Police are looking for a male suspect who shot and wounded a 37-year-old man on Monday night near 52nd and Hazel. The man, who works as an attorney for Ballard Spahr, according to reports, was walking home at around 10:20 p.m. when an unknown young male ran up to him from behind and shot him in the chest when the victim was “ready to fight,” according to an interview with 6ABC.

Police believe it was an attempted robbery. The suspect fled the scene right after the shooting, according to police.

The victim was able to call the police and was taken to the hospital. He is expected to survive.  Continue Reading

“The Gables” (Photo by West Philly Local).

The University City Historical Society has applied to the city’s Historical Commission for protection of a cluster of 41 Victorian homes near Clark Park on Chester Avenue and Regent Streets.

Well-known 19th century architect Willis G. Hale designed the homes, which include the mansion known as “The Gables” (now a bed and breakfast) and nearby twins on the 4500 block of Chester Avenue and twins and row homes on both sides of the 4500 block of Regent Street. Collectively, the properties would form the “Chester-Regent Historic District.”  Continue Reading

SEPTA has announced a trolley track replacement project at 40th and Spruce, which will affect traffic in the area for eight days at the beginning of next month. From Saturday, March 2 to Sunday, March 10, Spruce Street will be closed between 38th and 41st Streets, and 40th Street will be closed between Locust and Spruce Streets for the duration of this work, with the exception of emergency vehicles, deliveries, and trash pick-up.

Local traffic will be permitted up to the construction site, and walking access will not be restricted during the project. Penn Dental Medicine and Ryan Veterinary Hospital will be accessible during this closure.  Continue Reading

After a few years of planning, which included community meetings and open houses, SEPTA is finally ready to launch a new bus route that will connect the University City section with Brewerytown, Fairmount, Grays Ferry and Strawberry Mansion. The new Bus Route 49 service (33rd/Dauphin – 29th/Snyder) will begin on Sunday, Feb. 24.

The new bus service will address a north-south gap that exists in the current transit network. It will also serve the 30th Street Station and the Ben Franklin Parkway attractions. Here are other key destinations along Bus 49 Route:  Continue Reading

All Philadelphia public schools will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 20 due to the forecasted inclement weather, which includes snow and sleet throughout the day, according to an announcement by the School District of Philadelphia.

All after-school activities, including all athletic programs and professional development sessions scheduled for Wednesday, are canceled as well. All District early childhood centers will also be closed.

The decision regarding administrative offices is expected to be announced by 5 a.m. on Wednesday. Visit the School District website for more information and updates.

                         Click to enlarge.

According to a University City District (UCD) crime update released last week, 43 serious crimes were reported in the boundaries that UCD covers in January, including five gunpoint robberies, three unarmed robberies, two aggravated assaults with a gun, and four residential burglaries. There were also multiple thefts from cars last month, according to the report.

Three arrests were made last month – one in connection to a robbery, and two for an aggravated assault. Most of the crimes were concentrated between 41st and 49th Streets (see the map).  Continue Reading