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Thursday, November 12, 2026
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Post-election hope for SEPTA: ‘We must deliver’
State Rep. Chris Rabb celebrates his primary election win on May 19.

Chris Rabb hears ‘a hue and cry for urgent change’

On Nov. 3, voters in Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District voted for State Rep. Chris Rabb to represent them in the U.S. Congress.
More than 60 people attended a public meeting at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education on Nov. 5 to discuss the recent “do not eat” order for fish in the Wissahickon Creek.

Trout stocking to resume in Wissahickon Creek; ‘do not eat’ order remains

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will resume trout stocking in the Wissahickon Creek basin this spring after canceling the program in October, officials announced.

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In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America
About the ‘In Pursuit’ film series, local viewing schedule
“In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America” consists of 10 hour-long episodes releasing throughout 2026 and into early 2027.
Episode 6 summary: Wealth (1876-1918)
America celebrates its 100th anniversary with a world’s fair in Philadelphia, as engineers manufacture a machine utopia.
Episode 6: Great wealth and grinding poverty in the late 19th century
The 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia was designed to dazzle, and it did.
About the ‘In Pursuit’ film series, local viewing schedule
“In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America” consists of 10 hour-long episodes releasing throughout 2026 and into early 2027.
Episode 9 summary: ‘Liberation’ (1968-1990)
From the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. to the bombing of the MOVE house, Episode 9: “Liberation” traverses years of startling upheaval and profound struggle.

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Features

Give a dog a home

Cyrus
Cyrus and Alvida are both at Doggie Style Pets in Chestnut Hill, 8100 Germantown Ave.
Hill professor/author to address crime-related issues
Many people reading these words probably believe that jailing more people would reduce the amount of crime. Not Marie Gottschalk.
This week in Chestnut Hill Local history, 1966-2016
This week in Chestnut Hill Local history
Adelinas, upscale Italian, thriving in Chestnut Hill
Adelinas was opened by Antonio Presta and his brother, Giuliano (the restaurant is named for their grandmother), whose family owned the Bella Trattoria restaurant in Manayunk for many years.
Jazzy brain cancer survivor to perform at area church
Alan Segal, whose inspirational story of survival from brain cancer just may be unique among jazz musicians, will be performing Sunday, Nov. 15, 2 p.m. at The Church of St. Alban in Roxborough.
‘Retired’ educator, coach, author still teaching at 90
Sept. 11 is known to Americans as the date of the worst act of domestic terrorism in the nation’s history 25 years ago. But it is also the date that Harry Gratwick was born 90 years ago.
‘Caregiver Week’ honors Hill healthcare expert
Susan Sargent was a nationally recognized leader in expanding health insurance coverage for behavioral health services.

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Local Calendar
Obituaries
Hilaire Jogues O’Malley
Hilaire Jogues O’Malley, 87, of New York City, died peacefully on November 3, 2026. Born in Philadelphia on September 23, 1939, Hilaire was the seventh of eight children. He was an avid …
Anne F. Wetzel
Anne F. Wetzel slept her way into heaven on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the age of 88. The cause of death was old age. (Heart failure.) She was a resident of Foulkeways in Gwynedd Valley, …
Dr. John A. Susanin
Dr. John Susanin, 91, of Blue Bell (and formerly Chestnut Hill and Lafayette Hill) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. He was born on May 18,1935 in Palmerton, PA as the fifth of …

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Community News
Local writers taking part in Jewish Author Book Fair
More than 30 authors, including a handful from Northwest Philadelphia, are set to participate in the Jewish Author Book Fair on Nov. 15 at Congregation Mikveh Israel in Old City.
Mt. Airy sleuth devoted to finding missing persons
Mark Hopkins, who grew up in Mt. Airy and still lives there, is the chief of an all-volunteer organization, Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue, dedicated to finding lost people.
New book by Mt. Airy author examines queer love
Writer Janet Mason, of Mt. Airy, tackles a complex question in her new book, “The Lens of Eternity: Queer Love from Two Pandemics.” How does long-term love shape people?
Crime

Crime Report

The following is for crimes reported from Nov. 1 to Nov. 8.

Crime Report

The following is for crimes reported from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1.

