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.
December 14, 2022
Investigations
Employee allegedly stole $579,000 from now-closed Montgomery County private school
Katherine Paprocka, the onetime administrator at Penn Christian Academy in East Norriton, allegedly stole $579,000 form the school. The got the money by allegedly stealing colleagues' identities and forging their signatures, police said. She then spent the money on family vacations, clothing, food, rent, in-vitro fertilization treatments and other personal expenses, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said. Penn Christian Academy shut down as a result of the school's financial issues that resulted.December 13, 2022
Development
Developers take step toward building massive indoor velodrome complex in Coatesville
The developers behind a $79 million proposal for an indoor velodrome and entertainment complex in Coatesville, Chester County, have received state funding to support land development for the facility, which will be located next to the city's historic High Bridge. The project would be the first permanent indoor velodrome in the eastern United States and would aim to be an Olympic and Paralympic training center. The project also calls for a trackside bistro, 12,000 square feet of retail space, virtual reality gaming and connected athletic spaces.December 13, 2022
Religion
Archdiocese of Philadelphia to close 4 Catholic churches in city, suburbs
Four Catholic churches are closing in the Philadelphia area in early 2023: Holy Trinity Church in Society Hill; The Saint Peter Claver Church building in South Philly; Sacred Heart Church in Phoenixville, Chester County; and the original Saint Philip Neri Church in East Greenville, Montgomery County. The buildings were no longing being used as worship sites. The future of each building will be determined by its respective parish, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia said.December 12, 2022
Investigations
Sailboat headed from Cape May to Florida goes missing with 2 people onboard, Coast Guard says
A 30-foot-long Catalina sailboat traveling from Cape May, New Jersey to Jupiter, Florida has gone missing, the U.S. Coast Guard says. The sailboat, called "Atrevida II," was last seen Dec. 3 departing from Oregon Inlet, North Carolina. Two men, Kevin Hyde, 64, and Joe DiTommasso, 76, were aboard.December 12, 2022
History
11 new Pa. historical markers approved for Philly in 2022
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission has approved 36 new historical markers this year, including 11 in that will be placed at significant sites in the Philadelphia. The new markers were selected from 91 applications, bringing the state's total number of markers to more than 2,500 since the program's inception in 1946.December 12, 2022
Music
Watch Alex G perform on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series
Alex G appeared recently on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series, performing "Runner" and "Miracles" from the band's critically acclaimed, ninth studio album, "God Save The Animals." The Philadelphia-based indie musician and former Temple University student is currently touring Europe after a recent string of shows in the U.S. that saw them play three straight nights at Philly's Union Transfer.December 9, 2022
Celebrities
Former 'Jackass' star Bam Margera placed on ventilator for pneumonia, COVID-19
Bam Margera was hospitalized in San Diego this week and placed on a ventilator due to a severe case of pneumonia and complications from COVID-19. Margera has struggled with substance use issues for years and has been in and out of rehab. He was fired from "Jackass Forever" last year for failing a required drug test. Margera filed a wrongful termination suit and ultimately settled the case out of court. TMZ reported that Margera is in stable condition at the hospital.December 9, 2022
Government
As Brittney Griner returns from Russian prison, Pennsylvania's Marc Fogel remains jailed on marijuana charges
Marc Fogel, an international teacher from Pennsylvania, hopes that WNBA star Brittney Griner's release from prison in Russia will pave the way for him to return home. Fogel, 61, was arrested in Russia in August 2021 on marijuana charges similar to those that landed Griner in prison. Griner's freedom was secured as part of a prisoner swap, but the U.S. was unable to negotiate the release of Fogel or retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, whose case also has garnered significant publicity.December 9, 2022
Courts
Columbus statue in Marconi Plaza must be uncovered, Pennsylvania court rules
The plywood box concealing the statue of Christopher Columbus at Marconi Plaza in South Philly must be removed, The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled Friday. The monument has been covered up since June 2020, when civil unrest following the police killing of George Floyd led to tense protests at the plaza. A lawsuit filed by the Friends of Marconi Plaza has kept the controversial statue's fate tied up in court.December 8, 2022
Investigations
Philly's cold-case homicide victim, the 'Boy in the Box,' identified as Joseph Augustus Zarelli, police say
Philadelphia police say Joseph Augustus Zarelli is the Boy in the Box, the previously unidentified victim of the notorious 1957 cold-case homicide. After his remains were found in a box in a field in Northeast Philly, the child's death received national attention. Forensic genetic genealogy was used to determine the boy was Zarelli. Investigators also determined he was 4 years-old when he died.Just In
- Joel Embiid questionable for Sixers-Wizards on Wednesday; Kelly Oubre Jr., Trendon Watford questionable to return
- At Trump's directive, CDC lowers amount of recommended vaccines for children
- The Philly region's blood supply dropped sharply at the holidays; here's how to donate
- Four survivors of Bristol nursing home explosion sue facility's operator, PECO for negligence
- World Cup tickets are in high demand, but Verizon has a giveaway Friday
- My dad is gone, I'll just keep swinging
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