Friends and family are mourning a former WCAU-TV switchboard operator who passed away over the weekend.
Eve Hasher died Saturday at the age of 88. Born in Philadelphia in 1926, Hasher graduated from Simon Gratz High School and went on to work several jobs, including an enemy plane spotter during the last year of World War II.
She then found a career in television, working as a switchboard operator for WCAU Television and Radio for 32 years. At the time WCAU-TV was a CBS affiliate. It would later become NBC10 in the mid-90’s. During her time at WCAU, Hasher moved her family from Philadelphia to South Jersey. She also worked part-time at the Woodbury Court House and the Sears in Deptford, New Jersey.
While she retired in 1988, Hasher remained active, organizing trips with a local tour bus company and leading tours.
Hasher is survived by her two daughters and three grandsons.
One of the Jersey Shore’s most popular attractions is now a drone-free zone. Signs were recently put up advising visitors that drone flying is now prohibited in the Cape May Point State Park and within the boundaries of the Cape May Lighthouse. The signs also say that violators will be fined.
“I thought it was a good idea,” said Susan Wheeler of Cape May, New Jersey. “I think this is a natural area and should be preserved.”
The New Jersey State Park Service updated its policy in July banning remote controlled planes at all state parks to also include drones for recreational use. Officials cited the growing popularity of drones, the potential harm they pose for visitors, the excessive noise, security risks and disturbances to wildlife as reasons for the policy change. A Park Service official said drones had become more of an issue at Cape May Point than any other state park.
“I use common sense,” said Michael Zuccato Jr., who owns a drone. “I keep it away from people.”
Zuccato says he understands why the Cape May Point State Park area is now drone-free.
“In a park like this you have so many visitors in the summer,” he said. “Somebody might have a problem with it.”
Jim Caruso, who shot an aerial video with his drone of the Cape May Lighthouse last year, agrees with the policy.
“It kind of does make sense,” he said. “I did notice the increase of bird activity around the drone, like kind of almost maybe attack it in a way. I certainly wouldn’t want to disturb or harm any birds.”
A spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection told NBC10 the drone policy is consistent with those used by the National Park Service and other states. It’s unclear whether anyone has been caught violating the rule at Cape May Lighthouse so far.
Philadelphia’s City Controller is calling on Mayor Nutter to fire the head of the city’s Licenses and Inspections as part of his new report.
“First and foremost, Mayor Nutter should immediately appoint new leadership at L&I,” said City Controller Alan Butkovitz. “Illegal demolitions, non-permitted construction and excessive overtime cannot continue when life safety is a daily mission. The Mayor has the opportunity to take action today and improve safety before the end of his Administration.”
Butkovitz says he sent a list of 100 dangerous properties to L&I Commissioner Carlton Williams seven months ago. While Butkovitz says action has been taken to demolish some of those properties, he also claims there are buildings in the city that are “now in worse condition and on the verge of collapsing.”
Butkovitz also called on L&I to eliminate dangerous and unsafe buildings as part of his 10-step action plan for reform. His other steps include the following:
“Hundreds of imminently dangerous homes across our city are only one-brick-away from crumbling to the ground,” Butkovitz said. “Enough is enough. With life safety at stake, there is no time to delay, for even another day, any of these action steps."
Williams told NBC10 he’s not stepping down and called Butkovitz’s report faulty.
“There’s a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking you have to deal with,” Williams said.
Williams claims there’s been a sharp decrease in the number of dangerous buildings in the city. He also provided a chart which he says supports those claims.
“It’s decreased by more than half over the last three years,” Williams said.
Mayor Nutter also responded to Butkovitz’s report calling it a personal crusade against Commissioner Williams. He also said Williams would remain the head of L&I.
“We’re not going to get distracted by that kind of nonsense or ego or narcissistic personality disorder that seems to compel the need for constant public attention,” Nutter said.
Butkovitz later responded to Nutter’s comments.
“That’s a lie,” Butkovitz said. “This is about a life and safety issue. How can the mayor say that’s a personal vendetta? My God that’s a sin! That’s a sin for him to say that!"
Butkovitz claims his report highlights real public safety issues that haven’t been addressed two years after the deadly Market Street building collapse.
