Governor Corbett Signs Execution Warrant For Convicted Cop Killer

Governor Corbett Signs Execution Warrant For Convicted Cop Killer

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Governor Tom Corbett signed an execution warrant for the man who shot and killed Philadelphia police officer Charles Cassidy and then fled to Florida in 2007.

June 18th of this year is the execution date for Lewis M. Jordan, also known as John “Jordan” Lewis. FOP
President John McNesby calls this a positive step.

“We just hope this moves quick and hopefully it comes to fruition,” McNesby said.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Longtime Education Notable Phoebe Haddon To Head Rutgers-Camden

Longtime Education Notable Phoebe Haddon To Head Rutgers-Camden

Phoebe Haddon.

 

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) — The Camden campus of Rutgers University will get a new chancellor this summer.

Phoebe Haddon is currently dean of the law school at the University of Maryland.  Come July, she’ll succeed Wendell Pritchett as head of the Rutgers satellite campus that serves more than 6,000 students.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Public School Advocates Propose November Ballot Question On Dissolving SRC

Public School Advocates Propose November Ballot Question On Dissolving SRC

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and public school advocates are calling for the dissolution of the School Reform Commission in favor of what they call a “locally accountable school board.”

KYW’s Steve Tawa reports City Council will take up a non-binding resolution in support of returning schools to local control.

PFT president Jerry Jordan points to a survey of 3,000 Philadelphians, 97 percent of whom prefer a locally controlled school board to the SRC. Jordan says “state control has failed miserably.”

For full story go to: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Bells Ring In Celebration Of Easter At Main Line Church

Bells Ring In Celebration Of Easter At Main Line Church

BALA CYNWYD, Pa. (CBS) — Bells were ringing in celebration of Easter at a Main Line church on Sunday.

Worshipers at The Church of St. John, Lower Merion sang out in praise — and for one service a year — Father Frank Wallner says they joyfully ring bells.

“When people ring the bells they’re smiling at the same time,” Wallner says. “There’s something very joyful about the organ, the trumpet, the bells! It’s phenomenal.”

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Family, Friends Hold Vigil For Fruit Vendor Murdered One Year Ago In South Philadelphia

Family, Friends Hold Vigil For Fruit Vendor Murdered One Year Ago In South Philadelphia

 

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A vigil was held Friday night for a fruit vendor found stabbed to death outside his home one year ago today and a $25,000 reward is being offered in the case.
 
“Every day you have nothing to go for but hope.”

The pain of a single day, a beloved father and husband murdered, turned to a year of agony after 365 days without justice.

“Just pray and hope,” says Ly’s son, Hoanh Ly. “Too long to not know who murdered my father.”

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Good Samaritan Speaks Out After Pulling Mother, 3 Children From Delaware River

Good Samaritan Speaks Out After Pulling Mother, 3 Children From Delaware River

FLORENCE Twp., N. J., (CBS) — The mother accused of intentionally driving a van into the Delaware River with her three children inside will be in court next week.

Eyewitness News reporter Cleve Bryan spoke with the man who dove into the water, making four trips to help save the family’s lives.

“I said well what are we going to do if there’s people in the van and he said I’m going to jump in and save them and i said ‘you can swim?’”

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Trial Underway For Philadelphia Man Charged With Human Trafficking

Trial Underway For Philadelphia Man Charged With Human Trafficking

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Trial is underway in a federal case of alleged human trafficking for sex.
KYW’s Tony Hanson reports the defendant, from Philadelphia, allegedly used force and threats to control his prostitutes, including a girl who was just 16-years-old at the time.

The first witness, the juvenile, now 25, has testified she worked for defendant Rahim McIntyre for about two and a half weeks, all the money went to the defendant. She says McIntyre was very controlling, she saw him beat another woman with the heel of a shoe she bought without permission.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

NJ Mom Charged With Trying To Kill Her 3 Children

NJ Mom Charged With Trying To Kill Her 3 Children

 

MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (CBS) – According to the Burlington County Prosecutor and Florence Township Police, a mother was charged today with trying to kill her three teenage children by driving into the Delaware River Tuesday night.

Forty-nine-year-old Joann Smith was driving on West Front Street in Florence Township at approximately 6:30 p.m. Tuesday night with her three children, ages 13, 14 and 15, when she allegedly drove onto a boat ramp and into the water.

