Philadelphia, PA (February 15, 2026)–The following is Preliminary information and is subject to change. Updates will be provided when available.
On February 14, at approximately 7:59 p.m., officers from the 22nd District responded to a shooting that occurred on the highway in the 1500 block of West Boston Street. Police transported the adult male victim, who had a gunshot wound to the chest, to Temple Hospital, where doctors pronounced him deceased at 8:21 p.m. At this time, no arrests have been made and no motive has been identified. The investigation remains ongoing and is being handled by the Homicide Unit.
A West Berlin man has been arrested and charged in reference to a robbery that occurred yesterday at a McDonald’s in Berlin Township, reported Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Berlin Township Police Chief Michael FitzGibbon. On Friday, February 13, 2026, at approximately 6:39 a.m., officers from the Berlin Township Police Department responded to the McDonald’s located on the 200 block of Route 73 for a report of a robbery. Upon arrival, officers learned that a masked suspect – later identified as 42-year-old William Alvarado Jr. – entered the restaurant and demanded the employees turn over U.S. currency. During the robbery, the defendant kept his hands in his sweatshirt pocket, which led employees to believe that he was armed with a firearm. After receiving U.S. currency, he fled the restaurant on foot. No firearms were displayed and no injuries were reported. During the investigation, detectives from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Berlin Township Police Department used surveillance video from multiple locations to track Alvarado from the restaurant to his vehicle and ultimately to his residence in West Berlin. The defendant was taken into custody and charged with one count of 2nd -degree Robbery. He was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility, pending a future court hearing. Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Michael Manning of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (856) 365-3246 and Detective Lieutenant David Childs of the Berlin Township Police Department at (856) 767-5878, ext. 214. Tips may also be sent to CAMDEN.TIPS. All individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The I-295 southbound ramp to Route 42 southbound and I-295 southbound, also known as Al-Jo’s Curve, is scheduled to be closed and detoured overnight next week as the Direct Connection project advances in Bellmawr, Camden County. This is a continuation of work that began in January.
Beginning at 10 p.m. Tuesday, February 17 until 5 a.m. Wednesday, February 18, and continuing Wednesday, February 18 and Thursday, February 19 at the same time, the I-295 southbound ramp to Route 42 southbound and I-295 southbound, also known as Al-Jo’s Curve, is scheduled to be closed and detoured. The right lane on I-295 southbound also will be closed just after Exit 28/Route 168. All motorists traveling on I-295 southbound will be directed to stay left onto Exit 26. The closures are necessary removal of the temporary Browning Road Bridge west abutment. The following detour will be in place:
I-295 southbound to Route 42 southbound/I-295 southbound Detour:
Motorists traveling on I-295 southbound wishing to continue onto Route 42 southbound will be directed to exit left at Exit 26/I-76 westbound
Take I-76 westbound to Exit 2/I-676 northbound
Take I-676 northbound to Exit 1/Collings Avenue
Turn right onto Collings Avenue
Turn left onto I-676 southbound, which becomes I-76 eastbound
Take I-76 eastbound to Exit 1A/I-295 southbound
The work is part of the Direct Connection project that will provide a seamless route for I-295 motorists traveling through the interchange of I-295, I-76, and Route 42. To sign up for I-295 Direct Connect project updates go to 295DirectConnect.com or text CONNECT to 1-844-844-3681.
Portable variable message signs are being used to provide advance notification of traffic pattern changes associated with the work. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.
The Philadelphia Council of Clergy (PCC) proudly announces its 2026 Honor the Dreamers Awards Program, to be held on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Now in its sixth year, this signature gathering has become a sacred and civic moment in the life of the city—bringing together clergy, elected officials, community leaders, and citizens to celebrate modern-day torchbearers who embody the spirit, sacrifice, and service of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
For the past six years, the Philadelphia Council of Clergy has intentionally created space to recognize leaders whose work reflects Dr. King’s enduring commitment to justice, compassion, reconciliation, and community transformation. These are men and women who do not merely speak about change—they labor for it, often quietly, faithfully, and at great personal cost.
Since its inception, the Honor the Dreamers Awards have recognized a distinguished and diverse circle of honorees. Among them have been pioneers such as the Honorable Wilson Goode Sr., the first African American Mayor of Philadelphia, whose leadership helped shape the city’s modern civic landscape, and Bart Oates, President of the NFL Alumni Association, honored for his commitment to service beyond the gridiron. In addition, numerous clergy leaders have been recognized with Lifetime Achievement Awards for decades of faithful ministry, moral leadership, and spiritual guidance within Philadelphia and beyond.
The 2026 class of honorees continues that rich tradition of excellence and impact:
· Trailblazer Award — Nelson Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
· Lifetime Achievement Award — Rev. Dr. William Moore, Pastor of Ten Memorial Baptist Church
· Lifetime Achievement Award — Bishop Millicent Hunter, Pastor of The Baptist Worship Center
· Bridge Builder Award — Inspector Jarreau Thomas, Philadelphia Police Department
· President’s Award — Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania
This year, the Council has added a special distinction—the President’s Award—to recognize an elected official whose public service has demonstrated a commitment to putting people before politics and progress before partisanship. Governor Josh Shapiro is being honored for his leadership on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and for modeling a results-driven approach to governance during a time of deep division.
