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  • [ January 8, 2024 ] Crime: Fixing Philly Prisons Will Be Hard, But Here’s A Plan For How To Do It Crime
  • [ November 28, 2022 ] North Philadelphia: Can the Next Crimes be Prevented? Featured Stories
  • [ May 29, 2025 ] SEPTA Faces Steep Budget Cuts Center City
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  • [ May 14, 2025 ] Schuylkill River Trail Extension is now Open Center City
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HomeAuthorsBenjamin A McWilliams

Articles by Benjamin A McWilliams

Amateur Sports

South Philadelphia: Coach Finds Passion for Educating Through Basketball

December 22, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

Coach Troy Holiday took a circuitous route to rediscover his love for basketball. The New Jersey native was once himself a standout basketball player at Germantown Academy before attending Loyola University Maryland. After graduating, he [continue reading…]

Amateur Sports

South Philadelphia: Athletics Crucial to Success of Southern

December 22, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

To find some of Philadelphia’s richest athletic history, one has to look no further than the halls of South Philadelphia High School. Trophy cases and plaques line the corridors, celebrating everyone from Eddie Gottlieb, one [continue reading…]

Amateur Sports

South Philadelphia: Inclusive Rugby Team Strives to Defy Stereotypes while Staying Competitive

December 16, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

In the summer of 2003, Joe Cruz showed up to rugby practice for the newly-formed Philadelphia Gryphons. The University of Pennsylvania grad was one of seven people at practice. The Gryphons started as an idea, [continue reading…]

Amateur Sports

South Philadelphia: Karate Instructor Builds Confidence Through Discipline

November 29, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

Jason Helmer’s passion for martial arts came from an unusual place. “I was in high school working and one of the mailmen in the neighborhood mentioned karate,” Helmer said. “I was a big Steven Seagal [continue reading…]

Amateur Sports

Washington Square West: Pickleball Craze in Seger Park

November 28, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

It was a year-and-a-half ago that Andrew Freedman and his wife Nancy were watching the evening news when a story about “the world’s fastest growing sport” piqued their interest. It was not long before the Freedman’s, [continue reading…]

Amateur Sports

South Philadelphia: Local Rec Centers Adjust to Election Day Schedule

November 8, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

Election day is huge for Philadelphia. With more than one million registered voters in the city, one of the crucial tasks for the City Commissioners office is finding locations for the polling places. Finding sites [continue reading…]

Amateur Sports

South Philadelphia: Rec Leader Guides Former Recreation Center

October 20, 2016 Benjamin A McWilliams 0

Anthony Spadaccini spent countless hours as a kid at Barry Playground. Whether it was playing basketball, baseball or football, Barry was a second home for Spadaccini. That still holds true today, as Spadaccini, 46, is [continue reading…]

Recent Posts

  • SEPTA Faces Steep Budget Cuts
    May 29, 2025 0
  • BSR: Get Ready for Book Week 2025
    May 27, 2025 0
  • Schuylkill River Trail Extension is now Open
    May 14, 2025 0
  • A Haven of Hope for Philadelphia’s Unhoused
    March 3, 2025 0
  • No Picture
    Heights Philadelphia: Mentoring students for future success
    March 3, 2025 0
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