🌱 Shooting At Dendy Rec + SEPTA Dumps Key Card + Shooting, Car Chase

Good morning, friends. It's me, Patty-Pat Kozlowski, your host of the Philadelphia Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town. In today's issue, you'll find these stories and more...

• A 15 year-old boy was shot in the back at Dendy Rec Center.
• SEPTA is not continuing its Key Card Program after much frustration for its riders.
• A shooting near FDR Park set off a high speed chase on I-76.

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But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 78 Low: 50.

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Here are the top three stories in Philadelphia today:

1. Philadelphia Parks and Rec Centers are supposed to be safe zones. But there was nothing safe about the shooting of a 15 year-old boy at the Dendy Recreation Center in North Philadelphia yesterday afternoon. Police released the suspect's photo showing him wearing a face mask and riding a bicycle. The victim was rushed to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. ( 6abc Philadelphia)
2. Well, that was an expensive bus fare. After spending $236 milli0n on a costly credit card-like fare system that riders disliked and had several glitches, SEPTA is going back to the drawing board. The transit authority is researching a system that works with smart phone technology. (inquirer.com)
3. After shots were fired at FDR Park in South Philly, a high speed chase resulting in a car crash ended on I-76. Shots were fired around 2:50 a.m. Wednesday on the 1900 block of Pattison Avenue. A car chase ensued with both vehicles driving the wrong direction on the Schuylkill Expressway. After they collided, a 27 year-old man was found shot in the neck. Police also found 18 spent shell casings on the ground. (6abc Philadelphia)

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Today in Philadelphia:

• Liberty, Now and Then Speaker Series: Preempting Fate - Imagining Our Way Through Climate Change - POSTPONED (10:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• What's more Philly than the Franklin Institute? EVERY classroom took a field trip to the famous heart walkthru! Well, everybody's favorite school comedy did just that! 'Abbott Elementary' season 2 finale showcases Franklin Institute in Philadelphia (WPVI-TV)
• Hey, do you like Dalmatians? Good! Apply for this job. Philly's fire department is busy and looking to hire! (WHYY)
• Check out this story about Emmy-award winner Tammy Tuckey from Horsham, PA-she loves Disney so much that she just released her second Disney tunes album called, "Glowing in Timeless Places". It's a tribute to Disney theme park music! (6abc Philadelphia)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. See you all 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