A Philadelphia Police officer opened fire after a woman inside a home signaled that everything wasn’t OK when the officer investigated a burglary report in the city’s Northwood section.

Two 15th District officers responded to a tripped security alarm at a home on the 900 block of Wakeling Street around 12:30 a.m. Friday.

When they knocked on the door a man answered and told them everything was OK with him, the other man in the home and a woman in the home. Since the man wasn’t the homeowner, the officers asked to speak to a female resident who said everything was OK but signaled to the officers that that wasn’t the case.

Investigators said that the man then pointed a gun at the officer’s head.

“The officer, in a defensive mood, put his left hand up basically pulled out a gun,” said Capt. George Fuchs.

The suspect shot three times, said investigators.

“Thank God the officer was not struck,” said Fuchs.

The officer, a six-year veteran, returned fire, discharging more than one dozen rounds. It wasn't clear if the officer's partner also opened fire.

The suspect was hit and died. His alleged accomplice got away. The manhunt continued through the morning.

Investigators hoped a car recovered at the scene will help lead to the second suspect.

This was the tenth time this year and second time this week that a Philadelphia officer opened fire while in the line of duty.

Police said that an initial investigation into Friday's incident showed that the woman and a man were forced into their home by two masked men. Once inside those men removed their masks and demanded money -- that was when the police responded to a tripped alarm.

Neighbors, including fellow Philly officers, said that burglars have recently targeted the neighborhood.

SEPTA is looking to overhaul a major Center City line while inconveniencing the fewest commuters.

But that doesn’t mean thousands of commuters won’t have to change their plans for a couple weeks.

The transportation agency will close the Center City trolley line between 40th and Market Streets in University City to 13th Street in the heart of Center City for 17 days starting Friday night after 9.

The “Trolley Tunnel Blitz” campaign is intended to improve and fix worn overhead wiring, 30-year-old tracks and outdated stations. According to SEPTA, crews will work nonstop to improve safety while increasing reliability of the Route 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36 trains.

More than 660 trolleys carry about 40,000 riders daily along the underground tunnel.

During the construction period, which is scheduled to wrap up in time for the morning rush on Monday, Aug. 18, commuters riding the trolley in from West Philadelphia will need to hop off at 40th and Market to pick up the Market-Frankford subway.

Removing existing concrete surfaces, replacing concrete-embedded track switches, replacing 24,000 feet of worn overhead wires and putting down more than 14,000 feet of new rails are among the major work needed to be done by a crew of about 225 workers. They will also paint stations.

SEPTA officials said they choose to do the work now because early August is when they see the fewest commuters. Also, by starting the work on a weekend, they are only inconveniencing commuters during 10 weekdays.

"This 'blitz' concept is used in the transportation industry because it allows organizations to maximize productivity during improvements projects while minimizing the period of inconvenience to passengers and communities we serve. This is especially true when there is a single track operation, like our trolley tunnel," said SEPTA Deputy General Manager Jeff Knueppel. "Because the Center City tunnel is used 24 hours a day and is a five-mile, single track operation, it is difficult for our crews to get productive work windows. Without this blitz and 17-day closure, we'd have months of nighttime and weekend shutdowns to complete all of the projects."

SEPTA didn't reveal the total cost of the project, which is being funded by Pennsylvania Act 89.

Health officials allowed bathers to return to a Jersey Shore beach that was closed after a failed water quality test.

Barnegat Light’s 25th Street Beach on Long Beach Island failed a recent water test, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection's Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program.

DEP spokesman Larry Hajna said that the closure occurred after a test Tuesday revealed unacceptable levels of Enterococcus. The bacterium is used by the state to indicate the possibility of other bacteria in the water.

Tests on Wednesday revealed an acceptable level of the bacteria at the Ocean County beach and the state reopened the beach in time for the weekend.

Hajna said that it isn't uncommon for bacteria to increase in the water at bayside beaches like the 25th Street Beach following heavy rainstorms -- like Sunday's downpours -- because the water doesn't flush out as quickly as it does on the oceanside.

The same beach recently landed on the Natural Resources Defense Council’s list of the 10 worst beaches in New Jersey when it comes to water quality.

No other beaches in the area were closed and no other beaches in the state failed the water quality standard, according to monitors.

A person died after being struck by a sport utility vehicle early this morning.

The crash around 4:445 a.m. closed Academy Road near Morrell Avenue in the Morrell Park section of Northeast Philadelphia after the SUV struck a utility pole then the pedestrian.

