman lost control of the vehicle around 8 p.m. along the 3500-block of Churchill Lane, driving through a fence and landing in an embankment. Medics pulled the woman from the car, where she was trapped.

She was treated for non-life threatening injuries, and the cause of the crash is unknown.

Q: I wanted to buy this house in Morrell Park that was “For Sale by Owner.” I was all ready to do it, but the guy said that I couldn’t have an agent or he would charge me $10,000 more for the house because he says he doesn’t want to pay an agent. My agent can’t do it for free, but said her commission is less than half of the extra the guy is charging me. So ultimately I’d be paying double just to have representation. Do you think this guy is trying to hide something by refusing my request to use my agent?

A: This “For Sale By Owner” seller is not exactly refusing your request to use a buyer’s agent, just making it more expensive than it has to be. Usually a person who is selling their home themselves is just trying to save money but it sounds like there’s more than meets the eye at play here.

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As primary elections approach, NEast Philly will interview council-at-large candidates so readers can get to know the names they’ll see on the ballot.

Today we meet Elmer Money. With a degree in health care administration from St. Joe’s, Money has made the city’s health care crisis a primary focus of his campaign. The Northwest Philly native started his married life in the Northeast with wife Carolyn. Children Emily and Spencer were born in suburban hospitals, despite the family settling in Morrell Park.

You can catch him at Mitchell Playground or at Torresdale Swim Club, and Money credits his involvement at Christ the King School and the Morrell Park Civic Association/Town Watch. Money is also a community board of director for the Northeast’s Philadelphia Health Center #10.

NEast Philly: Why council-at-large and not a specific district?

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Friday – A fight outside Lincoln High School Friday afternoon left two police officers with minor injuries. The officers were trying to stop an argument between a group of teenage girls outside the school around 3:15 p.m, when they requested backup due to the large crowd.

The officers were treated at the hospital for minor injuries, and more than five students were arrested. There’s no word yet on what led to the fight. continue reading »

Photo by Christopher Wink.

For the second year in a row, Northeast residents came together to reflect on history, celebrate progress and embrace the future.

The second annual Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame honored five new members yesterday at an induction ceremony at Holy Family University.

“It’s always a pleasure to reflect on individuals or groups — living or dead — who ebody the spirit of Northeast Philadelphia,” said Sr. Francesca Onley, president of Holy Family. continue reading »

Q: I am looking for a home in the Far Northeast in my price range, up to $190,000, and I am torn between two neighborhoods. I like Parkwood and Morrell Park. I’ve found a home I like in each neighborhood. How do I decide?

A: My mother lives in Morrell Park and I bought my home in Parkwood. I looked in both neighborhoods for my home. Although there are some features that are a little different in terms of the homes’ features, in my mind, there’s not much difference between the neighborhoods. You can find a great home in either neighborhood for $190,000. continue reading »

Q: I want to buy a three-bedroom house in Morrell Park to be close to my parents. The problem, is I am only approved for $120,000 and most of the homes I like cost more. Should I wait and see if the market gets better, or should I just look elsewhere?

A: The average price in Morrell Park today is $186,000. It will be extremely difficult to find a home in Morrell Park for $120,000, especially since the lowest price for a home right now is just under $150,000. Just so you know, only four homes have sold in the past year for less than $150,000. continue reading »