Latest news with #KenyattaJohnson
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Philadelphia honors veterans at Vet Fest after workers strike, extreme heat force delays
Hundreds of veterans and their families gathered outside City Hall on Tuesday for the city's 13th annual Vet Fest — a celebration and resource fair designed to support Philadelphia-area veterans in their transition to civilian life. The event, hosted by City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, the Office of Veterans Affairs, and Wawa Welcome America, was originally supposed to take place during the July celebration. However, it was postponed twice – first due to extreme heat, then the city worker strike. It returned Tuesday with live performances, recognition ceremonies, and more than 30 organizations offering services ranging from housing assistance and healthcare access to job placement and educational resources. "Taking your military career and transitioning it into civilian world is what a lot of my fellow veterans have a struggle doing," said Army veteran Thomas Long, who now serves as director of Veteran Biz Connect, which had a booth at the event. "So we like to help them do that in the areas that they want to achieve and succeed and move forward." Throughout the day, city officials handed out brand-new bicycles to veterans and their families, while volunteers distributed flyers and contact information for local service providers. The event also included an official recognition ceremony, where dozens of veterans were honored with medals and City Council citations. Among those recognized was Kat Kirkman, a U.S. Air Force veteran who now works to help other veterans secure employment and housing. "I'm very fortunate to do what I'm passionate about, working for veterans, both in my day job and in my volunteer time," Kirkman said. For many, the event was about more than just connecting with services. "I come here and I get flyers and contact information that can help me in my mission to get housing for homeless veterans," said Army veteran Thomas Singleton. Others highlighted the importance of community and camaraderie. "Even if it's just to be in one another's presence, to be able to talk, to think about the past, to relive it, because for some of us, that is what keeps us moving forward," said Army veteran Shanda Taylor-Boyd, who also sang at the event. According to city officials, more than 64,000 veterans live in the Philadelphia region.
CBS News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Philadelphia police, firefighters join anti-violence activists for "Peace Not Guns" basketball game
Members of the Philadelphia Police Department traded their badges for basketballs Wednesday night to help promote "peace not guns" for kids this summer. The competition was high for the Peace Not Guns Memorial Basketball game featuring the Philly Ballers — a team comprised of members of the police and fire departments, the sheriff's office and SEPTA police — vs. the Real Brothers Basketball League, a community anti-violence group. The event featured a three-point contest along with five-on-five hoops. City Council President Kenyatta Johnson started anti-violence initiative Peace Not Guns in 1998 following the murder of his cousin. "If they are not involved in things that are positive during the summer, during the time when school is out, they get involved in things that are negative," Johnson said. Albert Custis is the coach for the Real Brothers Basketball League, which hosts games for kids and adults throughout the week at 20th and Tasker streets. "The basketball league (has been) going on for 10 years — no shootings, no fights, no nothing," Curtis said. This event at Vare Rec Center is just feet from the site of a mass shooting that killed three people and left nine injured on July 7 along South Etting Street. For Commissioner Kevin Bethel, events like this were an integral part of his childhood and now a way to help break the cycle of violence in his city. "I'm a byproduct of the neighborhood, I'm a byproduct of Sherwood Rec Center and a PAL kid," Bethel said, "and I tell people all the time this is what got me out of the neighborhood." And no matter the score, everyone's goal was the same: Pick up basketballs, not guns, making everyone on this court a winner.
