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.

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.

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.

Le Toux, 28, had 25 goals and 20 assists in two seasons with the Union. He was acquired by Philadelphia in the 2009 Major League Soccer Expansion draft from Seattle Sounders FC.

“While this decision wasn’t easy, we are confident that the allocation money we receive will provide the flexibility for us to compile the best possible roster for 2012 and beyond,” said Union manager Peter Nowak.

“Sebastien has been a valuable member of our team for two years and we thank him for his many contributions to the club.”

Le Toux had 14 goals and 11 assists in his first season with Philadelphia, and followed that with 11 goals and nine assists last year.

The former United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division MVP was honored as the Individual Fair Play Award winner in each of the last two seasons.

Per MLS and club policies, the terms of the trade will not be disclosed.

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.

“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.”

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.

Veteri, of Glassboro, N.J., later posted $100,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 31.

Rangers fan and off-duty cop Neal Auricchio Jr., 30, was hospitalized with a concussion following the violent assault and required stitches in his cheek and head.

Police were still searching for two other men in connection with the Jan. 2 incident. Veteri stands accused of throwing the first punch in the beating, which was filmed on a cell phone by a bystander.

Witnesses told police tempers flared after a group of Flyers fans outside Geno’s Steaks in south Philadelphia
bribed a man washing car windows nearby to squirt men wearing Rangers jerseys. An argument ensued and the video shows a Flyers fan — alleged to be Veteri — taking an unprovoked swing at Auricchio.

Auricchio fell to the ground in the beating that ensued and was later knocked unconscious, allegedly by Veteri.

Cops used the cell phone footage as part of an appeal for help in identifying the attackers.

“It is a vicious beating with the conclusion of a knock-down punch, which knocks the police officer unconscious to the ground, upon which he is further assaulted,” Philadelphia Police Captain Lawrence Nodiff told reporters Friday.

Auricchio, a former US Marine who earned a Purple Heart, will attend New York’s Feb. 27 game against the Devils as the guest of Rangers head coach John Tortorella at Madison Square Garden.

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.

Authorities say Barreto fired a dozen or more shots into a car loaded with seven teenagers late Tuesday after the boys arrived for a confrontation with his stepsons. Police say the planned fight stemmed from a dispute at school that then spilled on to Facebook.

Police identified the victims as Joshua Soto and Dante Lugo, both 14, and 16-year-old Javier Orlandi. Soto and Orlandi died late Tuesday.

Another 16-year-old who was behind the wheel was wounded in the neck.

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.”