Crime Report

The following is for crimes reported from Oct. 18 to Oct. 25.

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Sports

Perfect SCH season ends with second championship

Jefferson standout competing in national tournament

“In Sweden it was just me and my dad going to places,” Oderkerk said. “Now we’re all together in one van. It is a lot of fun because you cheer everyone on.”

Eighteen months ago, Anouk Oderkerk left her home in Stenungsund, Sweden, to pursue a degree in biochemistry and play tennis for Thomas Jefferson University in East Falls.

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Schools
Jenks dismisses early after water service disruption
Students at J.S. Jenks Academy for the Arts and Sciences in Chestnut Hill were sent home early on Nov. 4 due to a loss of water service.
Norwood-Fontbonne named Blue Ribbon School
The state Department of Education last Friday announced that it designated 12 schools in 10 counties as 2026 Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Schools, including Norwood-Fontbonne Academy in Chestnut Hill.

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Chestnut Hill
Water Tower continues fundraising, hosts event
The Water Tower Advisory Council (WTAC), a group of volunteers working to support the Water Tower Recreation Center in Chestnut Hill, is currently fundraising to improve the grounds of the historic building.
Tavern on the Hill: Fine food with side dish of comedy
For more than two decades, Tavern on the Hill has been producing fine food and drink in an English pub-like setting. Now, however, along with your main course, you may be able to get a side dish of comedy.

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Business
Pulling the curtain down on a top Manayunk restaurant
I can still remember going to Jake’s restaurant in Manayunk when it opened on Oct. 19, 1987, because that same day the stock market crashed, losing about 500 points.
New Maguire gallery is ‘love letter to artists’
Tara Maguire had never seriously created art until 2017, when she went to an art class at Woodmere with her mother, philanthropist and artist Frances (Frannie) Maguire.
Huge Japanese menu, exceptional quality at Ooka
Ooka, which means “cherry blossom” in Japanese, was founded by brothers Ben and Lenny Huang to be an authentic sushi and hibachi restaurant.
Truelove Seeds preserves culture through agriculture
On 1.7 acres of land in Roxborough, next to The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Owen Taylor spends his days growing and harvesting seeds from more than 230 types of plants.
Fall restaurant week is returning to Manayunk
Foodies will take over Main Street from Sept. 14-20 at more than 20 locations, with special menus and prices as Manayunk Restaurant Week returns with old favorites as well as some newly opened hot spots.

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Comforts of Home
Most Phila. residents feel prepared for a fire but lack escape plan, survey finds
Despite high confidence in fire preparedness, a survey commissioned by the American Red Cross found that 54% of Philadelphia residents do not have a home fire escape plan and only 6% have practiced one.

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Senior Life
CHC’s first Vietnamese student’s touching love story
I first met Tammy Dao 40 years ago when she became the first Vietnamese student ever admitted into Chestnut Hill College (CHC).

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Health & Wellness
She Shines Conference in Mt. Airy to focus on health
The seventh annual She Shines Women’s Empowerment Conference, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, will focus on health, healing, wellness, spirituality, education, safety, and civic engagement.

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Opinion & letters
Editorials

The Local introduces some digital news improvements

“Our goal is to deepen our connection with longtime readers while meeting new audiences where they are.”
The Chestnut Hill Local has been making steady upgrades to our digital presence so we can better serve readers across Northwest Philadelphia.

Why we are feeling bullish at the Local

Laura Lucas
What a difference a year makes. This week marks one year since the Chestnut Hill Community Association stepped in to manage the Chestnut Hill Local and issued an emergency appeal to keep the paper afloat.

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Letters to the editor
    • Democrats sweep

      It was not only a sweep at the top of the ticket, but also deep, deep, deep into the weeds to governmental positions up and down the ballot.

    • Say no to incinerator contract

      On Nov. 18, the Philadelphia City Council Environment Committee will vote on a contract to spend up to seven more years incinerating …

    • Scenes on a sidewalk

      I just read Sam Beckett’s article called “Your Move or Mine? The Mystery of Sidewalk Courtesy,” and I was charmed to find it wasn’t …

    • Radar guns going overboard

      With a craven desire for more taxpayers’ money, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 509, arming municipal police with radar guns. Radar …

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