Michael Tanenbaum

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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

December 26, 2022

Holiday

Recycle your Christmas tree at the Philly Goat Project or these city locations

There are a number of ways to recycle Christmas trees in Philadelphia. People can donate them to the Philly Goat Farm at Awbury Aboretum, drop them off at several sites designated by the Streets Department or at several collection events being held by community organizations. Though residents can also place Christmas trees at the curb to be collected with their trash, recycling is encouraged because trees are biodegradable and can be used for mulch, to prevent weeds, to create habitats and trails, and to protect against erosion.

December 25, 2022

Eagles

DeVonta Smith's Grinch-inspired TD celebration, 'stealing' from Salvation Army bucket, brings out humorless critics

During the Philadelphia Eagles 40-34 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Eve, wide receiver DeVonta Smith celebrated his second touchdown of the night with a Grinch-inspired celebration that used the stadium's Salvation Army bucket as a prop. The breakout wide receiver was criticized on Twitter by some humorless fans, who complained that the celebration was in poor taste. Smith could potentially face a fine from the NFL.

December 25, 2022

Transportation

100-foot section of Cape May Canal train bridge breaks off

A 100-foot-long piece of the Cape May Canal train bridge, next to the Seashore Road Bridge, broke off and is obstructing the waterway in South Jersey. The swing bridge has not been used for the last decade and has gradually been deteriorating. It has been left in the open position in order to allow passageway for boaters. A similar incident involving the rail bridge happened in April. The bridge is owned by NJ Transit.

December 25, 2022

Police

Police body cam video shows Lancaster County woman's rescue from sinking car

A Lancaster County woman was rescued Thursday night after she accidentally drove her car into a pond in Manheim Township. Video of the heroic rescue in Pennsylvania was captured by police body camera footage. Much of the United States has been hit with dangerous winter weather over the past few days, resulting in at least 26 deaths and significant power outages reported nationwide.

December 22, 2022

Development

Five-story apartment building planned for Broad Street Diner lot in South Philly

The site of the Broad Street Diner in South Philadelphia is slated to become a five-story, mixed-use building with 29 apartments and a ground-floor restaurant. It's not yet clear whether the restaurant will be a revamped version of the Broad Street Diner. A demolition permit was issued over the summer for the diner near the intersection of Broad and Ellsworth streets.

December 22, 2022

Investigations

Husband charged with homicide in Pennsylvania cold-case of estranged wife who disappeared 38 years ago

Lancaster County prosecutors have charged Jere Bagenstose, 68, of Pequea Township, with homicide in the cold-case investigation into the disappearance of his wife, Maryann Bagenstose, who went missing in June 1984 when she was 25 years old. Maryann's body has never been found, but investigators finally pieced together enough evidence to bring charges against Jere Bagenstose. The case gained new life when authorities began analyzing handwriting samples to compare to a note that authorities found in the days after Maryann went missing.

December 22, 2022

Food & Drink

Hoagie chain Goodcents to expand into Pennsylvania with 10 stores

Goodcents, a hoagie chain based in Kansas City, is expanding into Pennsylvania with 10 stores planned in Delaware, Lehigh, Dauphin and Adams counties. Goodcents is known for baking its own rolls on site twice a day, including special flavors like garlic pepper. The menu offers a range of hot and cold hoagies, in addition to a selection of to-go meals and freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies. The company also has catering.

December 21, 2022

TV

'A Charlie Brown Christmas' won't be on TV this year. Here's how to stream it for free

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" will be available exclusively on Apple TV+ in 2022, but those who don't have subscriptions can still watch the 25-minute special for free between Dec. 22-25. The special will not be airing on PBS or anywhere else on broadcast TV. This explainer will walk you through how to watch the "Peanuts" classic using Apple TV+.

December 21, 2022

Investigations

Florida man arrested in South Jersey with 10,000 rainbow fentanyl pills, police say

Shane Smith, 33, of Daytona Beach, Florida was arrested Monday outside of the Walmart on Route 73 in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, where authorities seized 10,000 rainbow fentanyl pills, officials said. The deadly synthetic opioid, which has increasingly appeared in the U.S. in candy-colored pill form, is the leading cause of overdose deaths in the country.

December 21, 2022

Food & Drink

Eagles sent Doug Pederson 35 cheesesteaks after Jaguars' overtime win against Cowboys

After the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Dallas Cowboys in overtime on Sunday, head coach Doug Pederson received an order of 35 cheesesteaks and fries courtesy of the Philadelphia Eagles, his former team. The cheesesteaks came from Philly's Finest, a popular cheesesteak spot in Jacksonville. The Cowboys loss helped the Eagles, who beat the Bears to improve to 13-1, take a step closer to clinching the NFC East and the top seed in the conference. The Eagles and Cowboys will meet in Dallas on Christmas Eve.

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