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🌱 Patch AM: Man Accused Of Sex Assault Tried To Board One-Way Flight From Philadelphia To Germany: Customs

Make time for Ukrainian Folk Festival 2026 on the Philadelphia Patch calendar

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Thursday August 20th Patch AM
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What's up Philadelphia! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Fugitive sex assault suspect stopped at Philadelphia airport departure gate
  • How a Mt. Airy schoolyard became a lush pollinator paradise
  • What changes will Philly see under its new managing director?

Also on today's calendar: Ukrainian Folk Festival 2026 and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, with a high of 82 and low of 68 degrees.
  • Friday: Some sun, then clouds; humid, temps: high: 82, low: 69.
  • Saturday: Humid with showers around, with a high of 77 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Man Accused Of Sex Assault Tried To Board One-Way Flight From Philadelphia To Germany: Customs (patch.com) — Travelers at Philadelphia International Airport saw a fugitive arrest this week when customs officers stopped a Maine man accused of sexual assault from boarding a one-way flight to Germany. Authorities say they confirmed his fugitive warrant at the gate, then turned him over to local police in the region for jailing and extradition back to Maine.
   

2. Mt. Airy school gets some love with bountiful garden (chestnuthilllocal.com) — Students at Henry H. Houston Elementary in Mt. Airy now learn in the middle of a 6,000-square-foot pollinator garden, thanks to years of volunteer work by neighbor Patrick Hauck and local groups. The Philadelphia school's grounds are filled with native plants, butterflies, and bees, serving as an outdoor classroom and community pride point, with organizers now seeking more experienced volunteers to sustain the project.
   

3. Carlton Williams faces new duties and challenges as Philly's new managing director (audacy.com) — Philadelphia's new managing director, longtime city official Carlton Williams, is now overseeing 36 departments as the city's chief operating officer. He says he'll be a visible, accessible presence in neighborhoods and emphasizes transparency, especially as he confronts public safety challenges like a recent off-duty officer shooting in Eastwick.
   

4. Penn State fraternity drug ring: Philadelphia ties revealed after over a dozen charged (fox29.com) — A major cocaine-trafficking investigation at Penn State now directly touches Philadelphia, with one defendant from the city and another from the greater metro area among fourteen people charged. Authorities describe a coordinated fraternity-linked operation, while a Temple law professor raises questions about how such a large campus drug network grew over time.
   

📸 Around Philadelphia

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Philadelphia

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Comcast Launches Xfinity Shield, Redefining Intelligent Home Protection —Alexandra Smith Read on Patch
  • Local Fairmount Artist launches new Print Shop —CRAIG STOVER Read on Patch
  • Planet Fitness, Inc. posted a job opening for Future Opening: Overnight Custodian (Part Time) in Philadelphia. Apply here.
  • The Dignify Solutions, LLC posted a job opening for Delivery Manager (BFSI) - Full Time (Onsite) in Philadelphia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Philadelphia here.

Ok Philadelphia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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