An investigation revealed that the van accelerated and headed directly into the river.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

New Community Center in Camden Creates New Opportunities For Residents

New Community Center in Camden Creates New Opportunities For Residents

CAMDEN, N.J., (CBS) — A whole new world of opportunity is taking shape in Camden’s Cramer Hill neighborhood.

Construction is in the final months for the Kroc Center, a $90 million super community center.

“It’s not just a hoop on a backboard in a park. It’s an NCAA-size gymnasium with all the amenities,” Major Paul Cain of the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army gave us a tour of the 120-thousand square foot building which sits on a 24-acre campus that used to be a landfill.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Boylston Street Evacuated After 2 Backpacks Left Near Boston Marathon Finish Line

Boylston Street Evacuated After 2 Backpacks Left Near Boston Marathon Finish Line

Backpack left unattended on Boylston Street. (WBZ-TV)

 

BOSTON (CBS) – The area near the finish line of the Boston Marathon was evacuated Tuesday night after two unattended backpacks were left at the finish line.

One of the bags is near the photo bridge on Boylston Street. The street was shut down between Fairfield and Dartmouth streets.

WBZ-TV photographers on scene say they saw a person with the backpack screaming “Boston Strong” before police cleared everyone from the area.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Young Boy, Father Remembered During Church Services In Chester

Parents and children at the altar as Pastor McBride leads them in prayer.

CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) — A Chester church community gathered with heavy hearts Sunday morning, reflecting on a 4-year-old boy who died after being hit by a car on the day of his father’s funeral.

4-year-old Karder Hardy spent some of his final moments at Murphy A.M.E Church for his father’s funeral.
“Just knowing that the last church he was in was this one just makes all this so surreal,” said Pastor Terrel McBride.

McBride, on Saturday, eulogized Derrick Brown, an innocent bystander killed by a bullet a week prior.

And McBride recalls Brown’s young son Karder during the funeral, full of life and innocence.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Streit’s OT Goal Lifts Flyers Over Penguins 4-3

Streit’s OT Goal Lifts Flyers Over Penguins 4-3

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mark Streit beat Marc-Andre Fleury 2:10 into overtime to lift the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.

Streit’s backhand shot from the right circle caromed between Fleury’s pads and into the net as the Flyers assured themselves of a matchup with the New York Rangers when the Stanley Cup playoffs begin next week.

Jakub Voracek scored twice for the Flyers, and Claude Giroux added his team-high 28th goal of the season. Ray Emery made 12 saves after replacing injured starter Steve Mason to start the third period.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

‘Give Kids Sight Day’ Offers Area Children Free Vision Screenings, Eye Glasses

Give Kids Sight Day’ Offers Area Children Free Vision Screenings, Eye Glasses 

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Hundreds of children were fitted for free eyeglasses Saturday afternoon after receiving free vision screenings as part of the 5th annual Give Kids Sight Day at Wills Eye Hospital.

“Kids come in, they register, depending on their age, they get screened,” said Dr. Alex Levin, Chief of Pediatric Opthomology. “If they pass their screen they go home, congratulations. If you fail your screen, we see if we can use glasses to make you see better. If we can make you see better, you get two free pairs of glasses.”

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

New Plaque Honors 2 Philadelphia Firefighters Who Died Two Years Ago

New Plaque Honors 2 Philadelphia Firefighters Who Died Two Years Ago

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — It was two years ago today that two Philadelphia firefighters were killed battling a five-alarm warehouse fire in Kensington.

A plaque in their honor was unveiled this morning at their firehouse, in the nearby Richmond section.
Fellow firefighters, city officials, and appreciative neighbors gathered at Engine 7 and Ladder 10 for the dedication of a plaque in honor of Lt. Robert Neary and firefighter Daniel Sweeney.

For full story go to: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

City Controller Faults Secrecy Amid School District’s Financial Mess

City Controller Alan Butkovitz (L) is questioned by Councilman David Oh (R) during a budget hearing.

