September has been the most exciting month in baseball for the city of Philadelphia, but such is not the case in 2013, as the Phillies are once again heading towards their second straight playoff-less season. And with football back in full, there isn't much worth watching for Phillies fans – at least, not on Sundays. But even as they flounder below .500, that doesn't mean that there aren't some exciting takeaways from the final stretch of games to wrap up the regular season. Just because there won't be an exciting September run at the playoffs doesn't mean the games aren't worth watching.

Over the next few days, we'll forget the ultimately lost season and take a look at some of the things you should keep your eyes on as the season winds down. Some are obvious, and some are not, but most importantly, they all have implications for the 2014 season.

Today, let's take a look at the bullpen.

Earlier this year, I raved about how the Phillies bullpen – unlike in 2012 – was going to be a strength. Gone are Chad Qualls, Michael Schwimmer, and Josh Lindblom. In there place the Phillies had Phillippe Aumont, Jeremy Horst, Jake Diekman, and Justin De Fratus. It was a youth movement of power arms to go along with bullpen mainstays Antonio Bastardo and Jonathan Papelbon. With veteran setup man Mike Adams and durable – if not overwhelming – middle reliever Chad Durbin back in the fold, the bullpen was mulch-dimensional, and if everything went right, potentially unbeatable.

Well, things didn't work out so well for the 'pen. Durbin, who was supposed to be a stabilizing presence in the middle innings, turned out to be an unmitigated disaster with a 9.00 ERA in 16 innings of work. Adams, who was to take over the coveted eighth inning, fell victim to an injury that set him down for the season. Aumont, who was supposed to be the closer of the future, walked 6.1 batters per nine, and was demoted to AAA Lehigh Valley, where he somehow managed to pitch worse. Then you have Bastardo, who was suspended 50 games for his involvement in the Biogeneis scandal. And Papelbon? The closer who was so brilliant a year ago has blown a career-high seven saves.

In short, things really couldn't be worse for the Phillies bullpen, who allowed a National League-leading 4.59 runs per game. But, things are looking up, believe it or not. Aside from Papelbon's struggles and Bastardo's suspension, the Phillies do have some intriguing bullpen arms that are going to be auditioning for larger roles next season.

The most intriguing is Ethan Martin, a starter-turned-reliever who came to the Phillies last season when they sent Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander, who was rated the 80th best prospect in baseball by Baseball America at the start of the season, has a 6.90 ERA, 34 Ks, and 21 BBs in 30 innings. It's about as bad as a line as a pitcher can have, but the thing about Martin is that the bulk of the damage has occurred the longer he's been in the game. In innings 1-3, Martin has held hitters to a .730 OPS, to go along with a 4.50 K/BB. In innings 4-6, opposing hitters are OPSing over 1.000, and Martin's K/BB drops to 0.54. Similarly, opposing hitters have a .363 OPS against Martin on his first 25 pitches. Things only get worse for Ethan from there, as his OPS against balloons to .961 on pitches 26-50, and to over 1.000 after 51 pitches.

In short, Martin is best when his exposure to opposing hitters is limited, which is why he is an ideal candidate for the bullpen. He has a live arm and the ability to strike out batters by the bushel, and he could be a difference-maker in the late innings for the Phillies. His move to the bullpen was official as of last week, and it hopefully won't be too long before we see what the youngster can do in relief.

Then we have Jake Diekman, a 26-year-old lefty who is in his second season with the Phillies. He had a decent, but uneven 2012, thanks to a 3.95 ERA but a ghastly 6.6 BB/9 in 27.1 innings of work. In 32.2 innings of work this season, he's cut down the walks considerably (3.9 BB/9), and is still striking out batters at a good clip, with a K/9 just under 10. He's been especially tough on left-handed hitters, and has held them to a .400 OPS in 54 at-bats this season. A big reason for that has been an improved fastball that averages just under 95 MPH, as well as a very good slider. In the absence of Antonio Bastardo, Diekman appears to be manager Ryne Sandberg's lefty of choice.

