Categories
feed Philadelphia Philly

Pediatricians host gun buyback to get firearms off the streets

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A group of pediatricians from St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children are hosting a gun buyback on June 8, the first of what they hope will be an annual event.

“We’re not talking about making guns illegal. We’re talking about getting rid of guns that people don’t want,” said Dr. Jerry Goldstein. 

About half of the gun crimes in Pennsylvania are committed with a stolen firearm, which is why Goldstein believes it’s so important for people to remove unwanted weapons from homes before someone else does.

“In any way, shape, or form that we can help reduce the number of guns in people’s homes they don’t want — we may be contributing to less suicides, successful suicide efforts,” he added. “Less likely to have a tragic accident or injury with kids.”

The buyback takes place at the Muslim American Society, 123 E. Luzerne St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“There will be no questions asked,” added Dr. Tim Klouda. “Anybody who has unwanted firearms or ammunition can come to the site and turn it in without any questions or any prosecution, and get a gift card to a local food store.”

The grocery store gift cards are worth $50 a piece.

Klouda said police from the 24th and 25th districts will be there just to take the guns — no arrests will be made. They are also giving away free gun locks, and you can learn how to safely store your guns.

For more information, call 215-686-3240 or email philagunbuyback@gmail.com.

more Philly News (For Your Information)

Categories
feed Philadelphia Philly

Self-defense or murder? Chester County man stands trial for shooting neighbor

CESTER COUNTY, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) —A Chester County man is on trial for killing his next-door neighbor in West Goshen Township back in August 2017.  

No one disputes Clayton Carter shot and killed George “Brooks” Jennings. What is in dispute is whether it was justified-self-defense or murder.

In opening statements, Assistant District Attorney Vincent Cocco calls the shooting a cold-blooded, calculated execution.

He says the two men often argued, going back and forth for hours on the day of the killing.

Cocco also says Carter shot Jennings in the face from inches away, stood over him while he was on the ground and fired another shot into his head, then dropped a knife by the body to claim self-defense.

However, defense attorney Joseph Green says Jennings was making a concerted effort to make Carter uncomfortable in hopes of forcing him to move; calling him “sponge” because he was living with his father-in-law.

Green says Carter called the cops several times because of run-ins with Jennings. But, according to Green, police never did anything because Jennings was the Republican committeeman and the cops, in Green’s words, cut him a break.

more Philly News (For Your Information)

Categories
feed Philadelphia philadelphia news Philly philly news

Owner Of Construction Company Arrested For Putting Community Health At Risk, Attorney General Says

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The owner of a Berks County construction company was arrested Friday, according to Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Matthew Barrasso was arrested in connection with falsifying lab reports of water samples when new water mains were installed in Berks and Lancaster Counties.

In 2017, Barrasso’s company, Barrasso Excavation Inc., replaced a water main in Wyomissing County.

Police, FBI Arrest Man Following String Of Explosions And Undetonated Devices In Northampton County

That is when he allegedly changed the lab results to show that the samples from the water main were negative for total coliform and E.coli. The new water main was used to serve nearly 40 residential connections in the county.

“Pennsylvanians have a constitutional right to pure water — and I will do everything in my power to defend that right,”  Shapiro said. “This defendant recklessly changed lab results to lie about the quality of the drinking water for dozens of households, putting the health and well-being of those citizens at risk.”

Task Force Officer Shoots Suspect During 7-Eleven Robbery In Langhorne, Officials Say

Barrasso also allegedly changed results of a water main his company installed in Quarryville, Pennsylvania.

He is facing tampering with public records, violating the Safe Drinking Water Act, forgery, and unsworn falsification charges.

Categories
feed Philadelphia Philly

What’s Cooking on 1060: Black Restaurant Week kicks off its second year

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Black Restaurant Week is about more than just food.

The second annual culinary fest takes over Philly this Sunday through June 23, celebrating the flavors of African-American, African and Caribbean cuisines.

Darlene Star Jones from Star Fusion Restaurant in Overbrook said the dozen participating restaurants will wow your tastebuds.

“It’s not always, always soul food. It’s a mixture of culinary essence,” she said. “Just because you’re African-American doesn’t mean that you make traditional soul food.”

And Black Restaurant Week gives a well-needed boost to minority-owned businesses.

“A lot of times people don’t know where to even go or they don’t even know that we exist,” said Jones, though she credits the fest for bolstering a traditionally slow time in the industry and helping her make connections.

“Because now I know the owner of Booker’s,” she said, “and I know the owner of Tasty’s.”

It also gives visibility to black business owners.

“It gives us a face so children who look like me will see me.”

