Quantcast
Channel: Local – NBC10 Philadelphia
Viewing all 60988 articles
Browse latest View live

More Clown Threats Against Schools Surface in South Jersey

$
0
0

On the heels of the arrests of two New Jersey teenagers in connection with creepy clown threats posted on social media, authorities in another local township say they're investigating similar threats there.

Burlington Township police and school district sent a letter to parents Monday night about clown threat posts circulating on social media specifically mentioning township schools.

"The district immediately alerted the police upon learning of the disturbing social media posts this evening," the letter read. "The safety of our children and our community is a top priority for us and we are taking this matter seriously."

Burlington Township Police are investigating the posts, and "pursuing those responsible for them," the letter continued, adding that police have found no credible threats, but planned to increase presence at schools as an extra precaution.

The Burlington Township alert came a day after police in Washington Township said they arrested two teenagers for their involvement in posting similar threats against schools in that township. Both teens were charged with cyber harassment and other crimes, authorities have said. 

In Philadelphia, police said they forwarded information to prosecutors on a case involving similar threats made to specific schools throughout the city on social media over the weekend. In that case, police say a 13-year-old girl admitted to making some of the posts as a "prank" and told them she and a friend also involved had no intent of harming anyone. It's unclear whether the District Attorney's Office will file charges.



Photo Credit: WGBA

Questions Raised About Rep. Sims' Speaking Fees, Travel

$
0
0

The Keystone State's first openly gay legislator is the latest Pennsylvania politician to come under scrutiny after an investigation reveals he toed the ethical line by using campaign funds to pay for some travel, failed to disclose thousands of dollars in travel reimbursements and collected more than $50,000 in speaking fees.

A report from City & State Pennsylvania says State Rep. Brian Sims (D - Phila.) did not divulge at least one trip that exceeded the $650 minimum state reporting requirement.

Initially denying the claim raised about a visit made to Microsoft's Seattle headquarters to speak about LGBT issues, Sims later dropped his refusal, the investigation shows.

Read more about the report on PBJ.com



Photo Credit: AP Matt Rourke

NBC10 Responds: Post Office Pays Back After Mail Mishap

$
0
0

A dentist's office manager in Drexel Hill had been after the Post Office to pay her office back $30 for a lost package for three years to no avail. That's until she called NBC10 Responds and Harry Hairston and finally got results. Harry has the story.

USO Celebrates 75th Anniversary in Style

$
0
0

The USO Gala celebrating its 75th anniversary takes place this Friday at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.

Corn Hole for a Cause Supports Families Facing Cancer

$
0
0

'Corn Hole For A Cause' is happening Saturday, Oct. 8. It raises money for Bringing Hope Home, an organization that supports families facing cancer.

2 Homes 'Flattened' in NJ Gas Explosion: Officials

$
0
0

More than three dozen people were displaced after a gas explosion leveled two multifamily homes, seriously damaged a third and affected at least a dozen other dwellings, fire officials said.

Paterson Fire Chief Michael Postorino said that no tenants or residents in surrounding homes were hurt in the blast that "flattened" 16 and 18 Goshen Avenue shortly before 9:24 a.m.

But 38 people were either displaced or left homeless by the blast, and 15 firefighters were evaluated at hospitals for ruptured ear drums and other minor injuries.

Postorino said the department got several calls from homeowners in the area who reported smelling gas as they got ready for the day at about 9 a.m.

When they arrived, crews heard hissing coming from the gas source and they worked quickly to clear 11 residents from the two homes and other dwellings throughout the area before the explosion. 

"They did what they were trained to do," he said. "They got everyone out."

Chopper 4 footage from after the blast showed utility crews and firefighters crowding around the the pile of rubble left behind from the blast. Windows, shards of wood and shingles were strewn about the block, covering cars, the sidewalk and street dozens of feet from the two homes.

The homes on either side of the blast also appear to have some damage. Postorino said that one of the homes had serious structural damage, and at least a dozen others nearby had everything from blown-out windows to damage from flying debris.

Postorino said that several firefighters sustained minor injuries battling the blaze after the blast.

He said that once the fire is fully extinguished excavation work will begin, and firefighters will look to see if anyone was trapped in the rubble.

He said the department believes all tenants in the home are accounted for but will search the wreckage to verify that assertion. Earlier on Tuesday, city councilman Ken Martin said that one person was thought to be unaccounted for. 

