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  • Iran and U.S. say a Strait of Hormuz deal is close, but one or both would have to back down

    Iran and U.S. say a Strait of Hormuz deal is close, but one or both would have to back down

    CAIRO — Iran said Wednesday it is in the “final stage” of drafting an agreement with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, and U.S. President Donald Trump has said a deal could be announced this week. That could potentially reopen the critical waterway, ease pressure on the world economy, and help bring an end to the war.

    But the agreement is likely to be contingent on the U.S. lifting its blockade on Iran’s ports. The Trump administration has previously ruled out any deal that would cement Iran’s grip over the strait, which would amount to a major loss for the U.S. and a break with global norms.

    Iran has insisted on some measure of control over the strait, saying it will not go back to being an open international waterway, as it was before the war.

    The U.S., along with Israel, launched the war on Feb. 28, citing various goals including toppling Tehran’s government and ending its nuclear program. Those have not been achieved, and the conflict has devolved into a fight over the strait as Iran’s assertion of control and attacks on shipping have ground traffic to a near-halt.

    Closure of the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas once passed, has driven up the price of fuel and basic goods, roiling the global economy. Trump is also under mounting pressure to end an unpopular war ahead of U.S. congressional elections.

    Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, said that the agreement with Oman is in the “final stage” of drafting, and that a joint statement will be issued “if certain parties do not obstruct this process,” apparently referring to the U.S.

    Regional officials say negotiators have finalized a draft

    Iranian and Omani negotiators have finalized the draft deal to reopen the strait and await final approval from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, two regional officials told the Associated Press on Wednesday. Khamenei is believed to have been wounded in the war’s opening strikes and has not been seen in public since then.

    The officials, who were briefed on the negotiations, portrayed the potential deal as a temporary solution to the dispute over the strait. They said it is tied to an agreement reached between the U.S. and Iran in June that aimed at ending the fighting and reopening the waterway but ultimately collapsed.

    The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private talks, said the potential deal will pave the way for the U.S. and Iran to resume negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program.

    Earlier, they had said the potential agreement would have ships enter the Persian Gulf through an Iranian-controlled route and exit through a route controlled by Oman. Service fees would be charged for providing security and preserving the maritime environment, the officials said.

    The U.S. has said it is strongly opposed to any arrangement that would see Iran charge fees.

    Trump said a deal to reopen the strait is close

    Trump was asked on Tuesday evening by reporters about a report on the Axios news site that an announcement on the strait could be made on Wednesday.

    “It could happen. Tomorrow or the next day,” Trump said. “A lot of progress has been made.”

    Oil prices initially eased but later inched up. Brent crude, the international standard, was around $80 per barrel on Wednesday — still well below the levels it hit at the height of the conflict.

    In recent days, Trump has alternately threatened massive strikes and voiced support for diplomatic efforts.

    Attacks on regional shipping continue

    The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed Wednesday they had fired ballistic missiles toward a Saudi oil tanker on the Red Sea off the Saudi port of Yanbu, without providing evidence. There was no immediate comment from Saudi Arabia.

    A vessel sailing in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen reported a loud explosion that happened in close proximity, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said Wednesday, adding that the crew was safe. The Houthis claimed to have fired a ballistic missile at another Saudi oil tanker.

    A recent escalation between the rebels and Saudi Arabia threatens to reignite Yemen’s civil war, which pitted the Houthis against a Saudi-led coalition supporting the country’s government.

    In July, the Houthis announced they were closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that leads to the Red Sea for Saudi-linked shipping. That puts additional pressure on international shipping since the Red Sea became a key alternative route for Saudi oil exports during the war.

    Israel and Hezbollah’s ceasefire increasingly shaky

    The shaky ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah grew more volatile Wednesday, as the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning to residents of the southern Lebanese village of Mansouri — the first such warning in weeks.

    Later, the Israeli military said it had begun conducting “precise strikes” in southern Lebanon in response to what it described as “a blatant violation of the ceasefire” that had largely held since June 20.

    The escalation came as Lebanese and Israeli negotiators met in Rome for a second day to discuss implementation of a deal under which Israeli forces are supposed to withdraw from areas they are occupying in southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament.

    A State Department official said the talks in Rome ended early “due to events on the ground” but could continue on Thursday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the diplomacy, said the discussions “were extremely productive.”

  • The best Jersey Shore farmers markets

    The best Jersey Shore farmers markets

    Farmers markets are more than just an alternative to grocery stores — they offer a direct line to local farmers, bakers, and artisans. Instead of buying a mass-market bag of greens, you can chat with the person who planted the seed and ask them questions about how they raise their vegetables. And what better way to experience the abundance of South Jersey produce and products than a beach-adjacent market?

    Here are seven weekly Shore markets worth a trip, from Wildwood to Ocean City.

    Margate Community Farmers Market

    Every Thursday morning from mid-June to early September, tables filled with fresh produce — cherries, peach cider, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, and more — populate the corner of Monroe and Amherst. There’s fun on offer, too: This year, the market hosted a peach pie contest and dog show.

    Thursdays, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Parking lot at corner of Monroe & Amherst Ave, Margate City

    West Cape May Farmers Market

    Located at the West Cape May’s Backyard Park, the borough’s late afternoon-to-evening farmers market runs June 23 until Aug. 25, rain or shine. While there are a plethora of fresh produce and local food vendors, the market also offers open mic from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by live music performances after 5 p.m.

    Tuesdays, 3 to 7:30 p.m.; 732 Broadway, West Cape May

    Sea Isle City Farmers Market

    From June to September, vendors descend on Sea Isle’s Excursion Park on Tuesday mornings.. Shop tomatoes, peaches, snap peas, and other seasonal finds from Al’s Produce. Pick up a monstera, peace lily, or an alocasia from Petals and Plants. Or grab a treat from Duck Donuts as you walk around. Other sellers at this year’s market include Telford, Pa. ‘s Nutty Novelties, art-kit expert the Crayon Lady, and Petersburg, N.J.’s Salt and Clover Sheep Farm.

    Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to noon; Excursion Park, Pleasure Avenue & JFK Boulevard, Sea Isle City

    Wildwood Farmers Market

    It’s the 13th season of the Wildwood Farmers Market, and this summer there are over 100 vendors attending, including artists and clothing retailers, plus weekly entertainment for the kids in attendance. There’s plenty of produce to choose from and baked goods to try, including gluten-free options. Grab an iced coffee or cold-pressed juice from one of the vendors and get lost among the booths selling hot sauces, jerkies, spice mixes, wines, sea glass art, and more. This market runs Saturdays till Labor Day, so get there while you can.

    Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 3400 Pacific Ave., Wildwood

    Brigantine Farmers Market

    Rain or shine, the Brigantine Community School parking lot plays host to the Brigantine Farmers Market every summer Saturday, until Sept. 5 this year. Munch on Kismet bagels and Duke’s Dogs hot dogs.Get Pickled pickles, and Maui Joe’s shaved ice as you shop from farm vendors like Nectar Flow Farm with mushrooms and berries, Recklesstown Farm Distillery’s craft spirits, and Sam Mento Farms with Hammonton blueberries.

    Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon; 205 Sheridan Pl., Brigantine

    Ventnor City Farmers Market

    Farmers market season in Ventnor runs from May 22 to Sept. 4. The market, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, takes place in the parking lot at St. James Church. With more than 80 farmers, food vendors, and crafters, this market is a great place for stocking up on fresh-cut flowers from Far & Away Flowers; grass-fed, free-range meats products from Giordano’s Family Farm; smoked salmon and pastrami from South Jersey Smoke House; and fruits and veggies from Peplowski Fruit Farms.

    Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to noon; 6421 Atlantic Ave., Ventnor

    Stone Harbor Farmers Market

    Every Sunday morning from Memorial Day until Sept. 20, vendors set up shop at Stone Harbor’s Water Tower Plaza. Fill up a tote with tomatoes, sunflowers, cherries, peaches, and other produce from vendors like The Potato Homestead, Springhouse Farms, and Brookeberry Farms; coffee bean bags from Harry & Beans Coffee and fresh squeezed lemonade from Twisted Lemonade Beverage Co.; and specialty foods like Pickle Girl Pickles, RSK Doughnuts, and Carlo’s Empanadas.

    Sundays, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 95th St. and 2nd. Ave., Stone Harbor

    Ocean City Farmers Market

    Wednesdays in Ocean City mean a stop at the farmers market. In the summer, local farmers and vendors sell cherries, peaches, cucumbers, and corn at the Tabernacle Grounds. There are also stalls offering tomato pies. Head to Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue for other items — think baby onesies and framed art. This market runs through mid-September.

    Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to noon; 550 Wesley Ave., Ocean City

  • China announces countermeasures against Washington, including controls on drone exports to the US

    China announces countermeasures against Washington, including controls on drone exports to the US

    BANGKOK — China announced a series of economic measures Wednesday against the United States, including controls on exports of drones to the U.S. and a ban on dealings with six American entities, in response to recent restrictions imposed by Washington.

    Tensions are simmering between the world’s two biggest economies ahead of an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S. in September, despite signs of warming ties during his meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing in May.

    The Commerce Ministry said the sanctions are in response to recent moves from the U.S., including a ban by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on imports of Chinese drones, and the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to add 43 Chinese companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act entity list to prevent imports of goods made with forced labor.

    The “measures seriously violate the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and severely damage China’s legitimate rights and interests. China has no choice but to take necessary countermeasures in response,” the ministry said in a statement.

    It emphasized that China was acting with restraint and urged the U.S. to scrap its measures against Beijing and cease its “erroneous practices.” It also warned of further sanctions if the U.S. rolls out new restrictive measures against China.

    Beijing is requiring reviews on a case-by-case basis of exports of unmanned aerial vehicles, their key components and related technologies that are on a list of export-controlled dual-use items that can serve both civilian and military purposes.

    Six U.S. entities, including Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and the non-governmental group Human Rights in China, were banned from engaging in trade or other activities with entities in China.

    China also banned a company called Compliance Testing LLC from engaging in business in China because it had worked with the FCC in “harming China’s sovereignty and security,” according to a separate statement from the Commerce Ministry.

    The ministry also said it was investigating the possible impact on national security of imported printing software and office equipment, but it did not name affected companies.

    The State Administration for Market Regulation announced that companies in the U.S. that conduct follow-up factory inspections on behalf of Chinese entities for CCC certification can no longer provide these certifications.

    CCC certifications are meant to ensure electronic products meet a basic safety standard. The new rule will oblige U.S. makers of certified electronics to hire auditors based outside of the U.S. or to rely on other non-U. S. designated bodies for such certifications.

    In December, the U.S. FCC banned the import of new Chinese drones, though it later revised that ban to allow for some models.

    Last week, it also announced bans on imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security risks, in a move that in effect targets China.

  • Fauci’s decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment tees up a legal debate and a contempt vote

    Fauci’s decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment tees up a legal debate and a contempt vote

    WASHINGTON — Anthony Fauci’s decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment before Congress will be put to the test this week as a Republican-led committee prepares to vote to hold him in contempt and refer the matter to the Justice Department.

    A contempt finding could open the door to an investigation into whether Fauci had a valid constitutional right against self-incrimination when he refused to answer dozens of questions from lawmakers at a committee hearing last week focused on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Republican senators including Rand Paul of Kentucky, who subpoenaed Fauci and has called a contempt vote for Thursday, insist that a pardon the doctor received early last year from Democratic President Joe Biden left him ineligible for Fifth Amendment protections. A Senate resolution released Tuesday asserts that Paul found Fauci’s privilege claims “unsupported.”

