Michael Tanenbaum
Michael Tanenbaum is a senior staff writer for PhillyVoice.com, with interests ranging from technology and behavioral health to local community initiatives and cultural life. Michael has written for the Argentina Independent and Bespoke Magazine and previously served as a news editor for Xfinity.com before joining PhillyVoice. He received his B.A. in The Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University.
June 1, 2023
Business
Former Sikorsky helicopter plant in Coatesville acquired by Delco aircraft manufacturer Piasecki
Piasecki Aircraft Corp. has acquired the former Lockheed Martin Sikorsky helicopter plant in Coatesville, where it plans to hire 400 workers by 2028. The Sikorsky plant closed last year. Piasecki purchased it for $10.5 million and plans to transform the facility into a research and development center. Among the planned projects is the development of Piasecki's PA-890 helicopter, described as the world's first zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell rotorcraft.May 31, 2023
Government
Ocean City steps up enforcement against 'drunken teens' after Memorial Day weekend incidents
In response to problems with underage drinking and other violations, Ocean City plans to close all of its beaches at 8 p.m. Carrying backpacks will no longer be permitted after 8 p.m. on the beach and boardwalk, and bathrooms on the boardwalk will close at 10 p.m. The curfew for juveniles will move from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m. Ocean City police responded to 999 incidents over Memorial Day weekend, prompting Mayor Jay Gillian to roll out the new policies.May 31, 2023
Men's Health
An unhappy sex life may be a sign of future memory problems
Men who are dissatisfied with their sex lives may be more likely to suffer from memory loss and cognitive decline as they age. A new study out of Penn State University examined the links between sexual fulfillment, erectile dysfunction and cognitive performance. The three factors were correlated in hundreds of men over a 12-year period, leading researchers to believe ED may be a valuable tool to assess future risks to cognition.May 31, 2023
Investigations
Woman fatally shot husband at Bristol Borough Wharf, police say
Sammar Khan, 40, of Levittown is charged with homicide in the fatal shooting of her husband, 38-year-old Faisal Iqbal, at the Bristol Borough Wharf on Tuesday morning, authorities said. Bucks County detectives say multiple witnesses saw the shooting unfold near the parking lot of the park along the Delaware River waterfront.May 30, 2023
Arts & Culture
City will remove decades-old, board-game art installation from Thomas Paine Plaza
Philadelphia will remove the sculptures of oversized board game pieces at Thomas Paine Plaza in Center City, citing wear and tear on the art pieces and plans to redesign and renovate the park to be more like Dilworth Plaza and LOVE Park. The public art installation, called Your Move, was commissioned in 1996. As part of the upcoming renovations, a new public art installation will be commissioned for the plaza.May 30, 2023
Wildlife
A 522-pound great white shark swam by Ocean City over Memorial Day weekend
Shark research nonprofit OCEARCH says a juvenile great white shark named Penny was tracked off the coast of Ocean City, New Jersey on Memorial Day. The 10-foot, 3-inch long shark weighs 522 pounds, making her among the lighter sharks the researchers are tracking. Great white sharks migrate north during the summer to feed near Nova Scotia, typically to bulk up after mating season in the southern Atlantic.May 30, 2023
Investigations
Upper Darby bus driver charged with duct taping 10-year-old to seat
A school bus driver in Upper Darby is facing criminal charges for allegedly duct-taping a 10-year-old boy to his seat during a ride to Hillcrest Elementary School in Drexel Hill in March, Delaware County prosecutors said. Juliet Pratt, 54, of Clifton Heights, allegedly was seen restraining the child on video from the bus's surveillance camera.May 26, 2023
Health News
Brain scans pinpoint unique responses to chronic pain, paving way for better treatments
A new study on the relationship between chronic pain and the brain found that patients have unique brain activity linked to their perceptions of pain. The first-of-its-kind research used implanted electrodes in four people with chronic pain over a period of several months. This allowed researchers to measure their brain activity during the course of their daily lives and compare the findings to their self-reported pain. The research could lead to the development implanted devices that are able to predict and disrupt pain signals in the brain.May 26, 2023
Transportation
SEPTA riders must remove ski masks following recent bus shootings
SEPTA Transit Police officers will begin telling riders to remove ski masks that conceal their identities following a pattern of crimes involving suspects who had been wearing these face coverings, officials said. People who wear face masks for health reasons, those wearing hoods and those who have religious coverings, such as hijabs, will not be affected by the policy. SEPTA said the policy is intended to deter crime and that some riders have complained of others wearing ski masks.May 26, 2023
Travel
Philly airport to double parking spaces in economy lot for summer travel
The economy lot at Philadelphia International Airport, located along the 4400 block of Island Avenue, will expand from 1,840 to 3,600 spots this summer to accommodate an expected influx of travelers. The economy lot is the cheapest parking option, with a $15 flat rate for up to 24 hours. The lot is first come, first serve and includes a free, 24/7 shuttle service to the airport terminals.Just In
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