Finally, you have B.J. Rosenberg, who is awfully impressive (albeit in limited time) this season. The 27-year-old, who has been very good in AA and AAA over the last few seasons, appears to be impressing the Phillies brass in 2013. In 12.2 innings, the right-hander has a 2.84 ERA and an 8.5 K/9. To boot, Rosenberg notched his first career save on Sunday, when Sandberg tabbed him for the ninth inning in lieu of Jonathan Papelbon. That's not to suggest that he is the future ninth-inning guy for the Phillies, but he must be doing something right to get the call for the save opportunity over more established guys like Justin De Fratus and Diekman. While he doesn't have an impressive pedigree, and his 2012 campaign was nothing worth talking about (6.12 ERA in 25 innings), Rosenberg has done everything right so far this season.

Ultimately, what this trio does in the final weeks of the season doesn't mean a lick if they are unable to perform in 2014. But with a bullpen that currently boasts young and talented arms like Bastardo and De Fratus – not to mention the lottery ticket arms acquired in the Michael Young and John McDonald trades – next year's relief corps could be something very special.

A van parked in front of a fire hydrant.

A sedan parked in front of a handicapped spot.

These are just a few of the many photos posted by a new Twitter account documenting illegal parking in Philadelphia.

But here’s the twist. The pictures aren’t of normal vehicles but instead, those that belong to the Philadelphia Parking Authority -- the very agency in charge of enforcing parking violations in the city.

The account, @PPAwatch, is cracking down on the PPA by posting driver-submitted photos of the parking authority violating their own rules.

Yet just as the account was beginning to gain more followers, it was suddenly suspended over the weekend after the parking authority reported it to Twitter administrators.

“I certainly wasn’t surprised,” said the founder of PPAwatch, who wanted to remain anonymous. “But it just seems it would be easier to have your employees park legally than to go after me.”

PPA officials admitted that they reported the account. However, they claim their actions had nothing to do with them wanting to remove potentially embarrassing photos.

Instead, they claim the PPAwatch was using their trademarked logo, which was creating confusion among users who had questions for the PPA. According to PPA officials, they simply wanted the group to stop using the logo.

Jake Jacobs, a local driver, doesn’t buy the explanation, however.

“I think they’re just ticked off that somebody’s catching them in the act,” Jacobs said. “And they just want to shut it down.”

Regardless of the PPA’s true intentions, PPAwatch removed the logo and their account was restored Monday morning.

“I think it’s just adding fuel to the fire,” said the account’s founder. “People are going to continue sending photos to us.”

As of Monday night, PPAwatch has over 600 followers and counting. 

Watch the ceremony live in the video embedded above.

One of the most recognized women in national politics will be honored in Philadelphia tonight as the 2013 Liberty Medal recipient.

Former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will receive the award "in recognition of her lifelong career in public service and her ongoing advocacy efforts on behalf of women and girls around the globe," according to the National Constitution Center's website.

A ceremony where Clinton will receive the honor is set for 7 tonight outside the Constitution Center across from Independence Hall.

“The Liberty Medal recognizes individuals who have furthered the ideals of freedom, democracy, and equality, often against great odds,” said National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen. “Hillary Clinton has devoted her life to expanding opportunities for ‘We the People’ not just in this country but around the globe.”

Clinton, 65, has been in the public eye for more than two decades and is considered a likely Democratic candidate in the 2016 presidential campaign. First she was first lady of the United States. Then in 2000, she was elected to the United States Senate, representing New York. It was an historic event because Clinton was the first first lady to ever reach that goal. She ran for president in 2008 and then served in the Obama Administration as secretary of state.

“Former Secretary Clinton has dedicated her life to serving and engaging people across the world in democracy,” said National Constitution Center Chairman Governor Jeb Bush. “These efforts as a citizen, an activist, and a leader have earned Secretary Clinton this year’s Liberty Medal.”

Bush will present Clinton with the award at this year's ceremony.

Past recipients include Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, former South African President Nelson Mandela, rocker Bono and sports icon Muhammad Ali.

A legend of the Philadelphia music scene has died.

