I-95 collapse: Officials announce plan to backfill, pave damaged Philadelphia section to open temporary path

BURLINGTON, N.J. - Lightning strikes from a pair of June thunderstorms are being blamed for sparking two forest fires in Burlington County, officials announced Tuesday. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the extremely rare phenomenon started the Acorn Hill wildfire in the Woodland Township area on June 16, and the Flatiron forest fire in Medford on June 3. While both wildfires were started by lightning strikes, fire investigators say the spread in different ways. Each wildfire consumed over 200 acres of woodland.Investigators found the Acorn Hill wildfire started through what's known as a "holdover fire" where a fire burns inside a lightning-struck tree for several days before it ignites other vegetation.

PHILADELPHIA - A young man is dead and another is injured after a shooting Tuesday afternoon in West Philadelphia, according to police.Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 5200 block of Walnut Street just after 3 p.m.

An arrest was made after police say a man was shot in the head in broad daylight on the front porch of a Philadelphia home Tuesday afternoon.Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to a property on the 2000 block of Scattergood Street just before 3 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA - A 17-year-old is critically injured after police say a shooting erupted inside a house in West Philadelphia Tuesday afternoon.Officers found the teen girl in the living room when responding to the 5500 block of Media Street shortly before 1 p.m.She suffered a gunshot to her cheek, and was transported by police to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in critical condition.MORE HEADLINES:No arrest has been made, and no weapon recovered.

PHILADELPHIA - A man police say set a fire that spread on a Center City street last month is being sought for arson.The fire ignited on the 300 block of North Broad Street on May 13, then spread to a commercial theater company nearby.The building suffered significant damage, according to authorities.MORE HEADLINES:Police say they are seeking a man, age 30-35, in connection with the fire.He was spotted on surveillance footage with a beard and multiple tattoos. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Kesha is getting candid about her wellbeing.

Bebe Rexha was rushed off the stage during her concert in New York on Sunday after she was hit in the face with a fan’s cellphone.In a video clip shared to social media, Rexha is seen performing in a pink, sparkly corset with matching trousers when a phone is hurled from the crowd and bounces off the 33-year-old singer’s head.Rexha, whose real name is Bleta Rexha, clutched her face as she turned her back to the audience and collapsed to her knees.Several crew members are then seen emerging from the wings to escort Rexha backstage as the crowd chanted her name. Other audience members shouted “That’s assault” when security intervened and pulled the man who allegedly threw the phone over the stage’s barrier.Alex Chavez, a fan who shared footage of Rexha’s injury, wrote the incident “ruined” an otherwise “great show.”Absolutely great show ruined by a fan throwing their phone at @BebeRexha hopefully she is ok after that pic.twitter.com/4eBScgurv5— Alex Chavez (@captiv_8_) June 19, 2023TMZ reported Rexha needed three stitches to close the wound on her face.The phone was thrown during Rexha’s concert at the Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York as part of her Best F’n Night of My Life tour.

Lunch at the Aloma Elementary School cafeteria on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017.

PHILADELPHIA - As the search continues for a missing bartender, a local organization is offering a reward for information. Police say 48-year-old Wey Um was walking home from work at the Oxford Tavern on the 900 block of E Godfrey Avenue on March 31 when he was abducted. According to investigators, a witness said as Um walked down the street, a black SUV pulled up next to him, two men got out and forced him inside the vehicle at gunpoint.  Related A witness told investigators two men got out of an SUV that pulled up next to the man and forced him inside the vehicle at gunpoint before driving off."There is no trace of him," Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said in March. "There's no phone calls.

FILE IMAGE - A passenger aircraft as seen taxiing. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images) An airline has been fined $15,625 following an incident late last year at Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama, where a ground crew worker died after she was "ingested" into an airplane engine.The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined Piedmont Airlines, an American Airlines subsidiary, after investigators determined the airline was at fault in the New Year's Eve death of Courtney Edwards, a ground agent for Piedmont Airlines.An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that Edwards, a 34-year-old mother of three, approached American Airlines Flight 3408 after it had recently landed when she was sucked into the plane's engine.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Police Department is investigating two shootings that took place at separate Airbnb house parties in the city on Monday night. Three teenagers were shot at two separate Airbnb house parties in Philadelphia, police say. FOX 29's Steve Keeley has the details.According to authorities, the first shooting erupted inside a property on the 2200 block of Amber Street in the Kensington section of the city around 10 p.m.Police say responding officers found an 18-year-old man with two gunshot wounds to the abdomen.

