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Closet Fire Forces Dozens From Apartments

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Dozens of people were forced from their homes, after an apartment fire started in a closet at the Harbor House Apartments in Claymont, Del. early Monday.

Photo Credit: NBC10

Escapee Plows Into 2 Before Christmas Parade: Police

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An escaped felon crashed into two people before the start of a Christmas parade in South Jersey over the weekend.

Michael Morelli, 45, slammed into a woman and then struck a man several feet away along Bayshore Road near Pontaxit Avenue in North Cape May before Saturday night’s Lower Township Rotary Club’s 34th Annual Christmas Parade, said Lower Township Police.

The wreck left a woman in the middle of the road with injuries that required her being medivaced to the Atlantic City Medical Center in stable condition and left the man clinging to a nearby pole with injuries that left him hospitalized in stable condition at Cape Regional Medical Center, said police.

Following the wreck, two passengers in Morelli’s car ran off but they later came back, said police.

Investigators found that Morelli, a cook from Wildwood Crest, had an outstanding warrant for felony escape in Tennessee and was wanted for failure to appear in court in Hammonton Township.

A judge set bail at $250,000 and send Morelli to Cape May County jail on charges of leaving the scene of an accident while he awaited extradition back to Tennessee, said police.

One of Morelli’s passengers, Frank Richardson, was also found to have a warrant for failure to appear in Middle Township, said police. Richardson also faces charges for failing to report a crash.



Photo Credit: Google Maps

Adele Brings '25' Tour to Philly for 2 Nights

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"Hello!" Singing superstar Adele is coming to Philly for two nights next fall.

The British songstress announced her Adele Live 2016 North American tour Monday.

The tour will stop at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia on Friday, Sept. 9 and Saturday, Sept. 10. Tickets -- starting at $39.50 -- go on sale for both dates at 10 a.m. Thursday on ComcastTix.com and at the Wells Fargo Center Box Office.

The tour announcement came the same day that NBC10 will air Adele Live in New York (10 p.m. EST), a program featuring Adele’s first full performance in years.

Adele’s latest album 25 has already sold millions of copies and spanned the viral-hit "Hello."

Comcast is the parent company of NBC10.
 



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Water Main Breaks Floods Basements in Rhawnhurst

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A water main break flooded homes along Langdon street in Philadelphia's Rhawnhurst section Monday morning.

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Philly Mayor-Elect Picks New Solicitor

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Philadelphia mayor-elect Jim Kenney announced attorney Sozi Tulante as his pick to become the next solicitor of the city of Philadelphia.

The Democratic mayor to-be made the announcement Monday morning at city Hall.

Tulante, 40, is a native of what was then called Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) who came to Philadelphia as a boy. He steps into the role of leading Philadelphia's legal department.

"I think he's fair, I think he's enthusiastic... we want to create a law firm that serves the people of Philadelphia," said Kenney.

Tulante said he hopes to use the office to be an agent of change.

"You want someone to come in and really energize people and I'm hoping I'm able to do that," said Tulante.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Man Packs Car With Weed, Gets Busted for Tinted Windows

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If you're going to drive with a cache of drugs, money and fireworks in your car, you might not want to draw police's attention by having illegally tinted windows.

A 19-year-old Wilmington man learned that the hard way on Sunday when New Castle County Police pulled him over for driving with window tint and found marijuana, cash, fireworks and paraphernalia in his Honda.

Police spotted the Honda in the area of Harvey Road in Claymont and pulled the car over, officials said. Officers "immediately detected an odor of marijuana," according to a news release.

The officers arrested the driver, Logan Mahoney, and searched the Honda. Inside, police said, they found 76.68 grams of marijuana, more than $1,600 cash, fireworks and drug paraphernalia.

Police said Mahoney has been charged with possession with intent to deliver and related offenses. He was arraigned and released on $10,102 unsecured bond.



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Burglar Breaks Into Meat Market, Gets Away With Nothing

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A meat market’s alarm system thwarted a thief breaking in the front door under the cover of darkness.

