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

August 8, 2022

Investigations

Pennsylvania defense attorney paid clients for sex, prosecutors say

by Michael Tanenbaum

Corey Kolcharno, a defense attorney and former prosecutor in Lackawanna County, faces criminal charges for allegedly collecting nude photos from his clients and paying them for sex while representing them, according to prosecutors. An investigation by Pennsylvania State Police and the Attorney General's Office alleges Kolcharno targeted vulnerable women who struggling with addiction, financial hardship and a history of sexual abuse.

August 8, 2022

Health News

Chestnut Hill Hospital to be sold to Temple Health, Redeemer and PCOM

by Michael Tanenbaum

Temple Health, Redeemer Health and PCOM have formed a consortium to buy Chestnut Hill Hospital from Tower Health, the latest sale announced by the Reading-based hospital system. The 148-bed teaching hospital in Northwest Philadelphia was founded in 1903. The pending deal comes a month after Tower Health completed the sale of Jennersville Hospital in Chester County to ChristianaCare for $8 million.

August 4, 2022

Environment

Eagles, Bellwether District join city's push for litter cleanups with community investment program

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Philadelphia Eagles and The Bellwether District are partnering on a cleanup program that will fund neighborhood efforts to clear litter. Every time the team scores a touchdown, a location in the city will be chosen for a cleanup event. The initiative joins several others in the city that aim to address Philadelphia's litter and illegal dumping problem.

August 4, 2022

Wildlife

New Jersey fisherman catches 7-foot-long sand tiger shark at Sea Isle City beach

by Michael Tanenbaum

New Jersey fisherman PJ Braun caught a seven-foot-long sand tiger shark last week at a beach in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. The catch came after another sand tiger shark washed ashore in Longport and was found by people walking along the beach near 12th street. The federally protected species, which is not a threat to humans, isn't supposed to be targeted by anglers.

August 4, 2022

Food & Drink

Milk Jawn to give out free ice cream for opening of East Passyunk storefront

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia-based ice cream brand Milk Jawn is opening its first store front at 1439 E. Passyunk Ave. at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5. The first 100 people to show up will get a free cup of ice cream. The business was created by founder Amy Wilson as hobby out of her home in 2012. Together with partners Ryan Miller and Cathryn Sanderson, the company formally launched as a delivery-only service in 2020, with pop-up events and partnerships with some retailers that carry the ice cream.

August 3, 2022

Investigations

Shippensburg woman, missing since February, found dead in Florida

by Michael Tanenbaum

The remains of Jasmine Forbes, a Shippensburg woman who had been missing since February, were found this week at a property in Pasco County, Florida. Forbes, 31, fled Pennsylvania on Feb. 23 after her home was set on fire and two men she lived with were killed. Investigators suspected she was in danger. Larry Burns, 59, and a relative, Cordaryl Burns, 32, both were charged in March with homicide and arson. Authorities believe Forbes was murdered in Florida, but no arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.

August 3, 2022

Celebrities

Phillies' Noah Syndergaard gets the Chase Utley love letter from Rob McElhenney

by Michael Tanenbaum

After the Philadelphia Phillies traded for Noah Syndergaard at the MLB trade deadline, the team's new starting pitcher took to Twitter to connect with The Gang from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Series co-creator Rob McElhenney responded to Syndergaard's gesture with the same words he wrote in the show's famed love letter to former Phillies star Chase Utley.

August 3, 2022

Protests

Sharon Hill protesters demand full report on police shooting of Fanta Bility

by Michael Tanenbaum

Protesters in Sharon Hill on Tuesday demanded transparency from the borough's investigation of the police shooting that killed 8-year-old Fanta Bility last August. The girl was among several people struck by police gunfire after attending an Academy Park High School football game. Three officers have been charged. The Sharon Hill Borough Council released a heavily redacted report last week that did not make public the investigation's findings and recommendations on the police department's use of force policies.

August 2, 2022

Lawsuits

Mother of musician killed at Wawa in South Philly files wrongful death lawsuit

by Michael Tanenbaum

The family of Roger Segal, a Philadelphia bartender and musician who was stabbed outside a Wawa on Columbus Boulevard in February, has filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against the convenience chain, the owner of Southport Plaza and Allied Universal Security Company. Walter Robbins, 55, was charged in May with murder and attempted robbery in Segal's death.

August 2, 2022

Investigations

U.S. Marshals arrest man wanted for setting fire to abandoned home filled with gasoline jugs

by Michael Tanenbaum

A fire broke out Tuesday morning at an abandoned West Philadelphia house where 154 gallons of gasoline had been found the night prior. A hazmat situation was declared Monday night on the 100 block of North 59th Street after neighbors reported a strong smell of gas. The fire was brought under control just after 10 a.m. Tuesday.