Light snow is falling in parts of Berks County while sleet is falling in parts of Montgomery County as freezing cold air moves through the region. The cold temperatures prompted officials to issue a freeze warning which will last until 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
The cold air is moving through as the large storm front that battered the region with rain, high winds and thunderstorms moves out.
The storm system pushed into the region late Tuesday morning and lasted throughout the day into the night.
The storm carried a lot of moisture and the rains were heavy at times throughout the afternoon. Winds also gusted through the 20 and 30 mph range throughout the day.
Isolated thunderstorms developed around 1 p.m. as the cold front clashed with the warmer air that was set in place over the region. Heavy winds from the storm caused large trees to topple in Abington, Pa.
Rain will continue to fall through the evening and so will the temperatures. Highs were around 60 degrees Tuesday afternoon but the mercury started to drop after 3 p.m. By 11 p.m., the temperature across most of the region is expected to be in 30s.
As the temperatures continue to drop, the moisture combined with the cold air is causing snow to fall in Reading, Berks County as well as sleet in parts of Montgomery County.
The snow is not expected to cause any accumulation more than a coating, according to NBC10 First Alert Meteorologist Sheena Parveen.
The storm system will be gone by Wednesday morning, but in its wake will be freezing temperatures.
The National Weather Service issued a Freeze Warning beginning overnight Wednesday through the morning for vegetation and spring plants that have already bloomed.
"If you have any spring plants or anything that just bloomed that you don't want to get damaged, you might want to cover that up tonight," said NBC10 First Alert Weather Meteorologist Sheena Parveen.
Temperatures will be hovering around 32 degrees in Philadelphia and in the mid 20s for areas north and west. The cold air will eventually warm into the 50s by Wednesday afternoon.
SEPTA will operate the city's subway and El lines overnight beginning in June pending final approval from its board in May.
The change is part of the transit authority's fiscal year 2014 capital budget plan, which goes through a series of public hearings over the next two weeks before the SEPTA board votes on it.
The overnight service would replace the the Market-Frankford NiteOwl Express bus lines, which run from midnight to 5 a.m., with train service during those same hours Saturday and Sunday.
SEPTA started researching and planning the relaunch of overnight subway service about six months ago, according to a SEPTA spokesman.
Several storms led the agency to operate overnight train service in place of the express buses this past winter, a safety decision to keep buses off icy roads.
The switch sparked a conversation among the public to reinstate the 24/7 subway service that was canceled in 1991.
"As a daily SEPTA rider, and a life-long SEPTA rider at that, I think this was long over due," said Conrad Benner, a popular blogger who garnered more than 2,500 signatures on a Change.org petition calling for the additional public transit option and coordinated an April Fool's hoax to draw more attention to his campaign.
The service will begin as a pilot program that will run from June until Labor Day and, depending on its success, SEPTA officials will decide whether or not to extend the overnight transit option through the fall.
"I'm more than confident this so-called 'test period' will do well enough to continue offering this essential service well past Labor Day and indeed year-round," Benner said.
"I honestly think that once people have access to a service, it naturally becomes very difficult to take it away from them," he added. "I hope they can be extended to seven days a week before the end of this year to truly meet the needs of every Philadelphian."
The public can weigh in on the budget proposal at one of five public hearings in April.
Are you "FlyeredUp?" Show us your Philadelphia Flyers spirit on Twitter for a chance to win two tickets to a Flyers playoff game.
Follow NBC10 Philadelphia on Twitter and then tweet your Flyer fan photo using the hashtags #FlyeredUp and #NBC10win for a chance to win two tickets to the first 2014 Flyers playoff game on April 22. NOTE: You must tweet both hashtags and the photo in one tweet. You have until Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. to enter. You may enter once. Contest rules are below.
NBC10 FlyeredUp Sweepstakes
Official Rules
April 15, 2014—April 19, 2014
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Void outside the WCAU Geographic Viewing Area (defined below) and where prohibited. The NBC10 FlyeredUp Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) will begin on April 15, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. and end on April 19, 2014 at 6:30 P.M. ET (“Sweepstakes Period”). All times in the Sweepstakes refer to Eastern Time (“ET”). Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible Entries (as defined below) received. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.
ELIGIBILITY: Open only to permanent, legal United States (“U.S.”) residents who are located in the WCAU terrestrial geographic viewing area in the counties of Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania; the counties of Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Cape May, Atlantic, Salem, and Cumberland in the state of New Jersey; and the counties of New Castle and Kent in the state of Delaware (“WCAU Geographic Viewing Area”), and who are eighteen (18) years of age or older as of the start of the Sweepstakes Period. Officers, directors, and employees of Sweepstakes Entities (as defined below), members of these persons’ immediate families (spouses and/or parents, children, and siblings, and their spouses, regardless of where they reside), and/or persons living in the same households as these persons (whether or not related thereto) are not eligible to enter or win the Sweepstakes. Sweepstakes Entities, as referenced herein, shall include shall include WCAU, 10 Monument Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, NBCUniversal Media, LLC, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112, Comcast-Spectacor, 3601 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia Pa. 19148 (collectively, “Sponsors”), and their respective parent, subsidiary, and affiliate companies, and their administrative, advertising, and promotion agencies, and any other entity involved in the development, administration, promotion, or implementation of the Sweepstakes.
