🌱 $1 Store Fire + Tioga Man Shot 70 Times + Philly St. Pat's Parade

Good morning, neighbors. It's Monday in Philadelphia and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in town. In today's issue of the newsletter, we have these stories and more:

• A massive blaze at a Dollar Tree store in Mayfair closes down traffic.
• A man was shot 70 times and died on his porch in Tioga.
• Irish eyes were smilin' as Philadelphia showed its green for the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

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But first, today's weather:

Periods of rain. High: 46 Low: 36.

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Here are the top three stories today in Philadelphia:

1. Black heavy smoke bellowed over Mayfair as firefighters battled a massive blaze at the Dollar Tree Store. The two-alarm fire shut down traffic at Frankford Avenue and Battersby Street. Fire department reports that there are no injuries and no cause of the fire as of yet as over 100 firefighters tried to control the blaze. (NBC 10 Philadelphia)
2. The horrific gun violence in Philadelphia continues as a man in Tioga is shot 70 times on his front porch in the Tioga section of the city. Police say the 25 year-old was gunned down just before midnight on the 3400 block of 16th Street. They collected multiple shell casings and do not have a suspect or motive yet as they continue to investigate this murder. (fox29.com)
3. Three years ago in 2020, the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Philadelphia was abruptly canceled due to COVID-19. In 2023, the annual parade is back and bigger and better than ever with more groups participating and thousands of spectators along Market Street wearing their green. Always held on the Sunday before March 17, this year had dancing troupes, plenty of bagpipers and even a band all the way from the Emerald Isle. (msn.com)

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Today in Philadelphia:

• Cats, the Broadway show is at the Merriam Theater @ 7 PM Kimmel Center - Miller Theater Philadelphia Tickets (tickets-center.com)
• Vegas Golden Knights at Philadelphia Flyers @7PM Golden Knights vs. Flyers - NHL Game Summary - March 14, 2023 | ESPN

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From my notebook:

• One of our lead stories today is shocking even in Philadelphia's gun violent atmosphere-a 25 year-old man was shot 70 times. 7-0. 70 times he was shot and killed while on his front porch. The Philadelphia Tribune has an editorial on asking does Philadelphia need a public safety director. We need something, someone fast! (The Philadelphia Tribune)
• Did you set your clock forward for daylight savings time? Or is your microwave and car radio still an hour behind? Did you ever wonder how Philly's biggest clock is set? Check out this article from Billy Penn about the clock at City Hall-which I think should be called Big Ben Franklin. (billypenn.com)

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That's it for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Patty-Pat Kozlowski

About me: Patty-Pat Kozlowski has been writing community news and Philly-cenric Op/Eds for over 20 years. A Jill of all trades she's been a stand-up comedian, chef, DJ, newspaper editor, food trucker and Parks Director for Philadelphia Parks & Rec as well as a community relations/legislative aide for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Philadelphia City Council.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Philadelphia Patch newsletter? Contact me at philadelphia@patch.com