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.
March 3, 2023
Investigations
Coworker charged with kidnapping, killing missing Sellersville man
Michael Stark, 49, of Royersford, has been charged with homicide, kidnapping and related offenses in the disappearance of 50-year-old Matthew Branning. Stark and Branning were coworkers at a small parts manufacturer, Encholor, Inc., in Bucks County. Branning went missing on Oct. 15, 2021 and his body was never found. Bucks County prosecutors allege Stark kidnapped Branning from their workplace and killed him before fleeing the state.March 3, 2023
Media
NBC10 hires Fred Shropshire to replace Jim Rosenfield as weekday evening anchor
NBC10 has hired Fred Shropshire as a new co-anchor for the station's weekday evening newscasts. He will fill some of the newscasts formerly co-anchored by Jim Rosenfield, who left the station at the beginning of the year. Shropshire has worked at WCNC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina and held TV news roles in Illinois and Texas. He will make his debut Monday, June 26, 2023. Jacqueline London co-anchors NBC10's evening newscasts.March 2, 2023
Food & Drink
Love & Honey Fried Chicken plans to open new franchise locations
Love & Honey Fried Chicken, the southern style takeout concept in Northern Liberties, announced plans this week to begin a franchising effort that could bring six new locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. The restaurant was founded in 2017 by husband-and-wife Todd and Laura Lyons. They serve fried chicken tenders, wings and sandwiches, along with biscuits, tater tots and sauces made from scratch.March 2, 2023
Courts
Driver who fatally struck Lower Merion firefighter on I-76 sentenced to prison
Jacquelyn Walker, the driver who struck a group of first responders on I-76 in July 2021, killing 58-year-old Thomas Royds, was sentenced Thursday to 12 to 24 years in prison. Walker, 64, pleaded guilty last fall to third-degree murder, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. Royds, a firefighter with the Belmont Hills Fire Co., was among a group of first responders at the scene of an earlier DUI crash. Walker's Jeep Grand Cherokee slammed into them along the right shoulder of the highway between the Conshohocken and Gladwyne exits.March 1, 2023
Entertainment
Six Flags to enhance Hurricane Harbor with more water slides, tree house for young kids
When Six Flags Hurricane Harbor opens for the 2023 season on May 20, the New Jersey amusement park in Jackson Township will debut seven new water slides and a play area called Splash Island intended for younger and smaller children under 42 inches tall.March 1, 2023
Transportation
SEPTA to purchase 10 fuel cell electric buses as it pursues a zero-emission fleet
SEPTA will purchase 10 electric, hydrogen fuel cell buses that produce no tailpipe emissions. The new buses will part of an experimental program in 2024 that will operate out of the Midvale depot in North Philadelphia, SEPTA's busiest bus hub. Currently, 90% of SEPTA's buses are diesel-electric hybrid vehicles. The new fuel cell buses will come from New Flyer of America at a cost of $17.05 million.March 1, 2023
Addiction
FDA moves to restrict importation of xylazine, the animal tranquilizer exacerbating Philly's fentanyl crisis
Xyazine, the animal tranquilizer combined with fentanyl to make tranq dope, will be more tightly restricted by the FDA. Tranq dope, which has become common in Philadelphia's illegal opioid market, results in serious overdose complications and painful skin wounds.February 28, 2023
Investigations
Police seek person who cut Comcast lines on Super Bowl Sunday, causing panic among Eagles fans
Philadelphia police are searching for a man suspected of cutting five of Comcast's fiber-optic data lines on Super Bowl Sunday, resulting in Xfinity outages that lasted hours for many customers in Fishtown and Kensington. Authorities released surveillance video on Wednesday showing the suspect in the area of the 2700 block of Tulip Street. Approximately 17,000 Comcast customers were affected and the vandalism. The damage to the company's equipment is estimated to be about $10,000.February 28, 2023
Food & Drink
Rocco's Italian Sausage, a cult favorite at Home Depot stores in Philly, to expand in Bucks County
Rocco's Italian Sausage & Cheesesteak stands have been in the parking lots of Home Depot stores in Philadelphia for years. Now the unique business is expanding to Home Depot locations in Bucks County, including a newly opened location in Souderton and another one upcoming in Fairless Hills. The business originated in New York City before arriving in Philadelphia in 2006.February 28, 2023
Development
Construction of Penn's Landing park over I-95 finally approved to begin, PennDOT says
Construction gets underway this spring on the 11 1/2-acre park that will be built over I-95 at Penn's Landing. The park will extend to the Delaware River waterfront, running from Chestnut to Walnut streets, and will include public gardens, an amphitheater, play areas and food trucks. The $328.9 million project also will feature an extension of the South Street Bridge to connect pedestrians and cyclists with the waterfront.Just In
- New Jersey residents with criminal convictions now can serve as jurors
- These local movie theaters are giving out free popcorn on Jan. 19
- City hopes 2026 will be turning point for LOVE Park's vacant 'flying saucer'
- Wawa's shelfless, all-digital store at Drexel University to close Jan. 21
- Game ball, three stars, and snap count analysis: Wild Card Round, Eagles vs. 49ers
- Joel Embiid, Paul George questionable for Sixers-Raptors on Monday after missing front end of back-to-back
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