Sex Trafficking On The Rise; Philly A Hub

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Philadelphia County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

THE YOUNG woman who befriended Tiffany on the Internet seemed innocent enough – so in the midst of a rough patch with her father, the 16-year-old Northeast Philadelphia girl let her new cyber-friend pick her up at home.

When she got into the taxi on that fateful day in January 2006, Tiffany didn’t know that she was stepping into a dark underworld of violence, drugs and sex slavery. The seemingly normal young woman she’d met on MySpace.com delivered her into the hands of Rahiim McIntyre, 36, a now-convicted violent sex trafficker who awaits sentencing in federal prison.

Over the next two weeks, she would face unimaginable horrors as she plotted to get away from her captor without being caught and beaten – or worse.

The experience of Tiffany – a pseudonym created by the Daily News to protect her identity – is not uncommon.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20140805_NE_Philly_teen_s_sex-slave_experience_is_all_too_common.html#AcdIPfsVqMRObkto.99

Marcus Hook Mayor Convicted Of Charges Related To Drunken Encounter

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Delaware County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

MARCUS HOOK Mayor James “Jay” Schiliro won’t be lighting up a victory cigar anytime soon.

Schiliro, 39, was convicted in Delaware County Common Pleas Court yesterday on five charges in connection with a bizarre encounter that unfolded in his house Feb. 21.

A 20-year-old man, who had long known Schiliro and described him as a father figure, said he was summoned to the mayor’s house late that night for a chat.

Schiliro allegedly plied the man with wine and offered to perform oral sex on him, the Daily News reported earlier this year.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20131117_Marcus_Hook_mayor_convicted_of_charges_related_to_drunken_encounter.html#XVsuZCrjqETR6sXT.99

Philadelphia’s Market East Set For Extreme Makeover

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Market East, the shopping district stretching from City Hall to Independence Mall, is best known for its hodgepodge of discount clothing emporiums, “we buy gold” shops and vacant buildings, all set to the soundtrack of the music blaring from storefront speakers. Over the years, there have been many attempts to gentrify this neighborhood — and so far, all have failed. But now, a makeover seems imminent.

After years of false starts, change is now coming fast. Last month, The Inquirer and Daily News announced they will relocate to the vacant Strawbridge & Clothier department store at Eighth and Market (with $2.9 million in city financing). This summer, Nutter signed a bill (introduced by outgoing City Councilman and billboard enthusiast Frank DiCicco) to create an outdoor advertising district in Market East to replace the grit with Times Square-style glitter. Philadelphia Real Estate Investment Trust is planning to renovate and upgrade the Gallery Mall, and a 2009 city plan — now finally coming to fruition — calls for the redevelopment of the south side of the street’s 1100 block. The rumor is it will be anchored by a Target.

Read more: http://www.citypaper.net/news/2011-12-08-market-east-development-project-philadelphia.html

Tasty Baking Company Having Financial Problems

Oh no!  Will Tastykakes become a recession casualty!  Philadelphia’s Tasty Baking Company is having serious financial difficulty, even after moving to the Navy Yard and into a state of the art, energy-saving new facility.

Read a humorous Daily News editorial on how to save Tasty Baking Company:

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/our-money/How_to_save_Tastykake.html

Philadelphia Daily News Top 10 Suburban Football Teams

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The Philadelphia Daily News released their Top Ten Suburban Football Teams list.  While no Pottstown area high school made the top ten, Boyertown (9-2) and Pottsgrove (9-2) were listed as Under Consideration.  I guess that’s like an honorable mention.  Kudos to Pottsgrove and Boyertown for their excellent seasons.

To see the list click below:

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/breaking/sports/20101115_Daily_News_top_10_suburban_football_teams.html