Yo, Philly in the News

• The big news today is police shootings. The Inquirer and the Daily News both examine the alarming local and national trend. The Daily News also reveals some backstory on the gunman who shot four people, including a policeman, before jumping into the Schuylkill River Tuesday night (his body was found early yesterday morning). And finally there are two articles about yet another shooting that took place early yesterday morning when a man tried to rob the Dunkin' Donuts on North Broad Street near 66th Avenue. Officer Charles Cassidy was doing a routine check of the restaurant due to the fact that it had been robbed on September 18th, probably by the same man. He surprised the robber, who shot him in the head (leaving him in extremely critical condition), stole his gun, and ran off. The incident "prompted one of the largest and most intense manhunts in Philadelphia history," led to a number of school lock-downs, and put an understandable damper on many city residents' Halloween festivities. Unfortunately, the manhunt didn't turn up anything, so anyone with information is asked to call 215-686-3334 or 215-686-3335. Keep in mind that a $50,000 reward is being offered.
• A dude in Elk County, PA thinks he shot some photos of Bigfoot in the Allegheny National Forest, and the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization agrees; they say it's probably a juvenile sasquatch. But they're asking that the guy not reveal the exact location where he took the pictures, for fear that people will destroy the animal's habitat. Park rangers, btw, say it's probably just a skinny, mangy bear. (Via Jen)
• Authorities say "five of 12 suspected drug dealers from Philadelphia were arrested yesterday as a $2.6 million prescription-drug distribution ring was broken up by the state attorney general's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation."
• The monument to the Sixth New York Cavalry at Gettysburg was struck by lightning on October 9th. The Park Service says they might have to disassemble the statue to assess the damage to it, but already suspect will cost about $100,000 to repair.
• The cost of stationing 14 troopers at each of the state's slot casinos so the floors can be patrolled 24 hours a day has been deemed excessive, considering the low crime rate at the facilities, and so state police officials will probably cut back on the number of troopers and decrease the patrol to 16 hours a day.
• The only one of the Fort Dix Six not charged with plotting to kill soldiers pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to provide firearms to three of his former codefendants, which means he's looking at two years in prison and eventual deportation. He will not testify against the other five suspects.

Image Credit: Flickr user showbizsuperstar