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.
July 5, 2022
Food & Drink
Joe's Steaks, the shop that once had a racial slur in its name, to close Northeast Philly location after 73 years
Joe's Steaks & Soda Shop in Northeast Philadelphia will close its doors over Labor Day Weekend after 73 years on Torresdale Avenue. The restaurant was known for decades as Chink's before public pressure led to an eventual rebranding in 2013 due to its racist name. The business's second location on Girard Avenue in Fishtown will continue to operate as normal, owner Joseph Groh said.July 5, 2022
Celebrities
Michael Rubin's girlfriend went to the hospital after 'face plant' at Hamptons party
At Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin's Fourth of July party in the Hamptons on Monday, his girlfriend, Camille Fishel, suffered minor injuries to her face when she fell from a stage during the celebration. Rubin recently sold his ownership stake in the Philadelphia 76ers and has two children with Fishel. The couple joked about Monday's incident on Instagram.July 5, 2022
Transportation
SEPTA police chief abruptly retires as transit system struggles to combat crime
SEPTA's Police Chief Thomas Nestel III has retired from his role, effective immediately, and will be replaced in the interim by Charles Lawson, his second-in-command, SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards announced. Nestel's retirement comes as SEPTA continues to struggle with high rates of crime and persistent problems with officer recruitment, areas that became worse during the COVID-19 pandemicJune 30, 2022
Courts
Judge permanently blocks PennDOT's major bridge tolling plan
PennDOT's $2.2 billion plan to create new tolls on nine interstate bridges to fund their repair and long-term maintenance was permanently blocked by a Commonwealth Court panel on Thursday. The controversial plan supported by Gov. Tom Wolf faced strong opposition from communities and lawmakers who argued that it lacked sufficient oversight and authority to choose bridges without involving local governments and constituents. The Girard Point Bridge in South Philadelphia, which runs over I-95, was among the nine candidate bridges in the initiative.June 30, 2022
Wildlife
American martens, part of the weasel family, may be reintroduced in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Game Commission will review a proposal from the Bureau of Wildlife Management to reintroduce the American marten, a small mammal in the weasel family. The species has been extirpated from the state since the early 1900's after populations were depleted by the fur trade and deforestation. The game commission's past reintroduction efforts have included the bald eagle, river otter, beaver, bobcat and other fur-bearing mammals.June 30, 2022
Arts & Culture
Philadelphia Museum of Art returns 17th century shield lost by German museum during WWII
The Philadelphia Museum of Art has returned a 17th century, gilded silver shield to the Dresden City Museum in Germany. The work was a trophy for the winner of a traditional archery contest and had been donated to the city's silver treasure collection, where it remained for more than three centuries before it was lost during the 1945 Dresden bombing, toward the end of World War II.June 29, 2022
TV
Rutgers medical students to study 'Stranger Things' as metaphor for mental illness
'Stranger Things 4' will serve as the basis of a Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School course that examines how the show depicts mental health through its characters and themes. Critics have likened Season 4 to an allegory for mental health – specifically disorders such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. Psychiatry professor Anthony Tobia will use the Netflix series as a way for medical students to discuss the diagnosis of these disorders and their symptoms. The final two episodes of 'Stranger Things 4' will be released July 1 on Netflix.June 29, 2022
Investigations
Driver killed in suspected road rage shooting in Delaware County
Authorities in Delaware County are investigating a suspected road rage shooting that resulted in the death of a 54-year-old man in Springfield Township on Wednesday morning. The incident happened near the intersection of South Street Road and Meetinghouse Lane. The shooting suspect fled the scene and an investigation remains ongoing. The shooting victim was identified as Springfield resident King Hua.June 29, 2022
Wildlife
Photo shows giant ray approaching surfer off the coast of Wildwood
A giant ray was photographed next to a surfer in Wildwood earlier in June. The encounter happened off the coast of the Rambler Road beach. Rays are generally not aggressive animals, and they tend to stay near the surface of the water. It's not uncommon for people to encounter them while out surfing. Many ray and skate species can be found at the Jersey Shore.June 29, 2022
Transportation
PennDOT to remove Fifth Street Bridge, reconstruct road in North Philly
PennDOT will start to remove the Fifth Street Bridge in the Hunting Park section of North Philadelphia next week. The section of Fifth Street running between Hunting Park Avenue and Bristol Street will be reconstructed. The project will result in a series of road closures and detours for motorists and pedestrians over the next year. PennDOT officials said the Fifth Street Bridge is in poor condition.Just In
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