TO ENTER: To enter the Sweepstakes, during the Sweepstakes Period go to www.twitter.com, (“Twitter Site”) and (1) if you already have a Twitter account, log on using your Twitter user name and password, then become a follower of NBC10 Philadelphia by searching for NBC10 Philadelphia”, clicking on the NBC10 Philadelphia icon and then clicking the "Follow" button or (2) if you do not already have a Twitter account, create a Twitter account according to the instructions on the Twitter Site and follow NBC10 Philadelphia as indicated in (1) above. Please note that you must agree to comply with the Twitter Terms of Use in order to create a Twitter account. Once you become a follower of NBC10 Philadelphia, you will be required to submit a "Tweet" ("Statement") of one hundred and forty (140) characters or less with the hashtag #NBC10win and #FlyeredUp ("Entry"). You must include "#NBC10win and #FlyeredUp” in your Statement or your Entry will not be valid. Statement will not affect your chances of winning. If your Twitter profile is set to the “Protect my Tweets” setting, your Twitter Entry may be disqualified and rejected as ineligible for consideration in the Sweepstakes.
All Entries become the property of Sponsors and will not be acknowledged or returned.
Entries must be received before April 19, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. ET to be eligible for the Sweepstakes. Sponsors’ computer shall be the official timekeeper for all matters related to this Sweepstakes. Limit one (1) entry per person during the Sweepstakes Period. Multiple Entries received from any person beyond this limit will void all such additional Entries. Entries generated by a script, macro, or other automated means will be disqualified. Entries that are incomplete, garbled, corrupted, or unintelligible for any reason, including, but not limited to, computer or network malfunction or congestion, are void and will not be accepted. In case of a dispute over the identity of an entrant, the authorized account holder of the email address used to enter will be deemed to be the entrant. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the person who is assigned to an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. Entry constitutes permission (except where prohibited by law) to use entrant’s name, city, state, likeness, image, and/or voice for purposes of advertising, promotion, and publicity in any and all media now or hereafter known, throughout the world in perpetuity, without additional compensation, notification, permission, or approval.
WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION:
On or about April 19, 2014, one (1) winner will be selected in a random drawing by representatives of Sponsors from all eligible Entries received during the Sweepstakes Period. Sponsors will make two (2) attempts to notify potential Winner via Twitter direct messages at the time of Entry. Potential Winner may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility, release of liability, and, except where prohibited, publicity release (collectively, “Sweepstakes Documents”) within one (1) day of such notification. Noncompliance within this time period will result in disqualification, and, at Sponsors’ sole discretion an alternate potential Winner may be selected from the remaining eligible Entries. If potential Winner cannot be reached, is found to be ineligible, cannot or does not comply with these Official Rules, or if prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, potential Winner will be disqualified and time permitting, at Sponsors’ sole discretion, an alternate potential Winner may be selected from the remaining eligible Entries.
PRIZE: There will be 1 (one) prize awarded to one Winner. Prize will consist of the following: two (2) tickets to the Philadelphia Flyers first playoff game on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Prize will consist of two (2) tickets for Winner and one (1) guest (“Guest”) to Philadelphia Flyers first playoff game, scheduled to take place in April 22, 2014 at Wells Fargo Center (“Event”).
Any depictions of Prizes are for illustrative purposes only
Estimated Retail Value (“ERV”) of Prize is 200 dollars ($200). ERV of all Prizes is 200 dollars ($200). Any difference between ERV and ARV will not be awarded. For any Prize with an ARV of six hundred dollars ($600) or greater, Sponsors will furnish an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 to the Winner for the ARV of such Prize for the year in which such Prize was won.
Prize will be awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied by Sponsors. Prize may be subject to certain terms and conditions as specified by issuer.
All details of Prize will be determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion. Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a similar Prize (or Prize element) of comparable or greater value. All taxes and other expenses, costs, or fees associated with the acceptance and/or use of Prize are the sole responsibility of Winner. Prize cannot be transferred by Winner or redeemed for cash and is valid only for the items detailed above, with no substitution of Prize by Winner. If Prize is unclaimed within a reasonable time after notification from Sponsors, as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion, it will be forfeited, and time permitting, an alternate Winner may be selected from the remaining eligible Entries at Sponsors’ sole discretion.
Sponsors shall have no responsibility or liability for cancellations, delays, or any other change by any company or person providing any element of Prize due to reasons beyond Sponsors’ control, and are not responsible or liable for any expenses incurred as a consequence thereof. If applicable, date and/or time of Event are subject to change. Event is subject to cancellation. If Winner chooses to attend the Event with fewer Guests than permitted, or with none at all, the remaining elements of Prize shall constitute full satisfaction of Sponsors’ Prize obligation to Winner and no additional compensation will be awarded. Guest(s), if any, may be required to execute and return releases of liability and, where legal, publicity releases (collectively, “Guest Documents”), which must be returned with the Sweepstakes Documents, or Guest portion of the Prize will be forfeited. If any guest is a minor, Winner must be such minor’s parent or legal guardian and must execute and return the Guest Documents on such minor’s behalf.