WILMINGTON, De. - A local non-profit and the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni Association teamed up to gift a custom bicycle to a young girl who suffered traumatic brain injuries after surviving a hit-and-run.Divinity McFarland, 6, was among three children and an adult struck by a driver in a stolen truck while crossing theintersection of 56th and Vine streets last September.McFarland was admitted to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in critical condition, and spent the next five months hospitalized until she was able to return home in February. Nearly 10 months after the life-changing incident, local non-profit Help Hope Live and the Philadelphia Flyers gifted Divinity a custom tricycle worth $6,000. "This bike will grow with her, it will stay with her for a lifetime, and she will get to be a kid just like all of us," Kelly Green from Help Hope Live said. "She's going to have a great summer on this bike."Divinity's traumatic injuries suffered in the hit-and-run made it impossible for her to ride a regular bike. "It means a lot because since it's getting warmer all the kids are outside playing, and she wants to play along with them and ride with them," Divinity's aunt, Elsie Johnson, said.Help Hope Live is a FOX 29 partner.

PHILADELPHIA - The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) hosted a Juneteenth Block Party and Free Museum Day."The true second Independence Day in our nation’s history where those that were enslaved, albeit after the emancipation proclamation were officially told that they were free on the island of Galveston, Texas," said Morgan Lloyd, program coordinator and lead guide for the AAMP.The theme for this year’s celebrations are "Liberation Rising" and featured music, dancing and education on the significance of June 19, 1865 and the ending of slavery in America.People of all ages and backgrounds lined up outside to visit the museum for free on this holiday."I wanted to come and see what they have for today in celebration of Juneteenth. I felt like I needed to come down and be a part of this," said Janice Clark of Vineland.

PHILADELPHIA - Work continued Monday on the collapsed section of Interstate 95 in Northeast Philadelphia under the two-week deadline for reopening set by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. "We are getting it done here in Philly," Gov. Shapiro said at a briefing at Philadelphia International Airport after the flyover that included President Joe Biden and members of Congress.Large gray blocks of recycled glass chunks that will form the new base of I-95 at Cottman Avenue were seen on Monday, days after PennDOT shared an artist rendering of what the fix will look like.Retaining walls, which officials call "baskets," were built over the weekend to hold the recycled glass chunks.

PHILADELPHIA - Investigators with the Philadelphia Police Department are working to learn more about a crash in the city that left multiple people injured on Sunday night. Authorities say two vehicles were involved in the crash, which took place around 11 p.m. at the intersection of N Broad Street and W Erie Avenue. Officials say a 2010 Ford was going westbound on Erie Avenue when the driver drove through a red light and struck a 2005 Ford that was traveling southbound on Broad Street. The 2010 Ford then hit two pedestrians and knocked out a traffic light before coming to rest on the 1400 block of Erie Avenue.   FOX 29's cameras captured moments after the crash, where two cars could be seen damaged on the roadway. According to authorities, a 29-year-old man was driving the 2010 Ford.

WEST PHILADELPHIA - Sunday saw early celebrations around the Delaware Valley for a day enshrined in United States history. June 19th, or Juneteenth, marks when the last enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were free.Just two years ago, the day was officially recognized as a federal holiday.

MAYFAIR - It’s been one week since a portion of I-95 collapsed in Northeast Philadelphia and incredible progress has been made since a tanker truck crashed and caught fire, leaving the northbound lanes in rubble.A live stream from PennDOT shows crews have been working around the clock to get temporary lanes built, so the major east coast highway can, at least, partially reopen. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro says he expects traffic to be moving within the next two weeks.There is no timeline for how long it will take to be permanently fixed, but people are optimistic about the progress, saying they would never have believed two weeks for a solution when the damage was so severe just one week ago.From the air Friday, a gaping hole as workers dropped glass aggregate along a wall.

LOGAN - A 26-year-old man has been hospitalized in critical condition after someone stabbed him repeatedly.The incident happened Sunday evening, just before 8 p.m., on the 800 block of North Warnock Street, in Philadelphia’s Logan neighborhood, officials said.The man was stabbed in the chest, arm, shoulder and the leg by an assailant inside a residence.Police rushed him to Jefferson Hospital where he was listed in critical condition.An active investigation into the stabbing is ongoing, though no weapon has been found and no arrests have been made.___Tips can be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477) or texting PPD TIP (773847). Tips can also be submitted anonymously online, here.