    But some legal experts say Fauci had reasons to invoke the Fifth Amendment, given the threat of potential state prosecutions and questions from President Donald Trump’s administration about the validity of Biden’s pardons. Any testimony from Fauci could have also prompted false-statement investigations like the ones the current Justice Department has repeatedly initiated against the Republican president’s perceived adversaries.

    No matter what happens, the episode raises fresh and complicated questions about Congress’ ability to compel testimony from previously pardoned witnesses — and the outcome could resonate beyond Fauci.

    “This is an important case because I think a lot of people anticipate that President Trump is going to issue similar pardons to many people in his administration who will end up being called before Congress, and the precedent here is important,” said Mark Osler, a St. Thomas University law professor and pardon power expert.

    Paul’s committee is moving to transmit the contempt referral from his Republican-led committee directly to the Justice Department. Whether the Justice Department would act on the referral is unclear.

    Fauci’s pardon protects him for past, not future, acts

    Fauci, a longtime National Institutes of Health scientist and the nation’s top infectious-disease expert, left the federal government in 2022 after more than five decades. He was among a group of perceived adversaries of Trump to be pardoned by Biden in one of the Democrat’s final acts in office. The clemency covered acts from 2014 to the date in January 2025 when the pardon was issued.

    Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee say the pardon lifted the specter of criminal prosecution and left Fauci without a valid basis to invoke the Fifth Amendment — a bedrock constitutional protection found in the Bill of Rights but one typically available only to those who have a reasonable basis to believe they risk being charged over their testimony.

    While a blanket pardon theoretically removes a threat of prosecution, Fauci made clear he thought he had a good-faith basis to fear criminal charges. He invoked his Fifth Amendment rights more than 100 times.

    Before the hearing. Fauci said that Paul, the committee chairperson, had an “obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution.” The purpose of his forced appearance “is to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, quote, behind bars, unquote,” Fauci said.

    In the run-up to the hearing, Paul made dozens of Fauci-related posts on X, including ones teasing that he was going to confront the doctor for having earlier given false testimony — something Fauci has denied.

    “I think his invoking the Fifth makes sense because he was invited into a situation where everyone in the country understood that Rand Paul was trying to set him up for a criminal prosecution,” said Michael Gerhardt, a University of North Carolina law professor. “In that circumstance, one of the smartest things to do would be to make yourself a very small target and say as little as possible, and that’s obviously what he did.”

    In announcing the contempt vote, Paul noted on X that “Fauci refused to answer a single question, even though he knew he couldn’t be charged for crimes” during the decade covered by his pardon. Fauci’s deflections encompassed even seemingly harmless questions, such as the color of the tie he was wearing — a reflection of an apparent belief that it was safer to refuse any testimony.

    There are factors that could tilt in favor of Fauci’s strategy, including the fact that his pardon would not protect him from potential state prosecutions or from a federal prosecution related to any testimony that investigators deemed false. That may not be an idle concern given the number of false-statement investigations prosecutors have opened against Trump’s political opponents.

    Trump’s administration also has repeatedly called into question the validity of the Biden pardons, given Biden’s frequent use of an autopen for official business. Legal experts say the pardons are valid.

    “The question is do you have a reasonable fear of prosecution, and Fauci’s argument would be — yes, I received a pardon, yes, I believe that pardon covers and prevents prosecution but there have been statements from lots of people including Trump and other administration officials … raising questions about the validity of that pardon,” said Ross Garber, a lawyer and expert in political investigations who has represented multiple clients who have invoked the Fifth Amendment.

    “That,” he added, “is potentially a very viable argument.”

    Paul has discussed trying to fast-track a contempt referral

    Paul said in an interview with Fox News Channel last week that he did not think “there’s any rule” requiring that a contempt referral from a committee go through the entire Senate. His committee is instead working to send the referral straight to the Justice Department.

    The contempt resolution states that the president of the Senate, Vice President JD Vance, “shall certify” the committee’s referral and the accompanying report to the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.

    That fast-tracking of the process avoids the need for a vote in the full 100-member Senate, where Republicans likely lack the 60 votes required to move a contempt referral to passage.

  • Takeaways from a big primary night in Michigan, Kansas, Missouri and more

    Takeaways from a big primary night in Michigan, Kansas, Missouri and more

    Democrats in Michigan signaled their eagerness for a new political direction as voters advanced progressive Abdul El-Sayed over Rep. Haley Stevens for a key Senate seat and two left-wing candidates in key House primaries.

    The Senate race in Michigan exposed deep rifts among Democrats in how they approach Israel and money in politics, and how they deem candidates electable.

    Across the country, similar ideological battles were waged with mixed results. And in two red states, voters rejected GOP-led ballot measures that would have given state legislators more power to reshape the law on key issues, including abortion.

    Here’s a rundown from Tuesday’s primaries.

    Michigan’s marquee race ends in win for progressives

    In November, El-Sayed will face former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost his first Senate bid in 2024 and received an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Democrats will have a tougher time retaking the chamber if they lose the Michigan seat.

    The primary divided the Democratic Party between progressives, who saw El-Sayed’s left-wing politics as a way to energize voters, and establishment leaders, who viewed Stevens as a stronger candidate to win over independents and Republicans.

    The two candidates also personified Democrats’ struggle with Israel. Like others on the party’s left, El-Sayed called the war in Gaza a genocide and said he wanted the U.S. to end its military aid to Israel. Stevens, an Israel supporter, benefited from more than $30 million spent by the super PAC of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The group’s support, sometimes even rumors of it, fuels tensions as Democrats wrestle with articulating their stance on Israel without alienating voters.

    Left-wing candidates win key House primaries in Michigan

    In Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, voters chose a progressive over two centrist candidates in the Democratic primary. The district is among the 18 House races classified by the Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election analysis site, as a toss-up this year.

