Yo, Philly in the News

• The New Jersey gubernatorial race isn't for another eleven months, but things are already heating up. Jersey Republicans are hoping to "push entrenched Democrats out of Trenton" in the November election.
• As we bid our final farewells to 2008, perhaps it's time to celebrate new lives.
• Two people have already been killed by fires in the region since the New Year began. The fires proved especially difficult to extinguish due to yesterday morning's windy conditions.
• The weather yesterday is also being blamed for lower-than-average attendance at the 2009 Mummers Parade.
• The popular and well regarded Brasserie Perrier closed its doors earlier this week without notice. Co-owner Chris Scarduzio cited Rittenhouse-area rental rates as a primary reason for the closing.
• An interesting story about "ghost bikes" comes along with a somber warning: share the road, and be careful out there.
• Here's a pleasant little story about high school romance gone bad—and by pleasant, we mean absolutely horrible.
• The Philadelphia 311 center has only been up-and-running since yesterday, but in its first 24 hours, it had already fielded over 3,500 calls.
• Last but not least, remember that shooting at the Riverview last week? Might the man with the gun be considered a hero to some?

Image Credit: Flickr user The Divine Miss M.