CBS News
16-07-2025
- CBS News
City to address "dangerous" intersection after residents called for change in CBS Philadelphia report
Philadelphia officials have agreed to temporarily change the traffic pattern of a street near the South Street Bridge in the Schuylkill section of the city after residents complained that reckless driving was leading to accidents in the area. CBS News Philadelphia first told you about this last week when neighbors described the intersection of South and LeCount streets as dangerous. The report came days after an accident in the area left a 37-year-old man in critical condition. Police say the man was riding an e-bike in the bike lane when he was hit by a car attempting to turn on LeCount Street on July 9. "We've had people on motorized scooters, people on bikes get hit in the bike lane. Happens all the time," said neighbor Joe Mihalich. "Little kids … can't go anywhere near the sidewalk because people are speeding down." Neighbors told CBS News Philadelphia that drivers were putting people at risk by using LeCount as a shortcut, turning onto the street while also cutting into a bike lane. Neighbors say the accident involving the 37-year-old was one of several in a two-week span. Community members said they filed a petition months ago to get the city to address what they considered a safety issue but never heard back. Fast forward to the day our story aired, neighbors had what they described as a productive meeting with City Council President Kenyatta Johnson's office that same day. And nearly a week after the report, neighbors say the city has agreed to make a change that they believe can save lives. After consulting with Johnson's office, the Department of Streets has confirmed it will be changing the direction of the 600 block of LeCount Street on Friday. The department says street directional changes will start with a six-month trial period as well as traffic observation and feedback from residents. Neighbors believe this change can make a difference. Members of Philly Bike Action and residents came together Wednesday for what they called a pop-up protected bike lane. They used cones to extend the bike lane in an effort to get people to slow down while turning on LeCount. This response also comes after another person was hit by a car this week. On Tuesday, police say a pregnant woman was hit by a car while she was riding a scooter in the bike lane at the intersection. EE Durbin with Philly Bike Action said they could no longer stand by and wait for the city to act while people continued to get hurt. "We think that something needs to happen with the same emergency these crashes are," Durbin said. Neighbor Ashley Lepera also went door to door handing out information about the accidents and their work to get the city to address the issue. Lepera also signed the petition that was sent to Johnson's office. She says Friday's meeting with him and his team gives her the belief that the city is now beginning to take the issue seriously. But she also says actions speak louder than words. "I think they are trying now, but until they actually do something I don't know. I'm just skeptical just because it's been almost a year of radio silence from them," Lepera said. The traffic pattern change will be temporary, and a more permanent change would have to happen at City Hall. A representative with Johnson's office says the earliest they can introduce legislation is in September, but that will be contingent on the results of the pilot traffic pattern change.
CBS News
29-06-2025
- CBS News
Neighbors describe fatal house explosion that shook Philadelphia's Nicetown section: "It was so powerful"
Neighbors say the explosion that caused multiple rowhomes to collapse in the Nicetown section of Philadelphia Sunday morning woke them up and shook their homes. "It just sounded like a bomb, a large bomb. A very large bomb," said Jamil Harris, who lives in Nicetown. The explosion happened on the 1900 block of West Bristol Street, near Clarissa Street, shortly before 5 a.m. One person died and two others were injured, officials said. "Basically, for a three-block radius, this block and the next adjacent block, everybody's house shook and everybody's windows bust out," Harris said. Alan Carroll, who lives across the street from the explosion, was one of the first people who went outside and saw the smoke and flames coming from the homes, which had already collapsed with people trapped inside. At least three homes are partially collapsed, officials said. "It was so powerful that it knocked our windows down ... it knocked the curtains off the window," Carroll said. "Then you start hearing a woman screaming, saying, 'Help me, help me, help me,' so my son ... and another gentleman went over there to the house and pulled her out." That neighbor and another woman were rescued during an initial search of the scene. Both are now recovering in the hospital. A spokesperson for Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson confirmed that one of the hospitalized victims works for Johnson. The fire department also said that during a secondary search, a third victim was pulled from the rubble, but officials say she died from injuries sustained in the collapse. "I think right now the neighborhood, we're real sad right now," Harris said. Officials have since evacuated West Bristol Street, and residents were taken to a nearby elementary school to get shelter and resources. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are helping with recovery efforts. Neighbors like Carroll are now reflecting on a tragic morning that will stay with them for a long time. "It's very scary," Carroll said. "To hear something that loud and that close. God forbid if I was outside, walking right past and stuff like that. And the crazy part is I was going to park there last night, but I found parking another spot." Crews have already begun boarding up windows on West Bristol Street that were broken as a result of this explosion As for when residents can return to their homes, that is still unclear because this investigation is going to take some time. Mayor Cherelle Parker said anyone who wants to help can contribute to the City of Philadelphia's One Philly Fund online.