The pedestrian died at the scene.

Philadelphia Police said that the driver remained on the scene after the deadly crash and cooperated with investigators. The wreck left the SUV with heavy front-end damage.

The investigation continued through the morning as traffic delays in the area continued for hours.

Didn't have a chance to catch up on local news yesterday? Here's what you missed.

Mystery of Ship Buried Under World Trade Center Site Revealed
Remnants of an 18th-century ship found buried in soil 20 feet under the World Trade Center site four years ago have been traced to Colonial-Era Philadelphia, according to a new study.

No Swimming at NJ Beach After Failed Test
Some bathers along the Jersey Shore won’t be able to go into the water after a beach failed water quality standards.

Woman Stabbed in Center City
A young woman landed in the hospital and a man she possibly knew landed in custody after a stabbing near a popular running trail in Center City Philadelphia.

Ground to Be Broken on New Outlet Center in South Jersey
A formal ground breaking is scheduled for next Thursday for the Gloucester Premium Outlets in Gloucester Township, N.J.

Woman Choked With Rope in Attack: Police
A man is facing attempted murder charges after he allegedly attacked a woman in broad daylight and tried to strangle her with a rope. 

Police shot and killed a suspect in a wooded area of Camden County Friday morning.

Local authorities remained mum on exactly what brought officers to the 400 block of Berlin New Freedom Road in Winslow Township shortly before 9 a.m.

Patrons at the nearby Golden Nugget Tavern reported hearing gunshots as police investigated a trailer down a nearby dirt road.

One person was taken from the scene and and later died at Cooper University Hospital, according to county prosecutors.

As SkyForce10 hovered overhead a short time later you could see investigators focusing on the small trailer. That investigation continued through the morning.

Thee was no "Free Parking" in Atlantic City last night even if there was a free show from a superstar.

A free concert wound up costing some people $50 after at least two Atlantic City casinos upped the charge for parking to a surprising level for some visitors.

With country and NBC's The Voice superstar Blake Shelton playing for free on the beach Thursday afternoon, nearby casinos Bally’s and Caesars cashed in by charging $50 to park in their garages.

The price tag to drop a car was anywhere from five to times more than the normal $5 or $10 charge normally seen in Atlantic City on a weekday.

The price hike could be due to supply and demand or as a way to make some extra money in a town struggling to attract gamblers like it used to.

NBC10 reached out to the casinos’ parent company Caesars Entertainment for comment about the price to park.

With Lady Antebellum set to perform another free show on the beach this weekend, people are wondering if parking will be spiked again.

Stay tuned.

A suspicious package caused a stir in Center City Philadelphia Friday morning.

The package, described by Philadelphia Police as having tape wrapped around it, was found on the 1200 block of Pearl Street -- a short distance north of the Vine Street Expressway -- around 10:40 a.m.

Police said people were being cleared from the area.

As SkyForce10 hovered overhead a short time later you could see people gathered on the sidewalk nearby as police investigated along the closed street. A few minutes later the bomb squad exploded the package.

Police said the package wound up not being dangerous and the scene was cleared before 11:30 a.m.

One of the most popular FREE beaches in New Jersey may not be free for much longer.

Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. confirmed that officials are considering implementing beach fees.

The mayor said it was far from a done deal, but that the town is always looking for ways to make more money. Beach fees are just one possible option.

This is not the first time a cost for beach use has been suggested. In 1976, 1981 and 2013 the possibility of charging beachgoers was discussed — and then rejected.

The charge would help offset maintenance costs. Troiano told the Wildwood Leader about $2 million is spent annually maintaining the beach.

When it was discussed in 2013, officials believed $1.2 million in new revenue would be added from the fee.

Not everyone thinks charging for sand and surf is best. John Siciliano, Executive Diretor of the Greater WIldwods Tourism Authority, said he would like to see the beaches remain free of charge.

"Free beaches separate the Widwoods from other shore towns that charge a fee," Siciliano said. "That distinction draws people to our island and has been an asset for tourism."

Without the beach fees, the cost of beach maintenance falls on taxpayers and tourism authority tax revenues generated by visitors.

The topic is expected to be discussed at the Board of Commissioner's meeting on August 6.

It is much quieter now on Gesner Street.

For weeks the Southwest Philadelphia block was laden with clamor from police and fire vehicles, protesters, grievers, and visits from local celebrities and political leaders in the wake of the deadly July 5 fire that destroyed 8 homes, displaced 32 residents and killed 4 young children.