CONDITIONS: By entering the Sweepstakes, each entrant agrees for entrant and for entrant’s heirs, executors, and administrators (a) to release and hold harmless Sweepstakes Entities and their respective officers, directors, and employees (collectively, “Released Parties”) from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from such entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes and/or his/her acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of Prize or any portion thereof (including any travel related thereto); (b) to indemnify Released Parties from any and all liability resulting or arising from the Sweepstakes and to hereby acknowledge that Released Parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to Prize, including express warranties provided exclusively by Prize supplier that are sent along with Prize; (c) if selected as a Winner, to the posting of such entrant’s name on the Website and the use by Released Parties of such name, voice, image, and/or likeness for publicity, promotional, and advertising purposes in any and all media now or hereafter known, throughout the world in perpetuity, without additional compensation, notification, permission, or approval, and, upon request, to the giving of consent, in writing, to such use; and (d) to be bound by these Official Rules and to waive any right to claim any ambiguity or error therein or in the Sweepstakes itself, and to be bound by all decisions of the Sponsors, which are binding and final. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in disqualification from the Sweepstakes at Sponsors’ sole discretion.
ADDITIONAL TERMS: Sponsors reserve the right to permanently disqualify from any promotion any person they believe has intentionally violated these Official Rules. Any attempt to deliberately damage the Sweepstakes or the operation thereof is unlawful and subject to legal action by Sponsors, who may seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law. The failure of Sponsors to comply with any provision of these Official Rules due to an act of God, hurricane, war, fire, riot, earthquake, terrorism, act of public enemies, actions of governmental authorities outside of the control of Sponsors (excepting compliance with applicable codes and regulations), or other “force majeure” event will not be considered a breach of these Official Rules. Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrants’ or to any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from entering or downloading materials or software in connection with the Sweepstakes. Released Parties are not responsible for telecommunications, network, electronic, technical, or computer failures of any kind; for inaccurate transcription of Entry information; for errors in any promotional or marketing materials or in these Official Rules; for any human or electronic error; or for Entries that are stolen, misdirected, garbled, delayed, lost, late, damaged, or returned. Sponsors reserve the right to cancel, modify, or suspend the Sweepstakes or any element thereof (including, without limitation, these Official Rules) without notice in any manner and for any reason (including, without limitation, in the event of any unanticipated occurrence that is not fully addressed in these Official Rules). In the event of cancellation, modification, or suspension, Sponsors reserve the right to select Winners in a random drawing from among all eligible, non-suspect Entries received prior to the time of the event warranting such cancellation, modification, or suspension. Notice of such cancellation, modification, or suspension will be posted on the Website. Sponsors may prohibit any entrant or potential entrant from participating in the Sweepstakes, if such entrant or potential entrant shows a disregard for these Official Rules; acts with an intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other entrant, Sponsors, or Sponsors’ agents or representatives; or behaves in any other disruptive manner (as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion). Sponsors reserve the right to modify these rules for clarification purposes without materially affecting the terms and conditions of the Sweepstakes.
DISPUTES: THE SWEEPSTAKES IS GOVERNED BY, AND WILL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND THE FORUM AND VENUE FOR ANY DISPUTE SHALL BE IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK. IF THE CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM IS NOT OTHERWISE RESOLVED THROUGH DIRECT DISCUSSIONS OR MEDIATION, IT SHALL THEN BE RESOLVED BY FINAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION ADMINISTERED BY JUDICIAL ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION SERVICES, INC., IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS STREAMLINED ARBITRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES OR SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS THEREOF (“JAMS RULES”). THE JAMS RULES FOR SELECTION OF AN ARBITRATOR SHALL BE FOLLOWED, EXCEPT THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL BE EXPERIENCED AND LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN NEW YORK. ALL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK. THE REMEDY FOR ANY CLAIM SHALL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL DAMAGES, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING ATTORNEY’S FEES OR OTHER SUCH RELATED COSTS OF BRINGING A CLAIM, OR TO RESCIND THIS AGREEMENT OR SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR ANY OTHER EQUITABLE RELIEF.
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT: For the name of the Winner(s), available after April 28, 2014, visit http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/, or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to be received by June 28, 2014 to: NBC10 FlyeredUp Sweepstakes, Marketing Department, WCAU, 10 Monument Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.
When the Catholic Church canonizes two popes later this month, one bishop from our area will be a lot closer to the festival of holiness than he anticipated.
"Well, I didn't figure I'd have any chance to concelebrate the mass," said Bishop John J. McIntyre of the Philadelphia Archdiocese. "But I sent a fax to the office that handles all of the papal ceremonies and I couldn't believe it, but a day later, I got an answer back."
Bishop McIntyre leaves for the Vatican next Wednesday to prepare for the canonization mass which will be held in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, April 27, 2014. Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII will both been canonized, which raises them to the level of sainthood in the church.
"It's a real thrill. Pope John Paul II was really the pope of my youth and the whole time I was in the seminary and my early years in the priesthood," said Bishop McIntyre, who is 50. "So to be able to concelebrate the mass in which he'll be canonized along with John the XXIII, is just a real privilege for me."
Several steps are required in order for someone to reach sainthood in the Catholic Church. Those steps include the certification of two miracles. John Paul II is credited with curing a French nun of Parkinson's disease after she prayed to him, and curing a Costa Rican woman who had an aneurysm.
