Yo, Philly in the News

• Mayor Nutter has cut taxpayer-funded nonprofit Philadelphia Safe and Sound's funding by $21 million, and City Council's majority leader said she would call today for hearings to look into how Safe and Sound conducts its business. The funding cuts will result in the closing of ten school-based community centers; the termination of a parent-truancy program; and the elimination of many after-school programs. As the head of one after-school program put it, "It's a fiasco."
• And how about some more bad news about money? "The downturn in Philadelphia's housing market - fewer homes changing hands, at lower prices - has created a growing hole in the city budget, likely to reach $10 million to $15 million by midyear."
• Apparently there's been a rise in Delaware County recently of criminals downloading child pornography using other people's unprotected wireless internet. In such cases, the account holder is technically responsible for the crime. Secure your networks, people!
• Mayor Nutter has named some new members to the city's Art Commission, including promoting Moe Brooker, painter and professor at Moore College of Art and Design, to chairman, replacing William Wilson, a friend of former Mayor John F. Street.
• The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission wants your help! The agency is updating its long-range development plan for the Philadelphia region, and you can provide your own input by filling out the online survey at http://www.dvrpc.org/connections.
• Joshua Ulrich, 30, a special education instructor at South Philadelphia High School, was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student, and will most likely be fired after being charged yesterday with statutory rape.

Image Credit: Flickr user babasteve