The incident played out around 3:25 a.m. on Nov. 30 at Meat Express Market on Lancaster Avenue in the city’s Overbrook section.

Surveillance video captured the would-be thief – wearing a dark hoodie – using an unknown object to break out the front door window, tripping the alarm in the process, said police.

You then see the man toss the broken piece of window and the upper window that had also broken into the store before briefly walking away. He then quickly darts into the broken door and begins quickly moving about the store.

During the break-in the man – his face covered – triggered the alarm.

He was in the store for less than a minute and got away just before police arrived, said investigators.

Police asked anyone who spots the burglar to call 911 and anyone with information is asked to contact police.



Photo Credit: Surveillance image released by Philadelphia Police
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Robber Traps Victim in Elevator in West Philadelphia

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A robber trapped his victim in an elevator in Philadelphia's West Powelton section to steal from him. Police are asking the public's help to track the suspect down.

NE Philly Gun Buyback Takes Aim at Weapons on City Streets

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Philadelphia's 15th Police District is holding an event this weekend aimed at getting guns off the city's streets.

On Saturday, anyone can turn in guns -- no questions asked -- during a buyback between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Engine 38 firehouse, at Magee Avenue and Keystone Street in Tacony.

In return for turning in an unloaded gun, $50 grocery store gift cards will be given out.

The 15th Police District, which covers Frankford, Wissinoming, Tacony and Mayfair, in recent years has been the busiest district in Philadelphia in terms of the number of calls its officers respond to each year.

The district also sees its share of gun violence, with 66 shooting victims and 14 gun homicides there last year.

Philadelphia's overall homicide count is up year-to-date, with 260 homicides so far this year, compared with 241 as of the same date in 2014, and 235 as of the same date in 2013.

Each year, more than 80 percent of the homicides in Philadelphia are committed with guns, according to police statistics.

NBC10 First Alert Weather: Fog & Rain

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Our week kicked off to a foggy but mild start. NBC10 First Alert Meteorologist Bill Henley has the latest forecast for the Philadelphia area.

Darren and Michel Sproles Empower Philly Youth

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Drinks and Dialogue: An event to benefit Sproles Empowered Youth, happening Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Fine Palate in Center City. NBC10’s Vai Sikahema sits down with Michel Sproles to discuss the event. Learn more.

PA Appeals Court Upholds Lengthy Straw Purchase Sentence

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An appeals court has upheld the sentence of nearly six to 12 years for a southeastern Pennsylvania woman in the first use of a new law aimed at cracking down on people who illegally buy guns for others.

PennLive.com reports that a Superior Court panel recently denied 24-year-old Staci Dawson's appeal of the 71½- to 143- month term imposed a year ago by a Delaware County judge.

Dawson was convicted of having bought two guns for her boyfriend, a felon later slain. Prosecutors said she was the first person to receive a five-year mandatory minimum under the law enacted last year after Brad Fox, a Plymouth Township officer, was shot and killed in the line of duty by a man using a gun bought by someone else.



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Plaid Pajamas Project Helps Keep Children in Need Warm

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A local woman has turned her family tradition of giving pajamas as a Christmas gift into a charity that will help children in need. Donate now.

Growing Number of Millennials Shun Religion

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Olivia Burk, 22, has attended church fewer than 10 times.

“I stood there not taking much from the sermons, and people would sing and shake my hand and I felt very uncomfortable and out of place,” Burk said.

Burk, who lives in Pittsburgh and is an instructional aide to children with autism, doesn’t identify as atheist but does not believe in God or practice religion.

She says it stems from the fact that she was raised in a family with one Christian parent and one religiously unaffiliated. To avoid conflict, the family treated religion “just as if it wasn’t ever a thing,” Burk said. “I grew up without any religion in my household my whole life.”

She’s among a growing group of Millennials, the generation aged 18 to 34, who identify as nonreligious.

As of last year, more than a third of Millennials were considered to be religious “nones” — the unaffiliated, agnostic or atheist population. In 2007, only a quarter of Millennials said they lived outside of a particular faith, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study.