Each award category reflects a dimension of Dr. King’s legacy:
· Trailblazer honors those breaking new ground.
· Lifetime Achievement recognizes decades of faithful service.
· Bridge Builder celebrates those fostering unity across communities.
· President’s Award affirms courageous and people-centered public leadership.
The evening program will feature tributes, award presentations, inspirational reflections, and moments of collective gratitude for leaders who continue to “keep the dream alive” through action and sacrifice.
In a season when the nation continues to wrestle with division along lines of race, class, politics, and ideology, the Philadelphia Council of Clergy believes it is both timely and necessary to lift up examples of servant leadership. Scripture reminds us, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice” (Proverbs 29:2). The Honor the Dreamers gathering seeks to highlight those whose authority is exercised with humility, justice, and moral clarity.
“The dream Dr. King spoke of was never meant to live only in history books,” said PCC leadership. “It lives wherever leaders choose courage over comfort, service over status, and unity over division. This evening is our way of saying—we see you, we honor you, and we thank God for you.”
Clergy, community partners, civic leaders, and members of the public are invited to attend and share in this celebration of faith-anchored service and transformational leadership.
American citizens — and only American citizens — should decide American elections. The Save America Act is a common sense, bipartisan bill that would simply require —
A Valid ID Before Registering to Vote in a Federal Election
Proof of Citizenship
No Mail-in Ballots (Except for Illness, Disability, Military or Travel)
The President is calling on Republicans and Democrats to pass the SAVE America Act. Requirement for Voter I.D. to vote should be something that NO American should oppose. If you want to register to vote in the United States, you have to be a citizen in the United States.
The SAVE America ACT will direct states to remove non-citizens from the voter rolls. AMERICA lags behind other nations in enforcing basic and necessary election protections —
India and Brazil tie voter I.D. to a biometric database, while the United States largely relies on self-attestation for citizenship.
Germany and Canada require paper ballots when tabulating votes, while the U.S. lacks basic chain-of-custody protections.
Denmark and Sweden sensibly limit mail-in voting to those unable to vote in person.
Late arrivals do not count—while American elections now feature mass voting by mail, even after Election Day.
Today, Congressman Van Drew announced that the Cape May City Seawall Flood Mitigation Project has officially been authorized to move forward, securing more than $24.3 million to protect one of the most vulnerable areas along the Jersey Shore.
“I just heard directly from the Secretary of Homeland Security’s office that this project has officially been authorized,” said Congressman Van Drew. “This is a major breakthrough for Cape May and for our entire shoreline. This section of Cape May was identified after Hurricane Sandy as a serious weak point, and that vulnerability has not gone away. The next major storm is not a matter of if, but a matter of when. This seawall project is making sure we are not caught unprepared. Thank you to the administration for making our coastline a priority. This has been a big week for our shore. I am proud to keep delivering real results and making sure South Jersey gets the attention it deserves.”
In a historic first for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, a broad coalition of Muslim civic and advocacy organizations hosted a CD-12 Candidate Forum on Super Bowl Sunday at the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton, drawing nearly 200 attendees from both the Muslim community and the broader public.
The forum was organized by CAIR Action NJ, Emgage Action, and the NJ Muslim Civic Coalition Activate, in partnership with American Muslims for Democracy (AMD), New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association (NJMLA), CAIR-NJ, ICNA Social Council for Justice, NJ Muslim League of Voters, and NJ Muslim Voters for Progress.
First committee meetings of the new session center on lowering costs for New Jersey residents
(TRENTON) — In their first opportunity to consider legislation in the new legislative session, Assembly Democrats are making good on their promises by today advancing a series of bills through committees aimed at lowering costs for everyday New Jerseyans. From insurance reforms to rein in health care costs to addressing rising utility bills and increasing the state’s housing supply to lower costs, the bills reflect a comprehensive effort to ease financial pressure and make New Jersey more affordable.
“For too many families, affordability is not a single issue but an ongoing daily challenge that touches every household decision,” said Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “As we begin the 222nd Legislative Session, our focus remains squarely on lowering costs where we can, and making it easier for New Jerseyans to afford medical care, keep the lights on, and find a place to call home. Today’s committee meetings reflect that commitment, setting the tone for a session centered on the working families across our state.”
The following information is preliminary and subject to change. Updates will be provided as they become available.
In the 15th District, at approximately 9:43 a.m., an adult male sustained a graze wound to the head inside a private residence on the 1900 block of Auth Street. The victim was transported by medic to Temple Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. No arrests have been made at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing with the Shooting Investigation Group.
Additionally, on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at approximately 1:59 a.m., officers from the 19th District responded to a report of a shooting on the highway near 5400 Wyalusing Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a 45-year-old male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the neck and one gunshot wound to the back. The victim was transported by police to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased at 2:33 a.m. There is no motive or arrest at this time, and the investigation is ongoing with the Homicide Unit.
In the 9th District, at approximately 1:19 a.m., a female victim was stabbed near North 12th Street and Brown Street. She was transported to Jefferson Center City Hospital, and her condition is unknown at this time. The investigation is ongoing with the Central Detective Division.