“I thought he was sincere,” Butkovitz said. “I thought he had a real empathy for the victims. I am absolutely befuddled why he doesn’t want to do this.”
Nutter says extensive changes have been made however and that the city has invested four million dollars in new equipment and software for building safety.
With his time as Philadelphia's leader soon coming to an end, Mayor Michael Nutter hinted at some possible future career plans when he went into his latest rendition of “Rapper’s Delight” Wednesday night.
Nutter performed the hip hop classic by the Sugarhill Gang during an appearance at a mixer for the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy at the Hard Rock Café in Center City.
Nutter has performed the song in public several times before, receiving mixed responses in the process. This time the crowd responded positively, especially after he dropped the mic.
Take a look at Nutter’s rap in the video embedded above.
Want to end the summer of 2015 with a bang? Then check out the first Food Truck and Rock Carnival!
The music festival takes place September 18 - 20 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark, NJ, and combines the best parts of carnivals, food trucks and live music in one massive concert gathering.
Over 40 different food trucks will be competing for your vote while you tune in to continuous live music from Grammy-winning artists on four different stages. And don't forget about a free beer garden, amusement rides, a comedy hour, a hypnotist and more!
An already fantastic music lineup featuring Stone Temple Pilots, Puddle of Mudd and Three Days Grace was enhanced last month when the festival announced the performances of Fit For Rivals, Pop Evil, Illusionist, The RockNRoll Chorus and School of Rock, among others.
In addition to their own sets, bands play tributes to some of the world’s greatest rock acts each day. For a full listing of artists performing at each of the festival's four stages, visit the Rock Carnival's homepage.
Act quick, because ticket prices will be higher the day of the event! Right now, single day passes are on sale for $49.99 and weekend passes are only $74.99. There are discounts for the military and children under 16.
Many Rock Carnival activities will offer free admission. To see all of the events, as well as a list of food trucks participating in the festival, check out the festival page.
Two homeless men were hospitalized after they were beaten during a sneak attack in Philadelphia early Thursday morning, police said.
The assault happened about 1 a.m. near the intersection of Broad Street and Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia.
According to investigators, the men were sleeping in Marconi Plaza when they were approached by a suspect.
The men were struck in the head with an unknown object during a sneak attack by the suspect.
After striking the males, the suspect ran away.
Both victims were taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center where they are listed in stable condition. One of the victims required stitches.
The suspect remains on the loose.
Would you camp-out overnight to get your hands on tickets for the Papal Mass in Philadelphia next weekend?
One die-hard did just that in Delaware County Wednesday into Thursday.
Brigette Cuffia set up shop outside St. Denis Church in Havertown about 10 p.m. Wednesday. She came prepared with a pillow, sleeping bag and other necessities.
"I’m really excited to see the Pope. I think the Pope is the message of hope in the world today, so I want to get as close as possible,” Cuffia told NBC10.
A second group of parishioners joined Cuffia outside St. Denis about 5 a.m. Thursday.
Tickets to the Papal Mass on the Ben Franklin Parkway on September 27 were given out to 219 parishes. The tickets at St. Denis were given out on first-come, first-serve basis at 9 a.m. Thursday.
A wife is accused of stabbing her husband to death inside their Philadelphia home, police said.
The stabbing happened just before 10 a.m. along the 1900 block of Foulkrod Place in the city's Frankford neighborhood, police said.
The 46-year-old husband was stabbed a number of times by his wife during a fight, according to police. The man died at the scene.
The wife, whom police have not yet identified, was taken into custody. The circumstances surrounding the fight were not immediately released.
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 10-year-old girl allegedly kidnapped by her parents, who do not have custody, in Manhattan.
The Amber Alert was canceled shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday, about 24 hours after Jacqueline Hendricks, 39, allegedly abducted her daughter Celine Hicks after picking her up from Castle Middle School on Henry Street on the Lower East Side.
There was no immediate word on where the child was found. She was believed to have been with both her mother and father, Carlos Hicks, 42.
Celine Hicks lives with another family member, according to police. Authorities had said the parents have some history of violence.
A man faces murder charges after taking responsibility for the cold case murder of his 3-year-old stepson in Berks County in 2003, investigators said.
