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

November 21, 2022

Immigration

Second bus carrying migrants from Texas arrives in Philadelphia

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia received a second bus from Texas carrying approximately 46 asylum seekers at 30th Street Station on Monday morning. The first bus arrived last Wednesday morning with 28 migrants aboard who had crossed the nation's southern border. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the governors of Arizona and Florida have sent thousands of migrants to sanctuary cities in the U.S. since April, a controversial practice that has been criticized as a political stunt.

November 21, 2022

Food & Drink

VK Brewing Company opens restaurant at historic Ship Inn in Exton

by Michael Tanenbaum

VK Brewing Co. & Eatery has opened the restaurant portion of the new, veteran-owned business inside the historic Ship Inn property in Exton, Chester County. Owners Jason Van Keuren and Najib Abiaad are completing the licensing process for the microbrewery, which plans to make a mix of IPAs and ales including stouts, porters and wheat beers. The restaurant is at 696 E. Lincoln Highway. The building once welcomed dignitaries like former presidents George Washington and Andrew Jackson and, in the 20th century, former first lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis.

November 21, 2022

Real Estate

Avalon lots sell for $21 million – a Seven Mile Island record

by Michael Tanenbaum

Two adjacent lots in Avalon sold for a combined $21 million in October, setting a record for Seven Mile Island. The empty beachfront lot, at 163 68th St., sold for $11.5 million. The second lot, at 165 68th St., has a 4,700-square-foot home and fetched $9.5 million from the same buyer. The new owner plans to build a new home covering both lots.

November 21, 2022

Development

Philly developers envision a Venice-like waterfront community at Bader Field in Atlantic City

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia developers Post Brothers and Tower Investments, led by Bart Blatstein, have unveiled a $3 billion proposal to redevelop Atlantic City's Bader Field as a waterfront residential community with canals, office and retail space and amenities open to the public. The former municipal airport has been closed since 2006. The new proposal, one of several for the site, would include 10,000 homes and be built over 12 years. Due to New Jersey's 2016 takeover law in Atlantic City, large decisions for the use of land on the scale are made by state government officials.

November 18, 2022

Investigations

Sanitation worker fatally shot on the job in Northeast Philly

by Michael Tanenbaum

Ikeem Johnson, a 35-year-old sanitation worker, was fatally shot in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday, Nov. 18. Philadelphia police do not believe the shooting was random. The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. on the 3300 block of Tudor Avenue, near Lincoln High School, police said. No arrests have been made and an investigation remains ongoing.

November 18, 2022

Technology

SEPTA will soon deploy gun-detection AI software in subway surveillance cameras

by Michael Tanenbaum

SEPTA will deploy a gun detection artificial intelligence software on its surveillance cameras as part of a pilot program to monitor the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Line subway platforms. The pilot program, expected to begin early next year, will utilize technology developed by Conshohocken-based ZeroEyes, whose proprietary software is used by the U.S. Department of Defense. SEPTA hopes the technology can thwart gun-related crime.

November 18, 2022

Health News

Saliva test for concussions, which Penn State researchers helped create, receives U.S. patent

by Michael Tanenbaum

A saliva test to determine if a person has had a concussion received a U.S. patent. The test detects molecules associated with brain injuries The test was developed by Quadrant Biosciences in conjunction with researchers at Penn State University at the State University of New York. The rapid test could become available in 2023.

November 18, 2022

Investigations

Norristown man allegedly beat up his pregnant girlfriend, killing their unborn baby

by Michael Tanenbaum

Robert Wiley, 24, of Norristown, has been charged with murder after his unborn baby died as a result of an assault on the child's mother, who was 21 weeks pregnant, Montgomery County prosecutors said. The assault happened in August and the baby's death was discovered during a routine ultrasound at a maternal health clinic.

November 17, 2022

Development

Normandy Farm in Blue Bell moves closer to opening new carriage house after destructive fire

by Michael Tanenbaum

Normandy Farm in Blue Bell plans to open a new, three-story carriage house next March, marking two years since the original, 19th century structure was destroyed by a fire last March. The $5 million project will bring 21 new hotel suites to the popular Montgomery County wedding destination and country club.

November 17, 2022

Development

Developer restoring 'Boner 4ever' building in North Philly wants to construct an 8-story addition

by Michael Tanenbaum

The historic Beury Building in North Philadelphia, affectionately called the "Boner 4ever"building after its prominent graffiti, is being redeveloped into a Marriott Hotel with restaurants and a rooftop bar. Developer Shift Capital has a proposed an eight-story addition to the structure at 3701 N. Broad St., allowing for more hotel rooms. Later phases of the project call for a neighboring residential building that will include affordable and market-rate housing.