Phili News

A wealthy real estate developer said Tuesday he and four partners plan to make an offer to buy the city’s two largest newspapers, whose downtown offices he already owns.

Bart Blatstein said he plans to pursue an acquisition of some or all of the assets of Philadelphia Media Network, which operates The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News and their shared website, philly.com. The partnership, calling itself Philly Hometown Media LLC, plans to make a cash offer for the newspapers, Blatstein said.

Past the glass case containing sketches for his novel “Oliver Twist,” beyond the handwritten letter to his publisher about Little Nell, and away from the first published installments of “Hard Times” sits Charles Dickens’ pet bird.

The carefully preserved and stuffed raven named Grip — later the inspiration for Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem — is perhaps the quirkiest part of the Philadelphia public library’s valuable Dickens collection, now on display to celebrate his bicentennial.

A group devoted to reducing or eliminating outdoor advertising in Philadelphia is, perhaps not surprisingly, up in arms over a City Councilwoman’s proposal to slap ads on yellow school buses in the city.

The plan introduced by councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown would have advertisements plastered on yellow school buses, something that Reynolds Brown estimates could bring in an extra $1 million a year to the cash-starved Philadelphia School District But Mary Tracey of the anti-blight group “SCRUB” says the buses should be sacrosanct.

The Philadelphia Union traded forward Sebastien Le Toux to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Tuesday in exchange for allocation money. More >

Philadelphia Union and goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon today announced that they have mutually decided to part ways, allowing for Mondragon to return to his native Colombia and play for Colombian First Division side Deportivo Cali.

Mondragon spent one season in Philadelphia with the Union. He appeared in 27 matches and posted a 62 percent save percentage with seven clean sheets.

The Philadelphia Flower show will debut a new layout, new technology and a new layout this year with its theme ‘Hawaii: Islands of Aloha.’

“This is a show that will appeal to anyone who enjoys excitement, fantastic design and a full-tile experience,” said Drew Becher, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society President. “Whether you’re a show veteran or a first-timer, you’ve never seen a flower show like this.”

A recent college graduate left a bar with his girlfriend just steps from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia’s tourist district, yelled at a cab that wouldn’t give him a ride and was fatally beaten by men who piled out of a car, perhaps in the mistaken belief he was yelling at them, investigators said.

Police are seeking four suspects and offering a reward in the brutal beating of Kevin Kless, 23, early Saturday after he shouted at the cab while he, his girlfriend and a female friend looked for a ride, authorities said. Three men got out of a car behind the cab and started kicking and punching Kless, who fell to the sidewalk severely injured.

Philadelphia police have arrested a man in connection with the beating of a New York Rangers fan after the NHL’s Winter Classic. Dennis Veteri, 32, surrendered to police Thursday night after an arrest warrant was issued in his name. More >

Police say a Philadelphia man killed three teenagers in an ambush sparked by a feud involving his stepsons.

Investigators say 30-year-old Axel Barreto was arrested at a suburban motel Wednesday night, around the time one of his alleged victims was taken off life support. More >

The departure of the company founder’s son has led to the promotion of two longtime executives at Philadelphia Insurance Cos.

As of Jan. 1, the insurer’s board of directors approved the promotions of Sean S. Sweeney to president and chief operating officer and Robert D. O’Leary to executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

Sweeney replaces Christopher Maguire, brother of chairman and CEO Jamie Maguire and one of company founder James J. Maguire Sr.’s sons. A company spokesman said Christopher Maguire has left the company to “pursue other interests.”