MIFFLINTOWN, Pa. - Officials are expressing shock and sadness at the death of one state trooper and the critical wounding of another hours apart in central Pennsylvania over the weekend.Police in Juniata County said a man engaged troopers at about 12:45 p.m. Saturday near the Lewistown barracks and shot one trooper, who was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. Authorities found the man shortly before 3 p.m.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, N.J. - Three teenagers were on the front porch of a South Jersey home when police say a suspect fatally opened fire, then fled the scene.Officers responded to the 100 block of Oxford Street late Saturday night to find the three shooting victims.Two of the victims, a 16-year-old female and 17-year-old male, were pronounced dead at the scene.MORE HEADLINES:A 17-year-old male was also shot, and transported to a local hospital in stable condition.Police say the deadly shooting was a "targeted assault" by an unknown suspect, who is still on the run.Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

PHILADELPHIA - Three more victims struck by gunfire as another weekend shooting erupted in a Philadelphia neighborhood early Sunday morning.Several shots were fired shortly after 1 a.m.

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA - Gunshots pierced the calm South Philadelphia evening as four people, including a 4-year-old child, were the victims of gun violence.The shooting happened Saturday night, just before 8 p.m., on the 1700 block of South Ringgold Street, in South Philly, officials said.Three adults and the child were all shot on the street. Philadelphia police and first responders were on the scene within minutes of the gunfire.MORE HEADLINES:The 4-year-old boy is in critical condition at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center after sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest.The adult victims are all stable and at Penn Presbyterian.Police say an active investigation is underway.

MIFFLINTOWN, Pa. - Two state troopers were shot, one of whom was killed, in central Pennsylvania on Saturday, authorities said.Officials with the Pennsylvania State Police said one trooper encountered an armed person sometime around 12:45 Saturday afternoon near Mifflintown in Juniata County.The trooper was shot and wounded and taken to a hospital for treatment. The trooper was said to have serious injuries.Authorities said the suspect was located at about 2:45 p.m.

Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the U.S., Americans are set to gather this weekend at events filled with music, food and fireworks. President Joe Biden signed legislation in 2021 to make June 19 the nation’s 12th federal holiday. "Juneteenth" calls back to June 19, 1865 – the day the last enslaved people in the United States learned they were free. On that day, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to order freedom for the enslaved Black people in the state.

(File photo) Bush plane delivers essential provisions needed for survival in the wilderness and most remote parts of the country, Alaska. (Photo By: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Bush pilot Jim Tweto, known for his starring role in the Discovery Channel’s "Flying Wild Alaska" series, was killed along with a hunting and fishing guide from Idaho when their small plane crashed shortly after takeoff, Alaska State Troopers said.Tweto’s family-run rural aviation business in Unalakleet was featured in three seasons of the television series a decade ago.

ATLANTIC COUNTY, N.J. - A shooting in Atlantic County has prompted a death investigation by local law enforcement.Police responded to the 200 block of St. Louis Avenue in Egg Harbor around 5 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA - Police say two children were found on the scene of a shooting that erupted overnight in West Philadelphia.At least one shot was fired on the 200 block of 63rd Street shortly after midnight Saturday.A 27-year-old woman was taken to a local hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to her face. Police say a 25-year-old man was with her at the time. His connection to the shooting, as well as his relationship to the victim, is unclear at this time.MORE HEADLINES:Two boys, ages 4 and 6, were also taken to a local children's hospital, according to authorities.