Several residents nearby told NBC 4 New York they smelled gas before the blast, and several said they felt shaking when the homes exploded. Store owner Charlie Hayek said that he initially thought a car exploded but was shocked when he saw the homes reduced to rubble. 

"We shook," Hayek said. 'We shook, and we knew it wasn't a car accident."

Hayek added that the firefighters' quick actions likely saved lives.

"If it happened 10 minutes before it would have been a lot worse," he said.

Gas service and power were both shut off after the blast, both Postorino and PSE&G said in a statement. 

The cause of the leak that sparked the blast wasn't immediately clear.

The blast comes a week after house explosion in the Bronx where a FDNY battallion chief was killed by falling debris. Authorities said the Bronx blast might have been caused by a tampered gas main.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the explosion.

Ann Givens contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: NBC 4 New York

Guilty Verdict After Decaying Bodies Found in Funeral Home

$
0
0

A man who ran an unlicensed funeral home in West Philadelphia where police found decaying bodies not properly stored will face probation for abuse of corpse, a Philadelphia judge ruled.

Blair Hawkins, 53, learned his sentence on Monday in front of Judge Patrick F. Dugan. Dugan found Hawkins guilty of three counts of abuse of corpse, according to court documents, and sentenced Hawkins to up to two years of probation for each count.

Other charges against Hawkins were withdrawn.

Police arrested Hawkins, of Laurel Springs, NJ, last year after they found three bodies not properly stored in Hawkins Funeral Service, on the 5300 block of Vine Street. One of the bodies was embalmed in a coffin in a non-ventilated room and two others were decomposing, authorities said at the time. Investigators also discovered two unmarked, non-medical bags of human organs inside the building.

Hawkins at the time told NBC10 that the state investigation that found the questionable conditions, sparked by a tip from the public, was all a result of a misunderstanding.

"The bodies, we have paperwork," Hawkins told NBC10. "They're gonna be cremated. They're authorized. We don't refrigerate bodies that are being cremated."

Hawkins' attorney has filed an appeal.



Photo Credit: SkyForce10 / Philadelphia Police

Testimony: Boss Unconcerned with Safety Ahead of Collapse

$
0
0

A former Salvation Army employee who sat in staff meetings leading up to the 2013 Market Street collapse that killed seven people testified Tuesday that a high-ranking official with the nonprofit “was concerned with the damage to the roof, damage to the building, not the people.”

Edward Strudwick, a former dispatch supervisor for the Salvation Army, said he grew concerned after hearing discussions by his superiors during meetings in April and May about the store at 22nd and Market and the demolition going on next door.

But, he said in testimony for the plaintiffs, the top regional official, Major John Cranford, did not seem interested in moving the store operations.

Under cross-examination by a Salvation Army attorney, however, Strudwick admitted he never heard direct discussions about Cranford’s intentions for a potential relocation of store operations while the demolition was underway. He also testified that he never voiced any concerns about what he said he heard at the meetings.

Strudwick is the second Salvation Army employee to testify in what is expected to be a months-long civil trial in the case against six defendants brought by the families of seven people killed and the 12 people injured three years ago.

The six defendants are developer Richard Basciano and his company STB, his project representative Plato Marinakos, demolition contractor Griffin Campbell, Campbell’s excavator operator Sean Benschop, and the Salvation Army, which owned and operated the store that Basciano’s building crushed the morning June 5, 2013 when four stories of concrete, brick and steel fell suddenly.

Campbell and Benschop were the only two people criminally charged and are each serving lengthy prison terms for involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment.

The trial is in its third week.

Two high-ranking members of the Salvation Army’s “upper command” are scheduled to take the stand starting Tuesday afternoon. Colonel Tim Raines and architect Alistair Fraser will be the next witnesses inside the Philadelphia City Hall courtroom of Common Pleas Judge M. Teresa Sarmina.

Strudwick, who left the Salvation Army in 2014, testified he “got the impression” there was some potential danger associated with the demolition of Basciano’s building after attending meetings in April and May of 2013.

But he admitted he did not press any of his superiors, saying “hindsight is 20/20.”

He testified that part of the reason he didn't say anything before the collapse was because “you never said anything back to Major Cranford.”

“That was your first step out the door,” he testified.

That prompted Salvation Army attorney Jack Snyder to ask whether that meant Strudwick valued his job over his concerns.