R&B producer, arranger and composer Bobby Martin died from a sudden illness Friday at a San Diego, Calif. hospital, according to his publicist Belinda Foster.

Martin was 83.

"Through his gift in arranging music, he has birthed hit records that have risen to the occasion to become timeless classics,” said Foster in a statement. “His warm smile, kind heart, and passion for creating music shine on in our memories of Mr. Bobby Martin. He will forever be the Maestro of the Philadelphia Sound to all who knew him well.”

Some of the Philadelphia Sound hits attributed to Martin include Billy Paul’s “Me and Mrs. Jones”, “You’ll Never Find” and “Cowboys to Girls,” according to Foster.

He might be nest known however for helping arrange the theme song for the hit show Soul Train.

Martin began producing music in Philadelphia in 1959 and he work with artists including Whitney Houston, Lou Rawls, Dusty Springfield, the Bee Gees and many more. He worked with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s Philadelphia International Records. He is also credited with giving Patti LaBelle her stage name.

According to Foster, Martin was currently working on releasing a series of unheard Philadelphia Soul songs as well as launching the Bobby Martin Foundation, a nonprofit to support youth in music.

Funeral plans are pending.

The blood-alcohol test used in drunken driving cases in New Jersey is coming before the state Supreme Court again.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2008 that the Alcotest was reliable. It had replaced the Breathalyzer test beginning seven years earlier, but numerous plaintiffs contended it routinely overstated blood-alcohol levels.

More than 10,000 DWI cases were put on hold while the case moved through the courts.

In oral arguments scheduled for Tuesday morning, the Supreme Court will consider whether the state complied with the 2008 court judgment requiring it to keep a centralized database of test results and make technical modifications to the machines.

A driver is considered to be intoxicated if his or her blood-alcohol level is 0.08 percent or greater. Penalties for a first DUI offense include a fine and prison up to 30 days as well as a loss of license for up to a year.

Click here for more news stories from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The New Jersey Assembly has given final approval to a measure that makes some changes in the state's medical marijuana law.

The bill includes the revisions recommended by Gov. Chris Christie last month when he conditionally vetoed the legislation.

Lawrenceville resident Rowyn Capers, who has glaucoma and needs medical marijuana to keep her ocular pressure steady, said she is pleased the law will allow dispensaries to grow and sell more strains of marijuana.

"People like me who have to function during the day and speak to people don't function that well only on high THC," she said. "I need that (cannabidiol) mixed in that so I'm not completely stoned all the time -- especially having to medicate every two to three hours around the clock."

Cannabidiol is a compound in pot that has medical effects but does not make people feel "stoned" and can actually counter the psychoactive effects of THC.

Capers is disappointed the law allows only children to get an edible form of marijuana because she don't like having to smoke it.

"Naturally a 3-year-old can't be expected to smoke, but what we're disappointed in is that is if there's a 70-year-old who's never smoked in their life and is undergoing chemotherapy, they won't be able to have edible marijuana," said Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, D-Mercer. "So it's something we need to work on down the line."

Hope Township resident Jennie Stormes is hoping that will be sooner rather than later for the sake for her 14-year-old son, Jackson, who suffers seizures from a severe form of epilepsy.

"Once you turn 18 you're technically an adult so what happens at that time? My son has the mental capacity of a five year old. Do you really want a five year old smoking? He doesn't understand it," Stormed said. "He also has oxygen. So does he light up to treat his epilepsy while his oxygen is running because that can blow him up?"

Christie has said he will approve the bill if it does not eliminate the requirement that at least two doctors sign off before children can have access to medical cannabis.

The state Senate previously accepted Christie's revisions.

The state's second medical marijuana dispensary is expected to open in Egg Harbor Township by the end of September. The first alternative treatment center is in North Jersey.

This story was reported through a news coverage partnership between NBC10.com and NewsWorks.org

A Delaware County teen sought to make the first day of school welcoming for a group of Philadelphia public school students.

