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Chemical-Spewing Train Derailment Brings First Lawsuit

Apparently, some people get touchy when you derail a train in their backyard and spew hazardous chemicals that drive them and their neighbors out of their homes for days. Alice Breeman has filed a $10 million lawsuit against Conrail, accusing the train company of negligence in last week's accident that caused the release of toxic vinyl chloride into the atmosphere and a nearby creek, forcing the evacuations of a number of nearby residents, none of whom (at last report) had turned into zombies as a result. So there's that. [Philly.com]

Heir, Heir! Prince William, Kate Expecting a Baby

By Joel Mathis 12/03/2012 Comments 1 | Share

If you'd like to point out that we fought the Revolutionary War so we wouldn't have to pay attention to the fertility of rich people who live an ocean away, we won't argue. In the meantime, there's this breaking news:

Not much else to report at the moment. We assume, however, that tabloid editors the whole world round are thrilled. [AP]

UPDATE: The Daily Beast's "Royalist" blog reports that Kate isn't that far along in her pregnancy, and that the couple was forced to make the announcement early when William and Kate had to go to the hospital (or, as mom, dad

Derailment Threatens South Jersey Creek with Hazardous Chemicals

By Joel Mathis 11/30/2012 Comments 0 | Share

A freight train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed Friday morning into Mantua Creek, which empties into the Delaware River just across from the Philadelphia International Airport. One of the tanker cars may contain vinyl chloride, which officials said can cause dizziness and drowsiness in people exposed to it—not exactly the kind of stuff you want pilots breathing as they take off from PHL on a cross-country flight. Residents of three nearby New Jersey towns have been told to stay inside. [Associated Press]

Rittenhouse Apartment Building Evacuated Over Odor

By Mike Bertha 3/23/2012 Comments 0 | Share

Hazmat teams are scouring the apartment building at 201 S. 18th Street after residents on the seventh floor reported smelling a strange odor. The building has been evacuated and at least one person needed medical attention. [Philly.com]

UPDATE: At least eight people are at area hospitals after complaining of throat irritation. [6 ABC]

Broad Street Line Down for Police Chase [UPDATED]

By Mike Bertha 3/22/2012 Comments 0 | Share

Well, the Philadelphia Police Department is sure earning its keep in the absence of the SEPTA transit officers on strike. The Broad Street Line is currently shut down as PPD officers chase a man on foot on the tracks. [Fox 29]

UPDATE: The Broad Street Line is back to "normal" service. A suspect was arrested at Broad and Cherry. He allegedly had a gun and tossed it, but police recovered the weapon.

Al-Qaida Claims They Killed a Lancaster Native in Yemen

By Mike Bertha 3/22/2012 Comments 0 | Share

Joel Shrum—a 29-year-old teacher from Mount Joy in Lancaster County—went to Yemen in 2009 to study Arabic and teach English. Al-Qaida claims they shot and killed Shrum in Yemen after they accused him of proselytizing. He was living there with his wife and their two children. [Philly.com]

SEPTA Police Are On Strike

By Mike Bertha 3/21/2012 Comments 0 | Share

SEPTA police are on strike after walking off the job at 1:30 this afternoon. Philadelphia police have been dispatched to the SEPTA lines as the transit officers will continue to strike after working for nearly a year without contracts. [Inquirer]

Ballerina Taken Off Life Support After Hit-and-Run

By Mike Bertha 3/20/2012 Comments 0 | Share

The 22-year-old ballerina who was the victim of a hit-and-run in South Philly over the weekend has died after she was taken off life support. She was struck in a crosswalk on South Broad Street early Sunday morning. [6 ABC]

WWE Superstar John Cena in an Accident on the Schuylkill

By Mike Bertha 3/19/2012 Comments 0 | Share

Professional wrestler John Cena was a passenger in a car that was rear-ended by a tractor trailer on the Schuylkill today. Cena is in town for WWE's Monday Night Raw at the Wells Fargo Center tonight. The accident was minor and Cena should be good to go for tonight's event. [Fox 29]

Protesters Strip Down at Upper Darby High School

By Mike Bertha 3/16/2012 Comments 0 | Share

A woman, her adult daughter and a teenage boy are in police custody after they stripped naked and chanted in front of Upper Darby High School earlier today. Apparently the woman told her daughter and the boy to get on their knees and pray. School was in session, so it was likely quite the Friday at UDHS. [NBC Philadelphia]

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