Now, Gesner Street resident Peter Elpha said, "All of the noise is over."

"All of the people that were coming to the street, where are they? They are not here. So, we the people who live on the block, have to take care of our business and pull it together," Elpha said.

Neighbors who live alongside the fire damaged homes say they're still struggling to regain any sense of what used to be normal on their street.

For Gesner Street resident Jenebu Sesay, 'pulling it together' has meant days spent moving mounds of personal items, clothing, furniture and toys that were ruined by water and smoke damage from her basement to the curb.

"Last week my whole backyard was filled high with things. A lot of things were special to me. Most of our clothes, everything is spoiled," she said.

Sesay, who is currently living in a hotel while she and her daughter look for a new residence, said coming back to the place she once called home is now an eerie experience.

 "It's scary. Sometime when I come here I don't want to go outside," she said.

Gesner Street resident Jackie McFadden described the block as a once vibrant place, where it was common to see neighbors sitting out on their porches and children playing along the sidewalks.

"People usually would be out. The families and the kids used to be outside," McFadden said. "I guess they don't want to come out and see those houses like that."

Elpha said he and a block captain are hoping to get people back outside enjoying their street again.

"Most days in the summertime like this and on Saturdays and Sundays, the block captain would block off the street, open the fire hydrant and have everybody come out. He wants to try to revamp and do that again," he said.

The fate of the eight charred homes is still unknown.

On Thursday, Department of License and Inspections Commissioner Carlton Williams and Chief of L&I's Emergency Services and Abatement Unit Scott Mulderig were in back-to-back meetings discussing whether the homes should be razed.

Residents say they're hoping the homes get rehabbed instead of torn down.

"It's going to look crazy if they tear it down and turn it into a yard or something. I don't want to see them taken down," McFadden said.

"To have eight homes damaged on the block is no good," Elpha said. "I would like to see the block rebuilt and then maybe the street can come back to normal."

Officials have flipped the switch on red light cameras in Abington Township-- making the Montgomery County municipality the first Philly suburb to use the devices.

The law allowing the devices to be used outside of Philadelphia was passed more than two years ago and Abington Township voted on installing the cameras last April.

A 60-day grace period -- during which the cameras will record violations, but drivers will receive only "warnings notices" -- begins Friday.

Actual tickets will be issued starting Oct. 1.

Abington officials said the cameras will encourage drivers to think twice before running a red light, hopefully reducing accidents in the area.

Abington Police Chief Bill Kelly has told AAA that the red light cameras were chosen for locations where there are a significant number of red light violations, accidents, accidents with injuries, and accidents involving red light violations.

The red-light cameras will cover three intersections:

• Route 63 (Moreland Road) & Fitzwatertown Road
• Route 611 (Old York Road) & Susquehanna Road
• Route 611 (Old York Road) & Old Welsh Road

The Township will not gain any revenue from the program, except to reimburse them for the actual program expenses, like equipment and personnel costs.

The red-light program will last one year. At that point, officials will evaluate its effectiveness and vote on extending the program.

Make sure to grab that extra change if you are traveling through Delaware this weekend.

DelDOT is set to raise its toll prices an extra $1 on the weekends for commuters along the busy Route 1 -- a popular route to the Delaware Beaches and campgrounds. The weekend toll rate was already $1 higher than during the week.

The revenue from the price hike will be used to fund paving and other transportation projects statewide.

The tool for cars will remain at $1 during the week then increase to $3 from 7 p.m. Friday to 11 p.m. Sunday.

Delaware E-ZPass customers will still continue to receive current discount rates.
 

Crews responded to a Camden County, New Jersey trail Friday morning after someone found a suspicious looking pipe.

According to Cherry Hill Township Police, someone found a crudely-capped section of PVC pipe along Borton Mills Trail near the corner of Brace Road and Borton Mill Road in Cherry Hill around 7 a.m.

Firefighters and the county bomb squad joined police in the investigation.

As SkyForce10 hovered overhead a short time later you could see crews at the scene. Local dispatchers didn't immediately reveal what caused the situation, which was simply described as a hazmat scenario.

As the K-9 unit searched the rest of the park, the bomb squad recovered the device and rendered it safe, according to police.

No other improvised devices were found and the area was reopened later in the morning.

Anyone who knows who left the device or saw anything suspicious is asked to contact Cherry Hill Police at 856-488-7828.

Drivers in Philadelphia should expect delays on North Broad Street during weekends in August as crews work on the roadway's center median.

