iradiophilly | News - Mummer's Canceled, Protest Instead; Man Killed in Crash; Wolf Proposes $145M Deal; Gritty OK at Game

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Mummer's Canceled, Protest Instead; Man Killed in Crash; Wolf Proposes $145M Deal; Gritty OK at Game

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 12/23/20 3:02 pm | updated: 12/23/20 3:02 pm

The Mummer's Parade is officially canceled this year, but some revelers are planning to hold a New Year's Day 'protest' parade on 2nd Street in South Philly instead. In July, Philadelphia issued a moratorium on all large scale public events through February 2021. The Mummer's Parade has been held annually since 1901. Despite the official canceling of the event, many will be taking to the streets and exercising their first amendment rights. Several thousand people have responded to a Facebook event announcing the protest (see below). "We would urge them not to go out there and put themselves at risk and their families at risk for one year. We can hopefully get this under control, come back better next year and have a really good celebration," Mayor Kenney said. "Certainly people have a right to protest and we'll try to keep them safe."

SEE ALSO: Mummers/New Year's Day Peaceful Protest Against Mayor Kenney

Statement from the String Band Association pic.twitter.com/JHBcYRrujb
â€” Phila String Band Association (@PhilaStringBand) December 22, 2020

A man was killed after being ejected from his car in single vehicle crash near the Platt Bridge just before noon on Wednesday, 12/23. It happened at 11:30 a.m. at Island and Penrose Avenues in Southwest Philadelphia. The driver was in a grey Honda Civic and heading westbound off of the bridge when he hit a barrier. The driver was thrown from the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:55 a.m. Police are investigating the crash.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf proposed on Wednesday, 12/23, to appropriate $145 million from a worker's compensation fund to help businesses affected by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. He wants to "make funds available to help businesses whose operations and revenue were significantly affected by the pandemic." The Republican-led House and Senate would have to vote on the proposal to approve the spending. There is no deal currently in place. The money would come from the Insurance Department's Worker's Compensation Security Fund which is financed by premiums on workers' compensation insurance policies. The funds would be distributed as grants to businesses most affected by the pandemic including restaurants, bars and gyms. Republican legislators have blamed Wolf's pandemic policies for business' hardships and have sought to ease restrictions to help businesses get back on track. Wolf says the restrictions are necessary for public health and safety. "I urge the General Assembly to take action as soon as possible to get this money into the hands of the business owners and workers who need it," Wolf said. "The money is available and ready to be distributed and our businesses can't afford to wait."

SEE ALSO: Gov. Wolf Initiates Transfer of $145 Million in Funds to Support Businesses Adversely Affected by COVID-19 Pandemic

Sports
When NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced earlier this week that the 2021 season would start on January 13 there was no mention of mascots being allowed in the arenas during games. Fans will not be permitted to attend games at the start of the season due to the pandemic. Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty took exemption at the scoff and launched a change.org petition seeking to be allowed inside the Wells Fargo Center during games this coming year. On Wednesday, the orange one announced that the NHL has granted him arena access by saying, "I'm Back."

The petition read in part, "Without me, where is the joy? Where is the artistry? Where is the downright tomfoolery that delicately balances with the on-ice battles and displays of athletic prowess? One cannot simply exist without the other," Gritty's petition reads. "I promised the world at the brink of quarantine that I would be the orange light of hope and those plans haven't changed. As a mascot, I have a duty, a responsibility, and I simply ask that you open your hearts to grant me permission to do what I love for the sport you all love. Let's get weird."

We did it. pic.twitter.com/ah52okSxPc
â€” Gritty (@GrittyNHL) December 23, 2020

So this is what YOU are going to do for ME. Itâ€™s time to put your e-signature where your mouth is. https://t.co/OMy2aI7FLc
â€” Gritty (@GrittyNHL) December 21, 2020