PHILADELPHIA - President Joe Biden will tout his pro-labor bona fides on Saturday at his first major political rally since he formalized his reelection campaign, appearing alongside union members to make his case that his economic agenda is boosting the middle class.His campaign says Biden, who will appear at the Philadelphia Convention Center, will "lay out the core principles of his economic message" in his remarks. Biden also plans to talk about how a sweeping climate, tax and health care package he signed into law last year has cut the cost of prescription drugs and lowered insurance premiums, as his administration focuses on his achievements his first two years the centerpiece argument for his reelection.Prior to the campaign event, Biden is set to take an aerial tour of Interstate 95 after portions of the critical roadway collapsed a week ago, leaving resident and commuters in travel turmoil as crews work around the clock to reconstruct the now-demolished overpass.The president is expected to receive a briefing on emergency repair and reconstruction efforts before making remarks at Philadelphia International Airport.RELATED COVERAGE: I-95 collapse: Live camera shows real-time progress of interstate reconstructionSeveral of the nation's most powerful unions — including the AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — officially endorsed Biden's campaign ahead of the event.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A Pennsylvania State trooper is under investigation after firing a weapon and hitting a motorist during a traffic stop.Officials say Allentown Police and troopers were conducting a highly visible "proactive traffic enforcement" in Allentown Friday evening, just after 5:30.A person was pulled over near South 3rd Street and West Union Street for a reported traffic violation. A trooper was said to have fired their assigned firearm during the stop, hitting the driver.The driver left the scene, driving onto South Carlisle Street, where the driver hit other vehicles before their own vehicle stopped on the 500 block of South Carlisle.The driver was taken to Saint Luke’s Hospital Fountain Hill for treatment.

SOCIETY HILL - Another Wawa is shutting its doors in Philadelphia, this time in Headhouse Square, amidst warnings about an increase in crime near South Street."It's really shocking," said Howard Wool. He’s talking about a warning some business owners say they received from the Society Hill Civic Association."This is a nice neighborhood. They got nice people here, but I guess it can happen anywhere in the city," he said.The alert warns of two strong-armed robberies in the last two days at an ATM at 2nd and Lombard.

Philadelphia Police Car PHILADELPHIA - A teen reported missing just before her high school graduation is home safe. Shalaya Porter, 18, was last seen June 5 on the 4600 block of Fairmount Avenue, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. Police say Porter was found Friday.Authorities say there is no criminal investigation and thank the public for their help in bringing Porter home.

PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. - The National Weather Service sent crews into Chester County, Pennsylvania and Burlington County, New Jersey to assess possible tornado damage, in the wake of severe weather Friday.As storms made their way into the Delaware Valley, a tornado warning was issued for Chester County just after 11 Friday morning. The storm was situated in northern Chester County and also contained the threat of quarter-sized hail.A second tornado warning was issued for southern Chester County, extending into Delaware County, around 11:30, with the same threat for quarter-sized hail.Burlington County’s tornado warning was issued around 1:30 Friday afternoon, and included Browns Mills, Pemberton, Buddtown and Country Lakes in the warning.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities are searching for a group of young men who they say have stolen several rental cars off the lots of major car rental companies at Philadelphia International Airport. Investigators say the pattern of thefts began in January, when groups of two-to-six people would sneak onto the rental car lots that are often protected by fences, gates, or barriers. Police believe the suspects have several methods of stealing the rental cars, including simply using the keys that were left inside the vehicles by some of the car rental companies.Investigators are looking into a series of thefts and robberies from car rental companies located near the airport.When the rental companies enhanced their security due to the thefts, police say the group resorted to threatening the parking lot attendant at gunpoint to open the exit gate. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESA video shared by the Philadelphia Police Department shows several vehicles lined up at the exit booth, when the driver of the first vehicle demands the gate to be opened at gunpoint.Authorities are searching for a group of young men who they say have stolen several rental cars off the lots of major car rental companies at Philadelphia International Airport. Four vehicles are seen on video driving through the open gate. Police estimate the suspects to be between 16 and 22-years-old, often wearing dark clothing and face masks.Frank Vanore Deputy Commissioner of Investigations with the Philadelphia Police Department held a briefing Friday and explained, "There’ve been 17 of the 23 that they’ve gotten away with recovered in Southwest Philadelphia area.

TACONY - Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Transportation is predicting progress will soon be seen at the collapsed section of I-95 as workers have begun to fill the gaping hole on the once-busy span.Friday morning, a large conveyor belt was angled over the opening in the highway while below workers drop the glass aggregate along a wall. From the air, the massive support beams are gone fully exposing the gaping hole to be filled and capped with pavement before traffic returns.The head of PennDOT, Michael Carroll, said workers were dropping the aggregate fill where the highway footings once were. "I consider it filling the hole," said Carroll.

