We may need some better mathematicians to get us out of this mess:

Number 12 for this year, from the Daily News:

A young man was shot in the back and in the back of the head in Northeast Philadelphia last night. Homicide Lt. Philip Riehl said the unidentified victim was gunned down on Cottage Street near Wakeling at 7:33 p.m. The victim, who appeared to be in his late teens or early 20s, died shortly after at Frankford Hospital-Torresdale, Riehl said. Two men who were spotted near the crime scene were brought in for questioning, but no charges had been filed against either. Anyone with information about the crime can call 215-696-3334 or -3335.

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John Scanlon of the Northeast Times wrote a great story on the passing of the News Gleaner and it is hidden away under the letters section.  Read it here but it is all the way at the bottom.

From KatieRose Keenan of the Northeast Times:

The Philadelphia City Year branch was created in 1996 and serves as a key site among the 18 chapters in the country.
Now the organization is spreading its mission to Northeast Philadelphia, primarily Frankford. The Young Heroes program is expanding with school visitations throughout the Northeast and an appeal for youngsters to take part in service projects.
Recruitment began in October. Young volunteers will be trained by City Year staff and help out at schools, primarily in tutoring and mentoring, starting in January.

Find out what City Year is and what it will be doing in Frankford.  Read the entire story here.

A miserable excuse of a man pleaded guilty yesterday to rape and attempted murder earlier this year in Frankford.  From the Inquirer:

A 33-year-old East Frankford man pleaded guilty yesterday to rape and attempted murder charges in the abductions of two high-school girls a year apart.

Both teens had been on their way to school when they were kidnapped.

Jason Johnson yesterday pleaded guilty to attempted murder, rape, kidnapping and aggravated indecent assault, and is to be sentenced March 19 by Common Pleas Judge Albert J. Snite Jr.

But the question that remains unanswered is who was this guy and why was he living in Frankford.  Does anybody know?  Was he in one of the fine drug flophouses established by the out of town landlords?  Was he on parole for some other crime?  Or was he just a lost sould who suddenly decided to turn into a monster