 

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City Controller Faults Secrecy Amid School District’s Financial Mess

April 8, 2014 12:17 PM

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City Controller Alan Butkovitz (L) is questioned by Councilman David Oh (R) during a budget hearing. (credit: City of Philadelphia)

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia’s Controller says a culture of secrecy pervades the School District, making it difficult for anyone to get to the root of the district’s massive deficits.

At a city council budget hearing on Tuesday, Controller Alan Butkovitz was questioned by Councilman David Oh, who voiced frustration that council is rarely given a true sense of the school district’s financial books.http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

“We try to get information from the school district about their finances, what’s working, what’s not working,” Oh said. “And we can never get that information. And we end up in a crunch situation, having to try to get money, squeezing blood from a stone out of the citizens of this city. And there’s a real issue about whether we’re putting good money after bad.”

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

3 On Your Side: Credit Union Gives Students Jump Start In Managing Finances

3 On Your Side: Credit Union Gives Students Jump Start In Managing Finances

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – How well do your kids understand money? Do they think it grows on trees and spend, spend, spend? Or have you taught them to save some cash for a rainy day? Since April is Financial Literacy Month, 3 On Your Side Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan visits one Delaware County high school where students are getting a jump start in managing their own finances.

At Springfield High School some students are learning about money management first hand. They’re interns with the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union. “Our paid interns learn how to process transactions, they assist me with monthly and daily auditing,” says Jacquie Lombardo of FMFCU.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Kentucky Edges Wisconsin 74-73, Will Play For Title

Kentucky Edges Wisconsin 74-73, Will Play For Title

Aaron Harrison #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates after hitting a shot against the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at AT&T Stadium on April 5, 2014 in Arlington, Texas.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — No, this was not an instant replay, though it certainly is turning into a highlight reelKentucky and Aaron Harrison could get used to watching over and over again.

Harrison took a pass from his twin brother, Andrew, spotted up from NBA range and watched the ball rattle in for the lead with 5.7 seconds left to lift the Wildcats to a 74-73 victory Saturday night over Wisconsin in the Final Four.

It’s the third straight game the Kentucky freshman has made a 3 for the winning points in this magical ride for the Wildcats (29-10), and the second straight time the pass has come from his brother for a spot-up shot from the left center of the arc.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

11-Year-Old Girl Shot, Killed Inside Home In West Philadelphia

11-Year-Old Girl Shot, Killed Inside Home In West Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Police are investigating a shooting that claimed the life of a young girl in West Philadelphia.

It happened just before 10 a.m. Saturday inside a home along the 3800 block of Wallace Street in the Mantua section of the city.

Police say four children, ages 2-14, were inside the residence when one of the children got hold of a loaded, large caliber handgun that had been left unsecured and unattended in a second floor bedroom.

Authorities say, at some point, the weapon discharged and struck an 11-year-old girl in her right shoulder.

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Harrison twins behind Kentucky's Final Four run

Harrison twins behind Kentucky's Final Four run

Kentucky guard Aaron Harrison drills during practice for an NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Friday, April 4, 2014, in Dallas. Kentucky plays Wisconsin on Saturday, April 5, 2014.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Whether they're setting up game-winning shots or hitting them, Andrew and Aaron Harrison have become the maestros orchestrating Kentucky's unexpected run to the Final Four.

Andrew is the point guard who runs the show. He's dished out 21 assists in four NCAA tournament games, including six in a win over Michigan that sent the Wildcats to Dallas.

Aaron is the shooting guard with the hot outside stroke. He had 12 points against the Wolverines, including the deciding 3-pointer with 2.3 seconds left in a 75-72 victory.

Naturally, his twin brother made the pass.

Now, the Harrison boys will try to guide Kentucky past Wisconsin in the national semifinals on Saturday night, and move one step close to winning the Wildcats' ninth national title.

"It's a great feeling. Not too many people get to reach the Final Four," said Aaron, older than his brother by 

a minute, "so now that we're here, we're just trying to stay focused."

Good luck with that.

Everyone wants a piece of the Harrisons, who grew up near Houston and are Texan through-and-through - even if they made the cardinal sin of choosing the round ball over the pigskin.

They have gleaming smiles that flash pearly white teeth, making them the darlings of the TV folks. Their effervescent personalities charm writers, if you can coax them out of that shell that they sometimes erect. And they have a biting sense of humor that borders on crude, according to teammates who've been reduced to tears by a well-timed joke in the locker room.