PHILADELPHIA - A classic Philly moment unfolded on social media over the weekend as a northeast Philadelphia man went viral for his play-by-play account of the I-95 bridge collapse.Following an interview with FOX 29’s Marcus Espinoza, some are now referring to Peter McLaughlin as the ‘Mayfair Mayor.’He stopped by ‘Good Day Philadelphia’ on Thursday morning to share his experience the morning of the collapse, and how he’s handling the attention his interview garnered on social media. McLaughlin says he awoke on the morning of the collapse to dozens of messages from friends and family asking him about the accident and how close it was to his home on Cottman Avenue. A short time later, he found himself in front of a FOX 29 camera, describing his experience that morning. Before long, his face was all over social media."I started seeing quotes on the tweet, and what not, I was like, ‘oh cool.’" McLaughlin explained.

PHILADELPHIA - Emergency crews rescued a worker who became trapped in a trench after it collapsed in Philadelphia. Officials say rescue crews with the Philadelphia Fire Department responded to N American Street in the North Philadelphia section of the city just before 8 a.m.

BALA CYNWYD, Pa. - Investigators in Montgomery County are investigating a double shooting that left two men injured. According to authorities, officers with the Lower Merion Police Department responded to the 200 block of Asaphs Road in Bala Cynwyd shortly after 9 p.m.

Cessna aircraft, which he operated on June 9th, his 14th birthday, for his first solo-manned flight out of Brampton Flight Centre and Flying Club. Distler isn’t eligible to drive, but he can man a vehicle thousands of feet off the ground — and comfortably.The age to fly an aircraft solo in Canada is 14, and there’s training required before you can eventually take off.

PHILADELPHIA - Investigators with the Philadelphia Police Department are working to learn more about a violent shooting that left one person critically injured. Authorities say the shooting erupted on the 400 block of W Lehigh Avenue on Tuesday night at 11:04 p.m. According to officials, a 26-year-old man was shot in the groin, buttocks and once in each thigh. He was transported to Temple Hospital by police, where he was placed in critical condition, authorities say.MORE LOCAL HEADLINESAccording to police, no arrests have been made and no weapons have been recovered. This is a developing story.

PHILADELPHIA - With classes officially over for public schools in Philadelphia, students will get a chance to cool off at dozens of pools opening across the city. According to the City of Philadelphia's Parks and Recreation Department, 61 public pools will be open this summer, despite a nationwide lifeguard shortage. The pools will offer free and mandatory swim lessons for thousands of campers. Leaders say the pool opening schedule will depend on staffing, with pools in close proximity operating on a split schedule to maximize access to all pools. Pool Opening Schedule: For more information on city pool openings, click here. 

Shalaya Porter, 18, was last seen Monday, June 5 on the 4600 block of Fairmount Avenue. PHILADELPHIA - A search is unfolding in Philadelphia for a missing teenage girl who police say vanished without a trace more than a week ago. Shalaya Porter, 18, was last seen June 5 on the 4600 block of Fairmount Avenue, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. Porter is described as five-foot-six, 120 pounds with brown eyes and black hair with a nose piercing.

11 April 2023, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Rostock: Two meerkats are on the move in the enclosure at the press event for the presentation of the new meerkat group at the zoo. The new family clan consists of one female and three males.

PHILADELPHIA - A recreation center in Philadelphia has been renamed in honor of a Parks and Recreation employee killed outside the facility last year. The Mill Creek Rec Center has been renamed the Tiffany Fletcher Rec Center to remember the slain Parks and Rec worker. Fletcher, a then 41-year-old mother of three, was fatally shot when she was caught in the crossfire of a shootout near the rec center in September.  Related According to authorities, the victim was a Mill Creek Rec Center employee and was working at the time of the shooting.She was remembered by many in the community as a hard-working employee who always wanted to help others. RELATED: 'I'm just devastated': More than 100 turn out to honor Parks and Rec employee shot and killedThe family of Tiffany Fletcher, the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation employee fatally shot outside of the Mill Creek Recreation Center, spoke publicly to thank the community for their support and plead for justice.In honor of Fletcher and the name change, the city will hold a renaming ceremony on Wednesday at 1 p.m. 

Chris Hemsworth isn’t going anywhere.

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia native and educator is on a mission to cultivate young leaders in STEM who look like her."One of my board members said this organization is a letter to my younger self," said Atiyah Harmon. "I was a math student, pretty strong, but I didn’t see a trajectory for what you would do if you loved math outside of being an accountant.