    Sunrise Movement co-founder William Lawrence defeated Bridget Brink, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, and Matt Maasdam, a retired Navy SEAL, and notched another big win for the surging left flank of the Democratic Party.

    “Tonight the people of Michigan’s 7th district sent a clear message: they are tired of Silicon Valley billionaires and DC insiders determining the future of our towns and our country,” Lawrence said in a statement. “They want an unbought representative who isn’t afraid to stand up to leaders of both parties and fight for working people.”

    Lawrence will run against incumbent Rep. Tom Barrett (R).

    In Michigan’s 13th District, Rep. Shri Thanedar lost the Democratic primary contest to Donavan McKinney, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

    Virginia Democrats choose contenders for key races

    Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District is headed for a rematch between incumbent Rep. Jen Kiggans (R) and former Rep. Elaine Luria, who won a crowded Democratic primary. The district, anchored in Virginia Beach, is considered the most competitive in the state.

    Luria held the seat for two terms before she lost to Kiggans in 2022. Of incumbent Republicans in Virginia, Kiggans is most in jeopardy this year as Democrats look to flip red districts narrowly won by Trump.

    Incumbent Rep. Rob Wittman (R) is defending GOP territory with better odds in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District. In November, he will face Shannon Taylor, a prosecutor who won another crowded Democratic primary Tuesday.

    Tom Perriello, who won the Democratic nomination in the 5th Congressional District he once represented, faces much tougher odds. Perriello will face the incumbent Rep. John McGuire (R) in a district Trump won by 12 percentage points in 2024.

    A rematch sees a familiar end in Missouri

    Rep. Wesley Bell again defeated former Rep. Cori Bush in the Democratic primary in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District. Bell’s win against Bush, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, is a setback for the party’s left wing that has succeeded in defeating other incumbents.

    The Missouri race assessed the power of AIPAC as it did when the duo competed in 2024. AIPAC’s spending that year made the race one of the most expensive primaries in U.S. history and helped Bell unseat Bush. The former congresswoman, an ex-member of “the Squad” of several progressive lawmakers, harshly criticized Israel over the war in Gaza before some Democrats even began to question their stance. On the night of her 2024 loss, Bush hinted at a comeback bid: “AIPAC, I’m coming to tear your kingdom down.”

    The group spent about $3 million this year on lifting Bell to a second victory. He is favored to win in the solidly blue district.

    Washington sets up battleground contest

    On the West Coast, Washington’s most competitive district held a nine-way primary race that also featured a progressive-versus-moderate showdown among the Democrats. Washington uses an open primary system, meaning the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party.

    Republican John Braun, a former state senator who had Trump’s endorsement, and the incumbent Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez will compete in November. Gluesenkamp Perez, a centrist who is seeking a third term, overcame a challenge from the left by Democrat Brent Hennrich.

    The district, which went for Trump in 2024, is considered a toss-up.

    Voters deny GOP-led ballot measures

    Kansans rejected an effort to start electing state Supreme Court justices, delivering a blow to Republican state lawmakers who have long been frustrated by their rulings.

    For 68 years, Kansas governors have been required to appoint justices through a merit-based system. GOP legislators asked voters to scrap that system through a ballot measure that would have allowed the state to elect its justices directly. Critics viewed it as a gambit to remake the Kansas Supreme Court and enable its justices to revisit high-profile rulings that angered conservatives — including a decision that guaranteed a right to abortion.

    In Missouri, voters turned down another measure pitched by GOP lawmakers that would have made it harder to pass citizen-led constitutional amendments. Voters in recent years have used such amendments to pass liberal policies, including preserving abortion access and legalizing marijuana.

    The failure of both measures from Republican lawmakers in red states shows the limits in trying to persuade voters to change election rules or cede political power, even at the behest of lawmakers they may support.

  • Could auction-bound St. Peter’s get more housing? | Inquirer Chester County

    Could auction-bound St. Peter’s get more housing? | Inquirer Chester County

    Hi, Chester County! 👋

    Could the auction for the majority of St. Peter’s Village mean more housing density? We look at some of the options on the table. Also this week, a new vinyl listening room is opening in Kennett Square, some Tredyffrin Township residents are concerned that a park conversion isn’t worth the hefty price tag, plus, work has resumed at a controversial data center site.

    We want your feedback! Tell us what you think of the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at chestercounty@inquirer.com.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Could more housing be coming to St. Peter’s Village?

    There’s the potential for a future owner to add housing to St. Peter’s Village. Steven M. Falk / For The Inquirer

    Nearly two months out from an auction that will see the quaint St. Peter’s Village go to the highest bidder, some local business owners are excited, if a little apprehensive, about the prospect.

    “There is this rural charm there, and that is part of what the village has built its reputation on over the years,” said Doug Reeser, who owns Excursion Ciders at the Snug. “So, if development could be done with an eye towards preservation and minimal impact, I think that would be great.”

    There are several high- and lower-density housing developments on the table that could bolster it into a tiny town, but not without its challenges.

    The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz looks at some of the potential outcomes.

    Kennett Square is getting a new vinyl listening room and bar

    Top Dog Cocktails is also opening a listening room in Fishtown. Courtesy of Ken Smukler

    Top Dog Cocktails is expanding its offerings in Kennett Square, with plans to add a Japanese-inspired vinyl listening room and bar.

    The ready-to-drink cocktail brand, which already has distilling operations at 110 E. State St., has hundreds of albums to spin, with a goal of offering “a quieter, safer, more sophisticated space to consume alcohol and listen to really good music,” founder Ken Smukler said.

    Top Dog also has plans to partner with nearby music venue Kennett Flash.

    Here’s what you can expect when the new concept opens.