In the United States, the religiously unaffiliated make up the second-largest group after Christians. Seventy-two percent of the religiously unaffiliated are younger than 50.

Some worry that this trend will mean Millennials and their children won’t have the same values or beliefs in right and wrong as previous generations.

The decline in religion could also be linked to other Millennial trends. Generally, Millennials are more inclined to live together and have children outside of marriage and are more accepting of homosexuality, among other things that can conflict with religious norms.

“A lot of people are disaffiliating from the religion they were raised [with] primarily for political reasons,” said Melissa Wilde, a religious sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania. “They see their faith as much more conservative than they are.”

Without attending weekly sermons, Millennials are looking to other outlets for a moral education. That has left churches scrambling for innovative ways to bring Millennials to the pews, but churches of most denominations have been losing members and merging or closing churches.

Yet even as Millennials become less religious, that doesn’t mean religion doesn’t interest them.

Burk said she finds religion fascinating because it’s “foreign” to her. “People say, ‘Well, it’s in the hands of God;’ well, I think, ‘It’s in the hands of me.’ Everything I do is under my control.”

FALL FROM GRACE

Pittsburgh resident Daniel Berton, who is awaiting certification in the operating engineers union, was raised a Presbyterian Christian and attended church every Sunday. He was enrolled in Sunday school until he was 15.

Of his four-person family, only his mother still goes to church regularly.

Presbyterians undergo Confirmation, a rite of initiation and membership into the congregation, as young adults. When Berton began preparing for the ceremony, he started to ask his pastor and the other students some difficult questions.

“Some of the questions I was asking were, ‘If there is a God, why is he or she allowing such terrible things to happen?’ And nobody could come up with an answer for me,” said Berton, 22. “So I tried looking on my own.”

There are numerous reasons Millennials are giving up religion. According to a 2012 report by the Public Religion Research Institute [PRRI], some people aren’t content to accept the existence of God on faith and feel religion goes against science. Some find organized religion too constricting and conservative. Others find the church’s teachings hypocritical.

PRRI’s data indicate that 7 percent of Americans were raised unaffiliated with any religion, but that more than 19 percent of all Americans identify as atheist, agnostic or nothing in particular.

The four largest religious groups in the country are Catholics, white evangelical Protestants, the religiously unaffiliated and white mainline Protestants, according to PRRI, a nonpartisan research institute based in Washington, D.C.

Christianity makes up the vast majority of religions in Pennsylvania, at 73 percent of all religious membership, according to Pew’s 2014 study on religion. Overall, non-Christian faiths form about 6 percent of the landscape in both Pennsylvania and U.S. religions.

Of the people abandoning religion, studies show many of them are Christians leaving the flock.

“Young adult Catholics are doing among the worst. They have the worst retention ... whereas the Mormons are doing great,” Wilde said. “Others, like mainline Protestants, are doing pretty bad” in terms of numbers and retention as well, she said.

Among Christians, Catholics have the lowest retention rate of any denomination. White mainline Protestants are the next most likely to abandon their faith. College graduates are also more likely to drop their religion than those without degrees, according to PRRI.

Berton’s childhood religion, Presbyterianism, is a subgroup of mainline Protestantism.

“The more that I got told, ‘You have to have faith,’ the more faith I lost,” he said.

VALUES

As a baby, Erica Wilson was baptized Catholic, but she never attended church.

Wilson and her siblings were baptized, a ritual of church admittance, out of consideration for their devoutly religious grandmother.

“I never considered myself anything,” Wilson said. “We never went to church… I didn’t really have an opinion on [religion].”

Now 25, a third-year pharmacy student at University of Pittsburgh, Wilson is married to devout Catholic Declan Wilson, also 25. Together, they have a 6-month-old son named Henry, who will be raised with his father’s religion, a decision Erica Wilson says she is comfortable abiding.

