iradiophilly | News - Philly to Vaccine All Teachers in City; Chuck Peruto to Run For District Attorney; Arcade Fire Cause

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Philly to Vaccine All Teachers in City; Chuck Peruto to Run For District Attorney; Arcade Fire Cause

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 02/08/21 9:58 pm | updated: 02/08/21 9:58 pm

The City of Philadelphia announced that it is partnering with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on a coronavirus COVID-19 vaccination program to inoculate teachers, principals, and staff members at all schools in Philadelphia. The program will include staff at all district, charter, independent, and parochial schools plus child care centers and pre-K providers, including classroom aides and cafeteria workers. The vaccines will start at the end of February with locations around the city including pop-up clinics at school buildings. Details are still being worked out.

"As we near the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, getting children back into classrooms throughout the city is vitally important to their future," said Mayor Jim Kenney. "So I am absolutely thrilled to see Children's Hospital of Philadelphia stepping up in a major way for our children. While I fully support Dr. Hite's plan to have students back in classrooms the week of February 22, this vaccination program will go a long way to easing the concerns that teachers have expressed. It is imperative that our children get back to in-person learning, and every Philadelphian should be thankful that CHOP is able to offer its resources and expertise for this crucial effort."

"The implementation of a vaccination program for our staff is welcome news to complement the many layers of safety we've already put in place in our school buildings," saidÂ William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D., Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia. "We are thankful for this initiative that prioritizes our employees, and look forward to supporting the implementation of this plan as we continue with our plan to return our staff and students back to school."

SEE ALSO: Childrenâ€™s Hospital of Philadelphia to Assist City in COVID-19 School Vaccination Program

Getting children back into classrooms is vitally important to their future. Thrilled to announce that @ChildrensPhila will assist @PHLPublicHealth in a new COVID-19 vaccination program to inoculate teachers, principals, and staff at all Philly schools. https://t.co/bH7JlCLTDK
— Jim #MaskUpPHL Kenney (@PhillyMayor) February 8, 2021

High profile defense attorney Chuck Peruto announced that he will be running for Philadelphia District Attorney as a Republican candidate in the primary election. He will most likely be unopposed. Current DA Larry Krasner will face retired prosecutor Carlos Vega in the Democratic primary. Peruto said he would pull out of the race if Vega defeats Krasner this May. Peruto has represented clients such as reputed mob boss Joey Merlino and convicted serial murderer Gary Heidnik. He was also under investigation in 2013 when a former girlfiend was found dead in his Rittenhouse Square condo. A grand jury found "no evidence of criminal activity." Vega worked for the district attorney's office for 35 years.

Both Peruto and Vega are calling out the city's near record high murder and shooting rate. "Over 500 murders, well over 2,000 shootings. We have to address that issue because I think we can make our city safe, and bring in certain change because reform is needed, but not at the expense of safety," said Vega.

"If you shoot into a crowd, shoot on our streets, you're not going to get bail. If a judge doesn't want to side with us, we appeal that judge and you appeal again and you appeal again," said Peruto.

Officials in Ocean City, NJ, say that the cause of the fire that destroyed an arcade and other businesses along the boardwalk last month was accidental. The fire on January 30 destroyed Playland's Castaway Cove arcade and offices, Hamburger Construction Company restaurant, and Dairy Queen. An undetermined electrical source near the front of the building was the cause of the fire. Investigators used a variety of forensic evidence in the determination including fire alarms, photos and videos, eyewitness accounts, and an excavation of the fire remains. No one was inside the building at the time. It was being used to store amusement parts for the winter. Playland's Castaway Cove plans to rebuild. The rest of the park was untouched.

SEE ALSO: ATF Investigates Playland Fire
SEE ALSO: Playland's Castaway Cove Fire, Ocean City