iradiophilly | News - Melrose Diner Fire, To Reopen Sooner; School Board Apologizes, Accepts $22k Offer; 15yo Shot in AC

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Melrose Diner Fire, To Reopen Sooner; School Board Apologizes, Accepts $22k Offer; 15yo Shot in AC

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 07/25/19 6:02 pm | updated: 07/25/19 6:02 pm

Fire broke out at the popular Melrose Diner in South Philadelphia during dinner time on Wednesday evening, 7/24. The landmark 24/7 restaurant is located at the crossroads of 15th, Snyder, and Passayunk. The fire started just before 6 p.m. near a vent. Employees tried to put it out with water until firefighters arrived. Everyone was evacuated. The fire was quickly contained. It is believed to have been an electrical fire, but fire officials are still investigating. There were no injuries. Michael Petrogiannis, owner of the diner, believes he can have the diner up and running again by next week. Melrose normally operates 24/7 and only closes on Christmas. Petrogiannis owns several Philadelphia businesses, including the Broad Street Diner at Broad and Ellsworth. Employees will be relocated to that restaurant during reconstruction.

A Northeastern Pennsylvania school board president that sent out a threatening letter to parents who have not paid school lunch bills has now apologized for that letter. "The Wyoming Valley West School District Board of Directors sincerely apologizes for the tone of the letter that was sent regarding lunch debt. It wasn't the intention of the district to harm or inconvenience any of the families of our school district," a statement reads. The initial letter threatened to send children to foster case if parents didn't pay the bill.

Wyoming Valley West School Board president Joseph Mazur also stated that they would accept the $22,000 offer from Todd Carmichael, CEO of Philadelphia-based La Colombe Coffee Roasters, to offset all the remaining lunch debt. Mazur had initially rejected Carmichael's offer saying that the money is owed by parents that could afford to pay, while Carmichael said his offer was "irrespective of affluence, irrespective of need, he just wants to wipe away this debt." The school board's statement on Thursday, 7/25, states, "We would like to acknowledge Mr. Todd Carmichael's generous offer. We have been in touch with Michael Plaksin, president of the Wyoming Valley West Educational Foundation (previously established to benefit the students of our district). After discussions with Mr. Plaksin and all members of the Wyoming Valley West School Board, we have decided to accept Mr. Carmichael's generous donation. It will be directed to the Wyoming Valley West Educational Foundation to eliminate the debt owed by the parents." Carmichael wants each parent to be contacted and told their debt has been paid off. For the next five years, Wyoming Valley West School District qualifies for the Community Eligibility Provision. All students will receive free breakfast and lunch regardless of income level.

Read Wyoming Valley West School Board President Joseph Mazur's statement

A 15-year-old girl was shot and killed early Thursday morning, 7/25, in Atlantic City. It happened around 4:15 a.m. at an apartment building on the 100 block of South Massachusetts Avenue. Police responded to a 911 call after neighbors heard a scream and found the girl shot to death on the top floor. Her identity has not been released. An autopsy will be performed on Thursday. Investigators are treating this as a homicide, but no other details have been released. The tenant of that apartment was evicted and had moved out on Wednesday, 7/24. It was a middle aged woman and no teens had lived with her. If you have any information contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Major Crime Unit at 609-909-7666.

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