The miraculous healing of an Italian nun, who was dying after stomach surgery, is attributed to Pope John XXIII. In a rare exception however, Pope Francis waived the need for a second miracle and fast-tracked Pope John's canonization. Pope John is remembered most for the calling of the Second Vatican Council in 1959 and then overseeing what became sweeping reforms in the church, commonly referred to as Vatican II.
According to the Vatican news website, Bishop McIntyre will be among about 1,000 clerics, which include cardinals, priests and bishops, concelebrating the mass. Most of them will also distribute Holy Communion to the faithful.
With at least one million people expected to attend the canonization, McIntyre will get a feel for the type of crowd expected if Pope Francis says mass next year in Philadelphia. Just last month, Bishop McIntyre traveled to Rome with Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput and other delegates who are helping plan for the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. When he received the email from the Vatican inviting him back for the canonization, the first person he called was a classmate from the seminary.
"The two of us are going together for the canonization, so I'm going to send the same fax for him and hopefully I'll get the same answer for him!"
Cancer forced Paul Steinke and his two brothers to have difficult conversations about palliative care, life and death with their father before he passed away in 1999 and again with their mother when she died in 2005.
“There were things we had to talk about and it was hard to do. Very hard,” said Steinke, the general manager of Reading Terminal Market. “We just did the best we could.”
In an effort to make that discussion easier, a Philadelphia-based design firm dedicated to improving communication and decision-making about end-of-life care brought My Gift of Grace, a "conversation game,” to the public farmer’s market Tuesday.
“It challenges the idea that these conversations are very sad and somber,” said Jethro Heiko, one of Action Mill’s four designers. “While that is true, they can be fun, challenging, transformative.”
Players are prompted with up to 47 different questions, which they answer in writing before sharing with the group.
“The idea is to have them reflect first about their response and then they share it out loud,” said Heiko, who added that the company consulted with palliative care experts and tested hundreds of questions before coming up with their final list.
Question #4 asks: “Who haven’t you talked with in more than six months that you would want to talk with before you died? "
Thirty-three rounds later, Question #47 asks: “What is the last meal you want to eat and who would you like to join you?”
Participants can pass if they would rather not share their response, although the rules state there are no wrong answers.
Players dole out blue “thank-you chips,” which resemble poker chips whenever they want to express gratitude to another person in the game. The results of a coin flip determine if the person with the most or least chips is the winner, but Heiko says the real value of the chips is psychological.
“When you are having challenging or difficult conversations, expressing gratitude can help people stay in conversation,” he said.
More than a dozen people gathered at two tables at Reading Terminal to take part, while onlookers stopped to check out the cards being passed around.
Action Mill has already sold more than 2,000 copies of My Gift of Grace since the product went to market in early December, Heiko said.
Although John Green, director of community relations at the Philadelphia-based Gift of Life Donor Program, has never played My Gift of Grace, he says the game is a creative and innovative way to get families to begin the tough talk.
“Creating something that is very interactive and fun to some degree will help spark conversation so people might be able to let others know what their end-of-life decisions might be,” he said.
Less than 30 percent of American adults have an advance directive, or a legal document that explains one’s end-of-life wishes if they are unable to communicate, according to a study published in The American Journal of Preventative Medicine in January.
“Many times, like a lot of health care decisions, people put this off,” Green said. “They feel young and healthy and say they will make that decision later. But sometimes later becomes now.”
And Heiko adds the game works well for those who are not facing an imminent loss of a loved one.
“Playing the game for me helps me appreciate life every day,” he said.
Steinke, who spent his lunch trying My Gift of Grace, agrees.
“Whether it is this game or another means of talking about it, it can only help,” Steinke said.
Heiko adds, “If families just had one conversation before they were dealing with the crisis, they could provide better care.”
Contact Alison Burdo at 610.668.5635, alison.burdo@nbcuni.com or follow @NewsBurd on Twitter.
Victoria Draper makes prom a reality for fellow teens who are cash-strapped. Draper is juggling the demands of her first year of college at the University of Delaware, but that hasn't stopped her from continuing The Rose Petal, a community service project she and her mother dreamed up over lunch three years ago.
Draper, 19, collects donated prom dresses. Twice a year, she opens a mobile boutique to outift girls with financial hardship. The girls pick out a prom dress, shoes and jewelry for free. The Washington Township native wants "every girl to find her own dress and feel like a rose," and her middle name is Rose, thus the project's name. This prom season she's given out about 60 dresses.
"We are on a fixed income. It was an unbelievable blessing. We left (the fitting) with everything from top to bottom," said Alletah Biddle, mother of twins Nicolette and Jadzia who attend Overbrook High School in Pine Hill. "It just saved us so, so much money. It was wonderful. It’s a wonderful thing that she does."
Draper's become a 'fairy godsister' of sorts. Biddle said her daughters would not have been able to attend the junior prom last year without her help because it was just too expensive to send two girls on her fixed income. A relative offered to pay for the Biddle girls' senior prom expenses this year.
"We want to ensure we get the girls who really need the dress," said Draper. "I realize that I have a lot more than what other people have even though I might not have everything."
At right, Nicolette and Jadzia Biddle before their junior prom in 2013.
