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 25, 2023

Investigations

Ex-Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguard indicted on sexual assault charges

by Michael Tanenbaum

Jonathan Howell, a former Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguard and math teacher at Pleasantville High School, has been indicted by a Cape May County grand jury on charges of sexual assault. Howell, 41, previously was charged last June as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and abuse made on Instagram against former members of the Ocean City Beach Patrol. A labor attorney was hired to lead an investigation that has continued for nearly two years since the allegations surfaced.

January 25, 2023

Investigations

Two brothers, each executives of Pa. real estate firms, killed in avalanche in Canada

by Michael Tanenbaum

Jonathan Kinsley, 59, and his brother Timothy, 57, both of Pennsylvania, were killed Monday in an avalanche while heli-skiing in southeastern British Columbia. A third man, a skiiing guide, was hospitalized after the incident and is expected to survive. The avalanche happened in the area of Mount McCrea near Revelstoke. The brothers, based in York, were leaders at two prominent, affiliated real estate and construction firms operating primarily in Pennsylvania and Maryland. British Columbia is in the midst of its most dangerous avalanche season in decades.

January 24, 2023

Business

Drug wholesaler AmerisourceBergen to change name amid expansion plans

by Michael Tanenbaum

Drug-shipping company AmerisourceBergen will change its name to Cencora as part of a rebranding effort. The company, based in the Philadelphia suburbs, plans to expand its global reach. It has played a major role in the global shipment of COVID-19 vaccines, but also faced scrutiny for its allege involvement in the opioid epidemic.

January 24, 2023

Movies

M. Night Shyamalan hangs out with Sixers' James Harden in 'Knock at the Cabin' promo

by Michael Tanenbaum

Director M. Night Shyamalan, a long-time season ticket holder with courtside seats for the Philadelphia 76ers, enlisted star guard James Harden and head coach Doc Rivers for a promo video ahead of the debut of "Knock at the Cabin," which hits theaters on Feb. 3.

January 24, 2023

South Jersey teacher, Eagles superfan to star on Gordon Ramsay's 'Next Level Chef' after Super Bowl

by Michael Tanenbaum

Matt Groark, a teacher at Washington Township High School in South Jersey, will compete on the second season of Gordon Ramsey's "Next Level Chef," which will premiere on FOX on Feb. 12 after Super Bowl LVII. Groark, 44, has a popular social media presence with his Groark Boys BBQ channels on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Groark is also a diehard fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and got his interest in BBQ from tailgating outside Lincoln Financial Field.

January 23, 2023

Investigations

Pedestrian, cyclist killed in separate hit-and-run crashes on Sunday, police say

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia police are searching for two drivers involved in separate hit-and-run crashes on Sunday, Jan. 22 that resulted in the deaths of a pedestrian and cyclists. In South Philadelphia, a 44-year-old woman was fatally struck by a silver SUV when crossing the street in the area of 600 Oregon Ave. around 5:40 p.m. Later, in South Kensington, a man riding a bike was struck and killed by a white van as it made a left turn from Berks Street onto Howard Street around 8:40 p.m.

January 23, 2023

Government

Ocean City's new approach to unruly teens could serve as blueprint for other Jersey Shore towns

by Michael Tanenbaum

Ocean City will follow a new strategy in 2023 to deal with teenage groups that cause problems on its beaches, boardwalk and streets. Revised ordinances allow police officers to detain teenagers instead of just giving them curbside warnings. The teens' parents will be called to come pick them up, but no charges will be filed. The ordinance covers curfew violations, excessive noise, littering, vandalism and setting off illegal fireworks. Jersey Shore communities have struggled in recent years with large gatherings of rowdy juveniles and pop-events organized on social media.

January 23, 2023

Courts

Man convicted of raping woman in Love Park in 2020

by Michael Tanenbaum

Quindell Williams, 26, pleaded guilty Monday to raping a woman in Love Park during the early morning hours of Jan. 25, 2020. Williams attacked the woman from behind at the Center City park while she was on her way to work that morning, investigators said. He was arrested in the weeks after the incident. Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on June 1, 2023.

January 20, 2023

Marijuana

As Josh Shapiro takes office, could 2023 be the year Pennsylvania legalizes recreational marijuana?

by Michael Tanenbaum

Pennsylvania is considered among a handful of states that have a realistic chance of legalizing recreational marijuana in 2023. Governor Josh Shapiro is supports legalization of adult-use cannabis and expungement for low-level offenders, noting the promise of new tax revenue and progress toward the goals of restorative justice. For the first time in 12 years, Democrats are poised to take control of the state House of Representatives, giving the initiative more fuel than in years past.

January 20, 2023

Business

Two Regal Cinemas movie theaters in Philly suburbs to close

by Michael Tanenbaum

Regal Cinemas will close 39 movie theaters nationwide as its parent company, Cineworld, moves through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The pending closures include two locations in the Philadelphia suburbs — Barn Plaza Stadium 14 in Doylestown, Bucks County, and the Oaks Stadium 24 in Oaks, Montgomery County. Movie theaters have struggled to recoup losses that piled up during the early waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.