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.

tanenbaum@phillyvoice.com

January 3, 2024

Investigations

Suspect identified in fatal stabbing of Upper Darby High School student

by Michael Tanenbaum

Marson Weh, 24, was identified Wednesday as the suspect in the fatal April 2023 stabbing of 15-year-old Michael Garr, Delaware County prosecutors said. Weh is in Ohio serving a sentence for an assault and car theft there. He'll be extradited to Pennsylvania to face charges in the killing of the Upper Darby High School student, as well as charges related to the stabbing of a pregnant woman that happened last January.

January 3, 2024

Courts

Hatboro woman from viral, racist pizza shop rant ordered to apologize, sentenced to probation

by Michael Tanenbaum

A Hatboro woman who went viral for a racist rant at Amy's Family Pizzeria last February has been sentenced to 90 days of probation and eight hours of community service and must write a letter of apology to the owner of the business. Rita Bellew, 56, was filmed making racist remarks at the restaurant and demanding a refund after she got upset about a TV playing a Spanish-language show. She pleaded guilty to a summary charge of harassment.

January 2, 2024

Government

Mayor Cherelle Parker delivers hopeful message at inauguration, says 'it's on us' to change Philly

by Michael Tanenbaum

Cherelle Parker was sworn in Tuesday as Philadelphia's 100th mayor and the first woman ever to hold the office. During a speech at The Met Philadelphia, Parker talked about the the historic significance of a Black woman leading the city and her intent to foster a new approach to government. She shared a 100-day action plan that outlines a series of steps her administration will take in the coming months to improve various facts of public life.

January 2, 2024

Government

Kenyatta Johnson takes over as president of Philadelphia City Council

by Michael Tanenbaum

Kenyatta Johnson is now the president of Philadelphia City Council, making him the second most powerful government official in the city behind Mayor Cherelle Parker. Johnson is now in his fourth term representing the 2nd District in South Philly. He's replacing former Council President Darrell Clarke, who did not run for reelection in the city's 5th District after a 24-year run, including 12 years as president of the governing body.

December 27, 2023

Development

Wildwood Crest will get massive resort with combination of Royal Hawaiian, Oceanview motels

by Michael Tanenbaum

Madison Resorts will combine the Royal Hawaiian Motel and the neighboring Oceanview Motel in Wildwood Crest to create a new resort with more than 200 rooms at the Jersey Shore. The combined motels will operate under the name Madison Resort Wildwood Crest, with the Royal Hawaiian renamed the Beach Tower. Both former motels are examples of the iconic doo-wop style architecture that emerged in the Jersey Shore community in the 1960s.

December 27, 2023

Investigations

Fairmount Park rape suspect charged with three more sexual assaults, police say

by Michael Tanenbaum

Fairmount Park rape suspect Elias Diaz, 46, has been charged with three additional sexual assaults following his arrest last week, police said. Diaz allegedly raped and killed 30-year-old Rebecca Park in 2003 and sexually assaulted two other women during a six-month period at the time. Diaz also allegedly sexually assaulted a fourth woman in 2007 at Pennypack Park. He was arrested recently for a series of a machete attacks at Pennypack Park in November, enabling police to use DNA evidence to link him to the unsolved cases.

December 26, 2023

Food & Drink

Nifty Fifty's sets opening date for new Abington restaurant

by Michael Tanenbaum

Retro diner chain Nifty Fifty's will open its newest location in Abington Township in early January. The restaurant at 1140 Old York Rd. will have a soft opening on Jan. 6 followed by a grand opening on Jan. 8. The restaurant is known for its neon signage, burgers, shakes and breakfast.

December 26, 2023

Government

Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker names Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel as city's next managing director

by Michael Tanenbaum

Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker has tapped former Philadelphia Fire Department Commissioner Adam Thiel to be her managing director when she takes office after her inauguration on Jan. 2. Thiel has served as fire commissioner since 2016 and also was director of the city's Office of Emergency Management between 2019-2022.

December 26, 2023

Mental Health

A constant worry about being sick increases risk of death, study finds

by Michael Tanenbaum

People with hypochondriasis – a mental health condition in which people have excessive fears about falling sick – are more likely to die an early death, according to a new study from Sweden. Researchers say chronic stress may explain why they are more likely to die of conditions like heart disease, suicide and blood and lung diseases.

December 25, 2023

Investigations

Spirit Airlines boarded unaccompanied boy on wrong flight out of Philly airport

by Michael Tanenbaum

Spirit Airlines mistakenly put an unaccompanied 6-year-old boy on a flight out of Philadelphia International Airport to Orlando when he was supposed to be going to Fort Myers to visit his grandmother. The airline said it is conducting an internal investigation into how the mistake occurred. The boy's family drove to pick him up in Orlando, which is about 160 miles from Fort Myers.