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.
August 4, 2022
Wildlife
New Jersey fisherman catches 7-foot-long sand tiger shark at Sea Isle City beach
New Jersey fisherman PJ Braun caught a seven-foot-long sand tiger shark last week at a beach in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. The catch came after another sand tiger shark washed ashore in Longport and was found by people walking along the beach near 12th street. The federally protected species, which is not a threat to humans, isn't supposed to be targeted by anglers.August 4, 2022
Environment
Eagles, Bellwether District join city's push for litter cleanups with community investment program
The Philadelphia Eagles and The Bellwether District are partnering on a cleanup program that will fund neighborhood efforts to clear litter. Every time the team scores a touchdown, a location in the city will be chosen for a cleanup event. The initiative joins several others in the city that aim to address Philadelphia's litter and illegal dumping problem.August 3, 2022
Protests
Sharon Hill protesters demand full report on police shooting of Fanta Bility
Protesters in Sharon Hill on Tuesday demanded transparency from the borough's investigation of the police shooting that killed 8-year-old Fanta Bility last August. The girl was among several people struck by police gunfire after attending an Academy Park High School football game. Three officers have been charged. The Sharon Hill Borough Council released a heavily redacted report last week that did not make public the investigation's findings and recommendations on the police department's use of force policies.August 3, 2022
Celebrities
Phillies' Noah Syndergaard gets the Chase Utley love letter from Rob McElhenney
After the Philadelphia Phillies traded for Noah Syndergaard at the MLB trade deadline, the team's new starting pitcher took to Twitter to connect with The Gang from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Series co-creator Rob McElhenney responded to Syndergaard's gesture with the same words he wrote in the show's famed love letter to former Phillies star Chase Utley.August 3, 2022
Investigations
Shippensburg woman, missing since February, found dead in Florida
The remains of Jasmine Forbes, a Shippensburg woman who had been missing since February, were found this week at a property in Pasco County, Florida. Forbes, 31, fled Pennsylvania on Feb. 23 after her home was set on fire and two men she lived with were killed. Investigators suspected she was in danger. Larry Burns, 59, and a relative, Cordaryl Burns, 32, both were charged in March with homicide and arson. Authorities believe Forbes was murdered in Florida, but no arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.August 2, 2022
Investigations
Remains of Revolutionary War soldiers found in mass grave at South Jersey battlefield
The skeletal remains of Hessian soldiers who fought alongside the British during the American Revolutionary War were found in a mass grave at Red Bank Battlefield National Park in Gloucester County. Rowan University researchers said the remains came from as many as 14 soldiers who died during the Battle of Red Bank in Oct. 1777, one of the worst defeats suffered by Hessian forces during the war.August 2, 2022
Lawsuits
Mother of musician killed at Wawa in South Philly files wrongful death lawsuit
The family of Roger Segal, a Philadelphia bartender and musician who was stabbed outside a Wawa on Columbus Boulevard in February, has filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against the convenience chain, the owner of Southport Plaza and Allied Universal Security Company. Walter Robbins, 55, was charged in May with murder and attempted robbery in Segal's death.August 2, 2022
Food & Drink
Rival brewer claims Cape May Brewing Co. violated his trademark for 'Shore Tea'
Jeff Plate, the former owner of Asbury Park Brewing, is filing a lawsuit over the new Shore Tea collaboration between Wawa and Cape May Brewing Co. Plate claims he developed and trademarked "Shore Tea" as a stand-alone hard tea product before the COVID-19 pandemic. After pitching it unsuccessfully to Cape May Brewing this spring, Plate said he was blindsided to learn of the company's partnership with Wawa in July.August 2, 2022
Investigations
U.S. Marshals arrest man wanted for setting fire to abandoned home filled with gasoline jugs
A fire broke out Tuesday morning at an abandoned West Philadelphia house where 154 gallons of gasoline had been found the night prior. A hazmat situation was declared Monday night on the 100 block of North 59th Street after neighbors reported a strong smell of gas. The fire was brought under control just after 10 a.m. Tuesday.August 1, 2022
Donations
Jim's Steaks fundraiser to help employees put out of work after South Street fire
Jim's Steaks has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for employees who will be out of work after last Friday's fire at the storefront on South Street. Owner Ken Silver said the cheesesteak shop will be rebuilt over a period of several months and insurance will not cover the cost of lost income for employees. The two-alarm blaze at Fourth and South streets took more than four hours to put out with assistance from more than 125 Philadelphia firefighters.Just In
- City Council to consider expanding SEPTA’s student fare program
- Former Bucks County home of judge in Abscam case is listed for $5.85 million
- American spending on prescription drugs to surpass $1 trillion this year
- Temple medical school to open branch campus in Atlantic City
- Standouts from the Phillies' first winning series – a sweep! – since Easter weekend
- Eagles way-too-early 53-man roster projection
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