🌱 Rep. Zabel Resigns + Center City Store Ransacked + $75K Burglary

Hello again, everybody! It's Thursday in Philadelphia and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally, including news about...

• A Pennsylvania state lawmaker submitted his resignation letter yesterday due to several sexual harassment accusations against him.
• Another attack in Center City is one of recent incidents that have involved a large group of teens causing violence and damage in Philadelphia's downtown.
• Three men stole $75,000 in cash from Northern Liberties apartment.

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But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 51 Low: 31.

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Here are the top three stories in Philadelphia today:

1. Democratic Rep. Mike Zabel of Delaware County resigned from the PA House of Representatives effective March 16. He has been accused by three women of sexual harassment. His resignation letter to Democratic Speaker Joanna McClinton now gives the chamber enough time to order that the vacancy be filled during the May primary. (cbsnews.com)
2. Center City Philadelphia seems to be the wild, wild west for violent teenagers causing damage and destruction. About 15-20 juveniles entered a hookah and smoke shop at 10th and Chestnut Streets and ransacked the store and assaulted the clerk while stealing merchandise. Police say it was just after 6 p.m. when two of them held the front door shut while the group tore through the shop, knocking over shelves and breaking items while robbing the store. (6abc Philadelphia)
3. Who keeps $75,000 in cash at home? An unlucky Northern Liberties apartment dweller, that's who. Police released video of three men, one tucking a firearm into his waistband, riding an elevator in a Brown Street apartment complex. The men use a key to enter an apartment and steal $75,000 in cash as well as clothing and other high-priced items. Their getaway car is a Dodge Charger. (fox29.com

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Today in Philadelphia:

• An Evening with New York (8:00 PM)
• Page Turners - Lansdowne Public Library (7:00 PM)
• Jazz Jam at World Cafe Live - Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (8:30 PM)
• NLM at Night: It is Better to Speak – A Women's History StorySlam (11:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Keep On Scratchin! Some lucky lotto player scratched off a $3 million dollar ticket in Frankford at the Sunny Cigarette shop on the 6400 block of Sackett Street.(FOX 29 Philadelphia)
• He was your favorite trashman but he won't be your favorite city councilmember. Philly Magazine reports on who made it onto the ballot and who didn't get enough signatures to run for office in Philadelphia. Terrill Haigler, the trash collector who got us through the pandemic with his activism, humor and straight talk could not get enough signatures. However take a look who got the MOST signatures for mayor. (archive.ph)
• Pawns in the Game is a new Irish/Italian mob book written by Fox Chase's Daniel Montvydas. Check out this great story in the Northeast Times about the St. Joe's Prep grad and Marine who also penned a novel called, Phighter while he was still in high school! (Northeast Times)

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