🌱 Gas Station Up in Arms + Lenfest Funds Voter Voices + Fatal Fire

Hello all! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through the most important things happening in Philadelphia today. Today you'll find news about:

• Getting gas at Broad and Clearfield Streets just got a lot safer thanks to armed security guards.
• The 'Every Voice, Every Vote' project is funding community organizations and news outlets with the goal of engaging more Philadelphians in the 2023 municipal elections.
• Man angry over breakup purposely set fire that killed ex's paraplegic sister.

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But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 54 Low: 36.

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Here are the top three stories today in Philadelphia:

1. A Philadelphia gas station owner is taking drastic measures to protect his business and customers by hiring private security armed with AR-15 rifles due to lawlessness in the City of Philadelphia. Neil Patel, the owner of the Karco gas station located at Broad and Clearfield streets in North Philadelphia, recently hired Pennsylvania S.I.T.E. State Agents to patrol the pumps at his station because of rampant stealing, vandalism and other criminal and violent activity near the business. (PA Patch)
2. With municipal elections on the horizon, a changing of the guard is coming to Philadelphia. Who will choose the city's new leaders? Ideally, as many people as possible.
   That's the essence of democracy and it's the goal behind a new initiative from the Lenfest Institute. The journalism nonprofit, founded in 2016 by local philanthropist Gerry Lenfest, just after the most recent competitive mayoral election, announced the "Every Voice, Every Vote" project-a series of grants totaling $1.5 million, going to 52 Philly organizations. (billypenn.com)
3. In "one of the most tragic and evil events" authorities said they've ever seen, a man intentionally set a house fire that killed a paraplegic woman because her sister broke up with him. Aaron Clark, 30, knew Olivia Drasher, 20, had cerebral palsy and was paraplegic and nonverbal when he "torched" the house shortly after midnight on Dec. 4, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said. He was allegedly angry that her sister had broken up with him a day earlier. (nbcphiladelphia.com)

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Today in Philadelphia:

• GNL Presents Story Time and a Sing-A-Long with Santa and Mrs. Claus (4:30 PM)
• In Between: A Play Written and Performed by Ibrahim Miari (7:00 PM)
• The Tallis Scholars - Philadelphia Chamber Music (7:30 PM)
• Bristol Riverside Theatre Presents: An American Christmas Songbook (8:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Dogs in Pajamas-that's all you need to know! Coming from our pals at Philly ACCT: "The long awaited PajamaGram photoshoot is here! This is the fourth year that this fabulous photoshoot has been sponsored by Pajamagram. We're so grateful to them as well as to Sitrin Consulting for organizing this massive effort, Bella-Reed Photography for the great photos, and our volunteers for all their hard work to make this possible. (ACCT Philly via Facebook)
• I'm just thankful the most searched word wasn't "JAWN"- The Philadelphia Phillies were number one after all. That is according to Google. The company says the Phillies, who made it all the way to the World Series this season, were the top trending search sports team on the website in 2022. (6abc Philadelphia)
• What are you doing Saturday night, December 10th? Go get tickets to see Postmodern Jukebox at the Kimmel Center. You'll thank Patch later. And then you'll ask for their newest CD in your stocking. One part celebration of vintage music and culture, one part "'Saturday Night Live' for singers," a Postmodern Jukebox show is an unforgettable trip back in time that makes Pop Music History. ( Kimmel Cultural Campus)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Berwyn Indoor / Outdoor Vintage Flea Market Grand Opening Dec 10th & 11th! (December 11)
• Mary Ellen Desmond's Comfort & Joy Concert 2022 (December 11)
• Equipment and Commercial Vehicle Auction (December 13)
• Holiday Shopping Event (December 14)
• Holiday Divine Desserts & Trivia Par-Tea (December 17)
• Add your event

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You're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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