Radnor High School student Jillian Hughes, 15, her father and her pastor parked a U-haul full of book bags and school supplies outside Andrew Jackson School on South 12th St. Monday morning. They arrived at 7 a.m. ready to pass out 495 backpacks to the students on the first day of school in Philly.

"I have no counselors and no nurses, and then I have Jillian Hughes out of the blue that sends a message," said Andrew Jackson principal Lisa Ciaranca-Kaplan.

Educators, staffers and students are all facing new challenges this year as a result of the $304 million budget crisis the district faces. As the budget shortfall drama stretched through the summer, Hughes decided this she wanted to help by duplicating the program "Supplies for Success," spearheaded by her favorite NFL player.

"One of my favorite football players, Baltimore Ravens Ray Rice, has a program for students in Maryland. I wanted to bring a program like that to Philadelphia. I reached out to to Mr. Rice and he put me in touch with (former Philadelphia Eagle) Brian Westbrook and he gave me a generous donation to the cause," said Hughes. 

Hughes googled various Philadelphia schools in July and settled on Andrew Jackson School as the school to receive the backpacks. She wrote an email to Ciaranca-Kaplan on August 17:

"I recently read a New York Times article about how your school is facing tough budget cuts. Personally, I don't live in Philadelphia, (I live right outside of Philadelphia,) but it made me very upset to see how much these budget cuts will hurt not only your school, but the whole Philadelphia school district.

I'm only fifteen years old, but I want to help. So, I started Supplies for Success: A School Supply Drive! My goal is to give the kids of your school the school supplies that they deserve this year. So far, I've been in touch with a donor who is donating 250 backpacks as well as other school supplies! That's not all, though, because I'm planning on getting even more, especially more backpacks!"

Ciaranca-Kaplan said she could not have been more thrilled to receive the email. She said, "It made my day on a really tough day." 

Westbrook donated 250 backpacks and Hughes' church, St. John's Presbyterian in Devon, also pitched in. 

"The kids were so excited. All of the kids at the school now have backpacks stuffed with school supplies. It was just amazing that someone would do something like that," said Ciaranca-Kaplan. 

"That's an awful lot of stuff for a teenager to do in this day and age. We are totally flabbergasted, thrilled and appreciative."

Pens, markers and book bags for students are prized items at Andrew Jackson. In addition to the book bags, she bought supplies for teachers and extra notebooks for the classrooms.

"I learned that you really should appreciate what you have. We take so many things for granted. We have so much at my school. I take it for granted that we have access to technology and textbooks," Hughes said.

Hughes hopes to continue a relationship with the school throughout the year and work on additional projects to help the school.

Upon leaving Andrew Jackson School, Ciancara-Kaplan wrote a back-to-school note to Radnor High School to provide Hughes with a late excuse. The note read: 'Please excuse her for being late and praise her as much as you can.'

 Contact Sarah Glover at 610-668-5580, sarah.glover@nbcuni.com or follow @skyphoto on Twitter.

Jessica Meyers is about a week from becoming the owner of the home she had been squatting in for the past 8 years.  

In July, she had the opportunity to bid and buy the property at a Philadelphia Housing Authority auction. Meyers won the PHA auction for $8,000. In addition to the purchase price, she has $1,900 in additional fees and closing costs. The scheduled closing is just over a week away. 

"It's not easy keeping a house," said Robert Spencer, who remembered when Meyers first began squatting directly across the street in their West Philadelphia neighborhood. 

Meyers has used her creativity and the goodwill of strangers to raise the $8,900 needed to purchase the home. She is just a few hundred dollars away from her goal. 

It took two online fund raising campaigns that netted about $4,000, and $2,000 in donations from friends. The remaining $3,000 she raised herself by doing light contracting, cleanup jobs and selling a majority of her belongings at a flea market. She had hoped to organize a car wash but it fell through. 

Although the money to purchase the home is just about secured, Meyers is now facing the repair issues that come with a home that's been neglected and technically vacant for so long. The water and electric have been turned off and then there are interior repairs needed, all of which could cost upwards of an additional $5,000. 

A few weeks ago, a new set of challenges emerged.