To find clients, Draper reaches out to social workers and local agencies to idenitfy girls who could really use the pick-me-up. Since the mobile open house happens just twice a year, the most recent one having occured in March, she also fields individual requests via The Rose Petal Facebook page and email at therosepetal@comcast.net. The dress donations have come in from across the United States and as far away as California. The 300 dresses in stock are presently stored neatly on racks in storage since collection of dresses no longer fit in her parent's basement.
Draper spent her youth entering beauty pageants and enjoyed the thrills of dressing up and picking out fancy dresses and shoes. She decided to do a community project and pass the same fun onto girls her age. Draper says she's always accepting donations so her work continues year-round.
Earlier this month, The Steve Harvey Show recognized Draper as one of "Harvey's Heros" and presented her with $5,000 from Green Dot to put toward her good work. She says she plans to put the money toward storage fees, shoes and accessories.
"She's really made a difference for many girls, mine included," said Biddle.
Contact Sarah Glover at 610-668-5580, sarah.glover@nbcuni.com or follow @skyphoto on Twitter.
An Amber Alert has been canceled after police say a mother and her son were found unharmed.
Cumru Township Police say they received a call on Tuesday around 4 p.m. reporting that 24-year-old Jessica Mauger and her son, 20-month-old Aedan Michael Mauger, were endangered and missing from their home on the 1000 block of Bedford Avenue in Shillington, Berks County, Pa.
Jessica Mauger's parents told police that the woman had left her home with her son Tuesday morning and had not returned. The parents claimed the note indicated that she was planning to harm herself.
Pennsylvania State Police also reported that Mauger took two bottles of pills as well as a bottle of rum with her.
An Amber Alert was issued as police searched for Mauger and her child.
Around 7:45 p.m., Cumru Township Police and Lancaster City Police were able to find Jessica and her son in Lancaster City. They were both unharmed and the Amber Alert was canceled.
Officials initially told NBC10 that Mauger did not have custody of her child. However, state police later refuted that report after Mauger and her son were found.
Police have not yet revealed whether any charges will be filed.
Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.
Click here for more stories from the Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Delaware area.
If you want to ride like a Vice President, a Delaware man says he’s got just the car for you.
Jeff Finkle is selling a 2005 Cadillac STS on Craigslist, which he said was leased by Vice President Joe Biden from 2005 to 2008. The 23-year-old tells NBC10.com he purchased the luxury car in 2008, his senior year of high school, and realized it belonged to Biden when he was setting up the Bluetooth phone connection.
“When I was going through the Bluetooth and recognized the names. It had Jill’s number, his two sons Beau and Hunter. It had Philadelphia numbers, Wilmington numbers,” he said on Wednesday.
Finkle said he then checked the warranty information and called the dealership where the car was originally leased – both of which confirmed that it was Biden’s car. Finkle said he never called any of the numbers stored in the car, worried about what might happen.
“At that point, I was scared to touch any of them because if a call went through, I thought I would get in trouble because he was the Vice President,” he said.
A few months after his inquiries about the vehicle’s past, Finkle said the numbers disappeared from the car’s touchscreen computer.
A report on the car’s history does not show the name of the owners, but does list that it was previously registered as a commercial vehicle.
A spokeswoman for the vice president said they had “no comment” on the car. Calls to the dealerships where the cars were sold were not returned.
Finkle, who recently moved to South Carolina, says he figured highlighting the alleged Biden connection to the car would help the sale. He's offering the car for $15,000.
As for why he’s selling, he says it’s politics.
“Since now I’m in The South, driving around in Joe Biden’s car wouldn’t be the best thing with all the Republicans.”
Contact Vince Lattanzio at 610.668.5532, vince.lattanzio@nbcuni.com or follow @VinceLattanzio on Twitter.
The City of Brotherly Love is not so lovely for lessees as new data shows rental rents are pricier than historical levels.
The current median rental rate in the Philadelphia metro takes up 28.2 percent of median income, according to a new report from real estate data provider Zillow. Historically the median rental rate was 18.2 percent of median income based on figures from 1985 to 2000.
"Rents have significantly increased since 2000, in fact they have roughly doubled, while incomes have not kept up with that rental appreciation," said Svenja Gudell, Zillow's director of economic research.
A renter's living expenses are still lower in Philly compared with the rest of the country, where the current median rental rate is 29.6 percent of median income, the data shows. But it is still cause for concern since the combination of rent and utilities is supposed to take up no more than 30 percent of a household’s income to be considered affordable.
“This is an affordability crisis,” said Althea Arnold, a research analyst at the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC). “What you’re seeing really is that it is out of reach for the average Philadelphia resident to afford a modest apartment.”
Fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia is $1,135, according to the NLIHC’s Out of Reach 2014 report released in March. Someone living in the metro area must earn $21.83 – exactly $5 more than what the average renter earns in the city – to afford that rental rate, the report shows.
Arnold said the situation is especially dire for low-income households.
“For many households at extremely low income of 30 percent [of area median income] or less homelessness and housing instability are real threats,” she said.
Philadelphians who earn less than 30 percent of the area’s median income –defined as $79,200 for fiscal year 2013 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – can only afford to pay $591 a month in rent and utilities, according to Out of Reach 2014.
