Accountability
Walking buses, a playground, a bullet-resistant fence: How Kensington schools are using opioid settlement funds
Educators hope money from a legal settlement will provide students and families more support and opportunities.
Schools & Education
School news in Kensington, Philadelphia — K-12 schools, the school district, libraries, graduation and the issues that affect students and families.
Arts & Culture
How this North Philly nonprofit is using collaboration to uplift youth through free music, mentorship
Through non-profit organizations Rock to the Future and As I Plant This Seed, youth build production skills and community.
Accountability
Accountability
After hours of contentious testimony, Kensington mobile service restrictions bill advances to Philly City Council for vote
The legislation will proceed to a full City Council reading and, if passed, will require Mayor Cherelle Parker’s approval.
Community Life
Sankofa students join Philly Tree People to plant new trees in Campbell Square Park, learn essential tree care
The park got 11 new trees in an effort to beautify the neighborhood and increase tree coverage.
Accountability
Philly police to launch drone program in Kensington, cameras to fly beyond line of sight
The drones will respond to 911 calls and can arrive at a scene faster to give officers perspective, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Accountability
Opioid trust ruling favors Kensington schools, parks, and housing relief, not home repairs or small businesses
The trust ruled in favor of funding for Kensington schools, parks, and housing, but against home repairs and small business support.
Accountability
State lawmakers tour Kensington ahead of city's opioid settlement appeal: “I just didn’t know”
State Sens. Greg Rothman and Christine Tartaglione, along with most of the 13-member opioid settlement trust, voted “no” to Philadelphia’s spending on Kensington eviction prevention, home repairs, and improvements to schools and parks. The trust will hear the city’s appeal on Oct. 3.
Accountability
Protest targets Philly prisons commissioner after Amanda Cahill, Michael McKinnis deaths: “You have blood on your hands”
About 40 people disrupted a criminal legal system panel at the Parkway Central Free Library on Tuesday night to protest the recent deaths of Amanda Cahill and Michael McKinnis.
Accountability
Councilmember Lozada introduces bill banning mobile services in most of Kensington's 7th District
If the legislation is enacted, those who violate the policy could receive up to a $500 fine.
Accountability
‘This isn’t about policy’: Vigil honors overdose victims in McPherson Square Park despite disruption from Philly police
Philly police ordered overdose vigil volunteers to move their tables from their setup near McPherson Square Library down to the street.
Public Space
Photos of Kensington: Residents celebrate end of soccer and summer at Impact's Hissey Playground event
Impact Services hosted an “End-of-Soccer Celebration and Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway” at Hissey Playground on Indiana Avenue and C Street.
Community Life
Photos of Kensington: Kids gear up for school at “Classroom Kickoff” event on Frankford Avenue
The event was hosted by District 7 Councilmember Quetcy Lozada's office.
Accountability
Philly police have “tentative strategy” to clear Kensington-area school pathways: “a band-aid over a burst pipe,” residents say
Police will be clearing people and trash for kids’ routes to school starting “probably in the next three weeks.”
Arts & Culture
Free school supplies in Kensington: Here's a growing list of back-to-school events in the neighborhood
We’ve pulled together a list of events and places where you can get free school supplies for your kids to prepare for the school year.
Accountability
“Perfection doesn’t exist:” Mayor Parker talks policing and Kensington’s encampment sweep in exclusive WHYY interview
During an exclusive interview on WHYY’s live talk show Studio 2, Mayor Cherelle Parker discussed policing Kensington’s open-air drug market and said the May 8 encampment sweep didn’t go exactly as planned.
Accountability
Here are the 25 Philadelphia public schools piloting year-round school this fall
Several local schools are on the list.
Accountability
Philly’s use of some opioid dollars for Kensington is “non-compliant,” per state trust. Future funding is in question.
The state trust that oversees the disbursement of opioid settlement dollars says Philadelphia improperly used $7.5 million on eviction prevention, home repair, and improvements to schools and parks.
Accountability
Philly police to begin “active enforcement” in Kensington: “We will be making arrests”
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Bethel named gun violence and illegal drug activity as top priorities, plus other crimes “that have kept that community pretty much imprisoned for a long time.”
Small Business
Family-owned M Jewelers takes pride in offering handmade jewelry in Kensington: “It feels like home here”
The Ma family’s lives were upended in 2016 when a fire at a neighboring discount store swept through their store.
Accountability
Kensington residents wonder if sweep, increased police presence will lead to lasting change in the neighborhood
Some residents feel safer, while others say the spillover from the sweep and increased police presence has caused problems on side streets.
Community Life
Hoy: La guía suprema para las primarias 2024 en Pensilvania.
La carrera del 23 de abril incluye elecciones importantes para Fiscal General, Auditor Estatal y el Senado. Ah, y también esa cosa de la presidencia.
Accountability
Parker administration announces five-phase Kensington plan despite care continuum that “doesn’t exist”
While Philly's police commissioner said the first phase will begin after an encampment sweep scheduled for May 8, the city’s managing director said “we don’t have enough beds” to offer those who need addiction treatment and related services.
Accountability
Pennsylvania law to improve sexual assault aftercare landscape remains unfunded
The law would create grants to assist hospitals in hiring Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, or SANE nurses, but it remains unfunded by the state.
Community Life
Latino-led charter schools attract Philadelphia families with tight-knit communities and Spanish
Latino families in Philadelphia say they’re choosing charter schools operated by Latino-led nonprofit organizations because the schools are able to fill gaps not filled by the school district.