The neighboring row home, which is vacant, had a tree growing out of it in the rear. In August, the tree came down, causing part of the wall to collapse, with bricks falling onto Meyers' future property. 

She's been in touch with the title company and is hopeful they can work with PHA and the auction company to arrange for a price reduction on the purchase amount due to the recent damage to the home. 

Meyers called 311 daily for a week, and even 911, to request License & Inspection come out to cover and secure the gaping hole in the next door structure so there is no collapse. The daughter of the registered homeowner told Meyers by phone that she'd fix the problem. But, Meyers is concerned when and if the repair will be done and if further problems may arise. 

None of this has dampened Meyers' determination to buy the house. 

"Everybody always wants something bad to happen," said Meyers. "I'm so excited. I still have the house and I'm still positive about it."

Her West Philadelphia neighbors uniformly admire her desire to own a home on their block. The house sits among more than a dozen vacant and boarded up houses. The neighbors are friendly, sit on porches and greet passersby. Spencer said raccoons, squirrels and possums have plagued the neighborhood over the years.

Mark Gay recalled three times over the years different agencies have tried to put Meyers out of the home. But, Meyers stood her ground. She attends the block parties and participates in block cleanup, according to Gay. 

"She's a good person. If anyone deserves that house she does," said Gay. "She's trying to do something positive." 

Meyers is proud of adding something to the neighborhood, cleaning it up and pushing the drug dealers out of the house she calls home. 

"If all squatters were like her, it would be wonderful," said neighbor Bee Maurer. "They are a welcomed addition. They weren't just taking from the neighborhood they were putting something in."

Contact Sarah Glover at 610-668-5580, sarah.glover@nbcuni.com or follow @skyphoto on Twitter. 

Two months after undergoing surgery for brain cancer, beloved former Phillie Darren Daulton gathered with friends and family on Monday to raise money for his foundation.

“It’s like family,” Daulton said. “It really is. Whenever I’m part of one of these things, it’s like family.”

Daulton was joined by several Phillies players from the 1993 World Series team for a golf outing at the LuLu Country Club in Glenside, Pennsylvania. In July, two tumors were removed from Daulton’s brain. He is still undergoing treatment for glioblastoma in Tampa, Florida.

“I've got two more weeks left and then they’ll get another treatment,” Daulton said.

The golf outing raised about $50,000, all of which will go towards Daulton’s medical and living expenses.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Phillies run to the World Series in 1993. Daulton’s teammate, John Kruk as well as Tommy Greene, Mitch Williams, Milt Thompson, Danny Jackson and Pat Burrell attended Monday’s fundraiser.

While Daulton’s recovery is far from over, the legendary Phillies catcher says he’s grateful to be alive.

“I’ve seen the script and it’s not always great,” Daulton said. “But I’m recognizing this as one that is and I’m loving it.”
 

A 31-year-old man was beaten and robbed outside a Feltonville restaurant last Saturday and now police are asking for your help identifying the suspects.

Two men, both around 20 years old, were caught on surveillance video punching and kicking a 31-year-old man outside of the Super Chinese Restaurant on the 400-block of Wyoming Avenue.

The victim was walking out of the store around 8:15 p.m. when the men attacked and attempted to rob him, according to police. 

One of the men can be seen dragging the victim down the street, away from the restaurant's door before letting go and taking off on foot with his partner.

They were last seen running east on Wyoming Avenue.

Suspect one is described as dark-skinned, 200-pounds wearing a white T-shirt and blue jean shorts. The second suspect is around 170-pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hat, black shirt and army-style shorts.

Anyone with information on either of the men is urged to call Philadelphia Police. You can also leave tips anonymously at 215-686-TIPS.
 
More News:

• Mom Drops Bid to Withdraw Plea in Son's Killing
• Challenges Continue for Squatter With Homeownership Deam
• Some Conviction Reinstated for Philly Researcher Who Covered Up for Friend

A mom and her boyfriend are charged with grossly mistreating the woman's 10-year-old son.

