Tragic endings

The death of 3-year-old Porchia Bennett revealed a pattern of horrifying child abuse and a response from DHS that came too late.

“Shocking. Sickening. Sad.”

Those were the words Homicide Capt. Richard Ross used at a press conference Tuesday to…

Slain in drive-by

Homicide detectives continue to hunt for the drive-by shooter who killed a 26-year-old man on the 2500 block of Tasker Street.

Naim Sadat, of the 1900 block of Point Breeze Avenue, was pronounced dead at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania a half-hour after…

A different beat

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When Third District Police Officer Jennifer Vrana found out she had cancer, she believed she had one choice.

That was to fight and win.

Mom charged in tot’s death

The mother of 3-year-old Porchia Bennett — who was allegedly beaten, choked and starved to death at the hands of other relatives — surrendered to police Tuesday, officials said.

Boyfriend stabbed to death

A tumultuous six-year relationship ended when a woman allegedly knifed her beau in the chest during an argument, police said.

A woman apparently did in her longtime boyfriend Friday afternoon — first with words and then with a murder weapon, police said.

Criminals, beware

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In business on the 1300 block of Porter Street for 38 years, Ralph Pupo has recently grown concerned about criminal activity in the area.

And he has plenty of reason to worry.

A cut above

When Karen Pompetti Bonetti wakes up every morning, she is flooded with nostalgic memories of her soon-to-be-former job.

Her emotions are all over the place as she thinks about the customers — the retired fire captain, the detective, the roofer, the doctor and the stromboli maker…

Major opportunity

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Caitlyn Smith, Ashley Pasquerella and Shara Borelli walk into Dunkin’ Donuts wearing their red, white and blue Barry Sluggers jerseys. An elderly gentleman enjoying his morning cup of coffee asks the girls what team they play for and when their next game is.

Deck stacked against cards

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Henry Itzi sits behind the counter at Lou’s Baseball Card Dugout Store, explaining why he has become less passionate about his job.

“The business is nowhere like it was six years ago,” he noted. “Too much product is out…

Cookbook recipes are Shore bets

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Beach reading comes in a variety of tastes and flavors — and foodies are always interested in the new harvest of summer cookbooks. This season brought a small crop.