First Lady Michelle Obama will visit West Philly on Thursday, August 9. She is expected to speak at the University of the Sciences’ Bobby Morgan Arena (730 South 43rd Street) at 2 p.m. As of 12:30 p.m. today, tickets (first-come, first-serve) were still available at the Obama West Philadelphia Headquarters, 209 South 52nd Street (between Walnut and Locust). As far as we know, stopping by and picking them up is the only way to get them.
 
 
 

Update: We are getting conflicting reports about the man’s university affiliation, so we have removed that detail until we can clarify.

Police say a recently dismissed professor jumped from the 4th floor of a brownstone apartment building at 4114 Spruce Street in an apparent suicide this morning. Police say the 44-year-old man lived on the 4th floor. He was pronounced dead at 6:49 a.m.

Update (08/06): A three-story residential building at 4238 Chestnut Street was on fire, the Fire Commissioner’s Office confirms. The fire was reported about 4:10 p.m. on Sunday and extinguished by 4:50 p.m. No injuries were reported.

A reader, Mike, reported a fire on Sunday at about 4:00 p.m. on the 4200 Block of Chestnut Street. Mike said that over a dozen fire trucks responded to the fire: “I saw the fire and tried to break in before the fire Dept. arrived. Smoke detectors were sounding and large flames were pouring from the side windows at the rear. But I could not open the door pounding on it with a large piece of lumber (about a  4′ piece of 4×10″). Fire department was on scene within moments and took over.”

It’s not known if anybody was injured in the fire. Stop back for more information.

Photo by Mike Lynch.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday for his involvement in attempted armed robberies in the area of Chestnut Street between 46th and 47th. Police said the boy tried to rob five people, one person on Monday and four on Tuesday.

Here’s a recap:

Monday, July 30, 9:55 p.m., 46th and Chestnut

A 23-year-old woman was approached by the suspect riding a bicycle. He stopped next to her and told her to give him everything she got. The woman refused and started to walk off. Then the male pointed a handgun at her and again demanded her belongings. The woman, who was carrying a Mac Book Pro and an iPhone4, began yelling for help and then ran east on Chestnut St. While running she fell and suffered multiple cuts to her legs. She was able to run home where she called 911. Nothing was taken.

Tuesday, July 31, 10:26 a.m., Farragut and Market

A 24-year-old man was walking north on Farragut St. toward the El when the suspect approached him and asked him what time it was. The man looked at his phone and told the suspect it was 10:26 a.m. and continued walking. The suspect followed him and was now holding a gun. He told the victim to give him all his money. The victim said he didn’t have any. The suspect walked away. Nothing was taken and no injuries were reported. Continue Reading

2-year-old male orange tabby cat “Nana” was last seen on July 30 near 45th and Larchwood.

Duke is a 1 to 2-year-old young terrier/pit mix who needs a home where he can cover and then learn to be the best dog he can be! Duke is playful with toys but he’s not very good at giving them back to his human friends! He’ll need some basic training to help him learn that he can trust his human friends and play with toys nicely with them. He has several volunteers working with him to learn to trade a tennis ball for another ball or for a treat, but since he has come down with a cold his learning has been slowed.

He lived in a home previously, but was surrendered to the shelter because his owners didn’t have the time to get him through his puppyhood. Duke can be rambunctious at times, but all it takes is a few minutes of walking or playing fetch and he settles right into being a normal, happy, loving dog. He has met some other dogs at the shelter and was totally appropriate and friendly with them. If you have dogs at home please bring them along to meet Duke to make sure they’ll be the best of friends.

Also if you have cats please feel free to ask about getting Duke a cat test to see if he can live with them.

If you have questions about Duke or want to learn more, please feel free to contact his human friend at bragan.jen@gmail.com or contact the shelter where he is currently living directly.

Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT)
111 W. Hunting Park Avenue
(267) 385-3800 | phone

Adoptions
Hours: 1pm – 8pm, weekdays; 10am – 5pm, weekends
adopt@acctphilly.org

Foster Care
Hours: 9am – 6pm, everyday
foster@acctphilly.org