Construction along North Broad Street between Buttonwood Street and Glenwood Avenue will start 7 p.m. Aug. 1 and continue until 5 a.m. Aug. 4, according to the Philadelphia Streets Department. 

Commuters are not permitted to park in this section during this time period and some lane restrictions will be in place.

The work, which has already been underway for several weeks, will continue throughout the mont.

Crews will be at work Aug. 8 to Aug. 11, Aug. 15 to Aug. 17, and Aug. 22 to Aug. 24 from 7 p.m. each Friday night until 5 a.m. the following Monday morning.

The construction spans a 2.5 mile portion of Broad Street that runs from Center City to North Philly.

Motorists are advised to allow extra time traveling around the work areas.
 

Two Pennsylvania men, including a 53-year-old from Philadelphia, are accused of downloading images depicting children engaged in graphic sexual acts, according to the Pennsylvania's Office of the Attorney General.

William Bairstow of the 300 block of Hellerman Street in the city's Lawndale section was arrested in late July after an undercover investigation revealed he allegedly disseminated child pornography online.

Authorities tracked graphic files shared on a peer-too-peer network to the IP address of Bairstow's computer, according to the Attorney General's Office.

The investigation uncovered several thousand videos and images containing suspected child porn on the suspect's computer, according to officials.

Twenty-four-year-old Alexander Park of Lemont, Centre County was also taken into custody for uploading pornographic images of minors, according to authorities.

Park uploaded the files, which showed juveniles engaged in graphic sexual acts and poses, to two separate websites, according to investigators.

Both suspects were released on bail. A preliminary hearing for Bairstow is scheduled for Aug. 14 and Park is due in court Aug. 6.

Nine local men are facing prostitution charges after police say they solicited undercover officers to engage in sexual acts for money.

The Philadelphia Police Department's Citywide Vice Unit conducted the sting on Thursday across the department's 16th District, officials said. That covers parts of Mantua and West Philadelphia.

The following suspects were taken into custody:

Steven Reed, 52, of the 4200 block of Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia

Pedro Louis Sorita Para, 27, of the 600 block of North 42nd Street, Philadelphia

Erick Riddick, 26, of the Unit block of North Yewdall Street, Philadelphia

Joseph Johnson, 46, of 100 block of North 55th Street, Philadelphia

Andrew Blakey, 25, of Revere Road, Drexel Hill, Delaware County

Roger Dozier, 50, of the 1900 block of South 57th Street, Philadelphia

Preston Catchings, 56, of the 500 block of Gross Street, Philadelphia

Tiras Porteous, 33, of the 500 block of Allengrove Street, Philadelphia

Thomas Brown, 49, of the 5400 block of Westminister Avenue, Philadelphia

All have been charged with one count each of Patronizing Prostitution and Solicitation. Officers also confiscated $2,969 in cash, six cars and SUVs and one loaded handgun.

Police are searching for a suspect who they say carjacked a driver in a parking lot near the Oxford Valley Mall in Bucks County.

The carjacking took place in a lot adjacent to the mall at 777 Middletown Boulevard in Langhorne, Pa., police say. The suspect walked up to the victim, brandished a knife and stole the car, police said.

The victim ran to a nearby Firestone auto shop for help. They were not hurt.

Police are checking nearby businesses for surveillance video.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets have removed Mary's Gone Crackers from the shelves.

The snacks may contain almond, an allergen not listed on the ingredient label.

The products in the recall are:

• Mary's Gone Crackers -- Gluten Free, 6.5 oz., UPC 89758000010 with a sell by date of APR 01 2015 and a lot number of CK3999
• Mary's Gone Crazy Sea Salt Sticks & Twigs Pretzels, 7.5 oz., UPC 89758000051 with a sell by date of JAN 01 2015 and a lot number of PR1433

Officials have received no reports of illness so far. The products are safe to consume for individuals who do not suffer from an almond allergy.

People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Symptoms of food allergies typically appear within a few minutes to two hours after a person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic.

Allergic reactions can include hives, flushed skin or rash, tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth, face, tongue, or lip swelling, vomiting and/or diarrhea, abdominal cramps, coughing or wheezing, dizziness and/or lightheaded-ness, swelling of the throat and vocal cords, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness.

Consumers who have purchase these products should discard any unused portions and bring their receipt to a Giant or Martin's location for a full refund.

This is the chains' third product recall since June.

Customers may call Giant and Martin's Customer Service at 1-888-814-4268 or Mary's Gone Crackers at 888-258-1250.