    📍 Countywide News

    💡 Community News

    The construction site at Chase Road Park in Tredyffrin Township.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
    • Tredyffrin Township residents are expressing concern after work to convert the dilapidated Chase Road Park has swelled from $725,000 in the first year to $1.7 million this fiscal year. Here’s what to know.
    • Work on the 1.5 million-square-foot data center at an East Whiteland Township Superfund site resumed last week after a temporary order halting work.
    • Tyler Humphreys, a 24-year-old Malvern man and former Sharon Hill police officer, was sentenced to nine to 20 years in state prison after admitting he raped and sexually assaulted three children.
    • A 20-year-old Coatesville man, Kevin Reza-Gonzales, has been arrested and charged with first- and third- degree murder, as well as strangulation, in the death of his girlfriend.
    • The University of Valley Forge, a Christian institution in Phoenixville, announced last week that it will suspend operations after the summer semester.
    • Oxford’s borough council voted last week to pursue joining the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department amid rising costs. At a special meeting Monday night, New Garden Township’s board of supervisors agreed to move forward with negotiations for Oxford to join the regional police department.
    • Caln Township’s board of commissioners approved E. Khan Development Corp.’s proposal to build a 97-townhome community on a roughly 29-acre parcel at 4109 Lincoln Highway.
    • Developer D.R. Horton is looking to build a 130-townhome community known as Meadowview at the nearly 30-acre site at 200 N. Church St. in Parkesburg. The borough will hold a zoning hearing tomorrow at 7 p.m.
    • Imaging Associates, LLC, along with Toll Brothers, is looking to build an age-restricted community on a nearly 119-acre site at 500 Hibernia Rd. in Coatesville. Plans call for 163 single-family homes and 74 twin homes. West Brandywine Township will hold a conditional use hearing for the project tonight at 7 p.m.
    • Speaking of Toll Brothers, the homebuilder recently opened Regency at Valley Creek, a 317-home 55-and-over community in Exton.
    • East Fallowfield swore in its new township supervisor, Robert Sparr, last week.
    • The Hot Spot, a pottery painting, candle-making, and mosaic concept, has opened at 34 S. Main St. in Phoenixville.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Coatesville Area School District’s board voted last week to approve a bond resolution of up to $100 million, funding that will support the yearslong North Brandywine Middle School construction project.
    • The tracks at both Downingtown Area School District high schools are closed for renovations for several weeks. The Downingtown East track is expected to reopen Sept. 7, with the Downingtown West track to follow on Sept. 21.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Cutter and Cannon Spirits opened its new location at 104 E. Gay St. in West Chester over the weekend. The distillery’s new spot has a tasting room and bottle shop.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎆 Phoenixville First Responders Appreciation Night: Rescheduled from the Fourth of July, the event includes water ice, pizza, and a fireworks show. ⏰ Thursday, Aug. 6, 6 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Friendship Field, Phoenixville

    🚴 Tour-de-Trike: See teams of adults compete in tricycle races. ⏰ Friday, Aug. 7, 3:30-6 p.m. (rain date: Aug. 8) 💵 Free 📍 Gay Street, West Chester

    🎻 Old Fiddler’s Picnic: Now in its 97th year, the festival brings together performers for free concerts. There will also be food trucks, vendors, and yard games. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (rain date: Aug. 9) 💵 Free 📍 Hibernia County Park, Coatesville

    🥕 Phoenixville VegFest: Check out all things vegan at this festival, complete with food trucks and a beer garden. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (rain date: Aug. 9) 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Reeves Park, Phoenixville

    ✈️ 2026 Festival of Flight: See acrobatic flight displays, a drone show, and fireworks at this two-day event. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 8, 2-10 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 💵 $13.57-$47.02 📍 New Garden Flying Field, Toughkenamon

    🏡 On the Market

    A century-old Honey Brook farmhouse with a modern interior

    The home also has a detached garage.Courtesy of Alex Whitt/Keller Williams Elite

    Built in 1900, this farmhouse has been renovated to bring it into the 21st century while retaining its historic-looking exterior. The first floor has an open-concept living and dining area that opens onto a kitchen, plus two bedrooms. There are two additional bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with a sleek, updated bathroom. The property also has a large detached garage with room for additional living space.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $550,000 | Size: 2,128 SF | Acreage: 0.61

    🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:

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    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • The 5 most Wikipedia-famous local celebs | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    The 5 most Wikipedia-famous local celebs | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋

    There’s a surprising depth of acting talent among some of the township’s most notable natives, something evident in 2025 Wikipedia searches of celebrities born locally. We look at the top five. Also this week, Cherry Hill police arrested a man who allegedly attempted to lure an underage girl to a park, the school district has named a replacement for the director of elementary education, plus, Brio Italian Grille has closed, one in a number of area eateries to shutter.

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    Four actors top the list of the most-searched Wikipedia pages of locally born celebrities

    Cherry Hill native Ali Larter is currently starring in “Landman.”Emerson Miller/Paramount+

    Ever wonder who the region’s most-searched-for locally born celebrities are?

    The Inquirer recently dug into the 2025 top five most-searched individuals born in Cherry Hill, with the results showcasing some serious acting talent.

    Topping the list of township natives with the most searches is former model and actress Ali Larter, followed by fellow actress and musician Cristin Milioti. Two additional actors, one whose name you’ll likely hear a lot more of soon, and a former NBA player, also make the top five.

    See the full list here.