"The Harrisons, good family, mom and dad raised them and did right," Kentucky coach John Calipari said. 

"They were coached, they are skilled. They just had to be challenged in a lot of different ways that they had never been challenged."

They were taught the game by their father, Aaron Sr., who runs a successful car dealership and was an accomplished player in his own right. He would drag them to the YMCA or the rec center, putting them in games against boys a year or two older than them, and then almost callously tell them to work harder and get better when they couldn't get on the court.

It was that upbringing that fueled a competitive streak in the Harrisons. Skinned knees. Bloody noses. They were the price of success, starting in youth basketball and all through high school.

Of course, growing up in Texas, there was always the allure of football. Aaron was a quarterback and Andrew a running back, and both of them had talent.

"In Texas, if you play football, that's pretty much the only thing you do," Aaron said. "And you have to take it really serious. If you don't take it serious, you won't get a lot out of it."

Still, the Harrisons were willing to give it a shot, only for Andrew to be told in high school that he was too tall to play running back. He quit. His brother followed him out the door.

It was just as well. They were already exploding on the AAU scene, attracting plenty attention from college coaches across the country. Their future clearly lay in basketball, where they'd honed their considerable skills under the watchful eye of former NBA coach John Lucas.

When they committed to Calipari as a package deal, it set Big Blue Nation into a tizzy.

"Football's really important in Texas. Coming here, everyone is like I am," Aaron said of Kentucky. "Everyone loves basketball and basketball is the most popular thing. I tell my friends a lot about how crazy everyone is about basketball here."

Many of those friends will be inside AT&T Stadium on Saturday night.

The twins figure they received about 50 requests for tickets in the first couple of days after beating Michigan. They stopped counting after that.

"You're family," Andrew said. "It's hard to say no to your family."

Calipari beams when the topic of the twins is brought up.

He explains that there were two things that they needed to address once they arrive at Kentucky. One was body language, which sometimes became lax. Once that improved, Calipari said, "they became different players." The other was defining their roles, and Calipari admits "I did a poor job of that until late in the year."

Now, it's evident that Andrew is the distributor who can shoot, and Aaron is the shooter who can distribute, and both of them are now playing much more freely.

"My job is to help define their roles, to bring them together, to get them to understand," Calipari said. "I'm happy it was done. I just wish I had done it earlier."

Then again, maybe it was done just in time.

 

NJ Now Lets Police Administer Anti-overdose Drug In Some Counties

NJ Now Lets Police Administer Anti-overdose Drug In Some Counties

BRICK TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — Some police officers in New Jersey are now permitted to administer a drug that counteracts heroin overdoses.

Gov. Chris Christie announced a pilot program Wednesday that allows police in Ocean and Monmouth counties to carry and administer the drug.

Christie says police in all 32 Ocean County towns are being trained how to administer Narcan, which is injected through the nose.

Ocean County’s heroin deaths more than doubled to 112 in 2012.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Rocky Statue Gets a Floral Wreath For Parkinson Awareness

Rocky Statue Gets a Floral Wreath For Parkinson Awareness

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — With April being Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, volunteers today were spreading the word about the disease near the iconic “Rocky” statue, outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The red tulip is the international symbol for Parkinson’s, so volunteers were handing out the flowers to passersby.

Hundreds of the flowers were assembled in an arch-like formation around the Rocky statue.
Carol Walton, CEO of the Parkinson Alliance, says that just like Rocky, who never gave up, neither should those affected by the disease.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Jon Bon Jovi, Local Officials Celebrate New Facility For The Homeless In Camden

Jon Bon Jovi, Local Officials Celebrate New Facility For The Homeless In Camden

Local officials and Jon Bon Jovi (second from the right ) celebrate
new facility offering shelter and support services for homeless men
and women in Camden.

CAMDEN, N.J., (CBS) — Rocker Jon Bon Jovi returned to his home state Tuesday to open a homeless shelter in Camden.

“We want to thank a great friend to Camden, Jon Bon Jovi.”

Mayor Dana Redd welcomed Jon Bon Jovi to the ribbon cutting at Joseph’s House, a 75-bed shelter that opened in January at 555 Atlantic Avenue with the help of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

For full story go to: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/