🌱 Tragedy In Sea Isle + Philly Supports Ukraine + Firefighter Injured

Hi, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through all the most important things happening locally. Today's briefing includes news about:

• A Philadelphia laborer is dead after a balcony collapse in Sea Isle City.
• Hundreds of supporters marched through Center City on Sunday marking the one-year anniversary of war in Ukraine.
• Philadelphia Firefighter Randy Ballinger of Ladder 13 was rushed to the hospital after falling from the roof of a two-story row home.

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But first, today's weather:

Rain and drizzle. High: 45 Low: 34.

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Here are the top three stories in Philadelphia today:

1. It was a tragedy in Sea Isle City when a balcony collapsed at the Spinnaker Condo Complex. Officials say a 43-year-old construction worker, Jose Pereira from Philadelphia, was fatally pinned and crushed under the 30-foot balcony, estimated to weigh between 11,000 and 15,000 pounds. (fox29.com)
2. On the one-year anniversary of Ukraine being attacked by Russia, hundreds of supporters including Ukraine-Americans marched in Philadelphia to show their support to the Ukraine Nation. "As we commemorate today, this horrible anniversary," said Iryna Mazur, the honorary consul to Ukraine in Philadelphia. "I want to remember the life of every Ukrainian who was killed, tortured, every Ukrainian child who cries today, every Ukrainian child who was killed by Russian bombs." (WHYY)
3. A rowhouse blaze in Kingsessing was the scene of a Philadelphia firefighter falling from the roof while trying to get the fire under control. Randy Ballinger, with Ladder 13 of the Philadelphia Fire Department, fell nearly 25 feet and suffered multiple injured requiring several surgeries. A GoFundMe has been started to help his family with the cost of medical bills already raising over $30,000. ( 6abc Philadelphia).

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Today in Philadelphia:

• Not A Typical Kid: A Support Group for Families of Children on the Autism Spectrum (6:00 PM)
• Monday Poets: Bill O'Connell and Robert Coles (6:00 PM)
• Human Relations Commission - Lansdowne Borough (6:30 PM)
• Board Meeting - Calvary Community Center (7:00 PM)
• KMA Meeting - Keystone Academy Charter School (7:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Don't cross these sisters. Does this sound like a TV comedy sitcom? Two sisters from Northeast Philly are crossing guards on the corner and both retired recently. Both sisters crossed paths on Bingham Street, where they worked block-by-block for the past 15 years. Here's to Mary and Sharon, thanks for keeping Philly kids safe! (6abc Philadelphia).
• You can finally swipe for a Vietnamese hoagie According to Billy Penn, Fu-Wah, the beloved West Philly hoagie shop, is now accepting credit cards after 40 years! (billypenn.com)
• Black Art Matters — just ask Lavett Ballard from Willingboro, N.J. Ballard was chosen to illustrate a Time Magazine cover to visualize the article, "Division & Destiny: How to Build A Truly American Democracy" by Isabel Wilkerson. But this isn't her first masterpiece-(6abc Philadelphia).

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— 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