The planned improvements are the first major commitment to carrying out a master plan to turn the aging South Philadelphia park into “a world-class destination playscape.”Philadelphia officials on Tuesday announced $4.5 million in funds to start long-awaited improvements at FDR Park that will include a new welcome center with courtyard, an event space overlooking the lagoon, a café, and a new playground.The planned improvements are the first major commitment to turn the aging South Philadelphia park into “a world-class destination playscape.”“After a year when park visitation has soared,...…The planned improvements are the first major commitment to carrying out a master plan to turn the aging South Philadelphia park into “a world-class destination playscape.”Philadelphia officials on Tuesday announced $4.5 million in funds to start long-awaited improvements at FDR Park that will include a new welcome center with courtyard, an event space overlooking the lagoon, a café, and a new playground.The planned improvements are the first major commitment to turn the aging South Philadelphia park into “a world-class destination playscape.”“After a year when park visitation has soared,...WW…

Most migrating birds fly at night, and they can become disoriented by artificial lights, causing them to collide with buildings or windows. The lights also throw birds off migration paths.Some of Philadelphia’s most iconic skyscrapers, such as the Comcast towers, BNY Mellon Center, and the Liberty Place buildings will soon go dark overnight as their owners take part in a program to protect migrating birds from being lethally drawn to the lights.The new voluntary program, called Lights Out Philly, is an effort to prevent bird deaths as they migrate north in the spring and south in the fall,...…Most migrating birds fly at night, and they can become disoriented by artificial lights, causing them to collide with buildings or windows. The lights also throw birds off migration paths.Some of Philadelphia’s most iconic skyscrapers, such as the Comcast towers, BNY Mellon Center, and the Liberty Place buildings will soon go dark overnight as their owners take part in a program to protect migrating birds from being lethally drawn to the lights.The new voluntary program, called Lights Out Philly, is an effort to prevent bird deaths as they migrate north in the spring and south in the fall,...WW…

The snow and accompanying cold have translated to big relief for the state’s tourism industry, which has been battered by COVID-19 restrictions on dining and lodging.As November’s weather ended on a mild spell, and with COVID-19 restrictions looming, Pennsylvania’s ski resorts started the season with trepidation.“We were definitely a little nervous,” said Rachel Wyckoff, spokesperson at Shawnee Mountain in East Stroudsburg. “We weren’t sure what to expect.”But the season has exceeded expectations of even the most cautiously optimistic.“It’s been amazing,” Wyckoff said. “We’ve never seen so...…The snow and accompanying cold have translated to big relief for the state’s tourism industry, which has been battered by COVID-19 restrictions on dining and lodging.As November’s weather ended on a mild spell, and with COVID-19 restrictions looming, Pennsylvania’s ski resorts started the season with trepidation.“We were definitely a little nervous,” said Rachel Wyckoff, spokesperson at Shawnee Mountain in East Stroudsburg. “We weren’t sure what to expect.”But the season has exceeded expectations of even the most cautiously optimistic.“It’s been amazing,” Wyckoff said. “We’ve never seen so...WW…

Three men entered a Chinese takeout restaurant in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood Friday night and attempted to blow up an ATM after they ordered food.Police say the group went to Golden Chinese & American takeout on the 2000 block of Stenton Avenue and ordered food around 9 p.m. They then placed a device in the ATM, causing it to explode, blowing out a window and knocking off shelves in the restaurant.The explosion damaged the ATM, but the thieves were unable to extract the cash from the box inside.Two of the men fled on foot, the other on a bicycle.No injuries were reported.…Three men entered a Chinese takeout restaurant in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood Friday night and attempted to blow up an ATM after they ordered food.Police say the group went to Golden Chinese & American takeout on the 2000 block of Stenton Avenue and ordered food around 9 p.m. They then placed a device in the ATM, causing it to explode, blowing out a window and knocking off shelves in the restaurant.The explosion damaged the ATM, but the thieves were unable to extract the cash from the box inside.Two of the men fled on foot, the other on a bicycle.No injuries were reported.WW…

The Clean Air Council said the fluid contains bentonite clay and chemical additives that can “smother aquatic life.”Drilling fluid used in Sunoco Pipeline LP’s Mariner East project in Chester County leaked into Marsh Creek Lake in a state park of the same name on Monday — one of three incidents in recent days along the pipeline construction project route.Virginia Cain, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, said the agency is investigating the three incidents, which occurred at two project sites, in West Whiteland and Upper Uwchlan Townships.The DEP said...…The Clean Air Council said the fluid contains bentonite clay and chemical additives that can “smother aquatic life.”Drilling fluid used in Sunoco Pipeline LP’s Mariner East project in Chester County leaked into Marsh Creek Lake in a state park of the same name on Monday — one of three incidents in recent days along the pipeline construction project route.Virginia Cain, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, said the agency is investigating the three incidents, which occurred at two project sites, in West Whiteland and Upper Uwchlan Townships.The DEP said...WW…

Neighbors of Wissahickon Valley Park say they've had enough of large groups coming into the Philadelphia-owned park, many from out of state, barbecuing, blasting music, illegally swimming in Devil's Pool and others areas, and leaving behind mountains of trash. So they are planning a rally Aug. 9 toNeighbors of Wissahickon Valley Park said they’ve had enough of the large crowds that descend on the popular Philadelphia city park, with many people arriving from out of state, blasting music, illegally swimming, and leaving behind mountains of trash.The neighbors said visitors are violating...…Neighbors of Wissahickon Valley Park say they've had enough of large groups coming into the Philadelphia-owned park, many from out of state, barbecuing, blasting music, illegally swimming in Devil's Pool and others areas, and leaving behind mountains of trash. So they are planning a rally Aug. 9 toNeighbors of Wissahickon Valley Park said they’ve had enough of the large crowds that descend on the popular Philadelphia city park, with many people arriving from out of state, blasting music, illegally swimming, and leaving behind mountains of trash.The neighbors said visitors are violating...WW…

A man was stabbed at a homeless encampment Sunday evening on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, leading police to respond in what organizers of the encampment hope to have sanctioned by the city as a “no police zone.”A man was stabbed at a homeless encampment Sunday evening on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, leading police to an area organizers want sanctioned by the city as a “no police zone.”The victim, described as a 26-year-old Black man, was stabbed multiple times during a fight and police were called about 5:15 p.m. It was not immediately clear if the victim was a member of the...…A man was stabbed at a homeless encampment Sunday evening on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, leading police to respond in what organizers of the encampment hope to have sanctioned by the city as a “no police zone.”A man was stabbed at a homeless encampment Sunday evening on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, leading police to an area organizers want sanctioned by the city as a “no police zone.”The victim, described as a 26-year-old Black man, was stabbed multiple times during a fight and police were called about 5:15 p.m. It was not immediately clear if the victim was a member of the...WW…

It’s been widely assumed that levels of those pollutants would drop significantly during the coronavirus shutdown, which has reduced rush-hour traffic to a fraction of its normal load.Cars, trucks, and buses are among the top pollution sources in Philadelphia, given the vast network of normally traffic-choked roads within the city and surrounding areas.The compounds emitted from those commuter tailpipes include particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide. In addition, the burning of fossil fuels produces volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide, a...…It’s been widely assumed that levels of those pollutants would drop significantly during the coronavirus shutdown, which has reduced rush-hour traffic to a fraction of its normal load.Cars, trucks, and buses are among the top pollution sources in Philadelphia, given the vast network of normally traffic-choked roads within the city and surrounding areas.The compounds emitted from those commuter tailpipes include particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide. In addition, the burning of fossil fuels produces volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide, a...WW…