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 25, 2022
Police
Police body cam video shows Lancaster County woman's rescue from sinking car
A Lancaster County woman was rescued Thursday night after she accidentally drove her car into a pond in Manheim Township. Video of the heroic rescue in Pennsylvania was captured by police body camera footage. Much of the United States has been hit with dangerous winter weather over the past few days, resulting in at least 26 deaths and significant power outages reported nationwide.December 25, 2022
Transportation
100-foot section of Cape May Canal train bridge breaks off
A 100-foot-long piece of the Cape May Canal train bridge, next to the Seashore Road Bridge, broke off and is obstructing the waterway in South Jersey. The swing bridge has not been used for the last decade and has gradually been deteriorating. It has been left in the open position in order to allow passageway for boaters. A similar incident involving the rail bridge happened in April. The bridge is owned by NJ Transit.December 25, 2022
Eagles
DeVonta Smith's Grinch-inspired TD celebration, 'stealing' from Salvation Army bucket, brings out humorless critics
During the Philadelphia Eagles 40-34 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Eve, wide receiver DeVonta Smith celebrated his second touchdown of the night with a Grinch-inspired celebration that used the stadium's Salvation Army bucket as a prop. The breakout wide receiver was criticized on Twitter by some humorless fans, who complained that the celebration was in poor taste. Smith could potentially face a fine from the NFL.December 22, 2022
Food & Drink
Hoagie chain Goodcents to expand into Pennsylvania with 10 stores
Goodcents, a hoagie chain based in Kansas City, is expanding into Pennsylvania with 10 stores planned in Delaware, Lehigh, Dauphin and Adams counties. Goodcents is known for baking its own rolls on site twice a day, including special flavors like garlic pepper. The menu offers a range of hot and cold hoagies, in addition to a selection of to-go meals and freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies. The company also has catering.December 22, 2022
Investigations
Husband charged with homicide in Pennsylvania cold-case of estranged wife who disappeared 38 years ago
Lancaster County prosecutors have charged Jere Bagenstose, 68, of Pequea Township, with homicide in the cold-case investigation into the disappearance of his wife, Maryann Bagenstose, who went missing in June 1984 when she was 25 years old. Maryann's body has never been found, but investigators finally pieced together enough evidence to bring charges against Jere Bagenstose. The case gained new life when authorities began analyzing handwriting samples to compare to a note that authorities found in the days after Maryann went missing.December 22, 2022
Development
Five-story apartment building planned for Broad Street Diner lot in South Philly
The site of the Broad Street Diner in South Philadelphia is slated to become a five-story, mixed-use building with 29 apartments and a ground-floor restaurant. It's not yet clear whether the restaurant will be a revamped version of the Broad Street Diner. A demolition permit was issued over the summer for the diner near the intersection of Broad and Ellsworth streets.December 21, 2022
TV
'A Charlie Brown Christmas' won't be on TV this year. Here's how to stream it for free
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" will be available exclusively on Apple TV+ in 2022, but those who don't have subscriptions can still watch the 25-minute special for free between Dec. 22-25. The special will not be airing on PBS or anywhere else on broadcast TV. This explainer will walk you through how to watch the "Peanuts" classic using Apple TV+.December 21, 2022
Investigations
Florida man arrested in South Jersey with 10,000 rainbow fentanyl pills, police say
Shane Smith, 33, of Daytona Beach, Florida was arrested Monday outside of the Walmart on Route 73 in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, where authorities seized 10,000 rainbow fentanyl pills, officials said. The deadly synthetic opioid, which has increasingly appeared in the U.S. in candy-colored pill form, is the leading cause of overdose deaths in the country.December 21, 2022
Food & Drink
Eagles sent Doug Pederson 35 cheesesteaks after Jaguars' overtime win against Cowboys
After the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Dallas Cowboys in overtime on Sunday, head coach Doug Pederson received an order of 35 cheesesteaks and fries courtesy of the Philadelphia Eagles, his former team. The cheesesteaks came from Philly's Finest, a popular cheesesteak spot in Jacksonville. The Cowboys loss helped the Eagles, who beat the Bears to improve to 13-1, take a step closer to clinching the NFC East and the top seed in the conference. The Eagles and Cowboys will meet in Dallas on Christmas Eve.December 20, 2022
Lawsuits
Parents of Pennsylvania girl, whose hair got tangled in Chuck E. Cheese ticket machine, file lawsuit in Scranton
The parents of a Pennsylvania whose hair got caught in a Chuck E. Cheese's ticket machine have sued the Bucks County company that manufactured the equipment. The incident happened at the restaurant in Wilkes-Barre in 2019. The lawsuit names Chalfont-based Deltronic Labs as the defendant and seeks punitive damages. The girl's frightening experience in Pennsylvania is one of several similar incidents that have happened at Chuck E. Cheese's locations in the United States in recent years.Just In
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- Philly's parallel parking contest will showcase drivers' skills. Its organizers hope it also spurs better etiquette
- Report: Phillies trade for lefty reliever Brooks Raley
- While Philly's marquee events are over, some improvements the city made for 2026 are here to stay
- With school out, Philly teens say they need more places to build community and stay safe
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