Two dead, five injured in Frankford fire

By Shannon McDonald

An early morning fire in Frankford on Saturday left two people dead, one a 7-year-old boy. The flames broke out around 6 a.m. when a resident of the three-story home on the 43oo-block of Leiper Street was cooking and failed to turn a burner off.

The fire department was called at 7:30 a.m., and was under control 30 minutes later. But not before a woman and a young boy died. Five others, including a 1 -year-old, were taken to the hospital with injuries, and are expected to recover.

Investigators said the house – which was home to eight relatives – only had one smoke alarm with  no batteries.

NEast Links: police investigation, parks commission and more

By Shannon McDonald

Here’s a summary of the week’s Northeast news we didn’t cover. See others here.

A police officer is being investigated after being seen assaulting a woman on a store surveillance camera. Officer Alberto Lopez Sr. is pictured  approaching and provoking a physical confrontation with Agnes Lawless around 3 a.m. last August. Lawless and her friends had just been in a fender bender with Lopez’s son. The incident took place at a Lukoil store at Comly Road and Roosevelt Boulevard, not far from the scene of the car accident near Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The situation is a complicated one, which Internal Affairs is investigating. Lopez has since been removed from active duty while incident is further evaluated.

Keep reading for a special gift for some campers, a cleanup in Frankford and more.

Young mother sexually assaulted on the El

By Shannon McDonald

A mother holding her baby was sexually assaulted on the El Thursday afternoon. The 22-year-old boarded the train at Bridge and Pratt while holding her young baby. Then a man sat down next to her, pressing a knife into her side, concealing it as he sexually assaulted her all the way to Eighth and Market streets. He then got off the train, walking in the opposite direction of the woman. Other people were on the train at the time, though no one could see the knife. The suspect is a white man, 35 to 40 years old, clean shaven with slicked back blonde hair.

Frankford man killed outside bar

By Shannon McDonald

A man was shot in the chest early yesterday morning outside a bar in Frankford.

The 29-year-old had left the bar he was in at Torresdale Avenue and Margaret Street, and was returning to it from his car when a second man emerged from the establishment and shot him shortly after midnight. The victim died at the scene, and the suspect fled in the passenger side of a gold car. Neither man has been identified.

Rowhome fire at Devereaux and Castor

By Shannon McDonald

Firefighters arrived on the 1400-block of Devereaux Avenue early yesterday morning to battle a blaze inside a house. The fire, which began on the second floor of the home around 5:30 a.m., was under control in less than 20 minutes.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated. No injuries have been reported, though residents in Frankford could smell the smoke from nearly two miles away.

Body found in Frankford

By Shannon McDonald

The body of a man with two gunshot wounds was found Wednesday morning in Frankford. The victim, a Hispanic male believed to be in his mid-20s, was found in an alley between Margaret and Wilmot streets near Torresdale Avenue – an area neighbors say is a hotspot for drugs and crime.

No arrests have been made.

NEast Links: Frankford shooting update, charter school charges, Shore news and more

By Shannon McDonald

Here’s a summary of the week’s Northeast news we didn’t cover. See others here.

The 25-year-old man who died in a Frankford shooting last month is believed to be the agressor. Police initially thought Dallas Custalow was an innocent bystander when he was shot in the stomach inside the Irish Kitchen bar at Pratt and Oakland streets. But it is now believed Custalow, of the 1300-block of Anchor Street, pulled his gun first during an argument at the bar, hitting a 29-year-old man in the leg.

Keep reading for the most recent news surrounding charter school fraud, January’s deadly Schuylkill Expressway accident, an ambitious teenager and more.

Right NEast/Wrong NEast: FOX almost gets it right

Outside media don’t care about the Northeast. We have all seen them misuse, misspell and mistake our neighborhoods and our streets, so we at NEast mag wanted to do something about it. When they get it wrong, we set it right in a segment we like to call Right NEast/Wrong NEast.

By Shannon McDonald

The McDonald’s on Oxford Avenue was robbed Sunday, making it the fifth stop for a group of serial robbers targeting the fast food chain.

In the report, FOX29 says the restaurant is in Oxford Circle. It’s an awfully close call, seeing as how McDonald’s is on Oxford Circle, but it’s still on the east side of Roosevelt Boulevard. Which means, of course, the robbers hit a Frankford McDonald’s.

A close call, but the maps don’t lie. Frankford is east of the Boulevard and Oxford Cirle is west; a whole ‘nother world.

NEast Links: Priest struck by drunk driver, drownings in North Wildwood and more

By Shannon McDonald

Here’s a summary of the week’s Northeast news we didn’t cover. See others here.

A Mayfair priest was struck by a drunk driver outside his parish. Pastor Joseph Accardi was struck outside St. Bernard’s Parish at Cottage Street and Bleigh Avenue Tuesday night. He was taken to Aria’s Torresdale campus, where he remains in stable condition with broken ribs.

A Woman’s View: Fourth of July edition

Happy Birthday America!  As the city of Independence and brotherly love, Philadelphia is preparing for another spectacular celebration.  Despite the financial crisis, Philadelphia won’t be skimping on its budget for welcoming another festive July 4th.  Whether you are choosing to have a block party, picnic or venture to Penn’s Landing for the remarkable fireworks display, this year is sure to hold some memorable events for all ages and styles.

If you are a boat lover, the Spirit of Philadelphia is offering Independence Day cruises for lunch or dinner.  The cruise offers a buffet, live entertainment and spectacular views of Philadelphia.  If you prefer the old classics, come and join Mayor Nutter at Independence Hall for a ceremony and parade to honor America’s 233rd Birthday.  The parade will offer an assortment of fire departments, military matches, floats, cars, marching bands and more.  The party on the Parkway will begin at noon, for an all day extravaganza of games, food and entertainment that the whole family can enjoy.  These are just a few of the exciting events that will be occurring in Philadelphia on the 4th.

Unfortunately, the annual parade and fireworks display in Lawncrest will not take place this year due to funding problems, but there are a ton of other fireworks displays in the area and lots more to do around Philadelphia. But if you’re still looking to celebrate closer to home, consider some other conventional summer party ideas.

A favorite NEast classic Fourth of July celebration are block parties.  This is a great day to bring out the grill, mingle with your neighbors and celebrate freedom.

“Every year our block in Frankford closes down the street and we just party all day and night,” Tahsha said.  “It is my favorite holiday of the year because all the neighbors come out with their kids and grills and it is just brotherly love all around. I think it is one of the most peaceful times, because people really come together for the country.”

July 4th is a wonderful holiday for all Americans to come together and celebrate their independence as well as joyous celebrations honoring those who have died for our country.  It is a great time of year to appreciate any and all veterans or service men and women you may know.  These are the courageous people that have defended our honored country throughout the years, and they deserve recognition.

“My cousin is overseas in the military and we will miss him this year,” Rarya said. ” We always celebrate the 4th by having a BBQ in front of our house in Oxford Circle and it won’t be the same without him.”

I wish to extend a special thank you to these honored men and women of the military for their dedication and service.I wish to extend a special thank you to these honored men and women of the military for their dedication and service.

From all of us here at NEastPhilly.com, have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

A Woman’s View is a column about women’s issues written by Donna Ward. The column appears every other Thursday on NEastPhilly.com. See others here. Read other NEastPhilly columns here.