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 8, 2023
Courts
Mistrial declared for ex-Philly cop who pepper-sprayed protesters on I-676
A judge declared a mistrial for former Philadelphia police officer Richard Nicoletti, 37, who faced criminal charges for pepper-spraying three protesters on Interstate 676 during a June 2020 demonstration. Nicoletti was fired after an internal affairs investigation and the case was referred to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, whose office charged the former officer. A jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case.May 8, 2023
Development
Developer breaks ground on senior affordable housing project in Chinatown
Developers have broken ground on 51-unit affordable housing project designed for seniors in Chinatown. The five-story building is planned for a surface parking lot near 9th and Vine streets, adjacent to the Vine Street Expressway. The project is a partnership between developer Pennrose and the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp.May 8, 2023
Business
Ocean City Pickle Company to bring new gourmet shop to Asbury Avenue
Ocean City Pickle Company is set to open over Memorial Day weekend at 1324 Asbury Ave. The shop comes from the owners of Smithville Pickle Company in the historic village in Galloway Township. In addition to its selection of gourmet pickles, the shop in Ocean City will have more than 40 flavors of popcorn, seasoned pretzels, homemade ketchups and BBQ sauce. Other pickled products include asparagus, beets, mushrooms and carrots.May 8, 2023
Investigations
Missing New Jersey swimmer's body found on Maryland beach, officials say
The body of missing swimmer Praise Ezechibueze, 21, of Edison, New Jersey, was found Sunday morning on a beach in Ocean City, Maryland, officials said. Ezechibueze had been reported missing the day before and search crews were unsuccessful in finding him.May 5, 2023
Investigations
Missing Jersey Shore postal worker found dead off Sandy Hook beach
Corey McFadden, a missing U.S. postal worker from Cape May County, was found dead off Sandy Hook after he was reported missing in early May. McFadden's body was recovered on May 22 and he was later identified as the missing man from Lower Township. McFadden's car was found abandoned in early May after he apparently ran out of gas on the Garden State Parkway in Wall Township, Monmouth County, about 100 miles north of his home. McFadden's family was last in contact with him on April 28 and his co-workers became concerned when he did not show up for work.May 5, 2023
Courts
Former Sharon Hill cops sentenced to probation for fatally shooting Fanta Bility outside high school football game
Former Sharon Hill police officers Devon Smith, Sean Dolan and Brian Devaney were sentenced Friday to five years of probation for fatally shooting Fanta Bility as the 8-year-old girl left a football game at Academy Park High School with her family in August 2021. The officers pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment charges last November.May 5, 2023
Entertainment
Angel of Empire, racehorse bred in Pennsylvania, is tied for the best odds to win Kentucky Derby
Angel of Empire, a Pennsylvania-bred horse, will compete in Saturday's Kentucky Derby at Lousiville's Churchill Downs. He has 6-1 odds heading into the first race of the Triple Crown. Angel of Empire was born in 2020 at Blackstone Farm in Pine Grove, Schuylkill County.May 4, 2023
Transportation
Pa. Turnpike starts work on Northeast Extension tolling gantries that won't require drivers to slow down
The Pennsylvania Turnpike has begun early construction work on a series of electronic tolling gantries that will replace toll booths and plazas along the Northeast Extension of I-476 and east of the Reading Interchange at Exit 286 to the New Jersey line. Drivers will be able to travel under the gantries at highway speeds and will be billed using E-ZPass or via mail with the state's toll-by-plate system. The gantries are expected to debut in the eastern part of Pennsylvania in 2025. Gantries along the turnpike's western roadways are expected to debut in 2027.May 4, 2023
Mental Health
A weed-fueled, psychotic break helped inspire new animated film 'Bug Therapy,' a nudge for mental health treatment
'Bug Therapy' is an animated short film about insects seeking help for mental health problems. Voice actors on the project include Jay Leno, Dr. Phil McGraw, Meghan Trainor and Tom Green. The film was written by screenwriters Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan, who were partly inspired by the mental breakdown Jann's son, Max, suffered after smoking too much marijuana one night in 2019. The movie aims to break down stigmas about seeking help.May 3, 2023
TV
Comcast restores NFL Network on Xfinity after dropping channel during contract dispute
The NFL Network is back on Comcast after it was dropped by Xfinity during recent contract negotiations with the pro football league. The previous contract lapsed Monday because the sides had been far apart on money and Comcast was unhappy with the length of the NFL's proposed extensions, which the cable giant felt were too short. NBCUniversal, owned by Comcast, also airs 'Sunday Night Football.'Just In
- 'The Four Seasons' and 'Task' are casting extras in the Philly area
- Philly considers new tax on Uber Eats robots and Waymo driverless taxis
- Philadelphia Portal to remain in City Hall courtyard after receiving funding from 'generous patron'
- Full injury report for Sixers-Knicks on Friday
- A permanent switch to standard time would be better for our health, sleep experts say
- Sixers' Jaylen Brown says he 'never demanded a trade,' refutes report from Celtics analyst Brian Scalabrine
- Free HIV tests, sexual wellness supplies and Jefferson Health screenings offered at Feltonville library Nov. 24
- A billboard is handing out free Halloween candy at Dilworth Park
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