Camden Police arrested Florence M. Pollard, 31, and her 29-year-old boyfriend, Brian L. Craig after Pollard's son, M.P. said the couple kept him chained by the ankle to a radiator pipe for two weeks.

Police were called to the home on the 2700-block of Cramer Street Monday by the couple who reported that M.P. had run away.

The boy was found shortly after and that's when he told police of his captivity. He said that he was forced to sleep with his ankle chained and that his hands were occasionally zip-tied, according to police.

Authorities searched the home and found the metal chain and lock used to restrain M.P. The chain, detectives say, was attached to a radiator in the mother's bedroom.

"This level of depravity inflicted upon a child is chilling," Camden Police Chief J. Scott Thomson said in a press release.

Both Pollard and her boyfriend are charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Criminal Restraint.

They are in county jail.

"To treat a child this way is inhuman," said Sgt. Janell Simpson.

M.P. and his five siblings are in the care of the state.

"He could have been seriously injured or died had this continued, so to get this child and his brothers and sisters out of that environment was critical," said Simpson.

 

The Philadelphia Fire Department  has determined the cause of a devastating explosion that leveled a South Philadelphia rowhome.

Building contractor Steve Barrientos was working inside 428 Daly Street on the morning of July 29 when natural gas from a small leak sparked a blast that brought down the two-story brick rowhome and damaged neighboring structures.

Philadelphia Fire Department Executive Chief William Dell says the contractor was attempting to light a cigarette with a butane lighter when the flame ignited the gas.

Barrientos suffered second and third-degree burns to his face and upper body in the explosion and spent days at Temple University's burn unit. Seven other people suffered minor injuries -- including a teenage girl who lived next door and fell from her bedroom into into the kitchen.

Reports following the explosion had linked the blast to a cigarette, but at the time, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter called those claims simply "rumors and speculation." He added that officials needed to wait and speak with Barrientos until those reports could be substantiated.

Two homes were demolished as a result of the explosion.

Contact Vince Lattanzio at 610.668.5532, vince.lattanzio@nbcuni.com or follow @VinceLattanzio on Twitter.

Changes are afoot at Geno’s Steaks.

On the eve of the cheesesteak shop’s 47th anniversary Monday, Geno Vento, the legendary cheesesteak shop’s namesake, sat down to reflect on where the “empire” his late father, Joey, built has been, and where he’d like to take it.

"It’s rough, I have big shoes to fill," said the 42-year-old. "Every time I do something I always think ‘How would dad do it and would he be proud of it’ and so far it’s been a win-win."

Geno, an only child, started working in the shop at 9th and Passyunk when he was 17. He says, unlike his father, he’s trusting the longtime staff of 35 to do their jobs handling the day-to-day operations of the food stop that sells a cheesesteak, on average, every 3 minutes.

"Dad was very old-school Italian. There was no democracy, it was a dictatorship," he said. "I believe in team work and getting everybody’s ideas. I may be looking at something one way and somebody may be looking at it differently – and like, you know what, that’s a great idea."

Geno says not micromanaging his staff gives him extra time to promote the business -- like organizing the shop’s first anniversary celebration and expand philanthropic and promotion projects. They just filmed an episode of Cake Boss based around the anniversary and plan to donate a portion of sales Tuesday to the American Association for Cancer Research.

The shop is also expanding its use of social media to attract new customers and reward the fiercely loyal following by retweeting and posting fan’s photos.

"We now have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram," he said. "When there’s a celebrity sighting we’ll tweet it out right away…and get hundreds of comments."

Geno’s took a hit after his father died of a massive heart attack in August 2011. Geno would not say how far sales declined, but he says they’ve since been trending up – something he hopes to continue.

Personally, Geno says his father’s 2011 heart attack death and the recent passing of his mother from cancer made him realize the shop, while his livelihood, is not the only thing in his life.

Joey Vento was a workaholic. Geno says it wasn’t uncommon for his father to come in at 4 in the morning and still be in the window, making steaks on the grill, at midnight.

"His work ethic surpassed anyone’s," Geno said. "I wanna enjoy life and do things."

