🌱 Gunfire at Lawncrest Rec + Injection Site Battle + Green Drops Run

Hello again, friends! It's me, Patty-Pat Kozlowski, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now, including...

• Gunfire erupted outside the Lawncrest Rec Center on Thursday afternoon.
• Non-profit Safehouse is trying to open heroin injection sites in the city. Residents are fighting to block them.
• Former City Councilman Derek Green has suspended his mayoral campaign.

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But first, today's weather:

Very warm. High: 86 Low: 61.

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Here are the top three stories in Philadelphia today:

1. Just one day after the city of Philadelphia introduced "security camera safe zones" in City rec centers and playgrounds to deter crime and gun violence, bullets ring outside the Lawncrest Rec Center. Police confirm the gunshots at Rising Sun Avenue and Comly Streets and have made no arrests. There have been over 300 shootings at or near parks, playgrounds and rec centers in the past five years. (6abc Philadelphia)
2. Community groups and elected officials in Philadelphia want a seat at the table as heroin injection sites try to open in the city's neighborhoods. Safehouse, the non-profit that has been behind the safe injection site project is in settlement talks with the Department of Justice. Community activists and residents opposed to the project say they've been shut out and side-stepped because of their stance. (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
3. Another mayoral candidate calls it a day. Derek Green, the former city councilman has suspended his run for Philadelphia mayor. Green, an attorney and small businessman, championed children with special needs and autism. He started as a legislative aide, working his way up to City Council. He did not endorse an opponent yet. (NBC 10 Philadelphia)

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Today in Philadelphia:

• Club Day - Keystone Academy Charter School (12:00 AM)
• High School SGA Dodgeball - Julia R Masterman (12:00 AM)
• High School Talent Show - MAST Community Charter School (12:00 AM)
• Eamon Ore-Giron: Black Medallions, No Gold (4:00 AM)
• AACC Mayoral Candidates Forum: The State of Black Business in Philadelphia (8:00 AM)
• The Anomalous Saxophone Quartet - Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (3:30 PM)
• Jazz at The Village with Snacktime - Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (4:00 PM)
• Baseball @ Cranberry - Keystone Academy Charter School (4:15 PM)
• Softball @ Cranberry - Keystone Academy Charter School (4:15 PM)
• Benjamin Franklin Death and Taxes Tour (5:00 PM)
• Alphonso Horne & Gotham Kings - Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (5:30 PM)
• Community Paint Day for Mann Rivera Mural (5:30 PM)
• Live Music at Time Whiskey Bar & Taproom (6:00 PM)
• Bumpin' Bride - Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (6:00 PM)
• SONNY ROLLINS AND CHARLIE PARKER TRIBUTE (6:00 PM)
• Free Master Class: Connie Han - Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (6:00 PM)
• Arts Access TV - Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (6:00 PM)
• Tom Moon's Love Room - Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (7:00 PM)
• Beau Django - Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (7:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Hey Buddy, can you spare a dime? How about $750,000 worth? Only in Philly, a tractor trailer driver picks up a shipment of dimes from the U.S. Mint. He parks the trailer in a Walmart parking lot and goes home to sleep before his hauling trip. He forgets this is Philadelphia. (Fox News)
• Did they get free shipping with Amazon Prime? When Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie Scott divorced, she left the marriage a billionaire and vowed to give away most of her fortune to charity. Kensington's nonprofit Maternity Care Coalition just was awarded $3 million from her. (WPVI-TV)
• We go on our phones to order pizza, tacos, groceries, car share rides, doggie outfits and book vacations. So how does a Temple University student look for a kidney donor? On her phone through social media! (CBS Philly)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! See you tomorrow for another 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