“I see how much [religion] means to Declan and I hope it’s a part of their lives,” Erica Wilson said. “I think it’s really great … to have that relationship with their dad.”

Wilde, the sociologist, said people in her field typically associate religion with meaning and belonging. She said religion offers a like-minded community, and faith helps people get through difficult times.

Religion can be a staple in the development of morals. It’s a primary source of introducing values like marriage fidelity and forgiveness.

When people don’t practice religion, they have to find their values elsewhere. Wilde suggested that those without religion might pull values from work or family life and school more readily.

Erica Wilson said she and her siblings and parents have always had a close relationship, even though they’re not united by faith. She said she believes that having a loving household and setting strong examples of kindness is one way to impart values to children.

“You can be a good person without religion,” she said. “A lot of it comes down to your family and society as a whole. I think that a lot of it is ingrained in us as humans.”

She said her son and his future siblings belong to a loving home, and will have that as a backup if they choose not to follow the religion of her husband.

Daniel Berton said he finds what he values by introspection. He sorts through issues on his own, without influence from religion or politics. He said religious teachings don’t really apply to his life.

“As long as you’re not violating basic human rights like murder or rape, I’m usually OK with it,” he said.

Olivia Burk said she has researched different religions and beliefs along with discussing moral dilemmas at length to help form her values.

“It’s a combination of what I’ve learned...” she said. “Education and science, and also my family.”

CHURCH CALLING

Some Christians expect a large-scale revitalization to replenish the numbers as Millennials grow older.

It’s also their hope as congregations diminish over time.

According to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, more than 630,000 Catholics in Pittsburgh were attending 199 parishes as of 2014. In the diocese, from 1980 to 2010, there was a decrease of about 40 percent in church membership and adherence, according to the Association of Religion Data Archives [ARDA].

Data from the Presbyterian Church of U.S.A. show a rate of about 1.5 church closings or mergers in Pittsburgh per year since 2002, with a loss in membership of more than 30 percent.

Philadelphia closely mirrors Pittsburgh, with a loss of 18 congregations and 26 percent of its members (about 10,000 people) between 2002 and 2012.

Churches have been spicing up services with engaging music and shortening the time commitment to attract the younger population. Campus missionaries seek to evangelize new members to their congregations.

What’s unclear at this point is whether Millennials will be attracted to religion later in life, out of fear of the afterlife, for healing or for other reasons.

Wilde said that a lot of people do return to their faith when they age.

“It’s partly a life cycle thing. A lot of people return to the faith of their childhood, and a lot of people return when they marry and have kids,” she said.

For a recent graduate like Burk, she said she may someday consider a return to religion but that it’s unlikely.

“Part of me says, ‘Yes,’ because I have done it before,” Burk said. “Part of me is uncertain. Part of me says most likely not. I’m very content with my life and my views.”

Erica Wilson said it would take a life-altering event for her to approach faith.

“I thought it would be having kids,” she said. “But I still haven’t had that. I almost hope it happens, but I obviously can’t force that.”

Reach PublicSource reporter Stephanie Roman at sroman@publicsource.org. See our previous stories about Millennials here.



Photo Credit: Connor Mulvaney | Public Source
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Car Strikes, Kills Skateboarding Football Player

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Ava Mills couldn't hold back the tears as she spoke to her best friend.

"I hope you're somewhere up there looking down on me and you're proud of who I am and who I will become," Mills said. "I'll miss you so much best friend."

Mills was one of the hundreds of people who attended a memorial for 14-year-old Steven Kim at the Central Bucks West High School football stadium in Doylestown Monday afternoon.

Kim was skateboarding at South Easton Road near Turk Road in Doylestown around 10:45 p.m. Saturday when he was struck and killed by a car. The driver remained at the scene and no charges were filed. Police believe the incident was a tragic accident.

Kim was a freshman quarterback at Lenape Middle School. News of his death devastated his teammates as well as his fellow students.

"Steven was a wonderful student leader at Lenape Middle School," wrote Central Bucks School District superintendent Dr. David Weitzel. "Always with a smile on his face, Steven cared for others and made meaningful contributions to his school community."

