Young announces over $77.5M for new wastewater treatment facility
State Rep. Regina Young announced that $77,529,900 in state funding has been awarded to the Philadelphia Water Department for construction of a new wastewater treatment facility in South Philadelphia to reduce ammonia discharged to the Delaware River and the reduced flow of inadequately treated sewage to the city’s waterways.
The award, which comes from the Construction Wastewater Projects of the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, is intended to fund the building of a sidestream facility at PWD’s Southwest water pollution control plant to reduce the plant’s ammonia load. The environmental impacts will be a reduction in the amount of ammonia discharged by about 75 percent, impacting Mingo Creek, which empties into the Schuylkill River, and ultimately into the Delaware River.
“As we celebrated Earth Day this week, it’s a perfect time to announce this funding,” Young said. “This facility is key to improving water quality in the Delaware River, which will benefit not just the aquatic life in and along the river, but those of us who live and enjoy recreation around the watershed areas. Making our waterways cleaner and greener helps all of us with numerous health and economic benefits.”
This project includes installing two equalization tanks, two de-ammonification bioreactors and an ancillary building that will house an equipment gallery, process analysis room, a conference room, a control room, an electrical room and a chemical feed room.
Scanlon convenes Affordable Connectivity Program roundtable with local leaders
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon convened a roundtable of local leaders to discuss the positive impact of the Affordable Connectivity Program on PA-05 households and the importance of extending the program. The future of the program is uncertain as funding runs out at the end of the month. Without an extension, 43,000 PA-05 households are at risk of skyrocketing broadband costs or losing high-speed internet access altogether. To ensure Pennsylvania families don’t lose access to this critical service, Scanlon is supporting Rep. Yvette D. Clarke’s discharge petition that would force a vote to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program on the House floor.
“The Affordable Connectivity Program isn’t just about improving access to the internet, it’s about improving access to economic opportunity,” Scanlon said. “This program has brought much-needed attention to the fact that access to the internet is not just an issue for rural America. Without action to extend this program, many in our community will see their internet costs increase or lose access to high-speed internet altogether.”
Prolific Gun Offender Unit created by DA’s office
District Attorney Larry Krasner announced the launch of a new prosecution unit at the District Attorney’s Office that will focus on adults and juveniles who repeatedly and illegally possess firearms in the city.
The DAO’s Prolific Gun Offenders Unit will prosecute the following gun offenses: Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Straw Purchases; Ghost Guns, Juveniles in Possession of Firearms; and individuals who are arrested and charged with the manufacturing and distribution of polymer firearms, also known as “ghost guns.” The DAO’s Prolific Gun Offenders Unit will also utilize criminal intelligence gathering in collaboration with law enforcement and the Gun Violence Task Force to ascertain whether those arrested are actively involved with street groups who commit violence in Philadelphia.
Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the DAO’s Prolific Gun Offenders Unit will also handle bail revocation hearings and will work closely with the DAO’s Charging Unit to appeal low cash bail rulings by Philadelphia Bail Commissioners for those who pose a danger to the community.
“I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to our partners in Philadelphia City Council for securing the funding to make this new initiative a reality,” Krasner said. “I’m confident that under the leadership of Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Palmer, the Prolific Gun Offender Unit will vigorously and appropriately prosecute and convict the relatively small number of people who pose a significant threat to public safety in our city.”
Waxman wants unit at correctional institution a permanent fixture statewide
State Rep. Ben Waxman is calling for the “Scandinavian Unit” at SCI Chester to be used permanently at correctional institutions across Pennsylvania.
The Scandinavian Unit is modeled after prisons in Scandinavia, where the core values are safety, transparency and innovation, with a focus on normality and reintegration into the community upon release.
“It’s time for a shift in how we handle corrections in PA. The Scandinavian Unit at SCI Chester isn’t just a program, it’s a new horizon in rehabilitation and human rights,” Waxman said. “This model focuses on transformative care, not just incarceration. In the next state budget, I will strongly advocate for us to include funding that would make the Scandinavian Unit a permanent fixture in our state’s corrections system.”
This unit is the result of a multiyear partnership with the Norwegian Correctional Service, the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, and the Danish Prison and Probation Service. In 2019, state Department of Corrections employees traveled to Norway, Sweden and Denmark to see for themselves how Scandinavian countries approach incarceration.
The unit provides a quiet environment where residents live in single-person cells with a shared kitchen surrounded by outdoor green space and plants.
Waxman has written a letter to the Department of Corrections calling for funding that would make this unit a permanent fixture within Pennsylvania’s correctional system.
House GOP addresses illegals
State House Republicans have introduced legislation to combat illegal immigration in Pennsylvania in response to the Biden administration’s continued failure to secure the southern border. The legislation includes bills urging Congress and the federal government to ban flights carrying illegals into the country; requiring local cooperation with ICE when an illegal squatter is identified; and banning sanctuary municipalities. Rep. Martina White has introduced legislation to require $1 million minimum bail for assaulting a law enforcement officer, which was proposed in response to the attack on New York Police Department officers by a gang of illegal immigrants earlier this year.