    💡 Community News

    • Cherry Hill police arrested an Atlantic City lifeguard, Stephen M. Pagnoni, last week after he allegedly arranged to meet with someone he believed to be a teenage girl at a township park for sex in exchange for money. The Inquirer’s Robert Moran has the details.
    • Major League Soccer has named Cherry Hill native Larry Berg as its next commissioner, a role he’ll assume on Jan. 1. The 60-year-old, who is an owner of Los Angeles FC, will be the league’s third commissioner.
    • Friday is the deadline to join the waiting list for the 45 rental units soon to be available at affordable housing development Hamilton House. Qualifying applicants will then be randomly selected.
    • Marmara International Market & Cafe, a new Mediterranean and Turkish spot, opened this week at 2083 Old Marlton Pike.
    • Spooky season may still be a couple of months away, but Spirit Halloween has set up shop at the former LA Fitness on Route 38. (If you’re down the Shore, you can check out the newly opened 20,000-square-foot flagship in Egg Harbor Township.)
    • DIY studio Deko Deko is opening its Cherry Hill location Saturday at 1601 King Highway North. The Philadelphia-based business lets you paint ceramics as well as make custom creations of things like keychains and pixel beads.
    • Roadwork continues on Kenilworth Avenue and Kresson Road, which will have a mix of closures and lane shifts throughout the week. Work will also impact Springdale, Cooper Landing, Haddonfield-Berlin, and Old Orchard Roads.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • After fending off closure rumors, Brio Italian Grille officially closed its doors last week at Towne Place at Garden State Park. It’s one of a number of restaurants to shutter in the region recently. The Inquirer’s Michael Klein looks at the flux and what it could signal.
    • Dolsot House has some of the best chicken wings in South Jersey, according to a ranking from BestofNJ.com. The website touted the Sawmill Village shop’s double-fried Korean wings, which you can douse with flavors such as honey sesame, soy garlic, spicy, or diablo sauce.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🦖 Jurassic World: Teens can watch the 2015 film starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. Registration is required. ⏰ Wednesday, Aug. 5, 6-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Cherry Hill Public Library

    🛼 SpongeBob’s Ice Cream Party: This themed skate event includes a snowball fight and freeze pops. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 8, noon-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. 💵 $14 admission 📍 Hot Wheelz

    🦪 Shuck and Sips Oyster Night: Enjoy fresh oysters from Laughing Gull Oyster Farm, along with gin and tonics and music. ⏰ Wednesday, Aug. 12, 5:30 p.m. 💵 $49 📍 Randall’s Restaurant

    🗓️ Looking for more things to do? Check out our guide to ongoing South Jersey events.

    🏡 On the Market

    An elegant seven-bedroom home with a first-floor primary suite

    The home spans nearly 4,800 square feet.Steve Edwards Photography | Courtesy of Cristin Holloway/eXp Realty

    Located in the Fox Hollow Woods neighborhood in the Springdale section of Cherry Hill, this seven-bedroom home features a family room with a fireplace and soaring ceilings; a living room with built-ins and a library ladder; and a finished lower level that could be its own suite thanks to a bedroom, full bathroom, living room, and kitchenette. The home also has a first-floor primary suite with a walk-in closet and soaking tub.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $1.1M | Size: 4,791 SF | Acreage: 0.41

    🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • A South Jersey wildlife refuge cares for thousands of animals each year. For the first time, it now has a full-time vet.

    A South Jersey wildlife refuge cares for thousands of animals each year. For the first time, it now has a full-time vet.

    In its 69 years as a wildlife refuge, Woodford Cedar Run in Medford has never had a staff veterinarian to care for the thousands of animals that come through its doors annually.

    The Burlington County rehabilitation center isn’t alone. Mike O’Malley, Cedar Run’s executive director, said he doesn’t know of any New Jersey wildlife refuges with staff vets. The shortage is a money problem.

    Yet less than two weeks ago, Amanda Cameron joined Cedar Run as one of very few full-time wildlife veterinarians in the tristate area. O’Malley said he hopes Cameron’s hiring will improve Cedar Run’s patient survival rates.

    “These animals are experiencing some of the most intense traumas you can imagine,” O’Malley said. “This will allow us to take on really complex cases and advance the care we’re providing to all of the animals.”

    Cameron, 27 and a Massachusetts native, doesn’t yet have a fully operational space to do exams and procedures on the 8,000 birds, raccoons, rabbits, turtles, and more that cycle through Cedar Run annually. Her main responsibility right now is ordering a laundry list of supplies to furnish a medical suite that has sat half-finished for years in the hopes that Cedar Run would someday have a doctor to use it.

    On Monday, items awaited sorting in the small clinic. And while Cameron has mostly been on desk duty, she’s already managed to get her hands on a few cases.

    In rain boots and scrubs, Cameron reached across the X-ray table to show the fractured wing of a red-tailed hawk. He’s not out of the woods yet, she said, but he’s on the right track. To survive in the wild, the wings of raptors need to be close to perfect.

    “Fortunately that is not surgical,“ Cameron said. ”So we’ve been able to just wrap them and give them some time with pain meds, and he’s doing really well.”

    Veterinarian Amanda Cameron looks over the X-ray of a red-tailed hawk with a broken wing bone that would not heal by itself in the wild.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    ‘Not just today’

    Nonprofit wildlife centers often can’t afford to pay the salary of a full-time doctor, O’Malley said, nor buy expensive equipment to support them. Wildlife rehabs already have to foot the bill for the animals’ medical expenses since they don’t have owners to pay them. Plus, Cedar Run maintains 171 preserved acres in the Pinelands and pays to offer wildlife education services to the public.

    About 18 licensed wildlife rehabilitators serve New Jersey, and most specialize in a limited number of species. Only three are located in South Jersey, and O’Malley said Cedar Run is the tristate area’s “biggest and busiest.”

    In 2025, Cedar Run spent $710,000 on wildlife rehabilitation-related expenses, $172,000 more than the previous year, according to a 2025 audit provided to The Inquirer by O’Malley. Total salaries and wages were nearly $850,000, and O’Malley said the addition of Cameron will cost the center six figures annually. He declined to share the exact number, but said the cost to the nonprofit is “nothing to sneeze at.”

    To support Cameron’s salary, Cedar Run will have to keep a steady fundraising pace, but O’Malley said that shouldn’t be a problem with donor support and creative revenue streams, like hosting weddings.

    “We feel confident and able to raise the resources needed, not just today but tomorrow,” O’Malley said.

    Last year, Cedar Run earned $1.7 million in contributions, grants, and donations, a $780,000 boost from 2024.

