A police pursuit of a vehicle led to a crash this afternoon near 52nd and Catharine, according to reports. The pursuit, which began in Delaware county shortly after 4 p.m., ended in West Philadelphia when the suspects’ vehicle crashed. The police then chased two suspects on foot. One person was arrested, and another man remains at large, 6ABC reports.

One civilian was injured during the chase, according to reports. It’s currently unknown what led to the pursuit. Stay tuned for more information.

UPDATE: NBC reports that at least four people were hurt after the fleeing driver struck multiple vehicles near 53rd and Cedar.

And so it begins… This dangerous sinkhole was spotted on Monday on the 4200 block of Sansom St. To report a sinkhole or a pothole in your area, go to: http://potholes.phila.gov/csstreets.

City Council is hosting a series of community town halls throughout Philadelphia starting this week to identify the priorities of struggling schools.

The first one will be held tonight (Monday, March 7) in West Philadelphia, at Sayre High School (5800 Walnut St.), beginning at 5:30 p.m. Parents, educators, and other concerned community members are invited to join Councilwomen Helen Gym and Jannie Blackwell to weigh in on what students need.

Years of budget cuts have left most public schools without basic, essential services. The number of teacher vacancies has grown and there is also serious shortage of core staff, including nurses and counselors, which is leaving students without critical support. About 95 percent of Philadelphia’s 149 elementary schools lack a functioning library.

These meetings are meant to highlight the community priorities for spending and needs in their schools. A report will be published after the town halls to demand how the District needs to prioritize spending in District schools.  Continue Reading

Two Spruce Hill zoning meetings focusing on a couple of interesting development projects in the area are scheduled for this month. As always, community participation is encouraged.

Former Transition to Independent Living Center building at 46th and Spruce (archived photo).

The first meeting will take place on Monday, March 7 at the Spruce Hill Center (257 S. 45th St.) to discuss the development of the 4534-36 Spruce Street site (formerly the Transition to Independent Living). All interested parties are invited to attend the meeting to hear the proposed plans for development of the site, and to ask questions and offer comments. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

The new owner for the site was revealed at the previous zoning meeting in August, 2015. Developer Ricky Liss told the attendees of the August meeting that he wanted to build a four-story mixed-use retail, commercial and residential housing project on the site.

The second meeting, scheduled for March 15, will address the zoning application for the Trolley Portal project at 40th and Baltimore/Woodland. Everyone is invited to participate in the discussion on the landscaping design for the trolley portal and on the design for the adjacent trolley diner, as part of the University City District’s plan to transform the Portal into a vibrant and social space.

Th 40th Street Trolley Portal was created more than 60 years ago as a transit hub, and the property has always had a Residential zoning. In order to proceed with the Portal redesign process, UCD is seeking a zoning variance for mixed-use from the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA).

The March 15 meeting will also be held at the Spruce Hill Center and will begin at 6:30 p.m.

This week’s featured adoptable cat is Anabel, an adult female medium-sized “tuxedo” cat.

Anabel is a professional cuddler – she can be found on or near you at all times. She doesn’t have many demands, just needs you to cuddle her immediately upon getting home. She will also require the use of your lap, the space by your pillow, and your back or stomach when you lie down.

You must regularly scratch the spot between her front legs but not down any further! Also, she must purr in your ear at least ten minutes daily. If you are sad or feeling ill, she’ll find a place near you and stay there until you feel better. Finally, your undivided attention is required, so please don’t bring any other cats around. She plans on returning the favor, as she’ll be following you to any room and sleeping with you every night. But that is all. See? Anabel is not a diva!

Anabel prefers to be in a one-cat home.

She is spayed, FeLV and FIV negative, current with shots, treated for fleas and worms, and is litter box trained.

To adopt this cat please complete and return a PAWS adoption application to ProjectMEOWAdoptions@gmail.com or mail it to: PO Box 32078, Philadelphia, PA 19146. The adoption application is available at the Baltimore Pet Shoppe (4532 Baltimore Ave), or online. Please use number A28564499 when applying to adopt this cat.

This cat is being fostered through the partnership of Project MEOW and PAWS. For additional information, contact projectmeowadoptions@gmail.com

Victim, 31-year-old Timothy Cary.

A Kingsessing man who fatally shot a West Philly resident outside of a University City restaurant two years ago was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday, according to reports.

Corey Gaynor, 28, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of 31-year-old Timothy Cary on the early morning of April 14, 2014 outside Copabanana restaurant at 40th and Spruce. Gaynor fired at least 10 shots at close range at Cary following an argument inside the restaurant.

The Philadelphia Common Pleas Court jury deliberated 22 days before they found Gaynor guilty of the murder, and the judge sentenced him to the mandatory life in prison without parole, Philly.com reports.