iradiophilly | News - Philadelphia Christmas Attractions Open; PA Supreme Court Dismisses GOP Suit; Speakeasy Busted

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Philadelphia Christmas Attractions Open; PA Supreme Court Dismisses GOP Suit; Speakeasy Busted

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 11/28/20 11:06 pm | updated: 11/28/20 11:20 pm

Philadelphia continues to open up attractions for the winter holiday season. As we come to the end of one of the most difficult years in most of our lifetimes, taking in some of the holiday spirit could raise our own. We must all still act prudently and safely as we enjoy the season. The advice of government officials at this time is to 'stay home,' so be aware of your risk. Most of the holiday attractions are outside and all have strict coronavirus COVID-19 guidelines. The Philadelphia Parking Authority has stopped enforcing meters and kiosks each Saturday at 11 a.m. through the end of the year. Safety violations will still be enforced. The Blue Cross RiverRink is now open at Penn's Landing. Masks are required and you must purchase timed tickets in advance to limit crowd size. The "Winter on Broad Street" light display is now open at the Wells Fargo Center. The parking lot has been transformed into a walkable winter wonderland full of light sculptures. Also, take a photo with 'Gritty Claus.' In addition to the Christmas Village in LOVE Park, the Philadelphia Holiday Market has returned next to City Hall. This market features vendors from the Philadelphia area. Masks and social distancing are required. The carousel is also back in the City Hall courtyard.

SEE ALSO: Philly Christmas Village Open

Philadelphia City Hall Christmas Tree LIVE Stream

Philadelphia City Hall Christmas Light Show LIVE Feed

On Saturday, 11/28, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court dismissed with prejudice a lawsuit brought by Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly and others last Saturday, 11/21, challenging the constitutionality of Pennsylvania's young universal mail-in ballot law. The plaintiffs sought to have the over 2.5 million mail-in ballots cast in the 2020 election thrown out or to ditch all election results and allow the state legislature to select electors. On Wednesday, 11/25, Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia McCullough ordered the stoppage of any further certification of election results pending the result of the lawsuit. The Presidential election had already been certified on Tuesday, 11/24, but smaller races around the state we still pending. Governor Wolf's administration appealed McCullough's order to the PA Supreme Court saying, "There is no conceivable justification for the lower court's issuance of such an order in this case." The PA Supreme Court did not rule on the constitutionality of the law (Act 77 of 2019), but rather relied on the 'doctrine of latches' to dismiss the case. Basically, the plaintiffs waited too long to challenge the law and only did so when it would benefit them.

"Petitioners filed this facial challenge to the mail-in voting statutory provisions more than one year after the enactment of Act 77. At the time this action was filed on November 21, 2020, millions of Pennsylvania voters had already expressed their will in both the June 2020 Primary Election and the November 2020 General Election and the final ballots in the 2020 General Election were being tallied, with the results becoming seemingly apparent. Nevertheless, Petitioners waited to commence this litigation until days before the county boards of election were required to certify the election results to the Secretary of the Commonwealth." See full decision below.

The order halting certification of election results has also been lifted.

SEE ALSO: PA Appeals Court Halts Vote Certification

Two suspects are in custody after a police chase that started in Bucks County and ended in Philadelphia on Friday afternoon, 11/28. 28-year-old Eric Meehan from Philadelphia and Ashley Blair from Holland, Bucks County are charged with robbery of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, and other related offenses. It started around 3 p.m. when the pair stole a vehicle at the Chandler Hall Senior Center in Newtown Township. They struck and injured two pedestrians who worked at the senior center as they drove away. They attempted to car jack another person. Soon the suspects' car became disabled. A good Samaritan stopped to offer help and they stole his car. An alert was sent out to all nearby agencies. They were finally stopped near Orthodox Street in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Police broke up an alleged illegal speakeasy in the Frankford neighborhood on Friday night, 11/27. Neighborhood complaints led them to the 4200 block of Leiper Street. The building appeared to be an auto body shop from the outside. Once inside, authorities discovered a gambling and prostitution ring. Police have not released any further details at this time.