🌱 16 Year Old Killed + Kids Stay Away At Dendy Rec + 109 Candidates

Hello again, everybody! I'm back with your new copy of the Philadelphia Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now. In today's issue, you'll learn about:

• A 16-year-old was shot twice in the head and killed in Southwest Philadelphia.
• The day after a 15-year-old was shot in Marie Dendy Recreation Center, the park was empty and the playground was deserted.
• The primary election in Philadelphia has 109 candidates on the ballot.

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But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 86 Low: 62.

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Here are the top three stories in Philadelphia today:

1. A 16-year-old boy was killed in the 5300 block of Grays Avenue on Thursday morning. He was shot twice in the head and was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. SWAT surrounded a home but could not find a suspect. (6abc Philadelphia)
2. A police patrol car was stationed at the entrance to the Dendy Rec Center but the park was eerily empty. That's because a 15-year-old boy was shot at the playground and parents have kept their children away. The gun shots came one week after city officials gathered at the park to tout new surveillance cameras to improve safety for children and dedicate parks and rec as "safe zones." (inquirer.com)
3. Your ballot for the May 16 primary in Philadelphia will look a bit busy. That's because there are 109 candidates vying to be elected making it a very crowded field and ballot design. A crowded mayor field as well as dozens and dozens of city council candidates will make your ballot on Election Day look like a novel! (billypenn.com)

Today in Philadelphia:

• Vitamin C Day Peel Event at Ari Blanc (2:00 PM)
• Reception to Celebrate the Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence (6:00 PM)
• A Sondheim Celebration - The Philly POPS (8:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Hey, that girl looks like Pat Sajak- keep an eye out for Maggie Sajak, social correspondent for "Wheel Of Fortune". She'll bein Philly, celebrating "Great Cities Week." (6abc Philadelphia).
• ACCT Philly: "We are still in dire need of help to find placement for more than 70 dogs by Monday! We are looking for fosters but also have dogs up for adoption, including many in foster care who are not exposed at all! " (ACCT Philly via Facebook)
• Roller Skating @ City Hall-even though our municipal headquarters has awesomely smooth hallways that make excellent roller rink flooring-it's much more cooler to lace up your skates right outside its doors at Dilworth Plaza. The skating rink opens today! (PhillyVoice)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you all tomorrow for your next 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