John Kopp

John Kopp is the Chief Health Reporter/Assistant Editor at PhillyVoice. He joined the newsroom after spending five years reporting for the Delaware County Daily Times. He spent the prior year covering state and local politics, including a $4 million Pennsylvania state Senate race. He previously covered Chester city government, the Chester Upland School District and high-school sports. A Temple University graduate, John enjoys long-distance running, watching baseball and exploring new places.

john@phillyvoice.com

March 11, 2015

Crime

N.J. man accused of robbing same store 15 years later

by John Kopp

Christopher Miller, 41, pleaded guilty Monday to robbing a Stride Rite store on March 22, 2014 according to NJ.com. He also robbed the outlet in 1999, when he committed three robberies that resulted in a 15-year prison sentence.

March 10, 2015

Delaware County

Longtime Delco mall nearing demolition

by John Kopp

The demolition of the Granite Run Mall, which opened its doors in 1974, could begin by the end of the year, according to the Delaware County Daily Times. Only about 30 stores in the 125-outlet shopping mall remain open. Once their leases expire, demolition will begin.

March 6, 2015

Business

ALDI hiring 25 managers as Bottom Dollar purchase underway

by John Kopp

ALDI Inc. is seeking to hire 25 additional manager trainees for its grocery stores in Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey, a move that hints at the reopening of several former Bottom Dollar locations.

March 6, 2015

Chester County

Chester County communities considering regional policing

by John Kopp

Seven Chester County municipalities are considering forming a regional police force that would become the largest in the county, according to the Daily Local News.

March 5, 2015

History

Congressional delegation to commemorate 'Bloody Sunday'

by John Kopp

The 2015 Congressional Pilgrimage will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1965 civil rights marches that led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act. The Congressional delegation will tour historic sites in Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma.

March 4, 2015

Politics

Nutter seeks property tax increase to fund schools

by John Kopp

Mayor Michael Nutter is proposing to increase property taxes by 9.43 percent in an attempt to fund the city's school system, according to media reports.

March 4, 2015

Delaware County

Delco development vote postponed until next week

by John Kopp

The Concord Township Board of Supervisors postponed their meeting until March 10. The board was expected to review the preliminary plans for Vineyard Commons, a housing development proposed for a chunk of land bordering First State National Historic Park.

March 4, 2015

Politics

Wolf selects six members for Delaware River Port Authority board

by John Kopp

Gov. Tom Wolf appointed six members to the Delaware River Port Authority, a multi-state agency that owns and operates the PATCO commuter rail line, the RiverLink Ferry and four toll bridges connecting Philadelphia and New Jersey.

March 3, 2015

Environment

Development proposal draws ire of Delco conservationists

by John Kopp

Eastern States Development, of Wilmington, Del., and McKee-Concord Homes LP, of Springfield, seek to construct 163 houses on a 230-acre parcel bordering First State National Historic Park. The proposal has brought nearly three years of strife between developers and community groups wishing the land to be preserved as open space.

March 3, 2015

Politics

Mayoral candidates debate ways to improve city neighborhoods

by John Kopp

Six candidates running to be the next Philadelphia mayor shared their viewpoints on an array of subjects involving the best ways to sustain and improve the city’s myriad neighborhoods at a forum hosted by The Next Great City coalition.