Jones said aspiring chefs have reached out to her for advice or guidance in the industry. “I talk to everybody who wants to jump into this business because it was really hard for me to get into it. … The big picture here is for generations to see that other black minorities can open up businesses and be successful at it.

“If you can see someone actually doing it and creating it, you can see a vision for yourself.”

For more, subscribe to to the What’s Cooking podcast on the RADIO.COM app.

more Philly News (For Your Information)

Categories
feed Philadelphia philadelphia news Philly philly news

Police, FBI Arrest Man Following String Of Explosions And Undetonated Devices In Northampton County

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) — Police and FBI have arrested a suspect following a string of explosions and undetonated devices in Washington Township, Northampton County. Washington Township police say Jason Muzzicato was arrested at his home on Friday morning.

A second search warrant was also conducted at his Bangor Motor Works business.

The explosions began in late March and two explosions happened as recently as Monday. The Monday explosions were heard at 9 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.

“It’s like a big firework, really big firework, they are very loud,” Ronald Moyer told WFMZ-TV.

The latest undetonated device was found Thursday at 11: 45 a.m. on Flicksville Road by a township employee. Other devices were found April 23 and May 18.

“This is absolutely criminal, we don’t have a concrete motive or reason at this point,” Washington Township Police Chief Scott Miller to WFMZ.

No injuries have been reported.

Muzzicato will be federally arraigned.

Categories
feed Philadelphia philadelphia news Philly philly news

New Jersey Health Officials Issue Warning After Dunkin’ Employee Tests Positive For Hepatitis A

TURNERSVILLE, N.J. (CBS) – New Jersey health officials are issuing a warning after a Dunkin’ employee in Turnersville, New Jersey tested positive for hepatitis A. The infected employee works at the Dunkin’ at 460 Hurffville-Crosskeys Rd.

The Gloucester County Health Department says the employee worked while they were potentially infectious between May 18 through June 1.

Health officials say although the risk is low, it is recommended customers who ate or drank beverages at the Turnersville Dunkin’ during those dates should receive “post-exposure prophylaxis” (PEP).

PEP consists of hepatitis A vaccine and/or immune globulin and can further reduce the risk of acquiring hepatitis A. To be effective, PEP should be received as soon as possible, but no later than June 15.

Those suspecting that they have symptoms of hepatitis A should contact their health care provider. If you’re without medical insurance that covers vaccines, contact the Gloucester County Health Department at 856-218-4101.

The management of this establishment is cooperating with sanitary procedures and the investigation. The rest of the employees were able to return to work after receiving PEP.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis A virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts, from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces or stool of an infected person.

Signs and symptoms of hepatitis A can include the following:
· Fever
· Fatigue
· Loss of appetite
· Nausea
· Vomiting
· Abdominal discomfort
· Dark urine
· Clay-colored bowel movement
· Joint pain
· Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Signs and symptoms usually appear two to four weeks after exposure, although they may occur two to seven weeks after exposure. Children under 6 years of age with hepatitis A often do not have or show few signs and symptoms.

If you have questions or need more information on hepatitis A, contact the Gloucester County Health Department at 856-218-4101.

Categories
feed Philadelphia philadelphia news Philly philly news

Dante Austin, LGBTQ Community Liaison For Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office, Found Dead At Desk

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office deputy and the LGBTQ community liaison was found dead at his desk on Friday morning. Officials believe Deputy Sheriff Dante Austin died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but they are awaiting confirmation from the Medical Examiner’s Office.

(credit: Facebook)

Sheriff Jewell Williams called it “a tragedy for the Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Austin’s family and the local LGBTQ community.”

“Dante was a person who believed in and cared about everybody,”Williams said. “He had the highest score on the Deputy Sheriff’s exam when he was hired in November 2013. He was our first openly gay deputy sheriff and we promoted him to become our first LGBTQ community liaison in May 2017.”

(credit: Facebook)

Austin, who was an Army veteran, was to be promoted to sergeant on July 1.

The Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office is closed for the rest of the day.

The William Way LGBT Community Center is providing support to those who need it following Austin’s death. From 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., community members who wish to join can meet at the center located at 1315 Spruce St.

“It will be an informal gathering with no agenda or program, but it will be an opportunity to be amongst friends, seek support, and begin to imagine how we will process this deep loss in a fitting way,” the center said.

Peer counseling will also be available at the center from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

The rainbow flag at Philadelphia’s City Hall will be flown at half-staff in Austin’s memory.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please ask for help. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-TALK. You can also text “talk” to 741-741.

Categories
feed Philadelphia philadelphia news Philly philly news

New Jersey To Give Away Doses of Naloxone To Combat Opioid Crisis

TRENOTN, N.J. (CBS/AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says the state will be handing out doses of the opioid antidote naloxone later this month. This is part of the governor’s initiative to combat the opioid crisis.

