Real NEastate writer Stacey McCarthy is on vacation this week, so we’re running her column that appeared on this date last year. She’ll be back next week with all new real estate advice.

Q: I am trying to refinance my Somerton split-level home, and the bank appraised my home for much lower than I think it is worth. They are telling me it’s only worth $260,000, when I know for a fact there are houses like mine in the neighborhood selling for way higher. What exactly is the market value of my house?

A: The current average sold price for Somerton split-levels over the last four months is $265,000. That may seem shocking since there are homes, like yours, that are for sale for more than $300,000. In fact, the average “for-sale” price for a Somerton split-level is about $320,000 right now. continue reading »

Friday – A man was pronounced dead at Aria Health-Torresdale after his body was dumped from a car near a Tacony cemetery Friday. The 41-year-old may have died of a drug overdose, and was found along the 6400-block of Cottage Street by Magnolia Cemetery around 4 p.m. Police later arrested the driver.

– Police have charged a Somerton chiropractor with with indecently assaulting a 69-year-old female patient. Christopher Walcott, 43, is accused of assaulting the woman during a massage he was giving her at Advanced Wellness Center of Pennsylvania on the 14000-block of Bustleton Avenue. continue reading »

Firefighter Stanston helps a young boy with his items from the days event. Photo by George Mai.

Somerton celebrate its first-ever Community Day Saturday, Sept. 10 at Fellowship Bible Church after months of planning and organizing by the Somerton Civic Association.

The day was a tribute to veterans, and featured food, games, prizes and meet-and-greets with police and firefighters.

Check out the slideshow below with photos from George Mai. continue reading »

Image courtesy of glaringfact.com.

The Somerton Civic Association is looking for help and suggestions from its residents and business owners in putting together its Community Day event.

The Sept. 10 event will begin with a tribute to veterans service members, and will continue throughout the day with participation from neighborhood schools, VFW posts, American Legion posts and more.

You can expect all the offerings of a Community Day — food, games, prizes and informational booths, plus performances by schools’ dance, choir, gymnastics teams and more. continue reading »

The Far Northeast will get two additional red light cameras. That was one of the bigger announcements at last week’s Somerton Civic Association.

Councilman Brian O’Neill said two busy intersections — Grant Avenue and Academy Road and Bustleton Avenue and Byberry Road — will be among the many Northeast corners to have red light cameras.

Zoning and crime updates took precedence during the second half of the meeting. Those details are below. continue reading »

The police department’s Special Victims Unit is investigating an early morning assault that happened Tuesday in Somerton.

A crime bulletin released by authorities says a female resident of an apartment building at 450 Byberry Road was approached by a man around 4:15 a.m. inside her home. continue reading »

An unnamed male driver was rushed to Aria Health-Torresdale early Sunday morning after he drove his vehicle into a building in Somerton.

The crash happened around 2:30 a.m. and left the driver in critical but stable condition. continue reading »

L to R: City Councilman Brian O’Neill, State Rep. Brendan Boyle, Sen. Stack, Cranaleith Director Sister Mary Trainer, RSM (in the driver’s seat), Sister Christine McCann, RSM (President of the Sisters of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Community), former state Rep. George Kenney, Cranaleith Board Member Tom Trainer, and Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce President Al Taubenberger

State Sen. Mike Stack joined former State Rep. George Kenney on April 15 to present a significant state grant that will help expand the Cranaleith Education and Conference Center.

The $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant will go toward the $3.3 million project to renovate the existing barn into a welcome center and construct a conference center, a lodge with overnight accommodations and a chapel. Stack and Kenney each secured $500,000 in RACP funds. continue reading »

Friday – The School Reform Commission honored Karen Olszewski last week for her work in saving a fifth-grade student earlier this month. The lunch aide at Sullivan Elementary in Wissinoming was recognized for saving the student, who was choking on a Dorito. continue reading »

Lou DeCree

Lou DeCree, president of the Daniel Boyle Athletic Program in Somerton, was awarded the token of appreciation award by Keep Philadelphia Beautiful Friday.

Phoebe Coles, the not-for-profit’s executive director, said she appreciates his effort to make Somerton’s parks enjoyable. She considered DeCree as a recipient after reading an article about him on NEast Philly.

“Mr. DeCree fits all the specifications that we look for,” Coles said.

Read the rest of this on NEast Philly’s partner site, Phiadelphia Neighborhoods.