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.
May 19, 2022
Transportation
Judge halts PennDOT's controversial bridge tolling plan amid lawsuit
A controversial PennDOT plan to introduce electronic tolls on up to nine interstate bridges has been put on hold by a Commonwealth Court judge, who issued a temporary injunction in response to a lawsuit filed by Cumberland County and seven municipalities. In South Philadelphia, the Girard Point Bridge over I-95 is among the proposed bridges to get a toll of $1-$2 to undergo repairs and ongoing maintenance. The future of the bridge tolling initiative, which faced staunch resistance from local communities and governments, is now in legal jeopardy.May 19, 2022
Courts
Drunk driver, who caused crash that injured four Neshaminy High School students, sentenced to 15-30 years
Shane Brolly, the 25-year-old driver in a DUI crash that seriously injured four Neshaminy High School girls, will spend 15 to 30 years in state prison for the crash in Northampton Township, Bucks County on March 27, 2021. Brolly, a U.K. citizen from Northern Ireland, was living in the United States illegally on an expired work visa and had been drinking in Philadelphia for hours prior to the crash. He had a blood-alcohol content of 0.21, more than twice the legal limit in Pennsylvania, and was speeding when he crossed into oncoming traffic to pass a vehicle in a no-passing zoning. Brolly also had a record of drunk driving in Northern Ireland prior to his arrival in the U.S., where he fled to avoid sentencing in a 2019 police chase in the United Kingdom.May 18, 2022
2022 Election
McCormick, Oz locked in tight race; no winner yet in Pa. Republican primary for U.S. Senate
Dave McCormick and Mehmet Oz, two of the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, led the pack in Tuesday's primary election, but the race between them was too close to call. Oz leads McCormick by .2%, fewer than 1,200 votes, with 95% of votes counted. It is close enough now to trigger an automatic recount. The campaign for the seat being vacated by Sen. Pat Toomey could have major ramifications on the balance of power in the Senate.May 18, 2022
Investigations
18-year-old dies on Toms River beach after hole he and sister dug in sand collapsed on them
Levi Caverly, 18, of Union, Maine, died on beach in Toms River, New Jersey, on Tuesday when the hole he and his sister dug in the sand collapsed on them. Emergency crews freed the girl, 17, but her brother was fully buried and did not survive.May 18, 2022
Food & Drink
Puttshack to open upscale mini golf and restaurant venue in Center City
Puttshack, the tech-infused mini golf venue, will open a location in Center City Philadelphia at the Shops at Liberty Place on Chestnut Street in summer 2023. The company combines mini golf with a bar and restaurant for an upscale experience. The patented Trackaball technology keeps score for you as you go, eliminating the need to carry around a scorecard and tiny pencil. Semi-private and private event spaces will be available at Puttshack when it opens next year.May 18, 2022
History
Sun Ra House in Germantown gets historic landmark designation
The 19th century Germantown row home that served as the home of late jazz musician Sun Ra and his Arkestra collective has been designated a historic landmark by the Philadelphia Historical Commission. The property was the base of operations for the legendary avant-garde jazz ensemble. Several surviving members of the group still live at the three-story stone property at 5626 Morton Street.May 18, 2022
2022 Election
Clock is ticking on automatic recount in Oz-McCormick U.S. senate primary, but first all votes need to be counted
Pennsylvania's Republican primary election for U.S. Senate appears to be headed for an automatic recount triggered by the narrow margin between candidates Mehmet Oz and Dave McCormick. The race remained too close to call on Wednesday. With a recount likely, here's what the timeline for that looks like in Pennsylvania and what steps need to be taken.May 17, 2022
Investigations
South Jersey police chief, found lying in the street, charged with drunk driving
Bordentown Chief of Police Brian Pesce, 46, was charged with drunk driving after he was found lying on the ground along a residential road in Hamilton Township in Mercer County on April 22. Body-worn camera footage shows officers investigating the scene. One of the officers said Pesce's pants were down and he appeared to have urinated next to his truck before going to the ground. Pesce, Bordentown's police chief since 2018, was placed on restricted duty amid and ongoing investigation.May 17, 2022
2022 Election
John Fetterman wins Pa. Democratic primary for U.S. Senate days after stroke
John Fetterman is projected to win Pennsylvania's Democratic primary election for U.S. Senate. Fetterman's Republican opponent in November had not been determined by early Wednesday. The race will be pivotal as Republicans and Democrats battle for party control in Washington, D.C. Entering Tuesday's primary, polls showed Fetterman held a strong lead over Democratic opponents Connor Lamb, Malcolm Kenyatta and Alex Khalil.May 17, 2022
2022 Election
Doug Mastriano cruises to win in Republican primary for governor, defeating large field of candidates
Doug Mastriano won the Republican primary for Pennsylvania governor. He will be the GOP candidate in November's general election facing Democrat Josh Shapiro. Mastriano was endorsed by former president Donald Trump. He state senator and veteran, he also is a far-right candidate who believes in a number of conspiracy theories, including the unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.Just In
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- N.J. bill would write Gov. Murphy's 100% clean electricity goal into law before he leaves office
- In latest World Cup ticket phase, which ends Jan. 13, FIFA says requests are over 30 times higher than supply
- Eagles-Commanders Week 18 injury report, with analysis
- A look ahead at an extremely busy 2026 for sports in Philadelphia
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