    Rather than hiring full-time vets, places like Cedar Run typically outsource their medical needs through volunteer doctors, or transport animals to exotics vets nearby. Cedar Run partners with Animal & Bird Health Care Center in Cherry Hill, along with Rancocas Veterinary Associates in Mount Laurel and Rowan University’s new Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine.

    But the extra stress from transport creates unnecessary risk, Cameron said. Some species, like rabbits, can’t handle loud noises. Other animals can injure themselves in panic.

    The rehabilitation center takes in almost any wildlife native to New Jersey, aside from black bears and domestic animals. When Jersey residents find an injured raptor, rabbit, or raccoon, Cedar Run’s 12 staff members and more than 200 volunteers do their best to make sure they are treated and released back into their native environments.

    Nonreleasable resident raccoons at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. The 12 staff members and more than 200 volunteers care for thousands of animals each year, including many who are unable to be returned to the wild.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    Success is not easy to define. About 20% to 30% of all patients brought to Cedar Run survive, O’Malley said, a statistic exacerbated by bird flu and the fact that many animals brought to the center have endured traumatic incidents.

    Unlike domestic veterinarians, Cameron is not providing annual checkups, diabetes treatments, or allergy medications to her patients.

    “These animals are getting severed by lawnmowers. They’re getting poisoned. … If you remove those animals that need immediate euthanasia off the top, we’re more like 50%, which is obviously much better,” O’Malley said. “So there’s a lot of nuance.”

    ‘Now we can do this’

    Lori Swanson, director of wildlife rehabilitation, has worked at Cedar Run for more than 20 years. On Monday, Swanson stepped out of a fishy-smelling hospital to greet Cameron. Volunteers were preparing fresh seafood in the hospital kitchen for their patients, donated by an intern’s dad.

    “Heather is in there with an opossum,” Swanson said. “Which you’ll need to look at.”

    The staff at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford in the busy kitchen Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, preparing lunch for all the animals in their care.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    As the only veterinarian on-site, Cameron will care for a variety of species with a vast range of traumas, from broken bones to blindness, along with helping to manage the health concerns of Cedar Run’s 60 nonreleasable residents. Cameron has already taken a first look at a resident skunk with heart disease, and a resident red fox with a cloudy eye.

    When the Shreiber School’s first round of vet students reach their externship year, students will shadow Cameron at Cedar Run, making Rowan one of only a handful of vet schools in the U.S. to have a wildlife center affiliate.

    Cameron grew up about a half hour from Tufts University in Massachusetts. During her undergraduate career at Purdue University, she found time to volunteer at Tufts Wildlife Clinic, and Cameron said her interest in wildlife grew from there. She graduated with her doctorate of veterinary medicine from Tufts in 2025 and finished her internship at the wildlife clinic a few weeks ago, before moving to Marlton, a short commute to the Medford refuge.

    She’s been working hard to teach Cedar Run’s rehabbers a bit of what she knows, and she said everyone is hungry to learn.

    “We’ve all gotten a little bit too excited,” Cameron said. “They’ve had me look at a couple of animals already, and everyone’s just like, ‘Oh, my gosh, now we can do this.’”

    Swanson is one of the excited ones. She said she hopes Cameron’s addition will mean less strain on the animals and on rehabbers’ time.

    “Well, this has been my dream for about 15 years,” Swanson said.

    It’ll take a while for Cameron to meet all the wildlife at Cedar Run. Monday was her first time encountering the refuge’s resident raccoons, Charlie and Gus, who were raised illegally by humans. But after decades of waiting, O’Malley and the rehabbers are eager to see what Cameron can do.

    “If we had our way, we would’ve had a vet 20 years ago, but it required many years of planning,” O’Malley said.

    “Sorry, Mike, I was too young,” Cameron said.

    “Yeah, you would have been in diapers, I think,” O’Malley said. “It’s taken quite a while to lay that groundwork.”

  • For months, Cheltenham football families ‘pleaded’ with administrators not to hire the coach charged in hazing scandal

    For months, Cheltenham football families ‘pleaded’ with administrators not to hire the coach charged in hazing scandal

    Cheltenham High School varsity football families repeatedly warned district officials about allegations that former head coach Terence Tolbert allowed bullying to fester in his previous coaching position at Abington Senior High School, parents say.

    Tolbert, along with three other Cheltenham coaches, was charged last week with endangering the welfare of a child and conspiracy after a 15-year-old player was allegedly assaulted in the football team’s locker room by teammates twice last year. Six players were also charged. The assaults have led to the cancellation of two football seasons.

    Both the district and a Montgomery County grand jury found that inadequate supervision played a role in the assaults. The district also found coaching staff displayed “a failure to prioritize student safety.”

    Tolbert and the other coaches are no longer with the district. Tolbert has declined to comment on the matter, and he and his lawyer did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

    ‘We protested and pleaded’

    In the two months leading up to Tolbert’s hiring in June 2025, Cheltenham football families urged district officials to reconsider Tolbert’s hiring in numerous private conversations and public meetings, parents said in interviews this week.

    “We protested and pleaded,” said Naim Ferguson, father of Cheltenham quarterback Kendall Jackson during Cheltenham’s last season. “We didn’t think the people they were putting in place were adequate to handle the kids.”

    Parents went to the principal, Benjamin Hammond, and vice principal Samuel Sheridan, who is also the athletic director, emails between the officials and football parents show.

    A then-junior on the varsity team started a petition against hiring Tolbert.

    “We … do not want this position to be arbitrary given to the district’s so-called qualified candidate,” the petition reads.

    A petition started by a Cheltenham varsity football player against the hiring of Terence Tolbert as head coach.Change.org

    Taryn Knox, then the vice president of the football parent board, shared her concerns about Tolbert’s hiring process and his record at Abington at school board meetings and in meetings between administrators and football parents until the district formally made Tolbert the coach in June.