“My legislation to set a minimum $1 million bail for assaulting a police officer sends a clear message: Pennsylvania stands firmly against violence toward those who protect and serve our communities,” she said. “We are committed to making sure those who would harm our officers, including illegal immigrants, will face serious consequences for their actions.” ••
Settlement Music to celebrate
Settlement Music School will hold its 116th anniversary gala on May 4 at 6:30 p.m. at 2300 Arena, 2300 S. Swanson St. The theme is Art Sparks. There will be music, food, dancing to the band Snacktime and a celebration of the work of the Kardon Center for Arts Therapy.
To donate, go to settlementmusic.org/give-now/annual-gala/
To enter the raffle and auction, visit settlementmusic.org/raffle ••
Entertainment at Parx
Parx Casino is offering the following upcoming entertainment:
May 11: Tracy Morgan
May 17: Femmes of Rock
May 18: Sebastian Bach
May 31: Reik
June 1: Joss Stone
June 14: Almost Queen, a tribute to Queen
June 21: Corinne Bailey Rae
July 13: Clay Walker
Aug. 3: Tyler Henry, The Hollywood Medium
Aug. 10: Dylan Scott
Sept. 7: Australian Pink Floyd
Nov. 21: Aaron Lewis
Nov. 23: Steve Trevino ••
Summer, after-school programs
Applications are open for The College of Physicians of Philadelphia’s George and Judy Wohlreich Junior Fellows Program, a summer and after-school program for high school students interested in healthcare and medicine. The program is open to students who are currently freshmen who will be the first in their family to graduate from college, qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch and have no disciplinary problems on their school record.
Apply at Wohlreich Junior Fellows Program | The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
The year-long STEM Internship Program is aimed at Philadelphia high school students directly affected by violence who want to make a difference in their communities. The students explore the impact violence has on them and their communities, while improving their understanding of science, technology and medicine. There is a four-week summer internship in July and an after-school program once a week throughout the school year. The program is open to current sophomores and juniors (entering 11th or 12th grade in fall 2024) enrolled in a Philadelphia public or charter school.
Apply at STEM Internship | The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
There is no cost to apply or participate in the programs.
Learn more at https://collegeofphysicians.org/programs. ••
Car show and more
American Heritage Credit Union and BIG 98.1 will host the 20th annual car show and member appreciation day on May 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at AHCU headquarters at 2060 Red Lion Road. The free event is open to the community. All proceeds from will support the Kids-N-Hope Foundation. There will be craft vendors, food trucks, inflatables, a petting zoo, a clown and best-of-show car trophies.To register your car or car club for the show, visit AHCU.co/CarShow ••
See performance of Anything Goes
The Star Players, of the city Department of Parks and Recreation, will present Cole Porter’s Anything Goes on May 31 and June 1-2 at 7 p.m. at Venice Island Performing Arts Center, at 7 Lock St. in Manayunk. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Group rates are available. Tickets are available on Venmo @TheStarplayers or at the Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. For more information, call director Bill Arthur at 215-685-8714, like the group’s Facebook page, follow the group on Twitter @starplayersPPR or email Starplayers2013@gmail.com. ••
Bus trip to Lancaster County
St. William Travel is planning a trip to Lancaster County on June 20. There will be a Magic & Wonder Theater show, buffet lunch at Shady Maple, round trip by motorcoach, with all taxes and gratuities included. The costs $120. Bus departs from Gloria Dei Estates, 1304 Rhawn St., at 9:15 a.m. and returns 6:15 p.m. Check or money order payable to St. William Travel can be sent c/o 206 Benner St., Philadelphia, PA 19111. Call 215-745-7199. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Trip to Northern Europe
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is presenting a Northern Europe: Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium and London cruise, July 25 to Aug. 4, aboard the new “Norwegian Prima.”
Rates per person are $6,261 and $6,495, which include roundtrip airfare from Philadelphia.
Deposit of $350 per person double occupancy is required when booking.
Call 215-788-9408. ••
Charity fashion show
The Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter, Fox Chase Cancer Center is running a fashion show, Couture For The Cure, on Sunday, May 5, at Spring Mill Manor, 171 Jacksonville Road, Ivyland. The cost is $68 and includes full-course lunch and fashion show. There will be raffles, boutiques and jewelry and craft vendors. BOC Productions will present Fashions from Marlene’s of Collingswood, New Jersey. Doors open at 10 a.m. for shopping. Lunch will start at 12:30 p.m. Call Lorraine at 610-277-3631 for tickets. The event supports cancer research and compassionate patient care at Fox Chase Cancer Center. ••
Ukrainian Folk Festival in August
The Ukrainian Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25, from noon to 8 p.m., at the Ukrainian American Sport Center — Tryzub, County Line and Lower State roads, Horsham.
There will be Ukrainian folk art, music, dance, crafts and historical reenactments, a variety of food and refreshments and a vendors grove. Admission is $15, and a portion will be donated to relief of war victims in Ukraine. Kids under 15 will be admitted free. Parking is free. Call 267-664-3857, email info@tryzub.org or visit www.tryzub.org. ••
Support Michael Strange Foundation
The public is invited to attend two events held by the Michael Strange Foundation. On June 15, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., at American Legion Post, 9151 Old Newtown Road, there will be a live band, food and music. On June 16, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Parx horse racing track, third floor, Gold Star families will be on hand. Requested donations for each event are $40 per person. U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Michael Strange, a Wissinoming native and 2004 North Catholic graduate, died in 2011 of wounds caused when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard crashed in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. He was 25. ••
