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 11, 2024
Investigations
As drone sightings mount in Philly area, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick calls for more transparency
Sightings of suspected drones have been reported in a growing number of municipalities in the Philadelphia region over the last week, adding to reports of similar aircraft that has appeared in the sky in New Jersey and prompted a FBI investigation over the last month. U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has called for a public briefing to increase transparency into the unexplained activity.December 11, 2024
Development
Sixers arena vote postponed again Wednesday evening, now set to take place before Thursday's council meeting
A key vote on legislation for the Philadelphia 76ers new arena plan was delayed for a second time Wednesday afternoon. City Council members are now slated to vote on the bills at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, before council's regular weekly meeting. The delay is said to be due to ongoing negotiations between the 76ers and members of the council.December 10, 2024
Investigations
Accused YBC Dul killer's mom allegedly provided rifle used to shoot the rapper
Lotoya Donaldson, 39, allegedly gave a rifle to her son that was used in the fatal shooting of West Philadelphia rapper and gang leader YBC Dul, whose real name is Abdul Vicks. Two weeks later, 16-year-old Aiden Waters was charged with killing Vicks. Donaldson is Waters' mother, police said.December 10, 2024
Social Media
Sixers' Jared McCain partners with Instagram in campaign to combat sextortion
Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard Jared McCain shared a video on Instagram on Monday talking about the dangers of sextortion and how people can protect themselves online. Sextortion has become a much more common crime in the age of social media and scammers often target minors, especially teenage boys. Meta, Instagram's parent company, said it chose to work with McCain as a way to reach a wide audience of young people who look up to him.December 10, 2024
Transportation
East Wyoming Avenue Bridge in North Philly closed indefinitely due to structural deficiencies
The East Wyoming Avenue Bridge in North Philadelphia has been closed until further notice due to structural problems with the span's steel beams, the Philadelphia Department of Streets said Tuesday. Detours for eastbound and westbound traffic will be established using the roads the surround the bridge, which crosses Frankford Creek just north of the Juniata Golf Club.December 9, 2024
Transportation
PennDOT seeks public feedback on long-term transit plans to redesign Roosevelt Boulevard
PennDOT will hold four public meetings to discuss the future of Roosevelt Boulevard and how it can be redesigned to improve safety, accessibility and reliability. Working with the city and SEPTA, PennDOT is gathering feedback on whether the high-traffic corridor in Northeast Philly would be best served by adding a new subway, light rail or bus line. Officials hope to transform the design of Roosevelt Boulevard by 2040.December 9, 2024
Arts & Culture
Phillies seek artist to paint new mural above Ashburn Alley
The Phillies are asking artists to submit ideas for a new mural to be painted on a wall above Ashburn Alley in Citizens Bank Park ahead of the 2025 season. The winner of the contest also gets $10,000 and the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a game. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 14.December 6, 2024
Courts
Fake nurse pleads guilty to sexually assaulting women at urgent care clinics in Montgomery County
Ramon Garcia, 34, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges that he posed as a nurse and sexually assaulted multiple women at Carbon Health Urgent Care clinics in Jenkintown and Dresher between November 2023 and March 2024. More than a dozen women reported incidents to police. Garcia faces a sentence of 5-10 years in state prison.December 6, 2024
Investigations
Drone sightings now reported above South Jersey towns, too. Police are investigating
Police in departments in Evesham, Cherry Hill, Medford and Mount Laurel have received reports about drones flying in the sky. People in North Jersey began seeing suspected drones above North Jersey municipalities in November, prompting an investigation by the FBI and other law enforcement.December 5, 2024
Development
Developer buys two 'Batman' rides for proposed hotel at Wonderland Pier site in Ocean City
Icona Resorts developer Eustace Mita revealed plans to include more children's amusement park rides in his proposal to build a 252-room hotel at the site of the shuttered Gillian's Wonderland Pier on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Mita said he purchased a pair of 'Batman'-themed rides that would join the giant Ferris wheel, carousel and wet boat rides that were beloved for decades at Wonderland Pier.Just In
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