Murphy, a Democrat, said in a statement issued Friday that pharmacies across the state will be handing out single doses of naloxone on June 18 on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Through this initiative, people who are battling with addiction will be able to receive access to this critical medication and help them get on a path to recovery,” Murphy said.

Delaware Governor To Sign Bill Banning Single-Use Carryout Plastic Bags

The giveaway is part of a pilot program approved by the state’s pharmacy board.

It’s unclear how much the effort will cost.

State statistics show there were about 3,000 drug-related deaths in 2018, up from about 2,700 in 2017.

Attorney General Gurbir Grewal says naloxone was administered last year by first responders about 16,000 times, preventing thousands of deaths.

For the list of participating pharmacies, click here

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Categories
feed Philadelphia philadelphia news Philly philly news

SummerFest Heads To The Morris Arboretum In Chestnut Hill

CHESTNUT HILL, Pa. (CBS) – Did you know that Chestnut Hill is referred to as Philadelphia’s garden district? If you’re looking to escape the city, maybe find a spot to climb among the trees, then you’ll want to head over to Morris Arboretum.

The property features some of the area’s oldest trees and a treetop adventure for kids and grown-ups alike!

The 92-acre living museum dates back to the 1800s.

“It was originally designed just for a brother and sister, so it was a private garden that became a public garden but still holds those private garden elements,” Morris Arboretum Chief Horticulturist Vince Marrocco said.

“You can come here for exercise. You can come here to just find a quiet spot and relax and meditate,” Morris Arboretum Public Programs Event Coordinator Michelle Conners said.

So you can stroll through tucked away Victorian nooks or simply smell the fragrant blossoms and take in the trees – some of which have stood for hundreds of years.

“The collection has been continued to be built over the years, so we have both old and new specimens of trees that grow in temperate North America,” Conners said.

New this year is the “Loop de Loop.” There’s also a garden railway, one of the busiest spots of the arboretum. It’s a lively train display in miniature.

“All the cars are about the size of a shoebox,” Marrocco said. “The trains run around tracks. We have 13 tracks and four trolley lines. So, there’s a lot of activity in there.”

This year’s theme is the Great American Lighthouse, with intricate miniature sculptures of notable U.S. lighthouses, all peppered in with the resident replicas of some of Philly’s iconic buildings, like City Hall.

“In miniature, it’s about 5-feet-tall with a little tiny William Penn on top of it. And it’s entirely made out of natural materials,” Marrocco said.

If adventure’s your thing, check out the “Out on a Limb” canopy walk – a totally accessible path that leads you out into the tree canopy.

And you won’t want to miss the crown jewel – the Rose Garden, the most visited spot on the grounds.

“Most of the roses are in full bloom right now and they’ll be that way for the next couple of weeks,” Marrocco said.

Morris Arboretum will be offering visitors an exclusive in-depth experience of the garden this weekend. The first event will be the “More Hidden Gems” tour, starting Saturday at 11 a.m.

The all-new walking tour will highlight garden features not often discovered on an average visit.

Categories
feed Philadelphia philadelphia news Philly philly news

Delaware Governor To Sign Bill Banning Single-Use Carryout Plastic Bags

DOVER, Del. (CBS/AP) – The state Senate has given final approval to a bill that largely prohibits retailers in Delaware from providing single-use carryout plastic bags to customers. The bill approved Thursday is aimed at reducing the amount of plastic bags cluttering landfills, littering roadways and clogging stormwater systems.

The bill applies to stores with more than 7,000 square feet of sales space, and chain stores with three or more locations having at least 3,000 square feet of sales space. The city of Wilmington could impose bag bans on smaller stores.

Restaurants are excluded from the bag ban, which also allows exceptions for bags used to wrap meat, fish, flowers or plants, or that contain unwrapped food items.

Gov. John Carney is expected to sign the bill, which would take effect Jan. 1, 2021.

“Plastic bags are a significant source of litter in our state. Many get stuck in trees or discarded on the side of the road. We know that very few plastic bags are recycled and many end up as litter in our communities. I look forward to signing this legislation, which will help clean up our state and give us another tool to protect our environment,” Carney said.

Categories
feed Philadelphia philadelphia news Philly philly news

Atlantic City Firefighters Rescue Kitten Trapped In Drainage Pipe

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBS) – Firefighters in Atlantic City came to the rescue of a kitten after it was found stuck inside a drainage pipe. Crews were alerted by a woman who says she heard the cat’s cries coming from inside a pipe between the Coach store and the McDonald’s at the Tanger Outlets on Thursday.

Amanda Cavanaugh, who posted a video on Facebook, said she tried to get the cat out herself but it was in too deep.