“This is also a housing stock issue as well,” Arnold said. “The number of new housing while it is increasing, it is only increasing for higher income groups.”
The city has lost federal dollars dedicated to affordable rental housing in recent years, but officials are taking steps to develop more affordable housing units.
"It is unfortunate that at the same time that rental housing in Philadelphia has become less affordable," said Paul Chrystie, Philly's Office of Housing and Community Development spokesman. "Philadelphia’s share of federal funds that help build affordable rental housing has been cut by nearly 50 percent [from fiscal year 2002 to 2015]."
Across the country, the National Housing Trust Fund is dedicated to helping communities preserve and rehabilitate rental homes.
"While it is startling and upsetting," Arnold said, "there is a solution."
Contact Alison Burdo at 610.668.5635, alison.burdo@nbcuni.com or follow @NewsBurd on Twitter.
No, it's not true.
Philadelphia councilman Mark Squilla did not upstage the mayor and entire delegation that traveled to Rome last month.
Although, you might have thought so if you pay attention to Councilman Jim Kenney on social media.
On Tuesday, Kenney, who has been critical of the Vatican trip, mocked the mayor's meeting with Pope Francis.
Hey, my good friend Councilman Mark Squilla, had a PRIVATE audience with Pope Francis. He and his family met with the Pope for over an hour!
— CouncilmanJimKenney (@JimFKenney) April 15, 2014
"We were spoofing, having a little fun," Kenney said, pointing out that the conversation was even more fun on his personal Facebook page, in the comment section of this post:
My friend and colleague Mark Squilla told me he had a great PRIVATE audience with Pope Francis and Francis told Mark that he is coming to Philly and can't wait to have lunch with him at El Vez! The Pope loves Stephen Starr!
Councilman Squilla is actually in Rome on a family vacation, visiting one of his kids who is studying abroad. But he did not plan for, or get any one-on-one time with the pope.
"Before he left, we were kind of laughing and talking about what it'd be like if that did happen and we figured Mark would bring like a South Philly flair," Kenney said, which probably inspired this answer to some of the comments by his followers:
Sorry, Mark and the Pope have really hit it off! Squilla didn't bring some microscopic Liberty Bell as a gift. No, Mark brought a bottle of home made limoncello, a home made sopressata from one of his aunts and an autographed book, "You Only Rock Once" by the Geator! The Pope was thrilled! He remembers tossing Blavat out of a club in Buenos Aires in 1960.So, Councilman Squilla has sealed the deal! Thanks, Mark!
"Sarcasm is sarcasm," Kenney said, insisting that he's not taking jabs at the mayor.
Mayor Michael Nutter and his Chief of Staff, Everett Gillison, traveled with more than a dozen other delegates to the Vatican in March to meet the pope and help plan for 2015 World Meeting of Families which will be held in Philadelphia next year. Kenney views the trip as a waste of time and money. (A non-profit paid for the trip, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.)
"That trip was unnecessary. I think it was just like a 'make work' trip. The pope was always coming and all the machinations -- is it going to be a private meeting with the pope or a public meeting with the pope -- was just a sideshow," Kenney said.
When the Mayor was in Rome, he addressed that criticism, explaining why he felt it was important to meet face-to-face, not just with Pope Francis, but with members of the Pontifical Council for Families, which is the Vatican organization responsible for planning the World Meeting of Families.
"Look, we're going to be working closely with them for the next year-and-a-half. Now when we call them to talk about logistics or facilitating something, when they pick up the phone here they'll know exactly who they're talking to, and when we're talking about an event this size and what it will mean to our great city, I believe that does make a difference," Nutter said.
Make no mistake, Kenney said, he's excited about the event itself, which is expected to draw more than a million people to the city, and have an economic impact of $100 million.
"It's one of the best events we could have in the city, especially in light of our city conventions being down until the year 2017. I wish the mayor was as enthusiastic about the DNC (Democratic National Convention) as he is about the pope," Kenney said. "We're in a downward trend and there are a lot of smaller events that we're working right now to fill hotel rooms with."
Police are warning Delaware County residents about “gypsy”-style scam artists they say are especially active during the spring and summer.
Several thieves are posing as home improvement workers and scamming homeowners in Radnor Township and the surrounding area, especially the elderly, police said.
In one case, three thieves scammed an elderly woman in Marple Township out of $1,100 and sprayed her driveway with old motor oil, police said.
Investigators say such thieves often refer to themselves as “travelers” or “Irish travelers” and go door to door, offering to pave or seal driveways for a cheap price.
“The travelers will want payment up front and prefer cash but will often times accept a check,” police warned. “The travelers will tell the homeowners they have patch left over from a previous job. Most homeowners who hire the traveling workers experience shoddy work with substandard materials.”
Police say the thieves then cut contact, and the homeowners are unable to find them to get a refund or repair the job. Police say the scam artists cash the checks before victims are able to stop payments, normally using fictitious names or other people' names.
Police also say during some incidents the thieves walked into the homes of the residents to steal money and jewelry. When caught, the thieves either made an excuse or fled the scene, according to investigators. None of the reported incidents were violent, however.
Police are warning homeowners always to keep their doors locked and to be suspicious of anyone who approaches them with an offer that sounds too good to be true.