    At a May board meeting, Knox said Tolbert had been “let go” from Abington, calling him “not appropriate or qualified” for the head coach job.

    She was not the only parent who spoke out at that meeting.

    “We asked for our children to have a solid leadership,” said Dana Burnley, whose son was on the team. Burnley said that her son had interest from seven Division I schools but that the coaching switch had disrupted the recruitment process.

    Burnley’s husband, Ralph, a volunteer coach, was among those charged alongside Tolbert last week and faces the same charges of endangering the welfare of a child and conspiracy. Ralph Burnley has not responded to calls seeking comment.

    Multiple upperclassmen also met with Hammond and Sheridan in April to voice their concerns, according to a list that Knox emailed to the principal. Included in the list of concerned players were at least two who were charged last week in connection with the assaults.

    “Every plea that we tried was ignored,” Knox said — including one at an April 22 meeting with parents where Knox asked Tolbert to voluntarily resign to reopen the hiring process. Hammond rushed to take the microphone from Tolbert before he could respond, she said.

    Cheltenham did not answer any questions this week about parent concerns ahead of Tolbert’s hiring.

    Tolbert applied for the open Cheltenham position after a brief stint at Abington that he had left an offensive coordinator role at Cheltenham to pursue. The 2023 move to Abington was a promotion to head coach, but his tenure there was short-lived.

    The Abington team won only one game that season, and Tolbert’s employment expired. Abington has acknowledged that the district opted not to renew the one-season appointment but declined to give further details.

    Parents from both schools said they believed it was a failure to address bullying and a toxic team culture that led to his departure.

    “There were kids being bullied in the locker room, the language, cussing out coaches,” Knox said this week.

    After charges against Tolbert went public last week, an Abington parent shared with The Inquirer the text of a 2023 email he said was sent to Abington officials outlining similar allegations he had heard at the time, including that Tolbert failed to intervene in persistent bullying on the team and crude language from other coaches.

    Before a Sept. 8, 2023, game, a coach used the f-slur to refer to the opposing team in a pep talk in front of Tolbert, who did not intervene, the email alleges. The complaint also describes instances when Tolbert failed to break up fights or react appropriately when he saw bullying, including a player who verbally berated a teammate with disabilities.

    “It wasn’t a secret,” said the Abington parent, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation against his child, who still attends the school. “Many parents knew why he was removed. I’m shocked that he was able to get another job.”

    Union contract gave Tolbert leg up for coach

    Knox and Ferguson said the district hired Tolbert without an interview.

    “The [same] buildup that happened here, happened at Abington,” Knox said. “It just didn’t lead to an assault.”

    Before Tolbert’s hiring, Cheltenham parents were already upset about former coach Troy Gore’s removal during an important recruitment period, Knox and Ferguson said, because it left players who anticipated scholarships from Division I schools without an advocate.

    “These are students who are trying to achieve higher education while also playing a sport that they love, and for some of them, this is their only option,” Knox said at the May 2025 school board meeting.

    But when parents questioned what they viewed as an abbreviated hiring process for Gore’s replacement, administrators pointed to a clause in the teachers union contract that gives qualified staff first pick of coaching jobs ahead of external candidates, Knox and Ferguson said.

    Tolbert briefly taught business at Cheltenham until he resigned in October 2023, board documents show. He then took a job at Abington as a long-term substitute for business education in addition to coaching.

    Cheltenham rehired Tolbert as a business teacher before announcing his 2025 appointment as head coach.

    ‘Be accountable’

    Knox returned for the June 2025 board meeting and said she had been promised a call from the superintendent after the May meeting, but did not receive one.

    “Be accountable,” Knox said at the June meeting. “If you say you’re going to follow up, please follow up.”

    Superintendent Brian Scriven replied that there was a meeting planned with football players.

    “I did say I was going to call you. I opted not to. I will own that,” the superintendent said, adding that Knox had his number and could call him.

    The board officially appointed Tolbert as coach at the meeting.

    Knox’s son did not trust Tolbert as a teacher or a coach, she said.

    “He had been a part of the team for two years prior to that and didn’t have the relationship with the boys,” Knox said.

    ‘The administration failed these kids’

    The administration erred again, Ferguson said, by not suspending students who were involved in the locker room assault recorded on video.

    Nearly 20 members of the team witnessed the locker room assault, according to the district’s investigation, and the video was widely circulated. Ferguson said his son and most of the team did not witness the attack.

    Jackson always stayed on the field after practice running extra drills, his dad said, and Ferguson would bring his younger son to hang out on the grounds while they waited for him to finish.

    By January, the superintendent had publicly acknowledged the district was aware of “several” perpetrators.

    But the lack of disciplinary action left the entire team in limbo all year — isolating Jackson from teachers and other students, who were not sure which players were involved, Ferguson said: “People can’t fathom the fact that he’s the starting quarterback and he didn’t know about it.”

    Now Jackson, who broke the school’s sophomore quarterback passing record in 2024, is struggling to find a transfer school.

    “The administration failed these kids,” Ferguson said.

    Knox transferred her son to a Philadelphia school before the incidents. He is set to play football at East Stroudsburg University, a Division II school.

    “Thank God I pulled him out,” Knox said. “Every school said, ‘We know you came from Cheltenham; we’re glad you transferred.’”

    Staff writer Maddie Hanna contributed to this article.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Police investigating discovery of skeletal remains near Franklin Mall in Northeast Philly

    Police investigating discovery of skeletal remains near Franklin Mall in Northeast Philly

    Police were investigating the discovery of human skeletal remains Tuesday evening near the Franklin Mall in Northeast Philadelphia.

    Around 7 p.m., police responded to a wooded area near the 12000 block of Knights Road, where the skeletal remains of an adult were found.

    Police said the gender and race of the deceased person were not immediately identifiable.

    The Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office was working to identify the person and the cause and manner of death, police said.