UPDATE: As temperatures are forecasted to be above 90 degrees for the fourth day in a row, all School District of Philadelphia schools will dismiss students at 1 p.m. again on Thursday, Aug. 30.

Philadelphia public school will dismiss students at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28 and Wednesday, Aug. 29 due to the high temperatures forecasted for these days, according to the School District announcement on Monday afternoon. All after-school activities, including all athletic programs and professional development sessions scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday are canceled.

School-based employees are expected to work their normal work day and Administrative Offices will operate on regular business hours.

You may have noticed new street signs popping up outside of businesses in and around Cedar Park in the past few months. So here’s the scoop. The signs are part of a project, “Humble Beginnings,” sponsored by the National Street Service, according to the project coordinator and West Philly resident Brian Cirksey.

Three signs have been posted along Baltimore Ave from 47th to 50th so far, by Vientiane Cafe, Talking Heads hair salon, and Satellite Cafe. These businesses were able to tell their unique stories of how they began (humble beginnings), via in-person visits, phone calls, and emails, and this information was translated into these historical marker signs.  Continue Reading

Street improvement work has been happening on 40th street since last month with temporary street closures and parking restrictions during work hours. According to a new announcement by the Penn Public Safety Division, 40th street between Walnut and Locust will be closed to all vehicles between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., on Tuesdays through Fridays, beginning Tuesday, Aug. 28. These traffic restrictions will last approximately five weeks until October 2, according to the announcement.

Police will be on scene to assist with traffic detours during these weeks.

Police are looking for three male suspects in connection with a burglary at Aksum restaurant at 4630 Baltimore Ave. that happened in the early morning hours on Sunday, Aug. 12. One suspect entered the restaurant after breaking the front window with an object. He took cash and several electronic devices from the restaurant and passed them on to the other men who were waiting outside, according to police.

Police released surveillance video of the burglary where the suspects can be seen outside and inside the restaurant during the burglary (see below).  Continue Reading

Police are now offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of the driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run last month in West Philadelphia. Kenneth Whiters, 61, was struck on Lancaster Avenue near Aspen Street on July 22 at 3:14 a.m. by a vehicle, believed to be a Mazda 3 hatchback, that was traveling at a high speed west on Lancaster Avenue from Fairmount Street. The car fled the scene after the accident.

Police released surveillance video of the accident last month (see below).  Continue Reading

Penn students are moving in this week and as usual during this time of year, a portion of Spruce street will be closed to all traffic, including bicyclists. Penn Division of Public Safety has announced the following street closures:

• Tuesday, Aug. 21: Spruce Street will be closed from 34th to 38th Street, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 22: Spruce Street will be closed from 34th to 38th Street, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 25: Spruce Street will be closed from 38th to 40th Street, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

SEPTA buses will be rerouted during the days and hours.