David Charles Cummings, 50, was charged with murder in the death of William Spayd in Reading in July 2003.
According to an affidavit, Cummings told investigators that “his death was my responsibility, totally.”
Spayd was transported from his Reading home to Saint Joseph’s Hospital in the early morning hours on July 27, 2003.
The young boy was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
In addition, investigators said a forensic pathologist identified evidence that the child was sexually assaulted.
Investigators said Cummings was interviewed on July 2 of this year and gave a statement admitting to the death of Spayd.
The affidavit says Cummings told investigators he was in a “dead sleep” when the boy kept poking him, which woke Cummings out of his sleep. Cummings told investigators he punched the child in the forehead, knocking him into a dresser. The affidavit states Cummings went back to sleep, but later woke up and heard the victim throwing up inside a bathroom.
The affidavit states Cummings checked on the boy and he “was cold.” A short time, Cummings called 911.
Cummings was already in custody in SCI Graterford on unrelated charges.
He has been charged with Murder of the 1st Degree, Murder of the 3rd Degree, Aggravated Assault, Rape, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse and Endangering Welfare of a Child.
Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian L. Roberts and Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia unveiled Thursday “Eternally Rome,” a new 13-minute show presented on "The Comcast Experience" video wall in the Comcast Center lobby.
Produced by Comcast in celebration of the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 and the historic visit of Pope Francis, Eternally Rome is a visual celebration of the ancient, beautiful city, shot using high-resolution cinematography. The show features breathtaking views of some of the Rome's most iconic landmarks, including the Colosseum, Pantheon, The Roman Forum, St. Peter's Square and Vatican City.
Eternally Rome will be shown daily through Sunday, September 27, from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., at the top of every hour. Shows are not presented on weekdays at 5:00 p.m. The final show will take place at 3:00 p.m. on September 27.
Philadelphia Police are searching for an officer's bicycle after it was stolen from outside a convenience store Thursday morning.
It was just before 9 a.m. when a 26th District officer stopped at the 7-Eleven store at 23 W. Girard Avenue in Northern Liberties — parking the bike right outside.
A man and woman then walked up to the bike and rolled away with it, police said.
The bike is a 17-inch Fuji Mountain bike with a black saddlebag attached to the seat that has "Police" emblazoned on it.
Anyone with information is asked to call 215.686.TIPS.
A pioneering new law institute is working to put an end to sex trafficking, and the group has its home -- and is launching its work -- in the Philadelphia area.
The Villanova Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation held its official kickoff Wednesday night at Villanova University School of Law. The grant-funded institute began its work around sex trafficking after a soft launch last year, said Shea Rhodes, a former Philadelphia assistant district attorney who is the director of the new institute.
The institute is focusing on four areas around the issue of sex trafficking, Rhodes said: training law-enforcement and attorneys on how to recognize and handle sex trafficking cases, providing policy education and model legislation around the issue, gathering and disseminating data and offering assistance to help educate the public on sex trafficking, which Rhodes said is a little-known problem that happens right in Pennsylvania.
"I think when people think of human trafficking, specifically sex trafficking, they think it's happening in other countries," Rhodes said. "The reality is it's happening right here in Pennsylvania. It's happening all across the state. The Internet is making it incredibly easy for pimps to sell children and young adult women ... and the reason why it's such a lucrative industry is because there's a market to purchase sex. It's what people are doing, and the Internet basically is the new street corner. It's happening everywhere."
Rhodes said the institute is the first of its kind, and although its early work will be focused locally, she and her partners hope to expand horizons nationally and internationally in the future.
As part of the launch, Malika Saada Saar, a leading human-rights lawyer from Delaware County who specializes in sex trafficking, delivered a keynote address about how the justice system currently treats people forced into prostitution as criminals, rather than victims, and why she and others are committed to changing that.
Sister Terry Shields was presented the institute's inaugural "Justice Done Award" for her work around trafficking. Shields helped to establish Dawn's Place in Philadelphia, a special home for women who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
"There are so many people out there who are being violated in a sexual fashion, and we as a community here in the U.S. should not be allowing this atrocious human-rights violation to continue," Rhodes said. "Children, young people, boys and girls, young adults should not be sold as a commodity for sex. It's absolutely a human-rights violation, and we need to stop it."
