Michaela Althouse

Michaela Althouse is a staff writer for PhillyVoice with interests in climate, technology, education and politics. She’s previously written for Technical.ly, Washingtonian Magazine, Philadelphia Magazine, New Project Media and Metro Eireann. She is a Bucks County native who enjoys gardening, exploring Philly and finding the city’s best coffee.

michaela@phillyvoice.com

February 3, 2024

Transportation

Philadelphia gets $19.3 million for road safety projects from PennDOT, most directed to Roosevelt Boulevard work

by Michaela Althouse

PennDOT is allotting $19.3 million in funding for traffic safety projects in Philadelphia, with $12 million of that sum to be spent on improvements to Roosevelt Boulevard. The state grants are funded by revenue collected through fines issued to drivers caught speeding by the automated speed-monitoring cameras in Philadelphia.

February 1, 2024

Food & Drink

For a Montgomery County domestic violence shelter, 'positives outweigh negatives' in fundraiser with brewery

by Michaela Althouse

Laurel House, Ten7 Brewing and Breweries in PA have teamed up to release a limited-edition beer called Laurel House Lager. A portion of draft pints at Ten7 and cans available at distributors will benefit the domestic violence agency.

February 1, 2024

Books

Readers can pick up free banned books from Black authors through the Little Free(dom) Library initiative

by Michaela Althouse

Little Free(dom) Libraries will give away 1,500 banned books by Black authors throughout February in honor of Black History Month. The initiative is a joint effort from the Free Library of Philadelphia, Visit Philly and Little Free Library. All books were purchased from local Black-owned bookstores.

January 31, 2024

Food & Drink

Win Win Coffee to reopen in Kensington this summer

by Michaela Althouse

Win Win Coffee will reopen in Kensington with a new space and a roasting plant. Formerly in Callowhill, the shop closed in 2021, after which the owners traveled the world to learn more about the coffee industry. They hope their new shop will give more profits to farmers.

January 31, 2024

Celebrities

Philly Jesus returns to the public eye as a Lyft driver

by Michaela Althouse

Philly Jesus has returned as a Lyft driver after taking a multi-year break from the public eye after the deaths of his father and grandmother and going through a divorce. Philly Jesus, whose real name is Michael Grant, stepped away from the public eye in early 2020.

January 30, 2024

Transportation

Mechanical issue on SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line causes delays

by Michaela Althouse

A mechanical issue on the Market-Frankford Line late Monday night prompted SEPTA to run shuttle buses between the Spring Garden and Allegheny stops. SEPTA officials said the train did not derail, as earlier reports suggested. Delays were expected to continue Tuesday morning.

January 29, 2024

Food & Drink

Garces Trading Co. closes its Kimmel Center cafe one year after it opened

by Michaela Althouse

Garces Trading Co. closed its cafe at the Kimmel Center last week. The closure will not impact the Cira Center location of the cafe or plans for new locations.

January 29, 2024

Illness

COVID-19, flu activity may have hit its winter peak, hospital trends suggest

by Michaela Althouse

Influenza and COVID-19 illnesses appear to have peaked shortly after the holidays, hospital trends suggest. But respiratory illness activity remains high in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and experts caution that another winter surge is possible.

January 29, 2024

Investigations

Escaped prisoner Shane Pryor apprehended on SEPTA bus in North Philly, police say

by Michaela Althouse

Shane Pryor was arrested by a U.S. Marshals task force Sunday night in North Philadelphia – four days after the accused murderer escaped from authorities at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Pryor, 17, was apprehended on a SEPTA bus at Third Street and Roosevelt Boulevard, investigators said.

January 26, 2024

Illness

Philly health officials warn of hepatitis A exposures at ShopRite in Northeast Philly

by Michaela Althouse

An employee at a Northeast Philly ShopRite (6301 Oxford Ave.) has acute Hepatitis A, health officials confirmed. Exposed customers are being asked to get a preventative vaccine. The Department of Public Health will hold a vaccine clinic Saturday.