Philadelphia City: Latest News

PHILADELPHIA - Law enforcement sources tell FOX 29 that a teenage girl was assaulted Monday evening at a Broad Street Line SEPTA stop by a group who stole her cell phone. According to a source, a 17-year-old girl exiting the Girard Avenue stop around 5 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA - The federal government opened its bribery trial against Philadelphia City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and his wife Dawn Chavous by accusing the pair of selling Johnson’s office for personal gain.Johnson, who represents the 2nd. Council District which includes parts of Center City, South and Southwest Philadelphia, is accused of taking more than $66k in bribes disguised as fees paid to his wife’s consulting company.Federal prosecutors claim Johnson pressed for a zoning change to help increase the sale price of the former Royal Theater on South Street.

PHILADELPHIA - A small street in the Germantown section of Philadelphia is causing big problems for neighbors who say an ongoing construction project has turned it into one of the most dangerous in the city. The 5500 block of Morton Street is a one-way road, adorned with the proper signage that warns motorists not to enter through the wrong side. Still, residents say a parade of cars is often spotted driving against the grain."Pretty much every time I come down, I hear someone coming up the wrong way," one resident said. The problem started last Fall when the Philadelphia Water Department began a sewer repair project on Church Lane, a road that intersects with Morton Street, Baynton Street and Belfield Avenue.In the months since, several streets have closed and caused a traffic nightmare that has subsequently sent some puzzled motorists up Morton Street."It's a mess, it's just one big mess, especially when they come the wrong way," Cynthia Frisby said. When drivers aren't heading the wrong way, some are speeding.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia City Councilman Bobby Henon has announced his resignation, effective at 8 a.m. Thursday morning. Henon's resignation comes months after he was convicted on multiple counts in a weeks-long corruption trial. During the trial, prosecutors said Philadelphia labor leader Johnny "Doc" Dougherty kept Henon, a union electrician-turned-Philadelphia City Council member, on the payroll to help his union keep a tight grip on construction jobs. During the six-week trial, the government played wiretaps of the pair speaking about Dougherty’s interest in issues before city council.Henon was convicted of 10 counts, including conspiracy, bribery and honest services wire fraud.

PHILADELPHIA - The corruption trial of union boss John Dougherty and Philadelphia City Councilmember Bobby Henon went to the jury for deliberations Wednesday, after a brief COVID-19-related delay on Tuesday. Federal Judge Jeffrey Schmehl revealed Tuesday that a juror had tested positive for COVID-19, and there was no court as a result.  The trial comes two years after federal prosecutors brought a sprawling 116-count indictment against Dougherty, Henon and several members of the local electricians union.

PHILADELPHIA - Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of union boss John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty and Philadelphia City Councilman Bobby Henon. They were both indicted back in 2019 as part of an extensive years-long investigation into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98.RELATED COVERAGEFederal prosecutors say Dougherty bought Henon's vote and used the power of his office to stop his opponents and enact policy in his favor.Councilman Henon, a former union official, got a $70,000 union salary to press Dougherty's interests at City Hall, officials said in an unsealed indictment.