“No,” Strudwick said.



Photo Credit: AP

Montco Police Warn of Child Luring Attempt Near School

$
0
0

A man attempted to lure a 12-year-old child into his car near a Montgomery County school last month, and police are warning the public to be alert.

Upper Moreland Township Police on Tuesday released a sketch of the luring suspect. They said the man approached a 12-year-old near the intersection of Karen Lane and Davisville Road in Hatboro -- not far from Upper Moreland Middle School -- about 2:30 p.m. Sept. 16. The middle school is about two blocks away from where the man accosted the child.

Police said the suspect told the child he was looking for his dog and then tried to convince the child to get into his car, a silver sedan.

The suspect is described as a white man in his 20s who's about 5 feet 8 and thin, with brown hair that he wore parted on the side.

Police asked that anyone with information on the suspect contact Det. J. Schramm at jschramm@uppermoreland.org or by calling 215-657-4700.



Photo Credit: Upper Moreland Police / Google Earth

First Alert Weather: Trending Cool & Tracking the Storm

$
0
0

High temperatures will reach near 70 Tuesday, and we're tracking Hurricane Matthew -- what it means for your weekend. Chief Meteorologist Glenn "Hurricane" Schwartz has the full forecast.

NJ State Trooper Buys Dinner for Couple in Need

$
0
0

A New Jersey State Trooper went above and beyond to help a couple in need and his good deed was caught all on camera.

Trooper Sean Wallace was dispatched to a food store in Hainesport Township Saturday night after a complaint was made about a man asking customers for money outside of the store. Upon arrival, he spoke with the manager who explained he had told the man to leave the property earlier in the day.

Body camera video shows Wallace speaking to the man who explains he needed food for him and his wife. A few moments later, Wallace took the man to a nearby store in Burlington County and bought him dinner.

Wallace has been on the job for less than a year but his fellow NJ State Troopers admit he “handled this situation like a 20-year veteran with a heart of gold.”

[[395887921, C]]


This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Objects Found in Pockets of Deceased Migrants

$
0
0

Every year, scores of migrants die in the hot, desolate, and bleak desert trying to cross the Mexican border into the United States. Here are photos of objects that were found in the pockets of deceased migrants who took a leap for a better life—but fell short.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Eagles Meet With Breast Cancer Survivors

$
0
0

The Philadelphia Eagles hosted an event at Lincoln Financial Field to meet with breast cancer survivors in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. NBC10's Deanna Durante has the details.

'Hurt Like Hell': Family Faces Child's Accused Shooter

$
0
0

An 18-year-old man accused in a shootout that left an 8-year-old girl dead in Camden, New Jersey faced a judge and the young victim's family in court on Tuesday.

NBC10's Cydney Long was in court as Tyhan Brown appeared for an arraignment on murder and related charges. Brown is accused of participating in a shootout on the 900 block of South 8th Street in Camden Aug. 24 as little Gabrielle Hill-Carter rode her bike outside her home.

The little girl was caught in the crossfire and died two days after being wounded during the shootout.

Authorities say Brown fled to his uncle's home in Tennessee in the aftermath of the shooting, with help from his mother, Shakia Land, and girlfriend, Natasha Gerald. U.S. Marshals tracked Brown down in Tennessee and arrested him there for extradition back to New Jersey, and prosecutors have charged both Land and Gerald with helping the accused child killer to flee and providing police with false statements about him.

[[395804191, C]]

Gabrielle's mother openly wept in court as Assistant Prosecutor Christine Shah read the gut-wrenching details of the case.

The judge set bail for Brown at $1.5 million, agreeing he's a serious flight risk after he fled the state once already. The young man has no adult criminal record, but a lengthy juvenile record, NBC10's Cydney Long reports.

Gabrielle, who went by Gabby, has been mourned by family members and neighbors since her tragic death. Her stepfather said her family was happy with the high bail set by the judge and hopes to see justice served for the little girl, but that Tuesday's court hearing aggravated the open wound left by her death.

"It still hurt like hell watching," Gabby's stepfather told NBC10 outside court. "She was very much loved ... she will be always remembered."

Police have not identified any of the other suspects in the shootout, but additional arrests are expected.



Photo Credit: Left: Family Photo / Right: NBC10 Cydney Long

Delaware Residents Speak on Hurricane Matthew’s Impact on Haiti

$
0
0

Delaware Valley residents are trying desperately to contact loved ones in Haiti impacted by Hurricane Matthew. NBC10's Tim Furlong spoke with community members who are praying and waiting for good news.