Atlantic City firefighters arrived at the scene and were able to climb into the main sewer line, while other firefighters gently squirted water on the cat. Eventually, the cat backed up right into the hands of one of the firefighters.

Firefighters say the cat was shaken but uninjured.

The cat was turned over to animal control and is currently at the Pleasantville SPCA.

Categories
feed Philadelphia philadelphia news Philly philly news

Can Philadelphia Host A Major Fight?

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Not many would remember it nor should they. Future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins was the middleweight world champion 16 years ago, still riding a bit of that wave when he had beaten Felix Trinidad in 2001.

HBO came to Philadelphia to broadcast what was supposed to be “a major fight.” It turned out to be an utterly forgettable Hopkins’ title defense against a Frenchman named Morrade Hakkar, or what some boxing folks deemed, “Pepé Le Pew.”

Eagles Sign Carson Wentz To 4-Year Contract Extension Worth Reported $128 Million

Hopkins stopped Hakkar in eight in March 2003.

That was it.

It could be defined as what was supposed to be the last casino-worthy “marquee fight” in Philadelphia.

It wasn’t Hopkins’ fault that the fight bombed. It was an alphabet mandatory fight — and Hopkins got stuck defending one of his title belts.

Newly minted IFB, IBO and WBA junior middleweight champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams, and his trainer, Stephen “Breadman” Edwards, would like to stop that streak. Williams pulled off what was a mild upset, in the minds of some boxing people, when he won a unanimous decision over Jarrett Hurd in May.

Williams-Hurd was the best fight of 2019, so far.

Phillies Honor Late Team Chairman David Montgomery With Celebration Of Life Service At Citizens Bank Park

“It’s a huge priority that we have a big fight in Philly, and I would love to see Julian get a chance to fight on network TV in his hometown,” Edwards said. “I would like a venue like the Palestra, the Mann Music Center, the new Met, they all would be something to explore. We would like a title defense in Philly, which is where both Julian and I are from.

“But, this is a business at the end of the day. We would like to fight at home, it just has to be against the right guy. There is pressure fighting at home because family and friends are pulling you in different directions when your focus should be on the fight. We got 2.1 million views for Julian’s fight against Hurd, which was on national TV on Fox.

“Can you imagine Julian and Danny Garcia fighting on the same card in Philly, with the two flipping a coin as to who is the main event? Or, Julian, Danny and Stephen Fulton all on the same card? That’s huge—and it’s worthy of national TV attention. We have the champs in this city to do it. We definitely do.”

Categories
feed Philadelphia philadelphia news Philly philly news

‘Rally For Justice’ Planned In Response To Alleged Police Officers’ Racist, Violent Social Media Posts

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A “Rally for Justice” protest will take place Friday at Philadelphia Police Department headquarters to demand changes to the force. This comes as the department asked for outside assistance investigating hundreds of officers’ alleged racist and violent social media posts.

“Philadelphians are demanding all of the officers involved be taken off of the streets immediately, fired where necessary and criminally charged where warranted,” activist Solomon Jones said in a statement.

Hundreds Of Philadelphia Police Officers Accused Of Racist, Violent Posts On Social Media

Over 100 people are expected at the rally that begins at noon.

The rally is following the study known as the Plain View Project, which began in 2016, where Philadelphia-based attorneys began compiling Facebook posts from current and former officers from across the country.

Categories
feed Philadelphia philadelphia news Philly philly news

1 Killed In Fiery Crash In Chester County 

CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) – Pennsylvania State Police confirm a driver was killed in a fiery crash in Atglen, Chester County overnight. The crash happened on Route 41, just south of Route 372, around 3:41 a.m. Friday.

Police say a commercial vehicle that was traveling northbound on Route 41, crossed over into the southbound lanes and struck a vehicle. The impact sent both vehicles into a guard rail, sparking both vehicles on fire.

The driver of one of the vehicles was unable to exit and died in the fire, police said. The other driver was able to get out of the vehicle and is cooperating with police.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Route 41 is shut down between Route 372 and Highland Road.

Categories
feed Philadelphia philadelphia news Philly philly news

Suspect Wanted For Stealing From Multiple Vehicles In Northwest Philadelphia, Police Say

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect wanted for theft from multiple cars in Northwest Philadelphia. According to officials, the thief broke into the vehicles on Valley Green Road and Forbidden Drive on May 23.

Police say the suspect took a number of items from the vehicles, including credit cards.

Shortly after the thefts, an unknown male attempted to use one of those cards at a nearby convenience store, when the transaction was declined the man fled before police arrived.

Surveillance video captured the man as he attempted the transaction.

If you have any information, contact Philadelphia Police at 215-686-3353.