Geno has begun taking culinary classes at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College – a move that, he says, fueled rumors he’s looking to expand the culinary empire.

"I’m just a home cook. I’m just doing it for fun," he said. “I’m not opposed to opening up other places, but right now it makes it more unique and more special when there’s just one location where we have Jack Nicholson waiting in line."

While Geno is bringing the cheesesteak joint into the 21st century, he said there are two things that are not going to change: the cheesesteak recipe and that controversial "Please Speak English" sign.

Geno says he has differing views than his father, but admits it will stay posted to honor his father’s dying wish.

"The sign won’t come down. He had his viewpoints, I have mine and that’s all I’ll say,” Geno said. “It’s never coming down."

Geno's Steaks' Geno Vento poses with "Cake Boss" star Buddy Valastro during a TV shoot centered around the cheesesteak joint's 47th anniversary. The cheesesteak cake is 12-feet long, 3-feet high and weighed more than 1,300 lbs.

Contact Vince Lattanzio at 610.668.5532, vince.lattanzio@nbcuni.com or follow @VinceLattanzio on Twitter.

Philadelphia detectives are on the scene in the Bridesburg neighborhood after a woman's body was found in a dumpster.

The woman's body was found around 3 p.m. in a trash dumpster in the 2900 block of E. Orthodox Street.

That street is about ten blocks away from the Betsy Ross Bridge.

Officials say the dumpster was at the mid-way point for trash that eventually goes to a large landfill in York, Pennsylvania. They also say the truck that brought the dumpster made several stops in the city. Detectives are currently retracing the truck's route to see if the various pickup locations offer any clues.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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People grabbing a late-night bite at a legendary South Philadelphia eatery had quite the scare overnight.

A driver going north on E. Passayunk Avenue allegedly ran a stop sign, swerved to avoid oncoming traffic and drove up onto the sidewalk along Pat’s Steaks at Passayunk and Wharton Street around 2 a.m.

Plenty of people were outside the iconic cheesesteak shop at the time. Besides hitting a string of parked cars, the out-of-control silver sedan also smashed a table next to where diners were standing before coming to a stop.

Mike Berger, visiting from Florida, describes the scene following the wreck.

"The driver was stumbling around and everyone was telling him to sit down, have a seat, and he was frantically moving stuff. We saw him drop a bottle of booze in the trash can... his head was bleeding and he went across the street. Folks were telling him to come back, sit down, sit down but he ended up running off.”

The crash caused significant damage to the front of the sedan. The force of the wreck was enough to push a parked SUV an entire car length. Two other cars were also damaged.

Philadelphia Police continued to search for the driver early Tuesday morning. A female passenger from the man’s car were taken to the hospital because she had fallen out of the car and onto the sidewalk following the crash. A third passenger ran from the scene but  turned himself into police a short time later.

Luckily, no one on the sidewalk was hit.

"This is a crowded corner, people are here all the time, " said Joe Langefeld of Mount Laurel, N.J. "If anyone had been walking through the street at that time, they'd be dead."

Anyone with information on this crash is asked to contact Philadelphia Police.

And, in case you were wondering, Pat's stayed opened throughout the incident.

Officials searching for a missing woman have found a body of an unidentified woman, according to investigators.

Police say 39-year-old Renee Sheppard left her home on Miller Drive in Washington Township, New Jersey on September 5 at 9:45 a.m. to take a walk behind her property near a creek. She has been missing since then.

Sheppard is described as a white female standing 5-foot-4 and weighing 110 pounds with reddish hair. She was last seen wearing dark-colored pants, a dark shirt and a light jacket.

Late Tuesday afternoon, police say they found a body of a woman in a wooded area near where they were searching for Sheppard. They have not yet confirmed the woman’s identity or the cause of death.

If you have any information on Sheppard’s whereabouts or the identity of the body, please call Washington Township Police at 856-589-0330 or 856-256-1212.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.

Also on NBC10.com:

Woman's Body Found in Dumpster

Homeless Woman Almost a Homeowner

Philadelphia Police Mourn "Selfless" Officer