Photo Credit: AP

Report: Yahoo Security Scans Customer Emails for US Intelligence

$
0
0

Do you know who's reading your emails? It turns out the government might be combing through your inbox thanks to help from Yahoo. NBC10's Denise Nakano has the details as well as reactions from privacy advocates.

Driver Intentionally Runs Over Crossing Guard: Police

$
0
0

Police are searching for a driver accused of intentionally running over a crossing guard who yelled at him.

The 56-year-old crossing guard told police she was stopping traffic to cross a child at the intersection of Devereaux and Summerdale avenues around 8:10 a.m. on Sept. 21. As the child was crossing, a silver car made a left turn from Devereaux Avenue onto Summerdale Avenue and almost struck the child. The crossing guard said she then yelled at the driver as he passed her.

The driver of the car then allegedly placed the vehicle in reverse, ran over the median where the crossing guard was standing, and intentionally struck her, knocking her to the ground. The driver then placed the car back in drive and continued southbound on Summerdale Avenue, turned westbound on Van Kirk Street and struck a parked, unattended vehicle before fleeing the scene.

The crossing guard suffered injuries to her right forearm, hand, left knee and a possible fracture to her left shoulder. She was taken to Aria-Torresdale where she was listed in stable condition.

The suspect is described as a light skinned black male between the ages of 20 and 30 wearing a white or gray baseball cap. Police also believe his vehicle is an older model gray Ford Fusion or Ford Focus with front end damage, red transfer paint on the front bumper. They also believe a small piece of the front bumper is missing.

If you have any information on the incident, please call the Northeast Detective Division at 215-686-3153.



Photo Credit: Philadelphia Police
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Police Arrest Another NJ Teen for Clown Threats

$
0
0

Another South Jersey teen was arrested for allegedly making clown threats on social media.

On Monday Hamilton Township Police received a report of threats on Instagram being made against William Davies Middle School in Mays Landing. Police say the threats were similar to the recent wave of "clown threats" that have occurred on several social media sites over the past week across the country. 

After an investigation, police arrested a 13-year-old boy from Mays Landing in connection to the threats. The teen is charged with terroristic threats and causing false public alarm. He was released to his parents pending juvenile court.

Burlington Township police and the school district also sent a letter to parents Monday night about clown threat posts circulating on social media, specificically mentioning township schools. Police in Washington Township also said they arrested two teenagers for their involvement in posting similar threats against schools in that township. Both teens were charged with cyber harassment and other crimes, authorities have said. 

In Philadelphia, police said they forwarded information to prosecutors on a case involving similar threats made to specific schools throughout the city on social media over the weekend. In that case, police say a 13-year-old girl admitted to making some of the posts as a "prank" and told them she and a friend also involved had no intent of harming anyone. It's unclear whether the District Attorney's Office will file charges.

Frightening Clown Sightings, Threats Reported Nationwide

$
0
0

Frightening clown encounters and social media threats are flooding police departments and schools nationwide. Here's a look at some of the many reported incidents across the country.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

3 Robberies in 37 Minutes in NJ

$
0
0

A man robbed three gas stations in Camden County, New Jersey at gunpoint within 37 minutes, said Haddon Township Police.

The suspect on Tuesday afternoon brandished a black pistol and demanded cash from attendants at a two Citgo stations in Pennsauken -- The at Route 130 & Westfield Avenue at 1:13 p.m. and the other at 6859 S. Route 130 at 1:47 p.m. -- and another along Route 130 in Haddon Township at 1:50 p.m.

No one was hurt, said police.

The suspect -- a man standing between 5-feet, 8-inches and 5-feet, 10-inches tall with brown hair and a beard -- was driving a dark Jeep SUV that possibly has Pennsylvania license plates, said police.

Anyone with information on the heists is asked to call Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Det. Dylan Deacon at 856-225-8545, Haddon Township Det. Tim Hak at 856-833-6209 or Pennsauken Det. John Kelley at 856-488-0080.


This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
Viewing all 60988 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images

<script src="https://jsc.adskeeper.com/r/s/rssing.com.1596347.js" async> </script>
<script src="https://jsc.adskeeper.com/r/s/rssing.com.1596344.js" async> </script>