Monica Evans: Latest News

PORT RICHMOND - People all over the world are wrapping up a holy weekend. From Easter to Passover to Ramadan, there are different traditions to celebrate.R&R Produce and Garden Center on Allegheny and Aramingo in Port Richmond had a steady stream of people trying to find flowers for the holiday."What are the popular things people are buying," asked FOX 29’s Monica Evans."Geraniums, hyacinths, the palm crosses, the grave markers and the crosses," Manager Dave Trautz answered.Trautz says business is good and he’s selling lots of grave markers."They sell good," Trautz stated."Are they artificial or live plants," Evans inquired."Artificial.

SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA - A grandfather and his five-year-old grandson were shot inside a car at a gas station in Southwest Philadelphia.The shooting happened near a gas station at the intersection Passyunk Avenue and South 61st Street about 5:45 Saturday evening, according to officials. Philadelphia police say they believe three people were inside a car when it was sprayed with bullets before crashing into a barrier in front of a gas pump.Detectives say a 71-year-old man is in critical condition after being shot in the leg and his five-year-old grandson is in stable condition after being shot in the shoulder.Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F.

PHILADELPHIA - Child care services in Philadelphia and beyond are being impacted by staffing shortages that have left classrooms empty and working parents desperate to find alternatives. Kyesha Moody, the Director of Brightside Academy in Southwest Philadelphia, said finding qualified staff that understands child development and the difficulties facing the profession has been hard.The school, located on Woodland Avenue, had nine empty classrooms when FOX 29's Monica Evans visited the building on Tuesday. Mai Miksic from Children First advocacy group said on average a kindergarten teacher will earn $40k a year, which is double the amount of what an early childhood education teacher with similar skills makes. She believes the low pay for qualified staff, paired with childcare fees billed to parents is putting a burden on our economy. The costs for a child and infant, Miksic explained, can cost as much as $1,600-$1,700 a month, or $20k per year. "Parents work in every sector from healthcare to education to restaurants, so the economy isn't going to recover fully unless we solve this child care crisis," Miksic said.

PHILADELPHIA - A breast cancer diagnosis turned a daughter's love for her mother and passion for sewing into a hobby that helps women recovering from the disease.When Katelynn Devinney's mother was recovering from breast cancer she, like many other women, had to deal with the discomfort of drains and how to keep the cords comfortable under her clothing, so Katelynn came up with a plan. After a mastectomy in January doctors put drains in Patricia Fitt's chest to allow her body to get rid of excess fluid. MORE LOCAL HEADLINES"The drains will pull. They tug at your skin, they hurt," Patricia told FOX 29's Monica Evans. During recovery, Patricia says she was given a sweatshirt with pockets to put the drains in and wanted another one, but they were very expensive.