CBS News
29-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Philadelphia house explosion kills 1, injures 2 in Nicetown neighborhood Sunday morning
At least one person was killed after three rowhome buildings partially collapsed in an explosion in Philadelphia's Nicetown neighborhood early Sunday, sending at least two other people to hospitals, officials said. Philadelphia police and fire units responded to the 1900 block of West Bristol Street, near Clarissa Street, shortly before 5 a.m. CBS News Philadelphia cameras in the area showed at least three structures collapsed, with smoke emanating from the rubble. Fire officials said the incident was placed under control at 6:33 a.m. According to Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections, the explosion affected at least seven properties, three of which are partially collapsed. CBS News Philadelphia Officials said the two people taken to hospitals are an 82-year-old woman and a 62-year-old woman – one is in critical condition and the other is in stable condition. A spokesperson for Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson confirmed that one of the hospitalized victims works for Johnson. Mayor Cherelle Parker said Sunday afternoon that she visited the families at the hospital whose loved ones were impacted by the explosion. "Philadelphia, we want to ask that you lift them up in prayer," she said. "To all of the families, we are lifting you up in prayer, and the City of Philadelphia will remain here and on the scene to ensure that anyone who has been directly or indirectly impacted receives the support and services they need." "This will be an extensive, all-day operation for the Philadelphia Fire Department," Philadelphia Fire Department executive officer Daniel McCarty said. Philadelphia Fire Department McCarty said other buildings adjacent to the collapse have damage as well. Some residents have been evacuated as a precaution in case other collapses occur. Officials are monitoring the buildings there in case any that are still standing show signs that they may collapse. Philadelphia Fire Department Assistant Chief Charles Walker said a search and rescue dog alerted firefighters to the body of the woman who died in the collapse. The dog did not alert them to anyone else, Walker said, so he is confident everyone is accounted for now. The investigation will be slow and methodical to avoid a "secondary collapse," Walker said. "We are here. We are going to be here to provide support. We're going to be here to do a thorough investigation that may take time," said Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson. The cause of the explosion is under investigation, and search and rescue operations are underway. The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections is on site examining buildings. Several workers from Philadelphia Gas Works were also seen on the block. McCarty said investigators will work "brick by brick" to find out what happened. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Philadelphia Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office and PECO are also on the scene. Neighbors told to evacuate Bristol Street after collapse Around 9 a.m., residents were exiting their homes on Bristol Street after being told to evacuate. Many were holding suitcases or shopping bags full of personal effects. All along the block, homes have broken windows, and some doors were blown off their hinges. Vehicles parked on the street also suffered damage from the blast and from debris. A spokesperson for the American Red Cross stated that the organization is responding and assisting at least 24 people. Fire officials said the Salvation Army was also on scene to help community members affected by Sunday morning's explosion. Residents who were evacuated are gathering at the Edward Steel Elementary School. Mayor Parker said the City of Philadelphia's One Philly Fund is available online, where anyone can make contributions to help those impacted. Mental and behavioral health services are also available on-site for those in need. "Big bang" wakes up residents A resident on the block said she was sleeping when she heard "a big bang" and at first thought her husband had fallen off the edge of the bed. "And then I had to come to the window and look out, and I seen people walking up and down the street," she said. "And then I came downstairs and my door was all blown open and there was glass everywhere on my floor." Other residents from blocks away felt their houses shake. Another resident said he heard a noise that sounded like thunder. "I mean, it's like something out of a movie. The houses, you know, they're underneath. So they had to pull them out of the house," one woman said. This is a developing story and will be updated.