His teammates escorted his parents on the field during Monday's memorial.

"He was a great kid and he was a great person," said Kim's sister Natalie. "Possibly the best person I've ever met in my entire life. And I hope that I can live now and be more like he was. Because I think he was the best." 

A GoFundMe page was created to raise money for the teen's funeral. CLICK HERE if you would like to donate.



Photo Credit: Family Photo

Caught on Cam: Robber Attacks Gas Station Clerks

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Police are on the hunt for a man who was caught on camera attacking clerks at gas stations in Burlington Township and Burlington City.

The first incident occurred at Speedy Gas on the 2200 block of Mount Holly Road in Burlington Township around 7:30 p.m. back on Nov. 28. Police say the unidentified suspect first asked the attendant if he could buy cigarettes. When the attendant went to grab them, the suspect punched him in the head and knocked him to the ground, police said. The suspect then went through the victim’s pockets, grabbed a wad of cash and fled the scene on foot, according to investigators.

The second robbery occurred Dec. 2 around 10 p.m. at the Fuel Express at the intersection of Route 130 and Wood Street in Burlington City. Police say the suspect attacked the attendant from behind while he was locking up the business for the night. A surveillance camera captured the suspect pulling the victim back into the cash register area, throwing him to the ground and rummaging through his pockets. The suspect then emptied the cash register, stole several boxes of cigarettes and also grabbed several personal items from the attendant, including his cellphone, police said. The suspect then fled on foot.

 

The most recent incident occurred on Dec. 5 around 10 p.m. at US Gas at the intersection of High Street and 4th Street in Burlington City. The suspect once again approached an attendant as he was locking up for the night and asked him for a $50 bill, police said. As the attendant went to the cash register, the suspect attacked him from behind and threw him to the ground. Investigators say the suspect then punched the victim in the face several times causing significant injuries. He then stole the victim’s cellphone and a wad of cash before once again fleeing the scene on foot, police said.

"I know he got injured in the head and broke his nose," said Carlos Medina, a friend of the most recent victim.

Police believe the same suspect is responsible for all three robberies and say he has stolen around $2,000 total. The suspect is described as a black male between the ages of 20 and 30 with sunken cheek bones, standing 6-foot-2. He was last seen wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, a jacket, blue jeans and white sneakers.

If you have any information on the robberies, please call the Burlington Township Police Department at 609-386-2019 or the Burlington City Police Department at 609-386-3300. 



Photo Credit: Burlington Police
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Gunman Shoots 11-Year-Old Girl in the Foot

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A girl is recovering after she was shot in the foot in the Hunting Park section of the city Monday afternoon.

The 11-year-old girl was walking home from school on the 700 block of W. Luzerne Street at 3:22 p.m. when an unidentified gunman opened fire.

The girl was struck once in the right foot. She was taken to St. Christopher’s Hospital where she is currently in stable condition.

Police don't believe the girl was the gunman's intended victim. The gun has not been recovered and no arrests have been made. Police say the gunman was wearing a black skull cap and a black shirt with a brown dragon print on the front.  They continue to investigate.


 

Eagles Push for Playoffs

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The Eagles are on a roll as they continue their playoff push with another big win. NBC10’s Tim Furlong talked to fans Monday about what’s shaping up to be a very meaningful December for the Birds.

Investigators: Colwyn Borough Volunteer Fire Department Audited

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There is more chaos in Colwyn borough. Over $88,000 in spending at the Colwyn volunteer Fire Department is being questioned by the state auditor general. NBC10 investigative reporter Harry Hairston has the story.

Local Rep. Hopes Sandy Hook Anniversary Will Prompt Stricter Gun Control Laws

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The community in Newtown, CT will gather for a vigil Monday night to remember the 20 children and six educators who died during a mass shooting three years ago. NBC10’s Aundrea Cline-Thomas shows us how one Bucks County representative hopes to gain momentum for universal background checks for the sale of firearms.
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