They also advise homeowners always to check references and go through their town’s business bureau to investigate the company. Finally, they advise homeowners never to pay for work in advance and to always wait to pay at the conclusion of the job.
If you have any questions or information on the scam artists, call Radnor Police at 610-688-0500.
The Methacton Board of School Directors held its monthly work session before a sea of green T-shirts, speaking to a full house on Tuesday night. The LGI Room of the Methacton High School was standing room only, and it wasn’t for anything on the agenda. The green-dressed supporters, donning shirts that read "Team Maida" were only there for one reason: to tell the board about their disappointment and ask that the recently removed Methacton High School wrestling coach Anthony J. Maida be reinstated.
In a nearly three-hour meeting, more than 40 different speakers stood up, all in support of Maida and against the board’s decision to let him go.
Prior to the public’s opportunity to speak, known as the “Courtesy of the Floor,” Methacton Superintendent Dr. David Zerbe read from prepared statement.
“In the past week, I have seen signs of support for our former high school wrestling coach,” said Zerbe. “In all, these messages are representative of the support a well-liked coach would expect.”
The position of head wrestling coach was opened up on Monday, April 7, according to Zerbe in a decision he said stemmed from a recommendation.
“That decision was made as a recommendation by the high school athletic office, which was supported by the high school principal, and subsequently, following an appeal by the former coach to me, was upheld,” he said.
Despite the criticism from the parents and players, Zerbe said the administration handled the matter correctly.
“This decision, regardless of its popularity, was made appropriately and was communicated to each of the stakeholders in a manner appropriate for the privacy rights attributable to the individual of this issue, which is similar for any other school-related position,” said the superintendent.
Though a massive crowd came to support the former coach, Zerbe said that due to the protective nature of matters pertaining to personnel, it was difficult to share with the public all reasons he may have been let go.
“The opening of the head wrestling position has drawn criticism and concern and is met with misinformation,” said Zerbe. “This information either in whole or in part may stem from our inability to address our stakeholders completely to their liking due to our constraints around this matter.”
Zerbe said he and staff of the high school have done their best to communicate all aspects they are permitted to share with parents and students.
“There have been several communications suggesting that there exists a personality conflict or a philosophical difference of sorts between the high school principal and the former coach,” he said. “Statements to this effect are unfounded in fact and are far from reason for the resulting action.”
Zerbe said, while the board and administration cannot likely answer all questions due to the personnel issues surrounding the topic, reasons being floated around as rumors for the firing are incorrect.
“There are aspects of any position that may not be apparent to the players and the parents, yet are equally or are more valuable than those easily observed,” said Zerbe.
Following his statements, a multitude of speakers lined up to offer public comment on the matter. From former wrestlers, taking time out from college studies, to a PAC-10 wrestling official, former Methacton wrestling coaches, neighboring school district’s coaches, parents and players, a litany of reasons were provided as to why the community present did not feel the decision was a wise one.
Raymond Green, of Collegeville, father of state championship wrestler Tracey Green, started things off, amid a choked up explanation about how much the coach had meant to his own son.
“I think Coach Maida was the best for our team,” said Green. “[Maida] said something. He said ‘I have a lot of coaches calling me about your son, about where you’re going to wrestle, but what I worry about is where you’ll get a degree from.’”
Jeff Madden, of Royersford, was a Methacton graduate and spoke as president of the District I Coaching Association. Madden said he represented all of the wrestling coaches in the PAC-10.
“He is a coach that cares about wrestlers and the Methacton wrestling program,” Madden read to the board. The statement was prepared by Tim Seislove, coach of the Spring-Ford High School’s wrestling program. “My opinion is that not renewing the head wrestling contract of A.J. Maida at Methacton High School would be a loss for Methacton, PAC-10 and District I.”
Dennis Kellon, former Methacton coach of 30 years, teacher for 35 years and current chairman on both the Pennsylvania Chapter and the Southeast Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame, as well as current chairman of D-1 wrestling, said he wasn’t here representing D-1.
“I’m here representing Methacton, all the parents, and tradition you have here at Methacton,” said Kellon. “[Maida] made fine gentlemen.”
Scott Dorn, a PIAA official who lives in the district, had only positive things to say about Maida.
“He embodies core values,” said Dorn.
Four members of the D’Annunzio family spoke in favor of reinstating Maida, including the parents, son Robert currently at Ursinus, and son Michael, age 13.
“How dare you, Mr. Superintendent, tell the parents on Saturday morning that you know what is in the best interest of our children,” said father, Bill D’Annunzio. “How dare you. And how dare you tell them to remain silent in the aftermath of your decision and not attend the school board meeting and not speak out against your power and your decisions.”
Bill D’Annunzio’s tone and remarks garnered a response from the board members, who reminded speakers to keep comments polite.
“How dare you, Madame Principal, after receiving all of our concerns and emails, and letters, to ask the athletic director to talk to the wrestlers and tell them not to appear here tonight to talk about Coach Maida. How dare you try to silence them.”
Other speakers included current Methacton head football coach, Paul Lepre, who said he appreciated the advice from Maida and enjoyed coaching alongside him.
“He is the heart and soul of the Methacton Wrestling program,” said Lepre. He also noted that since the late 90s a revolving door had created frustrations with the program until Maida gave it stability.
Tim Walsh, Perkiomen Valley High School’s head wrestling coach said he got into education because of coaches he had as child.
“I don’t know another coach in this league, including myself, that works as hard,” said Walsh. “I’m jealous of his kids I see here tonight. He has kids working out with him in the mornings, after school. That says a lot about him.”
Countless current and former wrestlers asked for their beloved coach to be reinstated, alongside future Methacton wrestlers who said they were looking forward to having his coach their high school careers.
Kevin Rebert, of Audubon, president the “Outlaws,” Methacton’s Youth Wrestling Club, said he had seen first-hand Maida speak to a lot of kids.
“You can’t teach the passion like AJ has,” said Rebert. “I don’t think you can buy passion. I think that is important to consider in bringing AJ back. It is rare to find coaches that have that type of passion, that type of drive.”
Many parents said the change in coaching came without warning, and questioned the process that coaches are evaluated on in their positions. Some called for a more formal review process, allowing coaches and parents to be aware of any challenges in the future.
Others noted that Maida was a father-figure to some, stating he put the wrestlers school work before their athletics.
Blake Sprayberry, a former Marine, noted that Maida was a good leader for the young men at Methacton.
“When you find a leader who can touch young people like you see here tonight, you do not let them go,” said the 28-year veteran and retired lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corp. “I know up-close and personal the importance that a good leader can make in a young person’s life. And when you find a leader who drives people to do more than they ever thought possible, who leads by example, who touches young people, who makes them better than they were before, you do not, do not let them go.”
Following the former-Marine’s remarks, the crowd gave a roaring standing ovation.
School board member Jim Phillips said that he appreciated the input from the community.
“I was where you are five years ago,” said Phillips. “I felt the board was arrogant and didn’t hear me, but we do hear you.”
Phillips, who had asked prior to courtesy of the floor to extend an executive session, said he hoped the board would do its due diligence to find out more on the matter.
“That is one of the reasons I want to go back and talk more and ask questions, so we know fully what’s going on from both sides,” said Phillips. “I don’t take offense of what people may say. Criticism is good at times.”
Phillips added he understood that some questions may have to go unanswered, as it was a matter of personnel.
“We do make our votes based on what we learn from the public, and also what we learn on this side, which the public doesn’t necessarily see. We’re in a tough predicament here being that it is a personnel issue and the laws that govern that.”
Following the meeting, Zerbe reiterated his points presented in the read statement. When asked what “next steps” the board may purse, he said the answer plainly.
“Typically the next step is to find a new head coach,” said the Superintendent. “That will be recommended to the board.”
During his statement, Zerbe said the same.
“Now with our focus on the future,” said Zerbe, “we seek to fill the position of head wrestling coach who exhibits the many qualities defined in our core values, has a strong competitive spirit and is attuned to our long-standing district traditions.”
This story was published through a news coverage partnership between The Alternative Press of Lower Providence and NBC10.com
The mystery to the whereabouts of renowned Rockport, Mass. artist William H. Stilson has been solved.
The Montgomery County Coroner's Office last year identified Stilson as the skeletal remains found by a construction worker along the Pennsylvania Turnpike on the morning of Jan. 11, 2013 in a wooded area in Kulpsville, near the Lansdale interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike's northeast extension.
Montgomery County Coroner's Office Chief Medical Investigator Alexander Balacki said Stilson's remains were there for "several years."
The cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. A handgun was found next to the body. Stilson was dressed in Guess jeans and a Ralph Lauren shirt, police said. Stilson had extensive dental work and a condition that required chest surgery.
Balacki said identification was made through a combination of car keys found on the body, dental records and searching the Internet.
"We contacted (a family member) through a blog. That's how we got the ball rolling," Balacki said.
Stilson's family donated his bones to the coroner's office, he said.
Stilson ran a gallery in Rockport, Mass. Specializing in seascape and figure paintings, his work dates back to the 1960s and 1970s.
On an online bulletin board from 2007 dedicated to Stilson, friends and family recount memories and experiences with the painter.
"I met him (in Rockport) in 1984 and found him to be a very fascinating man! If I recall correctly, Rockport was his summer home and at the time he was spending winters in Williamsburg, Va.," wrote J.C. Pelletier.
"My wife and I bought a signed print in the late `60s or early `70s. When I told my father about the purchase, he laughed because he had delivered Bill as a baby. Bill had broken contact with his family who didn't know he was in Rockport according to my dad. We still love our Stilson after all these years," wrote Barry Wessler.
In the late 1990s, Stilson was suffering from depression and living in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., according to a post from his ex-wife Brooke Taney. She confirmed Stilson had a heart problem and surgery.
"I knew Bill while I lived in the Boston area in the mid `70s," wrote Eric Hanner. "He came to the airport for instruction and was a student of mine. We became friends and I purchased an oil and a copy of 'Reflections,' which is still hanging in our bath. I have searched for him in the past to no avail. I do know he crashed the Bellanca tri tail he owned but survived the crash as it wasn't a serious indecent as I recall. I was in my 20s back then and am now 60 so he would be getting on if he is still alive. Bill was a very interesting fellow. I do know that some of the large art foundations, private collectors in the Boston area, had been purchasing quite a bit of his work for several years."
This story was a follow-up to the original story published by various local media outlets last year.
